Pre-Race Nerves

Tomorrow is my first race of the year and honestly I am not ready.  When I signed up for the Fragrance Lake 10k my training was going well or so I thought.  There were long days, intervals, hills, and plenty of trails.  Three weeks ago I got a hint that I was riding the line of over-training when my knee started hurting.  I've ran once since then and it hurt on the way back. 

After lots of research on how to diagnosis and treat (I even spoke to a physical therapist who was doing a talk at Western), I've been biking and swimming to keep fitness while doing specific strength training and stretching to my glutes and hamstrings.  It's been somewhat easy to lay off the running because the weather's been so gloomy but with the race tomorrow, I'm getting anxious with questions.  Has the inflammation gone down?  Will the downhill do me in? 

This afternoon I am going for a 3 mile run at a slow pace on flat ground to see how it feels.  I'll do some strides to feel my speed out.  Not that tomorrow's race will be very fast considering there's 1,200 feet of climbing but the downhill could require some fast leg turnover.   I'm hoping that everything goes well and I can start building my mileage again.  Either way, expect a race report soon.

Race Calender

Finally, I have nailed down a race plan for the 2013.  Honestly I've been reluctant to post this list, but after registering for the USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals this afternoon, the green light lit up.

*$   Februrary 17        Fragrance Lake 10k
*     March 3               Stewart Mt. 15k
       March 16             Runnin' O' the Green 5mi
       April 6                 Rainman Indoor Triathlon-Silverdale
*     April 13               Alger Alp 25k
       April 28               Mount Rainier Duathlon
*     May 5                  Little Mountain 10k
**   May 28                Spring Festival Super Sprint Moses Lake
*     June 1                  Pine & Cedar Hill Climb 4.5mi
       June 8                  Vashon Island 10mi
$     June                     Lake Padden Triathlon
       July 7                  Vashon Island Exterra Off-Road Triathlon
       July 13                 Ocean Shores 70.3
*     July 28                 Chuckanut Mountain 12k
A$- August 10            USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships
       August 24            Lake Sammamish Sprint
       September 7         Lake Stevens Olympic
**   September 15      Kirkland Sprint
-A- September 21       Grand Columbian Iron distance

*      races in the Bellinghan Trail Running Series- cumulative points
**    races I did last year that I'd like to repeat
$      signed up
-A-   races that my training revolve around
     
 -Lake Stevens & Kirkland- I'm on the fence because they are so close to my Iron race.


Below are marathons I'm entertaining for the Fall.   

November 10   Bellingham Trail Marathon
November 23   Wishbone Marathon- Gig Harbor
November 23   Ghost of Seattle Marathon
November 25   Seattle Marathon
December 31    Last Chance Marathon- Bellingham
December 31    Yukon Do It- Port Orchard




Of course all of these are subject to change based on monetary funds and health.  Except those I've already paid for then I'll just have to suck it up and march forth.

Tour de Cure

The Tour de Cure is coming to Redmond, Wash in May.  I started Team RAD (Riders Against Diabetes) to bring awareness and funds to the American Diabetes Association.  This is our team logo.  I hope that there is enough time to have the image put on some cycling jerseys.

If you want to donate or join the team go to the link below and join the cause in fighting diabetes.

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/Events/General?team_id=568322&pg=team&fr_id=8658&utm_source=emailbadge&utm_medium=signature&utm_content=team &utm_campaign=TDC&s_src=signature&s_subsrc=TDC2013

IT Band Issues

As I searched through the internet looking for treatments for IT band issues, almost all the authors started out their articles stating every runner, cyclist, swimmer, etc. has experienced pain near the knee.  I guess it's my time to shine because after about 3 miles my right knee starts screaming. 

I tell you this because I'll be starting a rehab series tomorrow.  Jason Fitzgerald from Strength Running has a great blog that I have used as a resource in the past.  This just happens to be my first time mentioning him.  Hopefully the exercises below will alleviate the pain and make me stronger.

In the meanwhile I'm going to increase my weekly swim mileage because it's super low right now.  I've been getting more comfortable and having more fun in the water with new drills.  Also I'm going to keep the cycling workouts to purely aerobic training so as not aggravate my knee further.

