Cedars of Lebanon Race Report

I got up Saturday morning at 4:20am and got ready for the race. I could hear the rain on the skylight and just hoped that it would stop soon. I drove next door to pick up Kim and her sister, Lisa. Kim came running out a few minutes after 5 and said “I will be just a minute, my alarm didn't go off and I just got up”. Just a few minutes and we were on our way.
It continued to rain most of the way to Lebanon and at one point really poured down. Once we got to the park the rain had stopped and we picked up our race packets, timing chips, got body marked, and set up transition.
It started to sprinkle again. The race started right on schedule at 7:30. It was an interval start based on estimated swim time but they were putting us in extra fast in hopes that they could get everyone in and out of the pool before any lightening started. It made it more crowded and I passed a bunch of people in the pool, I did not get passed by anyone. My new goggles were wonderfully non-fogged. Swim Time 6:03 (last year’s swim time was 6:21)
Last year as a first timer I wasn’t thinking about transition time and the fact that it adds up really quickly so I walked to T1 and talked to people and was in no real hurry. I knew this year that I could really make up some time here. I jogged from the pool to T1 and got my helmet on checking 3 times to make sure the chin strap was fastened. Got shoes on and grabbed my bike. No sunglasses needed since it was still raining. T1 time 2:04 (last year’s T1 time 3:02)
I have NEVER ridden my bike in the rain, it is always an excuse not to ride, so I was very nervous riding for the first time in a race. I felt great despite the rain. The turns really made me nervous, I took them extra wide. It wasn’t raining hard but it was enough that I stayed wet and my shoes got sloshy. I battled back and forth with 3 other riders. One was an 18 year old on a hybrid, another was a little skinny 15 year old and the other was the guy who started right in front of me in the pool. The course was very hilly and we passed back and forth over and over again. In the end we all came into T2 together. The last 3 miles of the bike the road was VERY rough. They were supposed to have gotten it paved but never did and instead it was just graded. It was like riding on rumble strips for 3 miles. I was glad that I didn’t get a flat or wipe out. Bike time 55:33 (last year’s bike time 1:00:55).
The 15 year old kid was just ahead of me running into T2 with our bikes and he missed his bike rack then cut me off to get to it. The ground was wet and those bike shoes are slick, I almost wiped out. I got changed for the run and headed out. T2 time 1:16 (last year’s T2 time 1:32)
My legs felt surprising well heading out for the run, maybe it was all that rough riding shaking them out. The rain had stopped at some point on the ride but since we were under trees it still felt like it was raining and I didn’t notice the lack of rain until I was running. The run started with a short up hill and had a big hill at the turn around. There were some other hills in there too but I was busy watching the clock so I don’t remember. Run time 24:53 (last year’s run time 26:15).
We stayed for the awards and I got another coffee mug. In addition, this time I got Hammer Gels in my favorite flavor and a Hammer Bar inside the mug.








Casey party was also a success. I got my camera working and the weather was fine.

Lisa took pictures at the race and Kim is going to email them to me. I will post them when I get them.

I Beat Last Year

Today was the Cedar of Lebanon Sprint Tri. Last year it was my first ever Tri. My goal going into this race was to see how much I have improved in a year.

Last year time 1:38:03, this year 1:29:51 third place in age group!!

Report to come later. Right now I gotta get ready for Casey party. My camera died this morning, I am still hoping to breathe some life into before the party but it is not looking good. I am also hoping for the weather to improve, that at least looks a little promising!

My Daughter Tried to Kill Me

OK, maybe she didn’t try to KILL me but she did make us go to Toot’s for her birthday dinner. I ate hot wings, fried dill pickles, and onion straws. Grease, grease, and more grease. I wasn’t going to do anything this morning but after all that grease I decided I need to sweat some of it out. I got up at 5:40 this morning intending to run 3 or 4 easy miles. After one mile I felt like I was going to throw up and by 2 miles I had to potty BAD. I looped back around to my house and finished with 2.72 miles in 25:03, 9:13 pace. I ran all the way to the potty, didn’t count that part since Garmin doesn’t work inside. :)

Tomorrow is the big race. I am picking Kim up at 5:00 in the morning. Her sister is thinking about coming with us to be our photographer. She just doesn’t know if she wants to get up that early!! I am hoping she drags herself out of bed, it helps so much to have someone cheering for you. And since Lana is not racing this weekend her parents won’t be there to cheer me on or take pictures.

