#BostonStrong

There is a gazillion ways I could write about the 119th Boston Marathon; which was my second time at Boston every one would have the same message just differently phrased so I am going for the version which most readers will relate to....

At the race expo ...that is how I spent my 51st Birthday!

Phew .... Boston Bound amazing what a few days of stretching and therapy does for the body and soul! or soles in this case too!!!! I probably should not have done the marathon considering I am rehabilitating from lower back maladies, but I really thought I could just jog it nice n easy.....

7am at Hopkinton...before the crowds.

Now I had arrived at Hopkinton start at 6.50am a full 4 hours before my blue wave was to go off....a good thing as I could use any of the porta loos all well stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer! I took a few pics before the first buses from Boston Common arrived and suddenly there was 1000s of runners competing for a little bit of real estate with their plastic bags, and throw away second hand clothing and blankets!

the line for the portaloo

I had my spot and did the stretches to warm up my lower back, making new running friends was not difficult as we were packed like sardines in a tin as it began to rain and every one wanted shelter under the teepee!

 90 minutes before my wave I ventured out into the cold to use the toilet and was pretty much in line for 70 minutes! I barely made my wave start arriving in my corral with 5 minutes to spare!

awesome friends Brian and Kathy Laska.

The starting line is the CHALLENGE....
It is not just a start line... it is the beginning to the end of the journey which got you there in the first place... it represents the commitment and I had barely made it there... so many set backs but my vision was Boston... I cancelled race after race in 2015, I jogged walked the LA marathon just to see if I could remember how to do that distance. I was at Clientrainers San Dimas gym two times a week working on strength and flexibility... just one week prior to the marathon I woke up with muscular pains in my lower back.... but I MADE THE START LINE! more thanks to my hosts Kathy and Brian Laska who lived 20 minutes from the start line but I made it.....and then it would rain...

laying out my gear

The Race

Yup pretty much sums up the 26.2 miles the short version is the gun went off just before 11am.... the heavens opened to give us all rain and head winds..delightful..now my problem was not so much finishing but do I keep the plastic bag on? do I run in the sweats and top which were throwaways... I thought keep the gloves, toss the sweats and keep the garbage bag! Every mile that past I hit my V800 Polar monitor,,,as slow as they were I was running (jogging) Boston Strong!

race pre

 The longer version was it was pretty much unbelievable despite the miserable conditions to run in (which in hind thought is only miserable to those runners who live and train in warmer and not so much rain climates...) was the crowd! The roared BOSTON STRONG! through all the different towns we went through the volunteers all lined up with water and power drink their smiles were welcoming the high fives I gave out were numerous...   to young children lining the route. The entire 26.2 miles gave you the runner a reason to keep going forward.
Highlights
Mile 15
The dreaded Porta a loo

So I had tossed out my gloves at mile 5 they were soaking wet and I thought counter productive to keep wearing...but as the miles ticked by the wind chill was relentless in its quest to change me into an icicle ... I was keeping well hydrated and needed to stop to use those awful things called Porta potties... As I opened the door the image that greeted me was like "Oh my goodness did some one have a fight with the toilet?" It was pretty disgusting but the urge to pee over took the urge to vomit .. the rain drops tinkled on the plastic roof as I tried to not inhale the air in the loo. after I had finished to my HORROR my fingers were so cold I could not redress myself... I put my hands under my arm pits to warm up my fingers.. death in one of there things is not how I want to leave this World. Finally after 5 or so long minutes it seemed a life time I was able to look descent to escape a toilet which clearly showed there was a runner ahead of me who is really suffering with the trots....and was thankful it was not me!
Escaping that loo was awesome but I was very cold and this time another runner would stop and ask me if I wanted her gloves! Oh a guardian Angel indeed. She assured me she did not need them and for that I was ever grateful/

Mile 18
At mile 18 was were my body could safely run to on limited training I still had 8.2 miles to go and then it became a mental game of mind over body while making sure I did not hurt my back ..walking was NOT an option. I played visualization I thought I was running on my old training grounds in Boqueron Puerto Rico along the playa the sun was out and I could feel sand between my toes.... after I had ran that I then thought of the High School Swimmers who at meets I clearly and loudly shout at...."kick kick kick" " come on keep moving" "you can do this..own the pool" I grinned at myself and could almost here Coach Joe s booming baritone voice shout "MOVE" "Come on pick it up!"

For sure the last 3 miles were on crowd support just amazing I would shout to the crowd Boston Strong and they would go into an up roar!

