I am feeling a little blue. It's funny in a way. I completed my 1st HIM ever and feel great about it. But there's something about it all that makes me sad or something. Maybe it's because I don't have another race lined up until February or so. Or maybe it's just because I'm really tired and recovering... and it feels wierd not to really have a workout - a 30 minute walk and stretching isn't really a training session. Maybe it's the let down after months of building up to a super big event.
Maybe subconsciously I thought life would change somehow. I'm not sure why I would think such a thing, but it's the only thing I can think of that would explain the post-race blues. Maybe it's because Mr. Darcy has a deadline and I haven't really seen him since before my race and life seems to have returned to complete "normalacy"... I got home from the race, ate, gave out presents (which no one seemed overly excited about - I guess t-shirts don't get a hooping and hollering. In Angelfish's case it led to crying and "I want a dress!"), and then Mr. Darcy went back to work on his deadline, I put the girls down to bed, and it's been business as usual (except with Mr. Darcy working all hours of the night on the deadline) ever since.
But of course it would be. What exactly else would happen? The aura glow of a 70.3 Ironman following me around making me somebody different? No, of course not. Heck, half the people I know or talk to at work or at daycare or at a store don't even know what a HIM is. (They'd probably think I'm referring to the Big Guy Upstairs with the HIM abbreviation.)
So it's the big deal that for most people, really isn't that big of a deal. Of course, it could just be that I need a big nap and my body is so tired that nothing is all that interesting or amazing right now.
I'm wondering how to summon up enough energy just to make it to and through the girls' soccer practice this evening... especially since my legs do not want to run (or even walk briskly) and the only way the little ladybugs agree to play soccer is if I am out there with them.
I guess I'll do it just like I did my HIM, one foot in front of another and take anything that comes along the way. And I'll start plotting my races for next season...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Never Give Up - I am an Ironman 70.3!!
First, I apologize for not letting you all know my race number (which was 1391). Everyone in my group had technical difficulties with their iPhone (the person forgot the charger), blackberry (the person's will not continue to hold a charge), or had a technically challenged phone (like me). And for the evil guy at the race weigh in (I raced Athena 39 & Under) who told me to "stop eating McDonalds" when I commented that the scale said it was more than I thought ... I'd been at the doctor the day before and it was 5 pounds lighter. I know I didn't gain 5 lbs in a day. You're lucky I only responded "I don't eat McDonalds" and not what I was thinking... my race result was in a small part for you...and besides I look pretty good!
I AM AN IRONMAN 70.3! I am so stinkin' proud of myself and my group. One person who raced with us and who is working on becoming an elite got a PR. Those of us who were doing our 1st 70.3 all finished, and were proud of our times too.
Here's my race report! (I woke up race morning with my song "Shiny Medal" in my head...)
Overall time: 7:39:27* (Reported time: 8:11:27. More on this later.)
1.2 mile Swim: 31:44
Before the swim start, I was so nervous I wanted to throw up and possibly run away. But I kept trying to keep myself calm and to keep my flight response from kicking in. I looked for Woman in Motion and found her when a friend of hers called her name... it was great to meet her in person! Sherry is super nice and it was great to meet her.
Then it was time to get in the water. The water was COLD! And God love me, I didnt' think about where I got in the water and ended up in the middle with the fast girls. I knew they were fast because I had met one the day before because she is a friend of one of the others in our group. She's almost an elite. But I couldnt' get out at this point and I couldn't move either because we were about to start. It made me even more nervous to be quite honest.
Then we were off. At first I was doing great. Swimming along but then no one was breaking away from me so the bubbles and feet kept coming and there was no where else for me to go. Then I hit a bunch of seaweed that wrapped around my neck and got caught in the wetsuit. So what happened? I panicked. God love me. Coach and I have discussed that this next year I just need to get used to races with lots of people because I can swim fast when I'm not panicking.
And thank you to the swimmer who stopped and asked me if I was ok when I was just bobbing along. It helped me realize I was okay and that I could do this. After 2 big breaths, off I went. I caught up with a lot of people who had passed me during my panic and ended up with 31:44. I'm pretty sure I was at least bobbing and panicking for about 3-5 minutes, but who knows.
I was frustrated with myself as I left the water because I could have swum faster, but tried to shake it off and pull myself together because I was not going to give up.
T1: 6:22
Obviously there is huge room for improvement here. Of course, the main reason my T1 was so long was... I couldn't find my bike. I was on the right row running up and down and I couldn't find it. Finally, I walked and found it. My guess is I was still a little discombobulated from the swim. I think I can safely knock of at least 3 minutes on this just by finding my bike (next time I'll put something brightly colored on the bar or something). But it is what it is.
56 mile Bike: 3:44:00 (Avg. 15 mph) Reported Time: 4:26:00
The bike. When you drive this course (as we did the day before), it appears less hilly than it is. The course really wasn't bad. I enjoyed it a lot, but what was not discernable in the car was that the "flats" really aren't flat. It's more like constant but minor uphills or constant but minor downhills are the "flats" and the hills are what they are... which turned out to be nothing more than 2% grades although some were short making it more difficult than others. I rather enjoyed it. There could have been better road surfaces - lots of cracks in the road with holes that you couldn't see until you were right upon them. Luckily we had ridden the course (via car) the day before so I already knew about the cracks and was doing my best to avoid them - not to mention pulling on bike shorts over my tri shorts after the swim so I could prevent tender parts therefore letting me ride my best race. (I slow down considerably when I am having pain in the saddle.)
The problem though was going up the hill right before the aid station at mile 18, my chain popped. I heard all sorts of crazy noise and realized my back tire wasn't really moving. I thought maybe the chain had jumped so I tried to shift (bad idea). More awful noise and the realization that if I didn't unclip, I was crashing. I unclipped safely and got to the side the best I could and walked up the rest of the hill. It killed me to be walking my bike. It killed me even more when all the well meaning people who passed me said "You're doing great! You can do this!" I wanted to scream back at them "it's not me, it's my F'N bike." But I didn't. I'd probably be one of those encouraging people if I saw someone like that too. I know this because later when I was passing people on the bike course who were having a hard time, I shouted words of encouragement to them.
Anyway. I made it to the aid station (thank goodness this is where I popped my chain, right?). Even with walking that last bit of the hill, I had done the first 18 miles in 1:06:04. I looked at my watch when I hit the aid station. I then talked to someone who radioed trying to find the bike mechanic. I then waited and waited. More than 32 minutes later, the mechanic had arrived, fixed my bike chain and the derailleur and told me that if I hadn't gotten off the bike when I did, I probably would have messed up my bike to the point that he wouldn't have been able to fix it on the course.
Thankful but a little frustrated in the lost time and all the people who had passed me, I was back in business. I tackled the hills and didn't even use the brakes on the downhills. Even the big downhills where I got up to 30.7 mph. So that in and of itself is a major accomplishment for me. I love the feather the brakes when I get scared and I didn't do it once. Now, I didn't say I wasn't tempted, but I didn't do it.
Facing an awful headwind on the last few miles into T2 was something. But I still passed a couple of people. : )
T2: 3:52
This of course should be faster, but based on T1 was quite the improvement. I'm not really sure why it took as long as it did other than I think I may have walked part of the way out of the transition area without thinking about it, and then started running. At least I found my spot easily this time. : )
13.1 mile run: 3:03:43 (1st 7 miles average of 14:33/mi.; last 6.1 miles average 13:24/mi.)
The run. My legs weren't hurting that badly at first. On the 2nd half my hips would start to hurt and my back would act up during the last 4 miles, but as you can see, I ignored it the best I could. It sounds sad, but I was running the best I could on the 1st half. I had forgotten my electrolytes back on the bike. Not to mention that at mile 3, I realized I forgot to pull off the bike shorts I had put on over my tri shorts to prevent an ouchy ride. But I wasn't uncomfortable in them, so it didn't really matter. I had my gels and was eating them every 2 miles or so as planned.
