Bummer...

I received a voice mail yesterday that the MADD Red Ribbon 5K was cancelled! Bummer!! I now need to find another 5K to do. There is one on 1/3 I had looked into before signing up for the MADD one. But maybe there is a 'Run in the New Year' race or something, too...

TRI-ing a new header...

I've been green with envy, so to speak, with all the fun custom blog headers I've seen out there. So I was playing around last night and this is what I came up with.

A couple of the pictures are sort of special. The one on the left is after the finish of my very first tri - way back in June of 2000! The one on the right is after my first Ironman finish, just four and a half months ago.

I will keep this...for now!

Race Report: Blue & Gray 5K...

Yesterday morning, I drove down to Fredericksburg in a somewhat light rain for the Blue & Gray 5K. Coincidentally (not?), this was the 147th anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg, during the American Civil War. Very cool. My friend Carol from Team Z was down there for the half marathon and on her birthday to boot! Yay Carol! Anyway, the half marathon folks got started at 7:30 and us 5K people were going out at 7:40. I cheered Carol at the start then went to dump my warm clothes at the car before lining up for my race.

Both races were out and back and it seemed like the 5K was going to follow the same course as the half. I knew that Carol would be hitting a hill, called 'hospitalization hill' somewhere around mile 12 but did not know exactly where. Since we were following the same course I figured I'd get the same hill, but did not know...till I got out there running.

Anyway, the race started at the VA Runner store in the huge Central Park shopping area right off I-95 at exit 130B. Great store, by the way! (I found a watch that I love but don't need so I did not buy it; but I did get a fun shirt from their 50% off rack, too!) We ran through the parking lot in front of some stores for a ways then turned left then a quick right then another left to get onto a main road where most of the run was. We had kind of a small incline then we ran down the big hill. And that's when I knew I'd be running up the same hill as Carol! Of course for me it was only at mile 2. After going down the hill we made another left and went up another small incline to the turnaround at a circle. The water stop was here.

My 5K goal for this year is to run them completely and make no water stops if at all possible. I did not stop for water on Thanksgiving at the Virginia Run Turkey Trot and I did not stop for water yesterday either. It was raining, did I really need water? I almost started walking going up that hill, but instead just slowed even more... One person passed me going up that hill, so I made it a point to pass her after I got up and over it. I heard one other person catching up with me and as much as I was hurting by then I did not let her catch me and managed to sprint (for ME that is) to the finish. I was really hoping to break 30 minutes, but...I did not. However I did knock 1 minute and 37 seconds off my turkey trot time on a harder course. So I was pretty happy with that.

Official results: 30:49, 73 of 173 runners, 32 of 100 female runners, and 5 out of 11 in my age group! This was a fun race and I would do it again, or maybe consider the half marathon if trained for that distance.

By the time I finished it had started raining harder so I was feeling for those half marathon folks who would still be out there for a while. Carol said she was like a drowned rat by the time she finished. Bummer. I had brought a change of clothes with me, so it was nice to get out of the wet stuff. Except I brought my crocs for shoes, and you know, they don't work sto well in the rain. My dry socks got a little damp walking around. On my way out of Central Park I stopped at Caribou Coffee for a Lite White Berry latte (mmmmm) and a white chocolate covered pretzel stick. Very nice treats for the rainy ride home!

Next up: MADD Red Ribbon 5K Run, December 31 at 4:00PM!

And I got good news this morning: I received notification that I got an entry into the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run on April 11, 2010!

Mother Nature...

I wish Mother Nature would just make up her mind! A few days ago it was supposed to be sunny and 40 for Sunday...Now the forecast is for rain/snow and 40. Whatever... I'm still going to do this 5K. Even if it hurts... Oh well, at least today it is above freezing and we have just rain as opposed to freezing rain.

Last night I did manage to get on the treadmill for 2 miles. It was painful but I managed. It is better than nothing. Maybe on Thursday I'll do it again. And maybe one of these days 'it' will actually get easier. And I will feel like I'm actually moving. Or not...

Yesterday, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was released to video. I'm patiently waiting for the copy I ordered on Blue Ray to arrive. Hopefully today! We just got a PS3 at home which supports Blue Ray so I cannot WAIT to watch it again. I say again because I did see it in the theater this summer. It was great fun! We had our Harry Potter marathon (DVDs 1-5) two weekends ago, so we are ready!

Bike Ride...

FAIL! Well, the bike ride was a fail because Carol and I opted to not ride due to the likely icy conditions. Bummer. The Evil Knievil jackets will have to wait for another chilly ride. Oh well, I'm still working my way slowly back to this training thing anyway. Very slowly...as I mentioned to a friend, the closest I got to running this weekend was at my son's indoor track meet on Saturday morning.

I went to help out and ended up working at the scoring table, which is a lot of fun because you see lots of action and it is near the finish line. The events are nutty at times because first, the track is only 200 meters. Then, while the main part of the track - where the finish line is - is 6 lanes wide, the curves and the far side are narrowed to 3 lanes. So for the sprint events, 55 hurdles, 55, 300, and 500 they only run about 3 runners at a time. For the 300 and 500 it gets really crazy though. The 300 is one and a half laps of the track and the 500 is two and a half. So, they do these staggered starts, and after the first set goes a half lap or one and a half laps respectively, they start another group. Nuts! The pole vaulting was pretty exciting - a boy from Lake Braddock went 15'1"! And another from LB was doing pretty well also. There were actually nine schools at the meet grouped into sets of three. My son's team - Annandale - was doing pretty well in the points standing, I think. AHS was up against Robert E. Lee and T.C. Williams. My son was happy as he earned points for his team in both the 1000 and the 4x800 relay. I don't know the final outcome as of yet, as I did not stay to the very end. I did see a familiar blogger in the crowd while I was working the scoring table. Thanks for supporting indoor track! This letter is from over a year ago, but there is still a chance indoor track will get cut next year...along with other things...like all Freshman sports. That would be a terrible thing, I think.

So, they had been calling for snow Saturday afternoon but as I found out during the meet, it had been snowing for quite a while. I did not have a scraper in my car so I had to clean my car off with a towel that I had in the trunk. My hands were freezing!!

Saturday night we had our charity toy party to go to and we were considering bailing due to the weather as we'd driven over to our friends' house, the hosts, in the snow before and knew how treacherous it could be. We were mostly worried about the temperature dropping and freezing conditions for the ride home. However, we decided to chance it but not stay late. We delivered the new kids bike we had gotten but forgot the bring the helmet...ARGH! We were bringing two crock pots with appetizers and had too much to remember. Speaking of appetizers: I made Hawaiian meatballs and teenie weenies. The teenie weenies are always a huge hit: hot dog sections that are wrapped in bacon and cooked in brown sugar. They went FAST! There were still a few meatballs when we left to go home. Anyway, we brought the helmet over to our friends' house yesterday...you can hardly tell they had a party!

Only 6 days till my next 5K...the weather is supposed to be 44 and I think sunny. Should be a nice day for a run...

TGIF...

And I really am happy it is Friday. After have a short work week last week, only 3 days, coming back to 5 days was tough! I managed to run on Tuesday night - about 3.5 miles, I think. I did not run last night but plan to after work today. That is after I run an errand on my way home. I hope to get out of work by 3PM, and be home by 4:30...so I might actually get to run in the day light. What is left of it.

So, Sunday, I am currently planning to ride about 30 miles with Carol. And they are calling for the first snow of the season on Saturday beginning around dinner time. I have FUN plans for Saturday night - a toys for tots-type party at friends. This is their annual holiday event where everyone has to bring a new unopened toy. A lot of people bring bikes and we are bringing a bike AND a helmet (of course) for the first time. So the stupid snow had better not mess up our schedule!

And of course, I don't want to the stupid snow to mess up my Sunday ride. This will be the first time I wear my Ironman USA finisher's long sleeve bike jacket.

The jacket is red, white and blue and kind of looks like something Evil Knievel would wear. And when I wear my USA Triathlon bike helmet it just adds to the effect. Carol also has the jacket and we cannot wait to wear them!

So as much as I like SOME snow...I'd rather it wait a couple of weeks. Maybe on Christmas day actually, which conveniently falls on a Friday this year. Yikes - only 3 weeks away!

New Year's Eve...

