Things have been a bit busy here at Badgergirl's house. Last weekend there was a meet up with three-quarters of my Ragnar Chicago team (a recap of that will come) and then I spent most of the week without Internet access because one week ago today I replaced my dinosaur of a desktop computer with a new laptop.
Of course the switch to a laptop meant I spent most of the week waiting for the cable man to come to my house to hook up my wireless connection. And when the appointment finally came, he called and cancelled at 6:59 p.m., one minute before the end of the one-hour slot he was supposed to show up during. Something about he ran out of the necessary equipment to hook up my wireless due to some problem at an earlier client. Uh, OK. I guess. Long story short, the wireless finally got hooked up Friday during my lunch hour, just in time for me to leave for the weekend.
But this weekend? It was absolutely amazing.
Not sure what's going on with the weather, but we've had some very unspring-like stuff this past week in Wisconsin. We're talking 70s. Sunny. Summer-like. And it makes it difficult to remember that's it's still March. But I'm taking advantage of it.
Saturday morning I met up with my friend Peggy for a 9-mile run. We haven't seen each other for a few weeks, so it was great to get a chance to catch up over the course of 9 miles. It was a route we've route countless times over the last year. Even though we started at 7:30 in the morning, it got warm. Quick. She was the smart one, wearing a tank. I had to deal with sleeves, even if they were little cap sleeves, they were still too warm. My legs felt good throughout the run, even with all the hills in the last 3 miles.
The rest of the afternoon was spent watching college basketball, and almost having a heart attack when the Badgers were playing Vanderbilt. A couple of nicely timed 3s, great rebounds and, oh yeah, 6-11 Jared Berggren blocking the inbounds pass to deny Vandy a chance at a 3-pointer that would have sent the game to OT, and the Badgers left Albuquerque with a invite to the Sweet 16. Yes.
Which brings me to today. More gorgeous weather on hand. For the first time in more than a year I headed to the pool for a swim workout. And let me tell you, I forgot how hard it is to swim. But I managed to bust out 925 yards in the pool. And since it was so nice out - a bit windy, but nice - I decided to get my bike out and head out for a ride. I ended up going 15 miles. Of course as I sit in my recliner, blogging on my new laptop tonight, my legs are starting to grumble at me a bit. I think there might be a date with my foam roller once I hit publish.
So that's what's been going on with me. I've still got some blog posts in my mind that I want to write. Hopefully I can get them done in the next few days.
Showing posts with label Pedalin' my bike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pedalin' my bike. Show all posts
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Monday, October 3, 2011
Not much substance here
Badgers. Packers. Brewers.
Sigh. That my friends was an amazing weekend in Wisconsin sports. But even with all of those great games to watch, I did get a few other things done this weekend. A long run on Sunday. Putting together the perfect pink outfit for a Saturday event (which I'll tell you more about later this week). And enjoying this Indian summer that we're getting here in Wisconsin.
Today was a day off of running. But like I said, we're having some pretty spectacular weather here in Wisconsin for early October. Upper 60s to lower 70s. Sun. Great weather. So instead of letting this stuff go to waste, when I got home I changed my clothes and hopped on my bike for a short ride before it got too dark. I ended up getting in a 45 minute ride, about 8 miles at an easy pace. I felt nice to change it up and hit the road on my bike instead of for a run. The one thing I realized though? When it's 65 degrees outside, you can totally get away with a t-shirt and shorts and be comfortable. But when you're on the bike? A short-sleeved t-shirt is a bit chilly. Oops. Oh well. It was still a good bike ride.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Weekend is a wrap
Weekend's are way too short. Especially now that it's finally nice.
Since I worked Friday night, my weekend didn't technically start until 10 p.m. but I made pretty good use of the time I had.
For starters I skipped my long run Saturday morning. The original plan had me running 8 miles early Saturday morning, but when the alarm went off at 6 a.m., I just wasn't feeling it. So I turned the alarm off and went back to sleep until I had to get up and get ready to go watch my 9-year-old niece run a one-mile race at Cheese Fest, a local festival. The name of the race? The Cheddar Chase. Yes. I live in Wisconsin.
My niece did a great job, even though a pesky side ache slowed her down. The race even had a few celebrities running - the Klement's Racing Sausages, who are famous for racing around the warning track at Miller Park each home game before the seventh inning. After the run was done we stuck around and watched the Cheese Fest Parade.
While getting our cheese on at Cheese Fest, my brother gave me a shirt that he had picked up one day while shopping. Gee, do you think he heard me complain enough about all the weather I had to contend with during runs so far this year? Love the shirt.
Speaking of runs, once I got home from Cheese Fest I considered going for my run. But it was hot. And humid. And there wasn't a cloud in the sky. And honestly? Running just didn't sound appealing. So I opted for a bike ride - a nice long 19 mile ride out to High Cliff State Park and back. This was my first decent outdoor ride this year, so I wasn't quite sure how it would go, but I felt good. So I kept riding.
The rest of Saturday was spent reading, making plans via Facebook to meet up with some Fleet Feet buddies for a long run on Sunday and hanging out, making S'mores around a campfire.
When the alarm went off this morning, I didn't turn it off. I got out of bed and got ready for my run. It's so much easier not to bail on a long run when you know you'll be spending the next hour and a half with some great running friends and getting the chance to catch up. I met up with Peggy and Amy out at Plamann Park, our old training grounds, and we set out with plans to do 9 miles, but were open to cutting it short or taking some breaks. And we took a few breaks, but ended up stopping after 7.5 miles. It was a good run though.
After relaxing the rest of the day, it's now time to watch an episode or two of Season 2 of True Blood and spend a little time reading before heading off to bed and tackling another work week. Thankfully it's another 4-day week for me!
Since I worked Friday night, my weekend didn't technically start until 10 p.m. but I made pretty good use of the time I had.
For starters I skipped my long run Saturday morning. The original plan had me running 8 miles early Saturday morning, but when the alarm went off at 6 a.m., I just wasn't feeling it. So I turned the alarm off and went back to sleep until I had to get up and get ready to go watch my 9-year-old niece run a one-mile race at Cheese Fest, a local festival. The name of the race? The Cheddar Chase. Yes. I live in Wisconsin.
My niece did a great job, even though a pesky side ache slowed her down. The race even had a few celebrities running - the Klement's Racing Sausages, who are famous for racing around the warning track at Miller Park each home game before the seventh inning. After the run was done we stuck around and watched the Cheese Fest Parade.
While getting our cheese on at Cheese Fest, my brother gave me a shirt that he had picked up one day while shopping. Gee, do you think he heard me complain enough about all the weather I had to contend with during runs so far this year? Love the shirt.
Speaking of runs, once I got home from Cheese Fest I considered going for my run. But it was hot. And humid. And there wasn't a cloud in the sky. And honestly? Running just didn't sound appealing. So I opted for a bike ride - a nice long 19 mile ride out to High Cliff State Park and back. This was my first decent outdoor ride this year, so I wasn't quite sure how it would go, but I felt good. So I kept riding.
The rest of Saturday was spent reading, making plans via Facebook to meet up with some Fleet Feet buddies for a long run on Sunday and hanging out, making S'mores around a campfire.
When the alarm went off this morning, I didn't turn it off. I got out of bed and got ready for my run. It's so much easier not to bail on a long run when you know you'll be spending the next hour and a half with some great running friends and getting the chance to catch up. I met up with Peggy and Amy out at Plamann Park, our old training grounds, and we set out with plans to do 9 miles, but were open to cutting it short or taking some breaks. And we took a few breaks, but ended up stopping after 7.5 miles. It was a good run though.
After relaxing the rest of the day, it's now time to watch an episode or two of Season 2 of True Blood and spend a little time reading before heading off to bed and tackling another work week. Thankfully it's another 4-day week for me!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
YMCA Indoor Triathlon Race Report
It's the end of January, which means it was time for the first indoor triathlon of the year at my YMCA.
Honestly, there was a part of me that was considering not doing the event this year. For starters I haven't been in a pool since July. I haven't been on a bike since early December, and that was only for a very short post-run cool down (and mainly to finish watching a basketball game). Running? Well I have been doing that.
But when I have the race director sending me an email earlier in the week reminding me registration is due, well the guilt sets in. So I registered. And originally intended to spend some time in the pool last week and at least get one decent bike session in. But that plan flew out the window.
Add in the fact that I subjected myself to a very very chilly 3-mile run that morning in barely above zero temperatures and got to the YMCA 10 minutes before my wave was set to start (and still had to change into my swim suit) and you could say I was completely winging this event.
I got down to the pool with a couple of minutes to spare, put on my swim cap and goggles and got in the water. It was wet, just like I remembered. And cold. Just like outside. After what seemed like forever it was finally go time.