The water stops were not 1.2 miles apart as they said they were... and if they were, it certainly didn't feel like they were. And they had given out all of the sponges to the early runners - 3 to a person. No wonder there weren't any left for the back of the packers like me.
But I was not giving up. I started the run around 1:30ish and I knew I had until 5:06 pm until I ran out of time. I was determined not to DNF because of time. I had made it through a 32 minute bike nightmare, this I could do. So, despite having to pee I passed up all of the port-a-potties and had even decided that if I needed to, I would pee on myself if that meant finishing in time. Luckily, it didn't come to that.
Coming up on the 7 mile marker, a wonderful, wonderful man offered me a coke. Coach had told me that a coke part way through a long run was one of the best things ever, so I said yes. I think God sent that man and that coke to me because after I drank half of the mini bottle he gave me, it was like I had a new lease on life.
The other person that God sent me was a lovely woman named Amy who was doing the race with Team in Training in honor of her father who 18 months before had been diagnosed with Leukemia and just that week had found out he was in remission. I walked a moment or two with her, introduced myself and told her I did an event for TNT this year and planned to do one next year as well. We came up on an army sargeant volunteering with his new recruits at the water stations who poured cold water down our backs. It was awesome!
I told Amy I needed to keep doing my 4:1's so I could make sure I finished the race and invited her to run with me. It was such a blessing that she took me up on it. She was running faster than I had been but not at a pace I couldn't keep up with... and I tended to walk faster than she did. The longer into the miles we got, the more we pulled each other along. We did a couple of 3:2's in there too when the going got tough but we both were determined to finish and finish strong. Amy made the comment at one point that it was hard to keep going but then she thought of cancer patients and how they always had to keep going even when it seemed so hard. The rest of the race didn't seem so bad after that comment.
People we didn't know were out there cheering for us. They saw us running our 4:1's and racers who had finished yelled things like "that's the spirit! Keep running!" and bystanders who didn't know us at all would ring cow bells. One woman looked at me and I guess I looked like I needed encouragement and she shouted out "You can do this! You are an Ironwoman, I just know it!" I yelled out "Thanks!" As I passed her husband asked if she knew me, and I heard her say "No, but she looked like she needed a friend." All of these people out there helped me finish without knowing it.
Amy and I ended up finishing together and we hugged each other and told each other we couldn't have done it without each other. We finished with more than 1/2 an hour to spare. So, thank you Amy from Virginia! Running with you let me negative split my run and have a great time doing it!
I can't wait to see the finish photo of me at the end. I was crying but trying not to cry, so my face is probably distorted into a terrible look, but believe me when I say it was the look of victory and the emotion of the entire journey I have taken. It was (and is) the best feeling in the entire world.
I'm exhausted and aching at the moment, but I am thrilled and happy. I am an IRONMAN 70.3!
I already know what I want to do next. This next year, I plan to work on getting faster. I'm going to focus on sprint and olympic distance triathlons, I may do a couple of road races (running). I'd like to work in some weight training (at least in the off season) too. Once I get faster, perhaps in 2011, I'll do another Ironman 70.3. I liked the race and enjoyed the distance, but I want to be faster and more ready. I think the Ironman 70.3 was harder than giving birth, and it was an amazing experience. My only regret was that Mr. Darcy and the girls were not there to see me cross the finish line, but at the same time I know it was easier on them all to be at home. Maybe for my next Ironman 70.3, they'll be there.
They did leave me a wonderful message on my cellphone (they'd been checking the race tracker off and on all day) that made me cry. As did Angela's sister, Anna. I thought a good bit about Angela on the race course, especially the run, so the call from Anna was wonderful in 2 ways - Anna herself is great but it also was as though Angela called me too.
I am so proud of myself at this moment. A year ago running 2 minutes straight was super hard, and now I am an Ironman 70.3. Coach told me that 1% of 1% of the world's population does an Ironman 70.3 or farther. And I am now one of them.... and I have a sticker for my car, a t-shirt, a finisher's medal, and a necklace (a gift from Coach and Missy) to prove it. I will wear them all with pride!
One last thing that I cannot forget to say is Thank You to Mr. Darcy and to Angelfish and Ladybug. They have sacrificed their time, energy and money into letting me have the time in my life to train and to buy those things I needed for training. Without Mr. Darcy's undying dedication on Sunday mornings and mornings that he got the girls ready while I trained, this wouldn't have been possible. That's why this is not only my accomplishment, but theirs too.
I AM AN IRONMAN 70.3! I am so stinkin' proud of myself and my group. One person who raced with us and who is working on becoming an elite got a PR. Those of us who were doing our 1st 70.3 all finished, and were proud of our times too.
Here's my race report! (I woke up race morning with my song "Shiny Medal" in my head...)
Overall time: 7:39:27* (Reported time: 8:11:27. More on this later.)
1.2 mile Swim: 31:44
Before the swim start, I was so nervous I wanted to throw up and possibly run away. But I kept trying to keep myself calm and to keep my flight response from kicking in. I looked for Woman in Motion and found her when a friend of hers called her name... it was great to meet her in person! Sherry is super nice and it was great to meet her.
Then it was time to get in the water. The water was COLD! And God love me, I didnt' think about where I got in the water and ended up in the middle with the fast girls. I knew they were fast because I had met one the day before because she is a friend of one of the others in our group. She's almost an elite. But I couldnt' get out at this point and I couldn't move either because we were about to start. It made me even more nervous to be quite honest.
Then we were off. At first I was doing great. Swimming along but then no one was breaking away from me so the bubbles and feet kept coming and there was no where else for me to go. Then I hit a bunch of seaweed that wrapped around my neck and got caught in the wetsuit. So what happened? I panicked. God love me. Coach and I have discussed that this next year I just need to get used to races with lots of people because I can swim fast when I'm not panicking.
And thank you to the swimmer who stopped and asked me if I was ok when I was just bobbing along. It helped me realize I was okay and that I could do this. After 2 big breaths, off I went. I caught up with a lot of people who had passed me during my panic and ended up with 31:44. I'm pretty sure I was at least bobbing and panicking for about 3-5 minutes, but who knows.
I was frustrated with myself as I left the water because I could have swum faster, but tried to shake it off and pull myself together because I was not going to give up.
T1: 6:22
Obviously there is huge room for improvement here. Of course, the main reason my T1 was so long was... I couldn't find my bike. I was on the right row running up and down and I couldn't find it. Finally, I walked and found it. My guess is I was still a little discombobulated from the swim. I think I can safely knock of at least 3 minutes on this just by finding my bike (next time I'll put something brightly colored on the bar or something). But it is what it is.
56 mile Bike: 3:44:00 (Avg. 15 mph) Reported Time: 4:26:00
The bike. When you drive this course (as we did the day before), it appears less hilly than it is. The course really wasn't bad. I enjoyed it a lot, but what was not discernable in the car was that the "flats" really aren't flat. It's more like constant but minor uphills or constant but minor downhills are the "flats" and the hills are what they are... which turned out to be nothing more than 2% grades although some were short making it more difficult than others. I rather enjoyed it. There could have been better road surfaces - lots of cracks in the road with holes that you couldn't see until you were right upon them. Luckily we had ridden the course (via car) the day before so I already knew about the cracks and was doing my best to avoid them - not to mention pulling on bike shorts over my tri shorts after the swim so I could prevent tender parts therefore letting me ride my best race. (I slow down considerably when I am having pain in the saddle.)
