Read my new blog

 Please go to my new blog: kristenlodge.com. 

Easter Bike Ride - A Flat Near Bow, NH

I went out on my second bike ride in New Hampshire this Easter morning. 

I couldn’t find my CO2 inflator, I thought it was in one of my bike pockets, but I did find my mini bike pump and carried it with me. 

My goal was to ride to a new town. I was heading toward Bow. 

I almost got to Bow before POP my tire went flat.

The roads in around Concord have frost heaves and it feels like a back tire flat. I had checked the tire pressure a few times and it was the road.

However, after climbing a hill and then descending my rear wheel popped and my tire was out of the rim. Scary but made it to a stop okay.

No worries I thought. I got this. I had a spare and my bike pump. Since I’m out of practice riding and replacing a tube it was slow going and I had a tough time getting the tire back on. A man on abike rode by and asked if I was okay, and I asked if he could help me.

I’m okay with asking for help.

He helped me get the tire back on the rim on and let me use his CO2 and inflator. 

Done - wheel on the bike – all ready to go except that one minute after my helper rode away, it was flat again. Crap.

I started walking. 6 miles back home. I tried calling my friend Jeff but he didn’t answer his phone. I thought about my options and remembered there is this awesome thing in cities called A TAXI!

Woot.

This is what a shortened bike ride looks like:

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move151980701

Now I’m working on my bike and trying to figure out what happened: a hole in the replacement tube. I am working on my bike and cleaning it up – Yes, Mark, it’s very dirty and I’m going to take better care of her.

Here’s my work area, in the sun room off the kitchen. 

I just bought this new bike pump. My old one was 13 years old. It was time. 

I’m going to be better about taking care of my bike and hopefully never be stranded outside of Concord again.

It was a beautiful day riding around Concord before the flat. All the routes are very hilly and great scenery. I can't wait to see the landscape when it become more green. I'm excited for all the bike routes. 

I have eight 4,000 footers in New Hampshire to hike

Today I discovered while reading my AMC White Mountain Guide 24^th edition that I have eight 4,000 footers to hike; the edition I bought in 1988. 

The back of the book lists all the 4,000 footers. I wrote in the dates of the mountains I’ve hiked. I’ve always thought that I have six left but when I recounted with book in hand there are eight.

Garfield

Hancock

Flume

South Hancock

Cabot

Hale

Owl’s Head

Waumbek.

 I have a plan.

I will finish these hikes in 2017. 

Living in the Capital City, Concord NH

I'm finally here - back to New Hampshire.
I found a new job, new home and new running routes.

After spending 7 weeks in Rye, NH spending time with my family I moved to Concord this week.

I have to say the city is pretty cool.

I live walking distance to work, the library and the State Capital building.

Life is good here albeit snow and rain for the last week that hampered plans. Despite all the good things happening to me I can't believe what is going on in our world: Syria, Trump, the environment and so much more.

I'm getting back to my training plan and writing but I'm also going to get more involved in making change. We need to get our state, country and world to where it needs to be. That means less death, war and environmental degradation.

We all need to do our part and I will do mine. I'm trying to figure out a way through writing and endurance sports. Stay tuned.

Ironman stats, last three races

My friend Amy, from Texas is working on a math and science project with her sixth-graders. She asked me for all my stats for the last three races including temperature and elevation.
It was fun to go get the stats and remember some good times.

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The Woodlands, Texas, May 2015, age 44

Swim: 1:40, Bike 6:42, Run 4:59. Total: 13:37

Temp: hot and humid

Elevation: 150

Lake Placid, New York, July 2016, age 45

Swim: 1:32, Bike 7:08, Run 5:30. Total: 14:24

Temp: hot and humid

Elevation: 1,801

Ironman Arizona, Tempe, November 2016, age 46

Swim: 1:37, Bike 6:50, Run 4:58. Total: 13:41

Temp: hot and humid

Elevation: 150

Since I'm not racing an Ironman this year it was fun to visit websites I haven't looked at obsessively as in past years. Ironman Lake Placid is sold out as of today. Ironman Boulder, a race I was considering in 2017 is $740 to register. Ironman Canada has spots open and costs $730. Ironman Arizona is sold out. Ironman Texas is open and costs $735.