Finish Line
I cried! The emotion for finishing this Marathon, despite lack of training, for finishing and thinking of the bombing here a few years back...for finishing and seeing blind runners tethered to seeing runners ...just emotions for seeing determination....

the BLING

A big shout out to my husband this was my 51st birthday gift (spent at the expo) and to Kathy & Brian Laska for their amazing hospitality before during and after the marathon.

windy wet but happy

For fueling the marathon I was able to have an egg sandwich before I left the house....While on the run I had on my new fuel belt I had chocolate/ peanut butter gels in one bottle and Nocciolo gel in the other bottle I also had endurolytes every hour...and immediately after I had finished and being cocooned in an awesome Boston heat cape ate my Hammer chocolate Peanut recovery bar and went searching for hot coffee.....
Now I have to work on getting 100% fit again so I can run Boston next year on my actual birthday and do the projected time I want to do healthy and not just jog the marathon with lack of proper training due to set backs. I did 4 hrs 3 minutes but qualified again with a 3 36..
Here is my relive experience from my Polar V800
https://flow.polar.com/training/relive/79594105
Big thanks to the companies that support my racing Hammer Nutrition for race day nutrition, Rudy Project USA for awesome Fluros! Polar USA for helping me listen to my body, Brooks Running for running happy and Kool n Fit spray which I had all over my legs and feet. Ocean Potion for lip balm and Fuel Belt for helping me organize my race day needs. #howihammer #runhappy #rudyprojectfluros #V800 #listenstoyourbody #koolnfit #oceanpotion

at the Polar booth

hoping to make a getaway from the weather

Goofing at the expo at the Rudy Project booth!

AT the expo

What do you wear under your cycling shorts?

So here is the million dollar question... What do you wear under the bike shorts?...

Professionals ready to roll

HA HA I hear you echo.....well what do you wear? beside the Chamois Nadda....yup that is right no underwear allowed.....and the horror of squeezing your body into a pair of tight fitting yet huggable and flexible lycra!!..yet the more you cycle the less you will wear those big baggy t shirts to cover those cycling shorts!

Lycra clad cyclists and triathletes..

SO here is the skinny on bike shorts
1.A good pair of bike shorts will protect your privates....(your crotch) . They serve as a buffer between your privates and saddle...

2. I cannot promise zero discomfort as there is always a little discomfort sitting on a saddle for hours on end.

3. The chamois in the cycling shorts come in different thicknesses if you are a triathlete it is minimum padding as you wear them in the swim too.....

4. The chamois protects your skin from the threading /seams of the shorts......wearing underwear would be uncomfortable and cause a few problems.

5. Bike shorts must be washed ever time you wear them no matter if only an hour ..why? because you get bacterial build up on the chamois and yup you have to air out your crotch otherwise it could get funky down there....personal hygiene folks....

6. Like every sport there is specialized clothing and bike shorts are specialized for cycling.....so no matter your shape or size there is a bike short to fit every type of gut from a 6 pack to a beer gut....after a few weeks you will think you are a European Pro just by looking the part.

7. Know when to ditch them....as with everything they are not built to last......and when the Lycra starts wearing thin and you are not wearing under wear then things get interesting.....so always check they are not worn and see through!

8. Just to confuse you if you do not like having the bike shorts as you do not like the restriction around your waist you can cycle in bibs.....but they make it difficult to use the bathroom

AND the final point is never wear new cycling shorts in a competition always break them in...

I know there will be more on the subject of bike shorts to saddle issues but for now it is BAREASSRIDING.

Ride safe ride smart.

Are you getting rest?

January so far has been fairly exciting, although today I had a melt down...not sure how to explain this other than when your alarm goes off at 4:15am and you are on 4 hours of sleep you should really roll over and go back to sleep...but I actually felt guilty as I was not sick, and thought to get the workout done and then the rest of the day would flow nicely...wrong.

Taking time to enjoy a day at Anacapa Island!

Stress and rest and somewhat different but when you put too much stress be in physical or mental and not enough rest it is a recipe for disaster. I need to get quality sleep ...I can function on a few nights of lost sleep but when you add other factors I become some what ....mmm down? I get emotional and irrational add to being Obsessive Compulsive and my whole world explodes!

So to be a good athlete is not about how much you train, how many miles you put in etc there is also how to balance family and other commitments, jobs etc... eating healthy and quality rest.

I should have Listened to my body better...My resting heart rate according to my Polar V800 monitor was elevated I just needed a few days to play catch up on letting my body and soul catch up and harmonize together. #listenstoyourbody

Life is awesome and I live by the creed day by day... I am grateful for my health, grateful for my husband and my family, grateful for friends and coaches and my four legged buddy Hammer, my awesome running min pin.

So I am at the moment relaxing my mind, drinking more water and vowing to get a few more hours of shut eye... there are plenty of exciting paths to travel in 2015.... I need my health and sanity!

