Checking In

I apologize for the delay in blogging, it's been a busy fall season. Here are a few running updates:
- Raced the 10k at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in October. It was a fabulous experience, where I met many great athletes, coaches, staff, and locals. The athlete village was an experience in itself with dorm style living, a cafeteria with food 24/7, an entertainment area, beautiful pool, a walking path through the woods, a top notch gym, and hundreds of police bordering the outside. Guadalajara was a fun town to explore with historic buildings and sculptures, unconventional construction methods, a funny pedestrian crossing signal, colorful markets, and very excited locals. It was an experience of a lifetime!
- I decided to race the marathon Olympic Trials. It's not quite a distance I'm looking forward to, but I'm slowly embracing the idea of finishing my first marathon and being a part of an amazing race with many of the best athlete's in the USA.
- For marathon training I have had two new personal bests... longest run ever of 18 miles and most miles in a week of 80 miles. I'm sure these will increase over the next month and a half, Thanks to Russ, Chubbs, Jay, and Ashley for helping me through this week and the long run.
- I raced the United Way Turkey Trot in Denver at Wash Park. It's a 4 mile race that I have competed in since I was in high school. It's a race that my family enjoys together. Russ had a huge PR and placed 7th. I was the 1st female with a 7 sec PR (thanks to David for pacing me). My sister surprised herself with a great finishing time. And my mom came to cheer us all on. It's always a fun family event.

Now I'm just preparing for next weekends race...Club Cross Country Nationals!!! Can't wait to see everyone and to go get our trophy back (and to get our dance on). As I look out the window at the fast falling snow, I realize today's long run is going to be tough. I best get moving. Stay safe and warm!

PS Congrats to all the BRC-ers as we dominated all the turkey trots around the state. Congrats to Ali and Wendy as they raced for the USA in Japan.

The Final Countdown

It's quiet. Too quiet.

It's coming down to the wire: Club XC is only two weeks away and on that day, we've got a lot of race to rock. It's going to be epic. So epic it will be earth-shattering. So epic that Chris Lear will write a book about it. So epic that the heavens will part and the angels will sing. So epic that Bruce Springsteen will write a song about it. Epic. It's high time that we earn back our trophy of the partly legless 'roided up runner chick with the absurd pectorals, and the guys too of course.

The team sounds ridiculously fit and ready to represent, this was evidenced moreso by everyone's Turkey Trot races a couple of days ago. Congrats to all who raced. I got to shake off a little rust down in Springs at the Briargate 5k Turkey Trot. It's a great little hilly course with loads of participants this year and beautful weather. Having really only been training pretty solidly--complete with actual workouts--for about the last three weeks due to a bit of a rough patch, I hadn't raced since Pearl Street last August, so was a little iffy going in, with the intention of treating the race as a workout, but came away with a win in 18:00 and felt very in control the whole way and rebounded quickly. Adam took the men's win so it was a good day for BRC/adidas. While my time was nothing to write home about it was nonetheless encouraging and was the perfect tune up and I was really pleased. Not to mention it's easy to be relaxed going into a race when it's a lot of fun to be there and it was great seeing everyone and being back in Springs as I really miss it. Once upon a time I wouldn't have dreamed of jumping into a race feeling so unprepared and compulsively would have needed everything to be 100% in order, but if you're always waiting for everything to feel perfect and for the stars to align for you, you'll never do anything and will miss out on some good times and who knows? Maybe even your best day. So take advantage of opportunities that pop up along the way since really, who regrets ever really trying something even if the outcome wasn't perfect?

My co-worker (and Broomfield H.S. coach) Greg Weich explained to me one day, "You know, I race really well when I just don't give a s**t. I had the best race of my life when I was up at 3 a.m. the night before eating sesame chicken." Now I wouldn't say I ever "don't give a s**t" but I catch his drift and it's true.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving as there is always lots to be thankful for. Next up: CLUB CROSS. See you on the other side.

Adam and Me post-race at the Briargate Turkey Trot

I'm so happy I got to be part of such a great team the last few years. Although it's time to move on I know all the close friendships will remain. Thanks so much to everyone who made it such a great experience and to Cody and BRC adidas for making it happen.
If you want to keep tabs on me I'll be at Tera-moody.com

This team is on FIRE!