The problem though was going up the hill right before the aid station at mile 18, my chain popped. I heard all sorts of crazy noise and realized my back tire wasn't really moving. I thought maybe the chain had jumped so I tried to shift (bad idea). More awful noise and the realization that if I didn't unclip, I was crashing. I unclipped safely and got to the side the best I could and walked up the rest of the hill. It killed me to be walking my bike. It killed me even more when all the well meaning people who passed me said "You're doing great! You can do this!" I wanted to scream back at them "it's not me, it's my F'N bike." But I didn't. I'd probably be one of those encouraging people if I saw someone like that too. I know this because later when I was passing people on the bike course who were having a hard time, I shouted words of encouragement to them.
Anyway. I made it to the aid station (thank goodness this is where I popped my chain, right?). Even with walking that last bit of the hill, I had done the first 18 miles in 1:06:04. I looked at my watch when I hit the aid station. I then talked to someone who radioed trying to find the bike mechanic. I then waited and waited. More than 32 minutes later, the mechanic had arrived, fixed my bike chain and the derailleur and told me that if I hadn't gotten off the bike when I did, I probably would have messed up my bike to the point that he wouldn't have been able to fix it on the course.
Thankful but a little frustrated in the lost time and all the people who had passed me, I was back in business. I tackled the hills and didn't even use the brakes on the downhills. Even the big downhills where I got up to 30.7 mph. So that in and of itself is a major accomplishment for me. I love the feather the brakes when I get scared and I didn't do it once. Now, I didn't say I wasn't tempted, but I didn't do it.
Facing an awful headwind on the last few miles into T2 was something. But I still passed a couple of people. : )
T2: 3:52
This of course should be faster, but based on T1 was quite the improvement. I'm not really sure why it took as long as it did other than I think I may have walked part of the way out of the transition area without thinking about it, and then started running. At least I found my spot easily this time. : )
13.1 mile run: 3:03:43 (1st 7 miles average of 14:33/mi.; last 6.1 miles average 13:24/mi.)
The run. My legs weren't hurting that badly at first. On the 2nd half my hips would start to hurt and my back would act up during the last 4 miles, but as you can see, I ignored it the best I could. It sounds sad, but I was running the best I could on the 1st half. I had forgotten my electrolytes back on the bike. Not to mention that at mile 3, I realized I forgot to pull off the bike shorts I had put on over my tri shorts to prevent an ouchy ride. But I wasn't uncomfortable in them, so it didn't really matter. I had my gels and was eating them every 2 miles or so as planned.
The water stops were not 1.2 miles apart as they said they were... and if they were, it certainly didn't feel like they were. And they had given out all of the sponges to the early runners - 3 to a person. No wonder there weren't any left for the back of the packers like me.
But I was not giving up. I started the run around 1:30ish and I knew I had until 5:06 pm until I ran out of time. I was determined not to DNF because of time. I had made it through a 32 minute bike nightmare, this I could do. So, despite having to pee I passed up all of the port-a-potties and had even decided that if I needed to, I would pee on myself if that meant finishing in time. Luckily, it didn't come to that.
Coming up on the 7 mile marker, a wonderful, wonderful man offered me a coke. Coach had told me that a coke part way through a long run was one of the best things ever, so I said yes. I think God sent that man and that coke to me because after I drank half of the mini bottle he gave me, it was like I had a new lease on life.
The other person that God sent me was a lovely woman named Amy who was doing the race with Team in Training in honor of her father who 18 months before had been diagnosed with Leukemia and just that week had found out he was in remission. I walked a moment or two with her, introduced myself and told her I did an event for TNT this year and planned to do one next year as well. We came up on an army sargeant volunteering with his new recruits at the water stations who poured cold water down our backs. It was awesome!
I told Amy I needed to keep doing my 4:1's so I could make sure I finished the race and invited her to run with me. It was such a blessing that she took me up on it. She was running faster than I had been but not at a pace I couldn't keep up with... and I tended to walk faster than she did. The longer into the miles we got, the more we pulled each other along. We did a couple of 3:2's in there too when the going got tough but we both were determined to finish and finish strong. Amy made the comment at one point that it was hard to keep going but then she thought of cancer patients and how they always had to keep going even when it seemed so hard. The rest of the race didn't seem so bad after that comment.
People we didn't know were out there cheering for us. They saw us running our 4:1's and racers who had finished yelled things like "that's the spirit! Keep running!" and bystanders who didn't know us at all would ring cow bells. One woman looked at me and I guess I looked like I needed encouragement and she shouted out "You can do this! You are an Ironwoman, I just know it!" I yelled out "Thanks!" As I passed her husband asked if she knew me, and I heard her say "No, but she looked like she needed a friend." All of these people out there helped me finish without knowing it.
Amy and I ended up finishing together and we hugged each other and told each other we couldn't have done it without each other. We finished with more than 1/2 an hour to spare. So, thank you Amy from Virginia! Running with you let me negative split my run and have a great time doing it!
I can't wait to see the finish photo of me at the end. I was crying but trying not to cry, so my face is probably distorted into a terrible look, but believe me when I say it was the look of victory and the emotion of the entire journey I have taken. It was (and is) the best feeling in the entire world.
I'm exhausted and aching at the moment, but I am thrilled and happy. I am an IRONMAN 70.3!
I already know what I want to do next. This next year, I plan to work on getting faster. I'm going to focus on sprint and olympic distance triathlons, I may do a couple of road races (running). I'd like to work in some weight training (at least in the off season) too. Once I get faster, perhaps in 2011, I'll do another Ironman 70.3. I liked the race and enjoyed the distance, but I want to be faster and more ready. I think the Ironman 70.3 was harder than giving birth, and it was an amazing experience. My only regret was that Mr. Darcy and the girls were not there to see me cross the finish line, but at the same time I know it was easier on them all to be at home. Maybe for my next Ironman 70.3, they'll be there.
They did leave me a wonderful message on my cellphone (they'd been checking the race tracker off and on all day) that made me cry. As did Angela's sister, Anna. I thought a good bit about Angela on the race course, especially the run, so the call from Anna was wonderful in 2 ways - Anna herself is great but it also was as though Angela called me too.
I am so proud of myself at this moment. A year ago running 2 minutes straight was super hard, and now I am an Ironman 70.3. Coach told me that 1% of 1% of the world's population does an Ironman 70.3 or farther. And I am now one of them.... and I have a sticker for my car, a t-shirt, a finisher's medal, and a necklace (a gift from Coach and Missy) to prove it. I will wear them all with pride!
One last thing that I cannot forget to say is Thank You to Mr. Darcy and to Angelfish and Ladybug. They have sacrificed their time, energy and money into letting me have the time in my life to train and to buy those things I needed for training. Without Mr. Darcy's undying dedication on Sunday mornings and mornings that he got the girls ready while I trained, this wouldn't have been possible. That's why this is not only my accomplishment, but theirs too.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Race Day Approacheth...
... and I feel great! I have to pack still, but I'm feeling good about the race. I put together my list of things to pack (I do this so I don't forget anything... Mr. Darcy likes to tease me. He says my lists have lists. But it's the only way I can keep my life somewhat on track!), necessary laundry has been washed and dried, and a pile of items to pack has started to form on the living room sofa (which will have to be moved before I bring the girls' home from daycare or it will be spread across the living room floor). My bike has been tuned, new clips put on the bottom of my shoes (I wore the others out but luckily had an extra set of cleats from the 2nd set of pedals I got when I won my bike.) I sat down and not only visualized a great race but even wrote it down as I visualized last night... which helped me remember a couple little details I forgot to visualize out (like how I'm going to set up in transition). I did everything down to imagining what I would look like on the bike and everything.
I am ready. Other than the packing that is, but Mr. Darcy has an AIA meeting and has to work late tonight so I'll have plenty of time to get the packing in tonight after the girls are in bed.
I plan to have a great race. I've worked hard and I'm ready. I even did 22 miles on the stationary bike in 1 hour this morning. (Coach picked up my bike for me since we're riding together and she had to pick up her bike too. The bike shop guys are racing too so if worse comes to worse, I'll get them to look at it again on Saturday after I ride it around a little bit.)
