The Great Unknown

I've been through the living room on a bike with no name. Can you hear the jingle? You're welcome. Now you'll have that song in your head for the rest of the afternoon.

Even though I plan on doing half-marathons and full marathons in 2012, I can't seem to take my mind off of the triathlons I have planned, in particular the MDOT. 70.3 miles of HOLY COW! It's nearly December and although the main event isn't until July, I'm swimming, biking and running each week. Last night I rode for an hour in the living room while watching Pride and Prejudice. If that seems neurotic, well, it probably is. I try to keep the cadence between 80 and 85 on a medium gear. Not a flat ride but not a hilly one either. Make sense? I'm working and sweating like a farm animal so I'm under the impression that I'm getting something out of it.

The main and most obvious goal is to FINISH in a vertical position. Not make the podium but finish in a way that I'm proud of. I've decided to deal with each event in segments and not on the whole. I swim. I bike. I run. I drink beer.

The Great Unknown: I've never swam in open water. Did you see that video recently of the whale that came up out of the water to eat the birds and nearly swallowed the kayaker? I don't wanna be eaten. If you've swam in open water tell me what it's like! Murky? Can you see ANYTHING AT ALL? Have you seen a large fish in the water that you thought would eat you? People are not food, they're friends.

Secondly, I haven't biked past 35 miles. I need to add 20 to that. I suspect I'll be on the bike for about 3 hours. I need to find away to keep my nether regions from catching fire. Last night after spinning for an hour I got off the bike and my legs were trembling. Shake, shake, shake. Normal of course but always a strange feeling.



After I dismounted a bike with no name, hunger set in. I heated up some leftover chili, wolfed it down like I was going to the electric chair and then proceeded to make short work of a half a ream of Ritz crackers lathered up in peanut butter while watching Water for Elephants. Happiness is...doing both of those things.

Tonight I'll be swimming. Funny story....I swim while my daughter is at swim practice. We're both in the pool at the same time although I'm down in the lap lane. Anyway, I climb out of the pool after doing my mile and the swim coach says "are you getting ready for an event?", I say "yep, this summer I have a few lined up, I just swam a mile!". She laughs and says "your daughter just swam four miles"...crickets. Her grin proceeds to grow, followed up with a "if you need any pointers just let me know and I'll be happy to help". Sigh.

My thunder just got turned into a light drizzle.

So, have you ever signed up for something or planned on something and let your head be filled with the great unknowns???

Oh yes I did!

The Story of How I Returned My Mizuno Wave Riders By: Julie Coy Martinez


With box underneath my arm and receipt in hand, I casually walked them up to the front counter and said "I can't take it anymore, they're killing me, and I'm not that good of a runner to begin with". The Dick's Sporting Goods clerk flashed me a smile and told me to go find a pair that would work for me. We're past Black Friday and she still appears to like her job. I meandered my way to the back of Dicks and proceeded to try on 6 pairs of shoes. I even ran around the entire store in each one with the realization that I'm faster in the store than I am outside on pavement. Can my next marathon be run on tile? Like a mini marathon, I pass monuments, this in-store loop though only comes in the form of golf clubs, punching bags and all things camo for the hunter in you. The Asics won easily with a pair of Brooks coming in a close 2nd!

I was pretty interested by quite a few of you who said that your butt hurt too after running in Mizuno's. So Mr. Mizuno, wherever you are...YOUR SHOES ARE HURTING OUR RUNNING ASSES. There, I said it. It's almost as if you need a personal masseuse with those things. Plus, I had to spend an extra hour on the foam roller. It's a wonder that thing, being foam roller, hasn't permanently affixed itself to my side by now. Is that a foam roller in your pants or are you just happy to see me? Totally inappropriate joke. HAHAHAHA!



I finally got the tree up! If it looks like it's leaning a little, that's because it actually is. It's been in the basement and I'm starting to wonder what the kids have been doing with it in the off season?? Anyway, it's up and lighting up our little corner of the living room.

Is your tree up?

