Respect the Distance

on October 15, 2009
in All Posts

Thanks for your feedback about entering a Half Ironman!  I took a break from work earlier today to research some training plans and realized that a Half Ironman requires WAY more effort than a marathon does (major duh on my part) – like working out twice a day 4 – 5 times a week.  I do feel like I could quickly work up to the bike + run distance, but that 1.2 mile swim…..

 

I’m not really sure I want to sign up for that rollercoaster ride.  :)  However, everyone who encouraged me to give it a shot really boosted my spirits!

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Thinking about the triathlon relay I did this summer made me realize that I DO want to attempt another triathlon.  I had a lot of fun at the triathlon relay with Megan and Ryan (I ran, Megan biked, and Ryan swam – here’s the race recap).   But… this was the closest I got to swimming:  🙂

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Ryan did all the hard work:

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I’ve always been the kind of person who is really motivated by failure, and I don’t want my triathlon experiences to consist of 1) a solo disqualification on a swim and 2) the running leg of tri relay team.  I want to do the WHOLE THING by myself.

 

There’s a race in March that I’m eyeing.  It’s a Olympic distance, and I think I could handle that with proper training.  Maybe I’ll Half Ironman next year.  :)  We’ll see!

 

My afternoon was filled with work, work, and more work.  I snacked on pumpkin bread (a gift from Megan) with some dollaps of real buttah:

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Greek yogurt and granola:

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And dinner was cooked by the Husband.  He made me whole wheat Fettuccine Alfredo with kidney beans and green beans:

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Obviously eaten at my desk.  🙂

 

I don’t know why I’m thinking about a Half Ironman when I have so many exciting races in my future!

 

  • A 10K on November 15
  • A Half Marathon on December 5
  • A 5K on December 13
  • A MARATHON on January 10

 

On that note, I am doing a 17 mile training run tomorrow.  I’m going to snack on some grapes, set up my gear, and watch The Office.  Night, my lovelies!

{ 48 comments }

 

  • Evan Thomas October 15, 2009, 8:48 pm

    Goodluck on the 17! Isn’t that the furthest you’ll have gone in a good while? Can’t wait to hear about it

    • Caitlin October 15, 2009, 8:49 pm

      oh, its the farthest i’ve ever run… besides the 16 i did last weekend! marathon training rocks.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite October 15, 2009, 8:51 pm

    Training for a 1/2 Ironman is like having a second job. It’s a big time commitment.

    Good luck on your 17 miler!!!!

  • Julie October 15, 2009, 8:53 pm

    Good luck tomorrow!!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is October 15, 2009, 8:56 pm

    Good luck on the 17 tomorrow. Sure you’ll rock it!

  • Trish (GirlatGym) October 15, 2009, 9:01 pm

    OMG – crazy!! That is a lot of training to do.

    I don’t do well with swimming so that would never be for me. I can swim well enough, just not a fan of it. And I don’t do water with fish, only swimming pools. Yes, I am crazy scared of swimming with fish. A weird phobia of mine! HA! 🙂

    But good luck with all the races you’ve got coming up! 🙂

  • Britt (Runnerbelle) October 15, 2009, 9:04 pm

    Best wishes on the long run tomorrow!

    My co-worker did a half-iron in September, it was definitely a lot of work but she loved it. She is big into tri’s though and actually signed up for an ironman next year. Huge commitment. I think marathons are enough commitment for me personally.

  • Stephanie October 15, 2009, 9:04 pm

    Best of Luck with your run tomorrow! I must admit I am a new follower to your blog, for about 2 weeks now, and I LOVE IT! I have started running avidly now after coming back from a knee surgury this summer and find your posts so motivating and Refreshing!!! I am training for my first 1/2 marathon in February and am very excited! I am very excited for you and all your races, I know you will do great with all!!!

  • Kristen October 15, 2009, 9:05 pm

    Good luck tomorrow! I have no doubt that if you had the time to train, you could get that half iron done…but that is a pretty serious time commitment, so good job taking a step back and deciding on what works best for your life 🙂

  • Michelle October 15, 2009, 9:06 pm

    It’s good that you’re being honest with where you’re at. Do what feels right. Congrats on all that is CRAZY going on in your life. Enjoy THe Office. I am signing up for a race when I go home in Nov–you inspired me. Thanks 🙂

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) October 15, 2009, 9:07 pm

    Seriously, I am vicariously running through you– all those races are going to be awesome! I want some of that pumpkin bread too, yum!