That's not to say I have no nerves. I am a smidge nervous but its more along the lines of a minor underlying tension than all out nervousness. I'm hoping it stays that way until race morning when I don't mind some pre-race jitters as long as it's not all out nervous to point of puking jitters. I need the nutrition to stay down thank you very much!
According to the latest race report, the river was re-tested and all appears safe. E. Coli is no longer present. So, I'm excited about that.
Now all that is left is to pack, sleep, travel, sleep, expo, rest, sleep, minor Saturday workout (probably more to keep me sane than keep me moving), and then race day! Oh yeah! This is going to be great! I've already decided that no matter what, I'm going to finish the race - my very first HIM - and therefore I will definitely be a winner, just for the journey alone... not to mention I've been singing my "Shiny Medal" song. : )
Next post will be my race report... either Monday or Tuesday. "See" you at the races!
I am ready. Other than the packing that is, but Mr. Darcy has an AIA meeting and has to work late tonight so I'll have plenty of time to get the packing in tonight after the girls are in bed.
I plan to have a great race. I've worked hard and I'm ready. I even did 22 miles on the stationary bike in 1 hour this morning. (Coach picked up my bike for me since we're riding together and she had to pick up her bike too. The bike shop guys are racing too so if worse comes to worse, I'll get them to look at it again on Saturday after I ride it around a little bit.)
That's not to say I have no nerves. I am a smidge nervous but its more along the lines of a minor underlying tension than all out nervousness. I'm hoping it stays that way until race morning when I don't mind some pre-race jitters as long as it's not all out nervous to point of puking jitters. I need the nutrition to stay down thank you very much!
According to the latest race report, the river was re-tested and all appears safe. E. Coli is no longer present. So, I'm excited about that.
Now all that is left is to pack, sleep, travel, sleep, expo, rest, sleep, minor Saturday workout (probably more to keep me sane than keep me moving), and then race day! Oh yeah! This is going to be great! I've already decided that no matter what, I'm going to finish the race - my very first HIM - and therefore I will definitely be a winner, just for the journey alone... not to mention I've been singing my "Shiny Medal" song. : )
Next post will be my race report... either Monday or Tuesday. "See" you at the races!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I have returned again...
Yep, I'm back. Didn't really know I'd been gone did you? Well, I had another business trip. This time to DC. Flying most of the day on Monday (what is with having to take 2 legs to get anywhere these days? I'd blame it on Orlando but a friend in NYC was complaining about the same thing.), teaching my seminar, and then the rest of the day in the airport. I did luck out though, I got earlier flights for both of the legs of my journey. The irony was that only Angelfish seemed excited that I was home earlier than expected. Of course, the house was a complete disaster so that may have been why Mr. Darcy wasn't thrilled. He may have been hoping to straighten up before I made it home. Instead the mess (especially the dirty dishes on the counter and the leftovers that weren't put away) just stressed me out. Not to mention being tired from all that traveling. For some reason travel just makes me tired... especially airplanes.
Anyway. My stress has found me. I feel like the evil stress bunny from H#ll at the moment. Of course, it may have to do with having to unpack, re-pack, deal with doctors offices that don't bother to call in refills, have a doctors appointment, reschedule the cleaning people (there's no way I can get this place straightened by the time they would get here to do the real cleaning), reschedule a hair appointment, have a performance review (mine) with my boss, do my regular work, take the girls to soccer tonight, get everyone fed and cared for, and visualize my perfect race day.
But then my visualization might not work if they don't get rid of the e.coli in the river. They're shocking the river with chlorine (the poor fish and wildlife) and they'll decide on Saturday after the re-test comes back as to whether we swim... but then the question is will they just eliminate the swim or make us run some and then bike and then the real run? I'm hoping for an e. coli free river, but if I can't have that then I really just hope they eliminate the swim and have us get on the bikes first. I can sure as heck swim 1.2 miles alot faster than running a 10K. But on the swim, I'm not all that worked up about things there. It's all the other stuff.
The girls soccer game this weekend was a mess. Angelfish took the field excited to play and then had to go potty and freaked out because there was no potty on the field. She never went back onto the field after the soujourn to the potty. Ladybug refused to play claiming she had a headache (we think she claims she has a headache when she doesn't want to do things), so we talked about things a little and watched her teammates (the few that would) play. I'm convinced the other team had some 5 year olds on it... either that or they have a market on growth hormone... these kids really were BIG and they really knew what they were doing on the field. Meanwhile, our team of 3 year olds often had (thanks to the referee) a child holding the hand of a parent while running up and down the field (which is how I got Ms. Ladybug to play... she did great while I was with her). Of course this morning, Ladybug announced she doesn't like to play soccer because the other children make her nervous and that she'll only play if Mommy holds her hand. I had to remind myself that she is 3 and this is probably normal behavior at this age. I told her that the best way to keep from being nervous was to keep trying to play soccer with the other kids because that was how she would learn how to play and what to do and that she would realize the other kids are just trying to have fun too. I'm not sure she bought it.
Let's hope that type of thing will help with my nerves too! 4 days (including today) until the 70.3... I can do it!
Anyway. My stress has found me. I feel like the evil stress bunny from H#ll at the moment. Of course, it may have to do with having to unpack, re-pack, deal with doctors offices that don't bother to call in refills, have a doctors appointment, reschedule the cleaning people (there's no way I can get this place straightened by the time they would get here to do the real cleaning), reschedule a hair appointment, have a performance review (mine) with my boss, do my regular work, take the girls to soccer tonight, get everyone fed and cared for, and visualize my perfect race day.
But then my visualization might not work if they don't get rid of the e.coli in the river. They're shocking the river with chlorine (the poor fish and wildlife) and they'll decide on Saturday after the re-test comes back as to whether we swim... but then the question is will they just eliminate the swim or make us run some and then bike and then the real run? I'm hoping for an e. coli free river, but if I can't have that then I really just hope they eliminate the swim and have us get on the bikes first. I can sure as heck swim 1.2 miles alot faster than running a 10K. But on the swim, I'm not all that worked up about things there. It's all the other stuff.
The girls soccer game this weekend was a mess. Angelfish took the field excited to play and then had to go potty and freaked out because there was no potty on the field. She never went back onto the field after the soujourn to the potty. Ladybug refused to play claiming she had a headache (we think she claims she has a headache when she doesn't want to do things), so we talked about things a little and watched her teammates (the few that would) play. I'm convinced the other team had some 5 year olds on it... either that or they have a market on growth hormone... these kids really were BIG and they really knew what they were doing on the field. Meanwhile, our team of 3 year olds often had (thanks to the referee) a child holding the hand of a parent while running up and down the field (which is how I got Ms. Ladybug to play... she did great while I was with her). Of course this morning, Ladybug announced she doesn't like to play soccer because the other children make her nervous and that she'll only play if Mommy holds her hand. I had to remind myself that she is 3 and this is probably normal behavior at this age. I told her that the best way to keep from being nervous was to keep trying to play soccer with the other kids because that was how she would learn how to play and what to do and that she would realize the other kids are just trying to have fun too. I'm not sure she bought it.
Let's hope that type of thing will help with my nerves too! 4 days (including today) until the 70.3... I can do it!
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Friday 15
1. I realized this morning that in my sleepy state yesterday I missed my 200th post. Well, I didn't miss it, I just didn't do anything to celebrate it. So here's a minor celebration: 200 posts means more than 200 training days. I think I had an extra post in there once when I found out I was going to be in the infomercial. (The infomercial should be coming out shortly. As soon as it is available for public consumption, I'll add it to the blog for fun... if I can figure it out.) Either way, that's pretty impressive. I've swum, biked, and ran all that while... just a little over a year at this point. Yes, I know there are more than 200 days in a year but I don't blog on weekends for some reason, so training days occur more often than blog posts.