I will stick to running races in 2017.

Houston Marathon, it's getting real

Happy New Year, Out with Old, In with the New

2017 - a new start - a new year - and new goals.

The 50 mile trail run is out.

Running 1,000 miles in 2017 is in. #runstreak2017

Reading more.
Writing more.

That is what 2017 is going to be about.

I'm currently reading two books.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac.

“I was halfway across America, at the dividing line between the East of my youth and the West of my future.” Kerouac

 And John Fleck's Water is for Fighting Over and Other Myths about Water in the West.

 Both are for work related stories and both are such great reads. I highly recommend.

The allure of trains, my grandfather's letters and train travel

This week I wrote a column about 'the allure of trains' and referenced the letters my grandfather's wrote to my grandmother from Sep 29, 1938 to Apr 23, 1939.

Here is the column: http://www.skyhidailynews.com/news/lodge-the-allure-of-trains/

But while I ran out of time to add more details to the story I wanted to include a little more here.

Here is a postcard I found online from the Sheridan Hotel in Minneapolis Minnesota. I'm guessing it no longer exists.

And a photo from the photo copied letter (my aunt has the original) from the letter:

 
Here is an story from the Houston Chronicle about the "historic" Rice Hotel, a hotel my grandfather stayed at in 1938.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Historic-Rice-Hotel-up-for-sale-5190547.php 

Trains
History
Family

Three great themes to create an interesting book.
I'm going to start back up and get this book written.
#newyearsresolutions

What's next - looking forward to 2017

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I’m taking a break from triathlon.

After training and racing for 10 years I am not going to race in 2017. 

Actually, maybe I should say I’m not training or racing in 2017, I think, maybe, I’m not sure.

I just know that triathlon has taken over my life in a positive way for many years and I may just want to ..... spin, swim, take a yoga class, join CrossFit, start personal training, bike for fun or something else ..... this coming year.

Ironman Arizona was a great day. Such a great day. I love that day. Nov. 20, 2016. A coming together of so much gratitude and a realization of the family I created with friends.

But, I want to do other things for a while.

Ironman Lake Placid was a best day, best weekend, for so many reasons: friends, family, memories, redemption, and so much more.

Now, I want to write more. I want to read more. I want to get better at my job.

I’ll be back. There are more races to do. I WILL race Ironman Barcelona. Maybe one day Kona.

For now I’m going to bike and swim when I want to. I will run a 50 miler in 2017. I know it. I will cross off Texas and Maine from my list of marathons in 50 states.

For now, I will write every day. I am thinking of a run streak.

So many possibilities. That’s what I love about this life – you never know what will appear after the next curve in the road. So much to look forward to.

50 miler, March 25, 2017

First things first: Make a Plan.

27 weeks and 5 days.

Not necessarily in the right order this time but here's what I've done.
1) researched the race and lodging
2) asked Kassandra to join me
3) make a deposit on a hotel room in Mexican Hat, UT

This is what I need to do:
1) train for my first 50 miler
2) finished another 50K (my last one was in 2013)
3) register for the race

3 for 6 - I'm half way there.

Now for the reveal. This is the race:

The Monument Valley 50 mile

On March 25, 2017

Here are some of things people are saying about the race:

At every race, there are many stories to be told. But in the Ultra-Adventures Monument Valley Ultramarathons (100-mile, 50mile, 55km, and 25km), which take place on the sovereign Navajo Nation, the stories can be both ancient and fascinating. It is rare that a race can be both educational and breathtaking. The land and the people of this race have as much character and charm as can ever be experienced in any race. (Source: http://endurancetourist.com/2015/04/15/race-review-2015-ua-monument-valley-100/)

nobody complained about the sand. The very challenging running conditions were FAR surpassed by the stunning beauty of the course. The people I talked to were beyond willing to do some sand slogging to drink in the beauty that was surrounding us. We all knew we were surrounded by something amazing, something spiritual, something special. (Source: http://www.fastcory.com/2015/03/monument-valley-50-race-report-2015.html)

We were running on Navajo land, trusted with the privilege to explore a world that is usually off-limits to tourists unaccompanied by a Navajo guide. We savored the peace of the first five miles, past Left Mitten, to the aid station. (Source: http://www.trailrunnermag.com/races/featured-races/1234-a-rare-run-on-navajo-lands)

26 week training plan starts Monday.

