Going Sockless

I had to get up at 4:30 this morning to meet Lana in Tullahoma at 5:15. I decided to try going sockless this morning. I guess it is going to work fine for Saturday’s Mach Tenn and just might shave a few seconds off my transition time. We did the bike and run routes for the race. We did not have any dog issues today but had a couple close calls with deer. We did the 16 mile bike in 1:02, but we both had our chains fall off at different times. This is the first time my chain has ever come off and I managed to get it back on pretty quickly. When Lana’s chain came off it got all tangled up and it took a little longer to get it back on and then she could not changed gears onto her large chain ring. It was a good thing we were almost done by that point. We got back to our cars that we parked in the “transition area” and changed into running shoes and ate a hammer gel. That was my first gel and it took some time to get it down, but I think that it really did help. The run was 4 miles and we did it in 32:38. After the run we decided to take a quick swim in the lake. The water felt great. After a minute I realized that my cell phone was in my pocket. It is DEAD!!! I was due an upgrade anyway so I called Verizon but the account is in Ronnie’s name so he has to be the one to go get the phone. I don’t think I can live more then a day without a phone so I begged Ronnie to drive to Tullahoma to get me a phone. And since he is such a great husband he went. I am eagerly awaiting his arrival home from golf so that I can start reprogramming all the numbers into my new phone. Ugg!!!!
I am going to swim tomorrow and spend the next two days trying to detox before the race. I don’t have any big goals for this race. Hope I can remember that come race day!!!

GJCC Race Report

I picked Kim up at 5:15 to head to Nashville for the GHCC Tri Monday morning.
This was Kim’s first Tri and my 3rd, therefore my last beginner. We got there in plenty of time and got our transition areas set up, felt the pool water and got body marked. It was finally time to line up. I was number 102 so it took a little bit before it was my turn to get in the pool. One of the other tri’s I did was a pool start and I remember it getting backed up right away so I was so excited when I was able to swim the entire first length without running into anyone. But at the wall there was a back up of people. The next two lengths I had to fight for space to swim. The last length was better but I still could not get my rhythm that I had worked so hard at get right. I don’t have my splits yet so don’t know my times but think my swim was a little slower then I wanted. I think I made good time to the first transition but feel like I might have taken too much time getting socks and shoes on. I headed out on my bike and did ok. The transition from bike to run went ok too. I looked at my watch and knew that there was no way I was going to make my goal of 51 minutes.
I did the best I could on the run and finished in 53:50, which was good enough to get me third place in beginner female 35-39.

In a moment of insanity this morning, I signed up for the Mach Tenn triathlon that is this Saturday. It is a longer race and a lake swim. Lana and I are going to do the bike and run routes in the morning.

Last Workout

Today was my last chance to workout before Monday’s race. Ronnie is in a golf tournament all weekend so there won’t be anyone to watch kids for me. But when the alarm went off at 5:10 this morning, I so did NOT want to get out of bed. I argued with myself “I have the next two days off, gotta do something today.” I finally managed to pull myself out of bed and get dressed for my ride. It stormed last night so it was a little cooler and wet. I started to think “Is it safe for me to be out alone on those back country roads when they are all wet like this? What if it starts raining again?” I stood there in the driveway for a minute debating with myself then I got on my bike and took off on my ride. The ride was very uneventful, just some back country roads with lots of horses and cows. Thankfully there were only two dogs out.
I do have one big problem. I am gear challenged. It occurred to me at mile 15 that I had not changed gears the entire time. The route I did today is not hilly but there is SOME grade change. I have really got to learn how to use my gears to make the most out of my rides. I rode 20.3 miles in 1:16:35. That’s an average speed of 15.9 mph, lots of room for improvement.
Wednesday Scott did the bike and run segments of the GJCC race. I asked him how it was. Seems there are 3 hills worth mentioning in the short 8.5 mile ride. GREAT!!!!
After my ride this morning I took the kids to school to pick up their report cards and for the bike drawing. Bryce had perfect attendance again this year so he was in the drawing. Casey got checked out one hour early one day this year so she was not in the drawing. There were 3 first grades and 2 second graders in the K-2 drawing and 2 forth graders in the 3-5 drawing. Unfortunately, Bryce did not win and he got really upset. I don’t know why, he has a bike that he never rides. Guess he just doesn’t like to lose, wonder where he gets that from????
It is suppose to be another beautiful day. We are going to spend the day by the pool. I have got to even out these tans lines from yesterday. This weekend is the Spring Fling at the Golf Club. Ronnie will be golfing in the tournament all weekend and they have a dinner party tomorrow night that we both are going to.