2. I am looking forward to Augusta. I watched an awful video of people at the Ironman Wisconsin where they didn't make the cut offs, and through my tears for those people, I have vowed that won't be me in Augusta. Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed and send our prayers from our lips directly to God's ears on that one.
3. I don't have my bib number yet, but as soon as I do, I will let you all know so if possible you can follow along.
4. Someone asked me the other day if I was going to do a full Ironman next year. To be quite honest, at this point, I don't want to. I miss the time with my family on the weekends. While I like the training while I'm in it, I miss hearing all the things Ladybug, Angelfish and Mr. Darcy were doing from 7:30 am to 1 or 2 pm when I'm getting home.
5. Besides the thought of 2.4 miles swimming then 112 miles on the bike followed by 26.2 miles running make me want to throw up just thinking about it. I admire all those who chase it and achieve it, all those who train for it and don't make it. It is an amazing feat and people who do it are amazing human beings. I am just not yet crazy enough to want to do it... yet. (I never say never.)
6. I didn't do the run yesterday. I emailed Coach, told her what I've done so far this week and how tired I was and she said to skip the run and if I felt good enough on Saturday to do 3-4 miles of running then. Let's hope that doesn't do anything to my race day karma, but Coach knows what she's talking about so I did what she said.
7. I swam 1500 m as scheduled this morning. I have to say I still love swimming the best. There is nothing like feeling your stretch all the way in your armpit as your reach out in your stroke followed by the sound of the whooshing water. I got in my zone and realized that 1500m felt like childs play today. 22:38 for 1500 m.
8. I decided to sign up for the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon with Coach. This is the reason why I never say never. In a million years, or even just 6 months ago, would I ever have thought I would be willing (or able) to run a 1/2 marathon. And this was kind of my idea. I thought about doing the Seaside 1/2 marathon but that would entail a weekend away from the family, hotel rental, gas, and the entry fee. While there is no Vera Bradley bag at the end of the Disney Priness 1/2 marathon, there are princesses, and a kids 100m run for the little ladies where they even get swag like their Trimommy does for the 1/2 marathon. And Mr. Darcy can be there, and we can (hopefully if reservations go right when Disney will finally let me make them) have breakfast with the Princesses at Cinderella's Castle after the girls' race. I'm pretty excited about it.. and remember, I don't even really "like" running, although I like it well enough these days. Something about it is just calling me, plus the family will be involved. YAY!
9. Another little something to celebrate is that I called Angelfish's pediatrician because I never heard from the nurse about the new blood work from her. Turns out they're automating their files and somewhere there was a mistake and they were supposed to call us (duh). The doctor was really apologetic and I forgave her when she told me that the lab had mistakenly only sent the 1st page of Angelfish's blood work and that a week later she got the entire report with the full breakdown of her cholesterol test and while the total is a smidge high (187 where the highest is supposed to be180 for 3 year olds) that the breakdown itself was really good and we don't have to repeat testing until next year some time and that's just to keep an eye on it. Whoo Hoo!
10. Saturday is the little ladies' 1st soccer game. I can't wait. It should be fun and funny! I've already decided that if they don't want to play that is okay, but they'll have to stay for the entire game with their team. They are 3 after all, and I never really liked team sports until middle school. As a kid, I liked my swimming and tennis. Yes, I was on a "swim team" but other than relays it's an individual sport.
11. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Soccer with the girls, being with the family, some outlet shopping with my friend while our husbands and kids watch football and the kids play together, and a 30 mile bike and 6 mile run. If only the brick resulted in a shiny finisher's medal then I would say that it is the perfect weekend.
12. I've got the idea of that shiny finisher's medal from Augusta in my head and I'm not letting go. But I have promised Mr. Darcy that I would not return from Augusta with a tattoo. Not sure that I have anything that I really want to see on my body when I'm wrinkly anyway.
13. But shiny medals from races are another thing. I need to make a place for them in my office. I have a good idea of where I want to put them, though. Right where I can look up from the computer screen and see the girls' artwork on one side, some pictures of them, and then my medals and of course, my age-group plaque(s) (I only have one now, but I hope to acquire more eventually.)
14. A few minutes ago I got a friendly reminder call from ESI about the 70.3 Ironman Augusta and that I need to attend a meeting before I can pick up my packet. It ended "See you next weekend!" My hands started sweating. Good news is that I didn't want to throw up though.
15. Sung to Don Ho's Tiny Bubbles:
Shiny Medal (shiny medal),
in my hand (in my hand),
Makes me happy (makes me happy)
Makes me feel fine (make me feel fine).
Shiny medal (shiny medal)
in my hand (in my hand),
Make me warm all over,
With a feeling that I'm gonna,
Love you till the end of time.
So here's to the long bike ride,
And here's to the swim -ming,
And mostly here's a toast,
to finishing.
Here's to the hot hot run,
I finished today.
And here's a bliss
That will not fade away.
It came to me when thinking about that shiny Augusta finisher's medal and how great it is going to be to hold it in my hand come September 27th. You may just hear me singing it along the course.
Have a great weekend!
2. I am looking forward to Augusta. I watched an awful video of people at the Ironman Wisconsin where they didn't make the cut offs, and through my tears for those people, I have vowed that won't be me in Augusta. Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed and send our prayers from our lips directly to God's ears on that one.
3. I don't have my bib number yet, but as soon as I do, I will let you all know so if possible you can follow along.
4. Someone asked me the other day if I was going to do a full Ironman next year. To be quite honest, at this point, I don't want to. I miss the time with my family on the weekends. While I like the training while I'm in it, I miss hearing all the things Ladybug, Angelfish and Mr. Darcy were doing from 7:30 am to 1 or 2 pm when I'm getting home.
5. Besides the thought of 2.4 miles swimming then 112 miles on the bike followed by 26.2 miles running make me want to throw up just thinking about it. I admire all those who chase it and achieve it, all those who train for it and don't make it. It is an amazing feat and people who do it are amazing human beings. I am just not yet crazy enough to want to do it... yet. (I never say never.)
6. I didn't do the run yesterday. I emailed Coach, told her what I've done so far this week and how tired I was and she said to skip the run and if I felt good enough on Saturday to do 3-4 miles of running then. Let's hope that doesn't do anything to my race day karma, but Coach knows what she's talking about so I did what she said.
7. I swam 1500 m as scheduled this morning. I have to say I still love swimming the best. There is nothing like feeling your stretch all the way in your armpit as your reach out in your stroke followed by the sound of the whooshing water. I got in my zone and realized that 1500m felt like childs play today. 22:38 for 1500 m.
8. I decided to sign up for the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon with Coach. This is the reason why I never say never. In a million years, or even just 6 months ago, would I ever have thought I would be willing (or able) to run a 1/2 marathon. And this was kind of my idea. I thought about doing the Seaside 1/2 marathon but that would entail a weekend away from the family, hotel rental, gas, and the entry fee. While there is no Vera Bradley bag at the end of the Disney Priness 1/2 marathon, there are princesses, and a kids 100m run for the little ladies where they even get swag like their Trimommy does for the 1/2 marathon. And Mr. Darcy can be there, and we can (hopefully if reservations go right when Disney will finally let me make them) have breakfast with the Princesses at Cinderella's Castle after the girls' race. I'm pretty excited about it.. and remember, I don't even really "like" running, although I like it well enough these days. Something about it is just calling me, plus the family will be involved. YAY!
9. Another little something to celebrate is that I called Angelfish's pediatrician because I never heard from the nurse about the new blood work from her. Turns out they're automating their files and somewhere there was a mistake and they were supposed to call us (duh). The doctor was really apologetic and I forgave her when she told me that the lab had mistakenly only sent the 1st page of Angelfish's blood work and that a week later she got the entire report with the full breakdown of her cholesterol test and while the total is a smidge high (187 where the highest is supposed to be180 for 3 year olds) that the breakdown itself was really good and we don't have to repeat testing until next year some time and that's just to keep an eye on it. Whoo Hoo!
