McMinnville City Triathlon

My only goal for this race was to have fun.
Mission accomplished.
I got to the race site at about 6:00 Saturday morning and got a text from David right away. I found him and his wife parked right down from me.
I got my transition area set up. Then found Mike, Don, and Tim.
This race is a pool swim. Your start position is based on your estimated swim time. I used last years time and therefore was number 187. Mike had changed his time and as a result ended up number 27, right up front with all the really good swimmers and serious athletes. We got some good laughs about it before the race. Mike managed to sweet talk his way into moving back to 200.
The race started late and then it took forever to get everyone in the water.
Team Magic has gotten a new timing system and they now have a mat at the swim start. Therefore, you have to jump in when they say "Go".
My turn finally came. I stood on the mat and when they said go I jumped into the pool.
I don't know if it was all the pre race laughing or just the fact that I was there just to have fun, but I was very relaxed in the water. I caught up with the person in front of me pretty quickly. Then the next person and the next...I continued passing people and never got passed.

I ran out out of the pool and into transition.
350 yard swim = 7:15
T1-I got my helmet and bike shoes on, grabbed my bike, and was out of there.
The mat at the exit must not have been working because T1 time is lumped in with the bike times.
While waiting on the race to start we commented several times on the wind. It was strong. The bike course is rolling and the first half was into the wind. I noticed after the first several miles I was riding just over 3 minute miles. Hmmm...could I pull off a 20 mph ride?? I started to push a little harder. I continued to pass people and still had not been passed by anyone. After the 8 mile marker we turned and had a cross wind. I was able to pick up some speed but was still 2 minutes off of a 20 mph pace. We made another turn and got the tail wind. Time to make up the time. I pushed but was feeling Friday's run in my quads. I made the final turns, saw the 15 mile marker, did the math, and had my 20 mph pace.
15.25 mile ride + T1 = 47:22
I put up my bike and changed to running gear. I grabbed a Gu and was out of transitionT2 = 1:11
I was off on the run. I passed more people and then someone passed me!!!! It was the girl who went into the pool 2 people ahead of me. I had passed her in the pool. She came into T1 just behind me and must have been right on my tail the whole ride. So at about a half mile into the run she passed me. I checked out her left calf and was relieved to see that she was not in my age group. The run is more rolling hills. I drank water at each of the aid stations. No one else passed me. I made the turn into the park and made the final push to the finish line.
3.1 mile run 23:52 (7:58 pace).
I found Tim right away. He had forgotten to start his watch so had no idea how he had done but felt good about his race. I saw Mike cross the finish line. Then I found David and his wife. We chatted for a while then I went to see if they had results posted. I saw Don and he said they had Mike as the overall winner!!
Sure enough there was Mike listed at number 1. Don and I went to find Mike and congratulate him.
Too bad results were updated and Mike was no longer in the top spot.
We hung out for the awards.
Tim snagged 1st place beginner.
I got 3rd place age group.
Mike got 3rd place Mater Clydesdale.
My final time was 1:19:39
The overall female winner had a time of 1:13:42 and the first place female in my age group was 1:18:02. I was less then 6 minutes behind the winner and a minute and a half behind my age group winner. Not too bad! And I got a really cool mug for my trophy shelf.

Puppy

I am a dog person. I love dogs, especially puppies.
But when I am on my bike or running, I am not such a fan. On the bike I am worried about getting knocked over and ruining I worry about tripping on the dog (I have done this and it is not fun).
This morning I got up at 3:20. My alarm was set for 3:30 but for some reason I just woke up a 3:20. It wasn't worth trying to sleep for 10 minutes, so I went ahead and got up.
I ran the required 1:50. For the last 2 miles I was joined by a puppy. He was super cute, but he wanted to play. He kept jumping up at my hands and feet. I just knew I was going to trip over him. Lucky for both of us, we made it home without incident.
I went inside and changed then went to the pool. Puppy chased my car down the street to the stop sign.
I swam the required 1700 yards. I actually enjoyed this swim. Slow swimming was required for most of it.
When I pulled into my neighborhood, I saw Ronnie out running and guess who was tagging along?? Cute little puppy. He ran all 6 miles with Ronnie and still had energy to jump all over me when I walked down the driveway.
The puppy was gone by the time I got home from work. Hope he made it home safely.

