Three Things Thursday

1. The Tinfoilman Triathlon is approaching! I have a little over three weeks left of training. I have yet to swim for longer than 15 minutes (our pool is so itty bitty) so the swim portion will be very interesting, to say the least. And I'm also a little nervous about the transitions. I just don't know what to expect. I plan on learning a whole lot in this race. I mean, I have been reading up on it, but I just need to experience it to fully understand it. Oh man, the clock is ticking down!

2. What's wrong with me? Besides the obvious craziness/hyperactivness. No but really. Why am I so exhausted all. of. the. time???  Lately, I go our for a run and I just can't. My head is just not into it or something and my body then starts to feel the same way. I LOVE running. Don't get me wrong. But something is going on. It could possibly be my new job as a teacher. Definitely exhausting. But not enough to be too tired to run! Not compared to working at a summer camp! Has anybody been exhausted by their job?

3. The first triathlon in space! I read this I just thought it was the coolest thing! I copied the article below. Check out the video!

Astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams, who just took command of the International Space Station over the weekend, likes to break records. (She is only the second woman ever to command the ISS, by the way.) She holds the record for the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman, spending 195 consecutive days on the ISS. Now she’s finished the first-ever space triathlon spaceathlon.

Williams, 46, competed in the Malibu triathlon using equipment on board the ISS. She used the station’s exercise bike, treadmill and a resistive exercise machine, which basically works like a weight-lifting machine but in weightlessness. This helped her simulate the type of workout she’d get in a half-mile ocean swim, according to Florida Today.

“My watch says 1:48:43 for the three events and the transitions,” Williams told Mission Control after her workouts.

Williams, 46, is a captain in the U.S. Navy and first launched into space in 2007. On that trip, she ran the Boston Marathon in space, while spending 195 consecutive days on the ISS. That’s still a record for the longest continuous spaceflight by a female astronaut. On Saturday, she relieved station commander Gennady Padalk, a cosmonaut who returned to Earth Sunday with co-crew members Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba.

Williams also holds the women’s world records for the most spacewalks, at 6, and the most spacewalking time, at 44 hours and two minutes, Florida Today says.

One more milestone is still to come on this trip: On Wednesday (Sept. 19), she'll celebrate her birthday. Watch her in action below, courtesy of NASA TV.

I love that she actually has a race bib and numbers on her leg! 

TTR & The Phoneline Trail

This past Sunday, I got to run with my favorite running group, TTR (or Tucson Trail Runners). I love this group for a number of reasons! First of all, they all have a great attitude. Sure, they can get competitive, but they aren't snobby about it. Some groups in town (I won't name names) are comprised of a whole lot of...jerks. Seriously! Based solely on my experience. If you are in one of those groups, I do apologise, but come on! Be a little nicer. TTR has been accepting of everyone, even little 'ol me, who runs trails at about the speed of a turtle.

Another reason I'm loving TTR is for the runs. They pick the best routes! I may be biased because I love trails but they really are quite an experience...much more of a difference than running on a road.

The route this week was the Phoneline Trail to Sabino Basin. The total mileage was supposed to be about 13 miles, but I figured I would only go 8 miles (that way I would just be combining Saturday's and Sunday's run).

I got to the parking lot at Sabino Canyon at 5:45am to sign in. We waited until 6 to start. Since I didn't really know anyone, I stood alone, scoping out the scene. I spotted one or two people my age (I'm usually always the youngest) so I was a little excited about that. I think more people are hearing about TTR and so the runs have been filled with more runners (to the dismay of many senior members).

A beautiful Tucson morning...as usual. 

Right as the clock hit 6am, we were off! We ran as a group on a flat dirt trail for about 3/4 of a mile, and then hit the Phoneline trail. We started climbing and climbing and climbing. And somewhere around mile 1.1, I just couldn't keep up anymore. I jumped off to the side and let the runners behind me pass. I walked uphill awhile while I caught my breath. I know I need to train on trails more if I want to keep up with them.

About where I fell behind :c

I fell behind and became the very. last. one. 

At first, I was upset about not being able to catch up. But then I realized that I have no pressure on me. No one behind me and no one too close in front of me. It was like I was just going for a run alone (which sort of defeated the purpose of running with a group...).

