Not strictly foto, but I reserve the right, it being my blog and all.....Besides, I love this shit. Feel free to get out of your chair and shake it; you know you want to.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I'll Take What I Can Get
I'll get to training in a sec, but I was cruising the internet looking for some dinnerware images (cuz it's part of what I do for a living. Not the cruising part, just the dinnerware part; oh forget it). Anyway, I came across a pattern I designed that was on Kaboodle. I did it a few years ago and it landed in Target and did pretty well. I really like what I do. I design the stuff and then it either gets out there or it doesn't. When it does make it into stores I get some feedback from the manufacturer if it did well or not, sometimes I don't even know that my pattern got picked up and I'll just see it online or in a store, "Oh! I didn't know that sold, huh." So, to make a long story even longer, the Kaboodle site lets you post comments about 'items' that someone else chooses (apparently). Lots of people said really nice things about this pattern. That makes me feel good. It's even more mind blowing when I see my stuff turn up on ebay, especially when I KNOW it didn't get sold and it is only samples (one or a few of a kind).....hmmm someone is inside dealing.
In other non training news, my son's school had a book reading and small (really small) performance Tuesday night. The performance starts......and watch out! The little girl sitting directly next to my son throws up...Seriously?! Right next to my son?! I ask you, have I not done my time in the pit of vomit hell this past weekend? The gods of vomitus are clearly not happy with me. I need to go to the mountain and make some kind of offering, like pea soup, or creamed corn. (FYI: baking soda and Nature's Miracle=awesome!)
Wednesday morning. Swimming. Swimming with local master's team at the Y. The Y downtown that makes my Y - that I thought was pretty nice - look like a ghetto. Beautiful, if small, 25y pool, awesome locker room and nice indoor track (albeit small). My evaluation, to see if I was good enough to join, was brief at best. It was very informal. After warm ups she moved me into the fast lane (confidence boosted) and we did 8 x 25 @ 30". I was doing it, but was slipping steadily behind the others in my lane. She moved me back over to the 'other' (do I need to say slow?) lane (confidence crushed). Still, It was tough for two reasons: 1) I don't even remember the last time I did backstroke let alone breaststroke, I do not know fly 2) My breaststroke sucks. I was invited back again and the other swimmers were very welcoming, which was really nice. It was a challenge for me as I felt a bit overwhelmed; I get nervous in new situations. The drills were not written in the lovely, legible way that Michelle does them for me; I am spoiled. They were chicken scratchy and had two different times and I didn't know what some of the abbreviations meant, the coach was very nice to explain them to me. Although she was nice, she was very young, like out of college young, and I got the feeling she thought I should know all this. Please...look at me! Do I look like a lifelong swimmer? No. You know that very slight attitude that the young get when they are trying to pretend like they are really not annoyed and don't want you to know how stupid they really think you are? (those with teenagers, raise your hands) Then again, it could all just be in my imagination, my poor middle aged, forgetful imagination. Holy shit! I'm old! I sound like my grandmother.
Another diddy. I don't know why I'm shocked by my own life. This morning my husband complains about some bar food he ate out with a friend of his. He couldn't figure out why he had this taste of garlic in his mouth considering what items he ate (I won't tell you what he ate, because it's embarrassing, ok, one item..). I chalked it up to the 'Irish Potatoes'. I told him they probably used garlic salt. Fast forward to his arrival home from work, we are sitting on the couch and he says to me, "You know, I was thinking about it. They probably used garlic salt on those potatoes last night." Apparently I only speak to hear myself talk, since no one else seems to hear me....Those with husbands/boyfriends, does this happen to you too on an all too frequent basis? Guys, come on, admit it, you really aren't listening are you?
