Sunday, March 18, 2012
Solid Bike Ride
The weather remains crazy warm, but this afternoon was a little cloudier and breezy (but still warm) so I took off on my bike while my dear husband and son mowed the grass for the first time. As I type this, I think they have now snuck off to the pond to go fishing (I heard our ATV fire up). Crazy weather for St. Pat's weekend for sure.
Just couldn't face more Scholastic loops like I've been doing so I decided to push myself on the new bike and head out towards the next town over. I did my usual up and over the Militia interchange and then headed out Algoa/Hwy J/Hwy M through Taos to the intersection with Y and back. On the way back, I went to make the turn from J to Algoa (short, steep grade) and dropped the chain. I started panicking because I was in the middle of the road (blind curve) and having trouble getting clipped out and due to the steep grade I basically wasn't moving and started to fall. Several curse words later, I was on the side of the road and getting my chain fixed no problem. But it left me a little shaky. But just after this spot is a seriously sweet (read: LONG) downhill. Ahhh....wind in my face felt good!
I'd been out for well over an hour and decided I'd just swing behind Scholastic on the way home and skip my usual loop-de-loop. There was a fair bit of traffic on M, but Algoa was quiet as usual for a Sunday. All in all, it was 18.6 miles according to MapMyRide. I did it in 1:32 - no crazy speed, but hanging in there.
Got back home and my son wanted me to hop off the bike and walk with him back to Wakoda to return a dog that had wandered to our house that we know lives down there. So I switched to tennis shoes and went with him for the mile-ish round trip walk. It reminded me that I need to do some brick workouts the next couple of weeks to prep for the duathlon.
Hope there is a touch of this weather where you are today. How was your weekend workout(s)?
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Luck of the Irish 5K
Got my girl up this morning in time to head out to her 3rd ever 5K. She will be 8 the week after next, but she was pumped to go. We ran into a ton of folks she knew and she was ready to rock this race. I didn't hold any preconceived notions because she tends not to pace well and the course had a few nasty hills. She took off with her cousins (11 next week) and stuck with him for about a half mile (he was going fast). I never lost sight of them, but they were ahead of me a ways.
Sure enough, on the 2nd good hill I saw her grab her side and wave him on looking for me. I caught up to her and she was super upset. Panicky even. Couldn't catch her breath with an awful side stitch. Then we had tears which was followed by complaining about choking on her snot. Lovely. I felt like an awful mom, but I really was just trying to talk her down as I knew she could do it. I was losing patience when finally she managed to shake the negative self talk and run little bits and pieces with me just before the turn around.
Then I'd say things like "How about we run just to that power pole up there?" and she'd get there and say "That wasn't that far, let's go to the next one!" So why in the hell couldn't she get to THIS mental place a mile ago? Ugh! But I took what I could get. I just wished we could have skipped the drama. Once she knew the finish line was close (about 3 blocks away), she took off from me in a full sprint. That girl is FAST! I couldn't catch up to her and she ended up finishing ahead of me.
They were reading off times as we came in, but I didn't catch it exactly. I think they said 39:something which would be a PR for me - LOL. It will only be because I was trying to catch her at the end. They haven't posted the results yet, but I know I could have run more than I did (especially the middle mile). I think I'll find a nice flat race in April to do alone to get a solid feel for what my "non-kid" PR should be. My running has come a long way this winter and I'd like to have a more accurate measure of it. But even with all the drama, I'm glad I shared my run with my daughter today. I was proud of her for sticking it out.
That speedy nephew of mine? He rocked a 28:11!! Took third in the 10 and under age group. AWESOME!! I'm so proud of him, but he didn't seem to think it was that big of a deal. Not sure if he could have placed had his birthday been a week sooner. LOL The 11-15 had some speedsters. My goal is to break 30 min. I know I can do it if I keep working at it. Probably just in time to see my kids get too fast for me.
