Foto Friday: Busy Weekend

First there is Halloween...In case you haven't guessed I love Halloween (wait 'til you see my costume!). Also, the NYC Marathon is on Sunday. I will be out cheering for a very good friend of ours who will be running. Here are some pics from the finish line setup.

I Hate Racing

I hate racing. There, I've said it. I really don't enjoy it at all. On the other hand I love training. I really do. However, I will not train if I don't have a race to train for. This can be summed up quite easily with the following formula:

Motivation = Training/Race

This is why I am going to sign up for one of the indoor triathlons that the local sporting goods store is sponsoring. They are holding them in November, December, two in January with the top finalists of each one competing in March. The dilemma; which one to sign up for. My inclination is to go for the December one and then maybe one of the January ones. This is really a no-brainer when you consider what's involved (or not involved, mainly, blood, sweat and tears). The race consists of a 10 minute swim in the pool, 30 minutes on the spin bike and 20 minutes on the treadmill, done. At $50 a pop though I need to overthink it as this is my M.O.

Another race on my radar is the Race to Deliver. It's a 4M race with a toddler trot on November 22. I'm still trying to bait Baby Toots into racing, but he isn't biting. Why isn't he his mother's son? Well, at least he is signed up for soccer, whether he will actually get out and participate instead of observing is anther matter altogether. He said he was ready, so we'll see....

Ok, back to me. I keep looking for these little races (aka motivators, remember the equation people). While I haven't taken any official break from training (we are talking about a vacation, so I'm saving it for then), I have scaled back to training every other day.

I also can't help but notice that I keep thinking about a 70.3. Don't get all crazy on me, I'm just thinking. What I'm thinking is can it be done (well) without a coach? Not that I have anything against coaching, I do not, in fact I would hire one except for one small thing, I can't afford it. I know, I know there are ways to do it online, via email, at a distance, etc. that make it more affordable, but I can't even afford that. Remember, I live in NYC, it is expensive. I work for myself and have a kid in preschool which is pricey. If you don't live here I cannot make you understand the lunacy that is childhood education in this city. Give me a year when we are applying to Kindergarten (yes, applying, like we did for preschool) and I will regale you with tales that will make you scratch your head in wonderment and thank the good Lord above that you don't live where I live. I'm losing the thread here, where were we? Oh yes! 70.3.

Can it be done on my own, with no guidance? Of course it can, but do I dare? And if so what race? Probably something local, no doubt. I guess my concern is not training properly and crapping out in the race or worse, DNF (God forbid).

I also want to think about what races I want to do next year. I'd like to do a couple more than I did this year or somehow raise the bar. But I wanted to gauge it around whether or not I do a 70.3. Things to ponder, cuz I don't have enough to think about.

Doctor, Doctor give me the news...

Saw the Doc this morning about the exercise induced asthma. I did this blow test into a tube thingy that was attached to a computer thingy that measured my breath somehow. It was normal, no surprise there. That only tells the doc that I am not asthmatic in my "normal" everyday life. I was given a prescription for an albuterol inhaler. I'll try it out tomorrow or Friday and see if it makes a difference. If not we move onto other drugs and some other testing. I'm hoping this will do the trick.

Here are some pics of our dear, departed pumpkin; purchased on Friday, carved on Saturday, in the trash on Tuesday. Four lousy days until he started to rot an grow mold. I figured if I bought it from the farmer's market it would be fresh...not so. My poor kid was looking all over for it this morning. Now I'm wondering if I should continue to eat the seeds...they are tasty. He was going to be next week's pumpkin bread too. Just have to get another. An example of what I am talking about in terms of cost in the city, that pumpkin cost me $15! You don't need to tell me, I grew up in the country, I know....

No Lemon Here

Yeah me!!! My 100th post!

lululemon Brisk Arm Warmers in Coal color

I have climbed onto the arm warmer bandwagon recently. There is a lululemon shop near my gym and I decided to duck in one cold day after a fierce workout (cuz you know that's the only way I roll) . I am about to review the arm warmers that I just happened to spot as I was leaving the store. However, I need to say one thing about lululemon (I'm not even sure why I feel the need to say it, but that's me, opening my mouth when I should probably have kept it shut and by the way, the first "l" is lowercase). While I do admire their very stylish and colorful line of athletic wear and, in my eyes, they seem to be pretty well made, I find them a bit cultish, and that kind of makes me uneasy; their followers are called luluheads, does that make me a Asicshead, Zoothead or, God forbid, after my bike, a Gianthead? I had this inclination for sometime and it was cemented by the New York Magazine article I read on them over the summer. The very fact that they have even the remotest ties to Landmark Forum gives me the heebee jeebee's, I have stories, but that is a whole other can or worms. Anyway, I digress, on with the review...

