Multi-Tasking Tuesday

Two crazy busy days of work crammed into Monday and Tuesday between 8:15 AM and 2:30 PM (the times I can work in my out of town office on days I have to pick up kids from school).  The mom that I share rides with is moving into their new house/unpacking and asked me to cover a bunch this week.  But I had a ton of work to get done so I worked through lunch both days (not good move as I was starving both afternoons at 3:30). 

And after wolfing down an early dinner/late lunch at 3:30, I put my bike rack on my car and got changed into bike clothes.  I loaded two bottles with Powerade and we headed out to my daughter's piano lesson which was at 4:30.  While she had her lesson, I ran an errand to the Post Office (about time I returned all those bid bonds on my street project).   After piano, we drove through a traffic jam across the bridge to the North JC practice fields. 

I dropped my girl off with her new softball coach and jumped on my bike.  I rode out to the WWTP, then by the airport, and onto Hwy 94 out past Wainwright to Feeler Road and then did the whole route backwards.  The wicked crosswind made it feel like a head wind both directions.  Not so much fun.  And being mostly flat, there was no coasting to give any kind of break.  It was also one of the warmest rides I've had this year (mid-80s) and I blew through my two bottles.  I'll have to pay attention to that on June 1 and make sure I refill when I can. 

The down side of the Capitol being so big/tall is that you can see it a long time before you are anywhere near it.
This was just after getting back off the highway and looking across the airport and WWTP.

Also probably not the smartest move to hit the highway during rush hour.  People are rushing home from work and buzzing me a little close for comfort.  If I multitask during next week's practice, I'll head into town - still traffic, but going 30-40 mph instead of 60-70.  I time it just right and pulled back up to the car right as the girls were finished with practice.  Go me!

Got home and fed my daughter dinner while I showered (thanks to daddy who'd cooked), had her shower while I mapped the ride to see how long it was and then checked Facebook and a couple blogs while she finished her homework under my supervision.  I've gotten comments sometimes about how crazy my schedule can be.  I just think of it as the life of a busy self-employed mom.  Sometimes I get more of a chance to catch my breath - other days (like today) I just squeeze it in however I can.

YTD:
Swimming = 9600 yds = 5.5 mi
Biking = 558.0 miles
Running = 80.8 miles

Bike Rides

Apparently, I didn't get around to mapping/blogging my Thursday night ride.  Since I hadn't followed up with Susan, she thought I was too busy for our usual Thursday morning run.  In actuality, I was just lazy.  I feel slightly guilty about it, but less so since it took away any excuse not to go on the bike ride. Walter gathered a small group to take advantage of a break in the rain and cold temps with a ride around town starting from the Ellis Blvd parking lot and looping Jeff City for 21.3 miles.  Funny how perspective changes - this felt "short" with some of it feeling "easy".  Hmm...

I had a lovely girls night out with Susan on Friday (no running - just margaritas and Tom Cruise).  I was stoked for a long ride on Saturday with Walter and friends.  But Mother Nature was not cooperating.  Pouring rain canceled the ride and I spent half the day doing laundry and the other half just chilling. 

Looked like the ride was being moved to Sunday at 11.  They wanted to meet across town at an elementary school for 20-25 miles.  I wanted more miles so I decided I'd leave an hour early and ride to the meetup spot and ride back afterwards for about double the mileage.  But when I texted after I got home from church, I found out it had been postponed again because it was only 50° with a forecast for 70° later in the afternoon.  Enjoyed a nice breakfast with my family and chilled for a bit longer.  It had only made it up to the mid-50's with a lot of cloud cover when I left at noon.  I was a bit chilly until I got through the first two climbs.

I got to the school with about 5-10 min to spare, chatted with Kelly and waited for the others.  It was nice to start all warmed up where I could almost keep up with Kelly and Bruce.  Walter was bringing up the rear with Prenavi (who hadn't biked in 3 months).  I ended up in kind of a odd middle spot where I couldn't quite keep up with the front two, but was solidly ahead of the back two.  I hate riding alone.  We did a tough loop around St. Martins and Elston with some gut-busting hills.  They build character though, right?  Everyone seemed pretty tight on time so there was little dawdling. 