Sunrises

I have seen some beautiful sunrises this week.
I have been up before dawn everyday. Sunday it was for a 43 min bike and 35 min run. Monday was a 3000 yard swim. Tuesday 40 min run, weights and abs. And today an 1:17 bike followed by a 2500 yard swim.
Tomorrow is finally a rest day. I will still do ab ripper but I am sleeping past sun rise.

Week One is Done

While I finished my first week of ironman training, there are others preparing to toe the line tomorrow. Good Luck! Look forward to spending the day tracking.

I got reminded this week just how bad my swim is. Wednesday I had to do a 1000 yard time trial. It took me 19:27 and I could NOT have gone any faster. Then Friday I had to do 4000 yards - 500 swim, 500 pull, 10 x 50 on 1:00, 5 x 100 on 2:00, repeat. The 50's and 100's just turned into 500s. I couldn't swim fast enough to get even 5 seconds of rest between sets. I know part of my problem is I don't do flip turns and I lose time at the wall. The only other problem is that I am just slow.

My other workouts have been uneventful, just the way I like them. I logged all the time the plan called for and did all the workouts. Ok some I had to improvise on like the stretching on Thursday. I didn't know what they wanted so I did the xstretch DVD and the ab DVD that came with Ronnie's P90X. I need to do more stretching. I am so stiff and unflexible.

This week was a high swim volume week and it looks like next is a little more running.

Looking Like an Idiot

I am determined to follow this plan as close as I can. I hope in doing so I will arrive at the start line ready and able to finish. I don't understand why I have to do some of this stuff but I am trusting The Plan.

So this morning I ran for 20 minutes nice and slow, keeping my heart rate in zone 1-2. Then I went to the pool to work on form. I swam the 3000 yards also nice and slow. But I felt good doing it.

This afternoon, I did the scheduled plyometrics. I felt like an idiot but I did it. 2 sets of 50 jump ropes. Nothing bad there. I did have to buy a jump rope to do it though. After that it got silly. First I had to skip. 3 set of 50 skips. Ronnie came outside and laughed at me and said I should have waited until dark so the neighbors couldn't see me. After skipping, it was hopping. Two foot hops then one foot hops. I hopped around the pool and was just glad I didn't fall in. After the hops it was bench jumps. I did them on the back step. The Plan said this all should have taken 45 minutes. It didn't take me anywhere near that long. Maybe I rushed too much for fear of being seen??? Next time I am doing them in the dark.

And the Fun Begins

Day One Week One, it has started. 20 weeks of training for the Big Dance on Nov 1st.
I admit I am a little freaked out. It is real now for some reason. Until today, this was something I was going to do but now...I am officially training for an Ironman!!!
So, I got up at 4:44 this morning (can you believe I hit snooze on my very first day of training?). I was on my bike at 5:00. The Plan called for a 75 minute ride and a 40 minute run. I over estimated how far I could ride in 75 minutes so ended up with 25.18 miles in 1:24:00 for an average speed of 18 mph. Off the bike and a quick shoe change then off on the run. I made it 4.51 miles in the 40 minutes for a 8:52 pace. I went right upstairs for 15 minutes of Ab Ripper fun.
So day one is checked off and I feel pretty good about it.

Bonnaroo is here!!!

Yesterday I met my friend Tracy at the Rec Center to ride. She lives on one of the main access roads to Bonnaroo so she figured getting out on her bike Thursday would be the best way to get a workout in. We rode one of our normal routes and other then a few cars and RVs on 41 going out of town??? there was no signs of a major music fest. That is until we got back to town!!! There the cars were lined up on the highway to get in. I dropped Tracy off at her street to fight her way home and I left the traffic again and head to my house. I ended up with just over 31 miles.