It was super warm and humid. The rain rolled in and it stormed hard after we got home. Then this evening we headed up to school for the annual chili supper/art show/music program. Sat through 2nd and 5th grade songs and looked at the art projects in between. Dinner would've been much better had we not needed the a/c on in the cafeteria. Got a nice long sleeve t-shirt (cotton) with the 5K - not that you could stand to wear it today. The youth shirts didn't make it in so I have to pick up my daughter's at the Y on Tuesday.
EDIT: Official Results Are In - Daughter finished in 40:04 for 8th out of 13 in the 10 and under girls age group. I came in just behind her at 40:14 for 46/57 in the 30-39 women's runners. A PR by 1 min 35 sec even with my daughter's drama and a course with some hills (previous PR at Pie Run was on a FLAT course).
Sure enough, on the 2nd good hill I saw her grab her side and wave him on looking for me. I caught up to her and she was super upset. Panicky even. Couldn't catch her breath with an awful side stitch. Then we had tears which was followed by complaining about choking on her snot. Lovely. I felt like an awful mom, but I really was just trying to talk her down as I knew she could do it. I was losing patience when finally she managed to shake the negative self talk and run little bits and pieces with me just before the turn around.
Then I'd say things like "How about we run just to that power pole up there?" and she'd get there and say "That wasn't that far, let's go to the next one!" So why in the hell couldn't she get to THIS mental place a mile ago? Ugh! But I took what I could get. I just wished we could have skipped the drama. Once she knew the finish line was close (about 3 blocks away), she took off from me in a full sprint. That girl is FAST! I couldn't catch up to her and she ended up finishing ahead of me.
They were reading off times as we came in, but I didn't catch it exactly. I think they said 39:something which would be a PR for me - LOL. It will only be because I was trying to catch her at the end. They haven't posted the results yet, but I know I could have run more than I did (especially the middle mile). I think I'll find a nice flat race in April to do alone to get a solid feel for what my "non-kid" PR should be. My running has come a long way this winter and I'd like to have a more accurate measure of it. But even with all the drama, I'm glad I shared my run with my daughter today. I was proud of her for sticking it out.
That speedy nephew of mine? He rocked a 28:11!! Took third in the 10 and under age group. AWESOME!! I'm so proud of him, but he didn't seem to think it was that big of a deal. Not sure if he could have placed had his birthday been a week sooner. LOL The 11-15 had some speedsters. My goal is to break 30 min. I know I can do it if I keep working at it. Probably just in time to see my kids get too fast for me.
It was super warm and humid. The rain rolled in and it stormed hard after we got home. Then this evening we headed up to school for the annual chili supper/art show/music program. Sat through 2nd and 5th grade songs and looked at the art projects in between. Dinner would've been much better had we not needed the a/c on in the cafeteria. Got a nice long sleeve t-shirt (cotton) with the 5K - not that you could stand to wear it today. The youth shirts didn't make it in so I have to pick up my daughter's at the Y on Tuesday.
EDIT: Official Results Are In - Daughter finished in 40:04 for 8th out of 13 in the 10 and under girls age group. I came in just behind her at 40:14 for 46/57 in the 30-39 women's runners. A PR by 1 min 35 sec even with my daughter's drama and a course with some hills (previous PR at Pie Run was on a FLAT course).
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tuesday Long Run
I have to give Susan some credit here. I didn't really want to go on a "long run" today. Yes, the weather was awesome (blue skies, sunshine, no crazy wind, and spring temps). But my sinuses were fighting to unclog from a fitful night of sleep after I took some meds this morning. I brought water with me so that wouldn't be an excuse and told her I'd suck it up the best I could.
Before long, we'd walked and jogged and talked our way to the 4.2 mile turn around point on the Katy Trail next to the river. She snapped a pic of me and then we walked and jogged our way back. The pain didn't set in as early as the last time we had done this out and back (when it was an accidental long run), but I was still feeling it as the parking lot finally came in sight. We stretched a bit and shared a nice juicy orange that had come in my co-op produce box this morning and then we headed out on our separate ways. I'm glad I went even though it was a tough 8.4 miles.
I foam rolled when I got home and drank some more water plus a light lunch. Today is early release at school and I have to pick up the kids in about an hour so I think I'll bag the hot shower until after that. I'm sure the kids will want to head outside to play as it couldn't be a nicer day!
