This week's training has been uneventful. Just a steady week...with minor tweaking. Becuase I will be out of town this weekend (bachelorette party woohoo), my scheduled was compressed to fit in the key parts of training.
Sunday was normal - the pool to lay out then the other pool for Som's swim class. This week sicne it was father's day it was a combined class. Oh it was combined alright! Only 5 of us were there!! We all received pointers to better are stroke technique from coach S.
Monday was also an uneventful normal day. Body shaping class kicked my butt! Okay so really it kicked my shoulders and quads. It was a good class - no exercises that tired us out too bad but gave us a good wrokout. Afterwards I headed to the pool. I did my workout per the schedule, but around 3/4 of the way through the drills - I was feeling class. I was pooped! So i called it a night without the warm down.
Tuesday was where the schedule got tricky. Originally scheduled to do a 30 minute tempo ride followed by a 60 minute tempo run. However, this was when I had to get my speed workout in so I was advised to instead do (8) 1/2 mile repeats with my new gial time of 3:40/each. I dragged my friend Ashley out in the 102 degree heat to attempt this. Although her husband thought we had lost our minds, we headed off to short pump middle to run the flat track. First 1.2 mile - 3:49. not too shabby. 7 more to go and i was hot! so i told myself it was okay to slow it down a bit. 4:14 - ew!!!!! 4:10. ok this is not looking good. I usually can break 4 minutes! But man is it hot out here! we take a couple breaks to walk around the track (1/4 mile) to cool off some before starting the next set. fianlly it's time to go. we spolied ourselves with yummy dinner kindly prepared for us by her husband and galss of nice chilled vino.
Wednesday was an optional swim or rest day. What?! optional rest day - no way! I knew I would be with the girls at Fleming's in the evening so a morning swim was the plan. My body wasn't so interested in in, though. I woke up and my muscles were mush. Between weights class and a hard run, they were plain tired. Disappointed, I had to take the extra rest day. My body needed the day off. So instead I spent my evenign drinking wine and eating PF Chang's! Now that's yummy!
Thursday - back in action. This was the day to do my 50 mile ride I would missing over the weekend. this about a 3 hour ride. So hmmm...I work until 5:30 and can be on my bike at 6:15 so that means riding until about 9:15 - uhhh do what. Riding alone for 3 hours was not very appealing (since the girls were riding on saturday). And the only place I feel comfortable riding alone is west creek. 3 hours of hills in circles alone was really not appealing. Fortunately for this one I could drag my cycling friend Jason out with me! We rode until 8:00 and called it a night. So not the 50 miles scheduled, but a ride none the less. (ps - i am totally sick of riding in west creek)
Today I am taking my rest day and tomorrow will go for a run on the beach. Sunday I will be back in action at swim class. See you all there!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
*insert catchy title here*
So I have this cyclo-computer on my aero bars. however...i have no clue how to use it and track my rides. I know how fast I am going at the moment, but that's about it. yes, i need to read the directions. but in the mean time I found a website to find my average speed for me!
http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/speed_distance_time_calc.html
http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/speed_distance_time_calc.html
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Not Quite a Master
After talking about it for months (yes, months), Snells, Jro, and I made our way to Masters swim class. I arrive at the Y and start preparing for class. Jro and I are hanging out...with no sign of Snells! Did we just get stood up?! Oh she is totally going to hear it - as we make our way to the pool. We chit chat with other swimmers...I of course was quiet feeling out the scene, finally Snells shows up. however...a coach did not. We make a decision that being slower and not as experienced in the water we should go to the only lap lane in the other pool and do our scheduled workout drills instead. A coach finally does show up, but we stick to our plan and torpedo through the drills. (As I was doing the drills I was telling myself to be a torpedo in the water).
Not bad times - 1:50-2:10 for the 100's, knocked 9 seconds off my 400 time from monday for 8:49. I can never remember what my 200's were - doh!
In regards to the Masters class - we might not be masters yet, but we will go for a sceond try...there was some yummy eye candy afterall :)
Not bad times - 1:50-2:10 for the 100's, knocked 9 seconds off my 400 time from monday for 8:49. I can never remember what my 200's were - doh!
In regards to the Masters class - we might not be masters yet, but we will go for a sceond try...there was some yummy eye candy afterall :)
Monday, June 11, 2007
TRIgirls Soar Like Eagles
Let me start off with some bragging. I am so proud of my girls! They were the most amazing girls participating in Eagleman yesterday.
After an evening out with some friends saturday night, that 4:00 alarm clock was awfully early. (I am blaming Barrett for coersing me into going for the after dinner drinks). But i packed everything up and made it to Margo's for our 5am departure - Cambridge or bust. 
Fave, Margo, and SanDee
Margo, SanDee, and I (we lost annn and derek) agreed it was way too early to talk very much and we jsut needed some good fattening breakfast. mmmm. mcdonald's bagel sandwich. perfect. this helps the wine headache. after a small dc detour we amke our way to the race with prada parking - right on the run course. we post our signs and decorate the street. 
we missed the swim exits. stink! so we walk down the street to see most of the girls start their bike!!! what energy in the air! luckily all of our girls made is out of the water unlike one guy we saw walking his bike out of transition with a broken seat post!
everyone starts coming in from the bike and preparing for the run. i was so proud to be a trigirl and cheering for the girls. margo, sandee, jenn, and i took pictures and cheered as team members, coaches and friends pushed through the day. 
Margo, Fave, Jenn
although there were about 2000 racers, i think the pink ladies made their mark on eagleman. we even got complimented on our fabulous tops! the dedication you all showed in your training and throughout the day in inspriation for us baby pinks. thank you for showing us the way. you all soar like eagles!
Liz, Deanna B, Anna Mac, Carmen, Amy, Lynn, Mary Jo, Kate, Susie Q, Cyndi
Route 5
The training is goign well. Saturday is scheduled a 50 and 3 brick - 50 mile ride, 3 mile run. I plan with Diane, Mary, and Teresa so we can push each other through the ride. We meet at 7am at shiplock park. (haven't heard of it - yeah no one had!). but it was a good location to hop on over to route 5 and begin our journey. we all make sure we have our nutrician and hydration, cell phones, emergency cash, and oh yeah flat kits, too! we're ready.
the journey beings with a 50 yard straight up hill! mary and teresa look at the hill and decide walking up it to start it the way to go. diane and i...no no no. we can ride it from a dead stop. heave ho. heave ho. get to the top - and we were panting! ummm we do have 50 miles to go...maybe we shoudl start off easy! smart thinking mary and teresa!
we gang to gether and start trekking. the road is rather bumpy - then BAM! on bump big enough and like slow motion the contents of my bento box scatter themselves in the road. cellphone...and the battery seperated, shot blocks, sandwiches, car key! i see a van comins so i jump off my bike (how did i not fall) and i ran in front of mary (thank God she didn't fall) and I scooped up everything before the van crushed the phone permanently! and it still works. minor coronary. everything was saved...well not the shot blocks :(
back off on our way down route 5 and we take the advice of deanna l and veer off to osborne turnpike. this was lovely. diane and i were able to ride side-by-side and chit chat making the ride even more enjoyable. we take this back to route 5 for the last 10 miles before the turn around point. shortly after we continue on we ride right through 2 villages of gnats floating like clouds in the road. luckily i was far enough away that i only get hit by about 3 but unfortunately diane went right through the boogers and they just stuck to her face. i couldn't help but laugh as she has to wipe these dead creatures off - yick! but in trigirl spirit she noted...it's protein right!
we hit the 25 mile mark (15.5 pace) and there is a perfect little gravel area on the side of the road and a trail into the woods (thank you vcu). perfect bathroom! we all hoble in our bike shoes down teh mud and rocky path which comes back to haunt us. we eat some peanut butter sandwiches and head back. we quickly realize that we all have mud in our cleats and have to knock them out on teh road to clip in. we all are ready to start abck when we see an 18 wheeler coming....waaaay too fast and we have to run from the curb to not get run over as this gu was out of control - that was frightening! as we start out - oops! diane and mary have a few rocks in their shoes that requires minor surgery to get out to clip in. mission accomplished.
the trek back was not as pleasant as the first half. i realize right away that i ate too much - ugh. and although diane was doing soem great pacing the first half i ask her i f i can lead and slow us down a bit until i digest my ENTIRE peanut butter sandwich. note to self- next ime - only half! as we continue down route 5 we are passed by a few cars that get uncomfortably close. i think they just liked the view of our bums and wanted a close up :) finally we get to the turn off for osborne (at a 16.4 pace)
back to osborne and social riding like we litk to do. but now...ugh. legs are hurting some. 15 miles left. that's all. 5 miles left. that's all. diane gets ahead of me and my quickly fading quads. we make our way back to main street and the bumpy roads and i practice some drafting to try and keep up. da-da-da-da-da that is the sound of my bike on the road. i thought the silver bullet wa going to just fall apart piece by piece, but she hung in there like the champ she is. and after the alst quarter mile of the ride beign uphill then the hard descent we trekked up in the beginning, we decided it is in our best interst to walk our bikes down the hill considering there is a road at the bottom that we woul dnot be stopping for!
we change into our sneaks and head off for our 3 miles run. without a way to know how far we've run we estimate that we just need to run 15 minutes out and back. up cary street and cut over to canal walk. up and down a few sets of stairs and talking abotu the potential it has. 13 minutes out and a big set of stiars. yeah this mean we will trun around haha. so we turn around and run back down dock street towards the cars. 24 minutes total so we hit a negative split somehow! it's now noon and the sun is blazing. time for the pool. all in a day's work.
the journey beings with a 50 yard straight up hill! mary and teresa look at the hill and decide walking up it to start it the way to go. diane and i...no no no. we can ride it from a dead stop. heave ho. heave ho. get to the top - and we were panting! ummm we do have 50 miles to go...maybe we shoudl start off easy! smart thinking mary and teresa!
we gang to gether and start trekking. the road is rather bumpy - then BAM! on bump big enough and like slow motion the contents of my bento box scatter themselves in the road. cellphone...and the battery seperated, shot blocks, sandwiches, car key! i see a van comins so i jump off my bike (how did i not fall) and i ran in front of mary (thank God she didn't fall) and I scooped up everything before the van crushed the phone permanently! and it still works. minor coronary. everything was saved...well not the shot blocks :(
back off on our way down route 5 and we take the advice of deanna l and veer off to osborne turnpike. this was lovely. diane and i were able to ride side-by-side and chit chat making the ride even more enjoyable. we take this back to route 5 for the last 10 miles before the turn around point. shortly after we continue on we ride right through 2 villages of gnats floating like clouds in the road. luckily i was far enough away that i only get hit by about 3 but unfortunately diane went right through the boogers and they just stuck to her face. i couldn't help but laugh as she has to wipe these dead creatures off - yick! but in trigirl spirit she noted...it's protein right!
we hit the 25 mile mark (15.5 pace) and there is a perfect little gravel area on the side of the road and a trail into the woods (thank you vcu). perfect bathroom! we all hoble in our bike shoes down teh mud and rocky path which comes back to haunt us. we eat some peanut butter sandwiches and head back. we quickly realize that we all have mud in our cleats and have to knock them out on teh road to clip in. we all are ready to start abck when we see an 18 wheeler coming....waaaay too fast and we have to run from the curb to not get run over as this gu was out of control - that was frightening! as we start out - oops! diane and mary have a few rocks in their shoes that requires minor surgery to get out to clip in. mission accomplished.
the trek back was not as pleasant as the first half. i realize right away that i ate too much - ugh. and although diane was doing soem great pacing the first half i ask her i f i can lead and slow us down a bit until i digest my ENTIRE peanut butter sandwich. note to self- next ime - only half! as we continue down route 5 we are passed by a few cars that get uncomfortably close. i think they just liked the view of our bums and wanted a close up :) finally we get to the turn off for osborne (at a 16.4 pace)
back to osborne and social riding like we litk to do. but now...ugh. legs are hurting some. 15 miles left. that's all. 5 miles left. that's all. diane gets ahead of me and my quickly fading quads. we make our way back to main street and the bumpy roads and i practice some drafting to try and keep up. da-da-da-da-da that is the sound of my bike on the road. i thought the silver bullet wa going to just fall apart piece by piece, but she hung in there like the champ she is. and after the alst quarter mile of the ride beign uphill then the hard descent we trekked up in the beginning, we decided it is in our best interst to walk our bikes down the hill considering there is a road at the bottom that we woul dnot be stopping for!
we change into our sneaks and head off for our 3 miles run. without a way to know how far we've run we estimate that we just need to run 15 minutes out and back. up cary street and cut over to canal walk. up and down a few sets of stairs and talking abotu the potential it has. 13 minutes out and a big set of stiars. yeah this mean we will trun around haha. so we turn around and run back down dock street towards the cars. 24 minutes total so we hit a negative split somehow! it's now noon and the sun is blazing. time for the pool. all in a day's work.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
It's 7am and my day is complete
What a morning! As I dive into the training schedule for the week I am eager to take on the intensified workouts, knowing they are only going to get more intense in preperations for Patriot.
Today is scheduled for a swim. but not just a swim...a timed 1.25 mile swim. note - i swam a 1000 meters straight once. that is my longest distance to date. i figure out that 1.25 miles is 2000 meters. holy water, batman. that is rediculous. i must be crazy. but...i also really want it. so i get to the pool at 6:00 this morning. On the way there I realize that I believe this is the same time as masters class - doh! i will just swim in the warm family pool. as i walk through the locker room into the pool - there are all of about...1 person swimming! i dip my toe in the water of the stupidly cold lap pool. hmmm. not bad. let me check the family pool. hmm. that's rahter warm. i head back over to the lap and pool and hop on in. hey - why don't they keep the water at this temperature more often. i take a deep breath and head off for an easy 1x100 warm up. i notice that my breathing wasn't very on key. but...it's time. it's now or never. if i want this i have to do it. so i push off and am off. there were time i felt a little speedy, times i felt a little bored, times i needed to rememebr to breath, and times the run last night was telling my legs were still tired. but...finally...40 laps! woo hoo! rock on with my bad self. i had a goal of 45 minutes and finished in 42:58. hey not too shabby. i polish the morning off with a 1x100 warm down (2:16) and think. hmmm. it's 7am. my day is complete. what do i do now?!