Turned out that my daughter's softball practice had been moved to the school where I had met my bike friends.  I called my husband about the change and he brought her.  Practice was to start at 3, about ten min after I got back to the school.  I just got her on this new team (modified rec - slightly more competitive, but no traveling which I think is ridiculous for 3rd graders).  So I wanted to make sure she was doing ok getting settled with a bunch of new girls/new coaches. 

I hung out watching practice for about 30 min and she was doing fine.  The sun had finally come out about this time and I realized I didn't bring my sunglasses - oops.  I decided if I didn't get back on my bike and head for home, I'd be too tempted to toss it in the back of my husband's truck and get a lift home.  So off I went.  I stopped at a convenience store about half way home since I was out of fluids and wanted a snack.  And before long, I was almost home.  McCarty Street's bad luck was less horrifying this week - just a dropped chain on the last hill before home.  Doh!  Nothing like getting all greasy fingered and having nothing to wipe my hands. 

Got to the house and still felt pretty good - briefly thought about blowing past and getting in another 5-8 miles by going out to the interchange, but home was just too inviting.  Went inside and mapped it out best I could recall all the turns.  I'm pretty sure I got it right - 44.8 miles.  Should have gone for that extra bit as I really should be doing 50+ rides on the weekends.  Training plan actually called for 60 so I am behind.  Less than 5 weeks until I need to double that.  Praying it isn't too awful.

YTD:
Swimming = 9600 yds = 5.5 mi
Biking = 537.6 miles
Running = 80.8 miles

And since I haven't recorded it in a while: MMNW = 162.0 - annoyed that I seem kind of "stuck" between 160-163, but not annoyed enough to buckle down on the diet front.  Just more mental energy than I have right now.

Joys of Self-Employment

There are plenty of things I can bitch about on any given day about being self-employed.  Whether it is paying quarterly estimated taxes or having to fight to get invoices out the door/paid or having to wear all the hats of this one-woman show - there are definitely less awesome parts of being the boss.  While there was some work to get done today, I took advantage of the fact I can flip off my boss and take a long lunch with my friends (and surveyors).  We snuck off just after noon for chips, salsa, cheese, tacos and margaritas!   Just one to take the edge of a sucky, rainy day. 

Went back to the office and worked on a report for a little while, but then decided to knock off at 3:45 and head to the ARC for a swim workout.  I do have a sprint tri coming up in two weeks and am weak on swim training!  I was in my suit and ready to swim about 4:00.  But the lanes were full!  And there were two guys sitting on the bench next to the wall waiting to get a lane.  Doh!  Even more annoying were the two guys that would swim a lap and then chat at the end of the lane for a while and then swim a bit more.  I'm like "Hey screwballs!  We're waiting out here!!" 

But I didn't say that.  Thankfully, the old man next to me was staring hate daggars at them until one guy finally gave up his spot for the old guy who then apparently bugged the other dilly dallyer to move it along.  So I got in the pool and tried to keep count of my laps.  Tried being the operative word.  I gave up part way through when I lost track thinking of the million other things I should have gotten done today.  Oops - guess my boss will be pissed.  I watched the clock and I counted a few times in between and looked at my average pace.  I'm sure I did at least 2000 yards in around 45-50 minutes so that is what we're going to call it for the total. 

YTD:
Swimming = 9600 yds = 5.5 mi
Biking = 471.5 miles
Running = 80.8 miles

Longest Ride + Near Death Experience

My weeks don't seem to be getting any less crazy.  Work is still going full steam ahead; kids still need to be driven to games, practices and meetings; and we are closing in on the end of the school year with all that goes with that.  Rain this past week didn't help.  Sometimes, I need to just suck it up and get it done. 

The Tour de Cure is only a little over 5 weeks away.  I didn't get my 2nd "easy" workout in last week and I ended up blowing off Saturday to hang at the house doing a mountain of laundry.  So yesterday it was time to stop procrastinating and do my long ride.  I've fallen a bit off pace with increasing the mileage, but I knew anything less than 50 wasn't going to do it.  I mapped a ride from my house to Mokane and it was just a shade under 26 to the turnoff - with the only real hills being in the first 5-6 miles.  I decided that is what I'd do and my husband verified online that there was a little market open where I'd be able to refill my bottles in Mokane.