I am thinking of running a 5K on New Year's Eve. It starts at 4PM and is not far from my office. We usually close early on the eve of a holiday and I could just go from work. And I think a race is a good way to get my fitness New Year's Resolutions started! So...I have a few days to decide. Then it is all about planning the rest of my 2010 race calendar. Yikes!

So far for 2010, the main thing I have is in mid-May - the Columbia Triathlon, which I've done a few times before. I hope to do at least one Sprint race before that, hopefully with Team Z in April, assuming they go to Rumpass in Bumpass again. I will be rejoining them on April 1. (No foolin'!) If not, I could always plan to go on my own. Last year I missed out on the Virginia Run Sprint as I had to go out of town. I think that is the week before Columbia, so that would/could be a nice tune up to Columbia...we will see! I also need to find 5Ks for January and February. I have the Shamrock 1/2 Marathon in March.

On a positive note, my journaling is coming along...journaling of food and fitness, that is!

Happy December. Only 24 days till Christmas!

Turkey Trot...

Check! I did the Virginia Run Turkey Trot yesterday morning with my son and I managed to run the entire 3.1 miles. Whew...that is the longest I've run in a long time. The Army 10 Miler seems so long ago. Yesterday was not pretty, nor fast, but I did it!

Next up the Blue & Gray 5K on December 13th. That's only about 2 and a half weeks away. Yikes!

Day two...

I completed day two of my 4-week 5K training program. Oh my god. I have not run since the Army 10 Miler, which was way back on October 4...Holy crap was last night hard. I was supposed to go 2 miles at an 11:05 pace...which I did on my treadmill because I was also testing out some new shoes and did not want to much them up in the street in case they need to go back. But that's for another post.

So, I took I think 3 breaks for water because it was so stinking hot in my treadmill room. I need to either wear the water or rig a water bottle holder on the bar of the thing...we'll see. But who cares? I did it! I did not wear my heart rate monitor and probably won't for a couple of weeks till I'm back into the swing of things...

I hope Thursdays run workout is a tad easier. Nothing on the schedule for tonight, other than optional cross training. However the fall sports awards banquet is at the school, so I will be doing that instead of spinning. Yay!

Back in the Saddle...

Last night I got back on my bike saddle and did an easy 45 minute spin. I just started a 4 week 5K program and last night called for cross training. Today I sent in a registration for the Blue & Gray 5K on December 13! Carol from Team Z (the team from which I am temporarily taking a break) is running the half marathon that day. She heard there was a hard hill on the course, and according to the race pamphlet, "Part of 1/2 Marathon traces the Southern entrenchment on Sunken Road. Save something for Hospitalization Hill in Mile 12." Sounds like Civil War stuff - and sounds very cool.

Speaking of the Civil War, a number of years ago I spent a few summers studying the Civil War with a group out of the Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus. A wonderful history professor there, Dr. Charles Poland, ran the program, and it was the most amazing way to learn about the war. I don't think I've ever been to this location during my travels though, because I'm pretty sure I'd remember something called 'Hospitalization Hill'!

Anyway, I will run the 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving with my son. The race actually falls on a training day, I'm supposed to do a tempo run that day, so I guess the race will be my tempo run. My son will actually *run* the race!

I'm tentatively scheduled to go for at least a 30 mile ride with Carol, mentioned above, on December 6 - so I'm excited about that! More incentive to get more time in my saddle a couple times a week.

Now if I could just get back in the swimming pool...maybe Sunday night.

Over 100...

Over 100 posts, that is! I had no idea I hit that number. This post makes 102. It seems I am counting up; but I remember not too long ago counting DOWN! Down to Ironman USA that is. Now so many on my team are counting down to Ironman Florida, which is on Saturday, November 7. Since I cannot attend in person like I'd hoped, I am looking forward to tracking them throughout the day.

Anyway, so much for walking. I was so tired last night I did NOT walk. And tonight we are going out to dinner for my younger son's birthday, which is actually tomorrow but he is going to his high school's last home football game of the season. Speaking of football and my son, he is going to the Navy game on Saturday! I'm excited - this will be his first attendance at a college game. Then on November 21 he is going to South Bend, Indiana to see Notre Dame take on UConn...lucky!

Anyway, maybe I'll walk on Friday after work...and who knows, maybe again over the weekend. Maybe even outside instead of the treadmill.... But I think I need more sleep. I am just so tired. *yawn*

Temporarily...

...sidelined! I am back up and at 'em, so to speak, after my lovely sinus surgery. Not lovely, really, but so glad I finally did this. 'It' was a bit worse than expected and I'm told I'll finally feel like 'myself' (if I can remember what I should feel like) in about 6 weeks post-op. So, I'm going to take a workout break till then. I don't have any races on the radar screen anyway, except for that Turkey Trot I wanted to do...so that day I'll just cheer on my son, instead.

My procedure went very well but I've already been to about four post-op visits with him. Let's just say that...I'd rather go to the dentist!! OMG does it ever HURT...really, really painful.

Last Sunday I did go on a 3.1 mile walk for charity. I did the Maryland Race for the Cure with my cousins and my aunt and other family and friends. My aunt is a 3+ year survivor. Yay! It was kind of a chilly and damp day - I even saw SNOW on some cars - but I could not tell how many people stayed away because of the weather. I walked the entire way and really enjoyed it. Lots of survivors and family/friends out there. Pretty impressive and inspiring. Wow... I hope / plan to go again next year and see who else I can recruit. We want to do TEAM shirts, too. So much fun!!

It is not too late to donate. Click here if you are interested!

Cheers!

Race Report: Army Ten Miler

Sunday, October 4 was the 25th Anniversary Army Ten Miler. I will start with the day before, because I went down to packet pick-up fairly early in the morning. The location was new to me, but then again, this was only my third ATM. This year packet pick-up was at the DC Armory. It was a long Metro ride for me, but all on one line, so that was nice. The walk to the Armory once I got off the train was short. I was in an our of there in a flash it seemed. I headed back home to try to head to my son's cross country meet. However, I got home and found a message from him stating that he'd run in the first event of the morning and there was no need to go...so I touched base with my friend that I was having lunch with to determine what time we were meeting.

This is my dear friend, Nanette, that I met over 20 years ago my first day at a new job. She was hired about 3 months before and she was always so nice...and still is. It is amazing we've known each other so long, and our kids are friends, too. We even worked together for 9 years! We met up at her house a little before 1:00 PM and decided we were going to go to Moe's nearby. We had a leisurely lunch and caught up on as much as possible. It was so much fun! Then back to her house for some more catching up. Soon it was time for me to go...seems there's never enough time. Oh well...

Back at home I got ready for the next days' race, and the day which would start bright and early. Actually it was still dark out...I got up at 5:00 AM and was out the door before 6:00AM. I caught a nearly emptry train at Metro and headed in to the race start. I was there in about 20 minutes. I had time to wander around, go through security to use the port-a-potty, then back out so I could wait for a few Team Z people I was trying to meet up with. We used the same meeting area as last year. They found me right on time and the sun was starting to rise. It was so pretty out.

The ATM starts with a lot of great festivities: there were the Golden Knights parachuting, then there was a Blackhawk fly-by, then the National Anthem. Then the cannon (I think, or guns?) go off for the first wave of runners. There were 30,000 runners registered, I'm not sure how many made it to the starting line. I went in the second wave with Carol and Jason; Harriet was spectating. It took about 20 minutes to reach the starting line, which I thought was pretty speedy for that many people. I ran with Carol for about 2 minutes but knew with my lack of training I would not be able to keep up. I was just out there for a nice long run.

The course is pretty neat, because you start in Virginia, near the Pentagon, then head into Washington, DC where you get to go by lots of landmarks. There are quite a few spectators out here as well. The last couple miles are kind of boring because there is not much to look at - besides lots of other runners - from just past mile 8 to the finish. The finish however is crazy with all the people!

And it was a great day for a run! I ran at a slow but steady pace the entire time, only stopping for water and/or Gatorade at the designated stops. It got a bit warm but for the most part was just really nice. I ran into Johanna from Team Z while running - she looked great, just coming off of Savageman. I had a gel right before the third water stop, right after I passed the band playing at mile marker 6 - kids from Paul the VI High School. I love that! In fact, I love the music at all the mile markers - there were military bands (or parts of) playing near mile 2, mile 4, and mile 8. I just LOVE military and patriotic music!

