Whew! What a Whirlwind!

This was probably the busiest weekend I've had in a LOOOONNNG while!

And I know, I know...I missed a TILT (Things I Love Thursday)...I tried, really I did...but there was just way too much to do!

Just to recap the weekend a bit...Friday was Mike's pinning (pinning anchors on him as he made CHIEF!!!).  Saturday morning was my race (Nautica Malibu International).  Saturday night was the Khaki Ball (back in San Diego).  And Sunday morning I did swim buddy for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF...also back in Malibu).  It was a lot of coordinating and driving...and not much sleep.  But it was all worth it and it was a great weekend overall!

Alright, that was the Cliff Notes version...here are the more in depth deets (plus a race report) if you are interested...and there is also a little recipe (plus my racing nutrition strategies) in here too!

Friday morning started out hot!!  It was definitely a precursor to the warm weekend we had in So Cal.  We all headed over to the USS Carl Vinson at 9 am.  Our support crew (besides myself, my kiddos, and my mom) included all of our best friends and we were sooooo blessed to have them all with us on this special day (with senses of humor in the heat fully intact)!!

The ceremony was long but so amazing...the kiddos and I got to pin Mike's anchors on his collar.  Both Mike and I had to choke back tears...there aren't enough words to describe what that moment meant to both of us.  We have been married for over 9 years now and every important career decision we have made has been in preparation for this moment...to get him to this point.  Every separation...every lonely night...every missed moment of our children's lives...every deployment...they have all been for his love of our country and to bring him here.  The last 2 months since his selection have been hard...very hard...on both of us.  He has been tested in ways I'm sure he never imagined. 

But it's done. 

And he is a CHIEF!!!

It was a fabulous moment...and a beautiful day...

After we headed home, changed, and packed the car we headed up to Malibu!!  I had signed up for the Nautica Malibu international distance race back in March (long before we knew he was selected for Chief)...so we had to do a lot of coordinating once we got the news.  It was a long, hot drive in traffic but we had a beautiful two bedroom suite right next to a Trader Joes...totally worth it!

For dinner I had roasted potatoes, veggies, black beans, and a balella salad (a TJ special with lots of protein packed beans!).  Then it was off to sleep to be rested for an early race morning.

Woke up at 3 am on race day...oy...always feels soooo early!

I ate my special race ready muffins (recipe is at the bottom and made busy life friendly as they are based off a mix that I doctored to be nutritious and vegan) and drank some coconut water for breakfast.

 I have a hard time putting too much in my stomach on race morning.  I have to rely more on my overall nutrition and fueling on the bike to make up some deficits.  I'm still tweaking this...and I'm sure it will always be a work in progress.

We headed over to Zuma beach in the dark and I checked in and set up my transition area.  I was feeling tired and really not wanting to race (which I'm learning is a good sign for me).  I also had awesome stomach issues (always) despite taking a bunch of immodium.  I visited this little beauty 8 times total before the race!!  Thankfully it all worked itself out in the end (literally)...

But as I stood on the beach waiting for the race to start I tried to simply enjoy the day and the beautiful course.

Swim (25:49):
My wave went off at 7:35 and the water was thankfully not too cold.  I settled into my pace after clearing some waves and rounding the first buoy.  It really felt like we were swimming close to the break and I remember having a thought of feeling bad for those that only trained in the pool as this would probably be rather challenging (that thought would bite me in the behind on Sunday).  I really did end up zoning out (or having tunnel vision rather) on this swim.  I felt good, I was putting in a good effort, and I was happy...all negative thoughts were gone and I was actually enjoying the swim.  Suddenly people started cutting me off and swimming in front of me.  I picked up my head to see what was going on and was shocked to see the last buoy and people rounding it to head into the beach!  Holy crap!  I was done! 

T1:
The worst part of Malibu is the crazy long transition area...no matter where you rack you are running a long distance one way or another to your stuff.  I ran, changed, and was gone...no issues in T1.

Bike (1:22):
I felt great as I headed out on the bike and got a boost as I passed my family early on.  As I headed out onto the road I hit a speed bump trying to be a rockstar and pass someone...huge mistake.  My only water bottle went flying off into the brush.  Ummmm...hmmmm.  Can't see it, can't stop...now what?  I kept riding.  I quickly remembered an excerpt from Scott Jurek's book Eat and Run where he talks about what he does when things go wrong...

"[The] first step is to allow myself to feel hurt, and bad, and sad, and all those emotions that unexpected loss...inspire...My next step was to take stock.  Was I going to die?...Step three: What can I do to remedy or improve the situation?...Then the final step: mentally separate all my alarmed and distressed thoughts and emotions - Why did this happen? How will I continue? - and plop them someplace where I wouldn't dwell on them.  One way to do that was to focus on the tasks at hand and on the benefits of the situation..."