After mass and a breakfast of french toast and a banana with peanut butter, I changed into tights and my long sleeve tech tee (really need to own a long sleeved jersey with pockets!) and loaded up my water bottles with Powerade and my fanny pack with whatever nutrition I could gather.  I also took some cash, ID, credit card and phone for emergencies.  Then I got on my bike and started pedaling away. 

The roads between my house and across the Missouri River are hilly, but at least I was fresh and ready to tackle them.  I could also look forward to the long, flat (boring) expanse of Hwy 94.  I got across the bridge and around the airport road and texted my husband about 38 min into the ride to let him know I had made it through town and was getting on the highway.  I also ate a ShotBlock (a single leftover one from last weekend). 

I fought with a pretty strong cross/head wind on the way out - and the sheer boredom of the road.  There isn't much of a place to ride out of the way of traffic and people tend to drive kind of fast.  But on a Sunday, there wasn't a ton of traffic.  Thankfully, most folks slowed down and/or swung wide of me and I wasn't too unnerved.  I hugged the white line for dear life a few times.  To the asshats that didn't give me proper room, bite me!

At 1 hr 56 min of riding, I made it to the Mokane turnoff.  I rode past the trailhead and started looking for this supposed market.  There was a gas station, but apparently it doesn't really have a "store" - just a pay at the pump type deal.  I got off my bike at the bottom of the hill and was just about to call my husband to ask where the market was when I saw a storefront (no sign) that said "open" and I could see chips on a shelf.  I assumed this was it and went in.  It had all the usual convenience store type stuff, but also had a little lunch counter.  I wasn't that hungry so I just got a couple snacks and another gatorade.  I stretched my legs while I ate and drank, texted my husband that I was at the halfway point, used the bathroom and thanked the nice lady for being open.  I got back on my bike before I could chicken out and call for someone to come get me.

I had hoped that the wind would be more to my back on the way home, but it didn't really feel that way.  I was still insanely bored, but sang to myself, prayed and talked to myself thinking about how much nicer riding with a bunch of other people will be on June 1.  I would try to ride hard in sections and just pedal away mindlessly on others.  Figured I would stop and eat the cookie I had bought when I got to a certain junction.  But I missed the sign and apparently rode past it.  Pretty soon, I could see the buildings of downtown Jeff City.  This was a bit of a mind-f*ck though - they were still a long ways off when I felt like I was getting "close".  At 3 hr and 14 of total riding, I was back by the airport commuter lot finally eating my cookie and getting more to drink.  I texted my husband that I was back in town and headed for home.

I made it up the long ass ramp to the bike/ped bridge easier than I had envisioned.  Then the hills through town which weren't as bad as I had expected.  I was pedaling away, only about a mile from home when I heard squeeling tires and looked ahead to an oncoming car spinning out of control on a straight stretch of McCarty Street.  I slowed down, then fully braked as I watched in horror as she came right at me and slid sideways across my path and up onto the sidewalk next to me.  When the car crossed my path, I thought for sure I was a goner.  But in the end, I got the bike stopped just inches from where she went in front of me.  I even managed to get my foot unclipped just before I would have fallen over.  A truck stopped behind me and got out to check on me and the driver.  They actually knew the lady driving.  But that woman (B*TCH!) didn't even ask if I was ok or apologize, she was just pissed about the tire she blew. 

After standing there dumbfounded for a few minutes, I decided it wasn't worth calling for a pickup when I was so close to home even if I was completely shaken.  So I got back on my bike and pedaled up the final hill and on to my house.  After 3 hr 52 min and 52 miles (longest ride ever) and by the grace of God, I got home.  I hate to think how my day could have ended differently.  But I ate my dinner, went out for ice cream with my family and chilled out on the couch for the rest of the night.  Thank you Lord for sending your angels to watch over me!

Today is a rest day.  I have some soreness, but don't feel too bad considering the mileage.  If the rain doesn't give me too hard of a time tomorrow, I'll head out for a recovery ride for an hour or so.

YTD:
Swimming = 7600 yds = 4.3 mi
Biking = 471.5 miles
Running = 80.8 miles

Loop-de-Loo + Linkup

I started this post on Monday with the intention of finishing and posting it that evening.  But it seemed inappropriate with all the tragedy of the Boston Marathon.  Then yesterday I did my 2 workouts to say "screw you" to the evil of the world. 

