I want the new Apple Watch Series 3. I want the ability to wirelessly receive texts, emails and phone calls and to respond back. I want to listen to music from my watch with my wireless earbuds (when they work!) but I also need the ability to track my obsessive swimming, cycling and running to oblivion. I started reading a trusted Apple Watch Series 3 review for athletes on outsideonline.com and, what I found was that I’m abnormal:
“By design, the Watch is not supposed to be the perfect gift for your Ironman-obsessed sister-in-law. There are some great high-end, sport-specific products that already do things like sync with SRM power meters. Instead, it’s meant for the much larger number of us who want a device to track our hikes and rides but that can handle smartwatch functions like streaming music and responding to texts. This review is written with those readers in mind. If, like some of my Outside colleagues, you demand a tracker that holds a charge for five days and has tactile buttons for workouts, feel free to stop reading here.”
I’m not “Ironman obsessed” by any means yet, I’m finding out all the ways in which I’m abnormal this week, and apparently so are all the Ironman athletes out there. Who knew? Probably you did. And the fact that the Apple watch doesn’t synch with my SRM power meter is a deal breaker. < – – the fact that most of you are probably thinking “what the hell is an SRM power meter?” should be a clue to me of my abnormality.

Running indoors with my trusted Garmin and Garmin foot pod. Is this abnormal?
WEEK OF JANUARY 8, 2018
2018 RACE GOAL
Since we’re talking abnormal, I may as well start with a new category in The Rundown. My big, scary race goal for 2018 is to complete my first ever Half Ironman!
If you haven’t a clue what that is, I’ll tell you:
1.2 mile swim
56 mile ride
13.1 mile run
And no, I have never attempted this triathlon distance before. In fact, as soon as I crossed the finish line of the Las Vegas Rock and Roll half marathon, the second thing I thought after “woohoo course PR!” was “OMG I have to do that after a long swim and ridiculous bike!?”
The good news is I have until June to train for it, it’s the only big race I’m doing and I will be done with serious training at the beginning of the summer.
The bad news is the race is called “the beast of the northeast” because it’s hilly and soul crushing. Basically, it’s my kind of race! #abnormal
RUNNING
The temperature raised above 20 for the first time in two weeks and I was able to break free of the treadmill. I had a long run of 1 hour and 30 minutes on the agenda and there was no way I was doing that inside. Luckily, I didn’t have too and luckier still, the temps continued to rise into the 50s to round out the week. #nosuchthingasglobalwarming

Busting out of the basement like…
I’m doing the amazingly hilly and hard half marathon in Colchester for the 8th, non-consecutive year, at the end of February. Known for it’s difficulty and interesting weather, I need to be prepared for anything in this extremely abnormal 13.1!
Sunday – 400m sets before strength work | 7.22 miles | 7:45 avg pace
Tuesday – tempo long run | 11.0 miles | 8:28 avg pace
Thursday – 10 x 20 second pick ups after swim | 5.0 miles | 8:00 avg pace
Total = 23.22 miles
CYCLING
Luckily there were no abnormalities in my cycling this week, there was just a lot of it. I’m not complaining since at least this past week I was alone in the basement and didn’t have to yell at my kids while gasping for air. It’s the little things.
Monday – single leg switch form work after swim | 45 minutes on spin bike at the gym | 10 miles
Wednesday – base build – aerobic before strength work | 1:10:04 | 16 miles
Friday – big gear 5 + tempo after strength work | 1:32:30 | 24 miles
Total = 50 miles
SWIMMING
I had a meeting with my coach so she could tell me for the 157th time that I’m dropping my right shoulder on my catch. I cannot seem to figure it out and it’s super frustrating…for both of us. She also brought a snorkel. I cannot even.
I used to laugh at the people in the pool with snorkels but, it turns out they are actually super helpful when you need to focus on technique and not breathing. If only I could use one in a race.
