Out of steam...

11/6/12

Tuesday evening was a rough one. After I finished work, I headed to Mattoon to meet bob for a run. Since it was raining and cold outside, we decided to run on the treadmills at the YMCA. We finished a 3.5 mile run, which did not make my foot happy, stupid dreadmill. While sweat was dripping from my hair, I raced over to Pam and Chris's house to meet Lindsay and Brooke for Mitch's visitation. It was a LONG 2 1/2 hour line, but it was well worth it to say our goodbyes. I spent the evening over at Christy and Greg's house, I was definitely feeling a glass of wine and starved from our run!

11/7/12

I woke up after only 4 1/2 hours of sleep at 5 am to attend Bob's spinning class at the YMCA. I was definitely not prepared, because my Vibram shoes were the worst idea for spinning! It KILLED my foot so I only put about 75% of my total effort into the workout. I am excited for the next time I can come to the class, because I love spinning, I miss when I used to do it at Gold's Gym before they closed. After spinning, we saw Lane running on the dreadmill so we chit chat with him for a few minutes until I decided to kick Bob's butt with an ab workout! It was kind of commical because he doesn't do any other working out besides run, bike swim. We spent about 30 minutes ripping our abs! =)

This evening I went to Marvin's indoor pool with Kodi. We began the workout with a 250 warm up, which I was already exhausted from lack of sleep and my other work outs. I spent the next 30 minutes half assing a few drills. Poor Marvin and Kodi were trying to teach me out to improve my breast stroke and a few other drills. I ended up just being very frustrated and tired and decided to bail. Marvin promised to help me one on one with my strokes next swim, so hopefully I will be in a better mood!

I feel like I have been running nonstop, so tonight I am sitting on the couch and relaxing! I truly appreciate everyone helping me train and achieve my goals on my journey to becoming an ironman!

PINK </3 TIRED

Rattlesnake 5k - Urbana

11/4/12

I woke up (on time with the time change) feeling strong and confident today, so I decided to complete the Rattlesnake Mater 5k in Urbana, IL this morning. I'm not gonna lie though, I was feeling a little nervous on the drive over, because if you read up, my last experience at the fun run was not a good one. I could not even complete the second loop of the 3 mile. So I went into the race telling myself, Alicia, don't over do it, don't push it to the MAX, you don't need to PR (which is what I usually think), just finish the 5k safe and without hurting your foot! After my mental talk, I did my "warm up" by jogging to the signup under the pavilion. I thought about not wearing my wrap on my foot, but I figured better safe than sorry, so I put it on as I was registering.

The 5k began with us running the route backwards of what we normally run during the fun run. I was super excited because this was my first run with my new GPS watch, which was VERY accurate! This was my first time running this route, which was very nice, I even enjoyed running on the grass for the last half mile. I sprinted to the finish as I saw the clock and finished at 23.34. I ended up winning 1st place in the female 20-29 division, so I was very happy!! I remember my first 5k at the Illinois Marathon in 2009 when I finished with 23:36. I thought I would NEVER beat that time, because it wasn't until this June in Tolono where I FINALLY beat it. I was in complete shock with this finishing time, because I thought if I finished around 25 minutes I would be happy, considering I didn't feel like I was running that fast.

The after race party was a blast! Amber and I had hot chocolate and chocolate doughnuts to keep warm and refuel! =) It was so nice to see all of my running friends and being able to watch them finish, since I am usually the last one, LOL! Congrats to everyone who placed, finished, and PR'ed at the race today! It was great to see Stephen, Mike, Ryan, Corey, Amber, Nikki, Valeria, Sarah, Michelle, Andrea, and everyone else who I may have forgot, sorry! I have to give a special thanks to Ryan for holding my key too! =)

For breakfast we made a reservation for Bob Evans and it was DELICIOUS! I had french toast, bacon, eggs, and hash browns. Everyone seemed to enjoy their breakfast and the conversations were even better! Like Amber said, NEVER compare your pets to other people's children, haha, whoops! I am looking forward to the winter Marathon training with all of my new friends! I will be  praying for a mild winter for all of us, because I hate the cold!!!! 

