Last night, after work, we formed a peloton. Collins, Jerad, Victor, Joe, Glen, and I took a ride up Woodford (heaven forbid you pronounce the "d"... it's Wooooofurd around here, folks!) we took it right around the first truck pull off, turned around and Weeeeeeeee we flew down the mountain. Victor's comp. had us at 38 mph (mine decided not to work--the batteries are fresh, trust me, I know a guy)
I biked to work... so I had to bike home. Stupid mountains. they're everywhere! Made it home (sweaty) threw on running shoes and ran a mere 2.2 miles. Honestly, this was the most difficult brick ever! My legs felt like boulders. Gross.
Next week I'm in Westlake for buisness, so THANK GOODNESS for the flatlands. I can't wait! I was meant for the Great Plains. This whole 'green mountain' thing is a bit tough to adjust to (and it's been over a year now!!)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
5k Goodness
The Susan G Komen 5k was today in Vermont. The morning was hazy, but the forecast showed no rain for the morning. But boy oh boy was it HUMID!
Today marked a glorious record-breaking-time: 26:08. Granted, that's not the fastest 5k known to man, but it's the best I've done in several years. Movin' on up...!!
Next goal: hitting under 25:00 for a 5k by Turkey-Trot season.
Today marked a glorious record-breaking-time: 26:08. Granted, that's not the fastest 5k known to man, but it's the best I've done in several years. Movin' on up...!!
Next goal: hitting under 25:00 for a 5k by Turkey-Trot season.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Hot town, Summer in the...Boonies?
This summer's been much cooler than I remember from back home. Today we were set to reach 85 degrees. Though my morning run started late (10am, not 6am!), I don't think it was SUPER hot during my run.
Hal Higdon has a master plan for me: today was 14 miles. I mapped it out on www.MapMyRun.com (aka my most visited site, move over Facebook! You've SO been replaced!) Sounded simple: keep hanging rights into New York, curve back into Vermont, cross two covered bridges, cut around the airport, head home. Holy bratworst, Batman! The hills that I came across were comparable to those along IM-Moo's bike courses. Holy HELL where did those come from!? I thought I was being tricky and routing myself AROUND the hills--not through them.
At mile 4-ish I started feeling pretty warm and thirsty. Buggers, I still have 10 miles to go. Suck it up, girlie. Pull up your big girl panties and deal with it! I told mself. I made it to mile 10 before needing to walk. But then I walked for about the last 2 miles. I even cut a corner and made my run 12.7 miles. I was so darn thirsty by the time I got to that intersection: turn right and add an extra mile and a half; turn left and head STRAIGHT home to cool, refreshing Brita water... not a hard decision there.
Thank goodness for my common sense to put on sunscreen this morning. Sure needed it. Much of the route was NOT shaded (though trees/mountains were everywhere--just not doing their j-o-b on the course!!).
Note to self: On hot days, wear a hat.
Hal Higdon has a master plan for me: today was 14 miles. I mapped it out on www.MapMyRun.com (aka my most visited site, move over Facebook! You've SO been replaced!) Sounded simple: keep hanging rights into New York, curve back into Vermont, cross two covered bridges, cut around the airport, head home. Holy bratworst, Batman! The hills that I came across were comparable to those along IM-Moo's bike courses. Holy HELL where did those come from!? I thought I was being tricky and routing myself AROUND the hills--not through them.
At mile 4-ish I started feeling pretty warm and thirsty. Buggers, I still have 10 miles to go. Suck it up, girlie. Pull up your big girl panties and deal with it! I told mself. I made it to mile 10 before needing to walk. But then I walked for about the last 2 miles. I even cut a corner and made my run 12.7 miles. I was so darn thirsty by the time I got to that intersection: turn right and add an extra mile and a half; turn left and head STRAIGHT home to cool, refreshing Brita water... not a hard decision there.
Thank goodness for my common sense to put on sunscreen this morning. Sure needed it. Much of the route was NOT shaded (though trees/mountains were everywhere--just not doing their j-o-b on the course!!).
Note to self: On hot days, wear a hat.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hurts So Good!