About half way past the 8 mile marker we started the journey across the bridge back into Virginia. I guess it was the slant of the road, which went down on the right, but at this point my knees really started hurting. I was determined not to walk though, so I did not. Probably stupid, but I was not running fast, so... My knees feel fine today! Funny, this same thing happened towards the end of the Cherry Blossom 10 miler as well and I'm pretty certain it was the road slant as well because I've certainly gone distances much greater than 10 miles THIS year and never had that problem in training... Or in other races for that matter.

Heading towards the finish the crowds along the finish chute were awesome to see as you come around the last corner. I got through the finish and headed down into the masses. I had to wind along a bit so I could get to the section to get my finisher's coin. This one is similar to the other two that I have with the exception that is it MUCH larger! I'm guessing this is for the 25th anniversary. Very nice coin! After I picked up my coin I got into the food line and there I saw another Team Z'er - Kerry! It was great to run into her as well. She'd had a great race!

I hope to sign up for next years race but I have a bad feeling it is the weekend before the Marine Corps Marathon...which I am supposed to do next year. If all goes as planned with MCM I will not be doing the ATM...but there is always the year after.

My Race Stats:
Gun - 2:11:50
Chip - 1:53:24 11:20/mi
Overall - 17471/21289
Sex - 7121/9566
Div - 650/921

Not my best ever, but it sure was fun! The ATM is such a great event! Crowded, but really awesome. In my opinion. I think I just love all the military stuff. My best 10 mile time ever was my first, in 2001 where I ran just under 1:30. So my goal always will to try to get under 1:30. Who knows...maybe one day I will!

I've Joined the Race...

I've joined the Komen Maryland Race for the Cure, that is. On Sunday, October 18th I am walking with my cousins, my aunt, and other family members, along with about 30,000 others, in the 2009 Komen Maryland Race for the Cure held in Hunt Valley, Maryland. My aunt is a 3+ year survivor!!

Click here to visit my personal web page and help me if my efforts to support Susam G. Komen - Maryland Affiliate.

Your participation will help support the Komen promise of saving lives and ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality for all and energizing science to find the cures.

Because early detection is the best protection for breast cancer, Komen Maryland sponsors grants that increase the number of women who have annual mammograms and clinical breast exam screenings. Komen grants also target the entire range of breast health services from transportation to appointments and financial support to clinical trials and national research to find a cure.

All you need to do is follow the link above to my personal webpage to make a donation or to register as a race participant! It's that easy!

For more information visit www.komenmd.org.

Back to school...

Last night was Back-to-School Night at my younger son's school, Annandale High School AHS). He is a junior this year so now I only have one more BTS Night left. Kind of sad... Anyway, it was a fun night all in all. I started out by getting there on time and joined the PTSA and looked to see if there was anything else I needed to do. There was not, so I wandered the halls of the school to find one of the 12th English teachers there. She was in her room anxiously awaiting all the parents that would be coming in later. The cool thing she is MY old 11th grade English teacher... Now I did not go to my son's school - in fact his school was my old school's biggest rival. But my school (Thomas Jefferson High School, more affectionately known as TJ) kind of 'closed' when the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) opened. TJHSST is a magnet school which requires students to apply and go through a rigorous entrance process including testing and what not. So a lot of the teachers and students of course moved a few miles down the road to AHS. My son does (and his older brother did) sports and I have never in my life had so much RED - the school's primary color - in the laundry! Nor did I ever imagine I would be cheering for the Annandale Atoms!

Anyway, back to my teacher. I visited with her for a while and it was so nice to see her. I let her know that I hoped she would be around for at least another year so my son could have her for English like I did. She was by far my most favorite teacher and I've kept up with her over the years...and it has been a lot of years! She had the biggest impact on my life during that time and I probably would not have made it through without her guidance.

After my visit it was off to the gym for the welcome by the Principal, this was after the performance of the Men's Choir. Apparently it is tradition for them to perform at BTS Night and I enjoyed this year's performance as much as last year's. Finally they released all the parents out into the halls to navigate their way to the various classes. We we allocated 10 minutes in each class with 5 minutes in between to find the next class. I have to say that I am quite thankful the provide maps to the parents (and they do for the students as well) as AHS is the most confusing building I have ever been in. I think it has at least one hospital beat...(I'm referring to INOVA Fairfax if you've ever wandered around there before - nutty).

First though...on my way to the first period I ran into my former Master's swim coach who teaches history there.

The most interesting part of the class meetings was my son's first period teacher (first period on odd days, of course as they are on block scheduling). His teacher is my former TJ classmate that I graduated with 27 years ago... how crazy is that? He did not know my son was MY son (we have different last names) but he knows now! Most of the rest of his teachers seemed fine. His marketing teacher, who he had last year as well, even gave out candy! The only teacher I did not meet was his Physics teacher - because there technically isn't one and they've had a sub in who was getting assistance from the other Physics teachers. However the Assistant Principal was in the classroom last night and acknowledged that they'd hired one who would hopefully start next week. *Fingers Crossed* Finally, at the end of the last class of the night a 2 minute video was broadcast for the parents which was a documentary about being at the school from a student's perspective. It was quite motivating and I am quite pround that my sons have both gone there!

One final note: I live in the same area I grew up in. There are many people in this area that I went to school with and have know (or known of) more or less for many, many years. It is great fun to run into someone from back then and realize that they too have a child at the high school. My kids get a kick out of it every time I find out about someone else.

I did it...

I ran 3 miles last night. Whew! Was it ever hard. I totally ignored my heart rate, well keeping it in Zone 2 that is. I watched it climb as I tried to keep an 11:05 pace, as per the training schedule. Yes, that is how pathetic it is now since I have not been maintaining. Oh well, I finished, so there. My time for 3.02 miles was 31 minutes and change...can't remember. So that was actually under 11:05s. I'll take it. The schedule has me off tonight - which is good because I have Back-to-School Night, my second to last ever Back-to-School Night. Wow. Then for Thursday the schedule calls for (omg) speed work. If the 3 mile easy(?) run last night was hard speed work is going to be really hard. I think I will just do another easy run. No sense hurting myself before the sinus surgery...

Not catching up...

I say not catching up because I have not done much of anything, workout wise since my last post. I found out why my sinus infection has not gone away since January...my right maxillary sinus is completely clogged. Completely. Joy! But a nice doctor is going to take care of it on October 8th. That is in two weeks and two days. Yikes! However, this is the same doctor that took care of my son's broken nose about a year and a half ago. We really liked him and Patrick came through just fine. So I think I trust him!

Meanwhile, the Army Ten Miler is getting closer. And I have not run. Not much anyway. I am heading out to run very soon. I hope I can go three miles. My schedule says two miles, so maybe that is all I will do. I am still looking at a 5K PR schedule, but with the impending sinus surgery I am not too worried about trying to meet this goal at the Virginia Run Turkey Trot. I do plan to run it though. I will just focus on another race after that. And so on. I also decided that since I have not done much swimming I am going to just hold off on that till after the sinus surgery. Once I'm given the OK to workout I will get back into the swim of things.

On a positive note I rode 42 miles with Carol and Pam and a couple other folks (Nancy and Roland) this past Sunday. It was a perfect day for a ride! And even though I had not ridden since my last ride (with Carol and Marlene) my legs felt pretty good afterwards. I even 'ran' for 10 minutes right afterwards as I've decided after every long ride I am going to run - even if just for a little bit. Like 10 minutes. Got to get my legs used to that feeling, you know? Especially since I'm doing Sprints and Olys next season!

Cheers!!

Catching up...

Well, I was supposed to to The Nations Triathlon this past Sunday, but I opted not to go. I did not even go to packet pick up, nor did I attend the mandatory briefing... Last Thursday I had gotten a tattoo - the M-dot of course - and I am supposed to stay out of the water for a week. I felt bad for a little bit because I had spent the money, but it let me do a couple other things and not stress about the time, or lack there of which would have been the case.

