Pre/Post PF Chang's 1/2 marathon AND a run test!

I apparently need to get better at posting if I'm going to document this process......

The week leading up the the half, I ran and biked my workouts as scheduled. I was feeling OK about my running. I've been working hard on my cadence and technique because I'm a PRANCER!!!!!! (Meaning I throw my foot out in front of me and land on my heel.....VERY INEFFICIENT).

Therefore, I have been attempting to completely change my run form for 6 months, it's been pretty tough.

Anyway, Simon's dad has come to run since 2005 which makes the race even more fun. (He beats us every year). He arrived Friday night and of course we had In 'N Out 😁

Saturday we did packet pick up at the convention center downtown but then headed to Tempe to meet my mom and stepdad for the ASU-U of A basketball game, instead of our usual lunch at Majerle's.

Following the disappointing ASU loss, we rested a bit then met at Oregano's for our traditional pre-race meal.

Bed EARLY (7:45!!)

Out of bed bright and early Sunday morning!

I forgot my watch AND my iPod shuffle.........

To say the least, I performed the EXACT OPPOSITE of my race plan. (Start slow and finish at 5k race pace....... i started out 9:15/mile and ended 12:42/mile avg uhhhhhhhh). I finished better than last year by only a few minutes, pretty disappointing since last year I had only run about 5 miles at the longest and 10miles total leading up to the race...).

The Willman Champion: Simon!!!! Simon beat Dave!!! And I had some good mental victories. (STAYING POSITIVE!!) my journey this year is all about "process" and developing MENTAL TOUGHNESS!

This past week following the race has been a rest week. 1000m swim straight (Mon/Thurs) easy; 1hr level 1 aerobic bike (Tues); 30 min level 1 aerobic run (Wed/Friday). However, I was supposed to do a "run test" over the rest week at Christmas and I did not. So, Friday, following the protocol (15m warm up then run 20 min ramping up to as hard as you can; record avg HR and total distance travelled).

I did pretty well!!

My pace/mile in the same HR zones is now 29sec better. Another win!

Today we have an hour and a half bike ride. It's POURING rain so thank goodness we have two bike trainers to use inside (Thanks Mom and Momma Jill)!!

Blog Renewal = Amazing Challange in 2013

It's been over a year since I've blogged?!?!?!?

Well to make it short and sweet (at least at this point).

Some already know because we saw you after Thanksgiving but, Simon (my hubby) and I registered for Ironman Arizona 2013 to be held on November 17th.

I felt obligated to create a blog to document (my struggles) and achievements in training and racing over the next 10 month (almost EXACTLY TO THE DAY) since I do not have kids (or any "on the way") to blog about.

Training has begun already (Base 1 building) however, we are participating in two running events prior ( PF Chang's Rock 'N Roll half marathon and Ragnar del Sol).

I am going to put some pics here from Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii where we volunteered in October 2012, for motivation???

LET'S DO THIS!!!!!! 

Distant view of the swim course from the run course along the seawall

Started the day at 4am for body marking

Had access to the pier for the start...soooo many bikes!

Lead male Pros coming in

Swim start from the pier....Amazing moment to see

My volunteer scrub top for the medical tent

Finish line, right before Pete Jacobs (the winner) arrived

After my 5 hour shift in the medical tent, most fun time to be at the finish line

"Hot Corner" on the bike route

 

Time to sudy!!!

6 years sure has flown by!!!

Seems like last weekend we (Kelli, Miranda and I) were apartment shopping in Scottsdale. We finally decided on Legend at Kierland. We chose a cozy 3 bedroom 2 bath. Why am I mentioning this?

Well, every 6 years we have to retake our national board certification exam and in order to get a head start on reviewing (especially for me since I haven't done anything except Orthopedics) we headed to Atlantic City and spent 8 days, 7 nights in a 2 bed hotel room (with a terribly functioning toilet and a beach bar blasting club music until 1am every night) for a CME Resources review course.

And we LOVED it!

 On to the pictures.

Mir and I flew into BWI on Friday around the same time. Kelli, being a fantastic friend, took the afternoon off work to pick us up.

First things first, luggage..... well, not Mir's :-(

Not naming names....

We were still happy to be together!

After a couple hours of window shopping.......

 Yes, they are snake skin shooties and no, I did not purchase them ;-)

Still no sign of Miranda's luggage.


So, off to Bethesda to see Tim and finally met the newest Karacki: Jiffy! What a sweet kitty!!

 We had dinner was amazing at Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro!

We had a delicious pizza roll app, then Mir and I split this fantastic salad and pizza, didn't take a pizza pick, too busy eating.

I'm not quite sure what happened to my pupil......

Go nuts for Doughnuts!!!

 
Saturday morning we were off to the Jersey Shore! Not to party with Snooki, but to study our booties off ;-)

Our residence for the next 7 days ;-)

The aforementioned, Beach Bar. Can only hear the music from 7pm-1am! Looked cool from our room. We came to HATE this place.

We decided we needed a little beach time before the grueling conference began. No guidos to be found.

Kelli and I introduced Miranda to 40 hands ;-) Well, we didn't actually play, just taught her about the game. $9 beer night!

Yes Mir, it's bigger than a bottle of wine!

The next 5 day routine consisted of the alarm going off at 6am, 8-10 hours of review, quick supper, a 2 hour practice exam, then trying to fall asleep by midnight to the "club music" raging at the beach bar.

There were not many pictures taken except for a few sporadic moments during the week.  Kelli did some research on places to eat, two of these included Angelo's and White House Subs, great finds!

Awesome salad, sandwich and crepe shop

Angelo's Chicken Marsala!!

Gyro and Chips

You have to have your act together to order in here!!!

We made it out alive, with our yummy subs!

Delicious chicken and avocado crepe!!!

Friday we were done a little early so we hit the beach and then headed to the beautiful Borgata Hotel for some fancy food at Wolfgang Puck American Grille Tavern.

I didn't get the memo to wear a pink/purple bathing suit cover-up

Entry of the Borgata

We tried our luck on the SATC slot...it wouldn't take our money.....

Mir ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf (yes, I helped her)

I ordered one of my favs, Tuna Tar Tar

Alright, last but certainly not least, Mir and I flew out of Philadelphia on Saturday, what better to do than get some Philly Cheesesteaks!!!! It was a pretty tough decision on where to go. We asked many people. We ended up at Geno's. And what a GREAT choice it was!!!

Stood in the long line

Had exact cash ready

Had to have our order ready when we got to the window, there's no messing around

Success!!

Amazing!!!

With our tummies full of the "Best Cheesesteak", we headed to try and catch a glimpse of the Liberty Bell. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time before our flight. So, we went to the Visitor Center to get out of the heat and take in some American history.

 

 It was a long and tiring week. But I feel like I can speak for all of us when I say, IT WAS AWESOME AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN RIGHT NOW. I loved getting to spend the week with (at least half) of the girls I love the most!