PINK <3 RACING

Slowly Recovering

11/1/12

Today I broke in my November calendar with a 4.12 mile run with an 8.32 pace and an overall time of 35:08! (I'm not sure if my "bathroom pit stop" was in those numbers or not, LOL! Bob and I ran in Mattoon from his shop down the bike trail and back. During the run I was feeling pretty strong with our first mile timing around 8.06. The rest of the run Bob and I had good conversations about previous events with running and triathlons. It is so awesome I have someone to help me train for such a major event! Bob gave me a book I plan on reading this weekend about a man's journey to the Louisville, Ironman. I am definitely interested in reading another person's perspective of this event! He has also given me a little insight on his "eating habits" and I am embarassed to even say all the crap I eat, haha! I don't eat terrible, but about 75% of the time I eat like a 10 year old adult! Anyways, ike I have said, I am either going to die trying or crawling across the finish line. Either way, I am going to become an Ironman!!!!!!!!! =D

PINK <3 TRAINING PARTNERS

Just Keep Swimming

10/30/12

Today was a successful day at the pool! Once again I have to thank Marvin for kicking my butt into shape! This swim was definitely a lot easier than the first time. We began the swim with a 100 slow warm up, followed by a 250 which I timed at 6 min 45 sec. I was very happy with that time, considering I wasn't pushing myself for time. 

Next, we did a few drills where you flutter kick on your back for a 100 and the same on your stomach for another 100. I was feeling pretty awesome until we decided to do the "frog kick" where I basically kept drowning myself. LOL! Marvin did his best to help me, I was supposed to complete a 100, but I lucky to finish the 50. We finished the workout with a 500, my second time completing this distance I timed at 13:45. I felt really strong during this distance, which last time I had to stop in between for about a minute to catch my breath. I also did less breaststroke/backstroke and more freestyle through this 500. 

Overall, we swam about 1100M in 50 minutes. I am looking forward to my next swim with Marvin! He is talking about swimming for two hours, so God help me please! 

Also, I have made up my mind on two upcoming races. I am going to compete Sunday at the Rattlesnake 5k and in November the Santa Chase half marathon. I am going to try to keep my running to a minimum in order to keep my foot safe, but I am not going to completely stop. I REFUSE! So even if I have to jog or walk the half marathon, I think it would be a good training to have at least one long distance under my belt before the Illinois Marathon 2013.

PINK <3 STAYING STRONG

Ironman Training!!

10/29/12

WOAH!!!! Woke up pretty sore from Allerton yesterday, those hills will bite ya in the butt! 

Today was my scheduled doctor appointment with Dr. Sandercauk (sp?) about my right foot injury. Basically, everything I expected happened. They took an x-ray of my foot and he "determined" my foot has swelling from a bone burise, and recommended I take tylenol and the next 3 weeks off from "closed circuit exercising", meaning NO RUNNING! He said that biking, swimming, and elliptical work outs would be okay or anything with low impact. As I figured, I wasted my time and money to hear what I already knew.

After my doctor's appointment, Bob Zollman and I decided to go out for a 22.5 WINDY bike ride. We biked the full last chance tri route and then about another 8.5 miles out on the bike trail in Mattoon. I am very blessed to have met someone who has so much experience and knowledge to help further me in my training. Two VERY important things I learned today, was how to put air in my tire (all by myself) and how to use the small loop (the left gear) on the bike chain for hilly/windy biking. Until today, I never used it and pretty much thought it didn't do anything. I found out that it helps A LOT, because those 30 mph winds today were nothing to sneeze about! Also, thank you for letting me borrow your gloves! =)

I have spent the whole day on the move since I have woke up. I had a wonderful lunch of free Villa Pizza with my mom and Mema at the nursing home. I even got to spend a few hours chit chatting and catching up with my old friend Christy Furgeson. It was so nice to see her, I miss her a lot! Ryan baked some cookies and I am exhausted, so I am having dessert and passing out early!

