Let's do this!

Oh crap. It is now 2014. Which means we have less than 8 months to get to the start line of Ironman Boulder! Gulp.....

A lot of people have asked us how our training is going. Well, the truth is, the past couple of months we have been focused on getting into a routine. I am proud to say, that for the most part, I am happy with the consistency I have made. I have attended the gym classes I have wanted, gotten my body used to waking up early again (not that I ever wake up late, but you know, having the alarm go off at 4:30 instead of 5) and have made vast improvements to my diet.  Ok, two out of three 'aint bad, right? I don't believe in setting the bar too high all at once. Always strive for something, my friends! Once we get going on a regular schedule, I anticipate having a couple two-a-day workouts (or bricks), a couple days off with one long run and one long ride during the week.

Those of you who know Freddy know of his affinity for Excel Spreadsheets. Maybe affinity isn't the right word. Excel is his mistress-he loves her. And I'm ok with that. I don't do math. Or pie charts. I do, however, love the spreadsheet once it's all set-up real pretty like. He has made a really impressive spreadsheet for our training. It's so amazing, I truly think he could market it. And everyone we've shown it to agrees. We have used it the past couple years and it has been fun to chart our progress (um, or lack there of) and have a "friendly" competition with each other. One of the charts he has created is a map of the US for us to log our "Race to the Mississippi".  We start the year on the coast in San Francisco and head east.  Every forward-moving workout is logged and we see who can reach the Mississippi River first!  For 2013, we didn't track our data together, but we will be doing it for IM Bolder and I will provide all of you a monthly picture so you can cheer us on!  For S's&G's, here's my progress from 2013:

That blue horizontal line is me.  Hey look! I made it to Iowa! Hello, Iowa family!

In case you are wondering, in 2013, I ran 906.10 miles, biked 650.55 miles (this included road, spin and trainer), and swam 7.19 miles, for a grand total of 1563.84 miles!  This put me right smack in the middle of my second favorite state-Iowa!  Pretty bad-ass until you look at some of my running buddies' totals. Their totals made me tired. And made me want to work way harder in 2014. I can't wait to see what our totals are for 2014. I do not want Freddy to beat me to the Mississippi. That will just not do.....

So, what's next?  Freddy and I met with an hired an amazing swim coach named Marco that we cannot wait to work with, even though he called me a "dainty swimmer". WTF???  We met with him last week, just before Christmas and came away with some great tips and drills. The best part was that he assured me I would not need to contact Ironman for a refund-that he was confident we would do just fine. And maybe even enjoy ourselves in the process. Don't push it, Marco....

I'm also in the process of supervising the Captain and Co-Captain of our cheering section. My two girls in charge are doing a hell of a job. One of them also loves spreadsheets and I'm pretty sure she's creating one for all our cheerleaders as we speak. In truth, I'm a little sad I won't be with them on Aug. 3. Rumor is they are setting up one hell of a party! I have made two requests so far 1) there better be a very large, very cold, very salty margarita left for me when I finish and 2) when I run by at some point during the marathon, they are to "drop" a brat on the ground. I, not wanting my friends to litter, will promptly pick it up and possibly use it as fuel for the finish.  Truly, my friends have been so amazing calming my nerves during this time. Every run with them has started with them asking "so, how can we support you this week? What will you need from us?" I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life and I cannot wait to see them in Boulder!

My race schedule (as of today) for the year is as follows:

• Ralston Creek Half Marathon on Feb. 9-I love this one as it starts about 1.5 miles from our house!
• Horsetooth Half Marathon on April 13-probably my favorite Half. The route is gorgeous and it ends at a brewery. With firemen. 'Nuff said. 
• Skirt Sports Half Marathon on June 1-a women's only Half that is a blast! Instead of medals and t-shirts, you get a skirt. Even though I love my medals, I love this race!
• I've been told my BFF Heather is coming to town in July, so we are looking for a fun half to do together during that time-it may be a run from my house to our other BFF Pam's house for a mini-reunion! 
• Ironman Boulder  on August 3-God help me....
• New York City Marathon on Nov. 2-yep, my number came up this year! Cannot wait to run in my favorite city!!!  I'm not sure who's more excited for this one-me or my mother!