10. Saturday is the little ladies' 1st soccer game. I can't wait. It should be fun and funny! I've already decided that if they don't want to play that is okay, but they'll have to stay for the entire game with their team. They are 3 after all, and I never really liked team sports until middle school. As a kid, I liked my swimming and tennis. Yes, I was on a "swim team" but other than relays it's an individual sport.
11. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Soccer with the girls, being with the family, some outlet shopping with my friend while our husbands and kids watch football and the kids play together, and a 30 mile bike and 6 mile run. If only the brick resulted in a shiny finisher's medal then I would say that it is the perfect weekend.
12. I've got the idea of that shiny finisher's medal from Augusta in my head and I'm not letting go. But I have promised Mr. Darcy that I would not return from Augusta with a tattoo. Not sure that I have anything that I really want to see on my body when I'm wrinkly anyway.
13. But shiny medals from races are another thing. I need to make a place for them in my office. I have a good idea of where I want to put them, though. Right where I can look up from the computer screen and see the girls' artwork on one side, some pictures of them, and then my medals and of course, my age-group plaque(s) (I only have one now, but I hope to acquire more eventually.)
14. A few minutes ago I got a friendly reminder call from ESI about the 70.3 Ironman Augusta and that I need to attend a meeting before I can pick up my packet. It ended "See you next weekend!" My hands started sweating. Good news is that I didn't want to throw up though.
15. Sung to Don Ho's Tiny Bubbles:
Shiny Medal (shiny medal),
in my hand (in my hand),
Makes me happy (makes me happy)
Makes me feel fine (make me feel fine).
Shiny medal (shiny medal)
in my hand (in my hand),
Make me warm all over,
With a feeling that I'm gonna,
Love you till the end of time.
So here's to the long bike ride,
And here's to the swim -ming,
And mostly here's a toast,
to finishing.
Here's to the hot hot run,
I finished today.
And here's a bliss
That will not fade away.
It came to me when thinking about that shiny Augusta finisher's medal and how great it is going to be to hold it in my hand come September 27th. You may just hear me singing it along the course.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Back from Phoenix and Getting Ready.
I feel like I've been on a plane or in an airport way too much in the last few days. But let's back up a little.
Sunday I ran the longest run of my entire life, and I ran a good 90% if not more of it. I ran 12.25 miles at a 12:53 minute per mile pace. I had hoped to finish in 2:30:00 or less, but 2:38:34 was close enough. I got up at an ungodly hour because we were at the in-laws and allegedly were going to leave at noon. Let's just say that their neighborhood doesn't have any street lamps. Seriously. At most there were 10 along the 6.15 mile route that I did twice. I asked my FIL about it later and he simply replied, "it's a gated community. Street lamps are for crime prevention." As an early morning runner, I like my street lamps. I also thought about my time when I was "enjoying" my ice bath afterwards. 2:38:34. My dream told me I'd finish the 70.3 in 7:48:34. I think it's doable.
When we got home (we never leave the inlaws when we saw we will) around 6 pm on Sunday, it was time to feed everyone, bathe the little ladies and get them into bed. Then I packed for Arizona (and Big Daddy Diesel, I was in Scottsdale so essentially Phoenix - 104!). I was really impressed with my packing actually. I fit not only my suit and various regular clothing and trip items into a carry on, but I also added running shoes, running clothes, cycling clothes and my swimsuit, goggles and swim cap. Not to mention my HR monitor and corresponding watch and Road ID. Oh yeah!
Monday morning I took the munchkins to school and headed to the airport. I always laugh about the Orlando airport. If I get there 2 hours before hand, I am always sitting around thinking that I don't need to get there that early. But if I get there 1 to 1 1/2 hours beforehand (regardless of time of day), I end up running for the gates because of security, missing the tram, etc. So, you guessed it. At 8:30 am I was sitting at my gate wondering why the heck I get there so early. Luckily all flights were on time, and it only took me until 5:55 pm eastern to get there. Of course, this was 2:55 pm Arizona time. (They have their own special time zone because they don't follow daylight savings.)
So, I decided that I'd put some time in at the gym. I think I'm a little nuts because I decided to do my 25 mile bike and 3 mile run brick that day. I guess I figured I had nothing better to do, but I seemed to have forgotten that I ran 12.25 miles the day before. My muscles however did not forget and were not very pleased with me. But, I got it done anyway. Then I ended up having a drink with a collegue and was up until about 1 am eastern time.
Luckily I got to "sleep in" until 6:30 am on Tuesday. Of course, I woke up at 2:15 thinking it was time to get up and had to trick myself back to sleep a couple of times (again at 4:15 and 5:15 Arizona time). Looking back at it, I should have gotten up and done my 6 mile run. I had the best of intentions really. The plan was to sleep in and be well rested for the seminar I had to teach, teach the seminar, and then at lunch time go for the run (on the treadmill though because of the 100+ heat). Well, it turned in to: seminar, lunch with colleagues, working on load of emails for work, dinner with colleagues that didn't end until what my body felt like was midnight (9 pm Arizona). I was practically falling asleep at the dinner table.
But I did get up early Wednesday and swam my 1700m. Then I had breakfast and hit the road to the airport. I got there early again. 8:45 am for my 10:45 am flight. There was no one in security other than TSA agents. The 2nd leg of the trip home ran late because of weather in Atlanta, so I didn't get home until about 9:30 pm. The ladies were still up... stalling Mr. Darcy about bed time... and heard the garage door and requested to see me. It was wonderful! They gave me hugs and kisses and loved on me telling me how much they missed me and how they loved me. It was the great end to the trip.
So I planned to run this morning. But the girls were so happy I was home they were dragging their feet about getting ready, eating breakfast, etc. Instead, Angelfish wanted me to carry her around so she could snuggle with me the whole time and Ladybug was her independent self but kept calling my name just so I could answer her. She told me stories about what she did while I was gone too, which was pretty cute. They dragged their feet so well that Mr. Darcy had to leave to get to work and I ended up taking them to daycare. By the time I got home, it was time for me to start work.
Thus the plan was to run at lunch time, but I am dragging. Seriously dragging. So I emailed Coach and asked what I should do. She told me to skip the run. While I'm glad to hear that because it's all I can do not to sleep at the moment, I'm afraid to skip it and do something wierd to my race mojo. I should probably just listen to my body and my coach though. I guess I'll let you know if I end up running... but it's not looking likely. I definitely won't miss my swim tomorrow or my brick (30 mile bike and 6 mile run) on Sunday.
On the plane I read the September issue of Triathlete Magazine, and it was a good one! All about the mental game and how to harness that power for races and training. It was awesome and a good thing to read leading up to my 1st 70.3!
Augusta is only 10 days away and I'm surprisingly calm. Maybe it's because I'm so tired and I have all this work stuff going on that I'm distracted from it. But when I think about it, I get excited and very, very minor butterflies. At the very least I'm going to put together a list of what to pack so I can be partially prepared to pack. I'd go ahead and pack now except I've got that DC trip to pack for first. Once that seminar is taken care of, I'll be all set for race day!
Sunday I ran the longest run of my entire life, and I ran a good 90% if not more of it. I ran 12.25 miles at a 12:53 minute per mile pace. I had hoped to finish in 2:30:00 or less, but 2:38:34 was close enough. I got up at an ungodly hour because we were at the in-laws and allegedly were going to leave at noon. Let's just say that their neighborhood doesn't have any street lamps. Seriously. At most there were 10 along the 6.15 mile route that I did twice. I asked my FIL about it later and he simply replied, "it's a gated community. Street lamps are for crime prevention." As an early morning runner, I like my street lamps. I also thought about my time when I was "enjoying" my ice bath afterwards. 2:38:34. My dream told me I'd finish the 70.3 in 7:48:34. I think it's doable.