Today is scheduled for a swim. but not just a swim...a timed 1.25 mile swim. note - i swam a 1000 meters straight once. that is my longest distance to date. i figure out that 1.25 miles is 2000 meters. holy water, batman. that is rediculous. i must be crazy. but...i also really want it. so i get to the pool at 6:00 this morning. On the way there I realize that I believe this is the same time as masters class - doh! i will just swim in the warm family pool. as i walk through the locker room into the pool - there are all of about...1 person swimming! i dip my toe in the water of the stupidly cold lap pool. hmmm. not bad. let me check the family pool. hmm. that's rahter warm. i head back over to the lap and pool and hop on in. hey - why don't they keep the water at this temperature more often. i take a deep breath and head off for an easy 1x100 warm up. i notice that my breathing wasn't very on key. but...it's time. it's now or never. if i want this i have to do it. so i push off and am off. there were time i felt a little speedy, times i felt a little bored, times i needed to rememebr to breath, and times the run last night was telling my legs were still tired. but...finally...40 laps! woo hoo! rock on with my bad self. i had a goal of 45 minutes and finished in 42:58. hey not too shabby. i polish the morning off with a 1x100 warm down (2:16) and think. hmmm. it's 7am. my day is complete. what do i do now?!
Monday, June 4, 2007
The results are in...
swim - 6:59
T1 - 2:31
bike - 41:53 (17.8 pace)
T2 - 1:15
run - 29:16 (9:26 pace)
total - 1:21:52
age group - 9 out of 27
overall - 78 out of 182
thoughts:
swim - did i forget how to swim? this is the slowest i might have ever swam 300 meters. i have done so much better during training. what went wrong? mayeb the pearls created too much drag.
bike - i have ridden the course in the same time...when stopping at red lights! i need to check my tires. maybei did get a pinch wheni hit that pothole.
run - alright. this was the last leg (literally i guess). i have been averaging a 8:40 pace during practice. why sooo much slower?
i am trying to remind myself that this was my first race and there was a tropical storm going on, but i can't help but be disheartened by these times.
T1 - 2:31
bike - 41:53 (17.8 pace)
T2 - 1:15
run - 29:16 (9:26 pace)
total - 1:21:52
age group - 9 out of 27
overall - 78 out of 182
thoughts:
swim - did i forget how to swim? this is the slowest i might have ever swam 300 meters. i have done so much better during training. what went wrong? mayeb the pearls created too much drag.
bike - i have ridden the course in the same time...when stopping at red lights! i need to check my tires. maybei did get a pinch wheni hit that pothole.
run - alright. this was the last leg (literally i guess). i have been averaging a 8:40 pace during practice. why sooo much slower?
i am trying to remind myself that this was my first race and there was a tropical storm going on, but i can't help but be disheartened by these times.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
"I'm a Triathlete!"
I think we have all enjoyed Steel magnolias - movie quote "I'm a chain" well - as of today...i'm a triathlete!
Preperations...
shoes? check.
socks? check.
hot pink nail polish? check.
pearl earrings? check.
race number? check.
tropical depression? check check.
The days were passing. Time to prepare for my first triathlon - the powersprint. 300 meter swim, 20k bike, 5k run. I can totally do that! but hmm...how do i really prepare. as the days pass i am feuling up on peanut butter, wheat pasta, eggs, pretzels, and wine. yes, wine is part of the process.
The race is sunday. it's now friday night. i load up on pasta, garlic bread, salad, and wine with katharine. then we head to the pile o junk and go through the TG checklist. what do i need and how the heck do i pack it?! as i pack my pink transition bag i receive some advice for rainy racing...a rubbermaid container instead of a bag. awesome. after racing in the snow i learned about these stinky conditions and man what a great idea. so i dump out the bag into a box. i'm ready now, right?
saturday. packet pick up. breathe. i mean i look cute with hot pink nails after all right?! i was working with a team mate who had to work on saturday to pick up her packet without breaking any rules. no luck. although days of communication to properly plan for this we were unable for me to pick up her packet. however...other people were allowed to pick up others' packets. rock on. i see fellow trigirsl and rtc pal erin and let her know that i properly painted my nails pink to match the uniform. she lets me know that oh yeah she will find turquoise nail poilish for the rtc uniform. i meet up with the girls and after a chaotic packet pick up we recieve our proper information. we head off to the race site. how do they have things set up? where do we run from the pool to our bikes? whoa. whoa. whoa. gravel?! umm...not cool. it's ok we are trigirls, we can totally take the gravel. (note to self...no whining...be a badass) then a quick completely pointless prerace meeting and we are of to be girls and totally carbo load - yum! my favorite part...eating!!!
i get home and now i have to go to bed. night before the race. can't. sleep. aaaaahhhh. i had a glass of wine with a very filling emal - why can't i sleep?! this blows! finally after laying in bed for about an hour and a half i am off to dream land. and luckily this time no dreams of swimming in sneakers.
bzzz. bzzz. bzzz. snooze button? okay one time. bzzz. bzzz. bzzz. geez already?! ok ok. it's race days. gulp. i have flashbacks of waking up to a snowy morning of the duathlon so i peeeeeeeak outside. RAIN! what?! no. no. no. i requested 70-75 with a gentle mist. i was allowing a range in temperatures and some rain, too. why must mr. weather not listen to me. sheesh. not like i sound high maintenance or anything. and this was nto jsut rain...this was tropical depression barry. oh well. sigh. get my butt our of bed and go.
i arrive at the race site and i see lots of pinkies around! woo hoo! i never loved
pink so much as i do now. i head off to transition and find out that the race dirctor forgot to put numbers on the racks and it's a free for all - nice. this chaos turns out to work for the trigirls - we make a few "trigirl alleys" and cover the racks in pink bikes, pink ribons and even a yellow ducky balloon! we rock. i head on over to body marking - so hot. i mean who wouldn't want to get numbers and their age written on them witht a permanent marker. this is really why i chose to participate in thios sport. on my way over to bodymarking, i see rtc erin and she shows me that she found her turquoise nail poilish and she, too, properly matches her uniform - i love it! i get to body marking and once again...trigirls in effect. love having my pinkies color me. we recieve inspriational messages down our "non marked" leg. heck yeah. then back to just hurry up and wait.
i am standing around and my old college friend todd finds me. i have the best friends. he drove down from fredericksburg to come see me in my frist tri...he has done them before. luckily he has a golf umbrella and a rain jacket. i borrow these to wait for my swim to start. i begin to get real nervous and requst a trash can. no such luck - what friends huh!
my time has come. time to get in the pool. i push off the wall and am off. remembering not to let the excitement get to me and use to much in the first 100 meters. the guy behind me catches up and beings drafting. yeah right buddy you can pass me and use your energy. so i kindly let him pass and what?! he goes NOWHERE!! aaaahhhh. so within 50 meters i pass him again and this time leave him in ym dust. yeah that's right. eat it suckah! i catch up to the nect guy in front of me who is performing a freestyle breast stroke. yes. that's right. he was kicking his legs like a frog. um. ok. i mean i know we refer to kissing guys like kissing frogs, but really, must you swim like one...it's really annoying. tap the foot. tap the foot. tap the foot. with every stroke i was tapping his foot i was on his butt that bad. but nooooo someone doesn't understand the concept of letting people pass!!! aaahhh!! fine. be that way, loser. yeah i said it - loser. that's me being supportive haha. we practically had to share the stairs to get out fo the pool. whatev dude. we're done with this joint. peace. i'm off to the bikes, yo.
as i run to the bikes we are so kindly given a 6" wide piece of carpet to run on. sweet. good thing i was a dancer and gymnast. shall i practice some moves on this. it's like a balance beam to stay on. but i guess better than nothing. thanks, rd, for some great gravel coverage. i am soaking. between the monsoon and the swim. what the heck - feet on wet ground. socks. wet. i pass my friends and see joette with a video camera! i wave - i love my friends - they rock my wet socks. i beign to pedal and i'm off. i think to myself "omg i am really going to do this. i am 1/3 of the way done to being a triathlete. i can so do this. wow". i get down in aero and cruise off. this feels so good. i love it. then *bam* pothole. i totally should have been looking down. as soon as i hit the pot hole it immediately became diificult to pedal. *insert expletive* did i just freaking pop my tire. Lord knows with my luck it's not the tube but the tire. i keep going and contemplate. do i take the 10+minutes to get off my bike and look and maybe change it or do i take the additional maybe 5 minutes it willt ake to grind it out extra hard for the next 11 miles. i choose b. - grind it out. i ride while continually looking at my front tire to see if i am deflating. i actually pass some people. i pass some trigirl volunteers and they tell me that up ahead is another trigirl and i better catch up. i pass another person then i see the trigirl...who is it? it's my cheryl! i love riding with her. but hmm we are in a race. what do i do?! i pass her and blow her a kiss as i pass. then about 2 minutes late she passes me with some inspirational words - we better keep passing each other and puch each other out - that's right cheryl - let's go - we can do this. so i pull back. go around a corner then i pass her and the person ahead of her...then i lost her :( but it's the final stretch...almost done with the bike. i come up to the tun and i hear joette and todd cheering...then i see a bright orange sign that reads "fave is our fave" i wanted to jump up and down but - right - i am stuck to my pedals - it's missy and steven with the best sign ever!!
i run my bike into transition. ok. i feel jello legs. poo. i have joette and tood to my right and missy and steven to my left. they are talking me through tranistion. i explain to them that i 'verped' a couple times on the bike - sexy mama. and my feet are squishy wet. i head off out of transition onto the run but whoops wrong way. i thank the volunteer and let her know that i was just making she was paying attention ;) as i begin my run out of the parking lot trigirl volunteer carmen spots me and starts cheering. this just cracks me up as i cheer my way out. announcer jay calls me for having way too much energy during the race. 
i begin my run and think about all our saturday brick workouts and remind myself that this awful jello feeling in my legs will pass. i just keep a steady flow making sure not to wear myself out. there is a girl with a good pace ahead of me - i catch up to her and pace off her. then...she starts walking - boo on her. i was using her. so i throw some high fives and cat calls to my fellow trigirl racers and finally hit the turnaround. OMG!!! i am SOOO close!!! i can totally do this!!!! man uphill - headwind. this is a stinker. but i have come this far - do you reallt hink i am going to let some baby hills and wind stop me - ha! i laugh int he face of bad weather - try to stop me now bitches! i kick it up a notch and pass a few people (as i get passed by two amazing runners - not cool! haha) i make the turn back to the main stretch and i know this is the end of the race. kick it. kick it. the finsih line. friends cheering. I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
remove the chip strap and hug my friends!!! we head off to the pavilion to protect ourselves fromt eh now freezing pouring rain. pop the bubbly and cheers! yes i strip right there into the sports bra to put on a dry top...it was cold! everything is wet...but warmer than nothing.
i hang out with the trigirls and cheer everyone else throught he finish line as we all snuggle in a blanket as the tent we are under is being blown around in the wind. how amazing. everywhere i turned there wrere trigirls - racers. volunteers. supoprters. i have met a group of amazing women and become one of them - it will only get better from here!
and shout out to my fellow trigirls who received awards, i am so proud of you. sorry you were given 2006 award that they were "trying to get rid of" you receive nothing but the best in my book, ladies. i love y'all (carmen i properly hypenated just for you)
after a power nap and a very warm shower we have our surprise baby shower for our amazing head coach grandison and partake in some vino comsumption - something trigirls also do fabulously! (told you we are amazing - we race and we play!) this is what i call a fun filled day! and i know the best is yet to come. so thanks to my friends. and cheers to many more fulfilling race challenges to memories to come.
Preperations...
shoes? check.
socks? check.
hot pink nail polish? check.
pearl earrings? check.
race number? check.
tropical depression? check check.
The days were passing. Time to prepare for my first triathlon - the powersprint. 300 meter swim, 20k bike, 5k run. I can totally do that! but hmm...how do i really prepare. as the days pass i am feuling up on peanut butter, wheat pasta, eggs, pretzels, and wine. yes, wine is part of the process.