Recovery Day?

I met Tracy at the Rec Center this morning at 6:00 for a 3 mile run. We did the Greenway/Town loop. I hate the town part because you have to run on crappy sidewalks, that are first off too narrow for two people to run side by side and they are cracked and uneven. Tracy has not been running much lately, she REALLY got burned out training for the marathon, so I didn’t push myself as hard today. We ran the 3 miles in 27:46, 9:15 pace. After the run, I went to the pool and swam 1750 yards in 37:11. Slow run followed by slow swim, does that make today a recovery day??
I got my final race instruction for GJCC today. The weather had been beautiful so I hope that pool water is getting warmer. Keep that heat wave coming!!!
We went and got Casey a new bike today. Then Casey, Bryce and I went for a mile ride around the neighborhood. It was just like the start of their marathon walking, sheer torture for me. I don’t know how a child can ride SO slowly. I hope that like the walking, it gets better each time.
The kids and I had a great day outside swimming (them not me) and now it is time to go to the ball field.

Thanks Lana - Great Workout

I got up this morning at 4:40 to meet Lana at the Rec Center for a bike/run. We did the same 20-mile ride that we did last time. It was beautiful. I have been getting up most mornings since December and have never seen the sun rise. Well, this morning I finally saw it. Ok it as at my back but I still got to see the sky get all pink. Also, I was having a great ride. I stayed with Lana the whole time. She must have been having an off morning because our pace was only a minute and a half faster then the last time we rode, she had a much faster pace when she did t alone the other day. But I felt good and it was nice not to see her way ahead of me for a change. We did have some dog issues again. It seems that all the dogs are at one point of the ride. We were riding along and I said “Oh, $hit”. Lana says “What?” Then she saw the dogs. They were at least 4 little dogs and one big dog. I took off. Once we got passed the six or so house with dogs Lana catches up with me and says “That’s it, I am getting a big a$$ dog and bringing him to the GJCC, you will place for sure”. HeHe. I told her that I would have come back for her if the dogs got her.
Lana decided to just run the stop sign that caused her crash last time so there are no crash stories this time. We did get honked at, by some woman who apparently didn’t feel the need to share the lane with us. Guess we don’t have all the Coffee County residents trained yet.
As we were passing the bank with the clock I saw that it was already 6:30, we were going to have to cut the run short. We made it back to the Rec Center in 1:16:30 for a total ride of 20.06 miles. We got our shoes changed and got a drink then headed out for the run.
We ran the greenway, up the hill by Sage’s (Bell Buckle training?), through Town, down Jail Hill and back to the Rec Center. We had to make a “victory lap” around the parking lot to get in the whole two miles but me made it in 16:32, 8:16 pace. I am happy with that and hope that I can keep that pace for the run in my race Monday.
The workout this morning put me WAY behind schedule. I got home about 7 and got ready for work and got the kids ready for school. We were out the door at 7:40. I got the kids and all the scrapbooks dropped off and headed to work.
I got to work to find a note from my boss that said “Please get your minimum 12 hrs/wk in this week and next week.” I have never heard of this 12-hour minimum before. I told him what my plans were for this week and next and they involved 10 hours each week. I made up this weeks time last week. I didn’t know what to do. I can’t just leave my kids at school so I could get in an extra hour and a half. So I called Ronnie, as luck would have it he does not have a 1:00 patient. He can go get the kids, take them home, and then bring them into town to meet me at 1:30. Thanks Ronnie, love ya’.

I am Finished!!!!!!