This morning I got up and ran the 5 miles to the Rec Center, swam 1750 yards, and then ran the 5 miles home. I was soaked from the swim and must have been looking really rough because one of the ticker scaplers at the interstate asked me if I wanted some ice water. I declined but was sure wishing I had it a few more miles down the road.

I am not going to Bonnaroo but it sure is fun having all these people in town. I love living in a small town but it gives us the "big city" feel for a week. That's enough for me.

Last Chance to Slack

Training starts Sunday so this is my last week of slacking. I took full advantage this morning.
I planned to swim. The alarm went off at 5:30. I got up, peed, took of my PJs, got on the scale, decided I was too tired, put back on my PJs, and slept for another hour.
I am so exhusted from the weekend. One of my friends had her 40th birthday party Saturday night in Memphis. The kids and I drove down Friday. Angie and I stayed up drinking beer and catching up til late. Then I got up about 8:00am with a hangover and ran 7 miles in the heat. Spent the day by the pool and the night drinking again. Sunday I got up early and went to my friend Dawn's house. She was nice enough to keep my kids for me while I partied. Dawn and I hung out and drank wine. We tried to play some Wii Ski but didn't do too good, could have been the wine. Monday morning I got up and drove home.
These two weeks aren't just about drinking and eating. That has been a large part of it but I have done some training too.
The Sunday after the race I did nothing.
Monday evening I did ab ripper and back/chest weights.
Tuesday morning trainer ride 13 miles
Wednesday morning 3 mile run and toning class
Thursday morning 1500 yard swim
Friday morning 10.5 mile trainer ride and ab ripper
Then it was the party weekend with only the 7 mile run on Saturday.
Monday afternoon when I got home I did a 25.12 mile ride. It was 94 and sunny but I loved it!
Tuesday morning 6 mile run and ab ripper that evening.
Today was the skipped swim. I still plan to do weights tonight, maybe.
Tomorrow I ride and Friday I run. Saturday is still up in the air, maybe a final rest day.
I have enjoyed the lack of schedule and just doing a little something whenever I feel like it, but I am ready now. Time to get back to business. I am back on track with my diet and ready to start "The Plan".

Rock 'n RollMan Race Report

I got up early, before my alarm even went off. I hadn't slept well. I ate a Prue Protein bar and some Fig Newtons.
I got to the race site plenty early. I got body marked and set up my transition. Water temp was announced to be 77.5, wetsuits would be legal. Finally some good news.
I walked down to the beach and found a table to sit at. I sipped G2 and talked to some other racers. Before I knew it the race started. I was going out in wave seven, the last wave of the half. We had a fairly small wave and when the gun fired we were off. It was a single clockwise loop in a lake. When I practice swimming I breathe every third stroke so I am breathing on both sides. But in a race I panic and breathe every other stroke, on the left. It makes it hard to site on a clockwise course. I am sure I looked like a turtle when I looked for the markers. But for the most part, I just counted on the other swimmers and sighted off of them. The good thing about going out last is I never had anyone coming up from behind and was really excited when I started catching people from the waves ahead of me. I finally relaxed and thought about reaching and rolling. It was full contact swimming but at least there were no jelly fish and the water was smooth as glass. I made the final turn and swam for the beach. I caught up with the sprint distance racers and it got pretty crowded. I got out of the water and saw a 38 something on my watch and knew I had a PR swim. It is a pretty far uphill run from the beach to transition, so final 1.2 mile swim time was 40:00.
Of course there weren't many bikes left in transition by this point so it made mine easy to find. I got out of my wetsuit and into my bike shoes and helmet. I grabbed my bike and ran for the exit. T1 time 1:46
I quickly discovered that another advantage of going out in the last swim wave and only being a so-so swimmer was that I didn't get passed on the bike. I did all the passing. I knew the course was going to be hilly. I am not a strong cyclist and hills are not my friend. So I just told myself to do what I could. I ate shot bloks every 10 to 15 minutes and drank water. At the 15 mile water drop I grabbed a water and filled my aero bottle. I was disappointed that the water wasn't cold. I continued passing people. I had my computer set to show cadence and time. I never checked distance or average speed but I could tell from the mile markers and my time that I was on my way to a PR bike. But the hills never let up, it was one after the other. I have never said the f word so much in my life. The 30 mile and 45 mile water drops went smooth, well except I dropped the first bottle at the 30 and had to grab a second. But it didn't slow me down any. I finally saw the 50 mile marker and by my computer had 6 minutes to get a sub 3. I just kept saying push and pull. I made it to the dismount line. 56 mile bike 2:58:53
I ran my bike back to my rack. helmet off. hat on. bike shoes off. running shoes on. grabbed my gu and was out. T2-1:36
I took a Gatorade as I started the run. Ewww too sweet. The race site described the run as "a one loop course with 3 out and back sections. A rolling course with no serious climbs, it is the heat that makes this course difficult." And boy did the heat make it difficult but the hills were nothing to ignore either. My plan was to "run" from aid station to aid station. At each aid station I stopped and got a fresh wet towel that I kept around my neck, water, and ice to dump in my bra. I got orange slices and heed at a few stations. I got heed once thinking it was water (it was clear too) and dumped it over my head. Great now I am hot and sticky!!! I walked while I drank/ate. My mile splits were looking good. Could I PR this run too??? The heat was starting to get to me. I was getting a headache and my face felt like it was on fire. My shoes were soaked and I could feel blisters forming on my toes. I ran past a guy and he said at least I had the frogs in my shoes to keep me company. The walk breaks at aid stations got longer and so did my splits. I final got to the park entrance. Up the final hill, then the finish line was in site. I got to the chute and crossed the line. 13.1 mile run 2:06:26