When we got home (we never leave the inlaws when we saw we will) around 6 pm on Sunday, it was time to feed everyone, bathe the little ladies and get them into bed. Then I packed for Arizona (and Big Daddy Diesel, I was in Scottsdale so essentially Phoenix - 104!). I was really impressed with my packing actually. I fit not only my suit and various regular clothing and trip items into a carry on, but I also added running shoes, running clothes, cycling clothes and my swimsuit, goggles and swim cap. Not to mention my HR monitor and corresponding watch and Road ID. Oh yeah!
Monday morning I took the munchkins to school and headed to the airport. I always laugh about the Orlando airport. If I get there 2 hours before hand, I am always sitting around thinking that I don't need to get there that early. But if I get there 1 to 1 1/2 hours beforehand (regardless of time of day), I end up running for the gates because of security, missing the tram, etc. So, you guessed it. At 8:30 am I was sitting at my gate wondering why the heck I get there so early. Luckily all flights were on time, and it only took me until 5:55 pm eastern to get there. Of course, this was 2:55 pm Arizona time. (They have their own special time zone because they don't follow daylight savings.)
So, I decided that I'd put some time in at the gym. I think I'm a little nuts because I decided to do my 25 mile bike and 3 mile run brick that day. I guess I figured I had nothing better to do, but I seemed to have forgotten that I ran 12.25 miles the day before. My muscles however did not forget and were not very pleased with me. But, I got it done anyway. Then I ended up having a drink with a collegue and was up until about 1 am eastern time.
Luckily I got to "sleep in" until 6:30 am on Tuesday. Of course, I woke up at 2:15 thinking it was time to get up and had to trick myself back to sleep a couple of times (again at 4:15 and 5:15 Arizona time). Looking back at it, I should have gotten up and done my 6 mile run. I had the best of intentions really. The plan was to sleep in and be well rested for the seminar I had to teach, teach the seminar, and then at lunch time go for the run (on the treadmill though because of the 100+ heat). Well, it turned in to: seminar, lunch with colleagues, working on load of emails for work, dinner with colleagues that didn't end until what my body felt like was midnight (9 pm Arizona). I was practically falling asleep at the dinner table.
But I did get up early Wednesday and swam my 1700m. Then I had breakfast and hit the road to the airport. I got there early again. 8:45 am for my 10:45 am flight. There was no one in security other than TSA agents. The 2nd leg of the trip home ran late because of weather in Atlanta, so I didn't get home until about 9:30 pm. The ladies were still up... stalling Mr. Darcy about bed time... and heard the garage door and requested to see me. It was wonderful! They gave me hugs and kisses and loved on me telling me how much they missed me and how they loved me. It was the great end to the trip.
So I planned to run this morning. But the girls were so happy I was home they were dragging their feet about getting ready, eating breakfast, etc. Instead, Angelfish wanted me to carry her around so she could snuggle with me the whole time and Ladybug was her independent self but kept calling my name just so I could answer her. She told me stories about what she did while I was gone too, which was pretty cute. They dragged their feet so well that Mr. Darcy had to leave to get to work and I ended up taking them to daycare. By the time I got home, it was time for me to start work.
Thus the plan was to run at lunch time, but I am dragging. Seriously dragging. So I emailed Coach and asked what I should do. She told me to skip the run. While I'm glad to hear that because it's all I can do not to sleep at the moment, I'm afraid to skip it and do something wierd to my race mojo. I should probably just listen to my body and my coach though. I guess I'll let you know if I end up running... but it's not looking likely. I definitely won't miss my swim tomorrow or my brick (30 mile bike and 6 mile run) on Sunday.
On the plane I read the September issue of Triathlete Magazine, and it was a good one! All about the mental game and how to harness that power for races and training. It was awesome and a good thing to read leading up to my 1st 70.3!
Augusta is only 10 days away and I'm surprisingly calm. Maybe it's because I'm so tired and I have all this work stuff going on that I'm distracted from it. But when I think about it, I get excited and very, very minor butterflies. At the very least I'm going to put together a list of what to pack so I can be partially prepared to pack. I'd go ahead and pack now except I've got that DC trip to pack for first. Once that seminar is taken care of, I'll be all set for race day!
Friday, September 11, 2009
TriBikes and Elementary Schools Do Not Mix
It is true, tri-bikes and elementary schools do not mix. Okay. Maybe I should clarify. Tri-bikes and the before school traffic at the local elementary school do not mix.
I started my morning nauseas... I'm pretty sure it was from too much cake last night. Yummy cake from Davis Bakery... our favorite bakery. Yellow cake with strawberry preserves between the layers and strawberry cream cheese icing. It was so good I had 2 pieces instead of just 1. And I felt it in the morning, let me tell you. But no vomiting, so I decided I had to go and ride my bike.
It was dark when I left the house. So dark that when I passed the Publix and saw that there was a police officer exiting his car, I hoped that it was dark enough that he couldn't see me... or that if he could see me he wouldn't care to take the time to pull me over and give me a ticket for riding my bike in the dark without any bike lights. That kind of dark. As I sped away (or tried to) at 16 mph, I was thrilled when he either didn't see me or ignored me.
I got through the traffic and on to my lovely closed road circuit. I had it all to myself... probably because it wasn't even 6:30 am and it was dark. As I rode along, I heard rustling and then a sound that if it was in a cartoon would have meant that some small animal was scolding me. I looked over and there was a Racoon Momma with her Babies on the grassy side of the road, and in fact, Momma was the one chattering.
Despite feeling like throwing up, I was riding really well. Guess that's what happens when you eat all your calories for the day. I was supposed to keep at race pace - so between 16 mph and 17 mph (the idea is that while I can go faster I need to stay here because for me if I do the distance faster right now I have no legs left at all for the run) - and I was having a hard time not hitting 18 mph at times. Luckily for me (I say with irony) a head wind came up, so then I was able to average 16.4 mph for the entire ride. I would laugh when the wind would die down and I would look down and see 17.9, 18.7, etc. It was a much better ride than last Sunday... of course there were a lot fewer hills too. Hmm.
While it was still dark but slowly getting lighter a deer appeared. A beautiful young deer that was pretty much as tall as I am when I'm on my bike and in aero (which I was). I love seeing the deer run out there, they scare me too. It's as though they're drunk drivers because I really have no idea what they're going to do next. I really don't want to be killed, riding my bike alone at dusk, by a deer who decides to dart out in front of me. And this deer was CRAy-ZEE. It ran across the road, down the median of the road, then back across, the side of the road, then back in front of me, and then finally back to the grassy side where it ran circles around the lake and then jumped the fence. Let's just say I slowed down a little during this episode because I didn't want to end up as road kill.
Later, I saw two deer running and frolicking on the other side of the fence. They had their side of the fence and I have mine. It was all good... and they were beautiful.
Other cyclists started appearing (the sun had risen) and the first few sets of them almost jumped when they saw me. I guess they thought they were so early they'd have the closed road to themselves... or I'm just that scary. HAHA!
What does this have to do with elementary schools?
Oh, yes. I finished my last loop and only had about 2 miles left in order to finish the 35 miler, so I headed back home. At one point, I thought should I just brave going by the elementary school or should I go the back way so I avoid the elementary school? It was close to work time and the back way would be longer than the 35 miler and I didn't want to be late for work... so I went past the elementary school.
Seeing the traffic jam from the parents trying to turn in from every side and the parents trying to escape the school parking lot, I (at least) got onto the side walk. I probably would have been killed if I hadn't been on the sidewalk, quite frankly. As I approached the entrance, I unclipped. I slowed but realized I might not have to get off the bike if I slowed just enough. I waited for my turn, just like you would if you were in traffic. But these parents were not paying attention to anything other than getting into that parking lot. They were taking risks with precious cargo in their assorted variety of mini-vans and SUVs that I, frankly, would not if I had my children in the car. This should have told me to get off the dang bike. But, I'm a little stubborn. I was at the point that the bike was almost completely still but I was still clipped in on the left side. It was my turn. I started to take it.