  • Bec October 15, 2009, 9:08 pm

    I really want to do a tri but this summer it just wasnt in the cards so hopefully next year everything will work out and i can do one!

  • jessica October 15, 2009, 9:08 pm

    I think a triathlon on your own is a FANTASTIC idea!!! Especially since an Ironman IS a tri, just wayyy longer.

    Have fun on your run tomorrow!! 🙂

  • Lee October 15, 2009, 9:09 pm

    Definitely think you should start out with a smaller tri.

    Good luck with your 17 miler.

  • Susan October 15, 2009, 9:09 pm

    I did my first triathlon in July. It was a sprint distance triathlon. 600 M swim (in the Allegheny River… You lived in Pittsburgh you’ve seen the rivers… SCARY) 25 mile bike ride, and 5K run. It was a great distance to start out with. I started “training” for the swim in Janurary. On that first day in January I could not swim 25 yards without stopping. That’s not even one lenght of the pool. I took 5 swimming lessons and then trained on my own. I’m proud to say I swam 600M in the Allegheny River in 12 minutes and some odd seconds! Doing a triathlon was so exciting. I am going to work up to an Olympic distance this summer. I know you can conquer the swim and do it! Good Luck!

  • Tania ;) October 15, 2009, 9:16 pm

    You will get there eventually! I think you have a TON to be proud of this year!! All your runs and races, a book deal & giving hundreds upon of hundreds of women self esteem boosts via operation Beautiful. You rock lady!!! 🙂

  • angieinatlanta October 15, 2009, 9:18 pm

    Whoops! I was totally telling you to go for it earlier! Guess I didn’t respect the distance!

    After reading your post, I definitely think you’re making the right decision at this point.

  • Jenna October 15, 2009, 9:36 pm

    yummy pumpkin bread!
    wow, 17 miles tomorrow…good luck 🙂
    that is a lot of races you got planned!
    jenna

  • Annabananabomb October 15, 2009, 9:41 pm

    Isn’t it funny how we always look to the “next thing”. It must be a natural human condition, it takes actual effort to stop and appreciate where we are! Reading about your distances is making me want to run further than 10K again! But I’m putting the mental brakes on that idea for now… can’t wait to read about your 17 miler.

    Oh, and I mentioned you in my blog today, just wanted you to know!

    ABB

  • Madeline @ GreensAndJeans October 15, 2009, 9:50 pm

    I think if I were to ever do a triathlon (I run and I bike but I have never really wanted to attempt one… yet!), I’d go for the Olympic distance. It seems long enough that it’s an endurance race, but short enough that I don’t have to spend my life training!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat October 15, 2009, 9:52 pm

    Hope you have a great run tomorrow! I definitely think you made the right decision, I’m glad you really think things through first and do what you know is right for you right now. Looks like you’ve got plenty coming up to be excited about 🙂

    Have a good night!

  • Rae October 15, 2009, 10:07 pm

    I think that is INCREDIBLY insighful on your part!! I did tris for about 4 years before I did half Ironman, and it was still a ton of training and hard, but TOTALLY worth it!! Im training for Lake Placid Ironman next year and I cant wait!!! Just a head up for the future, http://www.trigeek.com has an awesome half training plan (they do for all distances actually….) they are doable and all under 20 bucks…so worth iT!! good luck!!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 15, 2009, 10:17 pm

    I wish I could say I was doing a 17 mile run tomorrow – you must be in the greatest shape ever!!

  • Gloria October 15, 2009, 10:51 pm

    Check out the Gator Half: http://www.tntraces.com/GATORHALF.html You can do a duathlon with a 4 mile run, 56 mile bike, and 13 mile run. I’m doing the biking portion as a relay with my best friend! Just the thought of swimming 1.2 miles makes me feel like i’m drowning.. yuck.

    • Caitlin October 16, 2009, 4:50 am

      alright that looks pretty cool!

  • Jessica October 15, 2009, 11:19 pm

    Good luck on your long run!