First, Saturday morning my younger son had his first cross country meet of the season. He was not racing till Noon and his goal for the meet was to break 18 minutes. The race was at Burke Lake, a 2.98 mile run, which he raced only one time before in last season's District meet where he ran a 18:25.00. Saturday he met his goal and ran a 17:54.51! It was a great day for a race, too - overcast skies and cool-ish temps. Perfect running weather! Saturday night was a concert at Nissan Pavilion for my older son's birthday - Toby Keith and Trace Adkins rocked! The weather for the concert was perfect as well - we got there in just enough time to have a picnic at the car before heading to the lawn where we had some pretty decent seats. Before the show started we were entertained by the older group next to us there for a 'retirement party'. They were hilarious!

Speaking of the tattoo...I had gone to Independent Tattoo in Delaware, where I'd taken my older son for his 18th birthday tattoo last year. It only seemed right that I go back there. I had the moral(?) support of my three cousins - we were all on a girl's vacation of sorts last week. Anyway, I had gone in there with one M-dot idea and came out with another. This was thanks to the input from the tattoo artist and my cousins. And I am so happy with my shiny new M-dot! Once it is finally healed I might post a picture. However I have about a dozen pictures that my cousin took of the entire process!

And speaking of the girls' vacation with my cousins... We were at my one cousin's place near the beach and it rained the entire week! But it did not matter - we did a lot of cooking and just enjoyed each other's company. We also followed through on one of my mom's wishes - that her ashes get sprinkled on the beach. So, in the early morning rain on Thursday me and two of my cousins headed out to the Boardwalk in Ocean City between 12th and 13th streets which was the area my mom and her sisters always used to stay at. After the climing the wall that blocked the beach and protected the Boardwalk for the impending high waters we said a little prayer and let a little bit of my mom go. There is no way I could have done that alone and I am so happy my cousins were there for me.

Week 1...

Week 1 of my 12 week 5K training program started on Monday...but my first run was Tuesday - last night. I only had a 2 mile run at an 11:05 pace. I wore my regular heart rate monitor as opposed to my old Garmin so I do not know the exact distance or pace. But I think I ran about 2.2 miles in 24 minutes...so, I guess that is close enough... It felt good to run again after about two weeks. Funny, my legs felt it first this this morning, ever so slightly. I am so excited for the Fall weather though - perfect running weather! Nothing on schedule tonight, but I may do an easy spin on the bike or a little swim AND bike if I don't feel too lazy. I should do something since I do have one more tri in 11 days. Tomorrow night is speed work at the track: warm up; 3x800 @ 4:14 with 400 jogs after each; warm down. I hope I can do those 800 intervals! Sunday is a long run of 6 miles at 11:05. I should be able to handle that.

This past weekend I went on a bike ride with Carol and Marlene, a couple of Team Z peeps. Carol (who was also one of my IM riding buddies) and I were going 42 and Marlene was going 30. Both were also doing the Annapolis 10 Miler the next day! Marlene was to ride with us for the first 12 miles then turn off and all went well... Then Carol and I got to a T in the road and realized that the left turn was not our turn... So we backed tracked to find our turn, which was back about 4 miles - just before Marlene had turned off! (oops!) So we ended up riding an extra 8 miles for 50 instead of 42. We did what is titled the "covered bridges ride" and we did ride through three covered bridges! It was a beautiful ride. However, my legs were feeling it over the last 15 or so. Hard to imagine I had just gone over 100 miles a month before. After the ride I went home and was a lazy bum for the rest of the day. It felt great!

Sunday morning I got up and went swimming outside with my old Masters group, the JCCNV. They typically swim indoors but on Sundays in the Summer they swim outdoors at the Annandale Swim & Tennis Club. I am a member of the club, so I am allowed to join in the fun. It is a treat to swim outside, that is for sure!

Next up will be the Nations Tri on September 13th. Conveniently, my long run for the same day is 6 miles at 11:05...I'll be lucky to do that pace after the swim and the bike, but we'll see. It depends on the weather, I think.

5K time...

So, one of my goals has always been to go under 25 minutes in a 5K. I think the closest I ever got was many MANY years ago and my time was 25:19 or something like that. Anyway, last November I did a 26:08 (shocker!) at the Virginia Run Turkey Trot. So, now that Ironman (this one at least) is out of the way, and since I have not run in so long (a couple of weeks, I think) that I cannot remember when it was I've decided it is time to address my 5K goal again.

I just created a 12 week training program that starts this coming Monday, August 31, to get me to train HARD on 11-15 miles a week to peak the Sunday before Thanksgiving, just in time for the 2009 Virginia Run Turkey Trot. :D Anyway, the goal time my training plan has is a 26:27 5K...and I've been so S-L-O-W lately I would be thrilled to run a 26-anything!

Of course, this training plan has me scheduled to run 7 miles on the day of the Army 10 Miler, so I will go a little long that day...but that's OK. I am also going to try to find a 5K to run around Halloween and Christmas/New Years, as well.

Meanwhile, I will keep up with my swimming with Team Z and work on my biking at home on the trainer - I have 3 Spinervals DVDs to try out! Hopefully I will do occasional outdoor team rides on the weekends, too. After the new year I might do a winter focus half marathon, too, depending on where the team decides to go...so far they are looking at mid-March, so this could work!

TGIF!

So...tired...

I have been so tired the past couple of weeks. For the first week or so after IMUSA I was actually feeling pretty good. Did a bit of light working out. But then I went to Luray...and now I'm just tired. All. The. Time. So, I've just decided to not stress about it and try to sleep more.

This weekend on Saturday I'm meeting Carol from Team Z (who was one of my IM training buddies) for a 40-ish mile ride in a location I've never gone to before. I hope I can keep up! But regardless, it should be a pretty ride. Sunday I *hope* to run about 5.5 around the lake with whoever is there and then do an outdoor swim. We'll see...the only thing for sure is Saturday's bike ride.

Speaking of Sunday, that will be two weeks from The Nation's Tri. I think at this point I will not go into it with any time goals, but just plan to race it and have FUN. I hope by then I'll be feeling a little better - that is less tired - so I can get in some decent run training for the Army Ten Miler. No time goals there, either, but I do want to be able to run the 10 miles!

Anyway, my plan for the winter is to work on my cycling and my 5K. If I can, I will do a 5K every month. If I can find them! Next season is mostly sprints and Oly's. I plan to sign up for Columbia in May and will do at least one or two sprints before that (Rumpass if the team is doing it and hopefully Virginia Run - if I get in) and maybe one or two after that. I will have to see what the team has on the schedule I guess. Maybe next fall my big Oly will be the one at Savageman...provided the team is doing that.

Race Report: Luray Oly - Relay

I did the Luray Oly Triathlon as a relay with my son Patrick on Saturday, August 15. I was doing the swim and bike legs and Patrick was going to do the run leg. What a great day! It was nice and I felt a lot less pressure knowing I did not have to run after I got off the bike. My plan was to swim as normal and ‘hammer’ the bike as much as possible…

Friday afternoon we drove to Luray to Lake Arrowhead State Park. We were camping with Team Z in a ‘free’ location right at the race site. It was AWSOME! After pitching our tent it was time to head over to the team area. We had dinner at the team tents that night – pasta and chicken and salad. Delicious! Then we did a little bit of socializing. Afterwards it was dark by this time so we made it back to the tent area to prepare to call it a night… All was uneventful… However there were some late arrivals still pitching tents in the dark! Good thing for headlamps and headlights!

Morning arrived without incident. Got up, got ready, and borrowed a pump for my tires – Jeff so kindly assisted with this as I always seem to have trouble when I do not have my own handy. Thanks, Jeff! Got Patrick up and he got ready. We all headed over to the Team Z tents and Patrick and I went to packet pick-up to check in for team “Like Mother…Like Son!” Now it was time for breakfast of pancakes and bagels and coffee. What’s not to like?

After breakfast Patrick and I went to transition to set things up. There was not much to do – I did not have to lay out running stuff! My bike was racked in a great location right near the bike out/bike in entrance, too!

Swim: 31:18 10/20
Eventually it was time to head down to the swim start and check out the odd-ball course they had set up. I was in the last of 6 waves and we went off at 8:20 AM. I had no trouble sighting to the first buoy. Made it around that and was blinded by sun in my eyes. And I was wearing goggles that were shaded! I seemed to be heading straight though. After the second turn the sun was no longer a problem. On past the next two buoys to the next turn buoy. This one was extra sharp but again no problems. Up towards the next turn buoy and again turned without problems. I was really having a great swim. On to the finish! Once I got out of the water I had a nice walk along the beach and up some stairs – got stuck behind someone walking in the middle of the staircase – to transition. I was very happy with my swim time.

