(L-R: Just Tri Me, Tri Me, BarbieGirlNot) Summary of our Post-Half Ironman Celebration: Sorry, what happens at Coastal Flats, stays at Coastal Flats.... ;-}
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tri Envy
This whole "I'm not training until August" thing is actually harder than I thought. I am just a competitive person by nature, mostly with myself. I just keep feeling like I need to be training.
I'm completely jealous of the girls. BarbieGirlNot got herself two coaches. TriMe got herself a pretty schweet tri-bike. And I'm sitting around doing nothing. (Even if I'm swimming, ladies, it's not necessarily "training". Some people actually enjoy swimming and do it for fun). I also just found out today that bike check-in for the Patriot Half is on the day of the race, which means I can race. (I was having logistical issues because Tri-Hubby is finishing his training in Georgia the day before the race). So, now, knowing for sure that I'm racing and that the girls are training and bonding, I feel this pull to train. I can handle the not-running-training part, but I feel guilty for not training. I think: I'm going to start training in August with only 4 weeks before the race?!?!?!
I leave next week for two weeks with the in-laws. I'm STILL trying to get off the weight I put on while I was there at Christmas. Even if I wanted to start up training, I don't think the opportunity is there. I might get some running in, but I always feel at the mercy of my hosts that it just doesn't happen. Plus, I'm not very comfortable running the country roads by myself.
The one possibility is going to the University of Missouri Rec Center to swim. They have this cool area called The Vortex. It's a heavy current that swirls. I think "normal" people get in there and let the current push them around the circle. But the one time I went, I started swimming into the current. Man, what an awesome challenge! I was able to hold my location for a minute or two and then I started losing ground and got pushed away by the current. I’m dying to go back and give it another "tri". (har har)
So, we'll see. My body is telling me to take more time off, but my brain is telling me to get real and train. I just wish I didn't care and could be happy with just finishing. Now that we have one Half under our belts, I don't want to finish any slower and the girls are coming out stronger than ever….
Ohhh, how nice it must be to be an ADD triathlete
"Maybe I should be training..." - Just Tri Me
I'm completely jealous of the girls. BarbieGirlNot got herself two coaches. TriMe got herself a pretty schweet tri-bike. And I'm sitting around doing nothing. (Even if I'm swimming, ladies, it's not necessarily "training". Some people actually enjoy swimming and do it for fun). I also just found out today that bike check-in for the Patriot Half is on the day of the race, which means I can race. (I was having logistical issues because Tri-Hubby is finishing his training in Georgia the day before the race). So, now, knowing for sure that I'm racing and that the girls are training and bonding, I feel this pull to train. I can handle the not-running-training part, but I feel guilty for not training. I think: I'm going to start training in August with only 4 weeks before the race?!?!?!
I leave next week for two weeks with the in-laws. I'm STILL trying to get off the weight I put on while I was there at Christmas. Even if I wanted to start up training, I don't think the opportunity is there. I might get some running in, but I always feel at the mercy of my hosts that it just doesn't happen. Plus, I'm not very comfortable running the country roads by myself.
The one possibility is going to the University of Missouri Rec Center to swim. They have this cool area called The Vortex. It's a heavy current that swirls. I think "normal" people get in there and let the current push them around the circle. But the one time I went, I started swimming into the current. Man, what an awesome challenge! I was able to hold my location for a minute or two and then I started losing ground and got pushed away by the current. I’m dying to go back and give it another "tri". (har har)
So, we'll see. My body is telling me to take more time off, but my brain is telling me to get real and train. I just wish I didn't care and could be happy with just finishing. Now that we have one Half under our belts, I don't want to finish any slower and the girls are coming out stronger than ever….
Ohhh, how nice it must be to be an ADD triathlete
"Maybe I should be training..." - Just Tri Me
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Breaking in the new baby...
Today was my first ride on my new baby. I finally broke down and bought a tri bike. I have raced on a $300 road bike for one race too many. In GA I had gears seize up, my chain locked up and had to listen to a clacking noise the entire race. I'd had enough. So, I started looking for bikes and found a bike way above my needs, but it was a great deal(or so I keep telling myself). I bought the bike of my dreams and promptly put it up in the garage. I looked at it for sometime, went on vacation and now was left with nothing else to do but ride. So when barbiegirlnot asked if anyone was up for a ride I jumped at it. If you have read her blog you know I have tires that are troublesome to change along the way. So of course I would ride with her, she could get the car if I needed it!
