Some Assembly Required.

Suit.
Goggles.
Swim cap.

Those pieces I have.  And I’ve learned how to put them all together and be completely adorable.  (See this previous post for evidence.) But as it turns out, it takes more than just a fabulous ensemble to make a good freestyle stroke. Right now, I’m spending time collecting pieces.

Head position.
Arm extension.
Sweet spot.
Breathing.
Rhythm.

I love each of these pieces individually.  I love the water.  I’m happy in the pool.  I love swim drills.  When I have just one piece to focus on… well… it may not be perfect, but it’s decent.  I have a handful of drills I can run through each time I go to the pool.  Once in a while, I try to put all of the pieces together, and it comes out looking like a jumbled mess.  Kind of like putting together Ikea furniture without looking at the directions.

The good news in all of this?  I’m starting to feel the difference between the good pieces and the extra ones they always seem to throw in the box.  I can tell when my rhythm is off, my arms spinning in circles like a cyclist’s legs.  I can feel my head moving just a little too high when I take a breath.  I can feel the extra effort it takes to get through the water when I don’t take the time to find my “sweet spot.”  I may not always be able to correct it, but at least I am starting to see what it will take to get there.

It’s kind of like that Ikea table in our dining room.  When we first put it together, it looked great, but two or three pieces were attached wrong and the leaf didn’t work properly.  For a brief moment, we thought about just leaving it that way and fixing it later.  But the truth is, some things are now or never.  With heavy sighs, we took apart most of the table and put it back together the right way.  Putting it together the second time was quicker, because we understood how everything was supposed to fit together.

Back to the pool for some more swim drills tomorrow.  Just one step closer to putting my table together.

Shhhh… it’s a secret.

A little while back, I read an article about goal setting.  It stuck out because it was different from most other things I’ve heard or read about setting goals.  Instead of the “buddy system, find a group, tell everyone you know about your goals so you can be held accountable” advice, the author suggested keeping your goals a secret, or only telling one or two confidants.  The rationale is that when you start to tell people about your goals, you can get the same kind of positive feedback as when you actually achieve them.  Then, you have less motivation to actually work towards them.

For example, you set a goal to run a marathon.  You tell everyone you know, hoping that it will help hold you accountable.  People respond with things like, “That’s incredible!”  ”Running a marathon is a great aspiration!”  All of the positive comments make you feel good about yourself, and you can lose the drive to succeed.

Today I started reading a book called Swim. Bike. Run. Laugh. The author, Dan Madson, suggests setting your goals so high, that when you tell others they laugh at you.

After an ice cold run in the snow (with incredible company), a long hot shower to thaw, and an afternoon nap, I started thinking about my goals today.  I have some goals that I’m sharing because I need support to make them happen.  By surrounding myself with people who support me and joining some groups, I can feel myself getting closer to reaching them.  I still have a long way to go, but I know I couldn’t do it alone.

I also took some time this afternoon to set some secret goals.  Goals that would make other people laugh out loud.  Goals that I’m not going to tell anyone.  It’s kind of fun to have this little secret and know that I can keep making progress towards it quietly.  So go out there and set some secret goals.  And when you reach them, shout it from the rooftops!  (That’s what I plan to do anyway.)

New Year + New Goals = Awesome.

VH1’s Best Week Ever should probably just feature me indefinitely this year.  Or maybe next year they will feature my awesome year in their Best Year Ever episode.  (But maybe they can think like I do, in school years/running seasons, so October 2009 – October 2010 can be my best year ever.  That way it includes my little stint on Pace of Chicago.)

Taking up triathlon has me all energized and excited.  It’s the way I feel right before a new year at school.  It’s how I felt when I got my first pair of running shoes.  I get to feel that way over and over again now.  First athletic swim suit.  First pair of goggles.  First swim drills.  First full lap at the pool.  First triathlon class.  And that’s just in the past two weeks!  I have even more excitement, like bike pedals and shoes and bike shorts to look forward to!  Hooray!

Since the end of Christmas break, Jon and I have been hitting the pool for Total Immersion swim drills.  I’ve made it up to Drill 4 – Fish.  I’ve been sticking with my workout routine and really trying to push myself.  And yesterday, I succeeded!  5 x 400 on the treadmill with 30 second breaks in between.   What’s that?  You want my splits?  Well okay.  2:30; 2:25; 2:20; 2:15; 2:10.  Track workouts scare me because they make me realize that I might not be tapping into my full potential just yet.  I’m excited to see what this year brings!

Most exciting in 2010?  I have found a tri training group that makes the hour drive to and from Glenview worth it. Together We Tri is absolutely fantastic.  I started their off-season tri training group on Tuesday and had a killer workout.  I’ve really never done strength training before, so the circuit training we started off with nearly killed me.  But somehow, a few encouraging words from Libby Hurley, TWT’s founder and owner, and I was doing swim drills and laps totaling 300 yards on my first night!  I’m excited to train with such a fun group of people and great coaches.  I wanted to sign up for the next few sessions as soon as I walked in the front door.  I’m planning on joining their Trek Women’s Tri training group, too.