lululemon Brisk Run Arm Warmers

As I mentioned I spotted them on my way out the door, my radar was up. I had been toying with the idea of picking up a pair (trolling ebay). They had a sample pair of S/M to try on, so I did. Immediately I fell in love with them. Without wasting a moment I started searching through the black ones for a S/M for myself. Damn!! Only M/L and since there wasn't a M/L to try for size and the S/M seemed to fit comfortably, I pondered the other colors: bright blue, bright pink, coal. Coal, please. Yes! They had my size. Of course I did check to see if they had any stock not on the floor of the black in my size before purchasing the coal ones, no luck. No matter. $28.00 USD + tax and they were mine, mine, all mine!

I then waited for a cool day.....

Aside from the fact that they are so, so soft, they are super comfy to wear. Inside the fabric is brushed so it is even softer than the outside, somewhat orgasmic (maybe that makes me sound desperate, but it is what it is). One of the big selling points for me was the thumb holes. I am a sucker for the thumb hole. Gimmick? Maybe, but you wouldn't believe how many people ask me where I got my shirt, sweater, fleece with the thumb holes. I admit it I am not gimmick proof.

Love the thumb hole

And if that weren't enough, they have what lululemon calls "cuffins", this part that folds down to cover and keep your fingers warm as well! Brilliant! I imagine you could even stuff a $20 in there for donuts, cupcakes, cookies (oops, wrong blog!) if you weren't using them to cover your fingers.

Closeup of the "cuffin".

Who can resist a "cuffin" when it rhymes with puffin?

Puffin (see what I mean?)

Another added benefit is the silicone strip inside the top edge of the arm to keep the sleeve in place. It didn't pinch me at all on my 6 mile run.

Silicone strip to keep arm warmer in place.

On my 6 mile run they stayed in place and felt plenty warm for temps in the low to mid 50's. I haven't had a chance to test them out in anything colder than that. The only downside, but this would be with any arm warmer, is the watch dilemma. I wore my Garmin over the top of the arm warmer, so if I wanted to remove the arm warmer during a run, I have to unclasp my watch then strip off the warmer, then refasten my watch. Only a mild annoyance I can live with.

Verdict? Love these! they are keepers for sure. I should mention, I didn't find these on the website, but I'm sure you could call them if you don't have a store near you. Maybe in time, when I get super fast on my feet (as if!) I'll be brave enough to wear the really bright colors, cuz who's gonna give me a hard time when I'm smoking their ass on my run in the park? For now, I'll be stealth.

They are made of 87% Nylon, 13% Lycra Spandex

Foto Friday: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...Halloween

On my block...

My sad, homemade pumpkin on our front door. Who's a cheap mommy?

Not Too Shabbby

I went to running class with that sick feeling in my stomach; more like termites than butterflies. My training group is divided into two paces: 9:00-9:30 & 9:30-10:00 5K pace. Last week I positioned myself in the faster group. Last night I decided to try the slower group. My thinking? I didn't want to feel so badly beaten every time I went to class that I would resent going. I think I made the right decision. It was slightly easier (and by this I do not mean easy), but I was still challenged. In fact, we did a 2 mile warm up with mile one at 9:00 pace and the second at 8:30 pace, which I managed to keep right on top of despite the fact that I so, so wanted to stop with .5 miles left, sucking wind. I did fall back a little, but I finished it, gasping and choking, ok a little literary license there.

We then did repeat intervals up and down the (small) hill at the Marathon finish line that is now fully lined with bleaches. Recover down the hill, fast up the hill, recover down the hill, faster up the hill, you get the drill. I did manage to increase my pace with each uphill. I am pleased. I can still reevaluate along the way and step up to the faster group at any time I feel ready or after I get an evaluation from the doc and maybe some good drugs.

On the funnier side of things:

You Must Do the things You Think You Cannot Do

Not my words, but Eleanor Roosevelt's. That is how I feel about my run class tonight. I'm afraid I won't be able to do it as prescribed. I'm always nervous when I do things I know I am not good at. Especially because I know I am in for a repeat of last week's class; it started out promising and ended in failure. But I'll return for more just the same.

I do have my appt. set for next Wednesday with an allergist to see about this EIA thing. Until then, huff, huff, pant, pant...someone pass me a paper bag please?