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the kids so I was working on the scrapbooks until 11:00 last night. I have gotten old and that is LATE for me, plus I get up so darn early every morning now. And today was no exception; I got up at 5:00 this morning and ran my 6 miles. It was a beautiful morning and I got to run in shorts and a tank. I took my other 6 mile route over to Baker Heights and Danbury. There is a LITTLE more grade change then the route I have been doing the last few runs, but to say hills would be a stretch. I ran the six in 52:52, 8:48 pace. I felt good running but I was more tired then usual. I like to sleep and miss it when I get less then required. After my run it was back to the school for awards days and yet more pictures to be scrapbooked. I downloaded the pictures to Wal-mart then drove over to get them only to find out the machine was out of order and they didn’t know when the pictures would be ready. They did have the pictures I downloaded last night of the kindergarten program. I got those and came home to spend the day finishing books. Wal-mart called at 2:00 to tell me my pictures were ready so I drove over. On the way home I was so preoccupied that I missed my exit!!!! The next exit is 5 mile away. There went that 10 minutes I had to spare before getting the kids.
The kids swam this afternoon and I considered going to the yoga class but Cindy wasn’t teaching so I drank a beer instead.
Then I got the scrapbooks finished. I am so glad that I am not going to be up late tonight because I am meeting Lana at 5:00 for a brick. I need all the sleep I can get if I plan to keep up with her on the bike!

Same Ole 6

Yesterday I took the day off. I did ride my bike on the one mile loop around my neighborhood with the kids. Casey rode Bryce’s bike and Bryce rode his Green machine. Casey is really getting good at riding the bike and I think we are going to get her a new bike without training wheels and give Bryce back his bike so he can learn to ride it. The Green machine just doesn’t go as fast as a bike so Casey and I dropped Bryce off at home and did another loop. We were riding along when Casey slammed on her brakes. I was right behind her and could not stop that fast, so I crashed. Of course, there was a van full of people behind us when this happens. Why can’t a crash be unobserved????
I got up this morning at 5:00. When I checked the weather before bed last night it said it would be raining this morning. But it stopped so I was able to get my run in outside. I did the same ole 6 mile loop. I knew I was running slower this morning. Beer and chips do not make good training food and that was most of my diet this weekend. I ran the 6 miles in 53:08, 8:51 pace.
My pictures for the scrapbooks did not come today so now I have to try to prepare the pages so that tomorrow I just have to stick pictures to them. Wish me luck it is going to be a LONG night.

Brick

Last night we went to 3 Amigo’s, so I knew my early morning plans were NOT going to happen. I wanted to go ahead and get my 20 mile bike and 3 mile run out of the way first thing but Ronnie was getting up early for golf so that meant I had to get up REALLY early. I didn’t sleep well so at 6:00 I woke Ronnie up and said “I am not going this morning, go ahead.” He called me on his way home from golf at about 12:15 and I got ready. I tried to put my speed laces in my shoes but the top and bottom holes in my shoes are not round so I was having problems. I put that project off. I looked at a map that my neighbor had given me with some of his bike routes highlighted. I picked one and headed out. It had been sunny all morning but was starting to cloud up. It even tried to rain on me a few times during the first half of my ride but the second half it was back to bright and sunny. The ride went very well and was very uneventful. I did scare a horse but that is the only note worthy part of the ride. I rode 20.26 miles in 1:11:47. More work needed!! I had my shoes and water waiting on me and took 1:44 to change into running shoes, drink, and eat a handful of sport beans. I took off on very unstable legs. I don’t know that I will ever get use to that feeling. It was hot by this point and I was wishing I had a visor. I ran the first mile in 8:15, the second in 8:29, and the third in 8:57. I am happy with the workout. That is the best I have ever felt on a ride, now I just need to work on speed.
It occurred to me this morning when I turned the heat pump on for the pool and noticed the current temperature of 66, that I have a triathlon in just over a week and that pool is going to be COLD!!! I am hoping for a heat wave.