With all this excitement and enthusiasm, I figure it’s time to put my goals for the 2010 season on paper.  That way, when I’m losing steam, I can come back to this post and remember how energized I was.

1. Garbage in = Garbage out.  Don’t fill up with junk and expect a good workout.
2. Make the most of every workout.  Push when it’s time to push, take it easy when it’s time to rest.
3. Really push the running this year.  This is the year to beat the end of the race in the marathon.  Heck, this could be the year for the elusive 5:59:59.  Anything is possible.

Bring it on, 2010.  I can’t wait.

2009: A Year in Review

Thinking back on the past decade makes my head spin. When I rang in 2000, I was a freshman in high school who cried the night before the mile and faked sick to get out of swimming. Ten years later, I’m a fifth grade teacher, marathon runner, triathlete in training, and married with a house and dog. How’s that for a change?

Instead, I’d like to focus on my running journey in 2009. What a year it’s been!

I pretty much hibernated last winter. Fresh off the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco (October 2008), I took up couch surfing and celebrated finishing my first marathon.

My first race of 2009 was a cold, snowy, wet Shamrock Shuffle. My toes were frozen. I didn’t want to run — not even a little bit. However, true to form, Barb was very persuasive. I have to admit, being one of the few to show up for the race made me feel pretty hardcore.

I started marathon training with gusto.  Running for Girls on the Run International gave me purpose.  I was running in Chicago again and had something to prove.  I started Hal Higdon’s marathon training plan and loved it.  I was running every single training run.

At our school’s annual fundraising gala in the spring, I auctioned off “5k with Mrs. K,” where I would accept up to 10 girls to train for and race in the Girls on the Run Chicago 5k in June.  To my delight, seven fourth and fifth grade girls signed up!  That 5k was one of the most fun races I’ve ever run.  We all started together, then I waved good bye to the speedy girls and hung with the back of the pack: Callie, Gabi, and Julia.  Callie was especially nervous because she struggled with a two-mile run we did on Thanksgiving.  I’m proud to say that those girls rocked the race.  I set my watch and showed them the beauty of run/walk.  Several memories stick out in my mind from that day, but two will stay with me forever.  1. Callie realizing she could sprint to the finish and taking off, beaming.  2. This exchange with Gabi and Julia.  Me: Okay, when we see the finish line we’re going to run.  Girls: Okay.  Me: See it?!  It’s right there!  That big pink banner!  Girls: I don’t see it.  Me: Right up there!  See?  Girls: No.  They finally “saw” it about 20 yards from the finish, and the three of us crossed the finish line holding hands.  Then, all of the girls surrounded me to show off their medals.  I was so proud of all of them.

I embraced girl power once again at the end of July with the Fleet Feet Women’s 10k. It was even on a similar course to the GOTR5k.  Another all-time favorite run.  I pushed myself; I could tell my training was paying off.  I ran and ran all summer long, until the Inaugural Rock & Roll Chicago Half Marathon in August, where I set a half marathon PR of 2:57:00.

And then, just when I was getting close to tapping into my full potential… I fell off the wagon.  I fell hard.  Commence half-hearted training some of the time.  Somewhere around mid-September, I finally got back on.  I had an amazing 20-miler that restored my confidence and was ready to give Chicago my all.

In October, I responded to this blog post on Pace of Chicago, and ended up being named October Athlete of the Month.  I ran the Chicago Marathon and finished.  I shared the journey with an old friend and a new friend.   I even made a friend along the way. I gained a new perspective, learned to consider myself a runner and an athlete.  Through this experience, I finally became a runner.  I got the gift of seeing myself through someone else’s eyes.  At the end of the month, I ran back to back 5ks with new friends, and had the chance to be a cheerleader for other runners.

I finished the year with a festive 5k three seconds away from my PR.

All in all, a great year for running and in life.  Here’s to 2009!

Just keep swimming…

After sleeping ridiculously late today, I suited up for a short run in the snow.  No watch, no headphones, just me and my running shoes. (I did check the clock when I left the house, and when I came back in, so I could get some idea of my pace.)   It seems like I’ve spent the whole winter sick in bed, so my poor little lungs are still adjusting to the cold.  My legs felt great and were rearing to go, but the whole “breathing cold air” thing slowed me down a little bit.  Still, I cranked out 2.2 miles at about a 12:30 pace.  Not too shabby for a run spent dodging huge snow piles.  I forgot how much I love running in the snow!   No, seriously.  I love it.