Sleep and Great Ride Reduce Funk

I slept GREAT last night I don’t think I even moved. At 4:33 I woke up, this was earlier then the 4:45 I had my alarm set for but not enough time to try to go back to sleep so I just got up. I got dressed and headed to the Rec Center to meet Kim and Lana.
We had an awesome ride. We did the same Normandy Loop. I did not get a new top speed today. My max speed down the hill was 41.9 and then 8.8 was the minimum coming back up the other side. We rode a total of 20.02 miles in 1:09:29, average speed 17.3. Improvement!!! Maybe because Lana wasn’t holding back as much as usual. Sure she slowed at times to let us catch up but she stayed way ahead of us pretty much the whole time and that made me try to ride faster.
When I got home at 6:45 both kids were still asleep so I jumped into bed and fell back asleep until 8:10 when rooster boy came in yelling “cook-a-doodle-do”.
This Saturday is Cedars, my A race of the season. Last year, it was my first ever Ti. I am excited and nervous to be going back! I am looking for a big improvement over the 1:38:03 from last year.



Today is my “baby” girl’s 6th birthday. I don’t know what all she has planned for us today except that she wants Toot’s for dinner tonight. Happy Birthday Princess!!!
Here is a look back to your past birthdays:
Arrival July 27, 2000 2:45pm
With Daddy
1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

5th Birthday

We are having the party Saturday afternoon. I have Cedars that morning then at least 10 kids over to swim that afternoon. I am insane.

Darkness

Yesterday, Tuesday, I got up and met Kim and Tisha at 5:10 but it had been raining and was still very cloudy and therefore, dark. We decided that it just wasn't safe to be riding so we canceled it. I SHOULD have gone ahead and run but I went home and got back into bed instead. I told myself that when Ronnie's alarm went off I would get up and run. Didn't happen. So at about 10:00, I got the kids dressed and on their bikes. We made it about 3 houses down the road before Bryce crashed into the ditch and didn't want to ride anymore. So we went home and sat by the pool. I decided to swim some laps. I got in twenty-five 40' lengths before the kids got bored with that. I did make it to toning class and yoga so yesterday wasn't a total bust.

This morning I got up at 4:50 again in hopes of making up for yesterday. Well, I didn't make up for anything. I ran but it was slow. I ran my 6 miles in just under an hour. I will give myself credit for sticking to it. I wanted to just quit so many times and the loops give me lots of opportunity to do just that. But I toughed it out and logged the miles. Today was about quantity not quality!!!

Non-running note:

The tooth fairy was very sleepy Monday evening but did manage to stop by our house and leave Bryce a dollar. Now his other front tooth is just hanging on. I am hoping that it doesn't fall out before Friday. Casey is still a little disappointed that she hasn't lost any teeth and since tomorrow is her birthday I hate for the tooth fairy to pay Bryce a visit.



I have been in a major funk.
I think it is because of all the signs that summer is coming to an end. It is still dark when I get up to workout, it is getting cooler in the evenings and mornings, school starts a week from Friday, and there are yellow leaves everywhere (ok that is from lack of rain, but it makes it look very fallish).
I am also sick of getting up so early EVERY morning and then only getting marginal workouts because I am so tired.
I have gained about 4 pounds and really don’t know why; I don’t feel like I am eating any worse then normal.
I need some me time that doesn’t involve exercise.
The kids are fighting more then normal.
See major funk!!!!

You Call That Speed?!?!?!

This morning I got up at 4:50 for speed work. I ran at Westwood. The track is still officially closed but the fence has a break in it where they are constructing a building (looks like bathrooms). So I was able to slip in. I did a half mile warm up, 6 x 800 and a half mile cool down. Break down looks like this
Warm up 4:39
6 x 800 3:48, 3:54, 3:48, 3:46, 3:44, 3:40
Cool down 4:28
I am not thrilled with my times and it shows that I need to be doing more speed work. No more “the track is closed” excuses!!