We have had some AWESOME performances lately and I'm really proud of everyone on this team! Hana relays domination, Wendy's 10 miler and huge half marathon PR, Ali's 6th place finish at the 20k, Mario tearing up the roads everywhere, Cassies 9th place at the 5k champs, Tommy Jesse and Scott at Cow Harbor, Adams 3rd place trail adventure, Amanda's 5k, our team win at Tufts, and many many more. A BIG congrats to our newest trials qualifiers Matt and Adrian. It was exciting watching you guys in Chicago.
It seems like everyone just keeps improving. Lets keep the momentum rolling through clubs and the trials!
Huge thank you to BRC and Adidas for the support and GOOD LUCK to Cassie at Pan Ams in a couple weeks.

Dreams Do Come True

I've always dreamed of wearing the USA jersey and racing for our wonderful country. I just was selected to be on the USA team for Pan Am Games!!!!!! I can't believe it, but I'm so honored, blessed, and super excited. I'll be racing the 10k on the track in Guadalajara, Mexico in the end of October.
This dream also meant I get to be on the national list for drug testing...yippee. It was time consuming to fill out my day to day whereabouts for the next three months especially because I barely know where I'll be next week. I thought "I'll never get drug tested"...i was wrong. I submitted my info on the 10th and was drug tested this past Thursday at 6am. This isn't the greatest time for guests but a great time to pee. Anyway, now it feels real that I'm really going to Pan Ams.
Today I'm in Providence, RI for the USA 5k and excited to race. I have no idea if I'm in 5k shape but it will be fun either way. Thanks Adidas for letting points cover travel and for the cool kit. Thanks to the amazing race directors, Charlie, Tony, and Jim. Hopefully it will be a wonderful day.

MIA

I have definitely been MIA for the past couple months. It's been a combination of things, the foremost being I forgot how to actually post on the blog, yup I'm an idiot. But along with that I had a pretty substantial ankle injury that bogged me down for the past 4 months. My last official race was the 25k Champs in May, which went pretty well, but starting the day after I couldn't walk right for about 2 weeks. Then I kinda just decided well I better get back in shape quick cause I wanted to run Chicago. So I hopped into some workouts with a buddy of mine and well needless to say it never healed right. So for the past 4 months I went into this on and off again cycle which culminated in a "F this S***" and a three and a half week running vacation. So instead of running we bought a house, I caught a bunch of fish, and probably gained 10 pounds of beer weight.

So all that ended three weeks ago and I have currently been running about 8 to 10 miles a day at a decent pace. The ankle still gets sore every now and then but for the most part I'm pain free. You would think being a PT and all I would be able to cure myself, but ask any PT and they will tell you we don't make the best of patients.

Anyway I'm finally starting to get psyched up again for probably the biggest 4 months of my running career to date. The main races being Fort Collins Turkey day 4 mile, CLUB NATS, and of course the trials in Houston. Let me just stress that CLUB NATS is gonna be awesome. My old team in So Cal started another Adidas sponsored running club and well we have beat them, period. So I'll be there in full force, and hope you guys and gals will catch fire and get pumped for the awesomeness that is CLUB NATS!

Break time

It’s been a little while since my last proper break from running. Over the past 13 months, I think I’ve taken a total of 9-10 days off including a week stretch in May when I was sick. This is by far the longest I’ve gone without taking a good 2 weeks to completely recover from all the nagging injuries that come with running. Really, there is never a good time to take a break since there is always a race coming that you would like to do, but sometimes, your body makes that choice for you.

I’m coming home from the US 20k Championships, which is now the site of one of my biggest blow-ups to date. My plan was to go out somewhat conservative and work my way into the top 5 towards the later stages of the race. I was actually in good position to execute the plan for the first 5 miles. The lead pack was a manageable distance away and runners were starting to come back. By 5.5 miles, I was completely cashed. The legs weren’t responding at all, and I started going backwards in a hurry. In hindsight, the 20k was probably a little ambitious after running a fairly tough Half Marathon 2 weeks before. Obviously, my legs didn’t recover in time and if I had to do it again, I would have skipped the 20k and focused on the 5k Championships that will take place in 2 weeks. Hindsight …

The Half Marathon I mentioned happened in San Diego 2 weeks ago. I ended up placing third with a time of 1:04:20 on a course that had some serious hills (up and down). I was hoping to run a little faster going into the race and was on track at 10 miles to do so (around 48:00). However, the biggest hills came at the end of the race and put a hurt on everyone. Overall, I was pleased with the result since it was a Trials qualifier in the marathon. Now, the focus will shift to preparing for the Trials in January and hoping my body will be able to handle the training necessary to do well in a marathon. We’ll see.