Do you pull out old decorations and forget where in the heck they actually came from? We have some little oriental kid looking decorations on our tree and Syd and I can't remember who gave them to us or where they came from. I'll report back when I complete my investigation.

My left cheek hurts

My left ass cheek hurts.

I thought of a million different ways to put it but if you were sitting next to me, that's what I would say. It feels as if I've fallen, crack first, out of the top of the tree and hit every branch on the way down....left butt cheek leading the way. Ouch, ouch, ouch. The fun part is that it doesn't bother me when I run BUT WHEN I STOP, I become one step away from a walker.

You guys obviously know me well. I'm in a traditional holding pattern of clinging tightly to one shoe while waiting for the other to drop. I'm mechanically challenged and this isn't helping matters.

Sooo, speaking of shoes..... without further ado, meet the literal pain in my ass. The Mizuno Wave Rider 14.



I'm an Asics girl. Always have been. They've seen me through mostly good times but also some bad times where they've helped walk me back to my car. Their cushiony goodness is something I've always counted on. Once upon a time though, I cheated on Asics with Mizuno's and I loved them as well. Point being, I gave up Mizuno's because they don't last as long as Asics and when I made the change back was when I came down with ITB. Less than two weeks ago, following science, I thought I would switch back to Mizuno's. They have a proven record of a PR with me and that's worth something right? So I thought.

I've run about 35 miles in the Zuno's and they're killing me slowly, killing me softly. How does that song go?

I hurt in places I didn't even know were possible. I ran 14 miles on Saturday and 10 yesterday and today...cripple creek.

I have to take them back. I called Dick's Sporting last night and explained that these shoes were voodoo from the top shelf. That I'm coming back with receipt in hand to swap them out. They were really great about it, said no problem. After all, who spends $100 to invite pain in? Or, is that the same principle as a marathon entry fee? :)

I need my Asics back. Funny how shoes are so specific to each person.

Have you ever marched a pair of shoes back to where they came from??



Christmas donuts. Can you stare at the screen for longer than 5 seconds without salivating?

I'm only missing the brown patches

I'm writing to you post Thanksgiving. I've survived the calorie intake bonanza and managed to steer clear of Black Friday. Some years I wake up in the wee hours with crusty eyes to push a shopping cart around the isles of Target but this year I didn't need anything. Or so I thought. Instead, I unknowingly passed the shopping torch onto my husband who left the house and went to Wal Wart and got us a new flat screen and blue-ray player at midnight. He said all of that sh*t cost about $49. I wouldn't doubt it.

Anyway, I neglected to mention that I ran a 5K on Thanksgiving morning. In our neck of the woods, we don't give our races turkey themed names on the BIG DAY, we give them horse themed names. I live in KY and just in case you were wondering, horses and cigarettes are king. I and several thousand others ran the local Thoroughbred Classic. I might slight them for the name but it's a heck of a race really. Well put on, cool shirts, lots of spectators. THE GOAL: To pace my friend Tami to a new 5K PR which would be aiming to be under 28:56. Short story - We line up, gun goes off, we reach the .5 mile point and we're covering some serious real estate at a 8:30 pace. We finished the race in 27:27, we started as we finished, out of breath and smiling in between grabbing at our sides. High five.

Anyway, that was big for me. I'm not famous for running 8 anything. I'm famous for having a bum right knee that I'm constantly coddling like a spoiled child. I've been patting myself on the back since Thursday for a race well run.


Legacy Trail, my marathon training ground.

Fast forward to today. I could feel a long run coming on since Friday. Wait, that was yesterday. I don't know about you but I get NUTS if I don't run long in about two weeks. I just do. My mojo gets ugly and so does my attitude. I get cranky and foul. I've had such a good thing going, my speed has really picked up so I thought I would enjoy a long run with some brisk pace on the side while leaving ITB behind for once.


Nom nom nom. My name is Coy and I'm a runner, err, I mean giraffe.

The run was great, I averaged in the 9's, which, for 14 miles can officially be labeled as "impressive". Although I felt great mentally, I had a hitch in my giddy up by the time I got back to my car. My left hip felt like it belonged to an 80 year old woman and I had a headache. Damn it. Half the time I was running I kept feeling as if I was giraffe. I lumber and am awkward and although do enough to survive, am in no way sexy, like say, a cheetah.
I get from Point A to Point B and that's it.

