Team Hoyt

Sunday was the 14th annual Team Hoyt 5k www.teamhoyt.com, a race that I have been looking forward to since last year.

With the temperature climbing into the 80s for an 11:30am start time, it was nice to run into teammates Dawn & Krista (each with their spouses as well).

This race is so GREAT!!! Everyone goes home with a prize and Dick & Rick are gracious enough to stand for pictures with all the Age Group winners. I think the girls would agree with me, when Rick's relative won a trophy in his age group, his excited reaction was enough to cover your body with goose bumps! Of course his big smiles when a cute girl would go up was a special sight to see too :-)

My original goal for this race was for it to be my time to break that 21 min barrier. However, with the knee still keeping me from MANY workouts, I opted to just go out and do my best and try for a top AG finish. My first mile was 6:21, at which point I knew I was very likely going to crash and burn (I need to take my own advice about pacing), but I kept moving one foot in front of the other, the easiest way to get to any finish line!!

Holding strong 'til the last 1/2 mile, flash gordon teammate Krista pulls up beside me and checks on my knee and how i'm feeling... being her track coach I told her to get a move on and go for a top 3 female finish(NO PRESSURE). It is great to see teammates that have been working hard at track and hills excel and reach new limits!! The heat made my head feel like it was going to pop off, I sure do love racing in the winter months... someday I will figure out a good cooling system for my body.

I am very satisfied and happy with my finish, and have no complaints of a 22:43 finish (good for a 1st AG prize). It wasn't my dream goal of sub 21:00 but I am very excited b/c that means I have something to continue to strive for this year... although after Sunday, I'm thinking that I may have a sub 20 in me someday :-)

Krista had a fabulous 3rd Female Overall finish and 1st in AG. Dawn strided in for a 2nd place AG finish! WAY TO GO GIRLS (oh and did I mention Dawn got a case of beer and Krista a George Foreman Grille!! SWEET)

Snap Crackle Pop

I can't think of a better way to start a day than heading to Dr. Melman's (http://melmanchirogroup.com/)

My appointment was at 7:30am, his first patient of the day! We caught up on how things are going and he is excited to hear of my new adventures about to take place, and even better has a recommendation for someone I can go to out West!!

He could feel every ounce of tension in my neck and worked to release this nagging headache I have had for a few days. Always my first sign that it has been FAR too long since I have been in for an adjustment!! Dr. Melman is amazing, he is completely invested in each of his patients and I will plan to see him as many times as I can squeeze in before I head out.

My favorite part of leaving his office before Boylston Street is too full of rush hour traffic/crowds is the bare look at the Boston Marathon Finish Line. It brings me into a wonderful space and fills my head with my own memories of crossing as well as the memories of friends and those who I don't know, but understand have their own personal reasons for running 26.2 miles. It gives me a sense of peace and permits me to face the day with a better outlook and puts things into perspective.

I love Boston but today it was symbolic to think about Finish lines and what they mean to me. Once you cross a finish line, it does not mean that something is over, it means you are on your way to recovery and celebration and a new chapter. Seems fitting to me right now!!

This morning Beth and I met for Run Hills and our troops opted to stay out of the rain. I think the rain is really breaking some training spirits in Massachusetts... Despite Beth's sunburn, and my flu bug we headed out for a leisurely run around Watertown.

Mid-way thru the run, my stomach could not take it any longer so we had to make a quick stop and then continue one. Thankfully, Bethie is very patient with me these days, and stuck back with my sluggish pace as I pushed thru the stomach discomfort of my flu bug. Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have been running, but unlike some, I LOVE to run in the rain.

Today was no exception. I can't comprehend what my fellow Massachusetts folks are enduring with the flooding, it is sad and frustrating b/c I don't know how to help. A run like today clears my mind and reminds me of what I should be focusing on and to take today as an opportunity. I know that I have far too many possessions and I want to continue to lessen my "material" load and focus on giving to those who are far more in need.

I also took a moment to grab one branch of a lilac. My favorite flower by far and the rain is destroying them for a second season in a row... So I need to make sure that I grab as many as I can to enjoy the smell before they all fall to the ground! I keep driving by them thinking, "I should stop and grab some" No more!!! I will stop and I will enjoy as many lilacs as possible!!! No need to miss out on something that makes me so happy right :-)

Hurry to Hiatus to Hump to Huh??

After a long needed vacation, I am finally ready to settle back into things and get myself on a training schedule. (Thanks to Beth for reminding me it is only now 11 weeks 'til IMLP)

Hurry
I had been anticipating this vacation for months & months, kept wishing it would hurry up and get here, but now looking back the week flew by and the wedding and meeting Nico for the first time seems a lifetime ago... I tried to savor each moment, but alas the week went by too quickly

Hiatus
For nearly 8 weeks leading up to vacation, I had finally gained some ground on my bad eating habits, then vacation hit and I went on hiatus. I tried to make the best choices I could with my schedule being so crazy, but the "bad eater" Joni inside of me kept saying "you're on vacation!" so needless to say my hiatus has turned into a bit of an upward battle and I will need to really reach inside to my will-power to win over old Joni to get back on track

Hump
With the Boston Marathon behind me, I thought my focus would be a smooth transition to IMLP, but I have found myself at a hump. I mean I should be on top of my game, I just ran a qualifying time on the home court what more could a girl ask for? This certainly is a goal I never set for myself b/c it was something that seemed so off the map (especially with my knee acting the way it does now) but vacation came and I ran a couple of times, but the knee was sore again. I then got back from vaca and have been fighting a cold/allergies since. Which made for a shortened training weekend. I am happy to say I climed the Kanc with Beth & Tania, but rather than a 75mi ride, I cut it short to 60mi.

Huh?
This is where I am at today!

Huh? Where did all that time go for training? How is it that I only have x amount of long rides left to do. How will I gain the cycling fitness in time to shave 47 minutes off my bike time from Canada (aggressive goal but that is part of what keeps us coming back for more)

Huh? Janus has called to tell me I have won a slot for any Continental North America IM this year.... can I do 2 IM's in one year?

Huh? why is my knee still aching? It has been 5 MONTHS already! I try really hard to focus back on the positive, but some days it does bug me, I have to be honest here!

Huh?

The GREAT news is that today I did a mid-week ride with Bethie. We had no expectations of our ride and set out to do Mill Rd/Trapelo. After we did some good climbs, we opted for a different route back and just enjoyed the morning. I feel so refreshed now. I feel like this was a big step towards tasting the IM again!! Now I just need to be responsible for myself and keep up the momentum!!

I have a lot of decisions to make over the next couple of weeks, so I am just hoping I can find the drive to continue with my fitness and remember how good I feel today for getting out on the bike and just enjoying a morning ride!!