Before long, we'd walked and jogged and talked our way to the 4.2 mile turn around point on the Katy Trail next to the river. She snapped a pic of me and then we walked and jogged our way back. The pain didn't set in as early as the last time we had done this out and back (when it was an accidental long run), but I was still feeling it as the parking lot finally came in sight. We stretched a bit and shared a nice juicy orange that had come in my co-op produce box this morning and then we headed out on our separate ways. I'm glad I went even though it was a tough 8.4 miles.
I foam rolled when I got home and drank some more water plus a light lunch. Today is early release at school and I have to pick up the kids in about an hour so I think I'll bag the hot shower until after that. I'm sure the kids will want to head outside to play as it couldn't be a nicer day!
 |
| Goofy grin at the halfway point. Pretty MO River in background. |
Monday, March 12, 2012
MMNW Win + 4 miles
Got up in the dark this morning. Man, the first few days of time change are a bitch! But I got on the scale and started my week with a minor bright spot - Monday Morning Naked Weight = 169.2!! Yay!! I finally broke out of the 170's. Now to just stay out. Boo - 170's!
Tonight, Stacy and I hooked up for a run in the (still 69° at 8:30 PM) warm weather. We did the Walmart 5K+ route (all the way to the end of the street) plus passed my house and went down to the Wakoda intersection and back. I mapped it and it was just over 4 miles. Yay. I'm fighting some nasty sinus crap that is most likely allergies from all the blooming trees and flowers turned into sinus infection. But since it isn't really in my chest, I thought the run was ok. I felt a bit wore out, but some of that is the time change still too. Stacy says she is proud of how much better I'm doing than a few months ago when I asked to walk most of it. Not sure if I'll ever be as smoking fast as her, but I hope to never be last again (or at least not by as much LOL).
Tomorrow is a "long run" with Susan. Not sure how much I'll be up for after tonight and this sinus junk, but the weather is supposed to be AWESOME so we're going right after we drop off the kiddos. Yay again! Looking forward to the St. Pat's 5K this weekend with my daughter. Not likely to PR with the nearly 8 year old, but who knows. She is pretty fast!
Tonight, Stacy and I hooked up for a run in the (still 69° at 8:30 PM) warm weather. We did the Walmart 5K+ route (all the way to the end of the street) plus passed my house and went down to the Wakoda intersection and back. I mapped it and it was just over 4 miles. Yay. I'm fighting some nasty sinus crap that is most likely allergies from all the blooming trees and flowers turned into sinus infection. But since it isn't really in my chest, I thought the run was ok. I felt a bit wore out, but some of that is the time change still too. Stacy says she is proud of how much better I'm doing than a few months ago when I asked to walk most of it. Not sure if I'll ever be as smoking fast as her, but I hope to never be last again (or at least not by as much LOL).
Tomorrow is a "long run" with Susan. Not sure how much I'll be up for after tonight and this sinus junk, but the weather is supposed to be AWESOME so we're going right after we drop off the kiddos. Yay again! Looking forward to the St. Pat's 5K this weekend with my daughter. Not likely to PR with the nearly 8 year old, but who knows. She is pretty fast!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Virtually an Ironman?
OK, so it isn't like Mike Reilly will be screaming out my name any time soon. But I did just spend the last four weeks completing the iron distance triathlon and for that I'm extremely proud and very grateful to Jason of Cook, Train, Eat, Race. He's been pretty quiet on his blog about the event so I hope he had good participation in this virtual event where for a modest donation to "Shape Up America" you could "compete" for prizes. And maybe I earn a little extra luck by going over the distance a smidgen.
Today, I finished knocking it out after lunch. I got on my new bike and headed out for a few hills and a fair bit of flats in the industrial area near my house. I got in 11.3 miles for a one-week total of 66.4 miles (nothing like a deadline for motivation, eh?) and a four week total of 112.9 on the bike. Then I headed to the Y to knock out 1000 yards for a four week total of 2.59 miles in the pool. The Vegas trip had rounded out my three week run/walk total to 34.5 miles so I did no running this last week and am looking forward to having a better blend of the three disciplines in the coming week. Already scheduled a run with Susan for Tue. :)
Still a very long way from being a real Ironman, but this event was a fantastic way of getting out of my own way and kickstarting my training for the upcoming season.