So, from now on, if you're wondering. Yes, I probably have some sort of running ailment that will slow me down but will not break my spirit. I have a Boston Qualifying brain and heart and legs that resemble that of a giraffe, going in a million different directions than the ones they need to be.

Thankful for more than Indians helping Pilgrims

This past June I went to Jamestown in Virginia on vacation with the family. After spending some time there I realized how screwed those people on the boat were when they came to America with such big hopes and dreams. It would be like someone dropping you and I off on the shores of Cape Town, Africa and telling us to make-do. I don't know about you but I have zero survival / third world skills. I can ride a bike, I can swim, I could probably catch rain water using a complex leaf system for drinking water but I think if I had to just survive that things wouldn't go so well for me or anyone like me that was living in the colony. Not to mention, catching disease from the locals. Thank you Indians. They didn't mean to spread disease and they were very helpful in teaching us how to grow food.

I know this time of year Christmas is King from October 15th till the end of the year. Halloween and Thanksgiving get no respect. They have but maybe one isle dedicated to paper plates, table runners and napkins with fall leaves. So, today I thought I would dedicate one blog to things I'm thankful for. I won't be able to hit all the bases so forgive me that I skip over the obvious things such as my favorite bra and down vest.

1st. Thankful for the kids. They keep life entertaining and the drama up higher than any day time soap could ever hope for. I love them to pieces and even though I enjoy quiet time, I miss all the noise they make. Their noise makes my life better.

I'm thankful for my mom, my aunt and my grandma. It's just us girls now.





I'm thankful for a husband that puts up with enormous amounts of craziness. If I can dream it up, he finds a way to drive me there and take pictures. He'll even wear Steak n' Shake hats with me.



I'm thankful that I have a job I love. I'm surrounded by horses. Not even Horse Farm Barbie has it as good as I do.



I have a great dog and running partner. He gives me dirty looks about mile 4 but he runs with his nose almost touching my left calf. He won't leave me, no leash, no anything. Just he and I. Some of my best runs have been with Bogie by my side. I wish he was a marathoner.



I'm thankful for running friends. We all have them and they just make everything better. When you're injured, you're running friend is there to tell you that they would carry you / push you in a cart so you could experience the race in some capacity. When you PR, they're around to give you a huge smile! They're an extended, sweaty family.



Last, and on a different note. Are you Black Friday shopping tomorrow? Do you have an extended family member with children that you don't particularly care for but are under obligation to buy for?? I have found the perfect gift you can wrap up and give to their children.

I proudly present - A BUCKET OF PENGUINS. Sharp and certain to pierce the bottom of a bare foot.

My blogging time has been abducted

Hello everyone! Do you remember me?? I use to blog like 4, maybe 5 days a week and now I'm lucky to even get in 1 day a week. I'm using numbers instead of words, what's the world coming to?? Maybe if you see the numbers it'll signify my actual decline in personal time to do anything. There aren't enough hours in my day. "I'll take four more hours for $800 Alex!"


I'll take, what hurts really bad after riding the bike trainer for an hour for $200 Alex!

I'm working, I'm playing the human taxi cab, I'm bathing children, helping with homework, riding the bike trainer, food gathering, breaking up sibling arguments and then falling asleep on the sofa while being laughed at for snoring while my children watch over me AT 8 PM!! Yeah. LOSER. Put it on a t-shirt and send it my way. I have the power chromosomes of Spider Man through the day but by the time the sun goes down and my work is done, well, stick a fork in me. I'm done.

You know what I love about this time of year? Planning for next year! I hate for each year to be the same as the last and I have some new goals so I thought I would share them with you! Tell me what you think!

Jan 1st - Hangover Classic - 10 miler
*It's either brutally cold or 54. Be prepared to not feel your face or have a wonderful race. I love that it starts the year off.