The trail up ahead...

I had my eye on a runner a little ways in front of me. For about 10 minutes, I was too freaked out to pass him because then I would I have to keep up my pace so he wouldn't pass me again. But around mile 2, I got a boost of energy! (Also, the trail started flattening out...but don't worry about that...)  I zoomed past him and then a few miles up, past a hiker too (which definitely counts).

Feeling pretty good around mile 4. 

At mile 4, I told myself I should turn back even though I was running at a good pace. But the curiosity of what lay ahead was just too much and so I kept going.

A little past mile 5, I came to a runner turning around so I thought, "I must be close!". Soon, I reached a fork in the trail. which meant a really good sign for me. I could turn around! One day I would go all the way to Sabino Basin (it was really only 2 more miles, but I wasn't sure about all the climbs).

A plant cut me! Finally, I got a battle scar on the trail! 

And so I ran back. Two runners coming from Sabino Basin passed me (they were so fast!). I was still in the shade of the mountain, but the sun was coming up quick. And I knew that as soon as I hit the trail that had no cover, I would be in trouble. Thankfully, I brought a hat and sunglasses. But the heat still really takes a lot out of you! You have to be careful out here in the southwest.

It was even starting to LOOK hot.

I got back in about 2 hours. The run directors were super nice and they brought some really yummy snacks. (Also another reason to love TTR...the RD's always have food for you afterwards!). I chatted and chilled out with the runners for about 30 minutes and then I took my leave.

I'm always worried about coming to a run and not having a good time but that's never the case.. I always have a great time with this group.

Do you have a running/workout group that you love?

RNRAZ Training Weeks 1 & 2

I'm officially signed up for the Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon!

I've been putting off a marathon for awhile now. It's all nerves.

It's hilarious how I have no trepidations with the idea of running from Sabino Canyon to the top of Mt. Bigelow and back (about 30 miles). But as soon as I think of running a marathon, I freak out.

It could be an audience thing. Knowing that people are watching me, it can be a little intimidating. But then again, I chose to run RNRAZ instead of the Tucson Marathon because I know I could use the extra support from the crowd. Spectators on the Tucson Marathon route are scarce. It's a beautiful course (I ran the last three miles last year helping to pace my friend Brittany). However, it's not a good first race if you're nervous...like me.

As far as I know, no one ever said the first few weeks of marathon training will make you or break you (please correct me if I'm wrong). My first 2 weeks have not been promising, but they were alright. Good enough for me....for now.

Week 1

Monday
Rest

Tuesday
3.46 miles. 
This run I wasn't feeling so well and the feeling lasted for days. You know that feeling you get after you eat a big meal and then go running? Well, that was it, except I didn't eat a big meal beforehand and the sick feeling lasted way too long...

Wednesday
Wednesdays are supposed to be Cross Training days but with that feeling still lingering, I just couldn't do it.

Thursday
Was supposed to do 3 miles, but again, that feeling put a stop to it.

Friday
Rest

Saturday
Was supposed to do a 4 miler here, but I was planning on running Mt. Wrightson the next day so I put it off.

Sunday
The plan was for a 3 mile EZ. I was just going to combine Saturday's run and Sundays run together on the TTR run. However, a pounding headache and lack of sleep from the night before put a halt on a long run. :/
I ended up running 4.82 miles. 

Week 2

Monday
Rest

Tuesday
Was supposed to be a 3 mile day, but forgot about it. No worries, I just worked out Wednesday. :)

Wednesday
Was supposed to be a rest day, but did a triathlon training block instead, to make up for Tuesday.
Total: 8.07 miles.
Bike: 6 miles  Run: 2 miles

Thursday
3.26 miles. 

Friday
I had the option of either CT (Cross Training) or Rest. I chose the latter. :)

Saturday
I was scheduled for a 5 miler, but I wanted to try running with TTR again so I skipped it.

Sunday
Success!
Finally got to run with TTR!
9.74 miles. 
It was such a beautiful morning to go for a run. Especially in Sabino Canyon on the Phoneline Trail. Full recap soon.