On a non running note.
Bryce lost a tooth this morning while eating a donut. Top front, 3rd tooth lost. Tooth fairy comes tonight. He still has 2 more teeth that are loose. He is going to have some great looking school pictures this year!

R A I N Spells Relief

Last night we got some rain and with it cooler temps. I got up at 6:30 to run before Ronnie had to leave for his golf tournament. It was sunny and about 72 when I started but clouded up before I finished. I ran 6 miles in 53:34, 8:56 pace. Here is what I kept running through my mind as I ran.
“Hey fasto, pick up the pace. It’s quality not quantity. These 10 minute miles are just not getting it. It is not hot out, you have no pains, why are you such a slacker? Pick up the pace!!”
It worked well for the first three miles and I kept an 8:40 pace but the second three I just told myself to go to hell and was a slacker.

Slow and Hot

The alarm went off at 5:00 this morning. I so did not want to get up but Ronnie is in a golf tournament this weekend so I don’t think I will have an opportunity to workout at all Saturday or Sunday.
I finally got to the Rec Center and ready to run at 5:30. It was already 75 degrees and very humid. I ran 3 miles around the greenway and town in 28:04, 9:22 pace. Another slow run. While in town, I saw Lana running in the opposite direction. I almost turned around to run with her but I was already more then halfway done and didn’t want to run a step more then I had planned.
After running, I went to the pool. I swam 3 x 300. I only have estimates on my times because I got a new watch yesterday and I don’t have it completely figured out yet. Guess I have to get those instructions back out.
This morning at 5:49 I got somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 anonymous comments. What’s up with that?

Brick

My husband is off work today and tomorrow. Last night we sat by the pool and drank 3 bottles of wine between us. So this morning when the alarm went off at 7:00 I did not want to get up. I hit snooze, which I NEVER do. While snoozing, I had a dream that one of my old bosses was walking through my kitchen. I said “Hey Blair, what in the world are you doing here?” He responded, “I just came by to tell you not to get up. You raced hard Sunday and should just sleep in this morning.” I have not talked to Blair since Thanksgiving and then it was just “Hi” when I saw him at the Turkey Trot. So why was he in my kitchen telling me to sleep? I got up after one more snooze anyway.
By 7:30 I was on my bike. I rode the Matt’s Hollow/Pomroy loops. It was already sunny and hot but I had a great ride. 20.54 miles in 1:13:19. Average speed 16.8.
I returned to my driveway and changed into my running shoes and discovered the battery in my Garmin was dead. I changed them out only to find the rechargeable were not charged either. So I had to find some regular AAA’s. Once Garmin was working and got a signal, I was off on my run. As I said, it was HOT!! I ran 3 miles in 26:00, 8:40 pace. How is it that I can run 3 miles at an 8:40 pace after riding 20 miles but I haven’t been able to just run 6 at the same pace???

New Top Speed

I met Kim, Tisha and Ray this morning at 5:10 at the Rec Center. Lana called my cell to let me know she wasn’t going to make it due to some hamstring issues.

We rode a modified Normandy loop. Today I hit a new top speed going down the hill of 42.9 mph. Weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Tisha was in a hurry because she had a 7:30 patient coming in so she and Ray went ahead. I never realized just how much we hold them back. I don’t know why they ride with us. But I do know that I am getting better because if it.

I just got an email from Team Magic, the race directors for the Waterfront Tri. Seems that some people only made one loop on the bike and others didn’t run all the way to the turn around. So they got DQed and I have moved up. New standings: 24 of 47 in age group and 451 of 869 overall!!

I Heart Tuesdays

Tuesday is my favorite day of the week right now. I off work. I got to sleep until 6:15!! When I got up I ran 6 miles in 53:54, 8:59 pace. After my run I jumped into the pool to cool off, it was sunny and already 81 degrees out and I was HOT.

The kids and I spent the afternoon playing in the pool. I discovered that I am too old and big for the slide. It just hurts to go down it and therefore isn’t much fun. But the kids had a great time laughing at me.

