Running Shoes

I always get new running shoes right around my birthday, that way I remember to change them out before they get ground into pulverized pulp. With all the miles I'm putting in training for and running the IRONMAN, I decided to buy two pairs at once in order to spread out the wear and tear, and still have a shoe that can take me to the finish line.

At In Step, my favorite active footwear emporium, RL Smith is my go-to orthotic and shoe guy. I first met RL almost 20 years ago when I walked into the shop looking for orthotics for my ski boots. I'd heard that a neutral platform underfoot translated into better balance resulting in cleaner edging - boy were they right! My skiing elevated to a higher level than I ever thought possible and resulted in a fantasy trip come true - a week of heli skiing Alaska's Chugach with Olympic Gold Medalist Tommy Moe. Ever since then I've used orthotics in all my sports footwear - ski, run, bike, and golf.

RL set me up with the Asics Cumulus and the new, super light-weight Asics Electro 33. Sounds like I'll be floating on clouds and powered by jolts of electricity!

PS... RL has quite a storied, professional duathlete, triathlete, and IRONMAN career so I take any advice I can get from him.

His one comment on nutrition during the IRONMAN ride was that he'd had good luck with a mashed potato/olive oil/salt mixture. I'll have to give that a try during some training runs and rides.

He also suggested attaching a watch to the bike with a alarm set reminding me to take a drink every 5 minutes and to take a bite of food every 10 minutes to maintain an even glucose level throughout the ride. It sounds like a juggling act between aerobars, gear levers, brakes, water bottles, and snacks in my back pocket... We'll have to see if I can orchestrate all that!

A Message From Afar...

Last week I received a message from a Doctors Without Borders aid worker in Malawi. I was amazed that she would take the time to encourage me with my endeavors while she deals with life and death cases. Her comments brought home the message that my efforts and donor contributions are having a real time impact. Here is what Kerri had to say...

Dear Kay, 

My name is Kerri Kelly and not only am I an aid worker for Doctors Without Borders, but I’m an IRONMAN finisher too. I arrived in Malawi a few weeks ago as the Head of Mission (our version of Country Director) for Doctors Without Borders.  Let me share with you how donations like yours are being put to work in the program here.  It is an HIV/AIDS program where there are 34,000 patients under treatment.  We support 10 rural health centers and the HIV clinic at the District Hospital.  The incidence rate of HIV in the district is 17%, and of women my age (in their 40’s) the rate is 35%.  The volume of work here is incredible.  In 2001, we were the first organization to offer free care for HIV.   

In 2013, we started to roll out point-of-care laboratory testing at the health centers.  This is the only place in sub-Saharan Africa where you can get a viral load test at a health center.   This step is really innovative and will enable Doctors Without Borders teams to identify patients who are failing first line HIV drug treatments in a timely manner.  It is a great improvement in access to care for our patients.   

I hope that your training is going as great as your fundraising!  Thank you!   
Cheers - Kerri  

Check Out The Bike Route

I've settled into a training schedule...

6 days of Kaia X-Training, 2 days of swimming, 2 days of spinning/riding, and 2 days of running. Each session is an hour long but will increase as the Ironman gets closer. I usually go to the Kaia workout first thing in the morning and follow it with one of the other disciplines. Last Friday I went a little nuts and did a yoga class, a swim, and a spin class. I felt great right after but was definitely lagging by 3:00.

Sunday is an off day, a rest day but I wanted to know what the road ahead was going to be like, (literally), so I printed out the bike map, got in the car, and took off on the 112 mile loop.

Starting from Boulder Reservoir, the course heads north along the foothills towards Lyons on Highway 34. I know from previous experience this section can become a wind tunnel later in the day so I'm glad we're riding it in the morning. A jog east and north takes riders through Boulder County's horse country with rolling hills and lakes toward Carter Lake. Climbing a 600 ft. switchback brings riders into the alpine zone of Carter Lake with crystal clear Rocky Mountain water and fragrant pine trees. From Carter Lake the route turns eastward through red rock sandstone outcroppings the equal of anything Moab could throw at you. The route then opens up toward the plains and farmland of small towns like Loveland, Campion, and Berthoud before crossing I-25 and heading toward Johnstown. A right turn sends riders south through more farmland for another 25 miles before turning westward through Erie and toward the finish at Boulder High School. The westward journey is framed by the peaks of the Continental Divide in the distance. Quite a variety of landscapes, a treat to the eyes, and a showcase of Colorado's bounty.

I'm glad I took my "off" day to check out the route. It took 2 hours and 45 minutes to drive in a car. On my best day, I was hoping to average 20mph on the bike and finish in 6 hours or less - we shall see... I'm praying for a few clouds, moderate temperatures and no wind on August 3rd:)

First Outdoor Ride of the Season

Skiing/snowmobiling/snowshoeing in a blizzard last weekend in Vail and cycling the roads of Boulder county on Tuesday - must be March in Colorado!

Charlie, my most best training buddy and hubby, was itching to get the roadies out today. He has gone over the top in supporting me in my Ironman quest. He's so excited to do the training that he bought a hot new bike to ride with me AND joined Colorado Athletic Club to swim with me!

Today was the first day I got to really try out the aerobars and the first difference I noticed was how tippy the front end felt with my weight over the front wheel and my arms and hands in a central position. Shifting was also a little iffy, I had to do more planning, i.e. take one hand off the aero, place it in the handlebar, then the other hand, then move the right hand to the shift. It will be a little bit of a learning curve...

After riding inside at spin classes for the last 4 months I was hyper-atuned to all the sensations outside. The cars, the trucks, the wind, the gravel... but also the view across the fields, the cows, the horses, the Continental Divide in the background. It was invigorating on so many levels:)

Comin' attcha - the Silver Bullet and White Lightning

Instagram!

How cool is this? Doctors Without Borders and Instagram will send you a daily picture of their work in the field. Each picture tells a story; sometimes harrowing but also sometimes hopeful. Need a reason to sign up for this?

*  See your dollars at work
*  Be reminded there are good things being done in the world
*  Be thankful everyday for the life you live
*  May it be a daily reminder of your contribution and a small token of my appreciation for your support:)

It's easy:
Click on the link below.
Open an Instagram account or sign on if you already have one.
Click FOLLOW under the MSF logo.
Done.
Your picture will arrive daily.

http://instagram.com/doctorswithoutborders

Follow MSF on Instagram for daily photo updates about our lifesaving work in over 60 countries. Meet our patients and get an inside view of how we work from some of our award-winning photographers.