Matt and I are running the Chicago Marathon on October 11th, 2009. The goal? Finish in under 4 hours. His first marathon was last December and he ran it in 3:54 (I think?), so he's already hit that goal. I, however, have not.
He's the best motivation I have ever had. He gets me running every day. There's this 'peer pressure' thing with him where if he's running, or planning on running, on a certain day, I KNOW I have to get my butt off the couch (but it's soooo comfy!).
I started supervision about a month ago which basically means that I work much longer hours, have to be on my feet, walking around work way more than before. My average day is between 9,000-12,000 steps a day. Thanks Energizer Pedometer!
By the time I get home at the end of the day, the only thing I want to do is take a shower and head to bed. Not an option. No ha!!
After my runs, I feel good. When I talk to Matt before bed, and we've both gone for a run, you can hear the energy and excitement in our voices. It's really cool.
And when I wake up in the morning, I am sore. But not in a bad way. It's just a way of knowing that I did a good job on my workout the night before. And when I increase speed and set new 'course' records along my mapped routes, I smile. My strength is building up; speed's getting there, too. And when I do my morning stretch before getting out of bed, it hurts so good.
He's the best motivation I have ever had. He gets me running every day. There's this 'peer pressure' thing with him where if he's running, or planning on running, on a certain day, I KNOW I have to get my butt off the couch (but it's soooo comfy!).
I started supervision about a month ago which basically means that I work much longer hours, have to be on my feet, walking around work way more than before. My average day is between 9,000-12,000 steps a day. Thanks Energizer Pedometer!
By the time I get home at the end of the day, the only thing I want to do is take a shower and head to bed. Not an option. No ha!!
After my runs, I feel good. When I talk to Matt before bed, and we've both gone for a run, you can hear the energy and excitement in our voices. It's really cool.
And when I wake up in the morning, I am sore. But not in a bad way. It's just a way of knowing that I did a good job on my workout the night before. And when I increase speed and set new 'course' records along my mapped routes, I smile. My strength is building up; speed's getting there, too. And when I do my morning stretch before getting out of bed, it hurts so good.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Wind Is Back
Ah yes, the first true sign of spring: bike season has officially begun! I took my Orbea out for a spin today--it was wonderful. After about an hour outside, my hands were frozen (forgot gloves), so I headed home. There was some intense wind which thoroughly reminded me of last year riding with Uncle Mick through the cornfields of Central Illinois, where it always seemed that there was headwind, headwind and--oh yes--more headwind!
Training is going well. Swimming is getting better (breathing both sides now), running is...eh, biking is starting to improve. 8 weeks from my race and I'm feeling like I'm on the right track!
Training is going well. Swimming is getting better (breathing both sides now), running is...eh, biking is starting to improve. 8 weeks from my race and I'm feeling like I'm on the right track!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
FRIENDS!
As pathetic as this may sound, I finally have friends in Vermont! Granted, it took roughly 8 months to do so, but--darn it--I'll take what I can get in this tiny, tiny town.
I signed up for the local rec center (if you can call it that). I took a 'tour' of the place and literally kept one foot in place, pivoted, and saw it all: two treadmills, one elliptical, some free weights, a stationary bike, two locker rooms, and a decent pool. Pool, you say? I'm in. So I registered. A whopping $47.50 for my one year membership later, I am a registered 'athlete' in the eyes of the Bennington-ites.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to sneak away and see Matt in Cleveland. I brought Kelly with me, too. Matt is so patient: he went shoe shopping with me (the only shoe shopping I do: running shoes), then went for a short run with me to break the shoes in. Kelly came, too. The shoes feel good, they're slowing being broken in as I go on short runs with Kelly back home now.
Today, went out for a beer after work to vent with a co-worker, then came home, ran 3 miles with Kelly, then am about to head out to Masters Swim. These are my new friends: the triathletes that come from all over to swim on Tuesdays and Saturdays. They are SO NICE and it's just the greatest feeling to know that there are other people in the area who share common interests! Yay!
Race day is 8 weeks away--training kicks in for sure now!