I got my medal, an ice cold towel, and a bottle of water. They had a sprinkler tent set up and I stood under it for few minutes then went and found the beer tent. Best beer I have ever had!!! I hung out and talked for a while waiting on official results so I could get my official time. Results were posted.

Official time 5:48:38
I was the 22nd female to finish. Hmm I looked at the ages. I was 3rd in my age group. I decided to stick around for the awards. I went and put my bike and stuff in the car and got a fresh beer (or two).
The awards started. They went 3 deep in masters. Hmm even better for me. They did age group awards and I started to wonder how I would fair. 40-44 females. 1st place...Michele Emerson. Shocked I went and collected my award.

I left after that and went back to the hotel. My room key didn't work!!! Took it to the front desk to get it reprogrammed. I took a quick shower then got a beer and went to the pool. After a few more beers I decided to order pizza (I forgot to grab an Outback chicken sandwich at the post race party).
It was a great race. Very well run with lots of great volunteers. The aid stations were well stocked. It was hot and the course was tough but it was a great time. The best part...there is a race for everyone. Don't want to run? They have an aquabike. Don't want to swim? They have a duathlon. Just want to do one sport? They have a relay. Don't want to go long? They have a sprint.
I will be going back to Georgia someday and I will be riding lots of hills before I do!!

Bad Start

This trip is not off to a good start:

Got stuck in traffic and sat on the interstate for an hour.

I was using my cell phone for my GPS. It died in Atlanta. So I didn't have GPS or a phone.

I stood in line for an hour and a half to pick up my race packet.

Got lost going to the hotel.

The hotel did not have my reservation. They did have one room left that I snatched right up.

I left my confirmation number and camera at home.

It was 8:30 before I got dinner.

It is hotter then hell here and wetsuits might not be legal.

I hope I got all the bad out of the way and tomorrow can be a much better day.