The swim was a bit different this year. Instead of 8 minutes like in the past, it was a 10 minute swim this time. Given my lack of swimming, I didn't have any expectations. I mostly wanted to survived. The first 100 yards went fine. Took a quick little breather and swam another 50 yards before doing 25 yards of the backstroke. There was one more length of the pool done with the backstroke before time was up. 10 minutes. 400 yards. I'll take it.
A quick change from my swimming suit to bike shorts and a t-shirt and it was off to the bike studio.
Nothing too exciting to report from the bike portion. Although it was here that my legs started to grumble a bit. The five other people in my wave all looked like they were pedaling a lot faster than I was. And at times I felt bad. But then I remembered I had already put in 3 very cold miles this morning, I haven't spent a decent amount of time on the bike in a long time and I was mostly doing this event for fun. So I was pretty happy with my effort, which was hard enough to make me sweat buckets! After 20 minutes on the bike I ended up with 9.1 miles.
Then it was upstairs to the elementary school sized gym where I would get to run in circles for 15 minutes. And to give you an idea of the size of this gym, 18 laps equaled a mile. Yeah. Literally running in circles.
I must have been in a super speedy group of folks because they all took off when the starter said go. I started running and what felt like a decent pace for me. But since they were all clipping along, I felt like I was walking. I didn't have a watch on, so I wasn't sure how much time had passed. I only knew how many laps I had completed. And that was only if I remembered how to count correctly.
I hit the 18 lap mark shortly before the starter yelled that there was 5 minutes left. That would put me at just under a 10 minute mile. Which is what I've been running lately. So even though I was getting passed left and right, I was OK with it. Especially given my legs had miles on them from the morning and this was the run portion of a triathlon. In the end I finished 28.75 laps, which if I can do the math right is 1.6 miles. I'll take it.
After I was done I did a bit of stretching before heading down to the locker room to change out of my sweaty clothes. I stopped by the race director and found out I finished just outside of the top three (the 30-39 year old age group is always stacked). But I was OK with how I had done.
Overall it was an OK event. A couple of things that bugged me:
Honestly, there was a part of me that was considering not doing the event this year. For starters I haven't been in a pool since July. I haven't been on a bike since early December, and that was only for a very short post-run cool down (and mainly to finish watching a basketball game). Running? Well I have been doing that.
But when I have the race director sending me an email earlier in the week reminding me registration is due, well the guilt sets in. So I registered. And originally intended to spend some time in the pool last week and at least get one decent bike session in. But that plan flew out the window.
Add in the fact that I subjected myself to a very very chilly 3-mile run that morning in barely above zero temperatures and got to the YMCA 10 minutes before my wave was set to start (and still had to change into my swim suit) and you could say I was completely winging this event.
I got down to the pool with a couple of minutes to spare, put on my swim cap and goggles and got in the water. It was wet, just like I remembered. And cold. Just like outside. After what seemed like forever it was finally go time.
The swim was a bit different this year. Instead of 8 minutes like in the past, it was a 10 minute swim this time. Given my lack of swimming, I didn't have any expectations. I mostly wanted to survived. The first 100 yards went fine. Took a quick little breather and swam another 50 yards before doing 25 yards of the backstroke. There was one more length of the pool done with the backstroke before time was up. 10 minutes. 400 yards. I'll take it.
A quick change from my swimming suit to bike shorts and a t-shirt and it was off to the bike studio.
Nothing too exciting to report from the bike portion. Although it was here that my legs started to grumble a bit. The five other people in my wave all looked like they were pedaling a lot faster than I was. And at times I felt bad. But then I remembered I had already put in 3 very cold miles this morning, I haven't spent a decent amount of time on the bike in a long time and I was mostly doing this event for fun. So I was pretty happy with my effort, which was hard enough to make me sweat buckets! After 20 minutes on the bike I ended up with 9.1 miles.
Then it was upstairs to the elementary school sized gym where I would get to run in circles for 15 minutes. And to give you an idea of the size of this gym, 18 laps equaled a mile. Yeah. Literally running in circles.
I must have been in a super speedy group of folks because they all took off when the starter said go. I started running and what felt like a decent pace for me. But since they were all clipping along, I felt like I was walking. I didn't have a watch on, so I wasn't sure how much time had passed. I only knew how many laps I had completed. And that was only if I remembered how to count correctly.
I hit the 18 lap mark shortly before the starter yelled that there was 5 minutes left. That would put me at just under a 10 minute mile. Which is what I've been running lately. So even though I was getting passed left and right, I was OK with it. Especially given my legs had miles on them from the morning and this was the run portion of a triathlon. In the end I finished 28.75 laps, which if I can do the math right is 1.6 miles. I'll take it.
After I was done I did a bit of stretching before heading down to the locker room to change out of my sweaty clothes. I stopped by the race director and found out I finished just outside of the top three (the 30-39 year old age group is always stacked). But I was OK with how I had done.
Overall it was an OK event. A couple of things that bugged me:
- Why do we need to put down our shirt size on the registration forms? Because obviously you didn't order shirts according to those forms. When I got there to register? I had a choice between an XL and an XXL. Not the medium I indicated on my registration.
- No post-race snacks left? I realize I was in the last wave possible. But a yellow apple and a really cold slice of pizza isn't appealing. Especially since that pizza was piping hot an hour earlier when I signed in and the first waves were finishing.
- I realize I sent my photographer from work there to shoot photos for a story I'm working on. But that doesn't mean you need to have your camera in my face the entire afternoon. Because guess what? Photos of me are not going to be running in our newspaper. I hope you took some photos of other folks who were doing the tri.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The airplanes are coming! The airplanes!
There might be something wrong with me.
Seriously. I can't think of the last time I was so excited for a Monday to come. A Monday that I had to go to work. Oh wait. Yes I can. About 51 weeks ago.
The last time EAA's AirVenture was about to kick off.
Guys. A whole week. Of airplanes. And fun assignments. Remember last year when my bosses sent me up with the stunt pilot and I flew upside down? I would be lying if I didn't say I was secretly hoping to get a chance like that again this year. Sadly, there are no F-22 Raptors scheduled to appear at AirVenture. But I will write about B-17s. And I'll be trying to track down some Canadian reality TV stars who fly DC-3s and are supposed to be on site most of the week.
And I'm toying with doing a 5K on Saturday morning. Because although it's a mighty early wake up call, how many times do you have a 5K that runs down an airport runway?
So it's safe to say over the next week you'll read about airplanes. I'm going to try to fit in some workouts, but if I miss a run here or there (probably not the best idea since I've got that half marathon in September that I'm already behind in training for), or opt for the bike instead, don't worry. Because I won't. Besides, there will be LOTS of crossing training in the form of walking the grounds (which are huge by the way) during the next week.
But tonight? While I skipped the run this morning due to a headache and needing to watch Lance Armstrong on the final day in his final Tour de France, I did jump on my bike and pedal for 17 miles as I watched planes land. Good times.
Seriously. I can't think of the last time I was so excited for a Monday to come. A Monday that I had to go to work. Oh wait. Yes I can. About 51 weeks ago.
The last time EAA's AirVenture was about to kick off.
Guys. A whole week. Of airplanes. And fun assignments. Remember last year when my bosses sent me up with the stunt pilot and I flew upside down? I would be lying if I didn't say I was secretly hoping to get a chance like that again this year. Sadly, there are no F-22 Raptors scheduled to appear at AirVenture. But I will write about B-17s. And I'll be trying to track down some Canadian reality TV stars who fly DC-3s and are supposed to be on site most of the week.
And I'm toying with doing a 5K on Saturday morning. Because although it's a mighty early wake up call, how many times do you have a 5K that runs down an airport runway?
So it's safe to say over the next week you'll read about airplanes. I'm going to try to fit in some workouts, but if I miss a run here or there (probably not the best idea since I've got that half marathon in September that I'm already behind in training for), or opt for the bike instead, don't worry. Because I won't. Besides, there will be LOTS of crossing training in the form of walking the grounds (which are huge by the way) during the next week.
But tonight? While I skipped the run this morning due to a headache and needing to watch Lance Armstrong on the final day in his final Tour de France, I did jump on my bike and pedal for 17 miles as I watched planes land. Good times.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Three Things Thursday
1. The humidity is finally starting the break. Hallelujah! Went out for a quick 10-mile bike ride after work. Last ride before the Trek Women's Triathlon on Sunday. Might try to squeeze in a short run tomorrow. But we'll see.
2. It's almost Friday. Which means one more day of work and then I don't have to think about work again July 19. Can you tell I'm excited?
3. I might be one of the only people in the United States who isn't glued to ESPN waiting to hear where LeBron is going. Granted I don't have cable. But still. Even if I did, I probably wouldn't be watching, because I really don't care.
