I have a shirt that says that. When my husband sees me wearing it, he considers it a warning and makes himself scarce. Today, that shirt would be very appropriate.
So, remember how I was going to do this half marathon? Plans may have changed. I'm not 100% sure yet, but I may not be able to run, due to ongoing (and highly irritating) injuries - plantar fascitiis and hip inflammation - which will never get better unless I stop completely for awhile.
For sad.
I thought I'd take a week off from running to see if that would help it "heal" enough to run the half, if not, looks like I'm done. So not only do I miss the half marathon (which, let's face it, is not a crisis), but I also might lose the Nike+ challenge I'm currently winning against one of my college buddies - a much bigger crisis. This is for bragging rights, after all.
Decisions, decisions......
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Moses Lake Spring Fest Tri
I might just be the world's laziest blogger - here is a race recap from Memorial Day, in bullet and picture format, cuz I'm lazy. Obviously.
Pre Race:
Swim: 1/4 mile / 9:44
Pre Race:
One leg in, jacket still on...probably trying to decide if I have to poop.
Swim: 1/4 mile / 9:44
Sleeveless wetsuit. Note how the arms never actually touch the water.
- Water was frickin' cold. Something rediculous like 58*. It was, after all, still May.
- The race director told us that if we panicked in the middle of the lake, stand up because lake was that low. So I tried it. He was right.
- When I reached the edge of the boat launch, I couldn't feel my fingers, toes or arms (sleeveless wesuit. noted.) and was so ready to be out of the water that I just stood up and jogged the last little bit, passing people who were still swimming.
- I was so cold and worn out from the swim that I could barely walk in a straight line to my bike.
- Actually had to sit down to take off the wetsuit.
- Could not for the life of me get clipped into my pedals. Remember cursing loudly.
Coming in to T2 in all my hot pink glory.
- Flat course. Me likey.
- Saw Sam. Saw Sam bike fast.
- You're not supposed to draft, but I got caught in a group of about 6 girls trying to run each other off the road. Fun times.
- Locked up my brakes and felt my back tire skid out from behind me while I was coming down the hill into T2. Didn't have to pee anymore.
- Uneventful, just the way I like it.
Lookin' fast.
- Not a flat course. Mostly uphill actually.
- Despite the elevation changes, it was a nice run. I kept a better pace than I thought I could.
- I remember thinking "Find your groove. Find a pace you can hold for the whole 3 miles." And that's exactly what I did.
- Felt good
- Kissed the Hubby..
- Posed for picture with injured Run Buddy.
Seriously, GET BETTER.
- Talked to Sam.
- Once I got back into the car I realized there was a crusty-booger/dried snot situation all over my face. Lovely. So glad I posed for pics and talked to Sam. Hubby didn't mind so much.
He loves me crusty boogers and all.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday Night Crit Racing
okay, the organizers say it's not a race just a training ride, but whatever, we know the truth. If you keep track of laps there's gonna be a race. Just sayin'. The thing that made this particular ride fun was that Hubby decided to come along. Actually, he said that if I didn't suck it up and just go ride he was going to have to come along and kick my butt.
Bring it home-slice.
This is why in our pre-marital counseling our pastor said we weren't allowed to compete against each other. It never ends well.
Truthfully, I was a little worried. Not about him....about me!! Here I am on my fancy road bike with all the bells and whistles about to get my a$$ handed to me on a silver platter by Hubby on a $50 road bike from the '80s called "Le Tour." I mean really, how does that look? Crappy bike or not, he's completely capable of beating me. So on the drive over I set a goal: I will hang on to his wheel for the whole 45 minutes, even if it kills me. He knew it too, and I knew he wasn't going to cut me any slack. Game on baby!
The first lap of the race is always neutral -- that just means that the speed demons in the lead pack a chance to get away from the slowpokes before they really crank it up and get moving. (I am neither speed demon nor slowpoke, in case you were wondering. I'm more of an Average Joe). As soon as the first lap was done Hubby pulled out in front of me. Perfect, I thought, I'm just going to sit on your wheel for the rest of the night. This will be easy. Yeah, he dropped me on the back half and got ahead of me by a good distance. I managed to catch up a little on the downhill grade, but he corners really well and I'm a big chicken about going fast on corners, so everytime we turned he'd gain a little ground. After playing cat and mouse for about 20 minutes, I finally caught him. I even pulled him along for a couple of laps.
When the 2 lap warning was given I was still pulling and trying to pick up the pace because I could feel him breathing down my neck. At the 1 lap warning I was still in front and starting to get antsy because I knew he would make a move at some point, and sure enough, just after turn #2 on the backside he slingshot right past me grinnig and taunting as he flew by.
Sonofabeach! Crap! PEDAL FASTER!!