Final Totals for CTER 140.6:
Swim: 2.59/2.4
Bike: 112.9/112
Today, I finished knocking it out after lunch. I got on my new bike and headed out for a few hills and a fair bit of flats in the industrial area near my house. I got in 11.3 miles for a one-week total of 66.4 miles (nothing like a deadline for motivation, eh?) and a four week total of 112.9 on the bike. Then I headed to the Y to knock out 1000 yards for a four week total of 2.59 miles in the pool. The Vegas trip had rounded out my three week run/walk total to 34.5 miles so I did no running this last week and am looking forward to having a better blend of the three disciplines in the coming week. Already scheduled a run with Susan for Tue. :)
Still a very long way from being a real Ironman, but this event was a fantastic way of getting out of my own way and kickstarting my training for the upcoming season.
Final Totals for CTER 140.6:
Swim: 2.59/2.4
Bike: 112.9/112
Run: 34.5/26.2
Off to send everything to Jason!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Almost there...
Wednesday night into Thursday morning, we had about a 40° temperature drop with pouring rain and more wind. So yesterday became a rest day as I just wasn't feeling like fighting it and the forecast was for warmer temps today. The sun came out, the wind died down some and I clipped in for another adventure in sucking it up. I cranked out 17.8 miles in 1:27 - no super speed found with the new bike, but not bad as I added the hills back in with four climbs that kicked my butt. And it is still faster than with the mountain bike even if by a little bit.
I'm going to finish the CTER 140.6 this weekend. I'm really glad it gave me a kick start on the bike for this season as I had been slacking over the winter as I focused more on the running. I just need to catch a quick pool workout and a reasonable bike ride and I'll be able to send all my stats to Jason. I'm curious to find out more about who all did this virtual event and what they took away from it.
Regardless, I was happy to make a donation to his chosen charity "Shape Up America" and encourage others to support him as he continues to fundraise for them. I'm glad that I've finding my way out of obesity and on to a healthier life. This week I've seen scale numbers that are less than anything I've seen in my 30's and even the latter half of my 20's. Just have to control myself at the fish fry tonight and get in a couple of good workouts this weekend. Yay!
I'm going to finish the CTER 140.6 this weekend. I'm really glad it gave me a kick start on the bike for this season as I had been slacking over the winter as I focused more on the running. I just need to catch a quick pool workout and a reasonable bike ride and I'll be able to send all my stats to Jason. I'm curious to find out more about who all did this virtual event and what they took away from it.
Regardless, I was happy to make a donation to his chosen charity "Shape Up America" and encourage others to support him as he continues to fundraise for them. I'm glad that I've finding my way out of obesity and on to a healthier life. This week I've seen scale numbers that are less than anything I've seen in my 30's and even the latter half of my 20's. Just have to control myself at the fish fry tonight and get in a couple of good workouts this weekend. Yay!
ALMOST THERE!!
CTER 140.6:
Swim: 2.02/2.4
Bike: 101.6/112
Swim: 2.02/2.4
Bike: 101.6/112
Run: 34.5/26.2
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Kid at Christmas
Like a child who receives a new toy and wants everyone to see it and ooh/ahh and play with it incessantly - I couldn't resist a second ride after dinner tonight. It was still against the dastardly wind and starting to get kind of dim at the end. So after I showed my husband how I clip in and out (disappointed he didn't ooh and ahh), I took off for another 6.3 miles. I wanted to go further, but I didn't have my lights (their on the mountain bike) and I had minimal reflectivity. I did take a water bottle this time. Yay me! Felt like I pedaled hard, but my speed was actually a tad slower (though still faster than on my mountain bike).
CTER 140.6:
Swim: 2.02/2.4
Bike: 83.8/112
Swim: 2.02/2.4
Bike: 83.8/112
Run: 34.5/26.2
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