back at it!

11/12/2013

Not gonna lie, the post-ironman blues hit just a smidge after Ironman Canada. It’s a weird thing working for months toward a BIG goal, reaching that goal and then… bam!, it’s over in a blink and you’re left wondering if it actually happened.

Thankfully, there was plenty to keep me occupied during the past two months… lots o’ wine, too much sugar (we’re still keeping Talenti in business), girl time, knitting and even a letterpress class (more on that soon). While it has been lovely and I have no intention of giving it up completely during the winter off-season, the past week welcomed a return to more structure and routine with a new coach (who’s also Nick‘s coach).

Hellooooo, two-a-days, morning workouts (Monday through Thursday last week), strength training, my juicy yoga mat, and running six days a week.

And, it feels good. Despite the shorter days – sunset in the 4p hour is ridiculous – the fog of early October seems to have lifted and ushered in earlier bedtimes, better eats and all around better self-care. #bestlife

Highlights of and thoughts about the past week include:

  • Ladies night at Mill City Running. This new running shop is where it’s at! Open only a few months, and rock star owners Becka and Jeff have quickly become the go-to for the MSP running community.
  • Power! My Quarq Elsa arrived and was promptly installed (kudos to the guys at Grand Performance). I cannot wait to train with power!
  • Garmin test. Because my Edge 500 had been finicky all week, I used both it and my 910XT on a recent trainer ride. The Edge eeked out the 910 by 0.3 miles. How is that possible? While I don’t think distance is that reliable on the trainer anyway, it’s still odd they wouldn’t be identical.
  • New running shoes. After 18 months in Nikes – since the start of my triathlon life – I went back to Asics, and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. I’ve had some niggles in my left heel and behind my right knee, and though I’m not sure either can be attributed to my shoes, I’m still on the fence about how they feel running-wise. I tested Newtons at Mill City, and they felt good, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
  • Crappy skin. Ladies, do any of you break out during or after ironman? My skin is out of control and nothing seems to be working to clear it up. I’ve never ever had acne, so I’m a bit stressed about it. Another possible culprit: Mirena. I went on it in February, and in the past couple months, my skin has been oily and my hair, greasy. If anything, my skin is prone to dryness, and just last year, I washed my hair just once a week (it’s not as gross as it sounds!). Gah! If anyone has any insight, it would be much appreciated!

With that, here’s a look at the past week or so in photos…

SIS-COLLAGE-FINAL

Weekly totals: 9 hours, 25 minutes.

Swim: 3,100 yards, 1:03:43
Bike (trainer): 50.17 miles, 3:04:54
Run: 18.57 miles, 2:41:56
Yoga: two classes, 1:35
Strength: 60:00

Happy swimbikerunning, friends!

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36 Comments

  • Reply Shannon @ Mon Amour 11/12/2013 at 7:54 am

    While I have not done an Ironman, my face has been breaking out terribly since running the NYC Marathon. No idea if it’s related or not but super annoying. I’m injured right now so not much training around here but I can’t wait to get back on a schedule and get back to work!

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:07 pm

      I definitely think hormone changes from hard training have something to do with it! Hope yours has cleared up and that you’re recovered from your rockin’ NYC run (and injury)!

  • Reply vardotrichic 11/12/2013 at 8:24 am

    Congrats on getting back at it Erin!! I went through the post-Ironman blues for about a year before realizing I didn’t just fall off the wagon, but it left me in the dust. Having a solid plan in place definitely helps prevent this from happening. I’m looking at the plan after Ironman in 2014, so I don’t have the post-Ironman blues for so long this time. Thanks for inspiring and encouraging me to be better!!

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:09 pm

      Thank YOU! I definitely don’t have a plan, but it sure helps being back on a schedule and having someone tell me what to do 😉 I look forward to hearing your plan for after IMWI! I hope we get a chance to meet up during training and at the race 🙂

  • Reply Beth 11/12/2013 at 8:57 am

    Wow, two a days already, that’s intense! Ironman blues are the worst, luckily you have another one one the calendar to keep you busy =)

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:15 pm

      Workouts have been pretty low-key (so far), including 20-minutes runs just to get my legs used to it. And, it feels good! 🙂 And, you, too! Cabo is right around the corner… so exciting!