Hills and a Swim

I got my reminder email last night for the GJCC Tri and it also reminded me that according to the new USAT rules I will be competing as a 38 year old, my age as of December 31, 2006. My birthday isn’t until December 19th. I have always hated my December birthday so I have decided since I will be “officially” 38 a week from Monday; I should go ahead and celebrate my birthday!!
Anyway, my workout. I got up at 5:00am this morning. I ran 3 miles of hill repeats. I ran jail hill and thrill hill for a total of 6 hills, 3 miles. Total time of 26:04, 8:41 pace. Then I went to the pool. I swam 6x200’s for a total swim time of about 24:20. Today’s swim went much better then Monday’s swim and it felt good.

Another 6

Casey’s game got started late because no one showed up to ref. They finally got it started and Casey’s team pulled out another win!!!! After her game I was able to get my run in. I started at about 7:30 and ran the same loop as I ran Tuesday morning. The traffic is heavier on Maple Springs Road in the evening and I had to jump into the ditch several times to keep from getting run over. I was really getting mad in my last half mile because I knew I was on pace for a great run and that running in the ditch was slowing me down and increased my chances of getting hurt. I ended up running my 6 miles at a 8:16 pace (total time was 49:42). I’ll take it!!
Well off to work on scrapbooks. I have my Wishblade cutting the Easter title now. If I can get all 13, I forgot about the new kid, Easter pages done tonight that will just leave me with field day, awards day, kindergarten program and graduation pages to finish by Wednesday. Man, I have bitten off more then I can chew this time!!!!

Rain = Rest

Well it did for me this morning anyway. The dog woke me up at 4 to go out and it was not raining at that time so when I my alarm went off at 5 I got up and got dressed. Just as I was putting on my cap I heard the rain start falling on the skylight in the bathroom. I went and looked out the window and sure enough it was POURING. I had not planned on inside running so I didn’t have the stuff out to change and I didn’t have enough time to get to the Rec Center run, get home and still get everyone ready and out the door on time. So I just crawled back into bed. Casey has a 5:30 game tonight and I am hoping that I can work a run and/or bike in tonight after the game.

Field Day

I am exhausted. I got up at 5:00 this morning, well actually it was 5:09 (I hit snooze for the first time in as long as I can remember) and went to the Rec Center and did Cindy’s 5:30 interval class. We did 24 stations for 2 minutes each, man I forgot how much I hate tri dips and push ups, then we did 2 set of killer drills in the gym. I didn’t get as much out of class today but I guess it was better then sleeping in. Lana was a no show but her sister Holly was there. After class I rushed home to get ready for field day. I spent the whole day at the school with the kids. They had bunches of races and I took pictures and tried to help the teachers out with kids. After school I spent two hours uploading and editing the pictures for the 12 scrapbooks I am responsible for. I was going to go back to the Rec Center for Joyce’s step class tonight but the kids were beat so I just ordered them a pizza, got them feed, in the tub, and to bed. Now I have to workout extra hard tomorrow.

A Great 6 Miles!!!

During the night I heard it raining, so first thing I did when the alarm went off at 4:45 this morning was look out the window. It was not raining so I got dressed to run outside. I got outside and realized it was cooler then I expected. I went back in and got a vest and seriously considered just going back to bed. I managed to make myself go back outside and run. I pushed myself hard. The vest turned out to be more then I needed and I got hot pretty quickly. I was holding a great pace and at five miles I did some quick mental math and figured out that in order to get my last mile in 8:30 I would have to finish in 52 minutes. The last half mile I was sucking major wind but I kept pushing myself and finished my 6 miles in 51:13. That is an 8:32 pace!!!! I know for some people that is no big deal but it is amazing for me.
I was going to go to the Rec Center and do Cindy’s 6:00pm toning class tonight but I just called her to make sure what she was teaching. She told me she is NOT teaching tonight or next week, due to her up coming competition. Glad I called; her class is just not the same when taught by someone else. Guess I will just go to her interval class in the morning.

Swimming Like a Rock

I got to the Rec Center at about 5:55 this morning and the pool was already open with a guy swimming in lane one. So what time does the pool REALLY open anyway? I swam 1750 yards in 35:24. It was not a good swim for me. I don’t know what was wrong, my strokes felt wrong and I kept trying to breathe underwater. I have felt like I have water in my nose all day.
I have got to get some new goggles. The ones I have now are almost a year old and just stay fogged, I couldn’t see anything. I forgot to check Wal-mart when I was there earlier. Darn it!!!
But I did pick up a new running skirt. The only color they had in small was bright green. I haven’t tried it on so I don’t even know if it will fit.
I found out the Rec Center is going to have a 1 mile kids race in addition to the 5k for Old Timer’s day at the end of August. My kids are so excited. They are ready to race again. Bryce even went with me Saturday for a 1 mile walk to get Peyton dry after her bath.