So that's what I did.  I allowed myself to be angry and freak out for a few moments (seconds really).  I took stock.  I knew I could do the whole bike without water.  I didn't have water in transition, but it was out on the run.  I'd be behind on my fluids...but I'd survive and be fine.  I also then vaguely remembered an aid station around the halfway point in the bike.  I had some nutrition with me and I figured I'd be fine until then.  So I put the thoughts away and kept riding.

I unfortunately had one more mishap when I went to open my flask of homemade gel (chia seeds mixed with tart cherry juice) it exploded everywhere!!  If you don't know the benefits of chia seeds check out this post from Purely Twins.

Again, had to stop, think...breathe...and move on.  Oh well, worse things had happened.  Up side?  I was feeling great and enjoying the views as I sailed into T2.

T2:
Again another smooth transition...better then last times...still feeling great though starting to get hot!

Run (50:58):
I had hoped to PR this run (as I had already PR'd the swim and bike)...but I wasn't able to.  I was hot and just didn't have the extra gears needed to accelerate.  I've also been focusing alot on my swimming as well as biking and have neglected my run training a bit (probably since I went so run heavy at the beginning of the year).  Unfortunately you can't hide a lack of proper training and I was slower then I wanted to be. I took water at the aid stations to throw over my head and drank sips of gatorade.  I also took one packet of Clif Shot (90% organic!) at the turnaround as I was feeling a bit lacking in the calorie department.  I only missed my PR by 2 minutes though and felt fine...just hot.  I love this run course and I flew into the finish line to the cheers of my family with a 6 minute PR overall.

I love this race and will for sure be back for more...but at that point I was already a happy girl and ready to get a shower and some rest!

After cleaning up we headed back to San Diego to prep for the Khaki Ball!  It was a great time and I'm so happy we got to be a part of it!

We ate, drank, sang, and danced our way through the night...we were so tired but it was the party to end the pain of induction.  It was wonderful to feel so accepted by the Chief's mess.  I seriously am already looking forward to next's years ball!!

Then I jumped back into the car and made my way back up to Malibu with the best chauffeur ever!  Keep in mind this is an over 3 hour drive each way...so it was a lot of driving this weekend!!  We made it back to the hotel around 1 a.m. and had to be up by 3:30 a.m...talk about tired!!

The next morning (Sunday) I was up and over to Zuma beach again by 5 a.m.  I was supposed to be helping my friend Jamie from CAF...

As his leg handler...

But plans changed and CAF knew I had experience as a swim buddy for athletes with spinal cord injuries.  There was an athlete racing that had never swam in the open water before (much less the Pacific Ocean at Zuma Beach!!).  His name was Edwin and he needed my help. 

Luckily we had the help of 2 other handlers to get Edwin into the water...then it was up to me to get him through the half mile swim.  A lifeguard graciously helped me get him past the break as it was a struggle.  Not only do I need to keep myself upright I have to keep Edwin's head out of the water so he can breathe.  Every wave that hits I have to hold onto him and not let him get swept away...it's a daunting task.  But we made it. 

The swim was long...Edwin ended up on his back as I sidestroked in front of him alternating between pulling him, steering him, and blocking other swimmers from hitting him.  It took almost an hour but I have never seen someone so darn determined to finish.  He just gutted it out and I was in awe.  Another CAF athlete, Travis Ricks, came to help block with me after the final buoy.  As we came in and I gave him over to the handlers I was relieved and proud.  I helped him into his bike in transition and was so happy to have been successful at helping him through his first open water swim in his first triathlon!!

That night we chilled at the pool and soaked in the hot tub...and went to bed SUPER early!  This morning we headed home in time to get the kiddos back to school.  Now I'm prepping to take a longer nap as I work the next 3 nights.  It truly was a whirlwind weekend, but it was a total blast!!  I wouldn't change a thing...and I'm so proud all around of everyone and everything!  Hope your weekend was awesome!  Here are those muffins I promised...may they power you through your life too!

XOXO

Jackie

Race Ready Muffins

by Jaclyn Trosper

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 15 min

Ingredients (30 mini muffins)

• 1 box gluten free muffin mix (I used Gluten Free Pantry mix)
• 2 scoops protein powder (I used Life's Basic unflavored)
• 1/2 C chia seeds
• 1/2 C sliced almonds
• 2 bananas mashed
• 1 C almond milk
• 3 Tbsp applesauce

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Spoon into mini muffin tins and bake according to box directions. Can eat hot or cold (or just rewarm on race day!)

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Welcome to Crazy Town

I say that my life and home are crazy town in jest...but to know me is to know the truth of this statement...so because of this I only just recently realized it's been nearly a year since I last posted a single blog! So so sad on my part but a long break was needed...from this apparently, from racing, from training...from so many aspects of my life. This post is basically going to be one big catch up!

Going into this year I had so many lofty goals...and shortly after Palm Springs enduro weekend (first century ride on Saturday, half marathon on Sunday) I realized I needed a break. I never really took an off season or gave myself any time to just stop and breathe for a minute...I just kept hitting it hard and it all eventually caught up to me. So I stopped, cold turkey. I'm pretty sure I even had withdrawals. I raced only one other time this year and that was as the relay runner for the San Diego Triathlon Challenge...and I didn't even "race"...I just enjoyed the day with my best friends.