The race is sunday. it's now friday night. i load up on pasta, garlic bread, salad, and wine with katharine. then we head to the pile o junk and go through the TG checklist. what do i need and how the heck do i pack it?! as i pack my pink transition bag i receive some advice for rainy racing...a rubbermaid container instead of a bag. awesome. after racing in the snow i learned about these stinky conditions and man what a great idea. so i dump out the bag into a box. i'm ready now, right?
saturday. packet pick up. breathe. i mean i look cute with hot pink nails after all right?! i was working with a team mate who had to work on saturday to pick up her packet without breaking any rules. no luck. although days of communication to properly plan for this we were unable for me to pick up her packet. however...other people were allowed to pick up others' packets. rock on. i see fellow trigirsl and rtc pal erin and let her know that i properly painted my nails pink to match the uniform. she lets me know that oh yeah she will find turquoise nail poilish for the rtc uniform. i meet up with the girls and after a chaotic packet pick up we recieve our proper information. we head off to the race site. how do they have things set up? where do we run from the pool to our bikes? whoa. whoa. whoa. gravel?! umm...not cool. it's ok we are trigirls, we can totally take the gravel. (note to self...no whining...be a badass) then a quick completely pointless prerace meeting and we are of to be girls and totally carbo load - yum! my favorite part...eating!!!
i get home and now i have to go to bed. night before the race. can't. sleep. aaaaahhhh. i had a glass of wine with a very filling emal - why can't i sleep?! this blows! finally after laying in bed for about an hour and a half i am off to dream land. and luckily this time no dreams of swimming in sneakers.
bzzz. bzzz. bzzz. snooze button? okay one time. bzzz. bzzz. bzzz. geez already?! ok ok. it's race days. gulp. i have flashbacks of waking up to a snowy morning of the duathlon so i peeeeeeeak outside. RAIN! what?! no. no. no. i requested 70-75 with a gentle mist. i was allowing a range in temperatures and some rain, too. why must mr. weather not listen to me. sheesh. not like i sound high maintenance or anything. and this was nto jsut rain...this was tropical depression barry. oh well. sigh. get my butt our of bed and go.
i arrive at the race site and i see lots of pinkies around! woo hoo! i never loved
pink so much as i do now. i head off to transition and find out that the race dirctor forgot to put numbers on the racks and it's a free for all - nice. this chaos turns out to work for the trigirls - we make a few "trigirl alleys" and cover the racks in pink bikes, pink ribons and even a yellow ducky balloon! we rock. i head on over to body marking - so hot. i mean who wouldn't want to get numbers and their age written on them witht a permanent marker. this is really why i chose to participate in thios sport. on my way over to bodymarking, i see rtc erin and she shows me that she found her turquoise nail poilish and she, too, properly matches her uniform - i love it! i get to body marking and once again...trigirls in effect. love having my pinkies color me. we recieve inspriational messages down our "non marked" leg. heck yeah. then back to just hurry up and wait.i am standing around and my old college friend todd finds me. i have the best friends. he drove down from fredericksburg to come see me in my frist tri...he has done them before. luckily he has a golf umbrella and a rain jacket. i borrow these to wait for my swim to start. i begin to get real nervous and requst a trash can. no such luck - what friends huh!
my time has come. time to get in the pool. i push off the wall and am off. remembering not to let the excitement get to me and use to much in the first 100 meters. the guy behind me catches up and beings drafting. yeah right buddy you can pass me and use your energy. so i kindly let him pass and what?! he goes NOWHERE!! aaaahhhh. so within 50 meters i pass him again and this time leave him in ym dust. yeah that's right. eat it suckah! i catch up to the nect guy in front of me who is performing a freestyle breast stroke. yes. that's right. he was kicking his legs like a frog. um. ok. i mean i know we refer to kissing guys like kissing frogs, but really, must you swim like one...it's really annoying. tap the foot. tap the foot. tap the foot. with every stroke i was tapping his foot i was on his butt that bad. but nooooo someone doesn't understand the concept of letting people pass!!! aaahhh!! fine. be that way, loser. yeah i said it - loser. that's me being supportive haha. we practically had to share the stairs to get out fo the pool. whatev dude. we're done with this joint. peace. i'm off to the bikes, yo.
as i run to the bikes we are so kindly given a 6" wide piece of carpet to run on. sweet. good thing i was a dancer and gymnast. shall i practice some moves on this. it's like a balance beam to stay on. but i guess better than nothing. thanks, rd, for some great gravel coverage. i am soaking. between the monsoon and the swim. what the heck - feet on wet ground. socks. wet. i pass my friends and see joette with a video camera! i wave - i love my friends - they rock my wet socks. i beign to pedal and i'm off. i think to myself "omg i am really going to do this. i am 1/3 of the way done to being a triathlete. i can so do this. wow". i get down in aero and cruise off. this feels so good. i love it. then *bam* pothole. i totally should have been looking down. as soon as i hit the pot hole it immediately became diificult to pedal. *insert expletive* did i just freaking pop my tire. Lord knows with my luck it's not the tube but the tire. i keep going and contemplate. do i take the 10+minutes to get off my bike and look and maybe change it or do i take the additional maybe 5 minutes it willt ake to grind it out extra hard for the next 11 miles. i choose b. - grind it out. i ride while continually looking at my front tire to see if i am deflating. i actually pass some people. i pass some trigirl volunteers and they tell me that up ahead is another trigirl and i better catch up. i pass another person then i see the trigirl...who is it? it's my cheryl! i love riding with her. but hmm we are in a race. what do i do?! i pass her and blow her a kiss as i pass. then about 2 minutes late she passes me with some inspirational words - we better keep passing each other and puch each other out - that's right cheryl - let's go - we can do this. so i pull back. go around a corner then i pass her and the person ahead of her...then i lost her :( but it's the final stretch...almost done with the bike. i come up to the tun and i hear joette and todd cheering...then i see a bright orange sign that reads "fave is our fave" i wanted to jump up and down but - right - i am stuck to my pedals - it's missy and steven with the best sign ever!! i run my bike into transition. ok. i feel jello legs. poo. i have joette and tood to my right and missy and steven to my left. they are talking me through tranistion. i explain to them that i 'verped' a couple times on the bike - sexy mama. and my feet are squishy wet. i head off out of transition onto the run but whoops wrong way. i thank the volunteer and let her know that i was just making she was paying attention ;) as i begin my run out of the parking lot trigirl volunteer carmen spots me and starts cheering. this just cracks me up as i cheer my way out. announcer jay calls me for having way too much energy during the race. i begin my run and think about all our saturday brick workouts and remind myself that this awful jello feeling in my legs will pass. i just keep a steady flow making sure not to wear myself out. there is a girl with a good pace ahead of me - i catch up to her and pace off her. then...she starts walking - boo on her. i was using her. so i throw some high fives and cat calls to my fellow trigirl racers and finally hit the turnaround. OMG!!! i am SOOO close!!! i can totally do this!!!! man uphill - headwind. this is a stinker. but i have come this far - do you reallt hink i am going to let some baby hills and wind stop me - ha! i laugh int he face of bad weather - try to stop me now bitches! i kick it up a notch and pass a few people (as i get passed by two amazing runners - not cool! haha) i make the turn back to the main stretch and i know this is the end of the race. kick it. kick it. the finsih line. friends cheering. I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :Dremove the chip strap and hug my friends!!! we head off to the pavilion to protect ourselves fromt eh now freezing pouring rain. pop the bubbly and cheers! yes i strip right there into the sports bra to put on a dry top...it was cold! everything is wet...but warmer than nothing.
i hang out with the trigirls and cheer everyone else throught he finish line as we all snuggle in a blanket as the tent we are under is being blown around in the wind. how amazing. everywhere i turned there wrere trigirls - racers. volunteers. supoprters. i have met a group of amazing women and become one of them - it will only get better from here!
and shout out to my fellow trigirls who received awards, i am so proud of you. sorry you were given 2006 award that they were "trying to get rid of" you receive nothing but the best in my book, ladies. i love y'all (carmen i properly hypenated just for you)after a power nap and a very warm shower we have our surprise baby shower for our amazing head coach grandison and partake in some vino comsumption - something trigirls also do fabulously! (told you we are amazing - we race and we play!) this is what i call a fun filled day! and i know the best is yet to come. so thanks to my friends. and cheers to many more fulfilling race challenges to memories to come.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Those silly serta sheep...
...or are they silly sealy sheep? ha! trying saying that 3x fast!
anyways. the next couple nights should be interesting. the sheep have already begun messing with my beauty sleep. last night's dreams encountered challenges such as: forgetting to take my sneakers off and having to swim in them, getting lost, forgetting to start the race...
i wonder what tonight's dreams have in store for me...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tapering Tapering
this is taper week...but it's also still patriot training week. taking it easy while still pushing it hard...an interesting concept. one i need to conquer this summer.
monday - swim.
it was memorial day. i drank margaritas and ate fattening food.
tuesday - do nothing. help a friend in need!
wednesday - weights class in taper mode. bike 18 scheduled for tuesday. swim.
class went fast with onyl two reps of everything.
the bike...not so hot. or actually...super hot! 3 loops - i can totally handle that. yeah...almsot done with lap one and i am busting my butt "sweating like a whore in church" (yes i said it and no i didn't make it up). after one loop, margo and i realize it's not worth and we steady out for half the nub, then bust it out for about two mils for the grand finale. after socializing witht he girls, we realize we better hit the pool or we are hitting the beers with them...so not fair! so we head off to tucky and the pool is just "stupid cold". redonkulous i say. so we hit the family pool. bath water...where's the happy medium! i time a few 300's and do a total of 1000 meters and call it a day. it's almost 9. time to lay my weary head to rest.
thursday - 4 mile negative split, 12 mile ride.
the run this morning went well. becky and i paired up and headed off for out 4 mile negative split. first loop was 8:33 and finished at 33:40 or something like that. pace about an 8:40. so getting better. but then came the ride. shewy! it was hizzot. i didn't see anyone so i took off for loop one. 21 minutes - 17 mph pace +/-. then becky found me (we planned on riding together) and we were able to ride the second loop together. it's so much nicer having a riding partner. we've decided we enjoy riding together. about the same pace and training levels so it works well. we finihsed off the swecond loop in 22 minutes...but looked like we jsut finished swimming. so after chatting with cyndi i was off to meet the girls for my gyro and dolmades at my fav-o-rite greek festival! yes i walked up in there with my padded butt shorts. they're hot, i know. first it's drivein/carry out and then...they were out of gyros?! that's just tragic. so i got my pork and was good to go. then we realized...only one dolmade!! and it was a mini version! ok. i am jsut upset now. my legs are tired. i can't drink greek headache indicing wine. no gyros. and then a mini dolamde. waht is this. i protest. or i just do nothing. haha.
friday is coming. to swim or not to swim? that is the question. tbd....
and most importantly...the post race champagne...is in the fridge! oh yeah.
monday - swim.
it was memorial day. i drank margaritas and ate fattening food.
tuesday - do nothing. help a friend in need!
wednesday - weights class in taper mode. bike 18 scheduled for tuesday. swim.
class went fast with onyl two reps of everything.
the bike...not so hot. or actually...super hot! 3 loops - i can totally handle that. yeah...almsot done with lap one and i am busting my butt "sweating like a whore in church" (yes i said it and no i didn't make it up). after one loop, margo and i realize it's not worth and we steady out for half the nub, then bust it out for about two mils for the grand finale. after socializing witht he girls, we realize we better hit the pool or we are hitting the beers with them...so not fair! so we head off to tucky and the pool is just "stupid cold". redonkulous i say. so we hit the family pool. bath water...where's the happy medium! i time a few 300's and do a total of 1000 meters and call it a day. it's almost 9. time to lay my weary head to rest.
thursday - 4 mile negative split, 12 mile ride.
the run this morning went well. becky and i paired up and headed off for out 4 mile negative split. first loop was 8:33 and finished at 33:40 or something like that. pace about an 8:40. so getting better. but then came the ride. shewy! it was hizzot. i didn't see anyone so i took off for loop one. 21 minutes - 17 mph pace +/-. then becky found me (we planned on riding together) and we were able to ride the second loop together. it's so much nicer having a riding partner. we've decided we enjoy riding together. about the same pace and training levels so it works well. we finihsed off the swecond loop in 22 minutes...but looked like we jsut finished swimming. so after chatting with cyndi i was off to meet the girls for my gyro and dolmades at my fav-o-rite greek festival! yes i walked up in there with my padded butt shorts. they're hot, i know. first it's drivein/carry out and then...they were out of gyros?! that's just tragic. so i got my pork and was good to go. then we realized...only one dolmade!! and it was a mini version! ok. i am jsut upset now. my legs are tired. i can't drink greek headache indicing wine. no gyros. and then a mini dolamde. waht is this. i protest. or i just do nothing. haha.
friday is coming. to swim or not to swim? that is the question. tbd....
and most importantly...the post race champagne...is in the fridge! oh yeah.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
t minus 3 days
the time is really nearing. triathlon numero uno. am i ready?
stressed? check.
sore throat? check.
yeah - sound ready to me.
ok so maybe i need to destress...fast. it's only a race, right? and it's my first of the kind. i need to relax a bit. i will get some training time in this week - spin around on the bike a few days. run a few miles. and time some 300's. i really want to break 6 minutes on the swim. but -there is a good chance it won't happen and ineed to accept that. my best has been 6:15. 15 seconds is a lot to drop off. maybe adrenaline will kick in. i am nervous about using my energy too quickly and fading. but it's a race - i am supposed to use all my energy right? have i trained hard enough? i guess so. no time left now. ('it's raining men' just came on my itunes - perfect!) i have the handy dandy helpful hints from Cyndi and G to prepare for race day. tonight i will need to go through those and begin final preperations. i guess all i can do now...is breathe. and think about the post-race champagne at diane's. that's thirst quenching! cheers.
stressed? check.
sore throat? check.
yeah - sound ready to me.
ok so maybe i need to destress...fast. it's only a race, right? and it's my first of the kind. i need to relax a bit. i will get some training time in this week - spin around on the bike a few days. run a few miles. and time some 300's. i really want to break 6 minutes on the swim. but -there is a good chance it won't happen and ineed to accept that. my best has been 6:15. 15 seconds is a lot to drop off. maybe adrenaline will kick in. i am nervous about using my energy too quickly and fading. but it's a race - i am supposed to use all my energy right? have i trained hard enough? i guess so. no time left now. ('it's raining men' just came on my itunes - perfect!) i have the handy dandy helpful hints from Cyndi and G to prepare for race day. tonight i will need to go through those and begin final preperations. i guess all i can do now...is breathe. and think about the post-race champagne at diane's. that's thirst quenching! cheers.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Memorial Weekend-palooza
I love long weekends. Friends and fun. oh yeah and working out, too.
Friday we ended up closing the office at 4 - woo hoo! I hopped on over to st. Mary's to visit a friend's new bambino. So cute! 25 hours old - wittle bitty thing. here she is...june ellen.
Saturday I met up with Diane and company for our 40 mile ride. We met up at diane's and went on out. Five miles to west creek - 30 miles inside - then 5 back. well i would say at about oh mile 3 I got dropped. what was i thinking to ride with these people?! they have more experience than me, i am supposed to take it easy on teh knee, and this is my longest ride to date by far. so i gladly dropped back and as we passed each other in the loop I let them know i would meet up with them at the end. Along the way at mile 11 I picked up fellow baby pinkie, Becky, also training for patriot and we did half the ride together (24 miles). At this time I am ready for my 5 mile cruise on back to diane's. however...no one is around. hmph. then i spot one of the fellow riders and we wait for everyone. no on in sight. hmph. should we go? why not. so we finished the ride and man i was dunzo! note to self - next time pre determine meeting locations teehee.After riding I skipped on over to Kilmarnock for some river fun. playing on the "beach", wine, jet skiing, and tubing.
sunday was more river time followed by trekking back to richmond for swim class (?). yeah...missed it. danggit! oh well.
