Saturday is the Thrills in the Hills half marathon. It's a trail run, and I have never had the pleasure of racing a trail run before. I am trained for it, well, as trained as I can get, and I have run 11 miles on the trails, so I am pretty sure that I can manage 13.1 miles on Saturday. The problem? It's gonna rain. Plus my best friend in the whole world is going into the hospital Friday night and will be induced on Saturday. What to do???
I really don't want to run in the rain. I am a wussy enough about trails without the added danger of running when it's wet. I have never run on these trails before, which already makes them kind of scary.
Karen seems to think this labor thing might take a minute or two. I am pretty sure that I won't miss anything by running the race. But if I do miss it? That would really suck. Karen would be REALLY unhappy as I have committed myself to being there (as in there in the room, yeah I know!)
Does it sound like I am talking myself out of the race? I just might be. Can't figure it out right now! Too much going on!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tundra Time Trial
Suckitysucksucksucksucksuckkk!
That just about sums up my first time trial experience. It just wasn't a great day for me. First, I underestimated how much time it would take to get there, then I got lost. I arrived and there was no parking. I rushed to get my number only to be told I needed to fill out some more paperwork. Bob told me to warm up for 40 minutes, but at this point I only had 20 minutes until I started! I rushed back to my car. Everyone else was on there trainers with their skinsuits on. I was wearing all black, including my fleece-lined pants. I couldn't figure out how peeps were riding with shorts on!
I only had 15 minutes to spare, so no trainer for me. I rode around on the trail, which actually cooled me off rather than warming me up because it was starting to drizzle. I lined up and prepared to start. Marc was there (in PLENTY of time I might add!) and he got to see what must have been the worst start of the day: I begged them to not drop me (you clip in and they "hold" you up) when the guy let go of me and they told me to start, I unclipped instead and said "I'm sorry!" I just totally thought that I was going to fall over! So it took me a few seconds to clip back in and get going.
About a mile into the race my left leg flew off the side of the bike. Guess I wasn't as clipped in as I thought I was! My bike started swerving and they guy behind me started screaming and freaking out a little. Totally unnerving! I regained control, clipped in, and continued. I got passed by a guy around mile 3 and tried to keep up but I just didn't feel like I was able to push like I normally can.
When the turnaround came up I was such a wussy. I unclipped and walked it. It was wet and I was already freaked from almost crashing, so I said "screw it!" and got off the bike. I quickly got back on my bike and took off again. I got passed by the guy behind me, but I repassed him about 30 seconds later. I tried to push and push, but I felt like I was moving in slow motion. I passed three other riders, two males, one female and finally made it to the finish line.
25:11. Suckitysucksucksucksuck. Bike computer shows 24:45, so that may have been my actual riding time. Either way I was expecting to average a lot faster than 22.62 mph.
My mistakes were costly as I was 5th female overall with less than 33 seconds separating 2nd and 5th place. But each race is an opportunity to learn, and I learned a lot!
The winners got the most incredible hand blown glass awards. So beautiful. Next year the top three females will also get the same awards. So next year? I'm gonna practice more!
Congrats to Amy for her 3rd place finish, she's super strong! Marc and his Aaron's teammates did great too!
That just about sums up my first time trial experience. It just wasn't a great day for me. First, I underestimated how much time it would take to get there, then I got lost. I arrived and there was no parking. I rushed to get my number only to be told I needed to fill out some more paperwork. Bob told me to warm up for 40 minutes, but at this point I only had 20 minutes until I started! I rushed back to my car. Everyone else was on there trainers with their skinsuits on. I was wearing all black, including my fleece-lined pants. I couldn't figure out how peeps were riding with shorts on!
I only had 15 minutes to spare, so no trainer for me. I rode around on the trail, which actually cooled me off rather than warming me up because it was starting to drizzle. I lined up and prepared to start. Marc was there (in PLENTY of time I might add!) and he got to see what must have been the worst start of the day: I begged them to not drop me (you clip in and they "hold" you up) when the guy let go of me and they told me to start, I unclipped instead and said "I'm sorry!" I just totally thought that I was going to fall over! So it took me a few seconds to clip back in and get going.
About a mile into the race my left leg flew off the side of the bike. Guess I wasn't as clipped in as I thought I was! My bike started swerving and they guy behind me started screaming and freaking out a little. Totally unnerving! I regained control, clipped in, and continued. I got passed by a guy around mile 3 and tried to keep up but I just didn't feel like I was able to push like I normally can.
When the turnaround came up I was such a wussy. I unclipped and walked it. It was wet and I was already freaked from almost crashing, so I said "screw it!" and got off the bike. I quickly got back on my bike and took off again. I got passed by the guy behind me, but I repassed him about 30 seconds later. I tried to push and push, but I felt like I was moving in slow motion. I passed three other riders, two males, one female and finally made it to the finish line.
25:11. Suckitysucksucksucksuck. Bike computer shows 24:45, so that may have been my actual riding time. Either way I was expecting to average a lot faster than 22.62 mph.
My mistakes were costly as I was 5th female overall with less than 33 seconds separating 2nd and 5th place. But each race is an opportunity to learn, and I learned a lot!
The winners got the most incredible hand blown glass awards. So beautiful. Next year the top three females will also get the same awards. So next year? I'm gonna practice more!
Congrats to Amy for her 3rd place finish, she's super strong! Marc and his Aaron's teammates did great too!
Friday, February 6, 2009
FINALLY made it to Master's!
After working at the Concourse for almost a month, I finally made it to Master's swim practice. My main excuse has been that it's been too cold to swim in the outdoor pool and when it hasn't been cold, I have had clients and can't swim. But today everything lined up perfectly and my work day was over in time for me to make the 11 a.m. swim practice. Lord have mercy. Those people tried to KILL me! Here's what we did:
500 WU
4x150 as 50 kick, 100 swim
3x300 at 90% Max
7x100 at 100+% max on 4 minutes. After you did your 100 you had to warm-down with back, breast, or free until the next 100.
