Ahhhh... A Day of Rest

There are so many wonderful things I love about a day off.

• Sleeping in until 7, not crawling out of bed until 7:30
• Going to work without 3 bags of workout clothes and recovery drinks
• Having lunch with friends instead of going to the gym
• Going to HAPPY HOUR not smelling like chlorine or BO

And then there is the e-mail from Coach saying you can't be in a light week because you have a half Ironman in 2 weeks. Ggggrrreeeaaatttt.....
So I have my daily workouts for the rest of the week. And I can't be mad because I have a light taper for next week and he even says things like
"be smart, get to bed early, eat a really good diet and focus" - Did someone tell him I went to lunch and happy hour!?!?!
And
"Think you can get through this week? The taper week will be VERY light. You have to hang in there for the rest of this week. Time to DIG IN Amanda! Coach"

I can't get mad at that!! I have to dig in, make it work, all the other sayings to get my butt in the pool, on the bike and out running.

So I am off to bed so I can get up and bike in the morning followed by a swim tomorrow night.
All for this...

Hot Race and H-O-T Becks!!

What a day!! Here is my race report for

My alarm goes off at 5, the second at 5:15 and I crawl out of bed. Marcus is packed and I am ready to go by 5:45.
I arrive at General Smallwood State Park and notice 2 cars in front of me looks like Brooke. Sure enough, it was.
Pick up my number (231) as Shane holds Blain (Shane is Brooks Sherpa - holder/protector of stuff, and good guy).
Set up transition and talk to other DC Tri Club people.
7:45, head to the swim start, starting to worry about the heat.
8:10, the first wave FINALLY goes off.
Hop in with the 4th wave, wish Brooke good luck, and start to swim when the horn goes off. Now, the swim - the lake looks beautiful from the outside, but as my mom always said, it's what is on the inside that matters. What was inside this lake was like swimming in a jungle!! At one point I had to stop and pull the weeds off my shoulders and goggles. Also, they got tangled around my leg - not a fun feeling.
T1 took forever as the lake and trans are were not close.
Gave Blain a quick pep talk and head out on the bike. What I should have done was give my legs a pep talk. They were SOOO not happy with me to be back on Blain, especially the first few hills. I started to think a 64 ride followed by an International tri was not the best decision.
But, I peddled along and tried not to let everyone passing me get to me mentally.
Finish the bike and do a quick T2, start my run. Something feels off and I realize I didn't take off my bike shorts. Yes, I add bike shorts over my tri sorts - I like/need the padding.
Man, this run was HOT. Very little shade but I tried to stick to my 1:1, 2:1, 3:1. It didn't quite work. Up hills I went cone to cone, downhills, I did 3:1's.
Eventually, I hear "YAY Amanda!! Finish strong!" It was Brooke and Shane - they waited for me which was so great, especially because they were not longer announcing names of finishers and giving out awards. Yup, I am that slow.
BUT - I have to say the best thing about today, the fact I got my self to do the race after biking 64 miles the day before. And a bad 11 mile run on Wednesday. That makes me happy. Now the results say I didn't finish and I sent an e-mail requesting it be changed. Wrong time is 1 thing, not finishing is another!

I rushed out after the race to meet Arin at the DC United game to watch DAVID BECKHAM!! I got my time line for the day all screwed up when I signed up for the race and saying yes to the game. But, I made in right at the end of the first half (I won't mention how fast I was driving to get there). SOOO worth skipping the food and stretching after the race. I have a picture of him bending over, but thought I would go with this one instead.

I am an Idiot

I wanted to sleep in until 6 - yes, I agree - you should not say sleep in until 6.

I start set up Blain and realize something is missing... I lost my bracket for my aero drink. I remember taking off the aero drink bottle after last weeks ride, but my guess is I did not take off the bracket and few off on the drive home. Oops, that is a very expensive piece of plastic!

Slightly worried about hydration I am clipped in by 7:30 and pedaling away. Not ideal for the heat and humidity of the day, but it worked out.

Not too much else exciting happened on the ride. My allergies aren't acting up so no snot rockets.
I did get yelled at a few more times than normal about riding in the street. It's frustrating that bikers get such a bad rap. Yes, there are the ones who fly by and don't say "on your left". Even today there was a group of about 12 that almost pushed me off the road and did not go single file so cars could get by. But, there are bad drivers and people don't hate all drivers!
I always try to say "on your left" and wave at cars who let me go.