Man, What A Week...

I need to start by thanking everyone who responded about the EIA (exercise induced asthma) question I had. It was a real help to me, and I appreciate you all taking the time to share the wisdom of your experience and your insight. I'll have more on this later.

I know the official calender week starts on Sunday, but for me, it has always been Monday. I really need it to be over now.

I am praying, praaaaaaying to get a full night's sleep tonight. I haven't had one in 4 days. It started Wednesday at about 3AM with my son coming into bed because he had a bad dream. Tom was already sleeping on the couch (God bless him) because he had an early wake up call to fly in a single prop plane in a Nor'easter to Massachusetts to shoot some F14's (I know, run on sentence, but I had to get the craziness of that mind numbingly, poor decision off my chest). Baby Toots kept me up for the next hour and when he finally fell asleep he started snoring from being congested. I get rid of one snorer on the couch only to have his replacement come destroy my peaceful slumber, it's not fair. I finally had to carry him back to bed, but you know you can't just drop off after you have been awake that long. Thursday was a repeat episode of Wednesday, more or less. Friday brought on croup. I am an old hand at dealing with croup. Baby Toots has had it every winter, usually more than once, since he was 7 months old. I was armed with my Orapred and got him bundled up and took him outside; the only blessing the Nor'easter brought, cold temperatures, great for croupy kids. Saturday was a another all nighter with a coughing child.

It should be fairly easy to surmise by now that I am exhausted and exercise deprived (no early morning workouts for me!). However, I am not the only one, Baby Toots is bouncing off the walls. When he gets tired, he gets, what I call "squirrelly". He's kind of all over the place. I decided this morning that I would make it to the gym if it killed me. I told Tom I was leaving and headed out. After my workout, my cell phone rings and it's Tom:

Tom: It's bad.
Me: What's bad?
Tom: I think he broke it.
Me: Broke what?
Tom: His nose.

Oh Christ. Apparently Baby Toots decided to build a "bridge" of pillows from the couch to the coffee table (don't act like you've never done this, after all the floor is covered in deep water and there are crocodiles and sharks in there!). His architectural plan was flawed however, in his use of non OSHA approved building materials and as a result took a header into the coffee table, landing right on the "bridge" of his nose. Do you detect a theme here? A trip to the ER is how I spent my Sunday afternoon, in my sweaty gym clothes probably reeking of BO. The hospital was great though, they took care of us right away and Baby Toots was a real trooper (did I mention he also had his first dentist appt. this week too? Handled it like a champ, but this is all too much for one week for me/us). No concussion, no stitches and no broken nose, but he looks like a real prize fighter (we may need to change his Halloween costume) and I'm guessing we may have Raccoon eyes in a day or two despite all the icing we are doing.

You smile now....

When you have a kid, you know there is that inevitable trip to the Emergency Room looming over your head like a black cloud. You wait, you rehearse in your mind what you'll do, how you'll handle it. You wonder will it be stitches, a broken bone, a concussion. It always catches you off guard, but you bring your Parental "A" game anyway and do what needs to be done, remain calm, grab his shot chart, a toy, his blankie, water bottle, a snack, change of underwear and pants (in the event potty training has now been abandoned in the name of pain), insurance card and hail a cab to the best ER in Manhattan, Lenox Hill Hospital.

sigh.....

Backtracking a little bit to the gym before I had to hot step it home with my heart in my throat. I recently discovered (because I am kind of new to the Y) that they have spinners with video screens hooked up so that you can be led in a spin workout if you like. Ok, way cool. Clearly my old gym is still living in the dark ages. I decided to kind of punish myself today by doing a Brick indoors. Remember that Nor'easter? Well, it caused my 50 mile Tour de Bronx to be cancelled and for good reason, it was miserable outside today. Back to the spin bike, set it to 8 of 10 and went for the Race Day program for 40 minutes. Kicked my own ass, sweating all over the place, soaked to the bone. Jumped off the bike and then on the treadmill. My plan here was to do 4 miles with two at 8:00 pace. My hope was to finally get myself, on my own, into the EIA (exercise induced asthma) space. I did manage it, to the tune of only 3 miles on the dreadmill instead of 4. I reached this point with a HR of 170. My max is about 185. And I pushed myself to this point a few times to make sure. Make sure of what I don't know, I just figured I needed to keep reminding myself of the wheezing feeling and the knowledge of where I was in my HR when this happens to me. I'll be calling my Gyno tomorrow for a recommendation for an allergist or whatever kind of doc deals with this type of thing.

