Teensy tiny local race that goes past my house. No mile markers, forgot my Garmin, no one to pace off of. Coughing and side stitch after being ill for 3 weeks.
BUT this "plodder" didn't walk!! That's a victory for today!
30:14 at the line.
I have the winter to take off 2:15 to get a new PR.
1:09 slower than this course last year, but it was warmer and more humid today. Hmm, but then again I was bouncing back from being sick then too! Oh well, this seems to be a habit. I still won my AG (50 to death; out of maybe 3 women in the AG who didn't walk it) and got a $20 gift certificate to the local Christmas Store!
Then I had to go rescue my training buddy Dave who got a flat on his bike and didn't have the stuff to fix it after flatting a spare tube.... and I also smashed my ankle in the garage entry door, bleeding on my socks. Silliness.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The old tree is gone
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Recommended bike storage
I just installed four of these in my garage to hang my bikes from the wall and they seem to work great!!!Also known as Gladiator Vertical Bike Hook (a Whirlpool product) - Google that if the link doesn't work.
Pretty simple to install the suspending bar (rigid plastic, but sturdier than a board; just screw into the wall studs) and the hooks just snap into it. You can also buy and hang other kinds of hooks and baskets for shoes, helmets, etc., off the same bar.
Not much more expensive than buying boards and c-hooks, and better built for the job, plus neater in appearance.
Recommended!! Someone could even put these into apartment walls if they had wooden studs and spackle over the holes without too much damage when moving out.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Our new closets
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Monday, September 28, 2009
I switched
Thank you so much for the feedback, everyone. I really do appreciate you taking the time to consider my dilemma and think it through with me.
I have confirmed my switch to the half-iron distance at Beach 2 Battleship triathlon on November 7, 2009.
I do apologize to those who have already donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation that I won't be completing the full distance this time around - I'm sorry to disappoint you. I hope that those who have pledged find it in their heart to still consider a donation to this extremely worthwhile charity: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=156947&supid=237467547
My training had not shown the volume nor the results in improving my endurance or speed that I had hoped this year. I realized during the Chesapeakeman Aqua Velo last Saturday (when I stopped after one 1.2-mile loop of the swim and one 66-mile bike loop) that my body wasn't cooperating well enough for a strong iron-distance finish, and consequently my heart just wasn't in it. I felt a huge sense of relief when I learned that Setup Events would very kindly allow me to change to the half.
I'm feeling a greatly renewed sense of enthusiasm in completing my training for the 70.3 distance in Wilmington on November 7, and look forward to a strong race performance there at distances my body is much better trained to handle with the training time I have been able to invest.
Thanks again for all your faith in me and your feedback! I'm very content with this decision and I'm looking forward to race day and being able to cheer on my Ironman friends over the finish line that night!
I have confirmed my switch to the half-iron distance at Beach 2 Battleship triathlon on November 7, 2009.
I do apologize to those who have already donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation that I won't be completing the full distance this time around - I'm sorry to disappoint you. I hope that those who have pledged find it in their heart to still consider a donation to this extremely worthwhile charity: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=156947&supid=237467547
My training had not shown the volume nor the results in improving my endurance or speed that I had hoped this year. I realized during the Chesapeakeman Aqua Velo last Saturday (when I stopped after one 1.2-mile loop of the swim and one 66-mile bike loop) that my body wasn't cooperating well enough for a strong iron-distance finish, and consequently my heart just wasn't in it. I felt a huge sense of relief when I learned that Setup Events would very kindly allow me to change to the half.
I'm feeling a greatly renewed sense of enthusiasm in completing my training for the 70.3 distance in Wilmington on November 7, and look forward to a strong race performance there at distances my body is much better trained to handle with the training time I have been able to invest.
Thanks again for all your faith in me and your feedback! I'm very content with this decision and I'm looking forward to race day and being able to cheer on my Ironman friends over the finish line that night!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Return of Chesapeakeman
Holly and I are doing the Chesapeakeman iron-distance aqua velo on Saturday, in training for Beach 2 Battleship iron-distance triathlon in November. (Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles.) Weather forecast (*knock on wood, obeisance to the Tri Gods*) looks near-perfect: Cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the low 60s.
I just cleaned up my bike Buttercup, checked her all out (yes, the new red tires look fine), took off the behind-the-seat chandelier bottle holder for race day, and restocked the under-seat-pack. She looks ready to rumble.
Predictions? I haven't done a huge amount of swimming this year, but instead of an extra-long mid-river point-to-point, it's a 2-lap course in a shallow protected cove this time around. Shouldn't be too bad.
Of course I'd like to beat my 2006 times:
SWIM 2.4 miles: 1:52:11 (2:39/100 yards) (8/11 women)
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 11:51 (10/11 women)
BIKE 112 miles: 6:58:50 (16.0 mph average)(8/11 women)
FINISH: 9:02:51 (10/11 women)
Let's say for 2009 goals:
SWIM 2.4 miles: 1:45:00 (my typical pool pace would give me about 1:48 for 2.4 miles)
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 10:00 (try not to collapse in a chair and start chatting this time) BIKE 112 miles: 6:48:00 (16.5 mph average)
FINISH: 8:43:00
Not sure I can do that, I've been slow lately! Race day will tell the story!
I've got a few friends doing the full - the plan is to slap on my running shoes and go out on the run course after I finish to the first mile marker and back just to test my legs and warm down and see if I can spot them.
Any last-minute recommendations for me?