It was another 4.5 hour ride. A with about 2 hours left I was at a stop sign and I hear "Amanda!!". My guess it was Tony (who is also training for IM Wisconsin) as he knows Blain - who is very noticeable in all his yellow glory. That was just the pick up I needed to finish that loop and start the 3rd and final lap.

Also, I got SMOKED up a hill by a guy who was 117. Okay, not that old, but I would guess in his late 70's, early 80's. He slowed down and chatted with me for a bit, giving me pointers on cadence and such, then flew and KICKED MY BUTT!! Impressive and inspirational.

"Race" tomorrow so it's another early night for me!!

No One Let's Me Sleep In Anymore!!

When I received the remainder of my workouts for Coach, he said to do this weeks tempo/interval run this morning. The reason behind this was so my legs would have more time to recover for Saturdays 4.5 hour ride and Sundays "race". So I wake up, again, before 6 a.m. for the third day in a row. The difference this time, it was already 78 degrees when I left for the metro at 6:20. Yuck! I have been really spoiled the last few weeks with decent temperatures and low humidity.

I head out for my run and even during my 10 minute warm up, I am sweating bullets. By the time I did my first 5 minute hard interval, I had sweat dripping off my nose, and it was before 7:30!! Just not right!! But I did okay and made it through my 5*5 minutes hard. I had 2 minutes in between so my HR dropped nicely and I would feel ready to go 'comfortably hard' for the next 5 minutes.

Tomorrow and Sunday should be interesting weather wise. The forecast is all the same, high in the mid 90's, isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening – hazy, hot and humid. This all means very early start time for the ride tomorrow and I have to get up early anyway for the "race" on Sunday.

I understand race directors making me get up early, but Mother Nature too! They are all against me!

Much Better

This morning I crawled out of bed at 5:20 and got ready for my bike. I wasn't very excited considering I was feeling pretty down about everything. I clipped in at 6 and headed out for my first lap at Hains Point. (This is a picture I took!!!)

I timed it so I could meet with the DC Tri club group ride at 6:30. I am glad I did because there was a really big group there, including Brooke. That girl is everywhere!! So we rolled out and found our paces. Brooke and I were out with a few other club members, peddling along. I looked at my computer and we were keeping a pretty good pace, much better than I would on my own. We held it for the hour I was with them and at one point, my avg MPH was 16.8 (which included my slow first lap on my own)!! For me, I did the same thing last week and averaged 14.7! The knees were a bit tender, but overall, a good ride.

Off to work and a swim tonight

I think DC has falling in the "Small Town" category

I grew up in a small-er town, a suburb of Milwaukee, that we called "The Bubble." Cute little village where you know your neighbors, the police and fire chief, and didn't think about cutting class because your parents would find out immediately - so no, I never did Mom and Dad!! Also walking down the street takes 20 minutes because you stop and talk to EVERYONE!!

My point - this morning (yes, I said MORNING) I got to work, dropped off my stuff and headed out for my long run. I am trotting down The Mall and who passes me - Brooke! Totally unexpected. I catch her at a stop light, we chat, and she takes off. I didn't even know she ran on The Mall.
I continue, down to Lincoln, across Memorial bridge to Arlington Cemetery and back, around the Tidal Basin and who do I see - Charles!! I flag him down, thankful for the break as he is bouncing around the way real runners do, we chat and each continue on our way. I knew he was training for a marathon, but just didn't expect to see him out and about.

Now I don't know that many people in this city, but seeing 2 before 8 am!?!? Strange.

Overall, not a great run. My legs just would not move quickly. About an hour and 45 minutes into it, I knew my legs were not having it. I tried to talk my self into going the full 3 hours, but I just couldn't. It was slow and disappointing. The only good thing I can say - my knees didn't hurt until I was done. They were fine during the 'run' - but I guess when you are moving so slow, there isn't much to pound on.
This is the first in a long while I am actually worried about finishing. I keep saying, and continue to say, I will do my best, it's all I can do. But after this run today, and how my legs felt after only 11 miles... I am worried

Are Snot Rockets Littering?

I was talking to my friend Rachel today (who has a race on Sunday) and she sounded a bit congested. She said she was trying to get over a cold, hence the head congestion sounding voice, but was also on her way out for a run. I told her that this is a great opportunity to practice her snot rockets. Rachel laughed in that disgusted "I can't do that" laugh and said the best thing

"Snot rockets are against my anti littering campaign".

This made me laugh very very hard. Rachel is always coming up with/saying random phrases I have never heard - we decided it's because she is from Georgia and I am from Wisconsin. Another favorite she whispered at a meeting "You can't fix stupid". Coffee almost came out my nose - the birth of my snot rocket quest.