Here is the thing. I feel like this year has been plagued by injury or some kind of physical dysfunction. I started out by twisting my ankle in the spring, was diagnosed with a labral tear in my left hip (and now one in my right), a herniated disc in my L5, S1 space and now the possibility of EIA. I have always, thankfully, been a very healthy individual despite being very active in sport my whole life. I've also been pretty lucky in that I have never had any serious injuries and managed to tough the little ones out. I took my black belt promotion with a broken finger and after an elbow to my upper lip in my soccer finals, went back in to the game to score a goal (then went to the ER for stitches). I've been knocked out and had black eyes, but always got back up (and yes, I did go to the ER after the knockout to make sure I didn't have a concussion). All of this happened over a space of many years, not in a matter of 9 months!!! I have had a couple of realizations though. I am pushing myself harder than I ever have, entering what I call the "scary zone" where it gets beyond hard and I am doing all this at an age where things don't always glue themselves back together like they used to. I hate getting old especially when my brain would have me believe I am younger than I am.

Foto Friday

A company I design for. Window display.

GOOD LUCK to everyone racing this weekend!!!

My First Day of School or Being Schooled

Last night was my first running class . The group was meeting at PS 6 (Public School #6), an elementary school near Central Park. I was instructed to have a seat in the auditorium. Wow. Talk about a trip down memory lane. This wasn't my elementary school, but it wasn't much different than any other, I assume. Certainly no different than the one I went to. The very uncomfortable, wooden seats, the stage, the heavy curtains, remember?

At about 6:30 they rounded up my group (intermediate (10:00) and advanced intermediate (9:00, me!)-I like the sound of that) and took us up to the gym to stretch. More memories. I think the gym was my favorite place in school, I loved P.E., but I was a big-time tomboy, so no surprise there. We stretched and then they took us outside on an easy run to the park. They separated us into two groups with the 9:00 pace runners in front (that is where I put myself) and we were off on an 8:00 mile interval. Not too bad, I came in at 8:11. I definitely had to push a little, but that's the point, right? Then we rested, did a recovery run and right into a second 8:00 mile interval (more hilly, especially at the end). I was right up front, just behind the coach and stayed there until about .25 left to go. I totally bonked. I entered the barf zone. I am not ready to puke for my sport yet. I also got that tightness in my chest that I've been complaining about in races. Suddenly I couldn't breathe and my chest felt really tight and heavy. I had to stop and walk. I came in with the front runners of the group behind that she promoted to our group (so I am still in the same group...phew!)

I was disappointed. However, I reminded myself that that is why I was here. If this was easy, then what's the point in taking the class. It means there is only room to improve, right? When I got home I told Tom about what happened and he was concerned. He brought up exercise induced asthma being a possible cause for my breathing issues (some of you bloggy peeps had mentioned it as well). He, also an athlete his whole life, said he had never experienced that feeling and thought it wasn't normal. I argued that maybe I just haven't been training hard enough and only put in that extra effort in a race which is why it usually happens then. Last night I also was working hard. So it begs the question, has this ever happened to you? Do you get the feeling like you can't catch your breath, can't take a deep enough breath, a tightness in your chest, like an elephant is sitting on it? I'm trying to evaluate my situation and decide whether or not this is worth investigating in the doctor's office. I'm still feeling a bit of a sensation in my chest today, like I want to cough, but don't really need to (it was quite cool last night too). Any and all input and opinions welcome, thanks!

In any case, I am happy about the class and that I am being challenged. I'm hoping to come out the other end a faster, better runner (and not a turd). How could I not?

In triathlon news, very small triathlon news, our local sporting good store, Jack Rabbit Sports is doing an indoor triathlon series this winter at the YMCA and JCC (Jewish Community Center, which is in my 'hood and has an awesome pool and is way expensive). I am so fired up to do at least one of these. They are very small, as in mini sprint: 10 minute swim, 30 minute (spin) bike, 20 minute (treadmill) run. They are offering $100-300 gift certificates to the winners of the championships in March. Not that I expect to win anything, just another reason to keep motivated and training (I have thoughts on that which I will expound upon in an upcoming post).

How Kona Kicked My A**

Obviously I was not in Kona and I'll save that little tidbit for just a minute. First, let me congratulate some awesome ladies who rocked the Kona clock; Bree Wee, MamaSimmons and Heather Gollnick. Incredible job ladies, impressive performances. I checked the live streaming video on Universal Sports on and off throughout the day and tracked each of them numerous times. After dinner was done and the kid was off to bed, I logged on again and just watched and watched. Of course, just as Chrissie Wellington was crossing the finish line the video froze up (more bandwidth NBC?!), Grrrrrr.