I just cleaned up my bike Buttercup, checked her all out (yes, the new red tires look fine), took off the behind-the-seat chandelier bottle holder for race day, and restocked the under-seat-pack. She looks ready to rumble.
Predictions? I haven't done a huge amount of swimming this year, but instead of an extra-long mid-river point-to-point, it's a 2-lap course in a shallow protected cove this time around. Shouldn't be too bad.
Of course I'd like to beat my 2006 times:
SWIM 2.4 miles: 1:52:11 (2:39/100 yards) (8/11 women)
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 11:51 (10/11 women)
BIKE 112 miles: 6:58:50 (16.0 mph average)(8/11 women)
FINISH: 9:02:51 (10/11 women)
Let's say for 2009 goals:
SWIM 2.4 miles: 1:45:00 (my typical pool pace would give me about 1:48 for 2.4 miles)
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 10:00 (try not to collapse in a chair and start chatting this time) BIKE 112 miles: 6:48:00 (16.5 mph average)
FINISH: 8:43:00
Not sure I can do that, I've been slow lately! Race day will tell the story!
I've got a few friends doing the full - the plan is to slap on my running shoes and go out on the run course after I finish to the first mile marker and back just to test my legs and warm down and see if I can spot them.
Any last-minute recommendations for me?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Vanishing landscape
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Saturday, September 05, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
2009 Annapolis Ten Miler
Back again at this classic race today (my 4th time, I think?) with 5,499 of my closest friends. Usually it's insufferably hot and humid but we were fortunate to have temperatures and humidities both in the low 70s today.
Watch time: 1:58:32/Garmin time: 1:58:40
Official chip time: 1:58:24 (11:50 min/mile pace)
Previous best on this challenging course: 2:01:24 (2005)
So exactly a 3-minute course PR. I'll take it! The entire 3 minutes can be accounted for by not walking up ANY hills this time (for the first time on this course), and indeed, there are several tough ones. I did walk for a short while several times at water stops, just to gulp down some water, but limited it to just as long as necessary to drink-and-go.
Still a long way off my ten mile PR (different course, cold weather, 2007): 1:48:52
On the final hill on the Severn River bridge, there was an overweight teenage boy really struggling and I started badgering him to get up the hill: "C'mon! We're going to run up this hill! Count to twenty and we'll be there! Lift up your chin and you can breathe easier! Use your arms! Look, just run to that flag and we're done!"
Mostly it helped take my mind off myself, of course, but it kept me going!
He did great. I passed him later but found him after the finish line and shook his hand and congratulated him.
I felt strong the whole race, very positive mentally, and got a great technical long-sleeved running shirt at the finish line that I'll wear often. Also nice to see some old friends at the start and on course!
A good day for running, and a solid training run in the bank!
Watch time: 1:58:32/Garmin time: 1:58:40
Official chip time: 1:58:24 (11:50 min/mile pace)
Previous best on this challenging course: 2:01:24 (2005)
So exactly a 3-minute course PR. I'll take it! The entire 3 minutes can be accounted for by not walking up ANY hills this time (for the first time on this course), and indeed, there are several tough ones. I did walk for a short while several times at water stops, just to gulp down some water, but limited it to just as long as necessary to drink-and-go.
Still a long way off my ten mile PR (different course, cold weather, 2007): 1:48:52
On the final hill on the Severn River bridge, there was an overweight teenage boy really struggling and I started badgering him to get up the hill: "C'mon! We're going to run up this hill! Count to twenty and we'll be there! Lift up your chin and you can breathe easier! Use your arms! Look, just run to that flag and we're done!"
Mostly it helped take my mind off myself, of course, but it kept me going!
He did great. I passed him later but found him after the finish line and shook his hand and congratulated him.
I felt strong the whole race, very positive mentally, and got a great technical long-sleeved running shirt at the finish line that I'll wear often. Also nice to see some old friends at the start and on course!
A good day for running, and a solid training run in the bank!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Bad plan
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Whoops!
Century didn't quite go as planned today. After the thunderstorms let up, I got in 35 miles at a EZ 16 mph pace but then my worn-out bad tires had their revenge. Went flat on the road and then wouldn't hold air. Bah! Bagged it for today and caught a ride back to the start. Ride another day (after I put on the new tires, duh!)
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Sunday, August 16, 2009
Elisabeth
She says "Can we go home tomorrow?"
Me: "Why?"
E: "I want to go home."
Me: "This is where we live now! This is our home!"
E: "This is not home. This is the New House."
Can't put anything past her.
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Saturday, August 08, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Not much blogging going on here.
Sorry so quiet! I've been:
- Driving kids to summer day camp and back, which ended last Friday
- Following the Tour de France on my other blog and Twitter, which ended last Sunday
- Doing some training but (of course) never quite enough (as you can see in the sidebar)
- Breaking in my new Adamo saddle, which I like but which is taking a long time to get accustomed to
- NOT racing, haven't done any races since a slow half marathon in April (they tend to take too much time out of my training anyway)
- Trying to figure out how to get in my training at all now that the kids are not in camp until school starts August 25th
- Getting the new house ready to move into (STILL remodeling, will post some photos when there's something actually completed to show. Today's excitement was starting the new garbage pickup service over there)
- Getting the old house ready to move out of (YES, we have a great offer on the table, but have to finish up all the final details of fixing up the old house)
- Putting up random links and interesting things on Facebook lately instead of here on the blog like I used to
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
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