And Brooke sent me this great blog posting today. It's a bit long, but a good read. When I read it, I felt like she knew me!! Made me realize that the things I am going through - I am not alone.

I Am Easily Persuaded

It really doesn't take much to talk me into things. I would have made a horrible lawyer, always thinking the other side sounded good.

So when I was at the General Smallwood course with the people from the tri club, they started asking if I was doing the race, I should do the race, etc. This morning I talked it over with Coach and he thought it was okay - but don't "race" it, only do it comfortably hard. HA! Once again with the 'comfortably hard'. I still have to do a 4.5 hour ride on Saturday so I don't think it will be a very fast race anyway.

Had a good lunch run with Merissa. It was supposed to be easy and it was, nice and light. Tonight was a swim - and yes, I made it back in the pool. That was fine too, expect the ending with 8*50's hard. Hate those!!

The best part of the night, the walk home after the metro. It was raining lightly and the sun was shining. I didn't pull out the umbrella and just enjoyed the warm rain. Because of the sun, I knew there had to be one - then I turned around and found it. I took a picture with my camera phone: it's not the best, but still - breathtaking. I love the fact I can see a rainbow in the city.

What a RIDE!!!

First of all, I saw the sunrise Saturday, sunset Saturday, and sunrise AGAIN today!! Who does that over the weekend!?!? Hopefully I will be in bed before the sunset tonight...

Anyway, the alarm went off at 5 am and I cursed Brooke's name as I rolled out of bed. I got my stuff ready, packed up Marcus and was on my way to Smallwood State Park. Brooke was right behind me so we got our bikes ready and headed off. We were doing the General Smallwood Triathlon International course. My plan was to do it twice and a little more to get the full 4.5 hours in today.

Here are some things that happened on the ride.
1. Missed a turn. This was neither of our faults - the road is not marked with the same name as the one on the map
2. When we did a few extra hills, thinking we went to far, we started to wave at drivers for help - they just waved back.
- Finally, one did stop and we confirmed we went to far
3. We were chased by dogs!! And I mean really REALLY chased. This was the closest either of us have ever been to being nipped. I think that was the fastest I pedaled and the highest my HR got the entire ride
4. I am learned how to do hills better
5. PEOPLE ARE STILL LITTERING!!! I really don't understand. On my second loop, I started counting the beer cans... I lost track after 53
Finally,
6. Even though I gave Brooke a hard time about the early start (but am very thankful we started early), she waited until I got back . After we did the course, we meet up with some other DC Tri club people and they did the sprint course. I did the full course again, and a little out and back and she waited and cheered for me as I got back. How sweet! Thanks Brooke!

So, the total distance you are wondering... 66.69 miles!!! I felt pretty good. What hurts the most are in the left wrist (actually hurts a bit to type) and a really bad saddle sore (boo!). But cardio and leg wise - I feel really good. YAY!

What A Great Day!

When the day starts at 5:30 am, really, how good of day can you have?? Well, it was great.

It started by heading to Hains Point for the DC tri club training tri, where I was volunteering. When the alarm went off, I almost skipped, but glad I didn't. I got to meet a lot of club people, and see the 3 people I do know; Brooke, Janel and Tony, actually do the event and cheer for them. It was actually a really good time.
And Tony and I got to chat about IM Moo!! Obviously a favorite topic of mine.

This was followed by an oil change. Marcus came out with a clean bill of health, something I have not always had good luck with (sorry Audrey, you know I loved you!!).

After the clean bill of health for the car, I headed to Beach drive for a 90 minute ride. Now I wanted to do this in the middle of the day because on Madison, I will be biking from about 8:30-5, the middle of the day. You know what, it was GREAT! I was SHOCKED!!!
I did have some knee pain, but stopped at the car half way through to get a knee brace. When it first went on, it might have been my imagination, but it felt I could feel my knee cap pushing against the brace. However, I think it really helped. My HR stayed at a good level, my cadence was good, and I actually went faster!
I stopped and helped someone with a bad chain. Offered to help 2 people with flat tires. It might have been the Propel fitness water with caffeine in the morning, or the 20 oz coffee from 7-11 during the oil change, but it felt so good to be out in the middle of the day.

Now I am off to Kristin's for a BBQ and catch up with her and Lauren - who I haven't seen in ages!!

Good times!!

Tomorrow, Brooke is making me meet her at 6:45 to start our 50-60 mile bike. Just kidding Brooke, better early than late!!