Monday – 300s down ladder before cycling | 2,400 yards
Thursday – meeting with coach to work on form before running | 2,000 yards
Total = 4,400 yards
THINGS I LOVE
Going skiing!
We were finally able to get away to the mountains for the first time this season. I don’t snowboard (as I don’t run outside) in temperatures that may cause frostbite. I did that in my 20s, ok I did it once two seasons ago, and it’s just not fun.
There may have been some drinking involved…
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Seeing a distracted driver accident!
It was insane. I was coming down a long hill near my dad’s house after dropping the boys off when a pick-up with a horse trailer pulled out into the road ahead. I saw another can approaching from the other way and, as I was stopped on the hill watching the pick-up truck driver navigate backing into his driveway, I saw the car coming from the opposite direction was not slowing down. Not even a little bit. Two seconds later it smashed (and I mean smashed) into the side of the truck and trailer. The sound of metal slamming metal is not something you ever want to hear in your life. Trust me.
I put my car in park and jumped out to see if everyone was ok. To my shock and horror two little girls came out of the truck! They were obviously scared and, as I was asking them and who appeared to be their grandfather who was driving the truck, if they were ok, their mom came out of the house and gathered them up announcing she was calling the police.
I don’t know for sure if the driver of the other vehicle was texting or otherwise distracted because I didn’t stick around long enough to find out, but it’s the only reason I can think of for why they would not have seen a gigantic truck and trailer in the middle of the road!
READING
I started a new book for my book club, A Piece of the World, and so far it’s just meh but I’m not too far along. I’m hopeful it will pick up and, in the meantime, I’m reading all the articles:
Why Most Days I Suck at Running | Susan Lacke | motivrunning.com
I love this article so much because I think we have all felt (or currently feel) like this. But, that’s just one more reason to do it. We cannot be expected to be good at everything, right?
“I fail every time I run, and yet the world does not end. Neither do I. Running has taught me that I don’t have to tweak and obsess and try to be perfect. I can just…be. This is an intense realization for a perfectionist like me. Even after a decade of running, it still knocks me over with its profundity.”
Stress Can Be Good for You | Moi | Women’s Running online
You know I only toot my horn on here when I think an article is really worth reading. Some articles I write for the masses but some I write because I’m truly passionate about the subject. I found out about this amazing TED Talk — How to Make Stress Your Friend — from my bestie. It sounds like complete (abnormal) bullshit but I promise you it’s worth a listen…or a read:
“The researchers estimated that over the eight years they were tracking deaths, 182,000 Americans died prematurely–not from stress, but from the belief that stress is bad for you.”
RANDOM VIDEO OF THE WEEK
The boys started taking guitar and ukulele lessons almost two years ago. I absolutely love how their music studio (Summit Studios in Manchester) embraces the abnormal, like when the boys decided they wanted to bring the bongos they bought in Cuba and a harmonica to jam out with their favorite instructor:
Here’s to having an abnormal week my friends!
[Tweet “The Rundown is defining #abnormal, declaring 2018 #race goals and embracing the #suck and the #stress! #train4life”]
What is abnormal about you or your life right now?
What is your big, scary goal for 2018 – racing or otherwise?
I feel like this month has been the most normal and boring month for me in a long time. So weird to say right? Anyway, I don’t hate it but nothing to write home about.
That is a huge but exciting goal. I know you are going to do well, you train smartly and appropriately. Personally I cannot imagine being on a bike that long LOL.
Aw, thanks Hollie! And, right now, I cannot imagine being on my bike that long either. It’s definitely like marathon training – right now my 90 minute rides seem short 🙂 #perspective
I have no scary goals for 2018, but I think Babak may be doing his first half Ironman at some point in 2018, which scares me
WOW! He’s just jumping in full force huh? Good for him! Maybe we can do the same one? That is the best reason yet for me to come to the west coast.
This article outstanding expoition. Also good describe all active, you could also add mention of smartwatches with the fall detection app. It is a real life saver….