Monday was "poolapalooza". A bucket of margaritas and friends (margo, amy, barrett, sam, bill, ron and little austin). The pool was a blast. soem time with TG Jonah and her mini-me's. A day filled with cheeseburgers and margies followed by attempts at the dirty dancing lift (with only minor resulting injury) - now that's memorable!
a good weekend. now back to training. 5 days until powersprint - yowsers!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
A little pick (me) up
With the three challenges of the triathlon - swim, bike, run - all of which i am steady. I don't have one that i excel at, but hope i am not too bad at either.
A timed mile is needed to personalize this distance training schedule. Throughout the winter I trained along side the Eagleman and IMFL girls (and guys). We were scheduled to do a few of these timed miles I speak of, but they usually fell when I was 'out of town'. although I was out of town at times, really I was plain and simply intimidated by the group. With the duathlon training on schedule I had to do the timed mile in January - 9:05. I finished with only a sprinkle of people behind me. Disappointing but also leaves room for improvement, right?!
As I progressed into Powersprint training - lots more 1/2 mile repeats...but still managed to not do another timed mile. The day this was scheduled I had a duathlon run to do...shucks. I have been tracking my run times and have noticed an increase - even hit a little less than a mile in 8:17.
That brings us to this morning. After filling up on mexican and ice cream last night, running was far from my mind...but the Patriot finish line is telling me to get my butt out of the bed and get to it. This morning I was scheduled to do my new timed mile and (3) 1/2 mile repeats. I have a conversation with my stomach to behave and I am off for my timed mile....here goes. I keep telling myself to push it harder - knees up - think of the running form. I see Coach G standing at the "finish line" ready to time me and....I did it! I finished another timed mile. With a goal of 8:30, I succeed....7:49!
The repeats did not go so well. Dinner was telling me to stop running already. We will not comment on those times. Good thing there were only 3!
Although I wasn't thinking this at the time, but I think the idea of being chased is a great motivator! I am thinking of thinking morning's new time as a little pick me up to tell me i can do Patriot if i just pick it up!
A timed mile is needed to personalize this distance training schedule. Throughout the winter I trained along side the Eagleman and IMFL girls (and guys). We were scheduled to do a few of these timed miles I speak of, but they usually fell when I was 'out of town'. although I was out of town at times, really I was plain and simply intimidated by the group. With the duathlon training on schedule I had to do the timed mile in January - 9:05. I finished with only a sprinkle of people behind me. Disappointing but also leaves room for improvement, right?!
As I progressed into Powersprint training - lots more 1/2 mile repeats...but still managed to not do another timed mile. The day this was scheduled I had a duathlon run to do...shucks. I have been tracking my run times and have noticed an increase - even hit a little less than a mile in 8:17.
That brings us to this morning. After filling up on mexican and ice cream last night, running was far from my mind...but the Patriot finish line is telling me to get my butt out of the bed and get to it. This morning I was scheduled to do my new timed mile and (3) 1/2 mile repeats. I have a conversation with my stomach to behave and I am off for my timed mile....here goes. I keep telling myself to push it harder - knees up - think of the running form. I see Coach G standing at the "finish line" ready to time me and....I did it! I finished another timed mile. With a goal of 8:30, I succeed....7:49!
The repeats did not go so well. Dinner was telling me to stop running already. We will not comment on those times. Good thing there were only 3!
Although I wasn't thinking this at the time, but I think the idea of being chased is a great motivator! I am thinking of thinking morning's new time as a little pick me up to tell me i can do Patriot if i just pick it up!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Change of Plans
A newbie to the triathlon world. I am eager and nervous as I prepare for the Powersprint. I am quickly bitten by the training and race bug as I venture into the idea of doing Naylor's Beach Olympic Triathlon in September. My first tri season...an olympic distance? I go for it and continue to train with Naylors in sight. sitting on my desk are notes - quotes, distance, etc - to remind me of the goal and the dedication it takes to reach it. As I continue to train with my girls I am often getting asked what my 'A' race for 2007 is. When I say Naylor's, I often get a look of slight disappointment. So...I'm going for it. Patriot Half Iron! Gulp. Here goes nothing...
Friday, May 18, 2007
A new notch in the distance belt
Although I ride 2-3 times a week, I usually ride 12-18 miles each time. I am soemtimes constrained by time having to get to another outing, and sometimes I am just...lazy. But this week - no. I keep saying I want to up my distacne and now I haev the chance. It's 6:30 and the next thing I have scheduled for myself is Grey's anatomy Season Finale at 9. So - Margo, RCAT, and I are off...24 miles. Lap one and I lose everyone. As I begin lap two, Snells and RCat find me - Snell's new aerobars broke and knocked her off! Tragic! So they are off to performance to throw down and I am off to reach the goal. (oh and lap one i did in 20 minutes) lap two...feels a little better. Lap three - 20 minutes - in the groove. I realize there are only about 3 people left at West Creek. Do I continue? Will people know I am still here? Do I stop to be a little safer? No - I want that 4th loop. So 4th loops begins and I am still feeling groovy. Then come the hills. Yeah so maybe my quads are a wittle sweepy. Fianlly I get back to the car. 24 miles - a new distance on the bike. And besides my knee andI fighting today - I feel great! And made it to the tv in time to watch the drama unfold! Love it!
See you Sunday!
See you Sunday!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Rain Rain Go Away
As we all know - swimming is my weakness in the race. I was unable to go to my weekly monday night swim this week because I was attending the Hermitage High School Triangle Two Club Mother Daughter Luau!! So I was really looking forward to Wednesday's swim. Only 6 more left until Powersprint! Then... I receive word from training buddy Margo that the storms are not looking in our favor. Argh! I refuse to believe this when *clash* thunder! Noooooooo! Mother Nature is not cooperating with my training schedule! This is not good for my swimming. So far my fastest 300 has been 6:15 and I reeeeaaaallly want to break 6 minutes! We'll see how sunday's timed swim goes.
I ended up with a lovely evening of reorganizing my wardrobe (I am obsessed with organization) as well as deleting unecesary pieces from the wardrobe. And of course this process can only be accomplished with a few glasses of vino! Delish!
Tonight - rain rain go away - I am determined to ride 24 miles then run 3-4 (saturday's workout early). So - Mother Nature please be kind and let me play outside with all my training friends!
I ended up with a lovely evening of reorganizing my wardrobe (I am obsessed with organization) as well as deleting unecesary pieces from the wardrobe. And of course this process can only be accomplished with a few glasses of vino! Delish!
Tonight - rain rain go away - I am determined to ride 24 miles then run 3-4 (saturday's workout early). So - Mother Nature please be kind and let me play outside with all my training friends!
Monday, May 14, 2007
RTC Open Water Swim Clinic
After getting my feet wet (you like the pun?!) at the TRIgirl open water practice, I was ready to dive in with the creatures..and dead catfish.
Sponsored by the Richmond Tri Club and led by Michael Harlow of Endorphin Fitness. We learned the tricks of entering and diving starts, in water starts, sighting, drafting, and running exits. This was very informative and it was great to have a handful of pinkies by my side. 
Anna and I running into the river
Go Wolfpack!
Note: this has nothing to do with training.
There is something about a summer baseball game - the bleachers, the sun, hot dgos, pretzels, and french fries...okay and the beer too. It really is an american tradition and I love it! Being not only a Carolina girl, but also a Meredith girl - I love my NC State Wolfpack! There is nothing like the atmosphere of football, basketball, and even baseball games. Living in richmond I have learned how strong the UVa/Va Tech rivalry is. My Wolfpack seems to be overshadowed by it. Sad.
There is something about a summer baseball game - the bleachers, the sun, hot dgos, pretzels, and french fries...okay and the beer too. It really is an american tradition and I love it! Being not only a Carolina girl, but also a Meredith girl - I love my NC State Wolfpack! There is nothing like the atmosphere of football, basketball, and even baseball games. Living in richmond I have learned how strong the UVa/Va Tech rivalry is. My Wolfpack seems to be overshadowed by it. Sad.Saturday evening there was not only a baseball game, but the UVa v. NC State game! I headed up to charlottesville with a carload of hoos. them in their orange - me in my red! with a minor change in plans, we had time to throw around the football and throw back a few beers, too. With a final score of NC State 10 UVa 7 - they had post game fireworks and we had post game road trip karaoke in the car! 
Racing for a Cure!
Saturday morning was the annual Komen Richmond Race for the Cure 5k. Sicne this is Mother's Day weekend, I am usually in Charlotte. this year I am going next weekend, so I was able to stay in town and participate in such a great event.
I met up with fellow TG's while wondering around Brown's Island - Shannon, Kathleen, Nicole, Deanna B, Deanna L, Teresa (and daughter), and Diane (and entourage). what a sea of pink!!! Our team colors fit right in.
My 5k PR in 2006 was 34 minutes. In recent training runs I have been consistently breaking a 30 minute mark for 3 miles, but I remember the course from 2 years ago having a nasty hill! I remember that race, I had just gotten my first knee brace and was on a doctor's order to take a temporary hiatus from running...but...but...but...what if I walk some?!
I went into this race of having fun and not worrying about my time. If I made a new PR then I was content and broke 30 I would be happy. But if not - just have fun being there! 9:00 cmae nad we were off. I kept a steady pace and just got into my own person rhythm. I saw some people I knew along the way and I would jog over and pass on a smile. Then came the finish line. Official time: 29:37! woo hoo!! Although I have run it faster in practice - I hit a new PR knocking off 5 minutes from last year!
What a way to start my busy Saturday...next stop: Charlottesville. Go wolfpack!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Shout Out
I just want to send a shout out of thanks to Diane and Cheryl for their leadership yesterday - thank you for taking me and baby pink Megan out to shady grove last night! and 43 minutes with red lights! woo hoo! We'll do it again soon! xoxo
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Barge and the speed boats
Sounds like a great Dr. Seuss book!
Once upon a time there was a barge. She sat in the water moving very slowly only to get where aboslutely needed. Mainly there to bask in the surroundings and usually while consuming a margaita on the rocks no salt. As the barge floats around there are many speed boats whizzing by. This makes the barge jealous and she, too, wants to be a speed boat. So the barge's friend, G, told her she, too, can be a speed boat with a little practice. With support form Barge's friend, margo, she gets out an starts practicing and even does....speed drills. Last night she goes to practice like she wants and the evil dirty pontoon boat is there that many people have played with. This frustrates the barge, but she pushes on. she did 250m to warm up and then 50m speed drills. 1 - 0:54 (pr!!), 2 - 0:57, 3 - 0:56, 4 - 0:59. Then she has to 2 more with only a 5 second rest! 1 - 0:59, 2 - 1:05 ewwww. A 200 warm down in 4:37 not too shabby of an evening. The moral of the story - do not shove a bunch of potstickers in the engine before doing speed drills - although delicious, it creates an uncomfortable nauseating feeling.
I think I missed my called as an author.
Once upon a time there was a barge. She sat in the water moving very slowly only to get where aboslutely needed. Mainly there to bask in the surroundings and usually while consuming a margaita on the rocks no salt. As the barge floats around there are many speed boats whizzing by. This makes the barge jealous and she, too, wants to be a speed boat. So the barge's friend, G, told her she, too, can be a speed boat with a little practice. With support form Barge's friend, margo, she gets out an starts practicing and even does....speed drills. Last night she goes to practice like she wants and the evil dirty pontoon boat is there that many people have played with. This frustrates the barge, but she pushes on. she did 250m to warm up and then 50m speed drills. 1 - 0:54 (pr!!), 2 - 0:57, 3 - 0:56, 4 - 0:59. Then she has to 2 more with only a 5 second rest! 1 - 0:59, 2 - 1:05 ewwww. A 200 warm down in 4:37 not too shabby of an evening. The moral of the story - do not shove a bunch of potstickers in the engine before doing speed drills - although delicious, it creates an uncomfortable nauseating feeling.
I think I missed my called as an author.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Rest
Last night was the RTC new member orientation clinic given by Michael Harlow of Endorphin Fitness. One topic he emphasized was the importance of resting. And how you get better from rest. I though to myself that's good because...thursday I ran in the morning, skipped afternoon bike. Friday was a rest day. Saturday I was at camp and didn't go on my 20 mile ride. Sunday I was asleep at 5 and missed swimming and running. Monday it was so late bythe time we got out of the clinic I went hom to hit the hay. Good thing I made it to Vita this morning. But with all this reast - I should be good to go! haha. Thanks for the advice Michael!
Watch This
This morning I met up with Margo and Missy at Vita to run my 3 miles of hills. (ok so not very hilly but it works, right). Although this is not a speed workout, I am intersted as always to see how I do. So I hit start and I'm off. Feeling good the first lap, but wondering if I started too quickly. I get around loop one and chekc the watch - 6:23. Hmm I wonder. It must have said 8:23 - that would make sense. Let me look again...still 6:23. Interesting. Way to go dummy - you hit the stop button sometime. I continue on wondering when did my watch buttons become so sensitive. I am rounding lep three, and still ponderign the watch. yes - i was that stumped. And thenit dawns on me...instead f hitting start I must have hit it to go back to the time setting and it was telling met he time! hahahahaha. oops.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Tea and crumpets?