The ride started out slow, okay walking my bike to the trail so I didn't catch a nail etc. before we even hit the trail. Once we were on it I felt like I was having an out of body experience. I was hardly moving my legs and my average speed was faster than my old bike when my heart felt like it was going to explode. I am still a little uncomfortable on the bike as my aero bars are too long and will have to be cut. I also had to learn how to grab and replace the water bottles behind me. The first water break was a stop. I did get better and now feel okay with riding, drinking and getting the water bottle back in its spot. We didn't break any land speed records today, but had a great ride and enjoyed each others company more than I enjoyed my new bike.
I had to get on the blog first because I know barbiegirl is going to make fun of me so I wanted to have my say first. I will leave the comic relief to her this time.
Glad to be back in VA with out the Colorado altitude. I did a nice easy 6 mile run, minus falling as I looked at squirrels chasing each other, that's ADHD isn't it? It hurt a little today on the bike and might feel worse tomorrow but it's back to real training. I have the bike, I love the run and hope to get better with some swim help.
Happy running!
The ride started out slow, okay walking my bike to the trail so I didn't catch a nail etc. before we even hit the trail. Once we were on it I felt like I was having an out of body experience. I was hardly moving my legs and my average speed was faster than my old bike when my heart felt like it was going to explode. I am still a little uncomfortable on the bike as my aero bars are too long and will have to be cut. I also had to learn how to grab and replace the water bottles behind me. The first water break was a stop. I did get better and now feel okay with riding, drinking and getting the water bottle back in its spot. We didn't break any land speed records today, but had a great ride and enjoyed each others company more than I enjoyed my new bike.
I had to get on the blog first because I know barbiegirl is going to make fun of me so I wanted to have my say first. I will leave the comic relief to her this time.
Glad to be back in VA with out the Colorado altitude. I did a nice easy 6 mile run, minus falling as I looked at squirrels chasing each other, that's ADHD isn't it? It hurt a little today on the bike and might feel worse tomorrow but it's back to real training. I have the bike, I love the run and hope to get better with some swim help.
Happy running!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Laughing and Training
I know I say this everytime I blog, but Justtrime and Trime are 2 of the greatest women alive. I just love them. How funny is the blog from Justtrime. Yet at the end you will see she said "see you at the pool". HMMMMM! Will she be swimming??!! Trime got a new bike, tires don't come off. Apparently they are glued on. Something Professionals do because they have bike crews(I don't know if that is true) or they just don't finish the race. But for ADD racers like myself, we buy tires that come off so if we get a flat we can finish the race. So, as you all have been guessing both my teammates are OCD Triathletes. But I love them anyway!!!!!
As for me, I got 2 (yes 2) coaches for my swim. I am swimming 4 days a week and have been feeling more chlorinated thatn I have ever felt in my life. Mind you this is my 1st week back swimming. I did not ask for the coaches they have just graciously volunteered to help. I apparently "swim flat", don't reach far enough, and kick like "sh-t". Words of constructive critisism from my coaches. So now most of my swim workouts consist of a warm-up (never knew there was one in swiming), a heart rate set (raising my heart rate till it feels like popping out of my chest) then drills, and a cool down (once again never knew, but this is my favorite part of the workouts). I am not a very efficient swimmer. I don't have to be fast, just more efficient to beat the previous 1.2 mile swim I did in GA. hence the drills. Of course, all of this together is helping me build confidence and endurance in the water. I will let you know at the end of the month when I do my long swim and compare it to the one I did at the begining of this week. I hope to be more efficient, faster, and less tired at the end.
We are doing a 2 hour 30 min ridie on Sunday. If any of you should see 2 women walking, one with a flat tire on her high speed low drag bike, pick us up. She can't change her tire and I won't leave her out there!
Laughing and loving all the crazy things we do!!!!!