Jan 28th - Planet Adventure Winter Half-Marathon
*This one starts at 6pm and you run a through the woods with a headlamp. I have to say that I live for this kinda thing. I'm a junkie for adventure so this race has my name written all over it. I might be missing a few digits by the end but I can always type as long as I have at least one finger.



March 30th - Run The Bluegrass Half Marathon
*This will be my friend Tami's first 13.1 road race. I'm looking forward to running it with her and I have a feeling that she's gonna do fantastic!! She ran sub 10 min miles on her first ever 9 miles so watch out pavement.

April 28th - Kentucky Derby Marathon
I've debated putting this race on my list. I had a pretty crappy Derby Half a few years back but that's because I got drunk the night before. I ran a 2:17 which is my worst time ever. I threw up and pee'd my pants. It was a bad experience. Aside from my bad behavior the race can be hot. I don't do heat, I'll go ahead and tell you that now BUT I think this race is a chance for me to redeem my bad half AND have fun WHICH is my main goal at the end of the day.

May 20 - Memphis in May Olympic Triathlon
This'll be my first Olympic distance. I've come close before but the run has only been 4 and not 6. I have a friend whose done this one before and he's going back with me for this one so I won't feel too lost. Wish me luck, it'll be my first open water swim. Hopefully I can keep my mental swim crazy down to a low roar as to not make the evening news.

July 15th - 70.3 Ironman Racine, WI.
The only thing I can say about this decision is - Go Big or Go Home. You only live once and you'll never know what you can do if you don't try. I think my "try" is good enough. Wish me more luck, I'll be swimming in Lake Michigan. I hate fish.


Sept 9th - The Nations Triathlon - Washington D.C.
I'm fit so why not? It's Olympic distance. Besides, I love D.C.

**I'm still going to enter for the NYC Marathon. If I could trade all of these to run that one race I would. I'm sick like that.

Answers!! We just took Christmas up a notch!

Out of 17 people that gave me answers to my questions, I had 10 people who at least got 5 out of 7 correct! That's pretty good I have to say, it means that I'm not a very good liar. My mother would tell you the same. Nor am I good at playing cards or anything that requires a straight face. Needless to say, I won't be running for public office anytime soon.

So, let's get to the answers.

1. FALSE. Yes, I did go to school at Oxford in England for a semester. I have tons of stories I could tell! Mostly ones that involve alcohol and YES I did visit Avon but I didn't get in trouble for sleeping at Shakespeare's home. I actually got in trouble for climbing up on the statues with my friends to take pictures.


Hamlet. He too was one of my victims.

2. TRUE. I was named after a racehorse named Julie Coy. My dad trained her. It makes for a good story and lets just say, I'm very fortunate that I didn't end up named something fun like Nemo's Lucky Fin.



3. TRUE. As long as I can remember I've wanted a tattoo but I never knew what I wanted so I always held off. I didn't just wanna slap a tiger down the side of my rib cage because I had a memorable trip to the zoo. When I trained and complete my first half-marathon I knew just what I wanted. No buyers remorse at all. I love it. My mom and husband could care less for it but it belongs to me, as does the accomplishment.



4. FALSE. I don't order every boxing pay-per-view because I'm trying to exercise moderation. If I were rich I would fly to every single match and buy front row seats. I know you might be reading this with a raised eyebrow but watch an episode of HBO 24/7 and see how these guys train...you'll be hooked. They're just like runners, only we don't beat our heads in literally, only metaphorically.


Manny beat Juan Marquez last night just in case you have a scorecard in hand.

5. FALSE. I do keep my shoes but I'm not super sentimental over them. I thrown them in the closet and use them to wear to work and kick around town when I'm done. They're officially retired to Closet Acres, where all my shoes collecting dust bunnies come to rest.



6. TRUE. I read Pride and Prejudice more than I like to admit. It's on my Nook and I have at least three paperback versions lying around the house. Each time I go to a book store I pick it up and read the first paragraph. It's an illness I admit but there's something about that story that keeps me coming back for more.



7. TRUE. My 13-going-on-23 year old daughter taught me how to swim. I could swim but not in any way that wasn't going to get my laughed out of a pool before she showed me that little thing known as "technique". She'll still read me the riot act about rotating my body over too far when I breath BUT I have to think that I'm lucky to have made it this far.