Wow! What an experience. Our badges read zone 1. but what was zone 1? Steven escorted Elizabeth and I up to the Capital and into the Governor's mansion. Lock down. We had 3 hours to entertain oursleves before the arrival of Queen Elizabeth...aka Queenie. We took lots of pictures! It was very surreal out of a movie - the snipers on the rooves and the secret service talking into their sleeves. And yes - there were two secret service agents that we have oodles of pictures of. Yummy entertainment! As time passed the passed governor's of virginia, the mayor of richmond, and the governor of west virginia as well as state sentors came for the event. then comes about 60 motorcycles...a few state troopers...then 2 limousines - the Queen! followed by about 6 suburbans that were full of antenas and men in full swat gear. She comes out and begins her walk about with TK (aka Governor Tim Kaine) - being in the VIP area she gave us all a smile and a wave - very surreal. Did I really just meet the Queen?! Yes. Yes I did.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Speed of Light
This morning was the dreaded half mile repeats! (insert movie scream here). Since I don't have a recent timed mile to go off of and my last repeats were a little over 4:00/each - 4:00 was my goal. Here are the results:
1 - 3:49
2 - 3:44
3 - 3:56
4 - 3:56
Not quite the speed of light but Yay for making some speed progress!!! And yay for TG Aimee coming back to practice!
1 - 3:49
2 - 3:44
3 - 3:56
4 - 3:56
Not quite the speed of light but Yay for making some speed progress!!! And yay for TG Aimee coming back to practice!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Here's hoping...
The past 2 weeks I have spent a couple mornings at Ashland Physical Therapy. This morning was my last visit. I have been doing lots of strengthening and stretching exercises to help the knee. Beign the coolest patient ever, it was a nice relaxed atmosphere (while sweating of course). the people there are great. Unfortunately, my last visit might have been the worst! With the run and ride on tuesday my knee ws tender going in this morning. But - it was my last visit - they kicked up the exercises. I wanted to just get the ice pack the whole time! On my way out ther was a hoorendous accident - tractor trailer went over part of a car. I thought - I guess my knee pain isn't so pain afterall! And the knee pack is my friend...and it totally looks hot with my outfit around the office! So...here's hoping that as I continue to train my 2 weeks of PT make a difference!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Fitness Assessment Recap
Recently the RTC held a clinic at Maramarc sponsored by TRIgirls. The topic: The Female Triathlete. Luckily for me - only 3 RTC members and 2 non-members showed up. Time for the door prize...I won!!! It ws a fitness assessment by Coach M. Oh rut roh. do I want to do this...
Last night was the big day. I was nervous to find out how out of shape I am! i get there and first...7 pinch fat test. This was the part I was dreading the most. The off to the treadmill for some VO2 testing. as the time increases my heart rate builds...then drops. then incline. it builds then drops. The it builds...and stays there! After that time to lift weights. Aw stinky poo...I am not an upper body strength kind of gal. And streatching - I can handle that, I was a dancer for 16 years.
then the results...dum dum dum.
7 pinch test: 16% well above average, 100lbs muscle, 20lbs fat... well hey that's not so bad.
vo2: above average...have the potential to be a sub 7:00/mile
Strength: 80lbs average...ok I knew I needed to work on this one
Flexibility: 97% well above average...yeah baby yeah.
Overall I was surprised at my results. I was completely expecting much worse. I knew my weakness was my upper body strength and I know I need to focus on that. It was neat getting it done and having a basis for where my fitness stands...as I venture out into this triathlon world. I suggest everyone has this done.
Last night was the big day. I was nervous to find out how out of shape I am! i get there and first...7 pinch fat test. This was the part I was dreading the most. The off to the treadmill for some VO2 testing. as the time increases my heart rate builds...then drops. then incline. it builds then drops. The it builds...and stays there! After that time to lift weights. Aw stinky poo...I am not an upper body strength kind of gal. And streatching - I can handle that, I was a dancer for 16 years.
then the results...dum dum dum.
7 pinch test: 16% well above average, 100lbs muscle, 20lbs fat... well hey that's not so bad.
vo2: above average...have the potential to be a sub 7:00/mile
Strength: 80lbs average...ok I knew I needed to work on this one
Flexibility: 97% well above average...yeah baby yeah.
Overall I was surprised at my results. I was completely expecting much worse. I knew my weakness was my upper body strength and I know I need to focus on that. It was neat getting it done and having a basis for where my fitness stands...as I venture out into this triathlon world. I suggest everyone has this done.
Blub. Blub.
Think Melissa: "Badass. Be a badass."
While preparing for the 10k I remember one of the TRIgirls telling a story how she was saying to herself: "I think I can. I think I can. I KNOW I CAN". I have been telling myself that as i work out...but it morphed into my own version...being a badass. I look at my team mates and others that have completed amazing races and I think they are total badasses. Well, I want to be one too!
As I swam in the James, this mantra helped. Margo and I have a pact the Monday night swims we focus on distance and Wednesday night swims we focus on speed drills. Last Monday we hit 750 as well as a good 300 time. This monday...1000! Gulp.
We enter the pool and we stand there...frozen in the Arctic. All we can say is - this water is stupid cold. After what seemed liek forever standing there discussing how we jsut need to go for it, another swimmer leftover from Masters class sends a nice splash our way and says just do it. So...under the water and we're off. a nice warm up totalling 300 meters. Now picture Shelby (Julia Roberts) in Steel Magnolia's, "It's Time!". We take a deep breath and a high five and we go for it. Hit the wall 20 times...1, 2, 3...Badass. Be a Badass...19, 20!!!! We did it!!! We made out goal of 1000 meters straight! Yay!!! Now time to warm down - a timed 300 - 6:40+/- ew. But...I did just finish a 1000, so okay I swam a little slower. We totalled a swim of a mile for the night. Sounds good to me!
Next Monday: 1,250!
While preparing for the 10k I remember one of the TRIgirls telling a story how she was saying to herself: "I think I can. I think I can. I KNOW I CAN". I have been telling myself that as i work out...but it morphed into my own version...being a badass. I look at my team mates and others that have completed amazing races and I think they are total badasses. Well, I want to be one too!
As I swam in the James, this mantra helped. Margo and I have a pact the Monday night swims we focus on distance and Wednesday night swims we focus on speed drills. Last Monday we hit 750 as well as a good 300 time. This monday...1000! Gulp.
We enter the pool and we stand there...frozen in the Arctic. All we can say is - this water is stupid cold. After what seemed liek forever standing there discussing how we jsut need to go for it, another swimmer leftover from Masters class sends a nice splash our way and says just do it. So...under the water and we're off. a nice warm up totalling 300 meters. Now picture Shelby (Julia Roberts) in Steel Magnolia's, "It's Time!". We take a deep breath and a high five and we go for it. Hit the wall 20 times...1, 2, 3...Badass. Be a Badass...19, 20!!!! We did it!!! We made out goal of 1000 meters straight! Yay!!! Now time to warm down - a timed 300 - 6:40+/- ew. But...I did just finish a 1000, so okay I swam a little slower. We totalled a swim of a mile for the night. Sounds good to me!
Next Monday: 1,250!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Fighting the Current (and the animals?)
Okay so maybe there were no animals to fight, but I sure am afraid there are! I faced a fear - open water! Dum. Dum. Dum. I defintiely did not feel the relaxation I am gaining in the pool, but I got in there...
We all met up at the boat ramp, courtesy of TG Liz. A quick "how-to" on wetsuits by Coach M. We all need our black stilettos and kitten ears with them.
Then we headed off to the ramp. Pulse racing. Hands Shaking. I kept thinking...can I vomit now?! Are snakes out yet? And if we stay close to the side - isn't that where they live? And this mud I am standing on...what kind of critters live in it? Ew. Ew. Ew. Then...time to go. I am supposed to put my face in this?!?!?!?!?! There is a group of us that are having a hard time with breathing and even putting my face in the water. 5 minutes out against the current...that's not so bad, right?! I do our signature LA combo to help with the breathing and face in water! We get back to the ramp and the current is really trying to push us back out. Standing there...panic sets in. this is the perfect opportunity for the animals to get us. I have to get out!!! I go up on the pier as everyone heads back out for another few minutes. By this time my hands are shaking and I just want to cry. Sucks! I want to do it so bad! Then comes Coach B. He talks me back into getting out there. He swims with me out and back a few times with kayaker TG Snells by our side. Every now and then a stick comes and makes me jump. I just tell myself how bad I want it and I, too, can be a badass. Think of the Naylor's finish line!
After a few times out and back, it was time to "run" (it was SUPER slippery) out while taking off the wetsuit. This part I could handle. Sigh. I did it. Not great, but I started at least. Afterwards, I felt Snells and I totally earned a dinner out - so Pilani Drive wraps!!!
Pondering what am I going to do?!
and are there creatures under my toes?!
Friday, April 27, 2007
In the words of E.T.: "Owwwwwwch"
The class I took on Monday had lingered with me all week. Not only nightmares of the poor instruction, but the constant reminder of the pain in my calf. Like the buzzing of a gnat you can't swat away. Tuesday I felt fine and went on otu to West Creek for my ride and run...not bad, but my calf started feeling sore. Cut the run off at 3 miles - not bad. Wednesday it hurt. Period. Not like a "I had a badass workout" sore, not like a cramp...but a mixture of the two. By Wednesday evening, I decided to make to sad decision to listen to my body and take the night off from the pool. Thursday morning came and time for the group run. I go to stand up....Owwwwwwch. I can't put my foot down! Maybe 15 minutes of the heating pad will help. Nope. Skipped workout number 2 of the week. Argh. throughout the day every time I stand up I have to walk around on my toe before my calf muscle allows me to put my foot down! But darn it - I want to ride my 18-20. So I head back out to West Creek for my weekly ride....6 miles later....back at the car. another workout missed. Today is my night off, so let's hope by tomorrow morning I can get a run in...before Keiko's bachelorette weekend begins! That's my whining for today. Would I like some cheese to go with that? Yes please.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Tuesday Night Brick
weather: mid 80's
workout:
workout:
- 6 mile loop - untimed
- 6 mile loop - goal 21:00 actual 21:30
- 3.25 mile hill run - goal 30:00 actual 33:42 (10:30 pace - eugh)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
See that? That's my tadpole tail!
Since I began the journey to becoming a triathlete I have feared the water. dum. dum. dum. I have never swam a lap in my life. And I am afraid of open water (which I am determined to conquer). I took Som's TI class in febraury and felt a world of difference - just knowing proper technique and the basics. And he told me that I would be able to 300 in 7 minutes! Seriously?! I have gone to a few of the swim practices in the past 2 months and even made it to the pool with TG DL. I had built my way up to swimming 100m but was still very nervous about being at the pool! I was just intimidated in general.
Recently, my good friend and now TG, Snells has come to the pool with me. She told me I could swim 150...and I did. She told me I could swim 200...and I did! Over the weekend she worked her way up to 500m. sigh. one day, I told myself, One day. then on sunday I graduated a lane in class!!! But i looked at the list...300m straight after doing how many other laps - oh boy! can I do this? I have to. So i got into my zone and went for it...and it felt great!!! (minus the 6:00 swimmers in the 5:00 class - I admit that was annoying ). *note by annoying I am referring to the frustration when we/I am trying to improve and am being passed mid lane and not at the end. i know this happens at races...but this is a team practice, not a race. so...the speed difference was frustrating.
So last night after bodyshaping torture, I mean class, Snells and I headed to the pool for a dip. We swam our warm up:
1 x 50 free
1 x 50 LA combo
1 x 50 fist
1 x 50 LA combo
1 x 50 fist
After these we were feeling jello arms and were feeling a little "off"
Then into our main set:
2 x 100 free
After those I felt that "now or never" inkling and knew if I was going to try for a distance tonight...now was the time. We discussed and were going for a timed 600m. Yowsers!!! this was twice was I had done in the poast...and that was just the night before!! I had butterflies in my stomach but i wanted it so bad. I knew if I didn't try I would go home regretting it. So I tucked under the water and pushed off and went for it! I took my time focusing on breathing (my biggest challenge), keeping my legs straight, looking down, and just staying in my rhythm. I was feeling in the zone. After 100m I was paused for someone asking to join me in my lane but said a quick 'yeah sure' and kept going. (unfortuantely he was not cute...even under water haha). I got back into my rhythm and went with it. I couldn't stop. 600m was nearing...do I stop? no. I am pushing on. new goal - 750m! 3 morelaps - I can totally do that - shoot I could do like 10 more laps...do i dare? Now that's just crazy talk. the wall is coming...I think I might have jumped half way out of the pool when I finished!!! My first 750m!!! time was 19:28. I wanted to do a little jig I was so proud of myself. One week ago I did my first 150 and with some motivation, determination, and a great friend...i pushed way further than I could have imagined.
*note - we swam a total of 1500m - 100 short of a mile - oops
I was on such a high! I felt like I could swim forever! Do I warm down already? Or do I time a 300? Eh, why not? So a timed 300m I went. I kept thinking to myself to keep my rhythm and think about my stroke but maybe speed up a bit to rech that personal goal of 6:59. I finish, hit the wall and look at the watch. Clearly my eyes must be fuzzy, I can't be reading this right. Goggles off. Rub the eyes. OMG 6:15!!!!!!!!! I walked to the locker room with so many thoughts running through my head - I couldn't wait to blog my acomplishment!!!! And then as I got ready to leave the gym I decided a new goal...5:59
As if my night could not get any better. I mean I just swam a 750 and a fast 300. Then one of my previous Little Buddies from camp called. She is 16 and we go and do fun things sometimes. Last summer I took her for her first makeover! (she lost her mom). We call each other perma-buddies as well as lots of nicknames and acronyms in everyday conversation. Well, she called. She told me about this club she is in that starts the year off with a father-daughter social and ends with a mother-daughter social. the mother-daughter social was coming up. And she asked me to with her! I was so honored that she looked up to me so much and wanted to share something so special with me! To use one of our fun sayings. "aw. tear." (in a funny voice)
What a way to start my week!!!