2. It's almost Friday. Which means one more day of work and then I don't have to think about work again July 19. Can you tell I'm excited?
3. I might be one of the only people in the United States who isn't glued to ESPN waiting to hear where LeBron is going. Granted I don't have cable. But still. Even if I did, I probably wouldn't be watching, because I really don't care.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Hello Cliff Road. Nice to see you again.
Funny how things can change in a year.After work I headed up to my parents' house to get in one last bike ride before Saturday's triathlon. It actually worked out great since my parents live 5 miles from the park where the tri is. So my plan was to bike from their house, go through the park and loop back.
My main goal for the night wasn't to just put miles on the bike. Nope. I was set to reacquaint myself with the cliff road. It's the road I have to tackle within the first mile of the bike. And just in case that wasn't painful enough, I also get to run up it - but at least I also get to run down.
I haven't downloaded data from Gus yet, so I don't have any elevation numbers. But just trust me. You go up. A lot.
Last year the cliff road scared me. It was hard. But I kept pedaling and eventually made it up. The running part? During the triathlon it wasn't pretty. And since I haven't seen the hill since last summer and really haven't been doing a whole lot of hill training, I was a bit nervous to tackle it tonight.
I set out from Mom and Dad's. It's about 7 miles of relatively flat roads from their house to the park entrance. Kept it easy. Didn't push myself too hard. I got to the park and it was go time. That hill? It was going down (or I was going up). I switched into some low gears and started pedaling. I wasn't going fast, but I wasn't stopping either. And I wasn't really struggling. While it was hard, I didn't feel like it was impossible. I knew this hill wouldn't get the best of me. Kept going. Passed another biker who lost the battle with the hill and was walking her bike up the steepest portion. Got to the top and didn't even rest. So much better than last year's experiences with it when it was hard and tiring.
Kept pedaling and pretty soon I was out of the park and at the end of the first road of the bike course. That was my turn around point. I stopped. 9.5 miles in 42 minutes. Not bad considering it felt like it took 5 to 10 minutes to get from the park entrance, up the hill and onto the country road. I stopped, popped a few Sport Beans and I was on my way back.
And as slow as it seemed I was going on the way up the cliff road? Yeah, I was speedy on the way down. I believe I broke 30 mph on the way down. And let's just say the speed limit for cars on that road? It's 25 mph. Can you get a ticket for speeding on your bike? I dunno.
Ride back was uneventful. In all I felt pretty good. Finished 19 miles in 1 hour, 22 minutes. Not really tired when I pulled into my parents' driveway. Makes me feel a bit more confident about this weekend's triathlon. Especially since I know I can tackle that hill and it will seem easier than it did last year.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Riding into the wind doesn't scare me
Last night the focus was getting back into the pool.
Tonight it was putting some decent miles on the bike.
Unlike the pool, I haven't totally been neglecting my bike the last few months. I just haven't been showing it quite as much love as I should be. As in, my longest (outdoor) ride to date this year? 11 miles. Not bad. A decent post-work ride. But not quite up to the 21 miles that I'll be riding when the High Cliff Sprint Triathlon rolls around next weekend.
So today after work I hopped on the bike, intending to get a fairly decent ride in. I wasn't completely sure how far I wanted to go, I just knew I wanted to ride until I started to feel it. So I headed south out of town along the lake. I was flying. Feeling good. Got to my turn around point and soon discovered why the first 6 miles felt so good.
I was riding with the wind. And not just a gentle breeze. Nope. More like steady 20 mph winds with fairly frequent gusts around 30mph. And all of a sudden, one little turn and I was now riding into the wind.
Not as easy.
But I kept pedaling. Avoided being blown over. While my speed did drop, it never fell into single digits. And although it was hard, I didn't seem to be getting too tired. So I kept riding. Added on some extra loops around some neighborhoods. Kept turning away from my house. Because remember, I didn't have an exact route mapped out. Just wanted to see how far I could go and still feel good.
I ended up pulling into my driveway after 17.15 miles. Probably could have managed to tack on the extra 3 miles to make it an even 20, but it was starting to get late and my tummy was starting to growl. I was hungry.
So 17.15 miles in 1 hour, 13 minutes. And remember, there was wind to battle. Not bad. I'll take it. And after tonight's ride, I'm not so worried about the bike leg of the triathlon. I always knew I could do the distance, I just needed to get one longer ride under my belt before race day to reassure myself.
Tomorrow? I run.
Tonight it was putting some decent miles on the bike.
Unlike the pool, I haven't totally been neglecting my bike the last few months. I just haven't been showing it quite as much love as I should be. As in, my longest (outdoor) ride to date this year? 11 miles. Not bad. A decent post-work ride. But not quite up to the 21 miles that I'll be riding when the High Cliff Sprint Triathlon rolls around next weekend.
So today after work I hopped on the bike, intending to get a fairly decent ride in. I wasn't completely sure how far I wanted to go, I just knew I wanted to ride until I started to feel it. So I headed south out of town along the lake. I was flying. Feeling good. Got to my turn around point and soon discovered why the first 6 miles felt so good.
I was riding with the wind. And not just a gentle breeze. Nope. More like steady 20 mph winds with fairly frequent gusts around 30mph. And all of a sudden, one little turn and I was now riding into the wind.
Not as easy.
But I kept pedaling. Avoided being blown over. While my speed did drop, it never fell into single digits. And although it was hard, I didn't seem to be getting too tired. So I kept riding. Added on some extra loops around some neighborhoods. Kept turning away from my house. Because remember, I didn't have an exact route mapped out. Just wanted to see how far I could go and still feel good.
I ended up pulling into my driveway after 17.15 miles. Probably could have managed to tack on the extra 3 miles to make it an even 20, but it was starting to get late and my tummy was starting to growl. I was hungry.
So 17.15 miles in 1 hour, 13 minutes. And remember, there was wind to battle. Not bad. I'll take it. And after tonight's ride, I'm not so worried about the bike leg of the triathlon. I always knew I could do the distance, I just needed to get one longer ride under my belt before race day to reassure myself.
Tomorrow? I run.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Some randomness
I'm pressed for time tonight, so I give you bullet point style randomness. Because really, is there a better form of randomness?
- Thanks for all the well wishes on my 5K PR from Sunday. But I wasn't done once I crossed that finish line and met up with Running Diva Mom. Nope. The half marathon training plan called for a long run of 10 miles last weekend, and since I didn't want to do it the day before the 5K, I planned on doing it after. So I left the finish line area, headed out to the Wiouwash Trail and logged an additional 7 miles. And let me tell you. It was brutal. Hard. So hard I almost turned around at the 2 mile marker and turned it into an extra 4 miles. But I kept going. Even had a shirt change (in the wooded part of the trail) around the 4 mile point because I was getting too toasty in my long sleeves with a short sleeve tech shirt layered on top. So the run was hard. And there were so many times I wanted to quit, but I kept going. And when I was done? I was thrilled. And then was totally lazy for the rest of the day. I think I earned it.
- During the brutal 7 miles I finally got to try out the mint chocolate Gu everyone in blogland has been raving about. Fabulous! Might actually overtake the chocolate outrage as my Gu of choice.
- The legs were still kind of sore on Monday, so instead of a run, I went for the season's first outdoor bike ride. It felt so nice to be on my bike again. I took it nice and slow and only went 5 miles, but it was a nice change of pace. Now I just need to start incorporating more bike workouts because the High Cliff Tri? It's two months away.
- Speaking of the High Cliff Tri, I think I've forgotten what the pool looks like. Yup. Haven't donned the swim cap and goggles in I don't know how long. That's scary. Must get back in the pool. Pronto!
- Talking about the bike and swim reminds me I really need to sit down and try to figure out a training plan of attack for the next few months. A plan that incorporates not only half marathon training but also tri training. Suggestions?
- Tonight's 4 mile run went pretty well, but the legs were still a bit stiff. Thankfully they started to feel better during the second half of the run.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Trying out some new gear
It was cross training night. And although it was pretty nice out and I've been totally jealous of all the bikers I've seen pedaling around town, I had to head over to the YMCA after work since my bike is still in winter mode.
But I was OK with that. It gave me a chance to try out a pair of Sugoi tri shorts I won in a giveaway back in December over at Steve in a Speedo?! Gross! I won a Velocity tri tank and shorts and just haven't gotten around to trying them out yet (that whole winter thing). But when I packed my gym bag this morning, I threw the shorts in since I knew I'd be logging a longer ride on the stationary bike.
Granted the workout almost didn't happen since I left work about an hour late. But I resisted the urge to just head home and went to the YMCA.