A Good Run Makes a Happy Mother's Day

I got ELEVEN hours of sleep last night. I was so tired and slept like a rock. I got up this morning feeling refreshed and ready for my long run. I got ready and headed out. At 1.4 miles my MPS player died. So I had to run the rest of the time entertaining myself. As luck would have it, all the local farms have their cows in front pastures right now. Don’t know if this is for a reason or just coincidence. The cows all really seemed to like the fashion statement I was making in my new Wal-mart running skirt. Only one mama cow and her baby ran from me, guess they don’t know high fashion when they see it. Other then the larger the normal cow sightings, the run was uneventful. I ran 12 miles in 1:51:04, 9:15 pace. I actually ran the first mile in 8:20, knew I could not hold that pace so slowed, (a little too much) and the second mile was 9:30. After 6 miles I kept finding myself falling into that more comfortable 9:30-10:00/mile pace. I had to keep reminding myself that I will NOT get faster with such slow training runs. I did a LOT of talking to myself today!
As far as the Wal-Mart skirt goes, I really liked it at first but the shorts are not tight enough and after a while they bunched a little. It is also big in the waist and I was afraid that my MPS player was going to fall off. I am going to try it in a small. Not sending the GymGirl back yet!
I have to comment on Ronnie’s comment. As I said, he took the kids to the golf course Friday. Seems the 3 of them were riding across the fairway in the golf cart when Ronnie looks over and Bryce is NOT in the cart. He asks Casey “Where’s Bryce?” She responds “He fell out.” Ronnie looks back and there is Bryce laying in the fairway. Bryce jumps up and says “I’m ok”. Ronnie swears there was no reason that could have cause him to fall out, like a bump or sharp turn. I think that it is in Bryce’s best physical interest to give up golf!

Hope all you Mom’s have a Great Mother’s Day. I am off to laze around and enjoy MY day!!!

Looking for a Watch and a New Bike Route

I was so excited that I didn’t have to get up early this morning. I set the alarm for 6:40. For some reason I still woke up at 5:45. Determined to sleep in the one chance I had, I refused to get out of bed. Then Ronnie’s alarm starts going off. He is one of those people who hits snooze for 40 minutes in an effort to “wake up slowly”. So I gave up on going back to sleep and got up. Since I had changed my work schedule around and was off today, I decided to go to Joyce 8:00 am interval step/toning class. I got the kids to school and made a mad dash for the Rec Center. I barely made it before class started. It was a great class for toning.
Then I headed to Wal-mart in search of a watch, Ronnie told me to get it for the kids to give me for Mother’s Day. They don’t have what I am looking for. I want a watch that works like my Garmin and has a “lap on stop”. So that when I am doing my intervals in the pool, I can swim, hit stop, rest, hit start and it will be lap 2 NOT just adding to lap 1 time. And I don’t want to record rest time. Does anyone knows of a watch with this feature or am I just going to have to wait for a waterproof Garmin??? While I was Wal-mart I discovered they have running skirts with built in shorts!!! I bought a white one. I am unsure about it because it is a little big so I might exchange it for a small. I still like the GymGirl better but the Wal-mart skirt was only $9.84.
After Wal-mart, I came home and got changed to go ride. I think the attire is one reason I don’t ride more often. I headed out on my bike at about 11:30. All was going well and uneventful until I turned onto Pete Sain road. I saw a lady out walking her Rottweiler. He was not on a leash and was HUGE! So I called out, “Coming up on your right” in hopes that she would get closer to her dog and hold him back if required. I made it past them without incident. Then less then 100 yards down the road a medium sized black and white dog came charging at me and ran in the grass along side me barking up a storm. I yelled “NO” and he stopped looked at me and went home. Another 100 yards down this same road my phone rings, it is Ronnie. I answer saying “I am riding, I will call you back” and out of nowhere this little dog come flying at me. I starting yelling at him, hung up the phone, put it back in my rear shirt pocket, and pedal as hard and fast as I can yelling at this little dog to get. The amazing part is that I did not fall off my bike, I have improved. Once I got off Pete Sain road the ride was uneventful again. I will be looking for yet another route. I ended up only riding 12 miles in 45:03.
After the ride I changed AGAIN, and walked up the kids’ school to take “Graduation” pictures for Casey’s kindergarten class. I forgot about it being Friday and Mother’s day weekend so we had tons of stuff to carry home. Made for a LONG walk.
Ronnie got home at about 3:30 and has taken the kids to the golf course; I hope no one has to get stitches tonight. So I have the house to myself for a while, and then am going to play Bunko with the girl I work with and some of her friends. I have my beer on ice and am about to jump in the shower.