Final Prep

I have finished all my final workouts, well most of them.
Sunday was a 45 minute bike. I went a little too far and ended up with 54:17.
Monday was a 2000 yard swim and a 25 minute run. With the holiday I wasn't sure about the pool schedule but I was sure they wouldn't be open early. So I skipped the swim and just did the run and abs.
Tuesday a 50 minute ride that I had to do on the trainer due to rain.
Wednesday was a rest day but I did abs.
Today 1000 yards swim and 20 minute run. I did the run on the greenway and then hit the pool. This afternoon I did tomorrows 20 minute ride so that tomorrow I can rest.
I got my new bike computer installed last night and it worked great on my ride today. I also got my aero bottle on better, it didn't rattle like it did in Memphis.
I have started packing, hope I remember all the important stuff.
I printed out my medical release form and directions.
I found out there is an Olive Garden close to my hotel. I checked out the menu and am ready for some good carb loading tomorrow night.
All that is left is to race.

Where's the Taper

Here I am a week after Memphis and a week out from Georgia and I am ready to taper. I would have thought this week would have been the start but it was still a high volume week.
Monday-one hour easy spin on trainer and 1500 yard swim
Tuesday-40 min run and ab ripper
Wednesday- 2500 yard swim and 80 min trainer ride
thursday-ab ripper
Friday- 4000 yard swim, 2:30 bike outside, and a 15 min run off
Saturday-45 min run
I don't have milage on the indoor bike rides because my computer is still not working. I have tried everything but can NOT get the stupid thing to work, so I ordered a new one. Hope it gets here this week, I have to have numbers in Georgia.
Numbers...there is one number that has not been good this week. I promised myself after the weekend of splugeing on bad food and beer in memphis I was going to be good until race day. I made it 4 days. I haven't been terrible like I was in Memphis, but I haven't stayed on plan either. So for the next week when training volume is down my diet has to be on track. I gotta get off these 3 extra pounds before race day.
I am not nervous about the race yet. I know I can go the distance. I might not be able to PR but I feel good about being able to finish. I am more worried about going down alone then about the actual race. I have never been to a race that I haven't know someone there. It is going to be weird. But it is kind of exciting too. Time completely to myself, a luxuary I don't often have.
Hope everyone has a great long weekend. It is suppose to be beautiful here. Pool and sun all weekend. Just gotta watch the beers.

Memphis in May Race Report

I checked the kids out of school Friday at 11:00 to head down to Memphis. That is the first time I have checked them out for anything other then sickness. Neither teach gave them any make up work since they are just wrapping thing up anyway.

We went on to Millington and picked up my stuff because I didn't know if they would let me get it Sunday morning before the race. Then we went to Dawn's house. I drank way too much and stayed up way too late playing Wii and eating ores.

Saturday we didn't do much but it was great just hanging out with Dawn again. We went to Bola Pasta for dinner and more beer Saturday night. Then back to Dawn's for more Wii. I can see a Wii in our future, it was so much fun.

Sunday morning I got up early and got the car loaded. We got to the race site at 6:30. All the good racks on my row were already taken so I had to get down close to the fence. I am sure that the extra distance added all of 3 or 4 seconds to my transition times, wish I could blame it more.

I got body marked and had to declare myself the big four oh for the first time.
I hung out with my support for a while and then went to line up. It took a while for it to be my turn since I was #878. I finally made it up to the front of the line and the lady touched my should and said "Go". I ran down the boat ramp and into the water. It was cold. I quickly passed the girl who went right before me and just sighted on the other yellow caps ahead. I felt like I was out there all alone for a long time and then I got clobbered by the faster swimmer coming up from behind. From the point on it was full contact swimming. I made my way around the buoys and after the final turn the water got rough. At first i thought there must be a boat but it never let up. I made it to the boat ramp and tried to stand up but the water was still too deep (I swear the person ahead of me stood up there). I swam some more and ended up swimming until the water was only about mid calf deep.
1.5K swim 27:16
I found my bike, got out of my wetsuit, and into my bike gear. Dee, my swim coach from when I went to swim class, was leaving transition the same time as me. I knew she went in the water way after me and had just smoked me on the swim. I wondered how many others had passed me in the water.
T1-2:12
Coming out of T1 it is a very slight uphill. I got my right foot clipped in and was trying to get my left foot in when it slipped off the pedal. I hit the seat hard. After that, I got clipped in and moving. The bike was nice and flat but we had a cross wind for most of the ride. I had my aero bottle on my bike and this made me drink a lot more then I normally do. I think that really helped. I felt great but had no idea how I was doing. My computer wasn't working and there weren't any mile markers. I never saw anyone from my age group. I did realize out there was just how much I need to work on my turning. I am a big fat chicken and slow WAY down for any kind of turn. I can't even remember how many times I got passed or lost ground on a turn. I finally saw someone from my age group just as I approached transition. I passed her and she passed me right back. I made the final turn and went down the hill to the dismount line. 40K bike 1:09:33 (21.1 mph average)