A Little Exploring

When I went to Boundary Bay Brewery to watch the Seahawks play against the Falcons (don't worry it's the last time I'll mention it) I met a couple who are big into running.  We cheered and moaned in those three hours but we also chatted about the local running and triathlon clubs.  They told me that I needed to head down to the Klicks running store and introduce myself to the owners.  A couple of days later I made my way downtown and had a great conversation with those guys.  Since I'm pinching pennies, I restrained myself from getting new gear.  Though I did purchase a map of the Chuckanut and Blanchard Forest trails. 

The Fragrance Lake 20k ( http://www.bellinghamtrail.com/p/fragrance-lake-10k20k.html ) is coming up on Feb. 17 and I felt the need to orient myself in that area.  Yesterday afternoon I drove out to the Arroya Park off Old Samish Way to start my exploring.  It's a beautiful area with a trail winding along the Chuckanut Creek with a wooden bride that leads into the northern part of the trail system.

Start-Arroyo Park - Hemlock Tr. - N. Lost Lake Tr. - Madrona Crest - Hemlock Tr. - Arroyo Park

Once across the creek I found myself on Hemlock Trail which will travel all the way to Cedar Lake and Pine lake but I'll save that route for another day.  I got off Hemlock and headed Southwest onto N. Lost Lake Tr. passing trees covered in heavy moss and a body of water that had huge sheets of ice covering it.  There was snow in the shadowy areas also.  I didn't want to turn this jog into a super adventure because the light was waning so I turned north onto Madrona Crest.

 

Madrona Crest

Coming down Madrona Crest my right IT band started to get a little tender.  I haven't had any problems with my knees lately so I was little concerned.  My pace definitely slowed even though I was going downhill.  The compression was starting to really inflame my knee.  Once I got back on Hemlock Tr. I took a few stops to capture how beautiful this area is.

 

Ferns Galore!

Depending on how wet this weekend and how my knee feels I'd like to follow the Fragrance Lake 20k route to get a feel for it so I don't take a wrong turn during the race.   Maybe I'll even get a chance to join in with some others.  Solo running is great for focus and training but after a few hours I wouldn't mind chatting with someone.  Until the next time, go do something neat.

 

 

Mamasanti

   This weekend had a surprise in order for me when I knocked on a friend's door to find out that another friend's mother passed after a tough nine-month fight with ALS. 
   Mary loved going to the ocean when she was able to and there were many attempts made by her and her son, Josh.  Sadly she became so weak from her disease that Josh and her were not able to make the trip. 
   When I found out that the crew was going to Pacific Beach, I threw my plans out the window and jumped in the car. 
   It was a great decision because the thought of giving my buddy a big hug was all I could think about through the drive and the look on his face after I stepped out the car was all I needed to know it was going to be a special trip. 
   We spent the weekend doing what friends and family do, laugh, share stories, eat well and enjoy one another's company. 
   Mary would have wanted that.  She was a sweet soul who cared deeply for her sons.  The strength and love I witnessed between Josh and her was always tender and moving.  
   Mamasanti was looking down and smiling because even though she couldn't physically be there, she was and will always be in our hearts.

       May you finally rest in peace Mary and know that we will take care of your son.

Back in the Saddle

I've been a bad blogger but I am going to try and change that.  Lots of events have happened since I last posted something on here.  Here's a quick recap:

Rode through Glacier National Park (Sept.)

Moved back to Washington state (Sept.)

Competed in the Kirkland Sprint Triathlon where I 

qualified for Nationals coming up this August in Milwaukee (Sept.)

Ran a couple of 5k's with some friends.  

This one being the Inaugural Mustache Dache (Nov.)

My brother and his girlfriend came up for Thanksgiving.  

That's us and my Dad on the end at Pike Place Brewery (Nov.)

Worked part time installing new fiber optic cables (Dec.)

Discovered the Port Gamble trail system (Dec.)

And transferred to Western Washington University (Jan.)

I am going to try and come here more often.  Now that I'm a full-time student again I would think there wouldn't be much time left for blogging after long days in the library and afternoons exploring the area but I think there will be more in the future to share.  Next time I should have a Summer race schedule finalized to offer.  Until then, go out and do something neat.