The shorts were very comfortable. And were very light weight. It feels weird to say it, but it almost didn't feel like I was wearing the shorts. This was the first time I've ever worn any shorts that have the chamois and I admit, when I first looked at it, I was worried it was going to be bulky and uncomfortable. But I barely felt it and I think my body will thank me for it since I didn't ride 13 miles and then get off with the soreness I sometimes will have after a long bike ride.
So two thumbs up on the Sugoi shorts. I like them and am excited to get to use them more this summer! *
Even though I had treadmill envy, watching all of those other gym-goers running, my growling stomach won the battle and I headed home for dinner after the ride. I had a surprise waiting for me in my mailbox though. My RoadID came today. I can't wait to use it, although it'll have to wait for the weekend since I think tomorrow's run is going to be on a treadmill since it's going to be cold and windy.
* Note: Sugoi did not pay me to say this. I really did enjoy the shorts, which I won in a giveaway.
But I was OK with that. It gave me a chance to try out a pair of Sugoi tri shorts I won in a giveaway back in December over at Steve in a Speedo?! Gross! I won a Velocity tri tank and shorts and just haven't gotten around to trying them out yet (that whole winter thing). But when I packed my gym bag this morning, I threw the shorts in since I knew I'd be logging a longer ride on the stationary bike.
Granted the workout almost didn't happen since I left work about an hour late. But I resisted the urge to just head home and went to the YMCA.
The shorts were very comfortable. And were very light weight. It feels weird to say it, but it almost didn't feel like I was wearing the shorts. This was the first time I've ever worn any shorts that have the chamois and I admit, when I first looked at it, I was worried it was going to be bulky and uncomfortable. But I barely felt it and I think my body will thank me for it since I didn't ride 13 miles and then get off with the soreness I sometimes will have after a long bike ride.
So two thumbs up on the Sugoi shorts. I like them and am excited to get to use them more this summer! *
Even though I had treadmill envy, watching all of those other gym-goers running, my growling stomach won the battle and I headed home for dinner after the ride. I had a surprise waiting for me in my mailbox though. My RoadID came today. I can't wait to use it, although it'll have to wait for the weekend since I think tomorrow's run is going to be on a treadmill since it's going to be cold and windy.
* Note: Sugoi did not pay me to say this. I really did enjoy the shorts, which I won in a giveaway.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Grumbling legs and a look back at February
The legs were totally rebelling tonight when I stepped on the treadmill.
Are you crazy? You just made us run 6.2 miles yesterday and now you want us to run again? Haven't you ever heard of a rest day?
Yeah, that's what they were screaming at me when I stepped on the treadmill tonight. But I didn't listen to them. The training plan said a 3-mile run was on tap today. And darn it, screaming legs or not, I was going to do the 3 miles.
And the legs apparently figured out it was a lost cause to keep screaming, because after an easy 1.5 miles, they felt pretty decent. So I played around with the speed a bit and when the numbers on the treadmill flipped to 3 miles, I was still feeling pretty decent, so I opted to throw in an extra mile.
Overall 4.1 miles in 42 minutes tonight. And aside from the initial unhappy legs, the run felt pretty good.
So February's done. Ummm, I'm still trying to figure out where January went. So let's take a quick look at the month.
Run: 55 miles
Bike: 29.5 miles
Swim: 0 yards
Oops. Totally slacked on the swimming. I'm going to change that in March. Really I am. And the biking went down a bit, but the run totals? Considering February only has 28 days and I pounded out 55 miles compared to 50.8 miles during the 31 days in January. I'll take that.
Let's take a look at the year:
Run: 105.8 miles
Bike: 96.5 miles
Swim: 338 yards
I'm a tenth of way towards the 1,000 mile running goal for the year. Yes, I'm still behind. But I'm hoping to catch up a bit this month. The half marathon plan has me running 70 miles this month if I follow it exactly. And well, I've never been too good at following it exactly. Take for instance tonight. I was supposed to run 3 miles. I ran 4.1 miles. Goals for March include getting back into the pool, upping the bike mileage again and sticking with the half marathon training!
Are you crazy? You just made us run 6.2 miles yesterday and now you want us to run again? Haven't you ever heard of a rest day?
Yeah, that's what they were screaming at me when I stepped on the treadmill tonight. But I didn't listen to them. The training plan said a 3-mile run was on tap today. And darn it, screaming legs or not, I was going to do the 3 miles.
And the legs apparently figured out it was a lost cause to keep screaming, because after an easy 1.5 miles, they felt pretty decent. So I played around with the speed a bit and when the numbers on the treadmill flipped to 3 miles, I was still feeling pretty decent, so I opted to throw in an extra mile.
Overall 4.1 miles in 42 minutes tonight. And aside from the initial unhappy legs, the run felt pretty good.
*****
So February's done. Ummm, I'm still trying to figure out where January went. So let's take a quick look at the month.
Run: 55 miles
Bike: 29.5 miles
Swim: 0 yards
Oops. Totally slacked on the swimming. I'm going to change that in March. Really I am. And the biking went down a bit, but the run totals? Considering February only has 28 days and I pounded out 55 miles compared to 50.8 miles during the 31 days in January. I'll take that.
Let's take a look at the year:
Run: 105.8 miles
Bike: 96.5 miles
Swim: 338 yards
I'm a tenth of way towards the 1,000 mile running goal for the year. Yes, I'm still behind. But I'm hoping to catch up a bit this month. The half marathon plan has me running 70 miles this month if I follow it exactly. And well, I've never been too good at following it exactly. Take for instance tonight. I was supposed to run 3 miles. I ran 4.1 miles. Goals for March include getting back into the pool, upping the bike mileage again and sticking with the half marathon training!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Nothing much to report
I decided to give my legs a rest from running today.
Even though I wasn't going to run, I still headed over to the YMCA after work and spent some time on the bike. Pedaled 13 miles in 45 minutes and finished up with some strength and ab work. Overall a decent Wednesday night at the gym.
But perhaps the best part of the night?
Coming home and checking my e-mail. I got one from Amazon.com telling me my order had shipped. So excited! I can't wait for that brown box to arrive! And now I'm sure I'm going to be compulsively tracking the package so I know exactly where it is.
That's all I've got for today.
Even though I wasn't going to run, I still headed over to the YMCA after work and spent some time on the bike. Pedaled 13 miles in 45 minutes and finished up with some strength and ab work. Overall a decent Wednesday night at the gym.
But perhaps the best part of the night?
Coming home and checking my e-mail. I got one from Amazon.com telling me my order had shipped. So excited! I can't wait for that brown box to arrive! And now I'm sure I'm going to be compulsively tracking the package so I know exactly where it is.
That's all I've got for today.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
I couldn't rest with that number within my reach
And on the rest day? There was no resting.
Let me back up a bit.
I had plans to join up with a local running group Saturday morning to get my long run in. The running group is doing training runs for the Oshkosh Half Marathon that's coming up in April. And even though I'm doing the Green Bay Half Marathon a month later, I figured it might be a nice change of pace to run with other people for a change. And since they get together at 7:30 in the morning, I'd get the run out of the way super early.
So I had plans. Knew what I was going to wear and everything. The alarm went off and it was 1 degree outside. With a wind chill below zero. Um, as much as a running with others sounded like a tempting idea, there was no way I was going to do it when it was that cold out. Remember, I'm a wuss when it comes to running outside in the cold.
So I skipped the group run. Which meant I headed over to the YMCA later in the day to pound out my 5-mile run on the treadmill. There wasn't anything too exciting to report about the run. Kept it nice and steady (and slow) during the first two miles and putzed around a little bit with the speed during the next three. Never anything faster than a 10 minute mile though. Once the 5 miles were up, I walked for a few minutes and then threw in an extra half mile.
Run done. Time for a girls night with some old friends (who I hadn't seen in over a year). That was fun.
But today I was entering the run in my running log and noticed I was 1.7 miles short of hitting 50 miles for the month. And even though it was supposed to be a rest day, I could resist the temptation to head over to the YMCA and log a couple of miles to break that 50 mile mark.
So I did. Snuck in a 2.5 mile run at a nice easy pace and hit the milestone. Followed it up with a quick 4 mile spin on the bike. Then the rest day began.
That's one month down for 2010 (seriously, where'd January go?). Eleven more months to tackle the Tall Mom 1,000+++ Mile Club Challenge. Let's take a look at the numbers for the month:
Run: 50.8 miles
Bike: 67 miles
Swim: 338 yards (yes, I've been slacking on the swimming)
And by the way, the 50.8 miles I ran this month? That's the highest monthly mileage total since July 2007 when I logged 62 miles during training for my first half marathon. I think me and running and starting to get along again. I like it.
Let me back up a bit.