T1: 2:41 19/20
Since I did not have a wetsuit to strip off transition was of course much faster. We had the 2nd slowest T1 time though, but given that I was swimming and biking I do not feel too bad. On to the bike!

Bike: 1:36:59 14/20
Well, I knew the bike course was going to be hilly. I had not taken the time to drive it but did have an elevation profile. I figured, heck, I just biked Lake Placid, I can handle this! My goal was to hammer the bike. Of course, this is me we are talking about and I am not a good bike hammerer even in the best of conditions! But I did give it everything I had and came in about 7 minutes later than I was hoping. I had a blast on the downhills – the two during the 2-loop part – and had a max speed of 39.4 according to my bike computer. The straw on my aero bottle stabbed me in the lip at one point and I thought I was going to have a bruise. But so far, so good. I finally made it back to the turn to head back to the park. I totally forgot about one of the hills coming back in. I was so tired by then! Anyway, I got to transition and Patrick was there waiting patiently for me to whip the chip off my ankle.

T2: 0:33 2/20
We had the 2nd fastest T2 time! Patrick was off on the run…

Run: 48:06 4/20
Patrick had never run a 10K before – as a standalone race, let alone as part of a triathlon relay. He was hoping to run a 40:00 and I certainly feel he has the capability to do so. I mentioned we had no driven the bike course; we had not driven the run course either. He had NO IDEA what to expect… and it was hilly… and hot! But he was a trooper and he said he passed a lot of people on the run! I think he annoyed a lot of people, too, as he ran by – especially when they saw the relay “R” on his calf! I know that is how I feel when I get blown away on the run by some well-rested run-only relay puke. *kidding* I was very proud of him! Patrick ended up with the 4th fasted run split in the relays.

Final: 2:59:35 6/20
All in all I am pretty darned happy with these results. Patrick and I had a lot of fun despite the heat and the hills and look forward to doing this race / relay again. We plan to come back next year! I hope to strengthen my bike skills over the winter and do not plan to do an Ironman a few weeks before. LOL Maybe Patrick will run a 10K or two before then, too and have a better idea of how to pace the distance.

After Patrick came I took some pictures of teammates finishing did some cheering. We hung out with Team Z for a bit before heading back to the camping area to pack up and head home. It was so hot packing up after. Whew!! We made good time getting home and I actually slept in on Sunday and did not do a darned thing all day. It felt great!

A first...

This weekend I am participating in the Luray International Triathlon. However, I am doing it as a relay. I've never done a tri relay before so I am really excited because I can bike HARD. Of course, since IMUSA was not quite 3 weeks ago and I'm still 'tired' I have no idea how hard I can really go. But that's OK...I don't have to run afterwards! I'm doing the swim and bike legs and my son the cross country runner is doing the run leg. This will be his first 10K and he's excited. He is missing out on a cross country practice the same day, but since he is racing, well, I think (hope!?) his coach will forgive him!

Then Sunday is 4 weeks until the Nations Tri in DC. This will be the first time I've done this event, too. Should be fun - especially since I'm going to see Toby Keith the night before! I plan to get lots of sleep in the week leading up to the race though, so the little sleep the night before should not be too much of a problem. Besides, don't they say that the sleep two nights before is more important? I'm a little concerned about the logistics of Nations, not so much racking my bike the day before as I've done this before for other races, but getting down there race morning. Maybe I'll make my son drive me and drop me off...then I can call for a ride home. Or something. I'll figure it out!

Oh, and the Columbia Triathlon registration opens on September 8th! I doubt it will be a Team Z race, but I would like to do it anyway as for the 2010 race season I plan to focus on Sprints and Olys and work on my 5K time. It will be a huge challenge to ride (and run) that course hard.

TGIF!

Race Report: Ironman USA

Well, I actually did it – I completed the Ironman USA race in Lake Placid, New York on Sunday, July 26, 2009. It was a FANTASTIC day, though rather L-O-N-G! There was a 17 hour time limit (as well as individual time limits within each discipline) and I cut it pretty close – it took me 16 hours, 42 minutes, and 5 seconds. Whew! There were 100 women in my age group – I was 85th and 4 others came after me; another 11 did not finish. Overall I was 2031, with 20 people after me. Overall, 207 people did not finish.

All in all, I had a BLAST and would definitely do another one – I am thinking 2011! I think I was smiling the entire day.

This race report is rather L-O-N-G as well, but it will not take as long as the actual event did!

As someone mentioned, I should try to shave some time off my transitions between the swim to bike and the bike to run – especially from the swim to bike. This will all be explained!! The breakdown of all the splits is in the chart at the very bottom. And I had a total transition time of over 20 minutes!

Sunday – race morning: I wanted to leave for the race site, by 5:00 AM – I got my coffee and Jeff and I grabbed my remaining stuff and headed out. Jeff dropped me off as close as possible, and… It. Was. Chaos! I got body marked – she wrote very neatly! Then it was into transition to finalize things. I did not have my own pump and borrowed a teammate’s pump and promptly deflated my front tire. CRAP. A nice guy was filling his girlfriend’s tires and he filled mine for me. Thank goodness! I probably would have freaked if I’d had to have the bike techs do it. I got my nutrition loaded then headed off to the Team Z tent for THE final preps!

On my way to the tent it started drizzling. Hmm… Once there I realized I forgot to put something in my bike bag…back to transition I went. Once back at the team tent it was time to get suited up. In my wetsuit that is. I was halfway dressed and then it was time for the team pre-race photograph. After the photos were taken I finished putting the wetsuit on and then Jeff showed up. Yay! I was a bit worried because I had not seen anyone and really wanted to before I left to go to the water. At this point I was getting emotional. But I got over it and continued on to the lake with Carol. It was nice to have a buddy to hang with before the start. We finally got into the water and were somewhat close to the front to the left, near the cable line. We also saw a couple of other Team Z peeps in the water. It was nice to see familiar faces!

Swim (2.4 miles): The countdown started and then we were finally off! This was like no other swim I’d ever experienced – it was like I was in a washing machine! I was getting quite jostled around. Even though this was a calm lake, remember, I was with around 2200 of my closest friends, and we all started in the water together. At some point during the first loop, down around the turn around I realized I had LOST my heart rate monitor – it had fallen off in the water. Needless to say I was heartbroken – it was brand new… Major bummer as I needed it for the bike! But, I realized I had a long day ahead of me and had to let it go... So after stressing for a bit on the first return I calmed down. I was finally near the shore and it was time to exit the water and begin the second loop. I forgot to check the clock at this point so I glanced at my regular watch, which funnily enough had almost come off, too, and saw my time was 33 something and was pretty surprised – that was much faster than I expected. I think I had gotten pulled along quite a bit. Love the draft! I remember that “Livin’ on a Prayer” was playing at this point…I remember singing the chorus to myself “Whoa, you’re halfway there…” and I was – halfway through the swim that is. On the second loop I had some open water around me, but not much. After the turn around I managed to find someone swimming at the same pace and took advantage of a nice draft for quite a bit of the last leg. Out of the water and off to a wetsuit puller then a nice long run to transition. Here I saw my own personal support group with their awesome sign (thanks, Lisa!) Final swim time: 1:10:10

Transition 1 – swim to bike: OK, I had worn my swim suit under my wetsuit. As I knew this would be a long day I thought I would take advantage of being able to completely change clothes between each leg of the race. So I grabbed my swim to bike bag and headed into the women’s changing tent. There were no free volunteers so I just found some open space and started to prep for the bike ride. It IS hard to put on bike clothes when damp! I did remember the body glide for chaffing, too. Finally time to leave the tent and I managed to get a volunteer to return my bag to transition. Last stop was sunscreen application – by Keri! She was there volunteering and to support her friend and my teammate, birthday girl Holly. Oddly enough, I had actually met Keri a couple of years before at the local July 4th Triathlon I do each summer with the JCC Masters Swimmers at the Annandale Swim & Tennis Club. Small world! It was good to see a friendly face! And there, when I got out of the tent was a nice man patiently waiting for me holding my bike. I walked through transition to the bike start… Total T1 time: 13:36 (hahahaha)