I saw that Bree Wee was not going to be too long behind so hung in there to watch her cross the finish line. And in typical geek fashion, snapped these finish line photos off my computer screen (what the hell, right?)

I watched a bit more, but it was getting late and I had a long run with my name on it in the morning.

Took my time getting up the next morning and made myself a big bowl or oatmeal. I checked some post race bloggy stuff; how people can take time to write a post after Kona is beyond me, I guess that is why they are racing and I am sitting on my ass eating oatmeal. Ok, speaking of my ass, we are back to it getting kicked by Kona. This was the morning I was going to run 8 miles for the first time. Actually, it was supposed to be yesterday, but I wasn't feeling it. I guess what I was feeling this morning was inspired by all the Kona stuff, because I actually ran 10 miles instead **Applause** thank you!

I really went out intending to Gallowalk 8, but I just felt good running so figured I'd see what the run brought. I was out a little too fast and had to remind myself to slow down. I had changed all the music on my shuffle the night before and loaded it with some good jazz: Coultrane, Miles, Charlie Parker mixed in with some vocal standards like Ella and Sarah, etc.. I figured the slower tempo music would keep me running slower. It did help. I also ran up on some folks who were running the pace I needed to be at if I was to survive this run so followed them a bit.

I got to mile 4, my turnaround point, but felt really great so decided to run what I guessed was another mile to the GWB (George Washington Bridge) and the Little Red Lighthouse (that is exactly the distance). So here I am 5 miles in and now it is time to head back. It is amazing how at some point your legs just take on a life of their own; somehow they just seem to keep turning over of their own accord with little of no effort made by me. Of course, at some point this ended and I started to feel like I was crumbling under the mileage. I made it to 8.55 without stopping but had to take 2-3 breaks for the last mile and a half; my knees were sore and my legs were getting pretty tired. I felt like Chrissie at the end of the race yesterday, except A) I didn't just swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a marathon all in one day and B) I wasn't about to win the Ironman World Championships. I only felt the hurt of the last few miles. Unfortunately for me, there was no one to cheer me on, offer me water and GU's, or give me a high five. I did however have a freezer full of ice packs waiting for knees and lower back application..ahhhhh.

It was a magnificent Autumn day and the jazz choices I made were perfect. The only low in the run was a bitchy wench on her bike. The bike path has separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists (I always stay in the appropriate lane), but some portions of the path are shared, in which case I stay all the way to the right. Some woman passed me on her bike and said something to me, but I couldn't hear her with my headphones on. I assume that this was exactly the problem, she didn't like that I couldn't hear her. While she may have a point, I was all the way to one side and she was going like 5 mph on her bike. She wasn't a bike enthusiast out for a hard training session, she was out for a Sunday stroll. Further down the path she passed me again (clearly she had stopped somewhere), but this time she was riding in the Pedestrians Only lane!! What freakin' nerve after she just gave me a hard time. This lane is clearly marked "PED ONLY" in big letters all along the path. I had to laugh because if I didn't I would have pulled her off her bike and pummelled her there beside the greenbelt. Serenity now, serenity now. I'm actually not sure I would have had the energy to give her the ass whoopin' she deserved, but it's nice to dream.

Dentist went well, and I can now chew on the left side pain free. Time to head to the street fair for crappy food.

That is a damn good looking crown if I do say so myself.

Foto Friday

Shout out!

Just want to take a minute to give a shout out to my homegirls Bree Wee, Mama Simmons, Heather Gollnick who are keeping it real on the big island of Ha-wa-ii. Best of luck on Saturday with the man, the Ironman in Kona, I know you all are gonna bring it! Theirs are the blogs I follow, but good luck to anyone else competing if I missed you! Peace.

Saturday morning I will be sitting in the dentists chair for some more torture instead of in front of my computer watching live on Universal Sports. I will be tracking like a bloodhound once I return home. So exciting!

Today I went to spin class and hit the weights. Man, have I gotten weak. My arm strength has really gotten bad. This is incentive enough for me to keep getting my ass into the weight room, I hate being physically weak. Spin was great, he kicked our butts today, I was sweating from every conceivable pour. The floor around my bike was a flood zone. I also walked to and from the gym, about 2+ miles all told.