I averaged about 20 mph on the back stretch (which has the slightest uphill grade) and managed to catch him before turn #3. HAHA!! I rode his wheel all the way into turn #4 and as soon as we took the corner it was a dead sprint to the finish line. I hate to admit it, but he won by the width of his tire. If I had remembered that I had aerobars on my bike, it may have been a different finish, although with one victory under his belt I'm sure he'll retire from crit racing just so I can't beat him next time. He's onery like that.
Afterwards we went home and cooked dinner together - spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, Bud Light and cherry pie. The couple who carbo-loads together, stays together.
Bring it home-slice.
This is why in our pre-marital counseling our pastor said we weren't allowed to compete against each other. It never ends well.
Truthfully, I was a little worried. Not about him....about me!! Here I am on my fancy road bike with all the bells and whistles about to get my a$$ handed to me on a silver platter by Hubby on a $50 road bike from the '80s called "Le Tour." I mean really, how does that look? Crappy bike or not, he's completely capable of beating me. So on the drive over I set a goal: I will hang on to his wheel for the whole 45 minutes, even if it kills me. He knew it too, and I knew he wasn't going to cut me any slack. Game on baby!
The first lap of the race is always neutral -- that just means that the speed demons in the lead pack a chance to get away from the slowpokes before they really crank it up and get moving. (I am neither speed demon nor slowpoke, in case you were wondering. I'm more of an Average Joe). As soon as the first lap was done Hubby pulled out in front of me. Perfect, I thought, I'm just going to sit on your wheel for the rest of the night. This will be easy. Yeah, he dropped me on the back half and got ahead of me by a good distance. I managed to catch up a little on the downhill grade, but he corners really well and I'm a big chicken about going fast on corners, so everytime we turned he'd gain a little ground. After playing cat and mouse for about 20 minutes, I finally caught him. I even pulled him along for a couple of laps.
When the 2 lap warning was given I was still pulling and trying to pick up the pace because I could feel him breathing down my neck. At the 1 lap warning I was still in front and starting to get antsy because I knew he would make a move at some point, and sure enough, just after turn #2 on the backside he slingshot right past me grinnig and taunting as he flew by.
Sonofabeach! Crap! PEDAL FASTER!!
I averaged about 20 mph on the back stretch (which has the slightest uphill grade) and managed to catch him before turn #3. HAHA!! I rode his wheel all the way into turn #4 and as soon as we took the corner it was a dead sprint to the finish line. I hate to admit it, but he won by the width of his tire. If I had remembered that I had aerobars on my bike, it may have been a different finish, although with one victory under his belt I'm sure he'll retire from crit racing just so I can't beat him next time. He's onery like that.
Afterwards we went home and cooked dinner together - spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, Bud Light and cherry pie. The couple who carbo-loads together, stays together.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
I've tried to tri
I've done two tris this summer.
meh.
(race reports will show up in a few days. maybe. the races were at the end of May/beginning of June. Procrastination is in full swing, so I wouldn't hold your breath.)
My heart's just not into it this year for some reason. I've gone from being THISCLOSE to signing up for Ironman CdA 2011 and racing Half-Irons this summer, to reading chick lit books in my lounge chair in the sun with an umbrella shaded drink. The best part? I don't care.
Can we say 'burnt out'?
Ok, fine, it could have also been the two weeks I took off to go to Vegas and the ocean, but whatever. I know guys who to Ironman, and am in awe of what the do (you guys are rock stars!!), but I have absolutely no desire to put in the amount of training time required to survive and make it to the finish line of IM. I need balance. I want to spend my Sunday afternoons curled up reading, gardening, cake decorating and hanging out with family. Not with my butt in the saddle on an epic 100+ mile bike ride for 6 hours.
So, in the name of balance, changes have been made (not only for my sanity, but for the sake of my husband's as well. Although he did admit that me being gone for 6 hours at a time would give hime more time on the golf course. Bite me.) Triathlon has taken a back seat to life, and I'm very much enjoying it. There is no stress about fitting training into daily life. I'm definitely exercising, but it's waaaayyyy more relaxed. I lift weights 3 times a week with a girlfriend who walked on to her college volleyball team, I hike with hubby and puppy, I do our local criterium race once a week, and I have coffee/bike/run dates with another girlfriend (would you get better already KB?!) without worrying about mileage and pace and ohmygoodnesswhatifthisisntenough.
I thought about doing one of my favorite local tris at the end of August, and immediately had a feeling of dread. Obviously not the right choice. The challenge has been coming up with something to do that I'm excitied about, and I think I have found the answer: a brand new local (FLAT) half-marathon!
meh.