Clearly, I am abnormal since I ran 52 miles the last 2 weeks in the subzero cold. Today I want to die. Not really, but I feel kind of like toast. Seriously, I did this for some free lululemon merchandise? That is not normal.
OMG all of you Lululemon chasers are insane…in the best way possible…but still 🙂 I hope you survived and that you get some really good stuff!
My whole life feels abnormal right now! I need the weather to figure itself out so I can go back to some semblance of normal. LOL
My big scary goal for 2018 is my first 50k. (and maybe a BQ at MCM in October) I’m giving myself a year to train for the 50k so …. that’s a loooonngggg time to think about it. haha
I believe you’re totally going to crush that half Ironman. #beastmode
Those are some great goals and I think it’s smart to give yourself that much time! You will be able to train well and correctly without rushing the process.
Thanks so much and yes, let’s get at least two days in a row of similar temps please!!
I FINd it hilarious that you are abnormal and I was told I was normal. First time for everything! Lol! I was wondering when you were going to go for the half Ironman. You’ll crush it and end up at the world championships too.
I also find that hilarious…I mean, seriously?
Thank you so much Angela! I’m sure you will raise me up along the way!
That is a fantastic goal and you are going to do awesome! Plenty of time to train and I love that it’ll be over at the beginning of summer – just in time for vacation and down time. #smartplanning. So excited to follow along!!
After three years of trying to pack in training with summertime family life, I finally may have figured it out! I feel good about the timing but it may still be chilly here on race day so the swim will be interesting!!
Your goal is awesome – I can’t wait to see you accomplish it! I’m abnormal in that I actually want it to be colder right now – it’s been steadily in the 40s and 50s here and we skied in slushy, melting snow this weekend. I don’t want frostbite temperatures, but come on, I have all this winter running gear to use!
I hear you! It was pouring rain on Friday with temps in the 60s in Vermont which is unheard of, then the temps plummeted to -10 the next day so you can imagine what the mountain looked like! It was such a mess but I was just happy to be out there since I skied ONCE during a four day trip.
I hope you get to wear your cold weather gear soon!
I didn’t realize you haven’t done a half ironman at some point… what a perfect goal for you! And of course the course is intense and soul crushing! Also, I love that you don’t run in the crazy single digit temps either.. .there are some hard core runners in my feed lately and but I do not find that enjoyable at all!
I get that a lot! It’s definitely a good goal and the timing is right on too. Thanks so much for the support!
And just NO to the sub zero outdoor running 🙂
the question is what is NORMAL about my life???? hahaha!!!! i feel so crazed and amazed at life most of the time.
that TED talk you noted, i loved it. i watched it right away and was like… wow!!!!!!!!! it changed me. you changed my life. LOL. you changed my life!!!!
seriously though, i’m basically running on anxiety and fear and worry and this sort of things just makes my freakin day. my millennium. like, i can be stressed. it’s OK. i can handle it!!! that’s why i always feel so much better after we see our marriage coach. i love him and wish we saw him weekly but he doesn’t want to see our annoying mugs more than once a month. but he helps my mind. i worry. i worry about worrying. but seriously… my perspective has changed. THANK you. it’s ok to be running on adrenaline sometimes 🙂 thank goodness!
now for that tequila! i’m waiting to hear that tequila is better for you than kale.
happy tuesday future ironmama!
I’d always kind of assumed you’d done an Ironman before. I mean…. clearly, you’re crazy enough to have done one. LOL! You’ll kill it, as per usual.
I will actually snowboard in temps that are much colder than what I’ll ski in. You’d think someone would have invented warmer ski boots by now! Also, I can drink more on a snowboard. Drinks = warmth. 😉
That is a terrific aim, and you will achieve it! There will be plenty of time to train, and I love that it will end at the start of summer, just in time for vacation and downtime. #smartplanning. I’m really looking forward to following along!!