I had plans to join up with a local running group Saturday morning to get my long run in. The running group is doing training runs for the Oshkosh Half Marathon that's coming up in April. And even though I'm doing the Green Bay Half Marathon a month later, I figured it might be a nice change of pace to run with other people for a change. And since they get together at 7:30 in the morning, I'd get the run out of the way super early.
So I had plans. Knew what I was going to wear and everything. The alarm went off and it was 1 degree outside. With a wind chill below zero. Um, as much as a running with others sounded like a tempting idea, there was no way I was going to do it when it was that cold out. Remember, I'm a wuss when it comes to running outside in the cold.
So I skipped the group run. Which meant I headed over to the YMCA later in the day to pound out my 5-mile run on the treadmill. There wasn't anything too exciting to report about the run. Kept it nice and steady (and slow) during the first two miles and putzed around a little bit with the speed during the next three. Never anything faster than a 10 minute mile though. Once the 5 miles were up, I walked for a few minutes and then threw in an extra half mile.
Run done. Time for a girls night with some old friends (who I hadn't seen in over a year). That was fun.
But today I was entering the run in my running log and noticed I was 1.7 miles short of hitting 50 miles for the month. And even though it was supposed to be a rest day, I could resist the temptation to head over to the YMCA and log a couple of miles to break that 50 mile mark.
So I did. Snuck in a 2.5 mile run at a nice easy pace and hit the milestone. Followed it up with a quick 4 mile spin on the bike. Then the rest day began.
That's one month down for 2010 (seriously, where'd January go?). Eleven more months to tackle the Tall Mom 1,000+++ Mile Club Challenge. Let's take a look at the numbers for the month:
Run: 50.8 miles
Bike: 67 miles
Swim: 338 yards (yes, I've been slacking on the swimming)
And by the way, the 50.8 miles I ran this month? That's the highest monthly mileage total since July 2007 when I logged 62 miles during training for my first half marathon. I think me and running and starting to get along again. I like it.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I avoided the urge to slack
I see I've sparked a bit of interest in uttering the words half marathon. Don't worry, the promised half marathon post will be coming by the end of the weekend.
As for today? It was a long day at work. And when I finally got done, I was this close to skipping out on my plan to hit the YMCA.
The training calendar said today was just a cross training day. I can skip those. Right?
But I really didn't have an excuse. I wasn't tired. I wasn't hungry. The Badger game didn't tip off for another hour and a half. What was I going to do if I went home? Probably not much.
So I went to the YMCA. And since it was a cross training day, I was only planning on logging some miles on the bike. Even got dressed my capris that were shoved in my gym bag.
But I got upstairs. And even though it was 6 p.m. and the parking lot was full, there were all of these empty treadmills just staring at me. Calling my name.
I couldn't resist.
I snagged a TV-less treadmill and started to run. Since it was technically a non-running day, I wasn't going to run far but I kept it at a decent pace. I ended up finishing my 2 miles in 20 minutes - about a 10 minute per mile pace. Not bad for a spur of the moment run.
After I was done, I headed over to the bike and pedaled. Finished 8.5 miles in 30 minutes.
I was sweaty. And probably stinky. But I was happy. I didn't give in to the temptation to blow off the gym today. And I feel good about it.
As for today? It was a long day at work. And when I finally got done, I was this close to skipping out on my plan to hit the YMCA.
The training calendar said today was just a cross training day. I can skip those. Right?
But I really didn't have an excuse. I wasn't tired. I wasn't hungry. The Badger game didn't tip off for another hour and a half. What was I going to do if I went home? Probably not much.
So I went to the YMCA. And since it was a cross training day, I was only planning on logging some miles on the bike. Even got dressed my capris that were shoved in my gym bag.
But I got upstairs. And even though it was 6 p.m. and the parking lot was full, there were all of these empty treadmills just staring at me. Calling my name.
I couldn't resist.
I snagged a TV-less treadmill and started to run. Since it was technically a non-running day, I wasn't going to run far but I kept it at a decent pace. I ended up finishing my 2 miles in 20 minutes - about a 10 minute per mile pace. Not bad for a spur of the moment run.
After I was done, I headed over to the bike and pedaled. Finished 8.5 miles in 30 minutes.
I was sweaty. And probably stinky. But I was happy. I didn't give in to the temptation to blow off the gym today. And I feel good about it.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A Badger loss leaves me with screaming legs
I think my legs are going to hate me in the morning.
And I blame it on a college basketball game.
The Badgers were playing Michigan State tonight. And the game was on TV, but since I don't have cable, I can't watch the Big Ten Network at my house. Tip-off was at 5:30, right as I was finishing up at work, so my plan was to head over to the YMCA and park myself on a treadmill or bike, get my workout in and watch the game.
Sounded like a great plan.
I got to the gym and by the time I got upstairs and snagged a treadmill, there was about 5 minutes gone in the first half. I started running. I kept it at an easy pace. But then an idea hit me. Commercial breaks. Why don't I bump the speed up during the commercial break? Call it intervals?
So I did. I was taking it easy during most of the run, setting the treadmill speed at 5.6 or 5.7mph, but during the commercial breaks I jacked the speed up to 6.5mph (hey, it's fast for me). At just over 2 minutes, I pounded out a quarter-mile during those commercial breaks. I did this every three-quarters of a mile during the first three miles of my run.
Then I had to switch treadmills.
I kept running though. Another 2.5 miles and kept throwing in those intervals, but this time I kept the speed at 6.5 mph for a half-mile. And by that last interval, when I was nearing the 5.5 mile mark? Torture. But I finished. and then walked a bit.
So my hour on the treadmill was done, but there was still 15 minutes of basketball left to be played. And since the game was still close, I headed over to a stationary bike and pedaled for 20 minutes. My legs were kind of starting to grumble, but I wasn't going to miss the end of the game.
Finished up the bike with about 5 minutes left in the game and headed down to the locker room to grab my stuff. Listened to the last minutes of the game on the radio in the car on the way home.
The Badgers lost. Sight. Although it was close to the last seconds. And the legs? They're starting to grumble a bit louder. By tomorrow morning I have a feeling they'll be screaming.
It was worth it though.
And I blame it on a college basketball game.
The Badgers were playing Michigan State tonight. And the game was on TV, but since I don't have cable, I can't watch the Big Ten Network at my house. Tip-off was at 5:30, right as I was finishing up at work, so my plan was to head over to the YMCA and park myself on a treadmill or bike, get my workout in and watch the game.
Sounded like a great plan.
I got to the gym and by the time I got upstairs and snagged a treadmill, there was about 5 minutes gone in the first half. I started running. I kept it at an easy pace. But then an idea hit me. Commercial breaks. Why don't I bump the speed up during the commercial break? Call it intervals?
So I did. I was taking it easy during most of the run, setting the treadmill speed at 5.6 or 5.7mph, but during the commercial breaks I jacked the speed up to 6.5mph (hey, it's fast for me). At just over 2 minutes, I pounded out a quarter-mile during those commercial breaks. I did this every three-quarters of a mile during the first three miles of my run.
Then I had to switch treadmills.
I kept running though. Another 2.5 miles and kept throwing in those intervals, but this time I kept the speed at 6.5 mph for a half-mile. And by that last interval, when I was nearing the 5.5 mile mark? Torture. But I finished. and then walked a bit.
So my hour on the treadmill was done, but there was still 15 minutes of basketball left to be played. And since the game was still close, I headed over to a stationary bike and pedaled for 20 minutes. My legs were kind of starting to grumble, but I wasn't going to miss the end of the game.
Finished up the bike with about 5 minutes left in the game and headed down to the locker room to grab my stuff. Listened to the last minutes of the game on the radio in the car on the way home.
The Badgers lost. Sight. Although it was close to the last seconds. And the legs? They're starting to grumble a bit louder. By tomorrow morning I have a feeling they'll be screaming.
It was worth it though.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Who needs a plan?
The legs were feeling a bit sore today after yesterday's run. That's what happens when I disappear from running for almost a week and a half I guess.
But I still wanted to hit the gym after work. So I planned on grabbing a bike and just riding for about 45 minutes. Armed with my iPod and a book I went to the YMCA and was floored to find that all of the bikes (well all of the bikes that I like, not a fan of the recumbent ones) were taken.
But there was a lonely treadmill. The one I used last night that had the non-functioning TV.
Like I said, I don't like the recumbent bikes. So I decided to jump on the treadmill and do a short run while waiting for a bike. I wasn't planning on going far. Maybe a mile and then doing some walking.
But when I started running? It actually felt good. And I was running at my normal early run pace (about a 10:20 mile). So my mile turned into 2 miles. And by the time I finished 20 minutes and 40 seconds later, the bike I wanted was free.
So I finished off the workout with 25 minutes on the bike and rode 7 miles.
And tonight? The troublesome treadmill TV? Worked perfectly.