Sleeping In and 8x200 Swim

Well since the pool doesn’t open until 6:00, I got to sleep in! I got up at 5:40 this morning and headed to the pool. I got there right at 6 and it was already open and two guys were already using 2 of the 4 open lanes. I got in and swam 8x200’s. Since I have a crappy watch that only stores 8 laps I only have times on my last 4 200’s plus 4 one minute rest periods. I do know that the first 4 200’s were all less then 4 minutes and that total time was 38:23 with 7 minutes of that as rest time. Anyway my 5th 200 was 4:04, 6th 3:38, 7th 3:58 and 8th 3:52. A new watch that can store more laps is on my wish list!

On my way to work this morning gas was $2.54/gallon but since I swam I didn’t have time to stop before work. So I HAD to stop after work on my way to get the kids. Two of the 3 stations on my way home had raised their prices already so I stopped at the BP. As I was filling up, the guy walked out and changed the price on the sign 12 cents higher. Glad I didn’t show up a minute later!

Tomorrow’s field day at the kid’s school got postponed until Wednesday. So I think I might be able to sleep in tomorrow and go on my ride later in the day (when it’s warmer).

My Triks running skirts came today. I ordered both the Marathon Girl and the Gym Girl. I am not sure about the Marathon Girl because I think the spankie is a little small for the size of my rear end. It might have to go back. But I think I am going to like the Gym Girl. I also like the side splits on the Gym Girl. Now I can’t wait to run to give it a try.

Casey has a game night and we have to be heading out the door soon, so I guess that is all I have for today.

The Importance of a Zero

Yesterday I met Ronnie for lunch and they declined my debit card. The lady said they have problems with their machine all the time and tried again. Declined again. Now I knew that there was more then $11 in my account, but I gave her a credit card instead. That card worked fine. I forgot all about it until about 8:00 last night. At that time I got online to check out my account. I use Bill Pay to pay almost all of my bills electronically. It seems that I accidentally typed to pay $15,079.71 instead of $1,579.71 on my credit card bill that was due yesterday. I do not have $15,000 in my account so my account was showing a negative balance. I emailed customer service in hopes that they would not bounce my house note today. Then this morning I called the credit card company to explain and let them know that I rescheduled the payment for the 11th. They were very nice and gave me a 5 day grace period with no late fees. Then she tried to sell me credit protection!!! Ugg! It took forever to get off the phone. I thought I had everything taken care of until this afternoon when I got back on line to make sure and saw a returned check fee on my checking account. I called the bank and they said they would take care of it too. A zero can end up making a big difference!! I am just thankful it didn’t cost me anything more then time.
On to today’s workout… It was raining last night when I went to bed, so I set out running outside clothes as well as running inside clothes. I set the alarm for 4:45 to give myself time to get to the Rec Center and run in case of rain. When the alarm went off, I got up and looked out the window. It was not raining. Yea, I get to run outside. I put on my outside clothing and set out. I ran 6 miles in 57:10, 9:31 pace. Today was my 7th day in a row to do some form of exercise and my 3rd to have to get up early to do it and I think that it really hurt my speed. After spending the day at work and dealing with my extra zero, I decided to give step/toning class a go. Joyce had sick kids so Kim taught tonight. We did 50 minutes of step with some weight toning mixed in, about 8 minutes of abs and then about 2 minutes of stretching. I didn’t really get my heart rate up until about the last 6 minutes of the step part that is why I quit going to step class last fall. I get so much more out of running for an hour then doing class, I don’t know how often I will do step class but it is a nice change of pace. I just hope it isn’t a waste of time.