Bike (112 miles): Well, the goal for the bike was to stay in Zone 2 as best as I could. However, without a heart rate monitor I was going on perceived effort, which can be hard on such a hilly and long course. So, I probably should have taken the first of my two 56 mile loops of the course even slower than I did – to save a little more for the second loop. Oh well, the bottom line is I finished – and I finished it all! So, I proceed out of town and up the first hill. I tried to go slow…and I was passed by many people. I think I saw Paul and Kate somewhere along here, and Roy. I forget who else. Finally, I made it to the top where the nice descent into the town of Keene begins. According to my bike computer my max speed on the first loop was 39.8. That was a first for me! I had a blast on the descent! Continuing on, all is uneventful and going well. Things are a bit slow heading into Jay and Wilmington. I see Joanna here and wish another Ironman birthday person a happy birthday. This time I make the correct turn onto the out and back and see Team Z Support Crew! I see more Z people going to and from the turn around. Back by Team Z and onto the last 11 miles to town. Somewhere along here I ‘feel’ something funny. I kept checking my rear tire. I had already had rear tire issues leading up to this day and changed out the rear tire twice. I finally get off my bike after a man passed me and said he thought I had a flat. I checked, and yes, my tire was not like it had been earlier that day. I decided I would try to inflate it some and see how long it held. I was really hoping to have help – a support vehicle or something. So I did that and got back on and pedaled some more. Saw more Team Z Support Crew! I had to stop again and inflate the rear tire some. I decided that regardless, I would stop at special needs to go to the bathroom AND change the tube. I made it up the last hills before the turnoff to get back to Mirror Lake Drive – the last part of the course – and I just have to say it is so nice those hills are marked so you have somewhat of an idea how much father to go – and finally arrived at special needs. While I was in special needs the overall leader blew through here! Boy, was he fast!! I also saw teammate Carol here! Melody was here cheering with Iwan’s mom, too! I actually did get assistance from race support people here. To make a long story short, the rear tire had a big staple in it so we used my spare tire that I was thankfully carrying. Replaced the tube and tire and got inflated and finally got going! Down the last part of Mirror Lake Drive and past the Team Z tent and the thousands of screaming fans…well, ok, many folks were cheering as I started the second loop… Repeat of above except a fly took a ride on my bike computer and his friend decided to bite me on the butt… then I had one land on my chest. Those fly bites hurt! I was definitely moving slower up the first part of the second loop – not sure if it was by choice or not. It was warmer now, too. Then, during the downhill into Keene a bee of some sort flew into me and stung me. That really hurt! As I write this – 10 days after the fact – I can still see where the stinger went in AND I still have a red mark about the size of a quarter surrounding the stinger mark! Nasty little bugger! Speaking of the descent into Keene, here my bike computer shows a maximum speed of 41 – so a new high for me! That makes two in one day! I actually had a harder time I think during the final climb back into town. Though my split shows a faster time…On the first loop I was actually stopped for a bit – three times – due to the flat tire and the subsequent tire change. Anyway, I FINALLY got back down to Mirror Lake Drive, through the crazy fans and the Team Z area and back to transition. I handed off my bike and then went and picked up my bike to run bag and found my way to the women’s changing tent yet again. As for nutrition, I ate every 30 minutes and used Heed then Gatorade alternated by water for the duration. This plan worked well. Final bike time: 8:28:35

Transition 2 – bike to run: Now this time was a little bit quicker, but there is much room for improvement. First, I was very emotional in the tent – I think I was so excited to be off the bike and happy to finish under the cutoff time. Again I went through nearly a complete change of clothes but this time had assistance. They were so nice. I got sunscreened up again as well. The nice volunteer took care of putting all my used stuff back in the back and putting it back for me. On to the run… Total T2 time: 9:41 (see, a little better)

Run (26.2 miles): Leaving transition I saw my friends/family again. Yay! I started off jogging slowly and someone from Team Z cheered me, though I’m not sure who it was. I had planned to use my regular watch to do 5 minute run/1 minute walk cycles and walk the hills and aid stations. This is how I handled all of my long runs during the latter part of training. However my dual timers were not working. It was probably just operator error. Eventually, just by watching the time I did my best to walk/run and was having some success with this. Anyway, I was off regardless. I saw many Team Z people along the way: racers, volunteers, and support crew. I yelled out encouragement when I could and I got lots of encouragement back. In particular, on my return during the first loop – Iwan came all the way across the road to slap hands. That was awesome! However as I got towards the end of the first loop it was harder to run. Also, during the first section of the first loop I had to use the port of potty three times. I thought I was hydrating enough. I could not eat much though – orange slices were about it, and could only drink water and chicken soup broth. The orange Gatorade was not working (though the lemon-lime on the bike was fantastic). Coke was not working, either. I was with Carol at/around the turn around and we stopped at special needs together. Here she gave me a mint because I was getting quite parched and had a bit of stomach upset. The mints unfortunately did not work. Past Team Z again! I think while passing through the middle of town on the hill I saw Melody from Team Z and Iwan’s mom. Melody was always very positive! Anyway, the second loop was then much harder than the first. Only it was not my legs but (mostly) my breathing. Every time I tried to run it would hurt to breathe. I also had a bit of tingling in my arms – a reminder of and similar to when I had a problem with a disc in my neck. I finally just decided to power walk and was on a mission! I stopped to use the port o potty once on the second loop – in the dark. Thank goodness for glow sticks! I was getting passed a bit but everyone was so encouraging! I passed a few people myself. Someone, and I am not sure who, had even put in a message for me at Inspiration Station, or whatever it is called. When I went over the timing mat on both loops I had a personal message – that was nice – but especially on the second loop! I did try to jog a few times but was always just uncomfortable. I was thrilled when I saw the turn off by the horse show grounds. I was getting closer! Of course, this was the start of some uphill action… then a bit more into the center of town. I finally got to the turn for the last out and back – on past the Team Z tent. Folks were telling me to try to run – so I did. A little. I saw Jeff here, and then my son Patrick and my friend’s son Tyler and a huge mass of folks at Team Z. That was a trip! They were playing “YMCA” at this point, and I even got into the action myself. I saw my teammates coming towards me, too, so I knew the turn around was not far off. I made it to that last turn around and could hear the announcer. Someone made me an offer to sit for a while; I opted to keep moving forward. LOL I saw Patrick and Tyler again, right after the Team Z crowd – they walked then ran with me to the entrance of the oval. Once in the oval I found Jeff and said hello. Here I made the FINAL turn and ran under the finisher’s arch! First time Ironman, Gina Welc from Annandale, Virginia. Gina. You. Are. An. Ironman! Final run time: 6:40:03

Finish: The finish was absolutely incredible – coming through the finisher’s chute (which was on the Olympic speed skating oval) was like nothing I would have imagined! The crowds were so amazing. I slapped hands with everyone one I could along the left. After I crossed the line I of course got emotional again. For the third time. Don’t things come in three’s anyway? I got hugs and some nice volunteers gave me a finisher’s medal, a finisher’s hat, and a finisher’s T-shirt. It was FABULOUS! Total time: 16:42:05

Post finish: I went to get my bike while Jeff got my transition bags. I was waiting for the volunteer when Jeff came back and while they were playing the song “Ironman” here we got to witness on the big screen the last finisher come in at 17:00:00. It was so inspiring to witness that – I’m glad I was there for the very end.

Jeff, the boys, and my good friend Lisa and her family were all there to witness this and support me. They all had a grand time and were pretty inspired themselves by the entire event and by the support of Team Z. And even though I had some rough patches during the day, I think I was smiling a lot of the day! My thanks go to everyone associated with Team Z who made my first Ironman experience so wonderful and of course Coach Ed’s leadership. I am so happy to have found such a great group of people to train with. Thanks to my family for putting up with me and for my friends for coming along for the ride!

--
Gina

I am an Ironman!

Details later in a race report...

Thanks to all the supporters (in person and online) though!

TGIF!