  • MarathonVal October 15, 2009, 11:24 pm

    Anyone who is badass enough to even CONSIDER a half Ironman is definitely going to rock their next long run! You’ll do great tomorrow I know it! 🙂

  • muffy October 15, 2009, 11:26 pm

    awww honey i bet you will be phenomenal in all the races you attempt!
    good luck times a thousand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • postcollegecook October 15, 2009, 11:30 pm

    Reading your list of upcoming races makes me jealous! I just ran my first marathon (Chicago) on Sunday and have post-marathon depression! I wish I could run another one this Sunday – it was so much fun! But of course the training leading up to it was grueling…

  • Chelsea October 15, 2009, 11:31 pm

    Enter a sprint tri first, trust me 🙂 There’s a lot that goes into training and racing a tri and …um, have you ever tried running after a long bike ride?! It’s a totally different deal (i.e. much harder). Also, I was a competitive swimmer through high school and so I thought the open water swim would be no sweat. But, like you, I had a few panicky moments during my first couple open water swims (it’s so different that a pool). It’s super important that you do at least 3 or 4 open water swims before the race!! But you should do one – they are so much fun!!

  • Tay October 15, 2009, 11:59 pm

    GOOD LUCK!!

  • maria October 16, 2009, 12:13 am

    Whew! 17 miles? You are a champ. Best of luck!

  • Diana October 16, 2009, 1:59 am

    17 miles, wow. Good luck with that 😀
    And you’ll eventually do a half ironman i’m sure, so no need to rush it!

  • Kristine October 16, 2009, 3:07 am

    good luck on your 17 miles tomorrow!!!

  • Lara (Thinspired) October 16, 2009, 3:28 am

    Nothin like real buttah sometimes 🙂 I see Twilight in the background…I am just finishing it! Finally getting into it!

    Do you have a recipe for the alfredo by chance? I love how you add healthy goodies on top 🙂

    • Caitlin October 16, 2009, 4:49 am

      its just store-bought alfredo with pasta. 🙂 no real recipe!

  • Shannon October 16, 2009, 6:10 am

    Good luck with the 17 miles! That is amazing to me!

  • Susan October 16, 2009, 7:10 am

    Don’t forget about duathlons!!! 😀 Good luck on the long run today!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) October 16, 2009, 7:50 am

    That’s good that you didn’t act impulsively and thought it out about what’s best for you. Good luck with the 17 miles tomorrow!

  • Stacey October 16, 2009, 8:00 am

    Gosh! 17 miles?! I really need to up my running, haha 🙂 You’ve given me a lil motivation to start increasing my distance, thank you!!! Good luck with all your races!

  • Sara October 16, 2009, 8:04 am

    Good luck on your 17!! You will do great!

  • Ryan @ Greens for Good October 16, 2009, 8:50 am

    So do you still need a swim coach? 😉 Great, informed decision. I’m much more impulsive and probably would have signed up without the research you did so good job! Can’t wait to see you progress into the Olympic distance!

  • Katy October 16, 2009, 9:44 am

    I’m doing my first Olympic distance tri next weekend — if I survive, and I survive the two half marathons I have following that…I’d probably sign up for another Oly tri in March with you!

  • Jennifer October 16, 2009, 10:29 am

    I think it’s smart to hold off on the 1/2 IM, what’s the rush? You have plenty of time to work your way up!

  • Tammy October 16, 2009, 10:57 am

    I did a sprint tri a few months ago and loved it…hoping to do another in the next year! I have a marathon on November 1st and am considering vamping up my training for an event in March…it’s called the Crackhead Challange…A half marathon on Saturday, followed by a full marathon on Sunday…EEK!

  • Eliza October 16, 2009, 5:17 pm

    I think it’s a great idea to wait, give yourself more training time, and then you will also fill much more confident, which is the key with the swimming. I could always swim in the pool, but when it came to fresh, dark water (in Australia, we have sharks to worry about), I would hyperventilate.
    Hope your run went well

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 17, 2009, 1:40 pm

    I’m glad you thought about if you had the time to devote to the training now. That’s my biggest fear about running a marathon. I want to do so badly but I know right now I don’t have the time to train properly and I don’t want to get injured. I’m hoping next year I might have time to do so.

  • Lauren October 19, 2009, 2:53 pm

    You could totally do an Olympic! I, too, want to do a Half Ironman at some point (maybe next year). Olympic triathlons are pretty effing fun–and once you complete one, you feel such a sense of accomplishment. Before I did my tri, I was really concerned about the swimming component; I felt fairly confident about the cycling and running. For swimming, I really didn’t care about how well (or poorly) I placed…I just wanted to make sure I did my best, and didn’t get kicked in the head in the process! (I’d heard horror stories…). Anyway, I was very pleased overall with how I did, and was just so HAPPY to have completed a tri! I think you’d do wonderfully in one, too–the swimming may seem insurmountable when you first start training, but it gets so much easier with time and practice.

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