In other non training news, my son's school had a book reading and small (really small) performance Tuesday night. The performance starts......and watch out! The little girl sitting directly next to my son throws up...Seriously?! Right next to my son?! I ask you, have I not done my time in the pit of vomit hell this past weekend? The gods of vomitus are clearly not happy with me. I need to go to the mountain and make some kind of offering, like pea soup, or creamed corn. (FYI: baking soda and Nature's Miracle=awesome!)
Wednesday morning. Swimming. Swimming with local master's team at the Y. The Y downtown that makes my Y - that I thought was pretty nice - look like a ghetto. Beautiful, if small, 25y pool, awesome locker room and nice indoor track (albeit small). My evaluation, to see if I was good enough to join, was brief at best. It was very informal. After warm ups she moved me into the fast lane (confidence boosted) and we did 8 x 25 @ 30". I was doing it, but was slipping steadily behind the others in my lane. She moved me back over to the 'other' (do I need to say slow?) lane (confidence crushed). Still, It was tough for two reasons: 1) I don't even remember the last time I did backstroke let alone breaststroke, I do not know fly 2) My breaststroke sucks. I was invited back again and the other swimmers were very welcoming, which was really nice. It was a challenge for me as I felt a bit overwhelmed; I get nervous in new situations. The drills were not written in the lovely, legible way that Michelle does them for me; I am spoiled. They were chicken scratchy and had two different times and I didn't know what some of the abbreviations meant, the coach was very nice to explain them to me. Although she was nice, she was very young, like out of college young, and I got the feeling she thought I should know all this. Please...look at me! Do I look like a lifelong swimmer? No. You know that very slight attitude that the young get when they are trying to pretend like they are really not annoyed and don't want you to know how stupid they really think you are? (those with teenagers, raise your hands) Then again, it could all just be in my imagination, my poor middle aged, forgetful imagination. Holy shit! I'm old! I sound like my grandmother.
Another diddy. I don't know why I'm shocked by my own life. This morning my husband complains about some bar food he ate out with a friend of his. He couldn't figure out why he had this taste of garlic in his mouth considering what items he ate (I won't tell you what he ate, because it's embarrassing, ok, one item..). I chalked it up to the 'Irish Potatoes'. I told him they probably used garlic salt. Fast forward to his arrival home from work, we are sitting on the couch and he says to me, "You know, I was thinking about it. They probably used garlic salt on those potatoes last night." Apparently I only speak to hear myself talk, since no one else seems to hear me....Those with husbands/boyfriends, does this happen to you too on an all too frequent basis? Guys, come on, admit it, you really aren't listening are you?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
An App For Everthing
I was sitting on the couch last night just checking out the Apps on my iTouch. I was mostly looking for any triathlon apps, then running apps, swimming apps, you get my drift. Anyway, there was a few interesting ones like TriCalc, First Time Triathlon, Tri Checklist, TriResults, Swim-Bike-Run Speeds & Swim Planning to name a few.
Next I decided to checkout the Top 25 Apps and at #10? Boob Party. Yes. Boob Party. One has to wonder A) Why do boobs need to party? B) What do the invitations to a boob party say? "It's A Boob Party! BYOB (bring your own boobs)"? C) What's in the goody bags? (I'm guessing K-Y and some condoms? Pasties?). This made me wonder.....Hmmmm....what if I put "boob" into the search field? I wasn't sure if I should be surprised or not; 140 Apps having to do with "boobs" or women's bodies in general. Huh. It occurred to me that most of the people creating these apps are men, so duh. Just the same, I decided to see if such apps were equal opportunity apps. In other words, were there apps for the ladies? Search: d**k: Charles Dickens, fair enough. Search: men: Too broad (ba ha ha! you got that one, right?). Search: sexy men: about less than 20 apps come up. Ok, but woefully under represented. My favorites, by name only cuz I didn't download anything, I swear: Certified Hotties, iHunk, Studz Ripped, Asian Guys(my fav. for obvious reasons). So what App did I end up downloading? A NYC subway map; are you disappointed?
