Where are they now: Former women’s soccer player Lara Anderson Coffee ’97...

It was great to be recognized by my Alma Mater Campbell University for my Ironman achievement. Check out what they had to say about me; Where are they now: Former women’s soccer player Lara Anderson Coffee ’97.            For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...

Ironman Journey Q & A Part 4...

Here we are again, round four of answering questions about my Ironman Journey.  The question of the day, What is your training schedule? If you just started following me on this journey, check out: Ironman Journey Q & A Part 1: Do you have children and if so, how old are you kids? And when did you decide to do an Ironman? Ironman Journey Q & A Part 2:  Are you crazy?  Why now? Why Not Before Kids? Ironman Journey Q & A Part 3: Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts?  If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page.                                                                                                                            What is your training schedule? Training schedule…I feel like this should be an easy answer, but for me and my family, I have to be flexible yet consistent with my training schedule. I do have two young children and at any given time, my schedule can change due to illnesses, work functions, hubby coaching schedule, etc. Workout Schedule Monday – Evening Family Run/Strength train 35-60 minutes Tuesday – Morning Bike on my trainer (60 minutes) Wednesday – Afternoon Swim workout and Track Workout Thursday – Morning Bike on my trainer (60 minutes) Friday – Off Saturday – Morning Long Ride Sunday – Morning Long Run You will notice that only on Wednesday’s I get two workouts in; and most Wednesday I can only squeeze the swim in.  Most Ironman training plans I have researched and the one I receive from the team, schedules two a-day workouts at least 3 days a week. Two of those days generally consist of bike and swim.  As you can see, I only swim once a week. I am...

Ironman Journey Q & A Part 3...

Here we are again, round three of answering questions about my Ironman Journey.  The question of the day, Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts? If you just started following me on this journey, check out: Ironman Journey Q & A Part 1: Do you have children and if so, how old are you kids? And when did you decide to do an Ironman? Ironman Journey Q & A Part 2:  Are you crazy?  Why now? Why Not Before Kids? If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page. Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts? When I told my family last Thanksgiving (November 2012) that I signed up for my Ironman, I got the question from one of my brothers about missing my daughter’s firsts.  My daughter at the time was only 2.5 months old.  I thought it was an interesting question and over the course of this past year, this question kept entering my consciousness, especially on my long training weekends. Yes, I am of course concerned about missing my daughter’s first, no different than I was fearful of missing my sons firsts. Not because of training, but because I am a full-time working mom who has left the care of my children for 45 – 50 hours a week in someone else’s hands.   For 5 days a week, I only see my kids awake for 3-5 hours at the most. During those 8-9 hours a day, my son and daughter have had a lot of firsts that I’ve missed.  I am sad I have not seen all the milestones in person, but I am lucky....

Ironman Journey Q & A Part 2...

Ironman Journey Q & A Part 2, where I answer the three  following questions: Are you crazy? Why now?  Why not before kids?  If you want to find out about whether I have kids and when did I start my Ironman Journey, read Ironman Journey Q & A Part 1. If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page. Are you crazy? I decided to answer this question now because I seem to get this answer a lot.  The short and long answer to this question might just be “yes”.  I have always thrived when I have more to do on my plate. In college, I always got my best grades during soccer season.  I only had a limited amount of time to dedicate to one task; therefore, when I did study it was more focused.  When I was in graduate school both times (10 years apart), ironic as it might seem, I found my roots back to triathlon. So when it was “my” year for Ironman, I knew I could manage training, in conjunction with work and family life.  Plus, honestly there is a definite finish line and I know the training is not going to last forever. Don’t get me wrong this has been extremely difficult, especially in the beginning. I was a sleep deprived mom of a 2.5 year old and an infant and I was barely making through the days. I miss seeing my family during my long training weekends, and I look forward to having an unstructured weekend hanging out having coffee with my husband in the morning and making funny face pancakes for my kids.    But, I am sure it will only take a few...

Ironman Journey Q & A Part 1...

As my last post stated Do you know how far an Ironman is?!?!, I am planning on answer all the questions people have asked and continue to ask about my Ironman Journey.   If you would like me to answer any questions, the “submit your questions” button is on the bottom of the page. Do you have children and if so, how old are you kids? Yes, my hubby and I have two wonderful, mischievous, outgoing children, a 3 year old son and a 13 month old daughter. When did you decide to do an Ironman? My Ironman journey started nearly three years ago. My hubby signed up for his first Ironman in Cozumel for November 2011. Throughout the 11 months I was a Sherpa, I witnessed his dedication, his devotion and his transformation into an Ironman.  While he trained, my duty as his wife and Sherpa was to be the primary care giver of our 11 months old son and keeper of our house. Being a triathlete myself, I was a bit envious of the training and transformation; I wanted to do so as well. However, a deal my hubby and I made when our 2011 season started was that only one of us at a time could race an Ironman or ½ Ironman while we had young kids. Plus, we were trying to get pregnant and it made no sense for me to be the one to do an Ironman in 2011. We did end up getting pregnant in May 2011 with our second child, but unfortunately God had a different plan for our angel and we said goodbye in August 2011. Over the course of our healing process, my hubby was a rock. He was there for me and our family, but...

Do You Know How Far An Ironman Is?!?!...