This evening, my “head coach” Jon and I headed to the pool for TE Drill 1.  Jon warned me that it would probably be a bit difficult, because balance in the water is something a lot of swimmers struggle with.  It wasn’t.  I loved it.  We probably spent 15 – 20 minutes in the water working on this drill.  I was kind of wishing I’d watched Drill 2 so we could try that one too, but I’m glad I am spending focused time on each of the early drills.  I figure building a strong foundation can only help me in the long run.

Have I mentioned how ridiculously excited I am for tri training?  I am in love.  And happier than happy.  Now if only winter break could last forever… then I could always have enough time to train!

Here’s me, sporting my new swim gear and very excited about it…

Forward is a Pace

I owe lots of thanks to my friend Barb for giving me a mantra for my new triathlon endeavors.

Forward is a pace.

Tomorrow marks the start of my new journey — Total Immersion Swimming Lesson 1 tomorrow, followed by a short snowy run! I’ll report back.

A Very Triathlon Christmas

Judging by this week’s festivities, I’d say I’m really lucky to be surrounded by people who are very supportive of my new crazy endeavors.  I scored big time with tri loot this Christmas.

From Jon:
Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster, and Easier
Blueseventy goggles
Swim, Bike, Run, Laugh (book)
A book about strength training for triathletes

From my parents, brother, and inlaws:
A new Nike running jacket for this icky weather
Road ID!
Cold weather running gloves
Running pants and capris
Yoga pants
Goggles
TYR swimsuit
Running socks
Biking gloves
Apple Cider Century race entry
Together We Tri Indoor Triathlon entry

And even my 10 year old cousin, who got me in the grab bag, got me a long sleeved tech shirt and running pants.

Well, first of all, Jon and I were very spoiled by our generous families the past two days.  But I’m really excited to have some new running/swimming/biking gear to get me out of the house when it’s cold and snowy.  I’m so amped to wear my new jacket that I’m thinking of heading out in the snow today!

I also talked to a lot of family about races at Christmas.  It looks like I’ll have my sister-in-law and two cousins joining me for the Trek Women’s Tri this July!  I officially have a buddy for Muddy Buddy.  And maybe we can even add another cousin to the growing list of family running Chicago Marathon 2010.  All in all, a wonderful holiday filled with chatter of exciting things to come in 2010.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Time for a New Challenge

I ran my second-best 5k time last Saturday.  32:17.  Despite initial dissappointment, I’m pretty pleased with myself right now.  But now is not the time for race reports.  Now is the time to come clean.  I’ve been hiding something.

2010 is going to be the year of the tri. 

At first, it was going to be the year I learned to bike.  Despite the fact that all of my endurance athlete friends swore up and down that I’d get bitten by the tri bug, I held firm that I did not want to swim.  I should have known it would all be over when I watched Barb take on Ironman Arizona.  I learned two things as a spectator on that course: 1. I will do a triathlon this year.  2. I will not ever do a mass swim start.  (You can quote me on that one.  It was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever seen!)

My first swimsuit came in the mail today!  I met with Jen Harrison to map out my 2010 race season.  My very first tri will be the Together We Tri indoor triathlon on March 21, 2010.  I’m gunning for my first real triathlon to be the Galena Triathlon in May.  It’s bound to be a cold swim, but it’s also a short one.  We’ll see.

At any rate, 2010 will be a year of learning two new sports, new lingo, new training programs, and maybe even a year to excel at the sport I love most.

Weak in the Knees

My daily internet routine consists of checking e-mail, Facebook, a few running blogs, and Pace of Chicago.  Today was just another day of surfing the net until I looked at the sidebar on Pace of Chicago — the article David Wallach wrote about running the marathon with me had a new comment!

I’m not embarrassed to admit that I actually squealed when I saw that the comment was from Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run International.

Lauren is, without question, the epitome of what Girls on the Run is all about! Strong, persevering, authentic, open and humble. I consider myself one of the most fortunate women on the planet to be associated with someone like her.

Way to go Lauren. Run on sister!

Molly Barker, Founder of Girls on the Run International

I still can’t believe that an amazing woman like Molly took the time to say such kind words about me.  I feel like I owe so much to her for starting Girls on the Run and giving me a great way to bond with my students, enjoy the sport I love, and empower young women.  I’ve seen first hand the lives that Girls on the Run changes.  Nothing tops the sight of 8 – 12 year old girls beaming after accomplishing their first 5k run.  Nothing.  And Girls on the Run does more than just that — it empowers young women to believe in themselves, and to stay out of the “girl box.”  It’s one awesome organization, to say the least, and one I’m thrilled to participate in.

I’m still smiling over here.  Thank you, Molly!

Down for the Count.

The weather has been beautiful lately.  The perfect weather for some fall running. 

Unfortunately, I apparently have an upper respiratory infection, and have been confined to resting, fluids, and lots of movies this week.

Here’s hoping it goes quickly!