Changed out of bike stuff into running stuff and was out for the run. T2 2:18

As I started, I spotted Ronnie and the kids. I got a high five from Bryce and continued on. The run was hillier then I thought. I made it to the first mile maker got some Gatorade and figured my pace to be about 9:00. I saw Patrick some time after the 2. He told me to catch up with him. yeah right!!! I made it to the turn round and headed back. I saw Ronnie and the kids as I ran along the water's edge approaching the finish. The wind almost blew my hat off, but I caught it with one and and waved with the other. 10K run 51:46 (8:20 pace)

2:33:03 a new PR
15 of 68 AG
They had a great party with free beer and tons of food and a band. I got beer and food and beer.

Patrick and Wayne found us by the beer tent. We chatted for a while and then we headed out, it was still a long drive home.

Computer Failure

After my ride Friday, I cleaned my bike all up and got her all nice and shiny. Ready to make her racing debut this weekend in Memphis.
Monday I put her on the trainer for an hour ten of hills. I noticed right off that the computer wasn't working. I tried to adjust things but it only worked for a total of 23 minutes of the ride. I didn't have time to mess with it anymore and then forgot about it. Messing with the computer put me behind so I decided to wait and do my swim Monday night. Doing it in the morning, I would have had to cut it short anyway but by waiting until evening I got all 3200 yards in.
Tuesday I had a speed run. 8 x 400. I discovered that the "hoop" in my subdivision is just over a quarter of a mile. The one minute recovery was enough time to get me back to start of the hoop and off I went again.
Today I had another hour on the trainer. I had set my bike up last night and thought I got the computer working again. It only worked for a total of 4 minutes. I don't know what is wrong with the stupid thing or how I am going to race without it.

A Week already????

Man, time is flying.

First off big congrats to Lana, Mike, Holly, Heather, Tim, Kevin, Lee, and Patrick on their outstanding performances down in Panama City. I am so happy for all of them. Great races in some tough conditions.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom (I don't think she reads this but...) and all the other moms out there. I am going to enjoy a lazy afternoon and then have a big cheat night and pig out on some oh so bad food and drink. mmmmm can't wait.

This week was a recovery week with lots of zone 1/zone 2 work. Well, except for Monday. I thought when I finished FIRST, I was done with Monday morning speedwork. Surprise. Monday morning I was right back at it. 5 minute warm up, 4 x 2 minute sprints with 2 minute recovery and a 5 minute cool down. Then off to the pool for 2050 yards. The swim was suppose to be longer but I had to get home.
Tuesday started the easy stuff. 45 minute easy spinning on the trainer and ab ripper DVD.
Wednesday was 30 minutes of easy "pretty running". I did go to toning class even though I am not suppose to be doing strength training any more. She made me pay for skipping class so much.
Thursday I did ab ripper again and then swam 2300 yards. The swim was less then the plan called for again but all I had time for.
Friday the plan called for 3:30 ride on terrain similar to the race course. I have not been to Macon, GA but the website says "rolling" so that it what I did. I got in 60.85 miles with the last 5 as loops around my neighborhood because I did NOT want to go any longer then I had to.
Saturday and Sunday more "pretty running". This time 1:30 and 0:45. I also did the ab ripper DVD this morning after the run.

Well, off to enjoy the rest of my Mother's Day laziness and then pig out. Have a great day!!!