 

A run to the wilderness

Monday was the bestest day ever. Although I paid for it today, Tuesday with too much work.

I woke up on Monday and decided if I'm going to do this Leadville thing I better get used to running above treeline at 11,000 feet.

My first plan was to drive to Berthoud Pass and run / hike to Flora. I forgot about the traffic leaving the valley. As I drove through downtown Tabernash and saw the line of traffic I turned and headed toward Meadow Creek Reservoir. I  didn't bring my map because I was just going to follow the trail from the top of Berthoud. So when I got to Meadow Creek Res I wasn't sure what trail or where to go. I started running the road not sure what was at Junco trailhead.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Bob Saint from the Grand County Wilderness Group manning the cabin. I knew about the cabin and I knew about the group. I just didn't really understand where it was. He was awesome, gave me a few options for a hike and off I was.

I decided on Caribou Pass since it was a little harder with more incline.

I make great decisions about 79 percent of the time. This was one of them. What a great/hard hike/run. Once I got above treeline and saw those freaking high peaks - I knew I made the right decision about Leadville.

I've been road biking and road running for so long - since 2008. It was time to get back to my 18-year-old roots - hiking in the mountains. Or in this case running in the mountains.

Why the heck have I never been up here. Caribou Pass was spectacular - rocks, crags, Continental Divide - seriously - I haven't felt so alive in so long. I haven't felt the AWE in so long.

Caribou Pass sign

The view looking south

Heading back down to Junco

The view looking northeast.

Don't forget to pay the day pass fee.

Here is the link to Movescount.

The Ultra Runner's Prayer

I saw this posted on the Hideaway Running Events Facebook page and had to steal it. Good luck to all the ultra runners out in Winter Park today. While I was planning to run the 50K, today I am running the half marathon. #trainingslump


Lord,

Watch over me today as I run.
I have paid the price to run this race
through the summer heat, the winter winds,
up those hills.
There are other days and other races,
But this is the day and this is the time for this race.

Lord,
Watch over my body.
Keep it from injury.
As I run, may the tiredness and the pain be the symbol
of victory and not the reason for defeat.
May I acknowledge my limitations,
but not accept less than my potential.

Lord,
Watch over my mind.
May I be intelligent as I run.
May I listen to the signals from within
as I enjoy the scenes from without.
Keep me from foolishness at the start
so that I can finish with wisdom at the end.

Lord,
Watch over my spirit.
As time passes and my commitment
dims and blurs, may the inner resources that
You gave me come forward and give me the
resolve to press onward.

Lord,
Watch over my competitors.
As they face the physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual challenges we all face, may they find the
peace and strength that I have found through You.
Remind them that we all are struggling equally
and that their personal victory is a result of Your guidance.

Lord,
Watch over the trails and mountains.
As they seek to challenge me, may they also offer
havens of comfort and shelter from storms.
Please allow me to seek out that shelter and give me
time to enjoy the boundless beauty they possess.
Let the mountains offer me a test and a challenge
But also a passage through which I may safely pass.
As I continue to press to the summit, may the trail
lead me where You want me to go.

Lord,
Let me win.
Not by coming in ahead of my friends,
but by beating myself.
Let it be an inner win. A battle won over me.
May I say at the end,
I have fought a good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.”

Grand Dog candidate, My Winnie-Dog

Winnie is running for Grand Dog.
What does this mean?
If she wins the vote she will represent Grand County as Grand Dog.

And, she made the newspaper:
http://www.skyhidailynews.com/news/announcements/grand-dog-candidate-winnie/


All dog candidates get a blurb each Friday in the paper.
You can read all their stories here: https://gcadvocates.org/grand-dog/

Grand Dog is a collaborative fundraiser for Advocates for a Violence-Free Community and Grand County Pet Pals to raise awareness that violence affects everyone in the home- adults, children, and pets. 