  • Reply amikoch 11/12/2013 at 9:10 am

    I had a similar feeling right after having Finley… Seems weird, i know. Of course I was so happy she was finally here, but after getting to know myself as “pregnant ami” for 9 months and then suddenly, within hours, my belly was gone and there was no baby in there… Same feeling as your post-ironman blues! 🙂

    Maybe you should make me a “beginners” training schedule just to get me into a routine…! I need some of your motivation. xoxoxo

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:16 pm

      That’s not weird at all, Sis! It’s absolutely the same thing… except you got sweet Finley 🙂

      Making your calendar this weekend! Maybe you should walk + run on the treadmill tomorrow for 30 minutes to get started 🙂 xo.

  • Reply Elizabeth 11/12/2013 at 9:16 am

    I think the skin thing is hormonal — suppressed hormones during big training and then hello out of whack back down to normal hormones once your body fully recovers from all the training. My skin was awesome during training most likely because I had no T, then once the race was over my skin began to break out a bit because my T is elevating back to where it should be. Annoying but true.

    And shoes are hard! I love shoes — but there have been times where all the styles change and I can’t find one pair I want to run in. By February many shoes will be updated — in case you want to hold out. 😉

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:18 pm

      So interesting, Elizabeth! I haven’t had much time to research, but that makes total sense. I’ll have to look into it further. Thanks for sharing!

      They ARE! You find a pair you love, and then they change them. Gah! I’m going to do a little shopping over the next week to compare brands 🙂

  • Reply Amy 11/12/2013 at 10:31 am

    Having skin issues is the worst. I use a topical antibiotic occasionally when I have hormonal breakouts-it takes the hurt out and heals it pretty quickly. I just looked up Ironman Wisconsin-that bike looks like fun! You certainly won’t get bored 😉

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:20 pm

      It sure is. A friend of mine recommended a prescription lotion, but I don’t have health insurance until December 1, so I’m holding out seeing the doctor 🙂

      Ha! Yep! Definitely no time to be bored on the IMWI bike course! 🙂

  • Reply Emily Dingmann (@nutritionisteat) 11/12/2013 at 4:28 pm

    You never stop Erin! 🙂

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:21 pm

      Hehe! I just love it, Emily… and, perhaps a bit obsessed 😉

  • Reply Change of Pace 11/12/2013 at 7:59 pm

    Wow- exciting about the Quarq and new coach! Crazy you’re into two a days! It must be tough to two a day when both are in the dark.
    I ditched Nikes last September after running in them for…17 years!! It was a huge change but my never-ending knee pain just wasn’t going away so I made the switch. I tried two types of Brooke’s, Newtons, and now Ons. I like the Ons best so far but I still might try something else for comparison. That’s in addition to the countless kinds I tried and ran in at the store. Finding shoes is tough!

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:24 pm

      Three weeks in, and I’m still super excited about it! I’m sure you can relate to the darkness… it’s tough to get motivated at 5:30a and again after work, but it feels good once you’re started 🙂

      I’m gonna do some additional shoe shopping and Ons are on my list to try. Loved your review of them, so I’m curious how they’d feel on my feet. It’s SO hard finding the right shoes, and just when you do, they change ’em, and you have to start over!

  • Reply carrisamarie 11/13/2013 at 7:25 am

    Just getting back at it and look at those training stats! I’m curious to hear more about your new training plan and coach! Yay swim.bike.run!! p.s. I have bike envy 😉

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:25 pm

      I’ll definitely do more detailed posts about my training plan and coach, so watch for those 🙂 I’m having bike envy looking at the pics… so missing outdoor riding!