Also, my wife and I had our daughter August 6. Here she is:

August 22-28

Monday:      90 minutes easy (12)

Tuesday:      20 x 1 on/off @ 90-95 % (13)

Wednesday: 105 min. easy (16)

Thursday:     85 min. easy (12)

Friday:         A.M. 4 x 3k w/ 3:30 rest 9:27, 9:18, 9:19 (12), 9:33 P.M. 30 easy (4)

Saturday:     A.M. 30 min. easy (4) P.M. 60 min. easy (8)

Sunday:       160 min. (24)

Total:           107

With only 6 weeks between now and Chicago I'm feeling pretty good.  The 3k's were tough but I mainly focused on getting in the mileage, whiling attempting to adjust to working again.  The next 4 weeks are slated to be 115, 130, 130, 120.  Time to buckle down. 

Ouch!

So, after months of not being able to run well and feeling run down, I'm so happy to say that I think I am back in the game. Today was my first little workout. In two months (hopefully sooner) I'm sure i'll look back and laugh at my puny workout. Today, however, was no laughing matter. With double side cramps, fighting a cold, and a little asthma for good measure, it was painful! But, I made it through without making any bargains and fighting the whole way through! regardless of where my fitness is, that is all I can ever ask for :-) There is nowhere to go but up from here!

What does running mean to you?

This is what I have been asking myself since last week when Scott asked everyone on the team just that. The funny thing is right now this is such a loaded question. When I got the chance to work with Scott I thought wow this is great nothing but good things could come from this and than I soon realized a lot of things were about to change. So what did running mean to me really? Was it worth all the drama, was it worth having to walk away from things that I love, was it worth losing relationships with people I thought would always be on my side? Than out on my second run today with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat I realized what running means to me...........
To me running is inspiring people to do things they never thought they would or could. Like my best friend who started running just to lose weight who can now run 7-8 miles and no matter how slow she thinks it is she is RUNNING 7-8 miles! Not everyone can say that! Its my long time friend who is going to run his first half marathon in October who asks for advice and I get to see post how he just finished a 5 mile run in heat. There are days I don't want to run in heat and he is out there kicking butt! It's my husband waking up every day at 4 am so he can go run 3 miles (if you knew how much he hates running it's a big deal)and show his kids he can race the Race against Cancer. It's the people I see at track group every Wednesday running their hearts out and giving it their all no matter if they are the fastest on the track or the slowest. It's my kids asking me how my race went and honestly giving me crap when I don't win. It's them knowing how hard I work to be able to toe the line with some of the best. It's my training partners who go out and do workouts And runs they would prefer to not do, but they are always there to help me get through it. Most of all it's all those people telling me how amazing I am to be able to run as fast as I am and still be a mom to two very active boys. Yes I know I am not even close to being the fastest mom i mean look at Kara Goucher, Colleen De Roucke, Magdalena Lewy Boulet (seriously rocking a 5k pr that anyone at any age would take) and Nan Kennard just to name a few could all kick my butt with little to no effort at all. All of these people think I am the one inspiring them when the truth is it's the other way around. I get through the hard workouts that make me want to throw up and quit, through the races that I am getting my butt kicked at, through the victories, the PR's and everything in between because of them! My inspiration is knowing they are rooting for me, knowing they believe in me when I don't even believe in myself.
Yes I have definitely given up a few things lately that I really enjoy and wanted to continue to do, lost some important friendships and have taken a risk that I can not guarantee will pay off. But I have those amazing people behind me, family, friends, Scott taking a chance on a nobody, my amazing teammates who inspire me and give me so much advice and a dream! next week when I toe the line in Edmonton I would love to get the PR I am looking for, I will dig as deep as I can, but if I don't I know it does not define me. My kids, family, friends and faith are what defines me. Running is just an added benefit.
So to the answer the question. What does running mean to me? It means EVERYTHING and NOTHING all at the same time