Do you know how far an Ironman is?!?! Many people that have followed my Ironman journey or just started following me on this crazy ride have asked me a plethora of questions – especially since I started training when my daughter was 3 months old and my son was not even 3 years old. So, since I received the same questions from several different people – at a minimum – I will answer one a day until all the questions are answered.  If you have any questions you would like me to answer, please feel free to submit them. Submit Your Questions Here are some of the questions I have received in the past 10 months that I will answer. Why now? Why not before kids? Are you crazy? Aren’t you afraid you are going to miss a lot of your daughter’s firsts? How are doing this? What is your training schedule? Aren’t you exhausted? Does your husband do these too? Do you know how far an Ironman is?!?! Have you done anything like this before? Do you work? And if so, how do you manage to work, train, be a wife and mother? Do you train alone or with a team? If a team, what team? How do you stay motivated? What made you want to do an Ironman? Have you ever done a triathlon? Do you plan on doing anything after this? Keep the questions coming. For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner...

Ironman Florida Here I Come Pubic Bone Stress Fracture or Not...

So for the past 12 months, I have not written anything on my blog about my Ironman journey; however, today I felt compelled to do so because it is getting close, I am nervous and I was told today I might have a pubic bone stress fracture. Yes, 22 days until Ironman Florida and I was told today by my chiropractor, “you might have the beginning of a stress fracture on your pubic bone and you have a minor case of tendinitis in your abductor.”  Yes, really a stress fracture in my pubic bone; really?!?! My hubby who was trying to make light of the situation said, “I might actually win the weirdest injury award for the season.” What is a pubic bone stress fracture, you might ask?  It is a condition characterized by an incomplete crack in one of the pelvic bones. What causes a pelvic bone stress fracture?  According to several sources, a pelvic stress fracture typically occurs over time with excessive weight bearing activity such as running, sprinting, jumping or dancing. They often occur following a recent increase in activity or change in training conditions (such as surface, footwear or technique changes etc) and are particularly common in long distance runners. Occasionally they may occur due to repetitive kicking in sports such as football or soccer. Pelvic stress fractures may also occur in women, following pregnancy, who commence excessive weight bearing activity without adequate pelvic and core stability. I attribute, mine to the last factor, following pregnancy I started training for the Ironman without adequate pelvic and core stability. I gave birth to my daughter a little over 13 months ago and started training for Ironman Florida three months post pregnancy. My chiropractor’s goal is get me to the start and finish...

10 Things a Sherpa Needs to Do or Not Do on Race Day...

[category_specific_rss_menu] As I wrote in my one of my more recent post, I was a Sherpa for my hubby who just completed his first Ironman in Cozumel.  It was such an experience, but as I mentioned I was not fully prepared for my Sherpa duties.  With that being said, if you are planning on being someone’s Sherpa for an endurance race, here are some things I learned that I thought I would pass along, so you do not make the same mistakes I did. Nutrition. Nutrition. Nutrition. Yes, nutrition is just as important for you as your racer.  You are preparing for a potentially 17-20 hour day and you need to eat and drink appropriately. Hydrate!  This is not an easy spectator’s sport; you will be doing a lot of exercising yourself. Unfortunately for me, I did not think that far ahead. I did bring enough water and Gatorade, but nothing else edible. Good thing one of our Team Z cheer run stations was located at our hotel where I was able to grab couple of Cliff Bars. Map Out Route. Before the actual day of the race, look over the course map or even drive it to scope out where you want to be to see your racer. Very important, logistics on race day might be more difficult because there might be road closure due to the race. Even though the coaches had several meeting with the Sherpa’s on where to go, it did not seem to matter.  I still did not park my scooter on the right side of the road of the swim start; thus making it to a couple of cheer stations impossible. Bring Sunscreen. If you think you don’t need it. Think again. You will be burned and not...

No Longer an Ironman Sherpa Virgin Dec12

No Longer an Ironman Sherpa Virgin...

[category_specific_rss_menu] For anyone who has not had the opportunity to cheer someone on during a 140.6 mile event; it is such an inspiring and great experience. But, let me tell you, it’s a long, drawn out day, requiring its own endurance. From dealing with your future Ironman’s stress for two weeks prior to the race, to the day of the race ungodly 4 am wake-up call to the 7am swim-start to the long bike, followed by a marathon, the Ironman Sherpa’s day is every bit as long and in many ways just as demanding as it is for the athletes. I can’t say I logged as many miles in running as my Ironman, but I at least got a good 10 miles in walking. Not to mention the fact that the real work doesn’t even begin until after your designated athlete crosses the finish line, when you must assist them in finding the bike transport – which took me nearly an hour, who knew the bike transport would be located in a dark alley with no lights or signage – while also providing a shoulder for the staggering, sometimes incoherent finisher to lean on. For the record, Brett was not incoherent; he was just sore and had the Ironman shuffle. Then figuring out how get your finisher back to the hotel with a lack of cab service in Cozumel – but, thanks to our new friend Toro we got a cab and my hubby got some very smooth tequila – the dispensing of Advil and feeding my hubby back at the hotel – and after 140.6 miles, this is important work indeed. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we went to Cozumel, Mexico with Team Z for my hubby’s Brett’s first Ironman, Ford Ironman Cozumel.  If...