We came inside at 4:30, ate and got cleaned up. Then we went to the Rec Center so that I could do the 6:00 toning class and the 7:00 flexibility class (this is the yoga class but it really isn’t very yoga-ish). I realized during the toning class just how tired my legs still are. The squats were killer tonight! But my balance is really improving; I only wobbled once during yoga.

Race Pics

Well, I guess I am pushing the buttons right this morning and blogger is going to let me post some race pictures for Sunday's Chattanooga Waterfront Tri (race report below).

This is the river that we swam, the stairs we had to climb to T1, and the post race party.







Me just after crossing the finishline


Me and Lana Finishers!!!

Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon Race Report

Lana picked me up at about 4:45pm Saturday and we headed down to Chattanooga for the Waterfront Triathlon. We just made it in time to get our packets then headed to the Hilton. Turns out they over booked and did not have a double room for us. They gave Lana the choice of a king room at the same rate or a free double room at a hotel a block away. She went for the free room. This trip was off to a GREAT start.

We had a great dinner and turned in.

Alarm went off at 5:00. We got ready and rode our bikes to the transition area. After getting body marked and setting up transition, we boarded the bus to the swim start.

The Swim 1.5 K
This race was an interval start based on estimated swim time and age. I was number 220. Lana was just ahead of me at 212. When it was me turn, I entered the water and the race was on for me. Everything was going just fine, my stroke felt good and I was breathing every third stroke. Then my goggles got so fogged up I couldn’t see anything. I just tried to deal with it for awhile but I was starting to get worried I was going off course and I could tell I was slowing down, so I stopped and wiped them out. After that things went good. I made it to the pier and got pulled out of the water. Swim time 23:54.

T1
Getting to T1 required running up a flight of stairs. T1 time 1:39

The Bike 40 K
I felt great on my ride. The course is a partially one loop with a section of two loops and was a mix of hills and flats. I did start to worry when I was on my second loop and was getting passed by a number of people but when I got to the “straight to finish, right for second loop” part I was the only rider going straight so I felt better. There was a guy that passed me and gave me a woo-hoo and rang his bell. I thought it was very funny that he had a bell on his bike!! At the 20 mile maker, a guy came flying by me and said “How fast can you ride the next 4 plus miles?” I tried to keep him in sight but he was just too fast. Bike time 1:19:57.

T2 time1:45

The Run 10K
I was starting to feel the difference between a sprint distance and an Olympic distance now. The run course took you down a ramp to the waterfront, along the river then up stairs to the river walk. Along the river walk there were several bridges. I HATE crossing bridges. The first one was a glass bottom bridge and I really did not think I was going to make it across. I started getting dizzy and had to run with my hand on the railing. After that bridge the others were not as big of a deal but they still made my heart beat faster. The course was hilly and it was very hot and sunny by this point. At the first water stop I drank a glass and dumped a glass over my head. I got a drink at each water stop and at the turn around I got sprayed by a man with a hose. Right after that I realized that the hosing wasn’t the best idea after all because now I was running is soaking wet shoes. It didn’t take long and my shoes rubbed a blister on my heal. I finally made it back over the bridges, down all the stairs and to the finish line. Run time 57:00.

Total race time 2:44:17. 25 out of 48 in my age group. 453 of 871 overall. It was not an award winning performance but I am happy with it. Now I can add Olympic Distance Triathlon to my list of accomplishments.


Right after they handed me my towel and water I hear Lana’s dad calling to me. Her parents had made it down after all. Thanks Flash for the pictures that blogger won't let me upload!!!

It was a great race with a great spread afterward. They even had free beer for all the racers. I managed to get one before they ran out.

Good Intentions

Wednesday evening the kids wanted McDonald’s. So while we were in town, we drove past Westwood track to see if it was open. There were two guys out walking on it, must be open again. Thursday morning I slept in. The kids didn’t get up until 8:15. It was like heaven to just lie in bed that long. We got up, dressed and headed over to Westwood. When we got there we discovered that the track is in fact not open and there were workers there working on it. So my speed training was canceled. I got a rest day, not that I needed one.
This morning I got up at 5:15 and ran 4 miles in 36:41, 9:10 pace. What has happened to that girl that was running sub 9 minute miles a month ago???
I don’t know if I will be able to squeeze anything in tomorrow or not but if I do it will be minimal. Then Lana and I head for Chattanooga sometime tomorrow afternoon/evening for our first Olympic distance tri on Sunday.