TGIF - because today is like my Friday. A nice short work week since I have some packing to do. My list is now (I think) complete. I have some shopping to do tonight...and a wetsuit to pick up mid-day. I did not do a damn thing last night other than set up the new Garmin...and see Harry Potter 6, which I loved. Patrick seemed to like it, too. There was a lot more humor in it than I expected - fun! Speaking of the new Garmin, it is now fully charged and ready for its trial run tonight.

Lake Placid here I come...

My race plan...

Last night I worked on my race plan along with my lengthy packing list. I was pretty happy when I saved it last night... I planned to review it one final time tonight before printing it out to go along with all of my OTHER documentation for the weekend.

Then today I thoguht of a few more items for my list!

Along with a couple of additional errands I have to and want to run.

And while typing *this* thought of yet another item that also needs to be purchased!

Pre-race freak-out, perhaps?

Anyway, my easy run last night and my shortened swim this morning both went well. My new Garmin arrived and that will get charged, set up, and used tomorrow morning for track practice - can't wait! However I might do the track workout tomorrow after work...so I can sleep in a bit. This new Garmn is good for swimming with, too.

So...I wonder how many more things I will add to today's list before I send it tomyself at home?

Today is...

Today is work - hard time focusing, then a '30 minute easy run', then after dinner it will be time to complete my race plan! I've procrastinated enough and need to put down on paper what is rolling around in my head! I have notes from the new IM peeps meeting last week also, and I want to make sure I cover everything!

On a fun note: the additional Team Z Support Crew t-shirts arrived today, along with my other new pair of tri shorts. I think I am all set! That is, I have everything I need...

Tomorrow - Tuesday - I only have a swim in the morning, and only an hour at that. So tomorrow night I think I will go see Harry Potter with my son - it will be fun to disappear in that for a few hours.

To repeat Maggie's comment from my FB status: Holy Cow! 6 days! And really, per the official Ironman countdown timer, it is *only* 5 days and 14 hours and... Yikes! And the seconds keep ticking away...

Cool!

The last ride...

Today was the last group ride - only 40 miles - with Team Z... The last ride before Lake Placid, that is! I have a 30 minute easy ride on the schedule for Thursday, of course then I will BE in Lake Placid, so I should get that done right when I get there - which might be nice after the long car ride. We'll see...

Anyway, the ride was just about perfect. The weather was fabulous - no wind, no heat, no rain! The company of course was the best - my riding buddies! What else could you ask for?

After the ride it was massage time with Robin, another Team Zer who just completed Ironman Switzerland with Es and Jason.

After the massage I swam in the outdoor pool - a straight 1.24 miles. It felt great and being in the outdoor pool was a nice change from being indoors. I wonder why I don't do it more often? I also tested out one of my new pairs of goggles. They are of course the same as I always get - Speedo Women's Vanquisher. This time in ORANGE! They go well with one of my newer suits, too.

What a great weekend!

What a day...

Today was a fabulous day! The weather could not have been nicer - low humidity and not too hot. That is amazing for July in Northern Virginia. I headed out for my 1 hour scheduled run a bit late - I think it was close to 10AM. It was a little breezy and just really, really nice. My legs seemed to take a while to loosen up - my calves mostly. I think it was close to 40 minutes before they felt loose. But by the time I finished I just wanted to keep on running! So I guess that is good.

After the run I went to the pool for about an hour or so - more work on the funky tan lines. Then I cleaned up and ran a few errands: I got two pairs of goggles, tri shorts, and two tubes. Then, tonight after dinner I took my rear wheel off, again, and got the yucky new tire off. Took the tube out and found it was pinched and had a teeny leak - glad I found out this way! Then I put the good new tire on all by myself and got a new tube inserted then actually FINISHED mounting it. All withOUT tools! I am sticking with these tires!!! The only thing I have not done yet is practiced using the CO2 cartridge...soon though. :)

Well...one week from tonight I will be doing final preparations for Ironman. Probably packing my special needs bags and reviewing my race plan... Wow - it is almost here! I can't wait!!

TGI...R!

Thank God it's Restday! And Friday, too, of course. I hope to get out of work a bit early and go relax at the pool again. Our office tends to close by 3:00PM on Friday, so as long as the weather cooperates, I should get about an hour poolside. :) I may do a very easy spin tonight on my bike on the trainer, to make up for the ride I did not do Tuesday night. Of course if I do this it will no longer be 'Restday' for me. :)

I am now in my final taper days before race day, which is a WEEK from Sunday. Gosh, that is not much time! This weekend I *only* have a one hour run on Saturday and a 40 mile ride on Sunday. That does not seem like much... But I remember the first time I rode 30 miles - it seemed like such a big deal. Haha!

This morning when I got to work I got my shipping confirmation / notice for the tires. They are scheduled to be delivered by 3:00PM - how convenient! The sooner they come the sooner I can leave, most likely!

Today this does kind of freak me out. So maybe my 'freakout' period is (finally) starting! Since I plan on working on my 'race plan' this weekend and hopefully gathering things together I will be in full-on freakout mode! And yesterday, Coach Ed came out with the Team Z schedule of events and the cheering guide for our family friends. That certainly makes it more real! But whatever...I cannot wait for race day! I am so excited about this I've been on journey - next Sunday will be the final stop!

Tires and Tired!

I will start with tired! This morning I was very tired during our swim workout. It could be the fact that I was out till 10PM last night! We saw Joe Cocker with good friends at Wolf Trap! It was a nice show and a beautiful night for an outdoor concert. My arms just felt very tired...and we had some Z4 work, though not lots...but I went and I survived!

As for tires...I was trying to decide if I should get new tires for my bike - just like the ones I've been using for the past several months. I had to replace the rear tire due to a bad spot on it, and while I have another set of brand new tires, they are different and I had a hard time mounting it myself - had to ask Jeff for help. Argh...

So, yesterday I ordered two tires - one to mount now and one as my race day spare. However, I did 'regular' shipping. After thinking about it and realizing I needed time on the new tire, I called today to see if I could get the shipment changed to next day delivery. But it was too late! So. I did a brand new order for next day, which means I'll get them tomorrow and have it mounted for my ride on Sunday. Yay! When the original order arrives (which is actually coming to the local store) I can tell them I do not need them and they will return them for me and then I will get a refund...

All of this so I am 'comfortable' on race day! I want the confidence of knowing I can actually remove the tire from the rim with little difficulty. And at that point I will have had LOTS of practice removing the BACK wheel off of my bike. And putting it back on again.

9 days...!

2377...

Unless things change, 2377 is my bib number for IM USA!

The numbers were posted today... Cool!

Back to the track...

...and one more taper workout done! This morning I met Team Z at the track for my scheduled speed work. I have to say, I do appreciate running in the morning as opposed to the evening. And I could not do the workout tonight, because we are going to see Joe Cocker at Wolftrap. So I was very motivated to get up and run!

Aside from my breathing / sinus problems (the never ending sinus infection) the workout went OK. And it was a lot easier than last week's speed workout! Between the warm-up, speed work, and cool down I got about 4 miles in. However, I feel very...tired.

Last night I had a 40 minute Z2 ride schedule...but I also need to (try) to change out my rear tire because the one that was mounted had some tread missing...anyway, I coud NOT get the new tire mounted and had to wait for Jeff to get home. By the time he did it was pretty late but I did get a test loop done in my parking lot. Of course, I could have ridden the trainer, but I had a movie on in the kitchen and was cooking dinner...I may try to make up the ride on Friday evening...we'll see. But seeing how I could not mount the tire myself I need to decide - and quickly - if I want to get a replacement tire to match the one I removed and use that for IM USA...at least I know I can easily remove and mount that one. The positive thing in all this though is I've now gotten my rear wheel off and back on my bike twice in the last couple weeks.

Last long swim...

Today was the last long swim practice at least. I will have a long swim in less than two weeks now! YIKES! Of course, that will be part of even bigger things...you know, that Ironman thing!

Today's long swim was different than the other ones that I've gone to in the past few weeks. This morning we did a straight 90-minute swim. (I don't know if we did one already though, as I missed the first two long swims.) Wow...my back was aching a bit after, but that is normal for me. I did stop periodically to get a drink from my bottle or let a lane mate pass me. All in all it was a good practice. I felt good afterwards. Yay!