Yeah, she's not messing around. Bubbles are not to be messed with.

I've been thinking that I'll start this shopping spree for Toys For Tots on Black Friday!! That's 10 toys that I'll pick out and wrap! I love shopping, I love Christmas, I love kids, this is gonna be soooo great! I'll take pics of the presents I buy and post them in my blog a day or so after shopping so you can see!!!

I'm baaaaaack!! With a giveaway!

I'll apologize for being an absentee blogger. I've had to work everyday for the past three weeks with the exception of D.C. and well, marathoning, it's a labor of love, so...technically, I was working last weekend too. Better yet, the weekend before that. As you can see, I'm also losing track of time as well.

Let's see, what have I been up to?? Yesterday, a friend of mine invited me out for what was suppose to be a 6 mile run, that soon thereafter, turned into 8. My legs felt as if someone had poured concrete all over them. HEAVY. Obviously I'm still not myself over a week after 26.2. The great part was that it was her first EVER 8 miles. Even better was that she's lost almost 90 lbs this year! AND, are you sitting down? She invited ME to run with her for her first ever half marathon on March 31st. It's the Run for the Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington and I couldn't be more excited. I met her last January the day she joined the Y to begin a weight loss and exercise program. When I told her my story about how I lost 85 lbs, we became instant friends! I feel so lucky to have met her and she inspires me to no end! And I'll also say that she's FAST! She said her goal was to run a 2:20. I had to laugh because I kid you not when I say that she's easily capable of a sub 2 hour half her first time out. THAT, is INSPIRING! SHE.IS.INSPIRING!

A few weeks ago I was tagged by the amazing BDD with a Versatile Blogger Award! I tell 7 things about myself that you probably didn't know OR in my case, wish you never knew. I was going to give away a gift card BUT since it's the holiday season I figured I would do something fun.

First, let's change the game. I'm stealing this idea from my friend Michael over at Slowly Tri-ing. I'm going to list 7 things about me but you have to decide whether they're TRUE or FALSE.

For every person that at least gets 5/7 correct, I'm going to donate a gift to our local Toys For Tots holiday gift drive! I know the holiday season is going to be tough for tons of families so this is a great way to play a game and give a child a better Christmas!!



1. I went to college at the University of Oxford in England. During my time there I use to take weekend trips to Avon, better known as the home of Shakespeare. One night I fell asleep on the front door of his house and was kindly asked to leave by the po-po / cops.



2. I was named after a race horse my father trained, Julie Coy. Was I?



3. I love the Philadelphia Marathon. It's how my blog came to being. As you all well know it's the home of my first ever half-marathon and full marathon. I love the race so much that I had it's logo tattoo'd on my back. It's a big one too! That's what Dicks's Sporting Goods said.



4. I love boxing. LOVE boxing. Did you know that I get EACH pay-per-view boxing event that comes out? I hate to pay for it but I'm kinda addicted to the sport.



5. I'm really sentimental about my running shoes. I keep each pair after I'm done. In fact, I love them so much that I put them back in the box they came with and write my best times on the inside of the lid of the box.



6. Pride and Prejudice is my not only my favorite book but also my favorite movie. I read the book at least once every single year, almost as if I'm expecting a different outcome. What a serious case of misunderstanding.



7. My daughter who is almost 13 taught me how to swim so I could compete in triathlons. After I was running for awhile I realized that if I could run and bike that all I needed was to learn how to swim. Sooooo, I volunteered her time to teach me how to keep my head down, proper technique and flip turns. Voila!

Marine Corp Marathon Pictorial

My husband threw his Trek in the back of the Mazda for our trip to D.C. and decided that he would document my marathon from his bike ride along the route. I thought about putting captions under his pics but I think you should look at them and decide what you will. They're a part of the race that most of us never get to see. They tell the whole story.




























Hey! That's me!!


If it looks like I'm concentrating, well, it's because I am. Big time.






The long drive home through a snowy Maryland.