(race reports will show up in a few days. maybe. the races were at the end of May/beginning of June. Procrastination is in full swing, so I wouldn't hold your breath.)
My heart's just not into it this year for some reason. I've gone from being THISCLOSE to signing up for Ironman CdA 2011 and racing Half-Irons this summer, to reading chick lit books in my lounge chair in the sun with an umbrella shaded drink. The best part? I don't care.
Can we say 'burnt out'?
Ok, fine, it could have also been the two weeks I took off to go to Vegas and the ocean, but whatever. I know guys who to Ironman, and am in awe of what the do (you guys are rock stars!!), but I have absolutely no desire to put in the amount of training time required to survive and make it to the finish line of IM. I need balance. I want to spend my Sunday afternoons curled up reading, gardening, cake decorating and hanging out with family. Not with my butt in the saddle on an epic 100+ mile bike ride for 6 hours.
So, in the name of balance, changes have been made (not only for my sanity, but for the sake of my husband's as well. Although he did admit that me being gone for 6 hours at a time would give hime more time on the golf course. Bite me.) Triathlon has taken a back seat to life, and I'm very much enjoying it. There is no stress about fitting training into daily life. I'm definitely exercising, but it's waaaayyyy more relaxed. I lift weights 3 times a week with a girlfriend who walked on to her college volleyball team, I hike with hubby and puppy, I do our local criterium race once a week, and I have coffee/bike/run dates with another girlfriend (would you get better already KB?!) without worrying about mileage and pace and ohmygoodnesswhatifthisisntenough.
I thought about doing one of my favorite local tris at the end of August, and immediately had a feeling of dread. Obviously not the right choice. The challenge has been coming up with something to do that I'm excitied about, and I think I have found the answer: a brand new local (FLAT) half-marathon!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Lazy Girl Bike Training
So it's still January here in semi-rural Washington, and yet it is supposed to be 48 degrees here tomorrow! What gives? Not that I'm complaining - all this sunshine is keeping from going crazy! It just makes it hard to hook Honey up to the bike trainer for my workouts. Oh, sure, I suppose I could go ride outside, but being as there are 22 mph gusts hurtling past my window, I think I'll pass, thanks.
what's a girl to do?....catch up on TV!
Last Sunday when my husbandleft me, abandoned me, went to go play city league basketball I still had not gotten my long ride in for the day. At 7:00 pm. *sigh* I really did not want to listen to Coach Troy yell at me to "pick it up" for 2 hours (as much as I love Spinervals), so.....I drug everything out into the living room, set up in front of my TV and watched Julie & Julia.
what?!? oh, like you've never done it
It worked out perfectly! I figure I'm still trying to build my base up, so any long amount of time spent spinning away is productive, plus I had a goal: keep a cadence of 90rpms, no matter what gear you have to be in to do it. Goal achieved! I went for 1 hour 15 minutes, and I was a tired puppy! speaking of tired puppies, like my training partner?
He hangs out right next to the bike as I ride, and he learned very quickly not to get too close to the pedals while they are moving! (oops)
Tuesday's ride I actually broke down and used a Spinervals DVD - as much as I complain, I think they really do help.
Today's ride fell into the category of "whatever it takes to get it done." Today it took the most recent episode of Private Practice and high cadence intervals. During the show I would be in aero, pedaling at 90rpms (in a harder gear than last time. Yay!), during the ads I would relax a little bit - it worked out great! One problem though: I forgot to eat. I was on the bike for about 1:20 total with no nutrition except oatmeal & coffee for breakfast. Needless to say I was a little bit spacey and grumpy when I finished.
Sunday is my next ride and I think I'd like to hit the 2 hour mark....any good movie suggestions?
what's a girl to do?....catch up on TV!
Last Sunday when my husband
what?!? oh, like you've never done it
It worked out perfectly! I figure I'm still trying to build my base up, so any long amount of time spent spinning away is productive, plus I had a goal: keep a cadence of 90rpms, no matter what gear you have to be in to do it. Goal achieved! I went for 1 hour 15 minutes, and I was a tired puppy! speaking of tired puppies, like my training partner?
Tuesday's ride I actually broke down and used a Spinervals DVD - as much as I complain, I think they really do help.
Today's ride fell into the category of "whatever it takes to get it done." Today it took the most recent episode of Private Practice and high cadence intervals. During the show I would be in aero, pedaling at 90rpms (in a harder gear than last time. Yay!), during the ads I would relax a little bit - it worked out great! One problem though: I forgot to eat. I was on the bike for about 1:20 total with no nutrition except oatmeal & coffee for breakfast. Needless to say I was a little bit spacey and grumpy when I finished.
Sunday is my next ride and I think I'd like to hit the 2 hour mark....any good movie suggestions?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Escape
...if you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain...
ok, it's raining here, so where is my freakin' drink?!