Stopped by the farmer's market on the way home and bought a small cranberry/walnut baguette and some grass fed cheese. Well, the animals are grass fed, not the cheese, but I'm guessing you figured that out on your own. It is sooooo tasty. Did I ever mention I could live on bread and cheese, oh, and chocolate. (pst, I ate the whole baguette. I actually don't feel too bad since they were calling it a "bread stick", semantics).

Found a CD online that I used to have in cassette form (I'm that old, in fact I had an 8 track at one time); Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye, various artists, a tribute to Roky Erickson. Stoked!

I also discovered recently the magic that is the RSS Google Reader (i'm a bit slow). In addition, there is also an App for my iTouch. I like it when things come together.

Looking Back

John Gilchrist asks the million dollar question, "Are you happy with your season overall?" It gave me pause. Am I? Did I manage to do whatever it was I set out to do? Have I accomplish more than I intended? Did I bite off more than I could chew? Was it fun? Have I learned anything? All of these questions surfaced in my mind. Yes, yes, yes, no, yes, yes. Sorry to be so succinct, did you want more details than that? Ok, then I'll bore you all to death.

I am pretty happy overall, this being my first year (not even a complete year really) doing this tri thing. Considering I started with a Couch to 5k program back in January and have now completed, two Sprint Tri's, one Oly, one Biathlon, one 5k, one 42 mile bike tour and soon the Tour de Bronx (50 miler) in two weeks, yeah, I'm happy. All of these races held their own set of challenges and I feel pretty confident that I met each one with the proper training and tenacity to meet their demands. I don't mind admitting I am still a bit disappointed in my Oly due to my back issues, but it is what it is and I still finished (I'll be back next year).

I don't feel like I got in over my head at any point. In fact, I wish I had entered a few more road races. I felt ready for each and every race. I definitely accomplished more than I intended. Initially I was only supposed to do the Danskin Triathlon, which was a terrifying prospect at the time. But no, let me sign up for the NYC Triathlon too. And oh! Wait! I need to do a practice sprint before the NYC Oly, so I'll sign up for this other one in Staten Island. Then there were the others because, well, a married mother of a 3 year old needs an excuse to get out of the house on the weekends (My plan worked poyfectly!)

Fun...fun....was it fun? I guess it's all relative. My idea of fun is dinner out with good friends, polishing off a few bottles of wine and talking trash. So it wasn't that kind of fun. What was fun, in a these-leftovers-have-only-been-in-the-fridge-for-two-weeks-what's-the-worst-that-can-happen sort of mentality, was seeing what I was made of at 41-42 years old. I was pleasantly surprised.

I learned that I can actually run farther than I ever thought I could. That I love swimming a lot! (even if it doesn't love me....yet). That I am a fairly decent cyclist (and hoping to get even better). That I can actually get my sorry ass out of bed early in the morning to do a training session (I am a nightowl naturally). That I am more disciplined than I ever imagined when I put my mind to it. That I have a great little family that allowed and encouraged me to keep going. Amazing friends that were so gracious, helpful and supportive. A blog community that rocks!!!

So, yes, I am happy with my season overall, but really looking forward to an even better one next season, God willing.

In training news, I haven't done anything since the race on Sunday. Until this morning, that is. I ran 5+ miles (no stopping) and felt really good. I kept an average pace of 10:00. I wanted to just run relaxed and easy; it was raining and very gusty out (no wonder there was no one down by the river running). My thoughts are to cycle tomorrow and weights on Friday, it's been too long since I did that and I'm feeling all soft and squishy. I might, and I'm just saying might, try for 8 miles on Saturday morning. Don't hold me to it, but I'm feeling it at the moment.

