Keeping Pace

Keeping Pace

Another Milestone Completed

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Growing up, I was often referred to as “Linda’s little sister” or “Carol’s older sister.” These days, however, we are each our own unique self, blessed/shaped with our own set of talents and life experience [Linda included]. And I have never been prouder to be their Middle Sis.

Accompanying my brother, Robert in his Trifecta journey is just one added benefit to maintaining a close relationship with my siblings. I have to say that it’s pretty freaking cool to do these Spartan Races with my Robert and Carol.

  • In March, we completed the Spartan San Jose Sprint.
  • This past Saturday, we completed the Spartan Monterey Super.
  • Next up: Spartan SoCal #3 Beast (Lebec, CA)

        Let’s Go!!!

Confidence Building

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The first of this year’s Spartan Races is six days away. I used this past weekend to get in some last minute confidence-building training.

Grip Strength

I had noted that I had lost what little confidence I had on the monkey bar apparatus we have at the gym. With me being injured over the past several weeks, I didn’t want to have to jump/fall down from the height of them. So I stayed off of them for a good while and, when I returned, I couldn’t do more than hang on the first bar. I made myself jump down so that at least I was working on my fear. Saturday’s session with my personal trainer began with the monkey bars. I went across the structure twice with his encouragement and coaching (read: spotting me).

After the session, I worked on the other apparatus we have at the gym. These bars are easier to grip with the bars being smaller in diameter with a texture (rather than slippery) surface. However, even with gloves, the bars had a bite to them when meeting my callused hands.

At home, I researched “OCR hand care callus” and found a nice video showing how to shave the callus down to a flatter surface and advising to nourish the hands regularly with coconut or similar oil after lifting and OCR training to prevent the callus from ripping on race day. I immediately did both and returned to the monkey bars on Sunday. Much to my surprise, the bite from the bars was minimal to none. I went part way across the higher bars and all the way across the lower textured bars with my friend pushing a landing pad under me as I went. Confidence building: that’s were it’s at for me right now.

Trekking

In addition to grip strength work, Larry and I took Simba out for a short but HILLY and MUDDY hike. There was a threat of another rain storm coming in, so we had rain gear packed in our bags. The real test was going to be how my hip and glutes handled the hill. I’ve only been walking on paved roads and sidewalks for the past 5-6 weeks. Knowing that I could manage this 3 mile trek would be a huge confidence builder.

Simba, was of course, thrilled to be able to come along for the outing thanks to me expeditiously having to bid farewell to my little MINI. *sniffle*  But that’s yet another story which I’ll probably share another time.

Medal Monday

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When I first heard about the Spartan Trifecta, I brushed it off as something for OCR maniacs. However… now that I have 2 of the 3 pieces to complete my Trifecta, I am eager to collect the final piece and complete my puzzle.

It was Spartan Monterey +1 day and theMAN and I were in line for coffee near the hotel. There were two young ladies in line behind me, they looked energized for a day of racing. As it turns out, one of them had run the Super and was taking on the Sprint. The other had raced the Hurricane Heat during the night and was off to the Sprint as well.

I expressed my admiration and told them that I had just done my first Super when they asked me what race I was going to do to complete my Trifecta. I said, “next year.” To which they asked me why I would wait when I was nearly there and could build upon my current level of fitness.

So…I am now registered for another race. Two actually, but the second is a race for fun that I’m doing with my siblings and our kids.

Venturing Out

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Although it was a last minute thing, I was purposely quiet about my plans to venture into Spartan Territory this past weekend. The plan was to complete a volunteer assignment, on course, during the San Jose Spartan Super. By doing so, I would get to race for free at a future event. I had tentatively signed up to race the following morning in the Sprint but figured I would decide this after examining as many of the obstacles as I could.

I was there an hour and a half early so I had a bit of time to look around. By the time my shift rolled around, I was pretty set that I would NOT be racing for I couldn’t see myself doing anything that I’d seen. Even the run looked daunting.

I quickly made friends with a few other Spartan Volunteers and was encouraged to “just do it.” It wouldn’t be easy but I was told that I could get help along the way. And of course, there was the burpee option. By the end of my 9 hour shift, I had made plans to return the following morning. I walked out towards the field where I’d parked my car hours earlier to find I was in complete darkness. My headlamp was IN my car and my cell phone offered very little hope of a brighter situation. What’s more, there was no cell signal for miles and miles. Did I mention that the San Jose Spartan Race is in no way near San Jose?! [Read more…]

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