And, because my dear friend Nancy keeps requesting more photos, here's a lovely one of a great Christmas run with a couple of hearty girls from my running group. Ironically, Nancy decided it was too cold to run and stayed at home that morning! It was 19 degrees when we finished, but we all had a great time!  

Can I get a refund?

No, seriously! The closer I get to Jan. 1, the more I am freaking out.  Freddy and I signed up for Ironman Boulder back in July, high on the accomplishments of our dear friends who had just rocked the Ironman in Coeur d'Alene and made it look like child's play. I remember sitting at the computer that morning feeling sick-knowing that once I pulled the trigger, life as I knew it was about to change. I thought I would have a year of getting in the best shape of my life. Plenty of time! Except now it's December and I'm no stronger now than I was then.

My friends Nancy, Daniela and I at the start of the Portland Marathon. Don't we all look pretty and fast? 

I am coming off a really bad, no, horribly awful Portland Marathon in October that has left me less than optimistic about my next marathon (which just happens to take place after a 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike ride). Going into Portland, I had been fighting some nagging tweaks including a nasty bout of piriformis syndrome that just would not go away. Like any good marathoner, I thought I was tougher than any silly little nag and convinced myself that if I ignored the pain it would go away. Well, on Oct. 6 during the Portland Marathon, high atop the lovely St. John's Bridge, my piriformis really kicked in. Those who really know me, know I'm a pretty tough cookie. While pacing the Denver Half Marathon in 2011, I felt a horrendous, stabbing pain in my leg at mile 11. Not one to be a pansy, I convinced myself it was just a nasty cramp and I limped to the finish line; shoving away every paramedic along the course who wanted to give me a ride in their fancy ambulance. When I woke up the next morning and almost fell flat on my face because I couldn't put any weight on my leg, I knew this was no cramp. I knew my leg was broken. I got up and went to work all day before facing my fate at ER (call it denial or dedication-whatever). 2013 was supposed to be my come-back year after my break. I did PR at the Garmin Land of Oz marathon in Kansas in April, so that was awesome. But I didn't really try, I just ran the pace that felt right. Portland was going to be it! Aside from my broken leg in 2011, I have never been in this much pain during a race. My mind and the rest of my body were strong and wanted desperately to run. My hips, however, would not move. Period. I slowed to a 20+ minute mile because I could only walk a few steps without having to stop and stretch. It was a horrible, intense pain and one that I refuse to go through again. So, needless to say, I will be incorporating a whole host of preventative measures for Boulder.

That's my friend Daniela, literally kicking my ass on the St. John's Bridge. We had a lovely 17 miles together until the pain in my ass had other ideas.....

I'm terrified. Absolutely, completely terrified of the Ironman. While each distance individually is totally do-able, putting it all together while fighting hunger, heat, exhaustion, and the ever ticking clock,  has me scared stiff. But, I love pushing my body beyond it's limits. I love fighting while every fiber of my being is telling me to stop and go have a frosty margarita and a nap.

So, from now until January, you will find me in the gym with some old lady weights in my hands, trying to bulk up so I can kick some serious tail in Boulder.  

My "why"

When you put yourself through these crazy adventures, the question you always need to prepare for from those who don't get it is "why?".  I have a lot of "why's", but my "why" for starting on this endurance ride are two people I love very much: my Papa and Freddy's mom, Carol. My "Papa" (you may call yours your Grandpa-but mine's extra special, so he's Papa) has always had a way of getting me to do anything. I was convinced until I was in my 20's, that Papa's favorite food was canned spinach because when I was a kid, he always said it was his favorite 'cause it made him strong like Popeye. So, because my Papa said he loved it and was good for him, I forced it down the hatch. Imagine my shock when I hesitantly loaded my plate with a gooey mess of canned spinach as an adult and offered to scoop some up for my Papa, who met this offer with a crinkle of his nose and a "Gross.  I can't stand that stuff".  When we would watch "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" together, in the days before remote controls, Papa would make a game of me being his remote and walking over to the tv to turn the volume up or down. He even would get me excited about scooping up some of his favorite ice cream: butter pecan. He taught me how to count by how many snacks he would like us to share. "A couple" meant two. "A few" meant as many as my little hands could carry. That man has magical powers, he does! So, I really blame Papa for getting me into this whole endurance thing. If it wasn't for him (and Freddy's mom), I may still be a couch potato dreaming about doing a marathon. Although I will admit, being a couch potato sounds awfully tempting at times!