Today I needed to get my butt on the bike for a "Moderate effort ride of 50 minutes" per the Tour training plan.  With a sky full of dark clouds, I decided a loop-de-loo workout that wouldn't leave me too far from home if the skies opened up would be best.  I fought some pre-storm wind from the south and the fact that we saw temps in the 80's today.  But I did three loops up and over the interchange and around Scholastic for 15.5 miles (avg 13.7 mph even with wind and 4 hills).

And back to my previously planned post:  I enjoyed Jamoosh and Kovas's participation in the new link-up from Kelly the Culinarian so I thought I'd play along.  Been a while since we've done some kind of meme like this - check out her answers as well as others over at the Running Blogger Survey and add your own link if you get a chance.  Take this for what it is worth since I only barely consider myself a "runner".

Best Run Ever:

 

In a race, I'd say the Jingle Bell Run 2011.  I had a great time running with a friend and her son and reminiscing about my college days as we ran through the MU campus.  I wouldn't say I "raced" it, but I was "in a race".

 

As far as training runs, I enjoy almost all of the ones I do with friends.  Or at least more than I enjoy going alone.  Still trying to "find the love" of running in general.  A pretty day shared with one or more friends can make it all worth it.

 

Three Words That Describe My Running

Slow, Painful, Necessary

My Go-To Running Outfit

In the cooler (cold) temps, tights and/or yoga pants with a long sleeve tech tee (current fave is one I got on clearance at Kohls that is pink with kind of a tribal design on the front - click HERE if you want to see the shirt in a truly awful finish line pic) and my Performance jacket.  I sometimes wear my Original Buff on my ears or my Saucony ear band that Susan got me for Christmas.  Cheap stretchy gloves because I tend to take them off after we get moving and I don't want to be too broken hearted if I lose one.

Warmer temps, sometimes I wear my tri shorts on the bottom though I also love some capris I have and a tech tee (my favorite is a Fila safety orange one I got at Kohls that of course they discontinued when I went back to get another).

Always wear Asics on my feet - whichever the model that Ultramax is carrying at the time for more "structure".  I've thought about switching, but in general they work for me.  And I fell in love with Pearl Izumi socks a couple years ago and wear them about all the time (even when not running and biking) now.  Also wear a pink Road ID Slim and my cheapo sports watch on most outings.

I Won’t Run Outside When It’s...

Icy/multiple inches of snow on sidewalks/road; way below 0°F; or lightening.  I used to say "rain", but I've kind of gotten over that.  Maybe not a downpour.

Worst Injury – And How I Got Over It

Haven't had too awful of an injury yet.  I have fought some shin splints and general knee/hip/butt pain off and on.  I turned my ankle pretty badly (sprained probably) on a trail run in December that still has some stiffness and soreness from time to time.  Generally, when I am hurt or feeling the various niggles we all get, I'm big on resting, foam rolling, stretching and self-massage (though I wish I could spend the real money to get more regular professional massages).

I Felt Most Like a Badass Runner When...

I did the SHIT-R non-race with my Team Virtus friends.  Even though it is still my only DNF, it was in insane conditions and I felt like a badass for even attempting it as my first half. 

Potential Running Goal for 2013

First half marathon - probably Roots and Blues in September.  More focused on my big bike goal right now (first century on June 1 for Tour de Cure).

Next Race Is...

TriZou on Sunday, May 5 - Haven't swam much in 2013.  It might be an ugly first leg.  The bike and run will depend on the temps and the wind.  I know I can finish.  Hoping to not be last.

YTD:
Swimming = 7600 yds = 4.3 mi
Biking = 419.5 miles
Running = 80.8 miles

Two-Fer Tuesday

Yesterday was a rest day and a day of prayers for all involved with the Boston bombing. I checked in on some of my blogger friends (and their spouses) that were running, but thankfully they were all fine - a benefit of them all being speedy.  So sad for the lives lost and changed forever.

Today I got some work done and then knocked out a mile in the pool, drove home, ate an early dinner because I'd missed lunch, and ran 3.1 miles (to bank/Walmart and back).  I also called my sister on my way home after finding out the college where she teaches was on lockdown while a mentally unstable man walked around a campus parking lot with a long gun (which turned out to be airsoft, but was still scary).