Rest Days

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Sometimes you just need a break. When bad things happen and you are about to lose it, what do you do?

In the past, I would sleep.

Now, I clean, organize and plan my anger and restlessness away.

Once I put everything in order, create piles and TO DO lists, vacuum, and reduce clutter, I’m back to myself.

I had a friend many years ago who wouldn’t go hiking or biking on a Saturday. We tried everything to entice her to come. None of us understood why because she could clean her house any day. It was Saturday; it was time to be outside and play. Plus, her house was so clean anyway.

But now, I get it.

In her mind her life was chaos. Too much to do over the work week and Saturday was her day to restore order with a clean house. 

That is what a rest day is to me now. A true rest day from training and life.

Restore Order

Get Calm

Organize the Chaos

When I don’t schedule in a rest day this is what happens: little things build up, I frantically try to do everything, I yell at my dogs and I hate my life.

Instead of running that 20 mile scheduled run that needed to be done for my upcoming race, I stayed home, planned the next day, ate a healthy dinner, listened to music, and started writing this blog post. 

Order Resorted.

Writing is my outlet. It always has been. I love writing this blog about endurance training, racing, traveling and meeting new people who love the sport. These things truly make me happy.

Despite this nomad life I’ve chosen for myself, including the job changes, injuries and bike crashes, these things are all part of making a great life for myself, and endurance sports and writing are the two constants.

Every year I say I’m giving up triathlon. Every year I say I’ll write my second book. I’m not sure what this next year holds for me. 

Keep reading this blog and we will both find out.  

Post-Ironman blues and training

Post-Ironman blues is real.
I've been reading on the Ironman Lake Placid Facebook page two very opposing views of Post-Ironman blues.
Some get back at it.
Some don't want to even look at their running shoes.

I'm a little in between.

I started running again yesterday. Since finishing Ironman Lake Placid, I swam once. I biked once. I did a spin/circuit class once.
This week is about slowly getting back into it.

Ironman Arizona is 14 weeks away and I know what I need to do.

Rejection

Ironman Lake Placid Race Report, what does it all mean?

Now that six days have passed I can finally process what race day 2016 meant to me - what this 14 plus hours of swimming, biking and running meant to me.

First, I finally met Than’s wife, Kathy. Than has been Mark’s Ironman Sherpa since 2009. And he was both Mark and my Sherpa at Ironman Wisconsin in 2013. Kathy was my sherpa meaning that she would help me during race weekend (carrying bags, etc) and on race day would be responsible for getting my bike from transition to TriBike tranport.

Second,  going to New York I was on Nash and Oren turf since they grew up near Albany and both attended college in New York. This would be Mark’s third Ironman Lake Placid.

I knew I was going to be in good hands and would get all the pre-race prep done efficiently and on time. This reduced every bit of stress. 

I wasn’t nervous since they took care of everything.

I was in awe of the place.

I grew up one hour north of Lake Placid in Plattsburg so it was a bit of a coming home for me. 

All the history of the Olympics was inspiring, being in the Olympic Oval and knowing I would finish in it, was pretty emotional.

The day before the race was the Nash Family Reunion and I got to meet Mark’s family. They were so happy to be there and I felt a part of the family instantly.

Mark handed out shirts to everyone (every year he designs a shirt for all the sherpas and spectators) and thanked them for coming out to cheer.

Race Day:

The swim was fantastic. No fighting for space, no kicks in the gut or face, just swimming my race. The water was a perfect temperature – 73 degrees, clear and calm. I didn’t have to sight as much since I could see people next to me and just followed them in the right direction. After the first lap I felt pretty good and didn't pushed the pace.

The wetsuit strippers were amazing. Since I have such back pain after swimming I asked them to help me up after they got my wetsuit off and the one man just grabbed my torso and I was up. Amazing.

In the shoot I saw many of our group cheering and it felt so good!

The bike was challenging. I knew I needed to pace myself for the hills so I tried to recover on the downhills.  The uphills were intense, especially the 10 miles heading back to Lake Placid but I felt okay on the first loop. The second loop my left foot started bothering me, thinking it was from my inserts. But looking back I think that is when the swelling started from the heat and dehydration. 