Last night Coach Ed had a meeting for new Ironman people about 'what to expect' during race weekend. It was pretty informatinve. There were about a dozen or so people there. Ed talked about having a race plan - and back-up plans - for all aspects of the race: mental preparation, nutrition, clothing, etc. I've got a couple of sample plans and will need to work on my own this weekend. Or sooner! He talked about the Team Z plans for the weekend as well. He said he would provide more information on that soon.

It is starting to feel very real now...but while I'm nervous about it I think it is good nervous and I'm not freaking out. Yet. :) But it is all good - I have waited almost a whole year for the day to come...which is now in 11 days!!

Monday, Monday...

And one week closer to IM USA! Well, now we are less than two weeks away. So far I'm still pretty calm. People ask me if I am ready...and I say Yes, I am ready as I am going to get! But really, yes, I am ready for whatever the day brings.

So, for my weekend adventures...most of the weekend went according to the plan I had in place:

Friday night cookout - check
Saturday morning bike - changed to the run because we got home too late Friday night and I needed more sleep
Saturday afternoon party - check
Saturday late afternoon swim - no go - the party ran too late
Sunday morning bike - check
Sunday aftenroon lunch with friend - check

It was a great weekend! It was good to see all of my family that was in town for the party on Friday and Saturday night. Some folks I have not seen in quite a few years and it brought tears to my eyes (this would be my god child who is all grown up now!)

And the countdown to IM USA continues...I've been reading the athlete's guide and am anxioulsy awaiting my race number! I hope to find that out sometime this week. Then a week from Thursday we leave for Lake Placid!! However, tonight I will gather with other first time Team Z Ironman peeps for a QA/what to expect session!

A busy weekend ahead...

So, I wrote down on my Facebook status that I was looking forward to my weekend activities...someone asked what I was doing so I wrote it all down...

Friday:
- I have a family cookout tonight (lots of folks in town for a party tomorrow)
- I am *hoping* to get out of work a tad earlier than usual so I can go relax at the pool for an hour first

Saturday:
- a 60-mile bike ride in the morning
- a family reunion celebrating my aunt's 80th birthday in the afternoon
- followed by a 2-mile(?) swim at the pool (hopefully)

Sunday:
- a 2-hour run in the morning
- lunch and girl time with a good friend in the afternoon

Is that enough? :) Gosh, I'm tired now, just seeing of all that in writing!

Maybe this Ironman thing in 15 days won't be so bad! (Ha - kidding!)

Getting closer...

Yikes, as of yesterday, Ironman USA is only 2 weeks and 6 days away. I cannot believe it is almost here! I feel like I've been waiting forever...but it has really only been less than a year...

And speaking of yikes! Es, Jason and Robin (some of my Team Z teammates) have only 6 days until the start of Ironman Switzerland. Go guys!!! I will be tracking them online!

Speaking of yesterday, for the first time I rode Skyline Drive. It was a nice ride that had a climb that went from about 600 feet to about 3,000 feet. Then we turned around and 'flew' back to where we started. While we did a lot of hill riding this season it was nice to get this ride under my belt before Lake Placid.

Happy Monday!

Race Report: Montclair Triathlon

The Montclair Triathlon, a long spring/short Oly was a race scheduled on the Team Z calendar…and since it fell on my birthday I thought it would be a fun way to start the day. After all, I would FINALLY (for my fourth race this season) actually be the age the body markers would write on my calf! The race was also nice and local – only a 30-minute drive from home. So what’s not to like?

My kids were dragged out of bed before the crack of dawn to accompany me to this race. They were so excited. (Not!) It was nice having ‘help’ carting my stuff to the race site since we had to park nearly 2 miles away. Actually, we were a bit closer because we parked at an elementary school on our way and it made for a shorter walk. And once we got there they were awake enough to 'enjoy' the morning.

Arriving at the race site I went up to packet pick up while the boys watched my bike and other stuff. Finally got my race numbers and other junk and went to get set up. We promptly found the Team Z area, which was very hard to miss! And green was everywhere, by the way, which was so awesome! Found my spot in transition and got organized there, too. Time to wait for the start…which was not to long of a wait, either.

Swim: 21:12

The water temp was 84 degrees, so no wetsuits. I was fine with that as I always figure any time I might make up on the swim using the wetsuit is probably lost (who knows?) during T1. Note for the next tri without wetsuits is to use my smaller Team Z tri top as the one I used was a bit loose. I thought I felt it dragging actually! The swim went well but I did have a bit of a foggy goggle problem that I stopped to correct. I also went a bit wide on the return so I had to angle back in to finish. But the water temperature was wonderful and the lake while a bit murky seemed clean enough to me. No hydrilla or anything of the sort!

T1: 2:24 - So much better than when I struggle with a wetsuit!

Bike: 1:04:22 – I was aiming for 1:15:00-ish (based on my normal rides) so this was great!

I got out of transition okay, had to go up a steep grassy hill to get to the street where my one rear water bottle filled with Heed promptly launched itself off. The guy behind me got it for me. Thanks, dude! Walked up to the mount line and was off. It is always so awesome to bike up a nice little hill right out of transition! Well, they cannot help it if the lake/swim is at the bottom of the hill. It was not too bad. Anyway, I made it out to the main part of the course, which was 3 loops of rolling hills all along one street - kind of an out and back - before heading back to the side street and then to transition. A couple of the hills were hard enough (for me) where I had to go into my easiest gear. Some were not too bad and I could use the big ring. All in all, it was a pretty nice course and I had a really fun ride. I only saw one rider disobey the rules and go outside the cones when he passed someone on the right. Bad rider… On the last part of the third loop I tried to ‘spin’ more to help my legs in transition. I have to say, that downhill into transition was ‘fun’! I managed to stop and not fall, so that is a plus…then down another grassy hill past some Z’ers to my spot. Yay!

T2: 1:30 – much better even than T1!

Run: 50:40

In transition I did my shoe swap and helmet to hat swap then grabbed my other water bottle of Heed and was off on the run. Back up that steep grassy hill to the street and back up that steep hill for the first loop of the course. I made it as far as a Team Z cheerleader (Michele) and had to walk! I walked to the driveway with the family and picked up the pace again. I chugged along as usual and was enjoying the run for the most part. I was getting passed a lot, but that is normal for me. Harriet was having a good run and flew by me – she looked great as did many others. I did have to walk again on the main drag up a part of one hill. I took some water at the water stops, as well. Turned off the main drag and made it to the golf course entrance to loop back around. I saw the finish but could not figure out where to go for lap 2 until I was practically on top of it. I saw a couple Z’ers that had finished and they showed me. Off the path into the woods and it was a steep downhill and covered with leaves. I was really hoping I did not fall it was so steep! Finally down at the bottom and to the back of transition to that steep grassy uphill to the street to start lap 2. Same story – I chugged along till I reached the Team Z cheerleader, Michele again, where I walked – again to the family in their driveway. I continued along and the second loop seemed to go a little easier for me. I think I was finally warmed up. On this loop I actually passed a few people myself. Again I took a bit of water…everyone was so friendly! The second loop really was easier. My legs worked fine out of transition, too – no heaviness or cramping! (This is always a plus!) Also, this time I did not have the tingly feet issue either. I had loosened my shoes at Eagleman and they were still tied in the same manner, so maybe that helped.

Total time: 2:20:07 – this was great. I had a goal time of 2:30:00, so I was very happy! Overall I was 12 of 18 women in my age group.

After the race I met up with my kids and we wandered down to the Team Z tents for some refreshments. Hot dogs at 9:40AM – you bet! And a Diet Coke – of course. Right Priscilla? My younger son saw a kid from another high school that he ran against in cross country and track…and he is again inspired to do a triathlon but wants to wait until he finishes high school. He did however think the idea of doing a really with his mom would be fun… We are thinking of the Luray Oly in August. So, I will do the swim/bike portions and he will do the run...he has never done a 10K and would like to try it. By then he will be well enough into his cross country training to have no problem with it. My older son is not quite ready to tri…he says he is too out of shape…maybe one day he will be inspired to train for a race though!

My final note: the weather I thought was just about perfect for a summer race. Overcast and a teeny bit cool, by summer standards. It was humid but I did feel good during the run, not overheated in the least. And as always, the Team Z support was fantastic! It is so much fun to see so much GREEN all over the place - be it in the form of people racing or cheering! Thanks also to the gals manning the grill. What a great start to a birthday!