Now as the year comes to a close I'm starting to really feel the burn to train and race again. Now don't get me wrong, I haven't sat on my duff all year, I've been working out. And the payoff has actually been better then expected. I'm lighter, leaner, and stronger then I've been in a long time. I have paid attention to my diet, strength training, flexibility, and the balance of it all way more then I ever have before. But I've also learned to really listen to my body...so much so that I buried my Garmin in a drawer and barely used it all year. I dug it out last week (actually I had to borrow Mike's) and took it on a run around Balboa park....lo and behold I had a 7:59 min/mile average for just over 5 miles. Not to shabby for not paying attention all year! This will mean nothing as I head into the new year with a completely new goal in mind...to complete an ultramarathon. Haven't officially decided on a particular race, but it will be a 50K (30 miles) and it will be early in the year...looking forward to that challenge!

But there have been many other recent changes in my life that are going to affect me greatly going into 2012. First and foremost my husband has once again deployed. He left just last week aboard the USS Carl Vinson and won't be home until spring or summer. It's our 3rd deployment since we've been married but our first in almost 4 years. It's been an adjustment getting used to his absence again...moreso for how to deal with two children who are now older and understand the magnitude of the amount of time daddy will be gone...but we've been trucking along and getting by. Christmas will be a bit more lonely...but time passes and he will be home safely again before we know it.

Photo courtesy of USS Carl Vinson photographers

Work is also going to be keeping me busy as we roll into the new year. I can't even believe I've been on night shift for almost 2 years now. I can honestly still say I adore my job and I'm so lucky to be where I am. I am constantly learning and growing...and I'm surrounded by the most amazing team of nurses and doctors I could ever imagine. In January I will start taking classes for my CCRN (Critical Care RN certification test) and hope to take the exam by the end of Feb. This is a pretty big deal in the ICU community as it a daunting test that will really force me to buckle down and learn the core concepts of the human body as they apply to the patient populations I work with. I'm excited, nervous, and really ready for this challenge.

On the health front there have been some recent developments that have made me ponder my own decisions regarding my health and the steps I can take to ensure I stick around for a long time. Though I always considered myself basically healthy since I ate well and exercised a ton, a recent blood test revealed I had elevated total cholesterol, my LDL was high and my HDL was low. I wasn't entirely shocked as both my mom and dad have bad cholesterol. So I gave up milk (since it was bothering my stomach anyway) and tried to reduce my intake of red meats. Shortly after that I went to see my primary care doctor for a routine checkup. At the end of the appointment she told me she wanted me to see an oncologist (I'm currently in the process of moving all my personal healthcare from Naval medicine to my own insurance with the health group I work for as I feel I get much better continuity of care with them). I felt like this was coming out of left field but she explained with my crazy personal history and my awful family history of cancer that she didn't feel she could follow me adequately enough. So I was sent for labs and a number for an oncologist. Of course I stalled for a while...but I eventually got around to making an appointment with him. Once at the office I was told that my blood counts were abnormal (seriously?) so now more tests are pending...love the waiting game. It was also noted the my cholesterol numbers were still not normal (guess I didn't really lay off the red meat like I said I would). I also got a referral to GI to follow up on the years of stomach problems I've had an hopefully get some answers (I went gluten free over 2 years ago and that has helped immensely but hasn't gotten rid of all my problems). After these numerous blows and moments of clarity I realized I needed to make a drastic change.
This realization happened to correlate perfectly with my viewing of a movie/documentary called Forks Over Knives (www.forksoverknives.com). The entire premise of the film is the ridiculous links between the main diseases of the Western world (cancer, heart disease, etc) and an animal based diet. Numerous studies have shown that if people eat a plant based diet they can essentially halt and even reverse the spread or development of these diseases. After watching the film and doing a bit more research on my own I was convinced (of note my dad went vegan a few years ago due to health reasons and has completely reversed all his problems...hello proof!). Even Mike realized that a change was needed (this from the most self professed carnivore I know!). So I have now embarked on a new journey...veganism. And tomorrow (Dec 12th) is day one. I've been playing around with recipes for the past few weeks and sampling new brands and foods. I'm feeling amazing and not deprived in the least. I'm tracking my nutrition as testing has shown that I have a great metabolism and with lofty ultramarathon goals I can't afford to skimp on nutrition or calories. It's been touch and go but I'm finally dialing in the ability to hit my caloric goals (roughly 2200 cals on a good training day). I will be blogging alot about my adventures in vegan cooking and eating to be sure....should be a culinary blast!

Vegan Sushi for our kickoff dinner!

I think that about wraps up my updates and it's officially time for me to get some shut eye...lots to do tomorrow (isn't that always the case?). Looking forward to getting back into the swing of training and learning how to adapt to a new life of alternative eating. :)