But I still wanted to hit the gym after work. So I planned on grabbing a bike and just riding for about 45 minutes. Armed with my iPod and a book I went to the YMCA and was floored to find that all of the bikes (well all of the bikes that I like, not a fan of the recumbent ones) were taken.
But there was a lonely treadmill. The one I used last night that had the non-functioning TV.
Like I said, I don't like the recumbent bikes. So I decided to jump on the treadmill and do a short run while waiting for a bike. I wasn't planning on going far. Maybe a mile and then doing some walking.
But when I started running? It actually felt good. And I was running at my normal early run pace (about a 10:20 mile). So my mile turned into 2 miles. And by the time I finished 20 minutes and 40 seconds later, the bike I wanted was free.
So I finished off the workout with 25 minutes on the bike and rode 7 miles.
And tonight? The troublesome treadmill TV? Worked perfectly.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Airplanes make good scenery to ride by
It was one of those one-day weekends that I get every so often after pulling weekend reporter duty.
And I made sure to make good use of my one day off.
I got up, putzed around a bit and then headed out on my bike. I hadn't taken a good long ride in a while, so I wanted to go about 20 miles. When I left my apartment, I didn't really have a plan where I was going, just that I was going and would probably head over near the airport grounds.
It's AirVenture week and planes, pilots and other people have been arriving in masses. Since I live right behind the airport, I hear the constant sound of airplane engines as they make their approach. And I'm not kidding about the constant part. For this week, Oshkosh is apparently one of the busiest airports in the world. Kind of impressive since it basically sits idle for the other 51 weeks a year.
So I left my apartment and headed towards the airport. I was biking straight into a nasty headwind when I was going west and for a second I considered cutting my ride short and heading back home. But there were airplanes. And it was fun to watch them landing as I was out on the road biking. So I kept going. Went around the airport, rode through all the convention traffic near the AirVenture grounds and headed back into town. Hooked up with the normal route I take along the river/lake and made one last loop near the airport - where I pulled over momentarily and just watched a bunch of airplanes come in for a landing - before heading back home.
I think I have a problem though. My bike computer? The part that tracks mileage? I think it's seriously messed up. From the beginning of the ride, I thought it was off, but I thought it was off just slightly. During the ride, I glanced at it every so often and the numbers just weren't matching up with what I've had when I've done this route in the past. When I took my short break, I'd had been out on the road for about 1 hour, 15 minutes. And it told me I had only ridden 14 miles. Now, I know I'm not the most speedy rider there is, but I was pretty sure I was keeping up a better pace than that.
I made a mental note to check my mileage with MapMyRun.com when I got home. By the time I pulled into my driveway, the bike computer told me I had gone 17.7 miles. Not quite the 20 I was hoping for, but I was OK with it. Went inside, logged into MapMyRun.com and plotted the route.
20.5 miles.
I'd say that's a little bit more than the 17.7 miles the computer on my bike was telling me. Looks like I'll be attempting to find the instructions to fix it or else taking the bike into the bike shop for some help.
Like I said, it's AirVenture week. The best week of the summer when it comes to reporting assignments in my mind. And I got lucky this year. A five day work week and all five of those days I'm assigned to the grounds. Lots of aviation for me! That might make workouts a little difficult though. I'm going to try to fit in a swim when I get done tomorrow and hopefully all the walking around the grounds won't kill my legs too badly during the week and I'll still be able to squeeze in some runs and rides.
Because I still have one more triathlon left on Aug. 9! It'll be here before I know it!
And I made sure to make good use of my one day off.
I got up, putzed around a bit and then headed out on my bike. I hadn't taken a good long ride in a while, so I wanted to go about 20 miles. When I left my apartment, I didn't really have a plan where I was going, just that I was going and would probably head over near the airport grounds.
It's AirVenture week and planes, pilots and other people have been arriving in masses. Since I live right behind the airport, I hear the constant sound of airplane engines as they make their approach. And I'm not kidding about the constant part. For this week, Oshkosh is apparently one of the busiest airports in the world. Kind of impressive since it basically sits idle for the other 51 weeks a year.
So I left my apartment and headed towards the airport. I was biking straight into a nasty headwind when I was going west and for a second I considered cutting my ride short and heading back home. But there were airplanes. And it was fun to watch them landing as I was out on the road biking. So I kept going. Went around the airport, rode through all the convention traffic near the AirVenture grounds and headed back into town. Hooked up with the normal route I take along the river/lake and made one last loop near the airport - where I pulled over momentarily and just watched a bunch of airplanes come in for a landing - before heading back home.
I think I have a problem though. My bike computer? The part that tracks mileage? I think it's seriously messed up. From the beginning of the ride, I thought it was off, but I thought it was off just slightly. During the ride, I glanced at it every so often and the numbers just weren't matching up with what I've had when I've done this route in the past. When I took my short break, I'd had been out on the road for about 1 hour, 15 minutes. And it told me I had only ridden 14 miles. Now, I know I'm not the most speedy rider there is, but I was pretty sure I was keeping up a better pace than that.
I made a mental note to check my mileage with MapMyRun.com when I got home. By the time I pulled into my driveway, the bike computer told me I had gone 17.7 miles. Not quite the 20 I was hoping for, but I was OK with it. Went inside, logged into MapMyRun.com and plotted the route.
20.5 miles.
I'd say that's a little bit more than the 17.7 miles the computer on my bike was telling me. Looks like I'll be attempting to find the instructions to fix it or else taking the bike into the bike shop for some help.
*****
Like I said, it's AirVenture week. The best week of the summer when it comes to reporting assignments in my mind. And I got lucky this year. A five day work week and all five of those days I'm assigned to the grounds. Lots of aviation for me! That might make workouts a little difficult though. I'm going to try to fit in a swim when I get done tomorrow and hopefully all the walking around the grounds won't kill my legs too badly during the week and I'll still be able to squeeze in some runs and rides.
Because I still have one more triathlon left on Aug. 9! It'll be here before I know it!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Trek Women's Triathlon - Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Brilliant.
That's what I was told I would be on Sunday as I entered the water moments before the Trek Women's Triathlon started. A brilliant swimmer. A brilliant biker. A brilliant runner. And a brilliant triathlete.
I was ready. Donning my green swim cap, I was ready to return to the site of my first triathlon. A year older with two triathlons worth of experience under my belt. I was ready to tackle this tri and put up a smaller number than last year.
When I lined up at the swim start with the rest of the women in my wave, Sally Edwards, a former Ironman master's world record holder and the event's Chief Inspiration Officer, was waiting for me with her hand held out, ready to give me a high five.
As we stood there in the water, waiting for the gun to go off, Sally told us that our word was brilliant. We were going to be brilliant swimmers, bikers, runners and triathletes. And we would have a good time while we were doing it.
With those words running through my head, the countdown began. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go!
The Swim - 1/2 mile
Wanting to avoid the inital chaos of the swim start, I positioned myself towards the back of my wave and off to the side. Good choice. I was able to get into a decent swim groove fairly quickly. It sounds fairly simple - a straight 1/2 mile swim across Lake Andrea to the swim exit. But swimming in a straight line? Proved to be much more difficult that I remembered. Yes, there were some flags - white - and a yellow fence marking the swim exit, but when you're a half mile across a lake and swimming, it was kind of hard to see.
Somewhere around the midway point of the swim I realized I was completely off course. Heading to the shore, but unfortunately it was the wrong shore. So I paused. Got my bearings. Found the exit and started swimming again. Happened a few other times, and my swim was most definitely not a straight line, but eventually I made it to the exit.
I got out of the water, pulled my goggles off my head and promptly almost did a head first dive into the sand. If not for throwing my hand out to catch myself, I would have ended up with a face full of sand instead of having my hands and knees covered in sand. Bet ya any money the race photographer caught that graceful move on film.
Transition 1: Swim to Bike
Since I was covered in sand, I took a few seconds to wipe off my feet and my hand. Luckily my transition spot happened to be right by a grassy boulevard, so I had a little bit of extra room and a concrete curb to sit on while I put on my shoes. Threw on the shorts, tank, socks and shoes. Strapped on my helmet and grabbed my sunglasses and bike and I was off.
The Bike - 12.4 miles
The bike course took us out of the park and onto Kenosha County roads. Once you made that first left hand turn out of the park, you were greeted with an uphill climb over a railway overpass. Last year I think I struggled. But this year? That overpass - and the handful of other hills that were on the course - were nothing compared to the cliff road I tackled at High Cliff last month.
I felt good on the bike. Passed a good number of folks. Felt like I was making pretty good time. I glanced at the clock on my bike computer and based on an estimation of my approximate start time, I was posting a pretty decent time a few miles into the bike. But I wasn't going to let myself get too consumed with the time.
