Rainy Balty

I did something super creepy on my way to work yesterday.

6:45 AM is still extremely dark these days, yet about a block from my house I spotted a runner in a bright orange jacket.

“I recognize that jacket,” said the weird little voice in my head.

He was running fast, it was raining which made it even harder to get a better look at the jacket. So of course I followed him down the next block until I was able to confirm…

The same Boston Jacket I have – same color, same year!

the color in this pic is weird, it's actually orange...

My instinct was to pull over and become his best friend but it was raining and I had just done my hair, so I gave him a silent salute like a creepball and drove to work.

In other news, it's been raining non-stop in Baltimore since Wednesday night. Which made for a very soggy seven miles for me today after work.

Immediately after taking this wet-dog-like picture, I threw all my clothes into the dryer, threw on some warm sweats, and here we are.

In other news, I got another interesting email this week:

"Congratulations KAITLYN COMISKEY. You have qualified for the Olympic-Distance race at the 2014 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships on August 9 in Milwaukee, Wis., after finishing in the top 10 percent in your age group at the Druid Hill Park Sprint Triathlon."

Is this cool? Should I be excited about this? I'm not sure. From what I found, about 4,300 athletes participated in the Age Group Nationals last year, counting both the Olympic-Distance and Sprint-Distance athletes.

What's confusing to me is that the Druid Hill Park Sprint Triathlon that I competed in this past August was actually a sprint distance. Olympic Distance was definitely next on my list for 2014, followed by a Half Ironman...

So technically it would make sense to participate in Nationals next summer. What do you all think? I'm looking for advice from triathletes out there, as I've only done one...

Speaking of triathlons, the grandaddy of them all is going on this weekend - tomorrow actually. Kona.

I have a role model runner of mine competing in it, who is not only an awesome athlete but an extremely awesome person. Pop over to Jacqui Giuliano's blog and wish her (and her husband) good luck, and a Happy One Year Wedding Anniversary. That's a hell of a way to celebrate if you ask me.

If I'm not mistaken both Baltimore and Chicago has 26.2 mapped across their cities this weekend - what a weekend for endurance athletes across the country. It's a beautiful thing.

That's all I've got. Still have to get to packing before the sis gets in tomorrow. Can't freaking wait.

Cheers my friends - 

K

Pushing 20

Well, if I’m not mistaken I owe you all a little bit of literature.

This was a very solid weekend, for really no reason at all. Perhaps due to excessive productivity? I found myself in a rare crafty state yesterday, and made this:

Two months after moving into our Baltimore house, I’m finally putting some finishing touches on my room. My jewelry (and race medals) have literally been sitting in a tangled mess all summer, and so yesterday I decided to do something about it. It’s amazing what $12 at Michael's will do for you.

I’m also happy to announce that I came out of this weekend with both legs intact. I wasn’t sure how my body would respond to an (almost) 20 mile weekend. Saturday morning was a beautiful cool morning in Baltimore, and I did 8 out and back along the harbor, followed by 5.1 around a nearby park…

Can you tell that the park was hilly? Time to start hitting those hill workouts a little harder.

On Sunday I was worried I would be too tight to do 6 miles at race pace, but I felt good by mid-afternoon, and flew through them (a little too fast) at a 7:33 pace.

Successful running weekend, not only because my body parts held it together, but I was also feeling good energy-wise. My race pace run last week was the definition of horrific; I had almost no energy, was over-heated, etc. I felt 500 times better the second week of the sugar cleanse, and I’m going to take a gander and say this is largely due to me finally finding my stride on the cooking front. 

Eats the past week have included:

Buffalo Chicken Egg Muffins

Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole

(I didn't include bacon, and it was still SO good)

Paleo Apple Banana Bites

I have continued to see positive body changes, and in general feel really good. I hate sounding like an advertisement on here, but my energy levels are up, my mood has improved and in general this style of eating (very Paleo-like) seems to agree with my body.

This is the final week of the 21 Day Sugar Detox, and my plan is to allow even less dairy, and no cheats. (The first two weeks I allowed one ‘cheat’ per week, for my own psychological well-being.)

I don't feel bad about that.

Does anyone know if the period goes inside or outside of the parenthesis? This is driving me insane, I can’t figure it out.