Pack Ride

I had a great ride this morning. It is SO much easier when riding with someone. This morning I met Kim, Tisha, Ray and one of their cyclist friend’s Jack. We rode 22 miles in about 1:21. We got a slow start getting everyone gathered up but after that the pace was great.

Hills, Swim and Classes - What a busy day

I got up at 5:15 and went to the Rec Center. I wanted to run a hillier course today to get me ready for Waterfront this weekend. I ran up jail hill and over to Oakdale to run Thrill Hill then down and around to Spring Street and up those hills and finally up 41 to Old Stone Fort for that hill. It was a total of 6 miles in 57:11 for an average pace 9:31. Not my best effort but it was hilly. When I got back to the Rec Center I went in and changed to swim. I swim 1750 yards in 35:58. That was my first non race swim in a few weeks and the first time I swam a mile in even longer.
The kids and I spent the day playing in the pool with some friends and neighbors. Casey has learned how to do a front flip off the diving board. She didn’t believe me that I could do one so I had to prove it to her. It has been years since I tried a flip and it was ugly. My back flips were much better so she had to try that too. She did it.
After getting cleaned up, we went to the Rec Center for the 6:00 pm toning class and the 7:00 yoga. I enjoyed both and hope that I am not too sore tomorrow for my ride.

Still Dark

The days are getting shorter therefore; it is not getting light as early as it was. I headed out for a ride at 5:00 this morning and it was still fairly dark.
I rode alone again and only put in a marginal effort. 20.2 miles in 1:18:25.
The good news is that I only had one dog encounter and it wasn’t until about 15 miles. It was the same dogs I always see so it was not a big deal and they didn’t put much effort into their chase. Guess they were feeling lazy too.

Run Bike Swim

Manchester Star Triathlon Race Report.
A reverse sprint distance.
I was not crazy about running first and swimming last but I did this race because it was our first local tri. For once I did not have to get up at 4 in the morning and drive an hour to get to the race. This morning I got up at 5:40 and got the kids up at 6 to go with me. We got to the Rec Center at 6:30. I had picked up my race packet last night so I just had to set up my transition area and get body marked. The kids were wild so I handed them off to the child care at 7:00. The race started on time at 7:30.

The Run -5k
I started out slow for fear of not having anything left for the rest of the race. Problem is I never picked it up. I don’t know what my run time was but think it was in the 25-26 minute range. Not a good 5k.

T1
I made it into T1. I made SURE I got my helmet buckled this time. I got my shoes changed and grabbed my bike.

The Bike – 15.6 miles
Ray had told me before the race the bike course was mostly up hill until you crossed over the interstate. The first part of the course is the only part that I haven’t ridden so I was glad for the warning. I felt great. I was passing people and making up time that I lost on the run. I got to the part of the course that I ride some and was preparing for the turn and hill when my chain fell off. I know it didn’t take that long to get it back on but it felt like forever. It was like I just couldn’t think. Finally I calmed down and got it back on but not before I got passed by a bunch of people. I managed to catch most of them. The next big challenge was the hill by Cracker Barrel toward the end of the course. It is short but very steep. There was a guy in front of me that was weaving back and forth trying to get up and I had a guy on my left moving in to pass. I had no where to go. Finally the weaver got off his bike and moved over to walk up the hill. I made it to the top and then on to transition.

T2
I got my bike racked and shoes and helmet off, grabbed my swim cap and goggles, and headed for the pool.

Swim – 200 yards
I jumped into the pool and started swimming. Half a lap into the swim I was feeling a drag and realized that I forgot to zip my shirt. I stopped at the wall and zipped it. By the second lap my goggles were filling up with water. I continued on trying to breathe every third stroke and ingnore the water in my goggles. I finished the swim and hauled myself up and out of the pool to the finish line.

My official time was 1:21:15. I don’t have any splits and don’t know that there will be any since we didn’t have timing chips.