Life is rich and rewarding...

relaxing with my Min Pin Hammer.

2014 in the review mirror...

So 2014 is history and every one is happy to clean the slate some people say thank goodness that year is gone! 2015 will be so much better....Then there are the New Year Resolutions? me no I did not make one, for me it is a time to reflect and even though 2014 had some negative stuff there was still awesome things that happened due to bad stuff happening....

Reflecting..

I only did one big triathlon and that was in Oregon the Anvil Double...it was an awesome experience and I hope to repeat in 2015, but a week after getting back home I had my Cannondale Synapse Stolen ..Seriously thought my world had ended as that was my transportation....but out of the negativity the love and support of friends, family and strangers I would be able to get a new racing bike.....While I did not have a bike I had my Saph Vein removed by ablation it was a medical necessity so with no bike seemed a good time to have the Vein removed. And to add to that we moved our home from Covina back to Glendora were we are much happier and in a better neighborhood.

My first ride on my new Racing bike was of course up GMR

I did a few marathons, ultra runs and double bike centuries, did a few triathlons and was a guest speaker for several different groups.I had some awesome moments scuba diving and really enjoyed going to Las Vegas with Al and Montana over July 4th.

I also became a US Masters Swim Coach level 1&2, as well as a RRCA Running Coach in 2014. I also became a US Resident !

I also had a LOT of medical stuff done, a full medical for my resident papers, I also have my heart thoroughly checked after a negative reading at the docs, a vein zapped and the biggest thing was finally having all my dental work completed....may be now I can resume my sport again as my dental work has been a project which has come with a hefty price tag!

As always the year is made fun by my favorite running partner Hammer Wiscovitch Degazon. He is a crack up and so loyal his love is unconditional and he has proved time and time again he is Mans best friend! Or in this case Ultrawomans best running buddy ever!

Hammer with his new M400

SO looking back I had a fantastic year it had its high and its lows but in general a pretty blessed year...I wonder what new adventures I will have in 2015! One thing is for sure I have an amazing husband and we have our health so let the year roll on!

Keep the Chocolate out of sight!

Celebrating one year Anniversary of Hammers abstinence of dark chocolate. 11th December 2013 is etched forever in our hearts and souls.

Hammer with the BEST Veterinarian!! Donna from the Village Animal Hospital. Diamond Bar

 Twas a couple of weeks before Christmas Hammer was home alone for less than 30 minutes in that time he managed to get onto the kitchen table open up a bag of chocolate morsels and consume 2.5pounds of those morsels..

Chocolate poop

not much left

The Saga continued in less than 15 minutes a friend of ours who was on his way over gave me a lift to Hammers usual vet in Glendora. I was a certified mess and Al was out seeing a customer.

Hammer had consumed a lethal amount of chocolate his eyes were manic his heart rate was super high, I cried so much I was beyond upset..... They stomach pumped him gave him charcoal etc I was not allowed to be with him.
When AL arrived and a phone call later to an angel known as Dr Donna we had Hammer transferred to The Village Animal Hospital in Diamond Bar.

THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS

I was allowed to stay with Hammer.......

 The professionalism and swiftness of which ALL the staff worked on Hammer was truly amazing, I was given a box of Kleenex tissues I was a certifiable mess.

Hammers Heart rate went as high as 220 and as low as 120 during his 3 hour fight for life ! He had been made to vomit, put on an IV given Charcoal, then the poor little thing was given an Enema of warm water until feces no longer looked like chocolate!

I made the choice of taking him home at 9pm with emergency numbers on speed dial. We were in the fight for his life and we were going to win.

Every hour from 9pm I made a warm water gruel which a fed to Hammer then I had him go out side to pee, I did this until 7am the next morning I never missed an hour and was so exhausted I fell asleep.....

I woke up in a panic I had fell asleep to the mist beautiful noise in the World he was snoring!

I am so grateful to ALL the friends, family and to the Village Animal Hospital, for the 100s and 100s of e mails and messages and phone calls of genuine love and support.Hammer Wiscovitch Degazon lived through this ordeal and pretty grateful he is a running dog an athlete for his heart to be able to take this awful abuse.

excellent care

it is going to be okay Suzy!

In his element a day later

Dancing in the Rain

 

 

 

Cards from the Larsens!

The Miracle

Please watch over your dogs at Christmas time, make sure they cannot get into chocolate I was lucky and Hammer was truly blessed. He is our little miracle and very happy to have him a year later with no side affects at all and no more Emergency trips to the Doggy ER.

Long Beach Marathon one step at a time

The 30th Anniversary of the Long Beach Marathon and my 7th time at Long Beach thanks to Kool n Fit who have made this possible every year...