As for me, I got 2 (yes 2) coaches for my swim. I am swimming 4 days a week and have been feeling more chlorinated thatn I have ever felt in my life. Mind you this is my 1st week back swimming. I did not ask for the coaches they have just graciously volunteered to help. I apparently "swim flat", don't reach far enough, and kick like "sh-t". Words of constructive critisism from my coaches. So now most of my swim workouts consist of a warm-up (never knew there was one in swiming), a heart rate set (raising my heart rate till it feels like popping out of my chest) then drills, and a cool down (once again never knew, but this is my favorite part of the workouts). I am not a very efficient swimmer. I don't have to be fast, just more efficient to beat the previous 1.2 mile swim I did in GA. hence the drills. Of course, all of this together is helping me build confidence and endurance in the water. I will let you know at the end of the month when I do my long swim and compare it to the one I did at the begining of this week. I hope to be more efficient, faster, and less tired at the end.
We are doing a 2 hour 30 min ridie on Sunday. If any of you should see 2 women walking, one with a flat tire on her high speed low drag bike, pick us up. She can't change her tire and I won't leave her out there!
Laughing and loving all the crazy things we do!!!!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
EFFD: Bad Day
Escape from Fort Delaware Race Summary: A woman passed me on the bike at mile 14 and shouted over her shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm not in this race." I shouted back, "Don't worry, I don't think I am either!"
I am describing this race as CRAPTACULAR. I'm not even going to put down my race splits or my time. I'll only say that I was 20 minutes slower than my usual Olympic distance tri and was the 8th to last on the bike. (Somehow, though I still managed to finish middle of age group, but that was really by default because the rest of my age group was all lined up right behind me in the final standings.)
The support I received from my teammates is as follows:
TriMe: "SHUT UP AND SWIM"
and
BarbieGirlNot: "stop being an OCD triathlete and start being an ADD one"
I was looking forward to the swim because you get to swim across the Delaware River. I guess in years to come I can say I did that. I got off course 4 times, and it was a straight swim; one side of the river to the other. And it wasn't a "oh, I got a little off course", it was a "I got so off course that the kayakers and police boats had to come get me"… FOUR TIMES!
I really considered packing it up and going home but I paid money and didn't want to waste it. I have to say I was honestly hoping for a bike break down so I could pack it up and go home. But of course, my bike held up and this was one race that had a bike van helping out along the course.
I am describing this race as CRAPTACULAR. I'm not even going to put down my race splits or my time. I'll only say that I was 20 minutes slower than my usual Olympic distance tri and was the 8th to last on the bike. (Somehow, though I still managed to finish middle of age group, but that was really by default because the rest of my age group was all lined up right behind me in the final standings.)
The support I received from my teammates is as follows:
TriMe: "SHUT UP AND SWIM"
and
BarbieGirlNot: "stop being an OCD triathlete and start being an ADD one"
I was looking forward to the swim because you get to swim across the Delaware River. I guess in years to come I can say I did that. I got off course 4 times, and it was a straight swim; one side of the river to the other. And it wasn't a "oh, I got a little off course", it was a "I got so off course that the kayakers and police boats had to come get me"… FOUR TIMES!
I really considered packing it up and going home but I paid money and didn't want to waste it. I have to say I was honestly hoping for a bike break down so I could pack it up and go home. But of course, my bike held up and this was one race that had a bike van helping out along the course.
Oh, and the picture that's posted. That's not me at the end of the race. That's me just starting the run...
This race just wasn't any fun for me. Even when I have a not-so-great race, it's still enjoyable. This wasn't. I'm just mentally and physically caput. I have been racing since March 1 of this year and have had no more than a 2 week break from races.
So, I have decided that I'm not training until August. Just not doing it. The girls are planning these bricks and training runs, but I'm out.
If you want to read a training blog, check back for the girls' entries. I might chime in to mention an awesome new routine I’m trying at the gym or how amazing it is when you allow your body time to rest and heal. Happy training ladies, if you need me I'll be lounging at the pool…..
This race just wasn't any fun for me. Even when I have a not-so-great race, it's still enjoyable. This wasn't. I'm just mentally and physically caput. I have been racing since March 1 of this year and have had no more than a 2 week break from races.
So, I have decided that I'm not training until August. Just not doing it. The girls are planning these bricks and training runs, but I'm out.
If you want to read a training blog, check back for the girls' entries. I might chime in to mention an awesome new routine I’m trying at the gym or how amazing it is when you allow your body time to rest and heal. Happy training ladies, if you need me I'll be lounging at the pool…..
"I'm not training 'til August..." - Just Tri Me
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