MyCOLORADOLife.net

Early A.M. Swim Practice at -13F/-25C

Published February 17, 2014

While Sarah was getting her suntan on in El Salvador, I scored space on my favourite blogger’s site — sarahontheroad.com.

Friendly WARNING: Following Sarah’s adventures in Nunavut (Canada’s Arctic North) is crazy addictive 🙂

Early A.M. Swim Practice at -13F/-25C: {Guest Post}

3 years ago I made the move to Colorado & left my NYC career.

That year I set a goal to hike a different hike all 52 weeks. What an amazing year – saw so much of my newly adopted home state! Next in 2013, I ran a full marathon in Anchorage, Alaska.

All the while I continued to follow Sarah in Pang. Northern lights, harbor icebergs, Mt Duval, SNOW, last year’s all-girl Yukon adventure, ice fishing for Arctic Char – yeah, I’m a HUGE fan of sarahontheroad.com.

Ironman Boulder

We are now 6 months out from the inaugural Ironman Boulder! Who is getting excited?

Yep, this year’s goal — complete my first Ironman. Sure I’ve never competed in a triathlon, haven’t biked since I was 9 – yet I plan to swim/bike/run 140.6 miles on August 3^rd.

My friend & coach, M is a swimmer.

I am a dreamer. I’m a goal setter. I’m an adventurer…but I’m not a swimmer.

-13 degrees F, light snow & on the road at 4:45am headed to my gym Colorado Athletic Club in Boulder – to swim. Crazy cold.

Heated outdoor pool but I punk’d out this day – chose to fight the mobs & use the smaller indoor pool (only 6 lanes).

Hot tubbed for 5 minutes to boost my body temp, then started today’s swim. Only 3 of us in the pool this early on such a bitter cold day. By 630 though, was no longer lapping up-n-back but forced to circle to permit add’l swimmers in the pool.

Kinda overwhelming with so many faster swimmers. I’ve hit my Ironman distance 5 times already (90 laps up-n-back) so I know I can hang with the endurance athletes but the sprinters – no possible way. I watch them play with their watches and stare endlessly at the water. Suddenly they dart up-n-back once, sometimes 2 times & the routine starts again. Check the watch, stare at the water, scope out the pool, stare….then zing they take off. Like flashy schools of sardines.

And me? Slow & steady – 2 strokes, head up, breathe to the right. Lap back — 2 strokes, head up, breathe to the left.

Can’t say I love swimming but I’m efficient. Breathing technique is similar to running – slow steady deep breathing.

By endurance, we conquer – Sir Ernest Shackleton

6 more months ‘til Ironman. Absolutely anything is possible.

Posted in Ironman Boulder | 2 Comments

Austin Marathon, Texas

Published February 16, 2014

Race day. Up at 5am, already 65 degrees & crazy humid – in February!

Spent 30+ minutes locating parking in the designated state capitol parking garage(s) – Austin’s gotta resolve I-35 traffic congestion & downtown parking (friendly suggestion) – then jockeyed my way near the 4 hour pace group.

Whole lotta runners. More than 18,000 participating in either the half or full marathon events.

Marathon was rolling hills from mile 9 thru mile 19. Yep, 10 miles of gradual UP.

Austin only provides marathon ‘Finisher’ tees, so picked up a local Longhorns tee for race day. By mile 9, my new cotton tee was soaked. Let the chaffing begin – that’s all I’m gonna say here but ouch, live & learn. Cotton never again plus wearing strategically placed Band-Aids in every marathon going forward.

Assume it was the humidity but whatever the excuse, today just wasn’t my best. Felt tired, struggled for motivation & was passed by my pace team a few miles past Lady Bird Lake. And because of super tight security, had no one encouraging me at mile 19, 20 or 21 (aka – Runner’s Wall). Just me this day. Tough one.

As the race day drug on, felt more & more like a fraud in that Longhorns tee. Whatever, I’ll take it 🙂

“The eyes of Texas are upon you, son”
“Hook ‘em Horns”
“Run Forrest Run” (not sure he was from Texas)

Race ended up a hill. Ugly day but I collected my official Finisher tee.

Only 46 states to go. Next month – Atlanta!

Place Name City State Time

1686 K R Haga Louisville CO 4:27.41

: Austin Marathon FINISHER!

: Texas State Capitol

: heavy fog, crazy humid race day

Posted in Marathons/Ultras, South | Tagged capitol-domes | 2 Comments

Remember the Alamo!

Published February 15, 2014

3^rd straight marathon month lined up – Welcome to Austin!

Arrived just before midnite, caught some quick shuteye, then off to the Palmer Events Center for bib pickup & the Runner’s Expo. Fast sweep of the room, back in my rental & south on I-35 – destination: San Antonio. And more specifically…the Alamo.

Sunshiny warm day with temps in the mid-70’s. Beeeeutiful day!

More than one person warned that I’d be bored at the Alamo – only good if you like history. Lucky for me – I LOVE history! 🙂

Started off by watching a 20-minute movie produced by the History Channel. The Texas Revolution was very similar to our own country’s beginnings & struggle against England. Texas was a northern province of Mexico – primarily settled by Americans & Europeans – fighting for autonomy. Yea I was hooked. LOL>

And while the Alamo was the final resting place for Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis & 200 others, it was also the birthplace/the catalyst for the Republic of Texas. Nope not bored, no way. I soaked this all in.

Ready for a Texas style dinner? Well that’d be BBQ – so in Austin, you head to the Iron Works. Frequently by governors, senators & George W himself, just couldn’t go wrong. Marathon in the morning – time for sleep? Heck no, night’s still early.

In Texas they love their Longhorns, so caught a basketball game at UT’s Frank Erwin Center. #19 Texas crushed the visiting West Virginia Mountaineers 88-71, and improved to 20-5 on the season. Hook ‘em Horns!

BBQ, basketball & the Alamo. Yep, now I’m Texas-ready for tomorrow’s 26.2 miles.