Hotter 'N Hell Hundred

The Hotter'N Hell had nearly 12,000 participants, 25,000 visitors, 3800 volunteers, who were greatly appreciated and 112 sponsors. This makes this HH100 a record year. I had real doubts about whether or not we were ready for the 100 miles. The week before we, Patrick, Jonathan and I set out for a 75 mile ride from our house to Patrick's mom's house. It was really hard to press on after about 70 miles. But whatever doubts I had about thie HH100 were squashed. I did great. Here are my overall stats:
Average mph: 18.11
Total time: 6:30:02
Rests: 3-adding up to 1:00:03
Pedal time: 5:37:59
Calories: 3685

What made this ride great were the volunteers. If you ever have a desire to cycle 102miles in heat that could range between 95 to 100+ degrees I strongly suggest the HH100. This is by far the best run, best stocked ride I've ever taken part in. The volunteers, all 3800 of them, were amazing. They MADE the race. Every stop, which on the 100 mile route were about every 10 miles were stocked with fruit, ice water, cold powerade, cookies, ice cold wet paper towels and more. Next year Patrick and I plan to do the Triple Heat: On Friday a 13 mile trail ride, Saturaday 102 mile road ride, and Sunday a half marathon trail run.

Over I just must say that my new love is cycling. It's addicting. I just love to go far and fast by just the power in my legs.

There will be many long rides head.

What ever your passion, press on with it and push your self.
www.hh100.org

Small Texan Triathlon

The first big triathlon of the season was this last Sunday; the Small Texan Triathlon. This was an international distance triathlon: 800 meter swim, 45 K Bike, 10 K run. It went really well, peformance wise, but I wasn't thrilled with the bike or run course. The bike was on a very rough service road and there was so many hills, but I guess it was the Hill Country. The run was also on a service road with very little shade.
The bright side was my performance. I was able to run the whole distance which I wasn't expecting. It was really uplifting to be able to keep running beyond a half hour and I was thrilled that my hip didn't start hurting until mile 5. I pushed really hard the last 1.2 miles, by which time my hip started to ache pretty bad. I stretched really well afterward and all the pain was gone, it was amazing. I'm really surprised at how well stretching as worked for me.

My time was 3:13:33. Heres the Breakdown:
Swim- 15:29
T1- 2:26
Bike and T2-1:46:19; Avgerage 15.8 mph
Run - 1:09:18: Pace-11:11

I need to work on the transition times. My T1 time wouldn't have been as long had I not pinned the front and back of my shirt together when I pre-pinned my race number on. Silly mistake.

Running behind

Its been over two months since my last entry. The truth is I started this blog as a hobby for when I had my hip injury and couldn't run, walk, swim, bike, or anything else for that matter. But I've healed up and moved on and now I'm running and biking again. I listened to my body though during that recovery time and I'm glad I did. Though I was out for about 4 months I learned so much about healing and recovery, both the physical and mental components. I found that I would not go crazy if I didn't get a run or ride in, it was just really nice to. I had a lot more time for spiritual reflection and scripture study which I really enjoyed. Now that I'm back to all my normal activities I feel like I'm leaving some important things behind so I'm trying to change that. I haven't watched any TV because really, I don't watch it. It's just noise. Instead I got did the straightening around the house I wanted to do, as well as scripture study. And of course the blog. But there's also casual reading, genealogy, and print journaling I would like to work into my schedule. So I am going to work harder from now on to waste less time and start accomplishing the small little things that define me as a person and help me find balance and clarity in life.

We will see..

Give and Take

Today I healed a little more. I over did it with jogging a few days ago and my hip reared its angry head in protest. I felt like I regressed and was back to the condition I was in 3 weeks ago. But Brett at Lewisville Greater Physical Therapy worked wonders on me. His attention to my injury and time he spent stretching me and using ultrasound on my hip really made a huge difference in the tension in my hip. He let me know that my recover will be what they term as "active." I need to retrain my hip including the tendons and ligaments so that these components gradually become accustomed to the stress and use they receive from running and cycling and everyday use. I'll start out with 5 minutes on a stair master or eliptcal and gradually build up my time as my hip allows without pain. After meeting with him, for the first time since this happened I didn't feel like I was a debilitated athlete. Rather he empowered me to heal and recover and I was so impressed with his knowledge, skill, and professionalism. In addition to all this we could relate and talk with each other as peers and equals because he's a climber too.

So today I am healing and hopeful.

Patience and Time

I tried running again after my PT therapist said she thought it was time for me to try again. Well, it wasn't. I've regressed. My hip pain is back. Not as full force as it was originally, but enough to deter me from trying to do any sort of walking for exercise or any cycling at all. But oddly enough I'm coping well with this. I miss running and cycling and being free of pain and tightness in my hip joint but I've discovered that I can stay healthy without running. I haven't gained weight, though my doctors say it wouldn't hurt me to and I've been able to lift weights and do mild walking. My world hasn't crashed to a halt and I'm not depressed that I can't run. I just am patiently waiting for the day to come when the hip flexor loosens back up and my psoas relents its tight grip on my right side. I really thought this would bother me more but I think I may have felt that I had a right or I should be upset and angry and impatient with my healing, but I've realized this won't help me at all. Oddly enough my therapy requires the exact opposite. I stretch my hip, quads, hamstrings, and psoas as I gradually heal from this injury and there are some odd parallels between my physical healing and the personal journey of growth I've embarked on since I've been injured.

As you stretch your muscles you must ease into the stretch holding for a moment and breathing deeply. You can't rush a stretch, just like you can't rush your healing process. I think I'm a bit calmer now for having to stretch so much. I'm realizing that I may not only be stretching sore and tight muscles in my legs and hips but I'm stretching my perception of who I am and what makes me happy. I've had to find new outlets and adjust to and accept my shorter, less intense workouts. I'm easing into this adjustment period and just hoping that I will heal in a month or so. When I do get back to running, I know I will be much more aware of my body and will have a greater appreciation for it capabilities, both to carry me vast distances with just the power of my muscles and bones, but also for its ability to heal.
So today I am on the mend. I am hopeful and patient and will continue to stretch my muscles and tendons and my spirit and mind.

I've known many injuries that have put me out and set me back but in the end, I triumphed and returned to my sports and activities with more vigor and ability. But more importantly I return as a stronger person in spirit.

Let the healing continue for today I am me and I am happy.

New day and a New Year
January 2 seems like a great day to start something new, something different, something that reminds me to be myself amidst all the pressures of the world. Few will probably read this memoir but truly this I am not here to entertain anyone but myself. I am here to open up to myself and that might seem odd as I am putting this out there for the world to see, but I think this will force me to be honest. If it doesn't make sense to you, then you probably shouldn't read any further.

Who am I today? Today I am a recovering runner, cycler, climber, and swimmer. I ran a 15K on November 10th and learned a horribly hard lesson that day at the Rockledge Rumble around Grapevine Lake. NEVER run on an injury..

So nearly 2 months later. I have run 1 mile and just recently started cycling again. Patrick and I cycled a 13 mile road ride yesterday and it felt great. I forgot how invigorating it is to cover miles and miles powered using just what God gave you. To have the wind rush past, the sun rain down, and the cold bite at your ears and toes. My blood pumped hard for the first time in ages and I could feel my calves, glutes, and hamstrings all coming alive after so long a rest. All these elements, combined with the companionship of my best friend reminded me of who I am.
I am a runner.
I am a cycler.
Even when injured.
I am loved by my best friend who just happens to be my husband.

Today I am grateful to be healing and able to ride some distances. Who knows what tomorrow will bring