Cut Short

Yesterday afternoon I went to the pool at 3:00 giving myself plenty of time to get in the 3600 yard swim before the pool closed at 4:45.
It was a speed workout and I was having a pretty good swim. The warm up went well and I did each 100 faster then the one before it. I was halfway done with my 4th 300 when I got stopped by the lifeguards and told I had to get out. Some kid had puked in the pool. I had only gotten 2200 yards done so I asked one of the lifeguards how long the pool would be closed. He told me until they could get it cleaned up. I stood there a few minutes before deciding I really didn't want to swim in a pool with puke. I mean how where they going to clean that up?? So I went into the locker run and changed for my run. Plan called for 80 minutes of hills. I felt pretty good but the downhills still hurt a little. Got in 8.6 miles, 9:18 pace.

This morning was a 45 minute easy spin. I did it on my trainer before church. I still have abs to do later but it is beautiful out and I am going outside to enjoy the day with my kids.

And the Craziness gets Started

I really hoped that once the marathon was over things would settle down for me but it has gotten worse. May is always a crazy month and this year the craziness started a few days early.
I have adjusted my work schedule this month so that I don't miss any of the activities the kids have going on. Training is being squeezed in between those activities and work.
Sunday was a very lazy day. I did manage to shuffle the one mile around the block Sunday afternoon just to try to work out some stiffness.
Monday the plan called for a run and swim. I skipped the run knowing that it would not be very productive and just did 1500 yards in the pool. Lots of pull with dead legs just dragging behind. The swim must have really helped because by that evening I no longer needed to use the wall to pull myself off the toilet.
So Tuesday morning I got up at 4:20 for an 1:15 trainer ride. Plan called for hills so I did the Pedaling Strength DVD. Then I did ab ripper that night.
Wednesday was another 4:20 wake up for a 45 minute run and a 2900 yard swim. The run was slow and I only made it 4.54 miles, 9:55 pace. I had to cut the swim short (1900 yards) to get the kids to school for the final day of AR points. Bryce ended up with 100 points and Casey 200. I am so proud of both of them and glad it is over.
Thursday I got to "sleep in" until 5:00. One hour trainer ride. Easy spinning while watching TV. Then off to Sam Davis home for a field trip with the 2nd grade.
Today was field day at school and the plan called for 3:30 ride and 20 minute run. Bryce has a birthday party to attend this evening. So the only way to get the workout done was to get up at 2:45 this morning. I did the Tough Love spinervals DVD. That was my first time to do the whole thing and I looked like someone sprayed me with a hose by the time I was done. I changed shoes, put on a shirt, and headed out for the run. My legs felt fine but I still kept it slow and only got in 2.12 miles.
Field day was a blast and the kids did great. They only got to do the morning events. With storms on the radar, they decided to postpone the afternoon events until Tuesday morning. I am going to have to make some more adjustments to my work schedule.

On the News

David and I made the local news. Check it out here, we are at the VERY end.