Renate, Preston, Ed and myself after the run at the KoolnFit booth

So just a few thoughts to share about my amazing 7th times the charm experience...

• with hind sight the 13.1 mile probably would have been the perfect distance...
• Because I am Suzy I chose the 26.2mile version.....pretty darn smart after 4 weeks and 2 days post vein surgery....
• training really helps, it conditions the body to stay upright and move forward for a few hours without getting cramps, and having to walk......
• mile 15 was my magical number.....after 8 weeks of no running and just walking after surgery and not even cycling I thought at least I would be well rested!!!
• Mile 15 is when my brain registered several warning signs that my feet my knees my back my shoulders really did not care to keep moving forward as fast as I was moving....
• Walking is an option and as long as you are moving forward the miles will keep on passing by!

I was prepared for a longer than normal day I had my fuel belt full of the good stuff, Hammer Nutrition montana huckleberry gel in one of the bottles,  and another the expresso Hammergel gotta love my caffeine fix. I also had endurolytes, and racecap supremes and anti fatigue caps...
To order Hammer Nutrition products the first time..

I had my legs sprayed with Kool n Fit and my insoles before the event and during the event at mile 9, I also with Ed and Preston helped the Kool n Fit booth at the expo and after the race.

the last 10 miles were LONG.... I dug deep into my bag of tricks,...I felt fine!! just my body had forgotten how to behave after 2hours or so! I smiled I handed out hi fives, I called out to other runners looking strong, way to go....yup I had to walk and jog but I had NO pain.

The finish was sweet as I managed a sub 4 hour marathon that was certainly not expected the bigger news was my left leg were I had the saph vein removed was NOT swollen, NOT itchy, NOT purple around the ankles and was NOT aching!
My race pace.....

It was an awesome day to jog and very grateful to be able to do what I do. Big thanks to Kool n Fit for their friendship and support. Big SHout out to Hammer Nutrition for fueling me pre during and post race with Hammer Vegan bar and recoverite. To Rudy Project for making me look cool in the yellow fluros, Polar USA for the awesome V800 which told me numbers I really did not want to see but at least I have for reference and gave me a generous recovery time too! Brooks Running and Ocean Potion and of course my husband for letting me do the event so soon after my operation!

Thanks to Ed and Preston for the lift to and from the marathon good times for sure.....its still a long road back to being 100% but I see the light I really do.
V800 information...

Getting back on track

Getting back on track with my four legged kiddo Hammer.

So it has been a rocky on 6th August 2014 my $10,000 road bike was stolen from my garage while I was home! So 2 months and one week I have not ridden a road bike.

I went into a depression for 2 weeks with doing nothing at all!!! then I signed up to do the 5km pool swim for US Masters Swimming....that is 200 laps of a 50 meter pool with one pool swim prior...on 24th August

successful swimmers of the 5K

All I did was swim and we decided to move so boxes to be packed and un packed etc...

On 12th August I had Vein surgery to eliminate a saph vein and improve my blood circulation.....No running, no cycling and allowed to swim very happy!!
The surgery was good and only allowed to walk and jog until I see my surgeon for a final okay on the vein and leg...So on October 12th I jogged the Long Beach Marathon with NO training! and four small runs a week before, as I do every year I also help Kool n Fit with their expo too.

Getting back on track is not easy! I miss the competition I miss the training and I really miss my Road bike! So jogging the 26.2 miles seemed like a plan to see where I am with my fitness.

Made triple sure I had great Hammer Nutrition for the marathon

I felt like an athlete again as I took my Fuel belt and filled it with Hammergel, Endurolytes and Recoverite for afterwards!
So off the gun went and I began to jog, it was one step at a time and go easy the humidity was high and I was soaked in sweat, each mile was ticked off like winning a battle.....I was running a conservative pace and then BAM mile 15/16 my body let out a disapproval at the amount of stress EVERYTHING was tightening up....I heeded the sign and walked stretching out and carefully listening to my calves that were playing chicken....."dare you to run.....see if I spasm.... " So began 11 miles of jog walking...every mile was a woo hoo moment....as always the last mile seems to be the longest and then I won the War I finished Long Beach in my 2 nd slowest marathon time ever a 3 hour 54min.....but oh man HOW lucky am I to be able to participate 4 weeks after Vein surgery I will happily take that time but tomorrow I will pay dearly for this marathon!

I will have a new road bike soon thanks to the amazing friends I have that contributed to a fund raiser and I will begin in smaller increments to get stronger again.

Getting back on track is not easy but when you already have an active life style it is mind over matter to begin training again....small baby steps and looking forward to a stellar 2015!

resting and recovery are important to my comeback!

Long Beach 2014