Back in the Saddle

Last night, Lana and I decided to meet at 5:20 this morning at the Rec Center parking lot to go for a ride. When my alarm went off at 5:00, Ronnie said “I think I heard rain during the night”. I said a silent prayer “Please let it be raining”. Looked out the window, no rain. So I got dressed and turned on my cell phone. My phone beeped that I had a message. Another silent prayer, “Please be Lana canceling”. Nope, just a text message from Lana saying “Meet at 5:20?” That was before we actually talked last night. Decided that I HAD to go, folded down the back seat of my van and loaded up my bike. I got to the Rec Center about 5:15 and sat in the van still hoping Lana wouldn’t show. She did. I got my shoes and helmet on, aired my tires, and headed out behind Lana. I really don’t know where all we rode but there were some BIG hills (at one point I was going downhill at 38mph, that is fast for this wimp). We were discussing blogs and decided we really want to know The Running Diva’s diet and training secrets. We were also talking about how nice uneventful workouts are but how they leave you with nothing to blog. About 10 minutes later we came to a stop sign and Lana unclipped her right shoe. She leaned a little too far left and over she went. There was a truck coming up behind us and the guy started laughing. I looked at her and said, “Now we have something to put in our blogs”. We finished the ride (thankfully with nothing else to write about) in 1:18:01 for 20 miles. I really like riding with Lana because she pushes me harder then I push myself. I am getting more comfortable on my bike and didn’t freak out when we were riding in town with all the traffic, not even when we got in the left turn lane and sat waiting on the arrow. I know I just need to spend more time riding but it is just SO much easier to throw on running stuff and head out.

A Run AND A Swim

Lana met me at the Rec Center this morning at 5:15. It was dark, cloudy and 55 degrees. I had to wear pants and a long sleeve shirt. I am so ready for warmer weather! We started at the parking lot and ran the greenway, UP jail hill (training for Bell Buckle), through town, back to the greenway, back to the Rec Center, and around the parking lot. On the greenway we saw a car parked and there was a dog inside barking its head off. Then we noticed that there was someone sleeping in that car. It isn’t even Bonnarro yet! We ran 3 miles in 27:15 for a pace of 9:05. For once both our Garmin’s beeped 3 miles at the same time. Then we hit the pool. I forgot my watch so I didn’t get a time on my swim. I swam 1750 yards and felt good most of it. It did take a while to get in a groove and in the beginning I wasn’t sure I was going to make the whole mile. After swimming, I had to rush home to get ready for work and get the kids ready for school. They both had mercy on me and decided to have a tray lunch at school so I didn’t have to mess with packing lunches, huge time saver!
Congratulations to Rae and Brent on another awesome race. You two have become machines. I had hope that we could run together soon but y’all have gotten way too speedy for me!

Moonpies anyone?

We are in. I got both Ronnie and I signed up for the RC Cola Moonpie 10 mile run in Bell Buckle June 17. It was a great race last year. We had perfect weather and the food was GREAT! So tomorrow morning I am including jail hill in my run.
Lana, you only have until the 25th before the price goes up again.

Running on Sunday?

For the twenty weeks of my marathon training program Sunday was my rest day. Then last Sunday was recovery. So I can’t remember the last time I ran on Sunday. I set out today at about 1:15. It was a little misty but warm enough for shorts and a light weight l/s coolmax shirt. I ran the neighborhoods on this side of the highway for a total of 6 miles in 53:45, 8:58 pace. I really need to get some new music on my MP3 player; I am getting bored with what I have on there now.