Country Music Marathon

Ronnie and I got up Saturday at 3:00. I tried to eat some oatmeal and an apple but was still so full from Friday night’s pasta pig out that I couldn’t eat more then few bites. I also tried to eat some energy bar samples that I got at the Birmingham expo in February, but they were gross.
We were on the road headed to Nashville by 4. We saw lightening as soon as we backed out of the garage and we weren’t far down the road before the rain started. GREAT!!!
We made it to within 0.7 miles of the race and then traffic was at a stand still. It took us another 55 minutes to go that final 0.7 miles. We finally got parked and in line for the shuttle.
We met up with David and Amy at the park.
I put on my shoes and trash bag, dropped my gear check bag at the UPS truck, and peed behind a bush. I turned on my Garmin only to get a “Low Battery” warning. I hoped that it would last for the entire race.
David and I said bye to Amy and Ronnie as they went off to their corrals and we went to ours.
They started the Elite athletes and 12 minutes and 35 seconds later, they started us.
David and I were at the front of our corral, so there wasn’t any bobbing and weaving. We did start out a little fast but quickly realized it and adjusted our speed. We made it to mile one in 9:08. A little fast for this early. We adjusted some more and ran mile 2 in 9:22. Then my Garmin died!!! David kept us in check though. It was really hard for me not to be able to keep an eye on my pace and I am sure I drove David crazy asking him ”How we doing on pace?”.
I was feeling great.
I had run this marathon as my first in 2006, but didn’t remember much of the course. David, on the other hand, knew exactly what was coming and kept me abreast of what laid ahead.
One of the things I like about this race is the way it has loops. You meet runners going the other direction several times. I got dizzy scanning the crowds looking for people I knew. We did see Ronnie and Amy once.
We walked the water stops to drink and took our Gu every 5-6 miles. I stayed away from a Accelerade.
I heard someone yell my name then David’s. It was Brent and Rae.
Jill came up from behind us and ran with us for about half a mile before she dropped back.
We made it to the levee, I remembered how I felt at that point in 06 and was surprised how great I still felt. I could tell David was starting to struggle because he wasn’t talking much.
We ran off the levee and around past the convent. The nuns were out cheering and they had ”holy water” at their water stop. We got a drink of that.
We continued running and then David told me I was going to have to go on without him.
Now I was running naked. I had to check the clocks at every mile marker, add 12, and check my pace band to make sure I was still on track.
I saw Lana’s dad at mile 20 and could not think of his name, I was like “Hi, Mr. ummmmm”. My brain was not functioning and all the math every mile was as much as I could handle. Lana cheered and asked if I needed anything. I told her I was fine and kept on going. It was really boost to have them cheer for me.
I saw Rae and Brent again still cheering. Another boost.
My mouth was starting to get dry and I didn’t want to drink too much and just have it slosh in my stomach, so I chewed a piece of gum. That did the trick.
I entered the park for the final loop. I remembered this part of the course from last time, I was in SERIOUS pain that time. I was hurting this time but knew I was on track and that kept me running. I saw Holly J and Heather right at the 23 marker and was talking to them so missed the clock. I hated missing the chance to check my pace.
I made it to mile 24 and think I must have done the math wrong because I thought I was behind and not going to make it. I was disappointed. I tried to pick up the pace but just didn’t have anything left.
I saw Lana and Holly entering the park as I was leaving. Then I saw David and he yelled 3:45. It took my brain a minute to realize first what he was telling me and then to compute that I was still on track.
I made it to mile 25, did the math and knew I was still on track. I wanted to walk so bad. My legs HURT but I knew I didn’t have enough of a cushion to allow even a brief break. I didn’t even stop for water at the last two stops because I was afraid if I slowed down I would never get moving again.
I was down to my last mile. The crowd was cheering “Just around the bend is the finish chute”.
I made the turn and could see the clock. I knew I needed a 4:12:35 for a sub 4.
I pushed with everything I had left and crossed the line with the clock reading 4:10:something. I cried. I found out later that my offical time was 3:57:36.
I got a bottle of water and called Ronnie. He had just missed me crossing. I got my metal and kissed it. Got a space blanket and went to have my chip removed. I couldn’t even lift my foot.
I got my picture made and got some food. I wasn’t hungry but tried to eat something.
I saw Heather sitting at the “No re-entry” point. She went sub 4 too.
I left the finishers area and found Ronnie, Amy and Mary Beth. All had great halfs.
Mary Beth, Amy and me
Ronnie, me, Mary Beth and Amy
We found the free beer tent and got our dixie cup of beer, then sent Ronnie to buy a real cup of beer.
We enjoyed some beer, music, and sun shine. We saw Lana (who had a great half as Brain), Lisa, and Holly. Holly had some stomach issues on the course but still rocked out a great first marathon.
We couldn’t stay for long since we had to get home and pick up the kids.
I am so happy to have that monkey off my back. And to do it at “home” and on the same course as my first made it even sweeter.
When I called my dad with the news, he was happy for me and said "Now all you have to do is finish that Ironman and then you can be normal again”. LOL, I don’t know that I will ever be normal.

Done
Michele

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