I got first (and last) place in my age group and got some nice hardware. My daughter informed me on the way to the race that I “had to get first place this time” since I had gotten 3rd and 2nd at my last two races. Glad I was able to make her happy! I did finish 4th overall female and there were more then 4 females in the race!!

The race was very well organized and the course was great. Thanks to Leslie for putting on such a great race. I will do it again next year.

I don’t have any pictures since Lana’s Dad didn’t make it out for the race.

Shortcut

Lana called me back at 9:45 last night to let me know she was in for a 30 mile ride this morning at 5:00. We met at the Rec Center and rode our Normandy loop. Despite the fact that it was cold the ride went very well, I only remember seeing one dog. We decided to make a change to the route that brought us back to the Rec Center at 18.2 miles. Lana was ready to quit and I didn’t fight too hard. The change we made added some good hills so even though we didn’t get the miles in we still had a good ride.

I have decided to go ahead with the Manchester Star Tri tomorrow. It is our first local Tri and I really want to support it. Cindy has assured me she will have child care for my kids so I am out of excuses.

10 Mile Struggle

It wasn’t pretty and it was a huge struggle, but I got my 10 mile run in this morning at 5:15. It was cloudy, windy, and felt like rain when I started but by the end of the run the sun was out (still windy) and it looks like it is going to be a beautiful day.
I ran very slow and even though I wasn’t haven’t any problems or pains I just could not get my legs moving any faster.
I am way behind on my training this week and really wonder if trying to do a triathlon Saturday is wise.

Happy 4th of July

I got up at 5:00 this morning to meet Lana at her house for a 5:30 ride. It was a great ride with some dogs but I think they must be getting use to us. We saw the arrows painted on the road for the Star tri that is this Saturday. I really need to get signed up for that.
We ended up riding 31.37 miles in 1:53:23. I had an average speed of 16.6. Still lots of room for improvement. I was really feeling the effects of taking two days off and having too much fun in Memphis over the weekend.
Lana had a great crash at the end of the ride. She looks over her shoulder at me and says “I am going to the end of my street and back to get 31”. I said “I already have 31” She started messing with her computer and hit the curb and tipped right over into her neighbor’s yard. That ended her ride at 30.9!!
We are having a 4th of July pool party today. I am hoping the rain holds off. Guess I better get back to house cleaning in case we have to move the whole thing inside.
Have a GREAT 4th!!!!!

I've been Tagged

I have been tagged by Lana

four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Civil Engineer
2. Cad Tech
3. Waitress
4. Hostess

four movies I watch over and over:
1. Cheaper by the Dozen 2
2. Toy Story
3. Sponge Bob
4. Hello Kitty

four places I have lived:
1. Manchester, TN
2. Memphis, TN
3. Chicago, IL
4. St. Paul, MN

four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Survivor
2. Desperate Housewives
3. Friends
4. The Bachelor

four places I have been on vacation:
1. Jamaica
2. Orange Beach, AL
3. New Orleans
4. Cancun

four websites I visit daily:
1. blogger.com
2. coolrunning.com
3. yahoo.com
4. my-cast.com

four of my favorite foods:
1. Chocolate
2. Mexican
3. Pizza
4. Ice Cream

four places I would rather be right now:
1. On Vacation
2. In the pool
3. In Bed
4.

four favorite bands/singers:
1. Kenny Chesney
2. Tim McGraw
3. Trace Adkins
4. Faith Hill

four bloggers I’ll Tag
1. Jamie
2. Denise
3. David
4. Dusty

Home Again

I am back home and exhausted.
Yesterday morning I was going to get up early and go run but Casey had bad dreams so I was sleeping in the top bunk with her. I knew there was no way I would be able to sneak out so I just slept in. I finally went on my run at 9:00. It was HOT again. I ran 4.5 according to my Garmin but it was acting up again, so who knows how far it really was. I hope now that I am home it will start working right.
I got up this morning and was on the road at 6:00am. Casey slept most of the way home and Bryce watched TV. I never even had to stop. 4 straight hours of driving. We had a great time but I am glad I won’t be making that drive again until Thanksgiving!
I am NOT getting up early in the morning so I hope I can squeeze something in tomorrow evening.