What we are dealing with here is a bonafide and severe case of cabin fever. As in getmethehellouttaherenow syndrome. It happens every year about this time, but for some reason this year it is TERRIBLE. My husband has even gone as far to hide my passport.
...hang on, I see a drawer I forgot to ransack.....
nothing. crap. Geez, where's the trust? I'd take him too.
*sigh* thank goodness for coffee dates with girlfriends because I don't think I could handle another treadmill or bike trainer session.
think Starbucks will put one of those little umbrellas in my drink?
ok, it's raining here, so where is my freakin' drink?!
What we are dealing with here is a bonafide and severe case of cabin fever. As in getmethehellouttaherenow syndrome. It happens every year about this time, but for some reason this year it is TERRIBLE. My husband has even gone as far to hide my passport.
...hang on, I see a drawer I forgot to ransack.....
nothing. crap. Geez, where's the trust? I'd take him too.
*sigh* thank goodness for coffee dates with girlfriends because I don't think I could handle another treadmill or bike trainer session.
think Starbucks will put one of those little umbrellas in my drink?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2009 Recap
So just out of curiousity I decided to get on Buckeye Outdoors and see what my 2009 swim/bike/run totals were. Let's break it down, shall we?
Swim: 50 workouts / 46882 yds / average pace of 2:04 per 100 yds
this summer I joined Master's swim at our community pool and eventhough I was cold and wet at 6AM, three times a week, I really enjoyed it and think it helped my swim endurance quite a bit. At the beginning of the summer I struggled to swim for 15 minutes straight, and by the end of the season I could swim for the whole hour without stopping.
Bike: 25 (!) workouts / 395 miles / avg 15.8 mph
ok, before you freak out, there were also 21 bike trainer workouts. Still not a great ratio I suppose. As much as I enjoy Coach Troy yelling at me from the safety of his DVD, there is no substitute for riding outside. There were also 2 weeks during the Tour d'France when my husband was out of the country where I parked my bike & trainer in front of the flatscreen & rode along with Lance.
Admittedly, I made alot of excuses during bike workouts this year.....it's too hot, too dark, too cold, too windy, too hilly, too much traffic, too much of a pansy. It all amounts to too much bad attitude. I rode the easiest, flattest, most comfortable routes I could find, and guess what? My biking didn't improve a whole lot because I didn't push myself. Shocking revelation: hard work = improvement. Duh.
Run: 86 workouts / 276.9 miles / 9:38 per mile average
My season this year started with a 10K and finished with a Half Marathon - both distances that I never in million years thought I would run. For a girl who has never liked to run, I discovered that it's not all that bad. That being said, I also came up with alot of excuses to make run workouts easier, and as a result my running didn't improve much.
Races:
Also this year I set PR's for both sprint and olympic distances at 1:27 and 3:33 respectively. AND I did my first half marathon in 2:27! The olympic distance was new this year and I really enjoyed it - I'm looking forward to a FLAT oly this summer. :)
Swim: 50 workouts / 46882 yds / average pace of 2:04 per 100 yds
this summer I joined Master's swim at our community pool and eventhough I was cold and wet at 6AM, three times a week, I really enjoyed it and think it helped my swim endurance quite a bit. At the beginning of the summer I struggled to swim for 15 minutes straight, and by the end of the season I could swim for the whole hour without stopping.
Bike: 25 (!) workouts / 395 miles / avg 15.8 mph
ok, before you freak out, there were also 21 bike trainer workouts. Still not a great ratio I suppose. As much as I enjoy Coach Troy yelling at me from the safety of his DVD, there is no substitute for riding outside. There were also 2 weeks during the Tour d'France when my husband was out of the country where I parked my bike & trainer in front of the flatscreen & rode along with Lance.
Admittedly, I made alot of excuses during bike workouts this year.....it's too hot, too dark, too cold, too windy, too hilly, too much traffic, too much of a pansy. It all amounts to too much bad attitude. I rode the easiest, flattest, most comfortable routes I could find, and guess what? My biking didn't improve a whole lot because I didn't push myself. Shocking revelation: hard work = improvement. Duh.
Run: 86 workouts / 276.9 miles / 9:38 per mile average
My season this year started with a 10K and finished with a Half Marathon - both distances that I never in million years thought I would run. For a girl who has never liked to run, I discovered that it's not all that bad. That being said, I also came up with alot of excuses to make run workouts easier, and as a result my running didn't improve much.
Races:
Also this year I set PR's for both sprint and olympic distances at 1:27 and 3:33 respectively. AND I did my first half marathon in 2:27! The olympic distance was new this year and I really enjoyed it - I'm looking forward to a FLAT oly this summer. :)
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