Last but certainly not least, congrats to my friend and coworker, Amy, who completed her first Irongirl Triathlon this past weekend. I had the chance to swing by and see her finish – it was an awesome event to spectate, and I’m super proud of her!

Cheers to a marvelous Monday!

Last Night

I would be lying if I told you I'm not already in my pajamas. Ahhhh marathon training, it's a beautiful thing.

I had my Friday Panera date with myself again this morning, but not before a quick WOD in my own home gym. 

50 reps of each:

-Air Squats

-Burpees

-Butterfly sit-ups

-High knees (50 each leg)

-In & outs (suitcase sit-ups)

-Tuck jumps (knees must hit hands)

-Pushups (some were knee pushups, I'm weak)

-Russian twists

-Lunges (25 each leg)

It took me just over 17 minutes to complete.

While we are on the topic of my home gym, look what came in the mail for me this week:

Not necessarily a workout accessory... but kind of, as it will soon start coming with me on runs when the days start getting shorter. I love you fall, but I hate how you start stealing our daylight.

Want to see a few of my first-ever triathlon pictures?

Copyright of ChessiePhoto

Cool eh??

Last night was one of those nights where I really didn't get much done. It felt rather lovely; sometimes productivity can be exhausting.

I turned on this music documentary-type movie when I got home from PT, and instantly got sucked in. The music in it is awesome.

Bucket list for 2014: see Mumford & Sons live. Has to happen.

Sometimes it just feels so damn good to get off task.

I danced/ jumped around my room for awhile as the bands sang me sweet nothings. Jumping around without a care in the world, completely alone.

Goal number something or other of my mid-year goals is to do just that; dance alone in my room more often.

In the midst of my mindless musical dreaming, I spotted my violin sitting in the corner. Dusty and horrifically out of tune.

So I decided to tune that bad boy up and see what my fingers remembered. I used to be fairly decent in Middle School - I took lessons for almost seven years or so...

Add caption

I think I'm going to keep playing, and maybe even start teaching myself some new music. Running/health may be my #1 passion, but music isn't too far behind. I may even break open the case again tonight.

13 miles on tap early tomorrow morning for me. Mornings have been fairly cool here in Baltimore all week, I wouldn't mind if that stuck around through the weekend.

Hope your's is great, full of things you love!

Cheers!

The Rehab Report

One of my weird(er) phrases that I enjoy using to describe people is 'illusive pigeon.'

Example: Recently I have been a bit of an illusive pigeon when it comes to this whole marathon training thing.

Actually, when it comes to running in general it seems that I’ve been a big vague on here, don't you agree?

Remember the other day when I told you I was going to see my bff the orthopedic to have my knee checked out, and then never followed up? Yeah me too. Well, it turns out that after dealing with my left leg (IT band & stress fracture) issues, there’s been some compensation issues going on. And now, all of a sudden my right knee/leg is like:

“Alright lady, I’ve taken just about enough pounding for the year, so just a heads up I’m going to start shutting down soon.”

Oh the wonderful adventures of running.

So that conversation ended me up here:

Look familiar to some of you? Physical therapy b*tches.

The good news: This isn’t like last time. I’m still currently running almost pain free, and even plan on doing my 10-miler tomorrow morning. (SO PUMPED FOR THAT)

This is very proactive. Remember when I told you my word of the year was proactive? LOOK AT ME GO.

With some excessive icing, foam rolling, perhaps a little more yoga, and (hopefully) just a few weeks of PT…  I have my fingers crossed that marathon training will continue on as scheduled.

The shoe report: Recently I had been thinking about switching shoes again. I’ve been loving running in Brooks… but was beginning to question if maybe my 5’11’’ 140 lb frame needs a little more support?

(omgeeee did she just post her weight on the internet?!)

The verdict: No. According to Sean who I trust with my life legs, he said my running form is much more natural in the Brooks versus the ASICS. I believe him, because he has now filmed me running on the treadmill several times, barefoot, Brooks, and ASICS, and studied the shit out of my film.

This is good news, not only because I’m a Brooks brat, but because the bank account really wasn’t going to allow me to buy a new pair any time soon anyways. Once I saw Sean on Wednesday and got the OK to keep running, that’s exactly what I did:

Today I did a short WOD this morning, and then went swimming after work. Because apparently I still have that triathlon in two weeks?