Take that you evildoers!  I didn't let the misty rain get me down and I won't let you win either.  Screw you!

YTD:
Swimming = 7600 yds = 4.3 mi
Biking = 404.0 miles
Running = 80.8 miles

Long Week + 5K + Bike Sat/Sun

I squeezed five days of work into two days (plus nights), ran a day or two's worth of errands in one morning, met a client for lunch before kicking off a conference, spent the night at the hotel writing a presentation for the next afternoon, the next night writing one for the following morning, hurrying back home and taking daughter to haircut, dinner, son to campout, daughter to talent show, etc, etc.  To say this was a long week would be an understatement - mentally and physically exhausted would be more accurate.  Oh yeah, and you didn't note any workouts in that Mon-Fri timespan.

But Saturday was a new day.  Around 8:00 AM, we got ready to go and headed out for the 4th Annual Ava Brown Memorial 5K.  Last year it rained and I decided to go by myself at the last minute.  This year, the sun was shining, but it was in the mid-30's when we left the house.  Both my daughter and I wore yoga pants and jackets.  We signed up when we got there and visited with a bunch of the Team Virtus peeps.  We did a warmup jog with SuperKate.  She was aiming for a PR even though this course is TOUGH. 

Quick Pre-Race Pic

Nice when you race with friends who are bloggers and totally "get" wanting extra pics.

We lined up at 9 AM and Robby Brown fired the airhorn to get the crowd moving forward.  My daugher and I ran a bit, walked a bit and paced well all the way through.  We probably walked a bit more than we should have and went slower than we did at our last 5K (38:something I think).  But she continued to press on and not let herself struggle with the mental battle.  I was a proud mom.  I don't think I could have run a lot faster without her.  It is a tough loop with a big ass hill in the last mile after the aforementioned long ass week.

Happy to be done with our 5K!

Me and the 2nd Fastest Female at the Race: SuperKate!

We hung out afterwards visiting and waiting for awards.  I though there might be a possibility she would get an award as the race is small and I didn't see a lot of young girls running.  But she didn't get a medal and was disappointed.  I felt bad, but it is also a lesson about not always winning.  She bounced back after a little time at the playground and a couple balloons Robby agreed to let me take.  We headed over to Target to deal with the fact both of my kids are growing out of all of their clothes.  Then we picked up a pizza and headed home.

Quick change and out the door to meet Walter and a big group to do a ride from Holts Summit to Fulton and back for about 31 miles.  It was still kind of cool (high 50's/low 60's) and I decided to wear my jacket.  Of course I was overdressed as soon as we really got going.  Doh!  We didn't do the longer loop with the heartbreaking hills, but I was still feeling pretty demoralized by falling to the rear of the group a lot.  After the turnaround, I made a comment to Brie about all of the trainer time being such a waste as I was still annoyingly slow and weak.  But the closer we got to the end, the more I pushed to get back to my car.  She made a comment afterwards that she pooped out towards the end and I finished strong and she didn't think my winter workouts were wasted at all.  The down side of not hanging with fellow bloggers is that I am not as good about taking pictures.

I had some pain issues - in my left hamstring, in my right toes and in my knees.  Just one of those things I suppose.  Need to get the foam roller going to work it all out. 

Today is warm and sunny again though very windy.  Needed to get back out on bike - Tour de Cure will be here in just under 7 weeks!  Headed towards Taos and the wind was sucking.  Stopped at the top of the big hill on the way out to catch a drink and snap a pic I've thought of taking several times:

I tried to not capture the state penitentiary to the left and this is much prettier other times
of the year, but I am blessed to ride in such nice surroundings on a beautiful day.

Not sure the mph of the wind, but if you want an indication - I averaged 12 mph on the way out and 14.9 mph on the way back!  Just 18 miles total, but it felt like enough on the way out.  Felt awesome when I turned around like I was just hammering away with a lot less effort.  Makes me pray for a tailwind at the Tour.  Came home to a 50 cent cup of lemonade in my front yard.  Daughter and friends having fun, but also fighting the wind.  Solid weekend.  Another busy week of work to come.  Will have to do better at squeezing in the workouts though.

YTD:
Swimming = 5800 yds = 3.3 mi (MUST go to pool this week - TriZou in 3 weeks!)
Biking = 404.0 miles
Running = 77.7 miles