PINK <3 FRIENDS & FAMILY

Trail Run #2

11/28/12

Today was my second trail run, in Monticello, IL at Allerton Park. I woke up around 5:45, extra early, to volunteer with parking for the race set up. I stood outside for about an hour and a half freezing while directing traffic to turn into the parking lot. While shivering, I met a man named Curt from Indy who is also involved with Second Wind and Kennekuk running. He competed in 100 mile races, which I was very inspired, because I can only imagine how hard that would be.

After the volunteering was over, I went to warm my butt up with my seat warms and the heat in my car. I ended up deciding to wear my Tickle Me Pink Crayon costume for the run! =) There were several other people who decided to dress up and looked very nice in their costumes. The trail run was very successful! The first mile was covered with large rocks though, which was not very nice on my hurt foot. There was a lot of mud, leaves, and roots but the leaves turning colors made for a beautiful race. I had a lot of personal issues that occured during the run, my stupid shorts kept riding up my butt, NOT FUN and also my ipod arm band kept falling off while it was on my arm under my North Face coat. The ear phone chord ended up just falling out at mile 5 and I said screw it!

About mile 5 1/2 I noticed this girl who I had overheard before the race say she signed up for the Clydesdale division (my division). Once I saw her, I kicked my legs into overdrive! I pushed myself to the MAX! As we were both sprinting up the last hill, neck-in-neck, I pushed it to end up beating her by less than 2 seconds!!!! I ended up winning 1st place overall Athena award! I was pleased to see if I would have signed up for my age division, I still would have won 2nd. =) 

Here are the results:

1 Alicia Pettyjohn 328 23 9 50:12.2 8:48/M
2 Tessa Schmidt 391 34 10 50:14.1 8:49/M

I definitely need to thank Michael Tankersley for, once again, saving me with water right after the race. He said it best, I left everything out on that trail! Thank you Mike for making me feel like a part of the team of Second Wind and always encouraging me to push myself to be the best, you are a great friend! I also want to thank Ryan and Amber Anderson for cheering me on during the run! It made me smile seeing your faces and especially the "4 1/2 Five"!! LOL

The rest of the day was spent relaxing, recovering, and enjoying myself on the couch! Ryan, Kodi, and I decided to carve pumpkins and make Tacos for dinner, YUM! What a great day!! So far my experience with trail running = SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PINK <3 1st Place!

Bustin Ass with the Bestie!

10/26/12

Nothing better than being able to hit the gym bright and early with your best friend, Alisha Bennett!!!! =D <3

We had a great evening together, we went to Sephora to buy some new makeup, had margaritas for dinner at Chilis, and came back to the house to watch Kardashian, bake, and drink wine! Its the little things like this evening that I miss so much!! I cherish every moment I get to spend with Alisha, because she and Marshall are always traveling and I am lucky if I get to see her once a month.

Today is the first day off without having a race or going out of town that I have had in months, and I couldn't be happier!

This morning we woke up ate breakfast and watched the price is right, my favorite show!!! We then decided to hit up my gym, planet fitness. I ran for a pretty slow pace for 30 minutes, with little pain in my foot. After the run, I jumped on the bike for an intense hilly 30 minute bike ride. I jogged 3 miles and I had an intense 8.5 mile bike ride. Overall I would say it was a great workout! You can tell by all the sweat! -------------------->

 After our workout, we showered and got ready for lunch at Billy Barooze. Alisha's mom, Lynn, met us and we had a DELICOUS lunch with blue moon and burgers! Mmm! The rest of the afternoon was spent at the spa where we all received a full body massage, scalp treatment, and facial massage. It was heavenly! Especially after the intense workout!

 I am also really excited because I finally received my new Timex GPS watch! I cannot wait to try it out on Sunday in Allerton.

Tonight Ryan and I are going to Brian & Hayle's Halloween party, which should be a blast! I am dressing up as a pink Crayon and Ryan is Sub Zero from Mortal Kombat.

For now, I am feeling very relaxed and ready for a nap! Until my next blog...

PINK <3 DAY OFF