Saturday, February 28, 2009

Planning a DNS

I'm planning to record yet another "DNS" (did not start) for tomorrow's B&A Half Marathon. Even if my training were adequate for the race (and it's not - I'm sure I could finish it but it would be my longest run in forever), my physiology right now is NOT adequate for running a half marathon.

This norovirus is still messing with my fluid balance big time, and we all know what that means. One thing I know I need for running 13.1 miles is halfway-decent fluid balance. Or at the very least the ability to run without stopping at every porta-potty and bush along the course. (Not to mention there's an inch of sleet in tonight's weather forecast, and one of my kids has another fever).

So it looks like next weekend's Family 5k and Princess Half Marathon at Disney will be my first races of the year. I predict somewhere near PW (personal worst) times.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Norovirus

Despite my best efforts over the last couple of weeks, it has finally overcome all my defenses. Hmm, maybe it was those episodes of Elisabeth puking all over me last week.

Ugh.

Just thought I'd share.

I'm going back to bed.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Slower than ever

I just put more air in the bike tires on the trainer and it cut my "speed" by about 20-30%. Bah, and here I thought I was racking up the mileage! Not so! (Still, I should be getting more than 11.2 mph, don't you think?)

I'm still not dragging the bike outside until it gets consistently above 40*F, though. That just is too darned uncomfortably cold on the bike for me.

Maybe we'll start seeing some signs of spring next week....

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I'm out!

I just sent in cancellations for two triathlons that I've done for the past several years: Columbia (Olympic distance) and Eagleman Aqua Velo (half iron distance).

They fall right in the midst of our house renovation schedule and I won't be able to be well-prepared for them. I don't want to go and just slog around the course slower than I have previously - I'd rather wait until next year when I can be well-prepared and return to them with focus rather than as an afterthought.

On the other hand, cutting out a tentative spring break trip will allow me to run a new local half marathon in Cambridge, most likely.

One door shuts, another opens.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

More miles

Planned a long run today, but I ran out of time so I just went to the track for 3 quick 1-mile repeats:
  • 10:28
  • 10:36
  • 10:53
That's actually a bit faster than I expected, since I've been feeling slow and sluggish lately. Lots going on with the new house acquisition and other stuff in our lives, but the increasingly warm weather always helps my motivation and interest in getting outside and working out.

Friday, February 13, 2009

New house soon!

Just this morning we signed the next-to-final papers on our "new" house, 2 doors down from our current house, closing date probably in early April. This is going to be interesting, since it needs the kitchen gutted and rebuilt before we move in.

Even though it looks very small from the street, it's a good size with 3 bedrooms, a big upstairs office, and a sunroom, family room with fireplace, 1-car garage, and (of course) kitchen, dining, and living rooms. The lot is about a half acre with an unobstructed water view just across a thin slice of neighbor's land (it doesn't actually touch the water or it would cost $500,000 more!).


Our final results from the sidebar pool say that most folks want to hear about the remodeling, in some form! So later this spring you can expect to see a mix of whining and bragging about my training, intermingled with grunge, blood, sweat, and tears from our house overhaul.


Thanks for voting!!

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Slow days

It's hard to get anything done on snow days - like when the girls were out of school yesterday due to a teensy flurry at 8AM. Today they're both home sick, too.

BUT I did get in 3 consecutive days of 1 hour each on the bike trainer. (I have the old baby gates set up around the rear wheel so they don't stick their fingers in the spokes when I'm not looking.) Every little bit helps! I also ripped through the first three seasons of the Heroes TV series on the bike trainer in recent weeks and now I'm definitely hooked. Where is that next episode, darn it!?!?

We're still in the midst of negotiations for the new house. We got our inspections done, which turned up a long list of long-neglected maintenance items, including some plumbing leaks that have resulted in mold underneath the house that requires professional removal. But nothing insurmountable, as long as the seller sees reason and gives us a little monetary concession in order to take care of them.

At the same time the news is out about the $15,000 house buyers tax credit that has gone through the Senate. I have my fingers and toes crossed that it sails through the House too and we're able to use it this year. That would certainly help!

In the meantime I'm daydreaming about what to do with our new backyard, if we get it. That $15k would go a long way toward fencing it - on the other hand, it would also buy an Endless Pool for swim training. Decisions, decisions!