2x25 underwater
My first 100 came in at 1:24. This was the slowest out of everyone (my lane was in the 1:08-1:15 range). Coach reassured me that there ARE slower swimmers, but today he had warned everyone about the workout, so I guess they stayed home. By the 5th 100 I was hating life and swimming and contemplating duathlons. By the 6th 100 I was literally seeing stars and color flashes and thought I was drowning. By the 7th 100 I realized that I had swum 3000 yards WAY faster than I would on my own and maybe Master's wasn't that bad after all. My slowest 100 was 1:33 and it was because I hit the guy coming back and had to stop and stand up.
Swimming underwater while holding my breath was the only thing I excelled at (and of course the kickboard!) I made it from wall to wall both times. It was really, really hard.
Positive about Master's? It's quick and dirty. No breaks, one hour of intense swimming. Plus the pool is saline which my skin loves.
Negative about Master's? I did my Dara Tores weight workout yesterday and went into the swim already feeling like my arms were noodles. But that was totally my fault and I learned my lesson.
Afterwards my fellow master's attendees told me I did good and promised that next week the Tuesday and Thursday midday practice wouldn't be this tough. I think I decided that I like it tough!
500 WU
4x150 as 50 kick, 100 swim
3x300 at 90% Max
7x100 at 100+% max on 4 minutes. After you did your 100 you had to warm-down with back, breast, or free until the next 100.
2x25 underwater
My first 100 came in at 1:24. This was the slowest out of everyone (my lane was in the 1:08-1:15 range). Coach reassured me that there ARE slower swimmers, but today he had warned everyone about the workout, so I guess they stayed home. By the 5th 100 I was hating life and swimming and contemplating duathlons. By the 6th 100 I was literally seeing stars and color flashes and thought I was drowning. By the 7th 100 I realized that I had swum 3000 yards WAY faster than I would on my own and maybe Master's wasn't that bad after all. My slowest 100 was 1:33 and it was because I hit the guy coming back and had to stop and stand up.
Swimming underwater while holding my breath was the only thing I excelled at (and of course the kickboard!) I made it from wall to wall both times. It was really, really hard.
Positive about Master's? It's quick and dirty. No breaks, one hour of intense swimming. Plus the pool is saline which my skin loves.
Negative about Master's? I did my Dara Tores weight workout yesterday and went into the swim already feeling like my arms were noodles. But that was totally my fault and I learned my lesson.
Afterwards my fellow master's attendees told me I did good and promised that next week the Tuesday and Thursday midday practice wouldn't be this tough. I think I decided that I like it tough!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
2009 race calendar is complete!!
Well, I have finally figured out what my race calendar will look like for 2009! It's all about quality and not quantity for me this season!
2009 races:
2.14.09: Tundra Time Trial 9.5 miles of pure hell on wheels, all out puke or go home bike race. Sounds like fun huh?
2.28.09: Xterra Thrills in the Hills 1/2 marathon: 13.1 miles of running on trails. I LOVE trail running (minus downhills and rocky sections which I am a wussy about)
5.9.09: Gulf Coast Triathlon 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run: Gotta go back because last year's race was UGLY. Hoping for a PR.
6.28.09: Irongirl Triathlon 1/3 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 3 mile run: I want to race with my Luna Chix, plus the 18 mile bike course is one of my favorites!!
7.12.09: Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon: 1500 meter swim, 26 mile bike, 6.2 mile run: I have a love/hate relationship with this race. Loved it the first time I did it, hated it last year (rain and my saddle fell) Gonna race it again so I can leave with happy memories!
10.3.09: Atlantic Coast Triathlon 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run: Haven't done this race yet but heard it's beautiful in Amelia Island. Plus it's pancake flat which I LOVE!
**11.7.09: Ironman Florida 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run: The Ironman monkey isn't quite off my back just yet. I need to do another one but I wish that I didn't want to so badly. I said that I wouldn't do one this year but it's addictive!
**I am not actually signed up for IM Florida yet! I will be going to Orlando for the 70.3 race to try and secure a spot! So I might just be a spectator again this year! If I can't get into Florida there is a slight chance I might consider doing Arizona instead.
2009 races:
2.14.09: Tundra Time Trial 9.5 miles of pure hell on wheels, all out puke or go home bike race. Sounds like fun huh?
2.28.09: Xterra Thrills in the Hills 1/2 marathon: 13.1 miles of running on trails. I LOVE trail running (minus downhills and rocky sections which I am a wussy about)
5.9.09: Gulf Coast Triathlon 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run: Gotta go back because last year's race was UGLY. Hoping for a PR.
6.28.09: Irongirl Triathlon 1/3 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 3 mile run: I want to race with my Luna Chix, plus the 18 mile bike course is one of my favorites!!
7.12.09: Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon: 1500 meter swim, 26 mile bike, 6.2 mile run: I have a love/hate relationship with this race. Loved it the first time I did it, hated it last year (rain and my saddle fell) Gonna race it again so I can leave with happy memories!
10.3.09: Atlantic Coast Triathlon 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run: Haven't done this race yet but heard it's beautiful in Amelia Island. Plus it's pancake flat which I LOVE!
**11.7.09: Ironman Florida 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run: The Ironman monkey isn't quite off my back just yet. I need to do another one but I wish that I didn't want to so badly. I said that I wouldn't do one this year but it's addictive!
**I am not actually signed up for IM Florida yet! I will be going to Orlando for the 70.3 race to try and secure a spot! So I might just be a spectator again this year! If I can't get into Florida there is a slight chance I might consider doing Arizona instead.
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