I kept pedaling. Kept passing a few folks. Remembered to eat the fruit punch package of Jelly Belly Sport Beans that I had shoved into the pocket of my tank. Even managed to open the package and not crash on my bike.
Soon the overpass that started the bike course was looming in front of me again. I tackled the uphill, passed one or two people and got ready to ride into the park and hit the road for the run.
Transition 2: Bike to Run
Quickly racked my bike, not once but twice. First attempt was close to my spot, but actually wasn't. So I unracked and re-racked my bike in front of my transition spot. Unbuckled the helmet, grabbed the visor, had a quick swig of water and I was off.
The Run - 3.1 miles
I had flashbacks to High Cliff when I felt like I was making good time and then completely died on the run. I was mentally ready for the concrete feeling to take over my legs.
It never happened.
My legs felt good. The run felt good. From the beginning until the end. About a quarter-mile in, I saw my Mom standing near the fence. I smiled. Waved. Kept running. The run went around the lake I had swam across a little over an hour earlier. I passed the swimming beach and hit the first water stop about a mile in. Grabbed some water, contemplated walking through the water stop, but I still felt good. So I kept running.
Somone had thought ahead and set up a sprinkler around the 1.25 mile marker. I watched as some women choose to run around it to avoid getting wet. Me? I ran right through it. It felt refreshing. Shortly after, there were some very nice looking firemen standing guard at the turnaround. The shouted words of encouragement. I said thanks. Then I was on my way back along the lake, about 1.5 miles from the finish line.
I kept running. Came upon a girl who looked like she was struggling. Gave her some words of encouragement. She thanked me and started running with me. We ran side by side for a little bit before she had to stop for a walk break.
I passed the second water station. Grabbed some water and a bag of Sport Beans. Tucked the beans in my pocket, drank some water and threw the rest over my head. The finish line was in sight. Just run around the swimming beach building, a curver or two and then the straighaway to the finish line.
I was ready to cross that line. Not ready to be done because I was tired. But ready to kick it into high gear and cross that line full of energy and fresh. Show that line who's in control.
My pace got quicker. The crowds started getting fuller. People were lining both sides of the path, making it seem like the finish line chute was much longer than just the fencing near the flags. Bent down to give a little boy a high five. Followed that up with an adult high five. Kept running. Still strong.
Then the finish line chute appeared. And Sally Edwards was standing there. I heard my name come over the loudspeaker. Sally held out her hand, greeting me at the finish line with a high five.
I'd like to think it was the strongest one she got all day.
I was done. I'd conquered the Trek Women's Triathlon. I felt good. Felt like I could keep on running. But I got my medal, grabbed some water and went to look for my Mom. She eventually found me in the chaos of people and I grabbed a post-race bagel before checking out the race results.
If I didn't feel so good, I would have thought I was seeing a typo.
There next to my name was a time. A time that was almost 17 minutes faster than the time I logged last year at this event. Needless to say, I was estatic.
So let's look at the numbers, shall we?
2009 Trek Women's Triathlon
Swim: 20 minutes, 35 seconds
Transition 1: 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Bike: 45 minutes, 41 seconds
Transition 2: 2 minutes, 32 seconds
Run: 35 minutes, 26 seconds
Total: 1 hour, 49 minutes, 37 seconds
For comparison, I finished the 2008 event (known as the Chicagoland Danskin Triathlon) in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 19 seconds. That's a difference of 16 minutes, 42 seconds. Woah. What a difference a year makes - but I'll address that idea in a different post this week.
An added feel good moment dealing with numbers? The time I clocked for the 5K run - 35 minutes, 26 seconds - is my fastest 5K time this year. If that's what I can do at the end of a triathlon, think of what it could be if I'm just running a 5K? Guess I'll get to see on Friday when I tackle the Sunset 5K.
Overall, I'd say it was a good day. No wait. Take that back. It was brilliant.
That's what I was told I would be on Sunday as I entered the water moments before the Trek Women's Triathlon started. A brilliant swimmer. A brilliant biker. A brilliant runner. And a brilliant triathlete.
I was ready. Donning my green swim cap, I was ready to return to the site of my first triathlon. A year older with two triathlons worth of experience under my belt. I was ready to tackle this tri and put up a smaller number than last year.
When I lined up at the swim start with the rest of the women in my wave, Sally Edwards, a former Ironman master's world record holder and the event's Chief Inspiration Officer, was waiting for me with her hand held out, ready to give me a high five.
As we stood there in the water, waiting for the gun to go off, Sally told us that our word was brilliant. We were going to be brilliant swimmers, bikers, runners and triathletes. And we would have a good time while we were doing it.
With those words running through my head, the countdown began. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go!
The Swim - 1/2 mile
Wanting to avoid the inital chaos of the swim start, I positioned myself towards the back of my wave and off to the side. Good choice. I was able to get into a decent swim groove fairly quickly. It sounds fairly simple - a straight 1/2 mile swim across Lake Andrea to the swim exit. But swimming in a straight line? Proved to be much more difficult that I remembered. Yes, there were some flags - white - and a yellow fence marking the swim exit, but when you're a half mile across a lake and swimming, it was kind of hard to see.
Somewhere around the midway point of the swim I realized I was completely off course. Heading to the shore, but unfortunately it was the wrong shore. So I paused. Got my bearings. Found the exit and started swimming again. Happened a few other times, and my swim was most definitely not a straight line, but eventually I made it to the exit.
I got out of the water, pulled my goggles off my head and promptly almost did a head first dive into the sand. If not for throwing my hand out to catch myself, I would have ended up with a face full of sand instead of having my hands and knees covered in sand. Bet ya any money the race photographer caught that graceful move on film.
Transition 1: Swim to Bike
Since I was covered in sand, I took a few seconds to wipe off my feet and my hand. Luckily my transition spot happened to be right by a grassy boulevard, so I had a little bit of extra room and a concrete curb to sit on while I put on my shoes. Threw on the shorts, tank, socks and shoes. Strapped on my helmet and grabbed my sunglasses and bike and I was off.
The Bike - 12.4 miles
The bike course took us out of the park and onto Kenosha County roads. Once you made that first left hand turn out of the park, you were greeted with an uphill climb over a railway overpass. Last year I think I struggled. But this year? That overpass - and the handful of other hills that were on the course - were nothing compared to the cliff road I tackled at High Cliff last month.
I felt good on the bike. Passed a good number of folks. Felt like I was making pretty good time. I glanced at the clock on my bike computer and based on an estimation of my approximate start time, I was posting a pretty decent time a few miles into the bike. But I wasn't going to let myself get too consumed with the time.
I kept pedaling. Kept passing a few folks. Remembered to eat the fruit punch package of Jelly Belly Sport Beans that I had shoved into the pocket of my tank. Even managed to open the package and not crash on my bike.Soon the overpass that started the bike course was looming in front of me again. I tackled the uphill, passed one or two people and got ready to ride into the park and hit the road for the run.
Transition 2: Bike to Run
Quickly racked my bike, not once but twice. First attempt was close to my spot, but actually wasn't. So I unracked and re-racked my bike in front of my transition spot. Unbuckled the helmet, grabbed the visor, had a quick swig of water and I was off.
The Run - 3.1 miles
I had flashbacks to High Cliff when I felt like I was making good time and then completely died on the run. I was mentally ready for the concrete feeling to take over my legs.
It never happened.
My legs felt good. The run felt good. From the beginning until the end. About a quarter-mile in, I saw my Mom standing near the fence. I smiled. Waved. Kept running. The run went around the lake I had swam across a little over an hour earlier. I passed the swimming beach and hit the first water stop about a mile in. Grabbed some water, contemplated walking through the water stop, but I still felt good. So I kept running.
Somone had thought ahead and set up a sprinkler around the 1.25 mile marker. I watched as some women choose to run around it to avoid getting wet. Me? I ran right through it. It felt refreshing. Shortly after, there were some very nice looking firemen standing guard at the turnaround. The shouted words of encouragement. I said thanks. Then I was on my way back along the lake, about 1.5 miles from the finish line.
I kept running. Came upon a girl who looked like she was struggling. Gave her some words of encouragement. She thanked me and started running with me. We ran side by side for a little bit before she had to stop for a walk break.
I passed the second water station. Grabbed some water and a bag of Sport Beans. Tucked the beans in my pocket, drank some water and threw the rest over my head. The finish line was in sight. Just run around the swimming beach building, a curver or two and then the straighaway to the finish line.
I was ready to cross that line. Not ready to be done because I was tired. But ready to kick it into high gear and cross that line full of energy and fresh. Show that line who's in control.
My pace got quicker. The crowds started getting fuller. People were lining both sides of the path, making it seem like the finish line chute was much longer than just the fencing near the flags. Bent down to give a little boy a high five. Followed that up with an adult high five. Kept running. Still strong.