The course is really beautiful and everyone said to be sure to look around, but I didn’t really look around. I just biked like I always do. I was happy to see Mark a few times and I tried to keep up with him, but he took off and I didn’t see him again until the run.

I saw my Mom, Dad and Carol, my mom’s sister from Pennsylvania, a few times. I was so happy they came to see me.

The run did me in. I knew it was going to be slow. My feet hurt and it was hot. The crowd cheering was amazing. Knowing I would see our team made me run more than I wanted, which is a good thing. I started to walk a lot and knew I was never going to make my goal and I was going to be closer to a 14 hour finish. I was completely bummed out. 

I just kept moving forward. I started to talk to people. 

I started talking to a man who was wearing a shirt that said “Cancer survivor”. At first we talked about our race and other races we had finished. Then, I knew I couldn’t keep walking. I asked him if he would play my running game with me. I would pick a spot ahead and we would run to it. He was game. Then he told me about cancer. This race was his redemption race. He would finish; even if it took him 17 hours despite having 11 and 12-hour Ironman races in the past. We knew we had to run more so I started picking objects farther in the distance.

Finally after the last out and back we ran to the finish. I heard my Dad yell – Go Kristen – as I dropped my wings cover shirt and almost tripped. I saw my Mom and Carol just before the finish. I saw Than and Kathy.

I finished and got my medal.

I went into the food area and Than pointed out where Mark was sitting. Mark and I sat and talked about our race. My slowest Ironman ever – Mark’s too. We were happy to finish, but.

 I got up to go meet our team and I looked over to people cheering and a sea of green shirts were cheering wildly! Mark looked over and I was happy again. Wow. 

My sadness of my time slipped away and the accomplishment set in.

We sat and talked to everyone. Than grabbed my mother’s arm from the finishing area and guided her to sit next to me. She was so proud of me. We talked and took a photo.

This is what matters.

Family and friends sharing an important day.

I will always remember this day. Always.

What does it all mean?

I didn’t achieve the time goal I set out for myself on July 24.

But I didn’t do the training I set for myself either.

This is the all-important Life/Career/Sport take-away:

I cannot expect to the have the results I want when I don't put in the time required to reach a goal. 

However, I was able to toe the start line and finish a race in one of the most beautiful places in the US – Lake Placid, New York.

I got to meet an amazing group of people from Mark’s family who reminded me how important it is that family supports family.

My Mom and Dad got to see me finish an Ironman for the second time.

I got to spend time with Mark who shares so many of the same goals that I have. I simply enjoy being with him for a few days a year for a Racecation. He is able to calm me just with his presence. I’m so thankful he is in my life. 

Mostly I am grateful. I am grateful for my health so I can do these races. And, I am grateful for my family and friends who support me in my endurance goals.

Ironman Lake Placid in pictures - version 1

Almost to Lake Placid, finally.

Drop off bags, Shepas from right: Than, Kathy. Mark (racing)

The 3 Amigos - making a plan - what they do best.

Side trip to the top of Whiteface - awe inspiring and cold!

Race Day - The Swim

Kristen on the bike

Kristen on the Run (thank you Mary for the wings)

And the Finish with Sherpa Kathy. Wow. That hurt a lot.

Post Race photos of the most awesome rental house.

A quick trip home to see my family and the ocean.

And back to my Home, Away from Home and Daisy is happy to see me and snuggle time.

It's Ironman Race Week

It's going to be a crazy week.
Prepping to be gone from work for a week, getting last minute workouts in and packing.

But I have to remember to stretch, breathe and relax as much as possible.

Work, life, training and racing - this quote is applicable to it all.

Race week. I've been looking forward to it for a year.
A year in the making.
Just breathe.

2016 Racing Plan Update

July 24 – Ironman Lake Placid

August 14 – Leadville 10K

September 3 - Hideaway Park - 50K

September 10 - Winter Park Half Marathon

September 24 - ECS Park City, Utah Marathon

November 13 – Ironman Arizona