I signed up for the local rec center (if you can call it that). I took a 'tour' of the place and literally kept one foot in place, pivoted, and saw it all: two treadmills, one elliptical, some free weights, a stationary bike, two locker rooms, and a decent pool. Pool, you say? I'm in. So I registered. A whopping $47.50 for my one year membership later, I am a registered 'athlete' in the eyes of the Bennington-ites.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to sneak away and see Matt in Cleveland. I brought Kelly with me, too. Matt is so patient: he went shoe shopping with me (the only shoe shopping I do: running shoes), then went for a short run with me to break the shoes in. Kelly came, too. The shoes feel good, they're slowing being broken in as I go on short runs with Kelly back home now.
Today, went out for a beer after work to vent with a co-worker, then came home, ran 3 miles with Kelly, then am about to head out to Masters Swim. These are my new friends: the triathletes that come from all over to swim on Tuesdays and Saturdays. They are SO NICE and it's just the greatest feeling to know that there are other people in the area who share common interests! Yay!
Race day is 8 weeks away--training kicks in for sure now!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Slow Starts
I've been so tired lately that I truly have no energy for much activity besides work and sleep. Don't worry, it's warming up so I can start biking. It will be a while before Oscar or Tobias hit the road because Vermont uses sand/dirt/rocks instead of salting the roads, so I don't want to get repeat flats on my ride. Mountain biking will be a good to start out. Kelly and I have been going on decent walks each day. My diet has really improved, too. Don't worry though, I'm getting extra physical activity to my daily routine. Nothing quite like working in a manufacturing plant where you have to jump from plant 1 (first floor) to plant 2 (fifth floor) on a regular basis. Yeah stairs!!! No joke, a few weeks ago, there was one day that I made at LEAST 20 some trips back and forth. Good thing I can wear comfy shoes with my cute outfits!
Today's mission is to get new running shoes. My old pair of Asics were LOVED throughout last summer during training for IM Moo and I even stretched their lifespan out to complete the Memphis Marathon in December. Oops. DEFINITELY time for new shoes! Thank goodness for tax refunds!! :-)
Off to shopping, running, tuning up bikes, getting my membership to the local (nasty) pool.
**Click heels three times... there's nothing like open water swimming...there's nothing like open water swimming...there's nothing like open water swimming...** Come on really warm weather, heat up the reservoir so I can do REAL swimming!!
Today's mission is to get new running shoes. My old pair of Asics were LOVED throughout last summer during training for IM Moo and I even stretched their lifespan out to complete the Memphis Marathon in December. Oops. DEFINITELY time for new shoes! Thank goodness for tax refunds!! :-)
Off to shopping, running, tuning up bikes, getting my membership to the local (nasty) pool.
**Click heels three times... there's nothing like open water swimming...there's nothing like open water swimming...there's nothing like open water swimming...** Come on really warm weather, heat up the reservoir so I can do REAL swimming!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Spring Fever
It's finally starting to warm up. Thank goodness. Vermont is FREEZING and this winter seemed to last longer than it should have.
I'm starting a new SIP (self-improvement plan) tomorrow (3/9) because I have a 3-day Ironman in just two months and I really ought to do some training for this. I will be fine with the swim (membership to the pool starts tomorrow), and running has never been a problem for me, but I'm terrified for the bike. No really, I get that uneasy feeling in my stomach when I think of 112 miles through mountains. And the majority of my bike training will be on my trainer since Vermont has the ingenious idea of using rocks and dirt instead of salt during winter storms. That probably won't get cleaned up for quite a while.
I need to cut weight, too. I'm at a weight that I'm not proud of and I know training will be easier if I knock off a few pounds.
Well, better rest up for the start of real training!
I'm starting a new SIP (self-improvement plan) tomorrow (3/9) because I have a 3-day Ironman in just two months and I really ought to do some training for this. I will be fine with the swim (membership to the pool starts tomorrow), and running has never been a problem for me, but I'm terrified for the bike. No really, I get that uneasy feeling in my stomach when I think of 112 miles through mountains. And the majority of my bike training will be on my trainer since Vermont has the ingenious idea of using rocks and dirt instead of salt during winter storms. That probably won't get cleaned up for quite a while.
I need to cut weight, too. I'm at a weight that I'm not proud of and I know training will be easier if I knock off a few pounds.
Well, better rest up for the start of real training!
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