  • Reply Kelly @ Kelly the Culinarian 11/13/2013 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks for writing about this. I’ve been wondering about the same thing – I’ve spent years working toward an Ironman finish and need to figure out what I’ll do after the fact!

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:31 pm

      You’re welcome, Kelly! Always good to have an after… and, other hobbies outside of IM! 🙂

  • Reply meghan @ little girl in the big world 11/13/2013 at 8:02 pm

    I hate post-race blues. They’re the worst, and I didn’t get that they were a real thing until I ran my first marathon in January. Then I was like…whoa! I’m excited to hear more about training with power. I don’t think that’ll be in my purchase history for a while, but I want to hear all the differences and how it translates into your training and racing. I run in Asics. I hate that there’s not one perfect pair of shoes for every person. I also hate that in the case of foot or leg pain we can’t instantly attribute it to the shoes. What’s your next goal?

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:33 pm

      They are tough, so it’s good to have a plan of action for after and other hobbies! I’ll definitely write about training with power, so watch for that. Finding the right running kicks is tough! And, it’s not a cheap to buy multiple pairs to wear and test out for a few weeks.

      My next goal: IM Wisconsin! What’s yours?!

  • Reply Kristen L 11/14/2013 at 10:31 pm

    Yes, sometimes it’s nice to get back into a routine, even if it isn’t the full strenuous level of the main season. I sometimes have skin trouble when I eat too much junk foods–maybe getting back into your workout routine will help that too?! I’m interested in hearing more about how you like training with power.

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:34 pm

      My skin has definitely improved since I started training a little bit more, but I am still gonna talk to my doctor. I may have to blog more about this topic. And, I’ll definitely write more about training with power! Have a fab weekend!

  • Reply Luv What You Do 11/15/2013 at 12:13 pm

    I breakout on my stomach and back and I hate it. I”ve tried using some body wash but it doesn’t help. I did get a Px from my MD for a faliculitis which helped. As for the race, I recommend a good facial : )

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:35 pm

      Ooo… I’ve never had a facial! Totally need to do that! I’m meeting with my doc after thanksgiving, so we’ll see what she says! Have a great weekend!

  • Reply Candice 11/16/2013 at 8:14 am

    Your niece is adorable!

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:40 pm

      Thanks, lady! I LOVE her! Such a peanut 🙂

  • Reply Kristina 11/16/2013 at 10:20 am

    While I didn’t have nearly as audacious a goal as you, I definitely spent Sept – Oct taking a break from a structured schedule after a 70.3. So, November has been about getting back into the swing of things from the training perspective.
    I did, however, ban Talenti from our house once summer was over!

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:45 pm

      I wish I had your Talenti strength! 🙂

      I hope your training has been going well! It sure feels good to be back in the swing of things up here, though I’d give anything for some of your Cali sunshine!

  • Reply Maggs 11/18/2013 at 7:06 pm

    I get breakouts on my face from time to time and since I’ve been using a Clairisonic I haven’t had any. Love that thing…pricey, but worth it if you ask me.

    • Reply erin 11/22/2013 at 3:48 pm

      I have a clarisonic knockoff, but haven’t used it in ages. Do you use special cleansers with yours? Wondering if I could just buy that to use with my knockoff 🙂

  • Reply Leslie @ TriathleteTreats 11/29/2013 at 9:24 pm

    Wow! Back to training already! Sounds like great stuff and a new coach which is exciting!!! I am itching to get back to it. I am doing lots of running just trying to get stronger. I am trying to decide what to do about a coach, training plan, etc for next year!

    • Reply erin 12/01/2013 at 4:24 pm

      Yes! It feels good to be back in a routine, and I’m excited about what’s to come in 2014 🙂 Yay for lots of running! That always feels good! Hope your 2014 plans are coming along nicely… any big races on the calendar?

      • Reply Leslie @ TriathleteTreats 12/10/2013 at 10:53 pm

        Ohh I always have something on the calendar. The big ones for 2014 is Ironman Whistler and NYC marathon! Very excited!! 🙂

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