On the docket for today...75' bike with 8 hill repeats followed by a 15' mostly easy run with 4 x 30" pick ups with 30" RI. Rest week......ha! At least it's outside; 42˚F.
On the docket for today...75' bike with 8 hill repeats followed by a 15' mostly easy run with 4 x 30" pick ups with 30" RI. Rest week......ha! At least it's outside; 42˚F.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
So, How Was Your Weekend?
Mine started out looking promising; actually, it ended well too. Just a little mishap in the middle, well, kinda. It went a little like this...
Earlier in the month while visiting my favorite local tri store, Jack Rabbit Sports, I was asked if I wanted to fill out a 'goal' card. I was asked to set a short term goal that I could complete by the end of January. If I met my goal, then I would get a sweet, new technical long sleeve shirt with their cool logo on it.
What the hell, right? Free shirt, cool. It is also on the honor system, and if I am nothing else, I am honorable (at least I like to think so). My goal: 2:15/100M swim. When I started out training at the end of November I was doing 2:43, then a month later, 2:34. So I figured it was doable, but honestly, I wasn't sure I would get it done. Part of my swim workout on Friday was 4x100 descending. I have pretty much failed at pacing in the pool up to this point; I'm still trying to get the feel for how fast I am going in the water. Friday, however, I had a little breakthrough: 2:21, 2:17, 2:12, 2:12. Not only did I get the pacing (ok, not the last one, throw me a bone here), but I also reached my goal and then some. I know I am no speed star in the water (yet), but considering I have only been swimming 'competitively' for less than a year, I'll take it.
Friday afternoon I had a run while Baby Toots was in school. After that I picked him up and took him out to dinner since hubby was out of town for work (no rest for the weary). After dinner he started complaining about his tummy hurting and this went on after we got home, but he dropped a bomb in the toilet and all seemed well. Beware of false icons. Remember Monty Python's The Meaning of Life? In particular the restaurant scene? Do I really have to embed the video here? Ok, I won't, but only because you'll never sit through it at 6:36 minutes long; I otherwise have no problem grossing you out with it. While gathering his pajamas my son says one last time that his tummy hurts and then lets loose a stream of vomit that can only be described as staggering. I literally stood there motionless, stunned, unbelieving. ALL OVER THE RUG??!!! It was like astral projection; I was disembodied watching from above. Why does this shit always happen when when my husband is away? It took some doing and Baby Toots had to sleep in my bed that night, but the damage was contained and eradicated. I, however, am scarred for life; the joys of motherhood.
Saturday I was exhausted since I was woke at every little movement and sound my son made. I was paranoid we might have another incident in the bed, so sleep was hard to come by (we actually did, although very small and I had a big bowl handy). I still made it to my spin, run, spin workout sans caffeine and a mother of a headache. I have been trying different nutrition while training too. On today's menu? Clif Shot Double Espresso....BLECH!! I had to choke it down.
Sunday Coach Michelle had me do a 1:40 run zone 2, after an hour do 20' 5-7 beats higher (zone 3) then back down to zone 2 for the last 20'. I am usually spot on with the long runs. Today for some reason I could not get out of zone 3. No matter how much I seemed to slow down, I was still in zone 3 (I felt fine, but it wasn't the plan). Weird. I still did the time though. I actually like these runs (when they go well).
My run took me downtown to meet my husband and son at the local Tent & Trails store to stalk some good deals. I found a nice, roomy gear bag for races for $40! I also picked up a nice wool base layer and some cozy wool knee socks. Hubby bought a down coat, for which I was grateful. I was freezing my butt off once my body started to cool down, so I put his new coat on for the subway ride home; toasty!
Now I sit and watch football and more football and dream about my rest day tomorrow.