O+. That's me. I am O+ blood type. This makes me a universal donor. I have a desirable commodity running through my veins. This is why I have in years past donated blood regularly; I feel it is my duty to share this commodity with those who need it as it does me no harm to give it (well sort of, read on). A while back I stopped giving blood. I have veins that run deep and unless I have a phlebotomist that is extremely skillful and focused, it is an ill-fated endeavor as it was on my last visit to the blood bank and why I stopped donating. The church that I recently attended (and yes, I did go back, reluctantly), was having a blood drive. I decided to give it another go, it is almost Halloween after all and what's a little bloodletting amongst fellow parishioners? I filled out my form, got my finger pricked for hemoglobin testing, blood pressure, temperature, done. Please move to the section marked "Vampire". They get me settled on the cot. I start out with one woman taking care of me, but she has to attend to the guy donating platelets (trying to make the rest of us look like small timers), so another woman comes to take over. She is clearly the one in charge here, I see her on and off her phone trying to get some last minute supplies and more help (the turnout was pretty good for blood offerings on a Wednesday afternoon). She excuses herself to make another call and leaves the blood pressure cuff on "Maximal Compression". My hand started to fall asleep and I had to ask someone to let loose on the damn thing, ahhhhh. She came back and got me set up (finally). I am not squeamish about needles at all, but this hurt. I sucked it up in the name of science and humanitarianism. My blood started pouring from my veins (through the tube, you rube, not all over the floor, although it seems like that is what I am setting you up for, no?). She seemed a bit dismayed at the progress of blood flow. She kept coming back to check, "tsk, tsk". I don't like, "tsk, tsk". She starts messing with the needle; moving it around in my arm. Here is where I break out in a sweat and have to close my eyes (haven't I been through enough with the crown? which isn't over yet, grrr). Then she says, "Are you ok?" Uh no..."yes" (weakly). She tells me she needs to move the needle around some more (more sweat, am I training here?), then she tells me it is out of the vein and I just mentally collapse, because I know what this means, she wants to try to get it back in and it is already bordering on "MF!" I guess she saw it on my face, the one that has no blood left in it cuz what little she managed to get is in the bag dangling off the cot. She asks me if I want her to give it another try or take it out. As if?! Take the shit out! "Please, take it out, I'm sorry, it hurts too much." She apologizes and tell me to ice it when I get home and I will probably have a bruise (oh, like the one I had the last time I tried to give blood and got f*cked then too with a huge bruise from mid forearm to mid bicep?). Here is the funny part. The very nice church lady at the door says, "Hope we see you for our drive in the Spring!" Not likely. All I could do was smile and nod. OH! I did get a lovely package of OREO cookies. I love them, but never indulge....they were better than sex! Now if those cookies are the highlight of my afternoon, the day can only get better.

Race Report: Central Park Biathlon

AG: 4/9
Overall Female: 39/103
1:24:45
Run 2 Miles, Bike 12 Miles, Run 2 Miles

It's not the wetsuit. More on that later. There is this little tri group New York Triathlon that runs a series of tri's and bi's in Central Park. The beauty of this lies in the fact that this is where I do the bulk of my training. Central Park has rolling hills, most of the roadways have been marked for mileage and there is even a downloadable map with the mileage on it from the Central Park website. The bad part is that any race in central park is not a closed course. This means having to battle tourists, runners, cyclists, dogs off leash and the worst lot, daydreamers. Fortunately the race started early enough so I (we) didn't have to deal with much of that.

My race was scheduled to start at 7:30 AM, so I set my alarm for 6:15. I live just a few blocks from the start so it only takes me about 10 minutes to bike there. However, I awoke at 5:15 instead, no thanks to Baby Toots. He came out of his room and wanted to watch Noggin. I managed to talk him back to bed. 5:50 am, he comes back out to let me know his diaper leaked. This has been epidemic since he got into big boy underwear; we constantly have diaper leaks where there were non before (moms? normal? give a mutha a break!). Took care of his bed and settled him back in. No point in me going back to bed, so I had my PB and bagel, got dressed, grabbed my stuff and headed out the door.

I love NYC in the early morning hours. Used to be I enjoyed it at the end of a very long night; funny how things change. It was a little foggy and Central Park was so "dreamy" and blissfully empty except for the odd runner.

Bethesda Fountain, fog burning off

Got to the transition area and racked my bike. Easier, said than done. Why can they not make racks tall enough to get your seat or handlebars under? Setup was easy, I only needed to switch shoes and hat/helmet. Got my timing chip, took a short run to warm up my legs and then only had 10 minutes to go.

Run 2 miles: 20:35

Lined up at the start and when I crossed the start line I started my watch. The run was longer than 2 miles. They claimed 2.1, but my watch said 2.39 and map my run says 2.44. My legs felt really heavy at first, and I think I went out too strong, but I eventually settled in at about 1/2 mile or so. I kept pushing the pace and my watch said I averaged 8:35 per mile (honestly, I think it was the first time I felt like I wanted to puke). I was happy about that (not the puking part, the pace part).

T1: 1:27

Swapped out my sneakers and hat for bike shoes, sunglasses and helmet. Out the gate.

Bike 12 Miles: 40:02

Riding companion, thanks Bree Wee! I had no one to take pics, so trying to keep it interesting.