Recently, my good friend and now TG, Snells has come to the pool with me. She told me I could swim 150...and I did. She told me I could swim 200...and I did! Over the weekend she worked her way up to 500m. sigh. one day, I told myself, One day. then on sunday I graduated a lane in class!!! But i looked at the list...300m straight after doing how many other laps - oh boy! can I do this? I have to. So i got into my zone and went for it...and it felt great!!! (minus the 6:00 swimmers in the 5:00 class - I admit that was annoying ). *note by annoying I am referring to the frustration when we/I am trying to improve and am being passed mid lane and not at the end. i know this happens at races...but this is a team practice, not a race. so...the speed difference was frustrating.
So last night after bodyshaping torture, I mean class, Snells and I headed to the pool for a dip. We swam our warm up:
1 x 50 free
1 x 50 LA combo
1 x 50 fist
1 x 50 LA combo
1 x 50 fist
After these we were feeling jello arms and were feeling a little "off"
Then into our main set:
2 x 100 free
After those I felt that "now or never" inkling and knew if I was going to try for a distance tonight...now was the time. We discussed and were going for a timed 600m. Yowsers!!! this was twice was I had done in the poast...and that was just the night before!! I had butterflies in my stomach but i wanted it so bad. I knew if I didn't try I would go home regretting it. So I tucked under the water and pushed off and went for it! I took my time focusing on breathing (my biggest challenge), keeping my legs straight, looking down, and just staying in my rhythm. I was feeling in the zone. After 100m I was paused for someone asking to join me in my lane but said a quick 'yeah sure' and kept going. (unfortuantely he was not cute...even under water haha). I got back into my rhythm and went with it. I couldn't stop. 600m was nearing...do I stop? no. I am pushing on. new goal - 750m! 3 morelaps - I can totally do that - shoot I could do like 10 more laps...do i dare? Now that's just crazy talk. the wall is coming...I think I might have jumped half way out of the pool when I finished!!! My first 750m!!! time was 19:28. I wanted to do a little jig I was so proud of myself. One week ago I did my first 150 and with some motivation, determination, and a great friend...i pushed way further than I could have imagined.
*note - we swam a total of 1500m - 100 short of a mile - oops
I was on such a high! I felt like I could swim forever! Do I warm down already? Or do I time a 300? Eh, why not? So a timed 300m I went. I kept thinking to myself to keep my rhythm and think about my stroke but maybe speed up a bit to rech that personal goal of 6:59. I finish, hit the wall and look at the watch. Clearly my eyes must be fuzzy, I can't be reading this right. Goggles off. Rub the eyes. OMG 6:15!!!!!!!!! I walked to the locker room with so many thoughts running through my head - I couldn't wait to blog my acomplishment!!!! And then as I got ready to leave the gym I decided a new goal...5:59
As if my night could not get any better. I mean I just swam a 750 and a fast 300. Then one of my previous Little Buddies from camp called. She is 16 and we go and do fun things sometimes. Last summer I took her for her first makeover! (she lost her mom). We call each other perma-buddies as well as lots of nicknames and acronyms in everyday conversation. Well, she called. She told me about this club she is in that starts the year off with a father-daughter social and ends with a mother-daughter social. the mother-daughter social was coming up. And she asked me to with her! I was so honored that she looked up to me so much and wanted to share something so special with me! To use one of our fun sayings. "aw. tear." (in a funny voice)
What a way to start my week!!!
Bodyshaping or Football Training?
Last night I went to my weekly Monday adventure in bodyshaping class at the Y. this class does an overall toning. works you to the core, but enjoyable. Last night, however, was not enjoyable. I think it was the instructor's first class - at least that is what I am telling myself sinee she was...well, she stunk! We started with a warm up? I think. It was so fast I might have missed it. A few step touches - which always make me want to laugh for soem reason. I feel very "1987 bad workout video-ish" when I do them. We went into arms. Then we did arms. And moved over to arms. Yes - 40 minutes of arms - and mainly shoulders. I wanted to tell her that I was going for the Michael Vick look. She would start the next set without giving us warning so it took half the set to get going. I think we might have done abs and legs, but I don't recollect. The best part was the music with me, margo, claire, and jenn dancing around while doing abs. Oh! we did do abs...because we danced during it. haha. The instructor didn't have much personality so I believe we entertained a few of the other fellow shapers. Fianlly the class was over. no one clapped at the end. It was obvious that no one enjoyed her class. Overall it was too focused on arms and went so fast it was hard to keep up. There was too little stretching. Such is life. Next week has to better! haha.
Training Recap
After the events of last week, I couldn't find the focus to write about my training. so - here's a recap...
Monday:
Monday:
- bodyshaping class
- swam with TG Snells - completed my first 150m straight!!!
Tuesday:
- rode 12 miles
- ran 4.25 miles- brick - felt great!!!
Wednsday:
- quick 30 minute swim before the clinic
- had clinic - wond the "door prize" fitness assessment with Coach M! fat test and vo2...interesting.
Thursday:
- hit the treadmill in Milwaukee. for such a nice hotel their treadmills stunk. i ran for 30 minutes before the heat of the room was so bad I thought I better get off before passing out!
Saturday:
- rode 18 miles which felt good. although my hip is still bothering me.
- ran 2 miles - wanted to go further but once again was missing the port-a-potty along the route.
- I could tell that my energy was low since I got home from the airport at 1am - eugh.
Sunday:
- swam 1 mile of drills with the team - "graduated" a lane
- swam my first 300m straight!!
- was advised by fellow TG to straighten legs and look down. but it is SO hard ot look down becuase we are so tight. ho hum.
Well - that's a wrap.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Why?
I think we all are forever touched by the tragedy at Virginia Tech. It warms me, though, to see all the colleges taking down the "enemy lines" and really showing support. This has touched the hearts of the world. I don't think we will ever understand why this happened and what good can come out of this, but can only hope that all parties involved can find solace and peace of mind. No one should ever have to see and experience the things that people did. May they be able to move forward in life taking this as a source for them to grow from and turn this awful tragedy into a postive impact on another life. We have to remind ourselves that everything does happen for a reason and it was these people's times to leave us for whatever reason that may be. 
"Time may not heal all wounds. Instead, time allows those wounds to transform who we are into who we will become"
"Time may not heal all wounds. Instead, time allows those wounds to transform who we are into who we will become"
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Team TRIgirl
As I have pursued this journey to becoming a dedicated my triathlete, I have had some great support from my friends. They ask questions and sometimes I can even get them work out with me! TG style! Recently one of my best gal pals has been my training buddy. As of today...she is a TRIgirl!!!!!! I want to welcome TG Margo to the team and I know she is going to love the support and commraderie found in the TG family!
Melissa and Margo hitting the slopes at Wintergreen
Check it out: http://joneslovesnewbones.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 16, 2007
Weekend in Review
After a much needed restful Friday I was ready to take the rain and havea good brick workout with the girls. We all met up and took our photo for our Not With These Hands Pledge of non violence. www.notwiththesehands.org
TRIgirls banner pledge of non-violence
Blake gave us a very informative flat chaning clinic. I was having flashback of my first outing with Diane and Annnn...whatever happened to that cute guy?! He needs to change my tube again. But, I did learn how to change one on my own. Let's just cross of fingers that any flats I have are during training! I changed my tire (not really a flat just let the air out for practice). then I headed out for a ride. My legs were feeling it - ugh. And my chain was just skipping all around. It started doign this a few weeks ago and the day of the duathlon it was all over the place.
I needed to get my biked adjusted, so I skipped the run and headed onto my friends at Conte's for a fixer upper. That was almsot an adventure in itself. As I waited for the mechanic, the guy that sold me my bike was the only one there so we chatted for awhile. I told him of my amazing team mates and adventures in training sicne I purchased the silver bullet. He rememberd that I had a guy with me when purchasing my bike and asked about him...calls him "the athlete" I was with. After he told me that i looked good I felt it best not for him to know that I am single and let him continue calling him "the athlete". Finally Marty the Mechanic showed up and fixed my chain. I asked him to also look at the clip on my right shoe because i was having a hard time with that one just really having to push to clip in. After looking a tboth my shoes he finds the problem. It is nto me being clueless..."the athlete" put my clips on teh wrong shoes!!! As they laughed at why an athlete is not a mechanic he fixed my shoes and was impressed I could clip in at all. Thanks! As he did this he also decided to loko at my computer. Puzzled, he asked if they installed it. i told him no the athlete did. Yeah - it was rubbing on ym tire this whole time and I rubbed the pick up off so they ordered me a new wire kit and they will isntall it for me. Once again this gave them a good chuckle. But now that my bike is tuned up and ready to go...I am ready for tusday's ride (wind pending).
After getting my bike fixed, two of my friends were heading to the pool. so...I went for a dip. it was much needed as it had been a few weeks sicne I have gone swimming. And i could feel that although my endurance is better than in February...I have a ways to go and am reminded that i need to put the time in for results.
So now that I have gone for a ride and a swim, I leave the gym and the sun is finally out. I think I need to go for a run. SoI call my BFF, missy 1, and we head off to Belle Isle for a few loops. Felt so good to be outside...so we decided the perfect way to end a good day of working out (she had already belle isle that morning, too) so we sat on her balcony overlooking downtown with a bottle red. That's what I call a good day.
sunday is another story. unfortuantely due to some debauchery with my college pals in Fredricksburg Saturday night, I did not make it to working out sunday. The bed was calling my name.
Here's to a good week of continuing progress. one more month to go!!!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Spring-ing Into Action
After last weekend freak snow, the weather this week has been spring-like. Ya know, cold in the morning and comfy in the afternoon. I would like for it to be pool weather, patience is supposed to be a virtue. It shall be here soon enough. 
With these warm afternoons I have enjoyed my tuesday and thursday adventures at West Creek this week. Although tuesday was a little chilly, I rode 2 6 mile loops and then went to run. Not knowing the mile markers around, I jsut hit start on my watch and ran. I ran to the close end and back thinking this must be 3 miles. Well, I really need to learn to look at my watch. I got back to my car...12 minutes! uhhh...not so much a 3 mile run. Oh well. next time I will do mapmyrun.com and be better prepared.
After missing the morning run...yes I raced in snow but skipped running in ran, I returned to my new favorite place, West Creek, and headed off for another 12 mile ride. My goal is to do the distance in 42 minutes! I have about 6 weeks to do so...definitely need to build up my gluts. That's not too lofty is it? I had to get my Thursday run on so this time after my ride I actually used my watch and decided I would run 15 minutes out and 15 mintues back. I began my jog (3 bricks in one week i must be crazy). I went about 5 minutes out and realized how much I would love for a port-a-jon to be sitting on the side of the road. Kept telling myself to jsu tnot think about it and just finish the run and all will be good. I got 13 minutes out - ok this is awful - I have got to turn around. Why did I drink so much water?! I turn around a little disappointed questioning did i drink too much water and why am i so thirsty! I get back to the car - 27 minutes. Not a negative split like we were supposed to do...13 out, 14 back. I will blame my bladder on this one! (I have to have a scapegoat). I will drive the route to see what my distance was ....2.9 miles! What?! Have I picked up some speed. I mean I know my run last saturday in the duathon was faster, but that was race pace...this is a brick workout.
Now I am excited about my time and forget how bad I wanted that bathroom! I call my running mate, TG Aimee, and we discuss or goals. She and I are at the same pace now (10:00 tempo) and WILL be a 9:30 tempo pace by the end of the season.
I actually look forward to Saturday morning's brick. I hope to improve on my bike time (I really need to read the directions to the computer) and have a further run in there. Then sunday we are doing a 4 mile run before our gait clinic...Aimee and I will do this run in 38 minutes!
Cheers to a weekend of pushing myself further! See you girls soon!
Monday, April 9, 2007
A snowy day in april
Saturday morning. 6:00am. the alarm goes off. As I turn off the alarm, I take a deep breath...today is the 3sports duathlon. My first multi-sport race. I get up and open the blinds...it's snowing! I crawl back in bed. Surely I really did not just see snow falling from the sky. It's April. It's race day! I make a few calls to my mom and fellow TG Aimee. Am I really going to do this? Yes. I am. I have been training for this day. I can take the snow. It's just snow, right?
I get dressed and a bite to eat and load my bike on the back on my car and I'm off. As I am driving to the race site I am thinking about the people passing me on the road...yes I am about to go ride my bike in the snow. they must think I'm crazy. Heck I am about to race in the snow so I must be crazy after all, right?!
I arrive at West Creek and park my car. I look around. I all of a sudden feel very small. All these athletes. I call my brother to see if he can get his butt there pronto and be with me while I get ready and wait for time to start. He prefers to stay in bed. So I watch others that have done this before and see what they are doing to prepare. Finally I get out of the car, pump up my tires, and trek off to the transition area to get set up. As soon as I am walking in I see TG's Mary and Annnnn. I breathe a sigh of relief - someone I know! They are off to aid station #2 and I continue to the bike area. Right away fellow TG Kathleen is there and helps me set my bike up. As I am pulling my shoes out and setting it up, TG Steph is there. And alas - she has cycling gloves!! so she kindly lets me borrow those instead of my ski gloves! I wonder around talking with friends and my family shows up. Then...time to line up. Gulp.
I line up with the other participants who also are braving the conditions. By now the snow has stopped falling, but darn it's cold out here. The whistle goes and we're off. I pass water station #2...pink feather boas and tiaras!!! I get a boost of support and push on. I reach mile marker number 1 and look at my watch 8:00 even. Really?! My fastest mile ever! I slow down just a bit...it must be the excitement, I don't want to lose my energy in the first leg of the race. I come back by my pink water station - that burst of oomph!
yikes...time for my very first transition station. shoes? check. helmet? check. well. sounds good. i'm off. I run to the mount line...JRo and Adam....clipping in wasn't so smooth, but I was off. I pedal on through lap one. legs are feeling a little...sticky. I think about my brick training sessions and know I can get through this. As I finish lap one I actually am passing someone!!! (who later gets on my nerves and I finally lose him...please remember to bike on the right. pass on the left. and when I am passing you do not stand up and try to go faster because I will stand up and still pass you, buddy.) Lap one done and I realize I haven't looked at my watch since mile marker 1 on the run. Boo. I look down for what time I am starting lap 2. Lap 2 goes smoothly. Legs are getting i the groove. And I pass my family and hear them yelling "332"...our cheers from friday nights silliness. I pass the running water station and can hear the girls yelling over to me. Such a good feeling. I wave. Lap 3, however...let's discuss headwind while going up ginormous hill in the cold. Not fun. I think to myself - that was stinky, but it's done and only one lap to go. Same big hill awaits. I begin my ascent. Headwind? really? I thought it was going to bring me to a stop. At least I am done with the bike. Back into transition station. Dismount...once again not so smooth.