Early Morning Run

Ronnie had golf plans this morning so I had to get up early to get my run in. The alarm went off at 6:00 and I was running 10 minutes later. It was a little cool when I first started and I was concerned that I should have worn something with sleeves. It didn’t take long and I was plenty warm. The sun was nice and bright; it is going to be a beautiful day. I ran 3 of the neighborhoods out here for a total of 4 miles in 36:40, pace 9:10. Now it off to the ball field. Then I hope to get some yard work done this afternoon.

Fish I am Not

This morning it was back in the pool for the first time since March 21st. I swam 4x200’s. I got to the Rec Center at a little after 5:30 and got in the pool. After I had finished my first two sets the girl who manages the pool asked me how I got in. I pointed to the door and asked, “Doesn’t the pool open at 5:30?” She said “No, not until 6:00. One of my lifeguards is in big trouble for leaving that door unlocked”. I sure hate that some kid is in trouble but I am glad the door was unlocked. I would have been so mad had I gotten there this morning only to find out they changed the hours and I had half an hour to kill (that I could have been sleeping). I messed up my watch and lost my times but I know the first two were just under 4 minutes and the second 2 were just over 4 minutes. That works. The GJCC Tri is 200 meters and I put in an estimated swim time of 4 minutes. I know I really need to spend more time working on my swimming but I find it hard to justify since it is such a small part of the triathlons. I feel time would be better spent on the bike, which needs even more work.

Recovery Over - Back to Running

I know I was told to wait one full week before running but I got restless. I HAD to run this afternoon. As soon as Ronnie got home, I changed and headed out. It felt great. It has been raining off and on but the sun was out and it was warm with a slight wind. I had no pains and my legs felt strong. I just did 3 miles around Maple Springs and Creekside. It took me 26:19 for a pace of 8:46.
I am just going to play it by ear and not push too hard right now. I hope to get up in the morning a go swim a little.

Country Music Marathon Splits

Lana, I laughed out loud when I read your post. I can tell you exactly what it feels like to hit “the wall”, because I hit it head on! Since you posted your splits I finally got brave enough to look at my splits. It is VERY obvious when I hit that wall.
These are from my Garmin. I pushed the lap button at each mile marker, except one.
Mile 1 9:36
Mile 2 9:50
Mile 3 9:51
Mile 4 9:51
Mile 5 9:27
Mile 6 9:16
Mile 7 9:27
Mile 8 9:00
Mile 9 9:34
Mile 10 9:06
Mile 11 9:22
Mile 12 9:30
Mile 13 9:31
Mile 14 and 15 18:55 Good bye Lana, Hello Wall!!!!!
Mile 16 10:30
Mile 17 11:14
Mile 18 11:02
Mile 19 11:02
Mile 20 11:15
Mile 21 11:37
Mile 22 11:02
Mile 23 10:56
Mile 24 10:39
Mile 25 9:49 Thanks Leslie for the push
Mile 26 11:41
Last 0.2 1:53 (I didn’t stop my watch right away so there are a few extra seconds here)

The main thing I see from these numbers is that I do NOT run well alone. When I was with Lana, miles 1-15, I kept the pace we trained for. Once I was on my own I resorted to walking and all but threw in the towel. I know I can do better. I have to do better. My training runs were better then this.
I am feeling recovered, all soreness was gone yesterday. But my friend Laurie’s brother, who has a lot more experience at these things then me, has advised me to do nothing this week. It has been really tough for me, but I am enjoying sleeping in. Next week I hit the pool and bike, after all I do have a Tri at the end of the month.

Recovering and thinking Memphis Marathon????

Today was another day of recovery and I guess that is what I am going to do all week. I have been advised to wait until next week at the earliest to start some easy swimming and easy cycling. So while I am just sitting around, I am reading blogs, looking at training plans, and picking out races. I am considering doing the Memphis St. Jude Marathon Dec 2nd. I can’t get Lana on board yet but I am NOT giving up on her.
Recovery wise I am doing well. My legs are still a little sore and get stiff when I sit for too long. Steps hurt and I don’t want to squat to pick up anything. I am still afraid to take the orange polish off my toes. I know that I have some black toenails. I haven’t gotten past the disappointment in my run, not my time just how I felt while running. I am going to try a different training program, not sure which one yet. But for now I am going to rest.