Me & my Papa in our younger days. He taught me at a young age to enjoy the good things in life!

My marathon journey began with Train to End Stroke, a training program through the American Stroke Association. I have always loved causes and this was one near and dear to my heart as Papa had had multiple strokes and Freddy's mom Carol recently suffered a stroke. I asked Papa and Carol if they would be my "stroke heroes" and, both being incredibly humble but wanting me to succeed, agreed. I am so proud to say that with their confidence in me, I raised $3500 for the American Stroke Association and became a marathoner. 

I finished my first marathon in 2005 with Train to End Stroke. And I loved every mile of it. Shortly after my marathon, we lost Freddy's mom to cancer. It came as a huge shock to all of us and it was horrible having to helplessly watch her battle this disease. But, if there was anything good that came out of losing her, it made Freddy and I really try to live every day to the fullest and not take any day for granted.  When I first met Carol, we had an instant bond, like we had known each other forever. Before Freddy and I flew to Arizona to meet she and Clair for the first time, Freddy called Carol and warned her about my aversion to my food touching. When we sat down to eat dinner just after our arrival, Carol jokingly served my meal on a kiddie divider plate. I knew then and there that I loved this woman! I had brought with me some pretty awesome fake teeth that I had put in at Freddy's request when I met her. Her response was running to her room to put on some great glasses that made her eyes all buggy. She was always there to cheer Freddy and I on with any crazy quest. She loved watching us push ourselves, but like any good mother, always wanted us safe and happy.

My Fan Club for my first marathon! Freddy, Erica (Freddy's niece), Shelly (Freddy's sister), Kristin (my sister), the next guy-not important, Mary (my mom), Clair (Freddy's dad), seated Carol (Freddy's mom). Little did we know, this would be our last family photo with her and the last time we spent time together before cancer took her from us.

Over 12 years ago, Papa was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. PD is a horrible, debilitating disease that I despise to the core of my being, but one that Papa and my Grandma (Mama) face head-on with humor, strength and resolve that I hope to possess some day. The good to come of this (I am always one to find silver lining in any situation) is that we have aligned ourselves with and awesome group of people through the the Davis Phinney Foundation. Now, we can do events we love so much, for a cause we love even more.

So, although my cause has changed, my "why" is still the same. I do this for those who can't. And because I can. 

Hi, my name is Kari. And I'm an idiot!

I don't consider myself an interesting person at all. In fact, my friend Jill and I will routinely remark "I love my boring life" whenever we hear of someone else's drama. I am proud to say I live in a drama-free zone.

Despite this, my friend Laura has told me for years I should start a blog, to which I would reply "I love that you think I'm fascinating, and I'm flattered, but you are nuts." Well, that was PIR-Pre-Ironman Registration.

Those of you who know me know that I took a huge plunge and have signed up for my first Ironman next August in Boulder! And I'm lucky enough to be joined by about 20 or so of my crazy triathlete friends! But the best part is that Freddy will be doing this with me. We are excited, terrified, questioning our sanity, queasy, and giddy. There were a lot of reasons for wanting to sign up for this Ironman but the primary reason is that it is in our backyard and so many friends will be doing it with us (when I say "with us", I mean that we will be starting at the same time-I am a back of the packer so hope that at least a few of them will hang out to cheer me on!).

I have decided to start this blog, not because I think I have anything exciting or unique to share, but as a way to keep you, our dear friends and family, informed of every step of this journey we are about to begin. My hope is that you will find this entertaining, brutally honest about what we are going through but my greatest hope is that we can inspire all of you to do something that terrifies you. Eight years ago I had never even run to the mailbox. Freddy had gone even less than that. Ten months from now, we will be awarded with a new title "Ironman". We couldn't be more excited-or terrified.

I hope you enjoy taking our journey with us. It will take a village to get us there but we cannot wait!