I change back into my sneaks and go to exit for my run. I hear my brother yelling "helmet! helmet!" oh right...helmet off, visor on. Check. Man, now my legs really are feeling like bricks. I take my time and begin the last leg of the race. Run #2. I jog down the hill and off on the course. I pass my ladies again. Loving them! hills. ugh. hills. Finally - the turnaround point. then that darn wind again...whoosh there goes the visor. *expletive* a few steps back to pick it up. the last part of the race. I can totally do this. Thinking of Grandison telling me negative split. I am trying to convince my legs that they are almost done and just give me a little push then they can rest. I pass my room mate!!! yay!!! for the final run part she drives in the lane next to me telling me stories as I push on to run. making me smile.
I see it. there, over the last hill. the finish line. I can't help but smile. YAY!!!!!! My mom gives me a huge hug and I finished my first multi-sport race. The journey has really begun now.
Run 1- 25:57
T1- 1:21
Bike- 1:19:38
T2- 1:30
Run 2- 30:26
Total- 2:18:51
Thank you to everyone for training with me and pushing me on through.
I get dressed and a bite to eat and load my bike on the back on my car and I'm off. As I am driving to the race site I am thinking about the people passing me on the road...yes I am about to go ride my bike in the snow. they must think I'm crazy. Heck I am about to race in the snow so I must be crazy after all, right?!
I arrive at West Creek and park my car. I look around. I all of a sudden feel very small. All these athletes. I call my brother to see if he can get his butt there pronto and be with me while I get ready and wait for time to start. He prefers to stay in bed. So I watch others that have done this before and see what they are doing to prepare. Finally I get out of the car, pump up my tires, and trek off to the transition area to get set up. As soon as I am walking in I see TG's Mary and Annnnn. I breathe a sigh of relief - someone I know! They are off to aid station #2 and I continue to the bike area. Right away fellow TG Kathleen is there and helps me set my bike up. As I am pulling my shoes out and setting it up, TG Steph is there. And alas - she has cycling gloves!! so she kindly lets me borrow those instead of my ski gloves! I wonder around talking with friends and my family shows up. Then...time to line up. Gulp.
I line up with the other participants who also are braving the conditions. By now the snow has stopped falling, but darn it's cold out here. The whistle goes and we're off. I pass water station #2...pink feather boas and tiaras!!! I get a boost of support and push on. I reach mile marker number 1 and look at my watch 8:00 even. Really?! My fastest mile ever! I slow down just a bit...it must be the excitement, I don't want to lose my energy in the first leg of the race. I come back by my pink water station - that burst of oomph!
yikes...time for my very first transition station. shoes? check. helmet? check. well. sounds good. i'm off. I run to the mount line...JRo and Adam....clipping in wasn't so smooth, but I was off. I pedal on through lap one. legs are feeling a little...sticky. I think about my brick training sessions and know I can get through this. As I finish lap one I actually am passing someone!!! (who later gets on my nerves and I finally lose him...please remember to bike on the right. pass on the left. and when I am passing you do not stand up and try to go faster because I will stand up and still pass you, buddy.) Lap one done and I realize I haven't looked at my watch since mile marker 1 on the run. Boo. I look down for what time I am starting lap 2. Lap 2 goes smoothly. Legs are getting i the groove. And I pass my family and hear them yelling "332"...our cheers from friday nights silliness. I pass the running water station and can hear the girls yelling over to me. Such a good feeling. I wave. Lap 3, however...let's discuss headwind while going up ginormous hill in the cold. Not fun. I think to myself - that was stinky, but it's done and only one lap to go. Same big hill awaits. I begin my ascent. Headwind? really? I thought it was going to bring me to a stop. At least I am done with the bike. Back into transition station. Dismount...once again not so smooth.
I change back into my sneaks and go to exit for my run. I hear my brother yelling "helmet! helmet!" oh right...helmet off, visor on. Check. Man, now my legs really are feeling like bricks. I take my time and begin the last leg of the race. Run #2. I jog down the hill and off on the course. I pass my ladies again. Loving them! hills. ugh. hills. Finally - the turnaround point. then that darn wind again...whoosh there goes the visor. *expletive* a few steps back to pick it up. the last part of the race. I can totally do this. Thinking of Grandison telling me negative split. I am trying to convince my legs that they are almost done and just give me a little push then they can rest. I pass my room mate!!! yay!!! for the final run part she drives in the lane next to me telling me stories as I push on to run. making me smile.
I see it. there, over the last hill. the finish line. I can't help but smile. YAY!!!!!! My mom gives me a huge hug and I finished my first multi-sport race. The journey has really begun now.
Run 1- 25:57
T1- 1:21
Bike- 1:19:38
T2- 1:30
Run 2- 30:26
Total- 2:18:51
Thank you to everyone for training with me and pushing me on through.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Whirlwind or a Weekend
I think I have finally recovered from a whirlwind of a weekend!
Friday night we had a bike fitting clinic at Maramarc filled with all kinds of useful tips and hints for making sure your pedal stroke is on key as well as your bike fitted properly. Afterwards the girls all went out for carbo loading...I headed home for laundry, bathroom cleaning, vacuuming, and carbo loading, too. 
TRIgirl group pre-race
Saturday i woke up and took a look at my outfit all laid out, took a deep breath and got ready. I was eager to pick up Jonah find our parking space and take a deep breath. Under control. It was nice to have company in the pre race drive. I always get nervous. We met up with everyone and took our group shot...picture not tequila, although I could have used the tequila! (picture to be posted later) I met up with Aimee and we were off. Determined to cross together. Determined to cross before 59:59. After almost losing each other at water stop one we were on our way. Good pace. wait - side stitch. side stitch. seriously?! a side stitch?! dang it! after a finsih line sprint...and losign each other - I finish at 1:01:40. 90 seconds slow, but a new PR. argh. i will beat an hour. i will. 
TRIgirl group post-race
After the 10k i had a champagne toast witht he TG's and then headed off to begin primping...mani/pedi! were in order....then nap. Off to the Comfort Zone Camp gala. A fabulous time as always. Over 900 people were there along with guest Elliot Yamin. Lots of fun auction items and some of my favorite friends to share the night with.
Jay and Melissa at the CZC Gala
Sunday required no working out and resting in the sofa. all in a weekend's work.
next: 3 sports duathlon. 4 days. gulp.Thursday, March 29, 2007
Repeat to the 4th Power
The pressure has been on. With the 10k this weekend and the duathlon next, I am moving past nervous into stressed. Have I tried hard enough? Could I have done more? How will I do? All these questions played into my mind this morning as I hit snooze on the alarm clock. 5:30 am. buzz. buzz. buzz. As I try to talk myself out of the early morning run, I think of the stress and realize I have to go. As I walk out the door...brrrr! Back inside for long sleeves. Off comes the visor. Off comes the ipod. I really could use the sleep. Stop, Melissa, Stop. Get your butt in that car! I trek off to the VIta course for my 4 x 1/2 repeats. In January, I was given a 1/2 mile time of 4:30. So I am still using that goal. This morning my times were:
1 - 4:17 (hey pretty good lady)
2 - 4:27 (well still under 4:30 but the last one was better. get those 10 seconds back)
3 - 4:00 (seriously?!)
4 - 4:02 (um. woah.)
That last repeat almsot got the best of me. But I started off with TG Cheryl and she said she wanted someone to push her and so we were doing it together. I couldn't stop I would be letting her down as well as myself. I pushed on through and man....I'm glad I made my way to the vita course this morning. A nice little pick me up on a chilly Thursday morning.
1 - 4:17 (hey pretty good lady)
2 - 4:27 (well still under 4:30 but the last one was better. get those 10 seconds back)
3 - 4:00 (seriously?!)
4 - 4:02 (um. woah.)
That last repeat almsot got the best of me. But I started off with TG Cheryl and she said she wanted someone to push her and so we were doing it together. I couldn't stop I would be letting her down as well as myself. I pushed on through and man....I'm glad I made my way to the vita course this morning. A nice little pick me up on a chilly Thursday morning.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Dress Rehearsals
A weekend of no sleeping in. But lots of working out.
Friday was the RTC social. I was surprised at how few people were there. Is there is only support at the practices and races - come on people! I was also a bit surprised at the appetizer selections - considering the groups involved are based around being fit - a nice creamy dip, a nice cheesey bean dip, and wings. hmm. maybe i was the only one hoping for carrot and celery sticks. anyways - it was lame-o. so after a few frosty beverages - i left that joint.
Saturday I woke up and geared up for my "dress rehearsal" for the duathlon. TG Diane was kind enough to do this one with me. we both had to jet by 10, so were got there early to get started. but then the fun new gear showed up and we had to do some quick shopping, so we got quite a late start. we did the run. um. hills and my gluts do not get along. took me longer than i was hoping for. then we hopped on our bikes and took off. not bad. rolling hills, but after class with ed and blake i can totally handle these. we turn off to go down patterson. what do i see ahead of me. oh wow. a big hill. we make it. after we finished that we coast back into west creek. first lap down - 20 minutes! yikes! no more talking and coasting. second lap must be faster. so we go - making good time. but then wait! wait! that's not the exit back into west creek - that is the on ramp to 288. rut roh. u-turn! well unfortuantely we couldn't really gauge our time tracking for lap 2. and now it is 9:55. ugh. we dont' have time for 2 more bike laps and another 3 mile run. what to do!! so we hopped off our bikes for a quick run. calf cramp! argh! we jog another 1.5. sigh. i am glad i got out there and got a feel for the course - especially seeing the 288 hill. i know i should be happy that i am doing my first race, but i can't help but wish i was faster. makes me very nervous for the 7th. (i did make it to my hair and brow appointment afterwards)
sunday morning started with a "dress rehearsal" of the monument avenue 10k run. not bad. right before the run i got my first text message update from my brother's marathon. he has passed the 10k point! then we all hit monument. everyone was in front of me with a few people behind me. no one really at my pace, but i can use to time to think instead of chat. i realize that after getting more comfortable with distance i really need to focus on my splits and speed drills. but dang it! i forgot to start my watch so i don't know what my time is. i think right at an hour. my goal for the race is 59:59. TG Aimee and I are going to pace each other and reach that goal! with her by my side, I know I can do it. (my brother finished the mary in 3:50:27 - go brother!)
sunday evening we had swimming with som. i actually felt good with doing the 100m and 200m drills. granted we take a few seconds at the end of each lap b/c there is such a pile up of girls. but i feel good. I am so glad i have gotten over to the tucky with TG DL and gotten more comfortable with swimming.
a weekend's work is done. the week begins...
Friday was the RTC social. I was surprised at how few people were there. Is there is only support at the practices and races - come on people! I was also a bit surprised at the appetizer selections - considering the groups involved are based around being fit - a nice creamy dip, a nice cheesey bean dip, and wings. hmm. maybe i was the only one hoping for carrot and celery sticks. anyways - it was lame-o. so after a few frosty beverages - i left that joint.
Saturday I woke up and geared up for my "dress rehearsal" for the duathlon. TG Diane was kind enough to do this one with me. we both had to jet by 10, so were got there early to get started. but then the fun new gear showed up and we had to do some quick shopping, so we got quite a late start. we did the run. um. hills and my gluts do not get along. took me longer than i was hoping for. then we hopped on our bikes and took off. not bad. rolling hills, but after class with ed and blake i can totally handle these. we turn off to go down patterson. what do i see ahead of me. oh wow. a big hill. we make it. after we finished that we coast back into west creek. first lap down - 20 minutes! yikes! no more talking and coasting. second lap must be faster. so we go - making good time. but then wait! wait! that's not the exit back into west creek - that is the on ramp to 288. rut roh. u-turn! well unfortuantely we couldn't really gauge our time tracking for lap 2. and now it is 9:55. ugh. we dont' have time for 2 more bike laps and another 3 mile run. what to do!! so we hopped off our bikes for a quick run. calf cramp! argh! we jog another 1.5. sigh. i am glad i got out there and got a feel for the course - especially seeing the 288 hill. i know i should be happy that i am doing my first race, but i can't help but wish i was faster. makes me very nervous for the 7th. (i did make it to my hair and brow appointment afterwards)
sunday morning started with a "dress rehearsal" of the monument avenue 10k run. not bad. right before the run i got my first text message update from my brother's marathon. he has passed the 10k point! then we all hit monument. everyone was in front of me with a few people behind me. no one really at my pace, but i can use to time to think instead of chat. i realize that after getting more comfortable with distance i really need to focus on my splits and speed drills. but dang it! i forgot to start my watch so i don't know what my time is. i think right at an hour. my goal for the race is 59:59. TG Aimee and I are going to pace each other and reach that goal! with her by my side, I know I can do it. (my brother finished the mary in 3:50:27 - go brother!)
sunday evening we had swimming with som. i actually felt good with doing the 100m and 200m drills. granted we take a few seconds at the end of each lap b/c there is such a pile up of girls. but i feel good. I am so glad i have gotten over to the tucky with TG DL and gotten more comfortable with swimming.
a weekend's work is done. the week begins...
Friday, March 23, 2007
Fins
Fins to the left...Fins to the right...okay so I am referring to fishy fins, not men in bars...but it seemed to fit.