Either the driver of the lovely white Grand Caravan minivan didn't see me in my hot pink tri-top and on my bright red tri-bike, or she just didn't give a darn that I was starting to cross the road, and she stepped on the gas and went. Luckily for me, I have a strong sense of self preservation and laid my bike down on the edge of the sidewalk. I was going so slowly that it really didn't matter injury wise. I have a slightly skinned knee and some minor scrapes (can you call it road rash if it happened on a sidewalk?) on my left leg (cuz it was still clipped in when I laid the bike down).
It's a good thing I was in a good mood from the bike ride before this because all I did was pick up my bike, walk it across the opening to the school, and get back on it and ride away. At this point, I was able to walk the bike across the street because every other parent in their cars saw me lay my bike and body down on that sidewalk and no one was moving. Yup. Talk about embarrassing.
The irony is that as I laid the bike down, I saw my friend's car. She was taking her daughter to school. I emailed her later and told her I was the cyclist. She said that she saw me and not knowing it was me thought I was looking rather professional on my bike but that I was taking my life into my own hands because elementary school drop off is plain crazy. When I crashed she saw it was me and tried to get out of the car but was told she had to keep going because she was blocking traffic. Good thing my body wasn't what was blocking traffic!
But I've learned my lesson. Go around next time because tri-bikes and elementary schools do not mix!
There may be a small sabbatical from my writing over the next few days as we're going to Mr. Darcy's parents for the weekend followed by my work trip to Arizona to teach a CLE. If I get a chance to write I will, especially since my next post will be my 200th post! (I thought about doing a 200 item post and then realized that because I am loquacious by nature that it wasn't such a great idea.) So, I'm not sure what I will do... but I'm sure it will unveil itself to me... probably while I'm writing it. But not to worry the writing sabbatical does not equal a training sabbatical.
A 12 mile run scheduled for Sunday (Thanks to Tall Mom on the Run for the encouraging Hi Five from her Blog!) and then whatever Coach has in store for me for the 1st part of next week will somehow get done in Arizona!
Happy Weekend!
I started my morning nauseas... I'm pretty sure it was from too much cake last night. Yummy cake from Davis Bakery... our favorite bakery. Yellow cake with strawberry preserves between the layers and strawberry cream cheese icing. It was so good I had 2 pieces instead of just 1. And I felt it in the morning, let me tell you. But no vomiting, so I decided I had to go and ride my bike.
It was dark when I left the house. So dark that when I passed the Publix and saw that there was a police officer exiting his car, I hoped that it was dark enough that he couldn't see me... or that if he could see me he wouldn't care to take the time to pull me over and give me a ticket for riding my bike in the dark without any bike lights. That kind of dark. As I sped away (or tried to) at 16 mph, I was thrilled when he either didn't see me or ignored me.
I got through the traffic and on to my lovely closed road circuit. I had it all to myself... probably because it wasn't even 6:30 am and it was dark. As I rode along, I heard rustling and then a sound that if it was in a cartoon would have meant that some small animal was scolding me. I looked over and there was a Racoon Momma with her Babies on the grassy side of the road, and in fact, Momma was the one chattering.
Despite feeling like throwing up, I was riding really well. Guess that's what happens when you eat all your calories for the day. I was supposed to keep at race pace - so between 16 mph and 17 mph (the idea is that while I can go faster I need to stay here because for me if I do the distance faster right now I have no legs left at all for the run) - and I was having a hard time not hitting 18 mph at times. Luckily for me (I say with irony) a head wind came up, so then I was able to average 16.4 mph for the entire ride. I would laugh when the wind would die down and I would look down and see 17.9, 18.7, etc. It was a much better ride than last Sunday... of course there were a lot fewer hills too. Hmm.
While it was still dark but slowly getting lighter a deer appeared. A beautiful young deer that was pretty much as tall as I am when I'm on my bike and in aero (which I was). I love seeing the deer run out there, they scare me too. It's as though they're drunk drivers because I really have no idea what they're going to do next. I really don't want to be killed, riding my bike alone at dusk, by a deer who decides to dart out in front of me. And this deer was CRAy-ZEE. It ran across the road, down the median of the road, then back across, the side of the road, then back in front of me, and then finally back to the grassy side where it ran circles around the lake and then jumped the fence. Let's just say I slowed down a little during this episode because I didn't want to end up as road kill.
Later, I saw two deer running and frolicking on the other side of the fence. They had their side of the fence and I have mine. It was all good... and they were beautiful.
Other cyclists started appearing (the sun had risen) and the first few sets of them almost jumped when they saw me. I guess they thought they were so early they'd have the closed road to themselves... or I'm just that scary. HAHA!
What does this have to do with elementary schools?
Oh, yes. I finished my last loop and only had about 2 miles left in order to finish the 35 miler, so I headed back home. At one point, I thought should I just brave going by the elementary school or should I go the back way so I avoid the elementary school? It was close to work time and the back way would be longer than the 35 miler and I didn't want to be late for work... so I went past the elementary school.
Seeing the traffic jam from the parents trying to turn in from every side and the parents trying to escape the school parking lot, I (at least) got onto the side walk. I probably would have been killed if I hadn't been on the sidewalk, quite frankly. As I approached the entrance, I unclipped. I slowed but realized I might not have to get off the bike if I slowed just enough. I waited for my turn, just like you would if you were in traffic. But these parents were not paying attention to anything other than getting into that parking lot. They were taking risks with precious cargo in their assorted variety of mini-vans and SUVs that I, frankly, would not if I had my children in the car. This should have told me to get off the dang bike. But, I'm a little stubborn. I was at the point that the bike was almost completely still but I was still clipped in on the left side. It was my turn. I started to take it.
Either the driver of the lovely white Grand Caravan minivan didn't see me in my hot pink tri-top and on my bright red tri-bike, or she just didn't give a darn that I was starting to cross the road, and she stepped on the gas and went. Luckily for me, I have a strong sense of self preservation and laid my bike down on the edge of the sidewalk. I was going so slowly that it really didn't matter injury wise. I have a slightly skinned knee and some minor scrapes (can you call it road rash if it happened on a sidewalk?) on my left leg (cuz it was still clipped in when I laid the bike down).
It's a good thing I was in a good mood from the bike ride before this because all I did was pick up my bike, walk it across the opening to the school, and get back on it and ride away. At this point, I was able to walk the bike across the street because every other parent in their cars saw me lay my bike and body down on that sidewalk and no one was moving. Yup. Talk about embarrassing.
The irony is that as I laid the bike down, I saw my friend's car. She was taking her daughter to school. I emailed her later and told her I was the cyclist. She said that she saw me and not knowing it was me thought I was looking rather professional on my bike but that I was taking my life into my own hands because elementary school drop off is plain crazy. When I crashed she saw it was me and tried to get out of the car but was told she had to keep going because she was blocking traffic. Good thing my body wasn't what was blocking traffic!
But I've learned my lesson. Go around next time because tri-bikes and elementary schools do not mix!
There may be a small sabbatical from my writing over the next few days as we're going to Mr. Darcy's parents for the weekend followed by my work trip to Arizona to teach a CLE. If I get a chance to write I will, especially since my next post will be my 200th post! (I thought about doing a 200 item post and then realized that because I am loquacious by nature that it wasn't such a great idea.) So, I'm not sure what I will do... but I'm sure it will unveil itself to me... probably while I'm writing it. But not to worry the writing sabbatical does not equal a training sabbatical.
A 12 mile run scheduled for Sunday (Thanks to Tall Mom on the Run for the encouraging Hi Five from her Blog!) and then whatever Coach has in store for me for the 1st part of next week will somehow get done in Arizona!
Happy Weekend!
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