I will leave you with these two things…

Have I ever shared my favorite starbucks drink with you guys? Green tea soy latte, unsweetened, 1 shot of espresso. Hot or iced, I find it quite magical.

Did you know people in Maryland literally put this on everything? I caught my roommate putting this on her ice cream the other night. Weird.

As fun as this has been, it’s restaurant week in Baltimore, and this guy I know is taking me on a hot date. Tell me, what’s your favorite Starbucks drink?

Cheers!

tacos

I don't think I've mentioned it on here before, but my younger sister Bri is on a pretty determined mission to find the best burger in Chicago. I urge her on an almost daily basis to start up her own blog detailing her journey, but that's besides the point.

For the record, this is Bri's cover picture on her facebook.

I ate tacos twice this weekend - once at the food truck rally that a group of us went to in Canton on Friday night. The second instance was tonight when we made our own beef tacos thanks to some of Trader Joe's finest ingredients:

While I sat at the table shoving the tacos into my mouth like a wild hyena hungry growing girl, I thought to myself how much I enjoy trying different tacos.

What's the point of this story?

I kind of want to become a semi-pro taco connoisseur, similar to my sister's burger status in Chicago. This is a random, not thought out idea, and could go nowhere. Or it could go somewhere awesome. Let me know your thoughts.

In a half-assed attempt not to die at my triathlon in 3 weeks, Andrew and I hit an outdoor public pool yesterday. I brought my horrible cheap goggles from Walmart and logged a solid 20 minutes in the chlorine.

Andrew's attempt to take my pic post-swim

5 miles followed the pool. It's still hot out in case you were wondering.

Because we loved it so much last time, we rented paddle boards again today and hit the inlets of Annapolis. Word on the street is that jelly fish start getting pretty prevalent this time of year (gross) so I only jumped in once. I have this intense fear of water things - dead or alive - touching me. Seaweed, fish of all kinds, crabs, etc.

We paddled around for about 3 hours, stopping for snack and water breaks of course. This time we left the cell phones in the car so we could have the option to jump in and cool off - hence my lack of pictures to share with ya'll.

Prior to unloading those bad boys.

Sometimes the memories just have to stay logged in your head, ya know?

Solid weekend. For some reason I'm dreading this coming week. It involves the dentist, some physical therapy, and figuring out my knee situation. 

Turn that frown upside down Kaitlyn.

You're right. I'm determined to find some greatness in this week.

How was your weekend? What is the best taco you have ever had? (homemade or restaurant)

Cheers!

In the cards

Serious question: Is there any possible way to look attractive in a swim cap?

I pondered this for part of my swim this evening and decided that probably the only way to look attractive in a swim cap as a lady if one had an Olympic Medal hanging around their neck. Which isn't looking like it's in my cards, and that's OK.

What is in my cards is that sprint triathlon that I signed up for a couple months ago in the midst of my severe injury depression. Yet between my recent traveling and prepping for my big Baltimore move THIS WEEKEND, the tri had kind of slipped my mind...

That bad boy is now less than two months away, and today was the first time that I swam in probably a couple of weeks. I should probably get on it huh?

Side note: I still haven't found my gym to call home yet in salty Balty, and if I have any local readers, I would love suggestions!

We got rocked with some of those storms today, and at one point my phone looked like this:

Luckily, it doesn't seem like too much damage was done to the area, and life went on as usual. Brussel sprouts and all.

Can't stop won't stop. Love my sprouts.

In other food-related news, my next-door cube mate at work hooked me up with some of her homemade strawberry jam that she made after picking strawberries this past week. It would be a blatant lie if I denied sitting in my cube and eating it out of the jar with a spoon for awhile.

I'm extra pumped that tomorrow is Friday, let me tell you. Not only will the moving begin, but Andrew gets back from his week long hiatus tomorrow evening. Hollllaaaaa.

Alright, I've got some packing to take care of, and some sparkling water in the kitchen calling my name. Make your evening great peeps.

Cheers!

The State of Kait

Have you guys noticed I haven’t been running much lately? And by very much, I mean hardly at all.