I haven't quite developed my mermaid's tail, but I had a great swim last night! And after Tuesday it was just what I needed! I started doing a couple drills I learned in TI. I am sure I looked funny, but I'm cool with it. After doing some drills I decided to time myself on my lap. (I take a rest after each 50m lap) 1:08. Every time - 1:08. not bad, i think. I time myself doing free/back drills - 1:07. hmm. I think maybe I should do this in the race! haha. Then I go back to focusing on free - 1:01!!! What?! nice. next lap 1:00. Sweet! i am sticking to this and I am happy. Then I have to go so I swim my final lap of the night... :57!! YAY!!! Perfect way to end the swim. Next week I will time 75m...dum dum dum.
I haven't quite developed my mermaid's tail, but I had a great swim last night! And after Tuesday it was just what I needed! I started doing a couple drills I learned in TI. I am sure I looked funny, but I'm cool with it. After doing some drills I decided to time myself on my lap. (I take a rest after each 50m lap) 1:08. Every time - 1:08. not bad, i think. I time myself doing free/back drills - 1:07. hmm. I think maybe I should do this in the race! haha. Then I go back to focusing on free - 1:01!!! What?! nice. next lap 1:00. Sweet! i am sticking to this and I am happy. Then I have to go so I swim my final lap of the night... :57!! YAY!!! Perfect way to end the swim. Next week I will time 75m...dum dum dum.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Anchor
In the pool I am more like an anchor than a mermaid. Last night I finally built up the courage and met TG-DL at the tucky for a swim. Now I know that this is my weakeat thing in my training. I took TI in Febraury and it wasn't toooo bad. Well. hmph. I got in the pool last night and it looked longer and well...it is. The while time I thought I was was swimming 25m I was only sw
imming 25 yards!! argh! I can barely swim 50m without running out of breath. and there are only 10 weeks before Powersprint - which means if i am at 50 now I have to add
25m a week to get to 300 - and that is just in time! me no likey! i would feel better if i knew I could swim 300m more than a day before the race! so I need to get my butt in the pool more often. It is so frustrating!!!! But now I am a Y member and I joined only for their pool so I have to go! I am determined to get in teh pool n my own (with other TG's!) twice a week and do Som's calss on sundays. Sigh.
imming 25 yards!! argh! I can barely swim 50m without running out of breath. and there are only 10 weeks before Powersprint - which means if i am at 50 now I have to add
25m a week to get to 300 - and that is just in time! me no likey! i would feel better if i knew I could swim 300m more than a day before the race! so I need to get my butt in the pool more often. It is so frustrating!!!! But now I am a Y member and I joined only for their pool so I have to go! I am determined to get in teh pool n my own (with other TG's!) twice a week and do Som's calss on sundays. Sigh. Monday, March 19, 2007
Top Chef
Top chef is such a great show - I always get sucked into the challenges and recipes they concoct! But yesterday, I was part of a different Top Chef. Along with TG's Diane and Andi - we amde Herb Mustard Chicken (thanks to oprah.com) for Safe Harbour - a shelter for battered women and their children. Growing up I volunteered annually with the shelter in Charlotte, so this was a great opportunity to continue helping such an important place. It was just a nice afternoon. Playing with a new recipe and just talking. And of course we had to make dessert!! Diane's 2 kids made some fabulous cookies and brownies for the kids of the shelter. And of course we had to do some taste testing! Yum! Times like this - taking a measly few hours to make someone else smile - is the most rewarding feeling. Thanks fellow top chefs, for a fabulous afternoon!
It begins...
I finished my first race of 2007 - the Shamrock 8k. With about 10 other TG's, we hit the beach and boardwalk for the race. It was a good Friday night - wine and chatting. Perfect.
Race day came and we all piled into monica's SUV. Brrrr it was cold out there. But we are tough - we don't let a little chill and wind stop us. The 20 mph headwinds (according to weather.com) definitely were not ideal, but we all finished! Unfortunately, though, it was nto the ideal way to have my first race of 2007 - 49:53 - a 10:00 mile :( I know I should be happy that I finished, but I am disappointed in my time. At the same time, I will hope that this will help give me the extra push to run faster and outside my comfy pace for the 10k and duathlon coming up.
I am shooting for the 10k to finish in under an hour. It can be 59:59 - anything under an hour. And for the duathlon I am reaching for 27:00, 1:05:00, 28:00. Thankfully TG Diane is going to do the course with me this Saturday in preperation!! And since my brother will be in town Easter weekend he might do the du with me and go slow and push me along the way to go faster (he said he will make me cry by pushing haha) He has the Atlanta Inaugural Marathon this weekend!! yay!
But for now...retail therapy makes you faster! Thank you Short Pump.
Race day came and we all piled into monica's SUV. Brrrr it was cold out there. But we are tough - we don't let a little chill and wind stop us. The 20 mph headwinds (according to weather.com) definitely were not ideal, but we all finished! Unfortunately, though, it was nto the ideal way to have my first race of 2007 - 49:53 - a 10:00 mile :( I know I should be happy that I finished, but I am disappointed in my time. At the same time, I will hope that this will help give me the extra push to run faster and outside my comfy pace for the 10k and duathlon coming up.
I am shooting for the 10k to finish in under an hour. It can be 59:59 - anything under an hour. And for the duathlon I am reaching for 27:00, 1:05:00, 28:00. Thankfully TG Diane is going to do the course with me this Saturday in preperation!! And since my brother will be in town Easter weekend he might do the du with me and go slow and push me along the way to go faster (he said he will make me cry by pushing haha) He has the Atlanta Inaugural Marathon this weekend!! yay!
But for now...retail therapy makes you faster! Thank you Short Pump.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Springing Into Action - Adventures at West Creek
Yesterday afternoon me and 2 other TG’s, Diane and Ann, went out to WC for a ride in the beautiful spring-like weather. When I arrived the other girls were all ready to go so as I changed my shoes and put on my helmet and such Diane kindly pumped my tires…and that is where the adventure began. We could not get the pump off the tire! And when we did it let all the air out. After we all tried to pump it up we decided that we could not all 3 be retarded – it must be the pump. So we spotted a guy getting ready to ride and borrowed his pump. He was ready to ride so came to se if we were done with it. Ummm…I think we are retarded. So he gave it a whirl. No dice. Tried both pumps. Nothing. Thinkingmaybe he, too, is having a tardo moment and we are all balming the pumps...But…he figures out the problem. Upon trying to yank the pump off my tire, we blew the tube. Thankfully on a trip to Performance during the bike shopping adventures, I was advised get an extra tube – which I conveniently stashed in my bag. So we all learned how to change a tire thanks to this poor guy just trying to go for a ride and runs into the 3 of us. Our new hero.
Now we are all ready to go. Man this definitely is different than spin class. We go around the building and parking lot for a bit to get our “bearings”. Work on breaking…hey not so bad. Stop, Ann..stop! note: The ground also doubles as a break. We laughed and brushed her off and continue back through the parking lot. I am now worried about stopping and am being very cautious. So I come to a stop and put my left foot down and am satisfied. I think I have mastered the beginning slow stopping. Feeling confident. So I turn to my right to talk to the girls and Whap! I’m on the ground. Note to self…just because one foot is on the ground doesn’t mean the other one is too. As we laugh for a minute and now brush me off we decide to hit the road.
First we did about 2 miles then stopped to check in – during this I worked on changing gears and getting in aerobars (which is wobbly), standing up, and drinking water – all new feelings to get comfortable with. Then we begin the 6 mile course and I am feeling good. We lose Ann to Pilates class and Diane and I push on. We get passed by many other cyclists who slow to chat with us…one guy asked if I was racing this weeked. I chuckled and said “um this is my first time riding outside.” He was impressed. Sweet. another guy even said I had a nice spin! (thanks ed/marc/blake) …then Diane talks me into adding the 2 mile Cap One Loop…for an 8 mile loop. Ok. Ok. I’m in. Seriously?! I keep thinking, What have I gotten myself into attempting to a duathlon in 3 weeks?! But we made it back tour cars and I felt good. A short ride but now time to really get going. And I found a new appreciation for the “hills” during indoor cycling class.
This morning besides some bumps and bruises (mainly on my now purple hand) I am glad I got my first outdoor ride under my belt and am ready to get kick WC’s bum.
Now we are all ready to go. Man this definitely is different than spin class. We go around the building and parking lot for a bit to get our “bearings”. Work on breaking…hey not so bad. Stop, Ann..stop! note: The ground also doubles as a break. We laughed and brushed her off and continue back through the parking lot. I am now worried about stopping and am being very cautious. So I come to a stop and put my left foot down and am satisfied. I think I have mastered the beginning slow stopping. Feeling confident. So I turn to my right to talk to the girls and Whap! I’m on the ground. Note to self…just because one foot is on the ground doesn’t mean the other one is too. As we laugh for a minute and now brush me off we decide to hit the road.
First we did about 2 miles then stopped to check in – during this I worked on changing gears and getting in aerobars (which is wobbly), standing up, and drinking water – all new feelings to get comfortable with. Then we begin the 6 mile course and I am feeling good. We lose Ann to Pilates class and Diane and I push on. We get passed by many other cyclists who slow to chat with us…one guy asked if I was racing this weeked. I chuckled and said “um this is my first time riding outside.” He was impressed. Sweet. another guy even said I had a nice spin! (thanks ed/marc/blake) …then Diane talks me into adding the 2 mile Cap One Loop…for an 8 mile loop. Ok. Ok. I’m in. Seriously?! I keep thinking, What have I gotten myself into attempting to a duathlon in 3 weeks?! But we made it back tour cars and I felt good. A short ride but now time to really get going. And I found a new appreciation for the “hills” during indoor cycling class.
This morning besides some bumps and bruises (mainly on my now purple hand) I am glad I got my first outdoor ride under my belt and am ready to get kick WC’s bum.
Friday, March 9, 2007
I'm here...kind of!
This week in training has been...blah. The week started off with wegiht training on monday. Sicne I am forcing myself to ride outside I am nto doign the cycling after class so I figured this wodl be aperfect tiem to swim. Instead I went to the tanning bed. Tuesday I went to ride outside but unfortunately that did not work out. So i trekked on home and hit the treadmill. A good run. A 10:00 min pace...9:30 for 1/2, 10:30 for 1/2. I could have kept going...maybe I need to pick up the pace a touch. I got right at 4 1/2 miles in in 45 minutes. I like that my endurance felt strong, but my feet...I am just slow! AAAHHHH. Then wednesday I headed off to Dr. Z and walkd out with a cortisone shot in my knee. Um. Ow. i still went to weight and indoor cycling on wednesday ngiht but then thursday came around and I could barely walk! Today it feels better. I am anxious to run now. unfortuantely (or fortunately) I am off to comfort zone camp this weekend so I will get a 30 minute run in on saturday but that's it. I did tell them that I have to elave earl on sunday to make it to swim practice! I need that. And this week - I am totally joining the Y and swimming more. i have to. no more excuses. it's game time.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
A TG filled weekend
After practicing at Maramarc for the past 3 or so months I have gotten to know a handful of my fellow TG's! Love them! But now the season has officially started! This weekend was filled with TG activities.
Friday night we had a clinic with Dr. Teresa Stadler. Learned all kinds of fun info - like gatorade endurance is where it's at! haha. We need to watch our sodium intake and loss to prevent being too hydrated. After the clinic we all dined at Chadar and I got to know a few more of the girls. It's nice not being the beign the onyl who is brand new to this whole new world of triathlons! Oh yeah, and we received our TG tri tops, too!!
Saturday we woke up bright and early to head back to Maramarc for our weekly brick. Not bad this weekend. 1 1/2 mi. run, 60 min. ride, 3 mi run. got some bike fitting adjustments to make the silver bullet just right for me! spoent the afternoon bowling with soem of the girls! nice to see them outside the gym!
Sunday back to my TG's at the pool. Blub blub - swim fishy swim! That whole breathing thing. Yeah. no comment.
I am now really excited for the training to increase and really challenge me even more. I love it!
ps - nervous about the du!
Friday night we had a clinic with Dr. Teresa Stadler. Learned all kinds of fun info - like gatorade endurance is where it's at! haha. We need to watch our sodium intake and loss to prevent being too hydrated. After the clinic we all dined at Chadar and I got to know a few more of the girls. It's nice not being the beign the onyl who is brand new to this whole new world of triathlons! Oh yeah, and we received our TG tri tops, too!!
Saturday we woke up bright and early to head back to Maramarc for our weekly brick. Not bad this weekend. 1 1/2 mi. run, 60 min. ride, 3 mi run. got some bike fitting adjustments to make the silver bullet just right for me! spoent the afternoon bowling with soem of the girls! nice to see them outside the gym!
Sunday back to my TG's at the pool. Blub blub - swim fishy swim! That whole breathing thing. Yeah. no comment.
I am now really excited for the training to increase and really challenge me even more. I love it!
ps - nervous about the du!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
I love being a TRIgirl!
Training is clearly not only physical but mental as well. It takes the support of all those around you to support and motivate each other to reach your own personal best.
I have found that my new TG's are more motivation and support than I was expecting when I joined. Not only is everyone encouraging inside the gym...and at TGSB, but also in life. While going through this difficult time, I have received so many encouraging emails and support. I even came home from work to find TG pink tulips on my doorstep! I mean where else could you find such awesome people!
Remember - "Time may not heal all wounds; instead it allows those wounds to tranform who we are into we will become" (i made that one up a few years ago!)
Okay, enough being sappy. Ladies...we have a couple races whose butts need to be kicked! It's party time!
I have found that my new TG's are more motivation and support than I was expecting when I joined. Not only is everyone encouraging inside the gym...and at TGSB, but also in life. While going through this difficult time, I have received so many encouraging emails and support. I even came home from work to find TG pink tulips on my doorstep! I mean where else could you find such awesome people!
Remember - "Time may not heal all wounds; instead it allows those wounds to tranform who we are into we will become" (i made that one up a few years ago!)
Okay, enough being sappy. Ladies...we have a couple races whose butts need to be kicked! It's party time!
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