Two loops of Central Park. I felt like I was doing pretty well on the bike, definitely pushing it and trying to keep up with the younger gals and eventually passing most of them. I averaged 18 MPH which is the fastest pace I have done on this course. It is mostly rolling hills except for the northern part, mega hill (mega being relative to hills in NYC of which there are not too many). I just spun up the hill and still managed to pass the woman standing in her pedals. I actually had the second fastest time on the bike in my AG (second by 40 seconds), and faster than the three women who placed in my age group. Damn! However, I still have a need for speed.

T2: 1:16

Off with helmet, glasses and bike shoes, on with sneakers and hat. Swig of nuun, out the gate again.

Run 2 Miles: 21:23

Here is where I have to say, "It's not the wetsuit". I had that same can't catch my breath feeling and there was no swim this time. My legs were tired for sure, but I couldn't get my breath again. I still was determined to not let it get the better of me and there were moments when I thought it would pass, but it never did. Here is also where I saw some women I passed on the bike pass my now on the run. All I could think about was how glad I was that I signed up for that running class starting in about a week and a half. I did manage to catch up to a couple of the women who passed me, but I never was able to pass them. Having said that, I was able to muster up enough energy to sprint, I mean balls out sprint to the finish to pass some guy.

Thoughts:

I think I'm sweaty...there's a thought.

Kind of mad I missed out on placing third in my AG by 2 minutes. Happy I was able to hold a much faster pace than my usual for two miles. Happy with my bike pace. Still mystified by the breathing thing. Am I not training hard enough to emulate the same effort produced in the races I do (that my be causing this breathless feeling that I only seem to get in races)? I know some of you thoughtfully mentioned exercise induced asthma. The only thing that gives me pause on this front is the fact that I only get it in races. Clearly I've done bricks before, but haven't experienced this. I'm going to have to push myself harder in training and see if I can reproduce this.

So that's it for races for me this year (Awwwwww...I know, you're all so disappointed, right?). I do have a 50 mile bike tour in a couple of weeks, but it isn't a race. I'm looking at it as a long training ride, but I plan to have fun; fifty miles of fun (shoot me now). I will still try to regale you with tales of training and of course more gross and interesting stuff, that is related to multisport, or not.

Foto Friday: Be Free

First, thank you Mary: IronMatron for your suggestions, very helpful! This spurred me on to check out the shoes she mentioned online and I came across this very funny video for the Nike Free. I know it isn't a "photo", but I'm sure you'll cut me some slack.

Ass Whoopin' to Awesome In Just One Day

First, big, HUGE kudos to Sherry, who just completed her first 1/2 IM!!! I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy. You are a rock star and I am so happy for you. I have read her blog since it's inception, so I know how hard this Woman In Motion has worked. You are my hero!

Also, belated congrats to Humble Triathlete on her 1/2 IM. Although not new to this length of race, she is still amazing and awe inspiring to me. I continue to be amazed at the triumphs of these women and in fact all the women who's blogs I read. If truth be told, I can't say for sure that I would still be out there trying to make myself a better athlete, person and mom if it wasn't for all these fabulous and diverse women. So, my hat is off to you ladies for unknowingly motivating my ass.

Now onto my little bit of awesomeness. I did not plan of running this morning after my ass whoopin' bike ride yesterday. However, I figured I need to run my legs when they are tired; I don't get to put it off in a race, right? The alarm went off at 7 AM and the heat was on; by this I don't mean the pressure, I mean the radiator. I live in an apartment building in NYC as all folks do here and the heat goes on Oct. 1st or when the temp. drops below 55˚F outside. I checked the temp. for outside and it was 48˚F; Autumn is here, yeah!! I got out of bed and felt good. I donned my magic tights (CW-X), grabbed my flasks of nuun in the fridge, got my son his milk and cereal and headed out the door (I did not leave my son alone...in case you are about to call CPS, his Dad was here....geez). It felt so great outside. Right away I knew it was going to be a good run. I thought I would Gallowalk today again, but then decided to see what the run brought instead. I managed to make it through 7 miles, only stopping long enough to take swigs from my flasks and then off again running. Only one minor complaint, ok, two. I must have some weird body shape, why oh why can't fuel belts or any kind of waist holder thingy just stay in place? This includes my race belt. Ugh, so frustrating, it constantly rides up and moves around, so annoying. In any case, I felt great during the entire run. I attribute most of this to the weather being so nice and cool. The other slightly bothersome thing was my knees ached a bit on the outside, bottom quadrant. Not sure if this is a shoe issue or a "getting used to the mileage and suck it up" issue. I'm in Asics Landreths. I feel my feet tend to favor the outside edge just a bit in my stride. Not sure what that means exactly, so.....? Anyway, I am just so stoked! Today is a good day.