I know my body pretty well after spending 25 years with it. And so when my ‘sore’ foot wouldn’t stop being sore, I took a wild guess that it was a bit more than just a strained muscle.

So I sulked skipped on back to my favorite orthopedic sports doctor and told her what was up. ‘Man the left side of your body sure hates you eh?’ she joked.

Ha.

After some prodding around, a couple x-rays, and a cool wristband, we came to a conclusion.

Turns out my sneaking suspicions were correct. Turns out I have a little bit of a stress fracture in the 5^th metatarsal of my left foot. 

That guy, right there.

When it rains it pours? Nah, I don’t think so. Outside of this little crack I’m dealing with, 2013 has been giving me some stellar vibes so far.  I mean, I won a cruise. The Raven’s won the Superbowl. Maryland just beat Duke, my lifetime arch-nemesis. I’m learning to dance, and swim.

AMEN SISTER

I'll be fine. And if I take care of myself, I should be back on the trail within a couple weeks...

So what’s the plan? Well, no running at all, which is a bit different than when I was recovering from my IT Band crap and could still run a couple miles at a time. 

Zero to super low impact is the key to success this time around.

If I had to guess, I amped up my mileage a bit too fast coming back in January. Lesson learned.  It's always good to learn some lessons.We caught it early so there’s no boot or any of that nonsense. It really only hurts after a period of high impact, or an extended period on my feet. I’m making an effort to wear more supportive shoes for awhile, and to stick these guys in any pair of shoes that I can.

Yoga, swimming, spinning, pool running, weight lifting. Story of my life these next couple weeks. And ya know what? That’s ok. I'd rather this happen now versus September, before my fall marathon.

In the meantime, I signed up for a summer sprint triathlon to cheer myself up, and give myself a little more motivation to hop into that pool that I still kind of hate a little bit.

Trying new things is good, right? 

That's all I've got for today folks, nothing else to see here. Head up, onward.

Cheers!

Running over 2013

I had two pretty killer runs this weekend.

The first one was Friday after work, and my 8 miler was today. I'm particularly proud of mile 8 when I decided to kick it up and see what I had left in the tank.

8 miles is big progress for me; if you've been reading at all the past couple months you know this. So while I was chugging along this beautiful afternoon, I quickly got lost in deep thought as to what I want to accomplish this year as far as running goes.

this picture is in no way related to what i just said, i just like it.

This spring I won't be doing anything crazy; I made a vow to myself not to sign up for any races longer than 10 miles until I can comfortably run 10-12 miles again. My plan is to stick to the 5/10/15k's until the end of the spring... with a possible half marathon in late spring or early summer.

I will also look to try a (sprint) tri(athlon) at the beginning of the summer... and if I like it maybe I'll do another Olympic-distance one. Who knows.

I better get some better biking gear before then, huh?

Those aren't my main concerns though. Because I realized that I have some personal issues with 26.2 that I need to address.

A couple people have asked me if I'll do a spring marathon, and as badly as I want to... no. I'm sticking to my word of the year - Proactive - and focusing hard on staying healthy this year. That's why this spring will be about regaining my mileage base, and getting strong. Really strong.

And then getting fast.

Because it's awesome to be able to hold paces like my two shorter runs this weekend.. but it now definitely isn't as easy as it was for me pre-IT band crap. I will be extremely surprised if I am able to run 13.1 miles in 89 minutes again by the end of the spring. Regardless, a half marathon PR is not my concern.

Philly Half

My concern is the fall. And this burning desire to beat the sh*t out of a marathon.

What's with the rage Kait? Let's call it passion, shall we? I've run two marathons. Colorado I was a basically a clueless ditz; I downloaded a training program off the internet and crossed my fingers. I flew down the Rocky Mountains and surprised myself with a BQ. Awesome race, my first taste of 26.2

Boston then robbed any chance of a PR that I had when a caribbean heat wave rolled through in mid-April. That's ok.

This fall New York never happened. Let's leave it at that.

So here we are. January 2013. With over 9 months to train, assuming I stay healthy, my #1 running focus this year will be to PR that fall marathon.

Very specifically, a 3:1x PR.

 It's doable. From where I stand at my computer this very second, it is going to be a long road to get back into that kind of shape.

Good thing I love nothing more than a good hard challenge.

Cheers to running over 2013!!