Then the finish line chute appeared. And Sally Edwards was standing there. I heard my name come over the loudspeaker. Sally held out her hand, greeting me at the finish line with a high five.
I'd like to think it was the strongest one she got all day.
I was done. I'd conquered the Trek Women's Triathlon. I felt good. Felt like I could keep on running. But I got my medal, grabbed some water and went to look for my Mom. She eventually found me in the chaos of people and I grabbed a post-race bagel before checking out the race results.If I didn't feel so good, I would have thought I was seeing a typo.
There next to my name was a time. A time that was almost 17 minutes faster than the time I logged last year at this event. Needless to say, I was estatic.
So let's look at the numbers, shall we?
2009 Trek Women's Triathlon
Swim: 20 minutes, 35 seconds
Transition 1: 5 minutes, 20 seconds
Bike: 45 minutes, 41 seconds
Transition 2: 2 minutes, 32 seconds
Run: 35 minutes, 26 seconds
Total: 1 hour, 49 minutes, 37 seconds
For comparison, I finished the 2008 event (known as the Chicagoland Danskin Triathlon) in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 19 seconds. That's a difference of 16 minutes, 42 seconds. Woah. What a difference a year makes - but I'll address that idea in a different post this week.
An added feel good moment dealing with numbers? The time I clocked for the 5K run - 35 minutes, 26 seconds - is my fastest 5K time this year. If that's what I can do at the end of a triathlon, think of what it could be if I'm just running a 5K? Guess I'll get to see on Friday when I tackle the Sunset 5K.
Overall, I'd say it was a good day. No wait. Take that back. It was brilliant.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Not much to say
I haven't got much to say.
With High Cliff looming in the distance - it's four days away in case you lost count - I'm taking it relatively easy this week. Took a rest day yesterday. Actually I was going to go for a run, but then when I got home, looked in my bare cupboards, I decided making a grocery store run was a bit more important. Because apparently food is vital. Today I just hopped on my bike for a short 7 mile ride. I thought about abandoning it since it looked like it was going to start pouring buckets any moment, but I did it. I'm glad I did too since it felt good to get the legs moving a bit.
So not much from me.
But....
If you're looking for new reading material, head on over to Steve's blog. The guy is hilarious. He runs. He swims. He bikes. And he tells stories about the adventures he has. And seriously, how many guys out there finish a half ironman while dressed as The Grim Reaper during the 13.1 mile run? He did. Go. Now. Start reading. You'll enjoy it. Trust me. And if you go, you'll get a chance to win a free pair of shoes.
With High Cliff looming in the distance - it's four days away in case you lost count - I'm taking it relatively easy this week. Took a rest day yesterday. Actually I was going to go for a run, but then when I got home, looked in my bare cupboards, I decided making a grocery store run was a bit more important. Because apparently food is vital. Today I just hopped on my bike for a short 7 mile ride. I thought about abandoning it since it looked like it was going to start pouring buckets any moment, but I did it. I'm glad I did too since it felt good to get the legs moving a bit.
So not much from me.
But....
If you're looking for new reading material, head on over to Steve's blog. The guy is hilarious. He runs. He swims. He bikes. And he tells stories about the adventures he has. And seriously, how many guys out there finish a half ironman while dressed as The Grim Reaper during the 13.1 mile run? He did. Go. Now. Start reading. You'll enjoy it. Trust me. And if you go, you'll get a chance to win a free pair of shoes.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
One last brick before High Cliff
The countdown begins.
High Cliff is just six days away. Six days people. That's not a lot of time.
Today I logged my last big workout before the race. I got up, read the newspaper while eating some cereal and then decided it was time. Time to tackle the bike course and some of the park trails I'll be running on in less than a week.
Course maps in hand, I loaded up my bike and set off for High Cliff. Once I was there, it was just a few more minutes before I was off to tackle the cliff road. A few weeks ago I was freaked out when I started the climb and barely made it up the first incline without almost having to stop. But today? I stayed calm. Breathed. And set my gears to the lowest ones possible. I kept pedaling. And you know what? This time around the climb wasn't so bad. Before I knew it, the first incline was done and the second one was looming ahead of me. Not bad either.
Aside from the cliff road, the rest of the 22-mile bike was relatively flat. A few rolling hills here and there throughout the countryside, but nothing scary. Rolling hills that I didn't even have to change gears on. The worst part about it was the last 6 miles or so when I was biking directly into the wind. It stunk, but since the course is rectangular, I figured I have to be biking into the wind at some point. Oh well.
Finished the course in 1 hour, 33 minutes. After loading my bike back onto my car, changing into my running shoes and grabbing a drink, it was time to run.
After studying the map last week, I realized the run? It also started up the cliff road. Just in case I didn't love it enough the first time through, I got to do it again. Only this time after coming off 22 miles on the bike.
Fun.
Yes, my legs felt like lead, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other on my way up the cliff road. It sucked. It hurt. It was hard. It was hot. But at the top? It was over. Then it was off onto the shady trails. I originally intended to run about half of the 3-mile course, but I missed a turn and ended up going farther on the trail than I needed to before looping back. As a result, I actually ended up running 3 miles, just not the 3 miles I'll need to run on Saturday.
And while running up the cliff road at the beginning of the run stunk, there was a silver lining. The end of the run? It involved running down the cliff road, right to the finish line. Very cool. Very nice. Very fast. I loved it.
The bike was done. The run was done. There was a layer of grit and grime covering my body and my shoulders and back were pink due to a newly acquired sunburn. But I was done.
And not a moment too soon. I was sitting in a spot of shade in the parking lot, finishing my Cliff Bar, having some water and changing into my flip flops when I noticed the dark clouds rolling in, a streak of lightning and heard the rumble of thunder. A storm was brewing and it was time to go. I managed to drive into my parents' driveway and unload my bike just as the downpour started.
But I got in the brick workout that I wanted to today. And it felt good. I already knew what the water would be like after Thursday freezing dip into the lake, but now I know what I'll encounter on the bike and I know what it'll feel like running up, and down, the cliff road.
I'm ready for High Cliff.
High Cliff is just six days away. Six days people. That's not a lot of time.
Today I logged my last big workout before the race. I got up, read the newspaper while eating some cereal and then decided it was time. Time to tackle the bike course and some of the park trails I'll be running on in less than a week.
Course maps in hand, I loaded up my bike and set off for High Cliff. Once I was there, it was just a few more minutes before I was off to tackle the cliff road. A few weeks ago I was freaked out when I started the climb and barely made it up the first incline without almost having to stop. But today? I stayed calm. Breathed. And set my gears to the lowest ones possible. I kept pedaling. And you know what? This time around the climb wasn't so bad. Before I knew it, the first incline was done and the second one was looming ahead of me. Not bad either.
Aside from the cliff road, the rest of the 22-mile bike was relatively flat. A few rolling hills here and there throughout the countryside, but nothing scary. Rolling hills that I didn't even have to change gears on. The worst part about it was the last 6 miles or so when I was biking directly into the wind. It stunk, but since the course is rectangular, I figured I have to be biking into the wind at some point. Oh well.
Finished the course in 1 hour, 33 minutes. After loading my bike back onto my car, changing into my running shoes and grabbing a drink, it was time to run.
After studying the map last week, I realized the run? It also started up the cliff road. Just in case I didn't love it enough the first time through, I got to do it again. Only this time after coming off 22 miles on the bike.
Fun.
Yes, my legs felt like lead, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other on my way up the cliff road. It sucked. It hurt. It was hard. It was hot. But at the top? It was over. Then it was off onto the shady trails. I originally intended to run about half of the 3-mile course, but I missed a turn and ended up going farther on the trail than I needed to before looping back. As a result, I actually ended up running 3 miles, just not the 3 miles I'll need to run on Saturday.
And while running up the cliff road at the beginning of the run stunk, there was a silver lining. The end of the run? It involved running down the cliff road, right to the finish line. Very cool. Very nice. Very fast. I loved it.
The bike was done. The run was done. There was a layer of grit and grime covering my body and my shoulders and back were pink due to a newly acquired sunburn. But I was done.
And not a moment too soon. I was sitting in a spot of shade in the parking lot, finishing my Cliff Bar, having some water and changing into my flip flops when I noticed the dark clouds rolling in, a streak of lightning and heard the rumble of thunder. A storm was brewing and it was time to go. I managed to drive into my parents' driveway and unload my bike just as the downpour started.
But I got in the brick workout that I wanted to today. And it felt good. I already knew what the water would be like after Thursday freezing dip into the lake, but now I know what I'll encounter on the bike and I know what it'll feel like running up, and down, the cliff road.
I'm ready for High Cliff.
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