What the hell, right? Free shirt, cool. It is also on the honor system, and if I am nothing else, I am honorable (at least I like to think so). My goal: 2:15/100M swim. When I started out training at the end of November I was doing 2:43, then a month later, 2:34. So I figured it was doable, but honestly, I wasn't sure I would get it done. Part of my swim workout on Friday was 4x100 descending. I have pretty much failed at pacing in the pool up to this point; I'm still trying to get the feel for how fast I am going in the water. Friday, however, I had a little breakthrough: 2:21, 2:17, 2:12, 2:12. Not only did I get the pacing (ok, not the last one, throw me a bone here), but I also reached my goal and then some. I know I am no speed star in the water (yet), but considering I have only been swimming 'competitively' for less than a year, I'll take it.Friday afternoon I had a run while Baby Toots was in school. After that I picked him up and took him out to dinner since hubby was out of town for work (no rest for the weary). After dinner he started complaining about his tummy hurting and this went on after we got home, but he dropped a bomb in the toilet and all seemed well. Beware of false icons. Remember Monty Python's The Meaning of Life? In particular the restaurant scene? Do I really have to embed the video here? Ok, I won't, but only because you'll never sit through it at 6:36 minutes long; I otherwise have no problem grossing you out with it. While gathering his pajamas my son says one last time that his tummy hurts and then lets loose a stream of vomit that can only be described as staggering. I literally stood there motionless, stunned, unbelieving. ALL OVER THE RUG??!!! It was like astral projection; I was disembodied watching from above. Why does this shit always happen when when my husband is away? It took some doing and Baby Toots had to sleep in my bed that night, but the damage was contained and eradicated. I, however, am scarred for life; the joys of motherhood.
Saturday I was exhausted since I was woke at every little movement and sound my son made. I was paranoid we might have another incident in the bed, so sleep was hard to come by (we actually did, although very small and I had a big bowl handy). I still made it to my spin, run, spin workout sans caffeine and a mother of a headache. I have been trying different nutrition while training too. On today's menu? Clif Shot Double Espresso....BLECH!! I had to choke it down.
Sunday Coach Michelle had me do a 1:40 run zone 2, after an hour do 20' 5-7 beats higher (zone 3) then back down to zone 2 for the last 20'. I am usually spot on with the long runs. Today for some reason I could not get out of zone 3. No matter how much I seemed to slow down, I was still in zone 3 (I felt fine, but it wasn't the plan). Weird. I still did the time though. I actually like these runs (when they go well).
My run took me downtown to meet my husband and son at the local Tent & Trails store to stalk some good deals. I found a nice, roomy gear bag for races for $40! I also picked up a nice wool base layer and some cozy wool knee socks. Hubby bought a down coat, for which I was grateful. I was freezing my butt off once my body started to cool down, so I put his new coat on for the subway ride home; toasty!
Now I sit and watch football and more football and dream about my rest day tomorrow.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Foto Friday: Bikers Got Back
Ok, maybe not that kind of 'back' (although I got that 'back' too, unfortunately....but that is another post entirely). Tell drivers how you feel here with jerseys like this one.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Owls and Larks
I sleep trained my son (stick with me here, I'll get to the training part). Yes, I am one of those horrible mothers who Ferberized her kid. I don't care what you say, I get a solid night's rest and have for the past 3+ years. All of these blissful slumbers come on the promise of a 'normal' day's events. In essence, if your kid is sick, there is a thunderstorm or he has a bad dream you can kiss your peaceful repose good-bye. However, that is the exception.
In deciding to take this step we had to determine whether our son was an owl or a lark; did he tend to stay up late or get up early. I don't know about you, but who can tell at 7 months what the hell your kids sleep tendencies are other than seeming to keep you awake all hours of the day and night. In my estimation we had an old man; stayed up late and got up before the sun. I was desperate to believe we had an owl. After all, his mother and father were owls. Serious owls. Owls as in, we could easily stay up until 3-4 Am and get our best work done and be content to sleep in until noon. We passed up all invitations to breakfast with our friends and if a brunch invitation was issued anytime before 1PM, we couldn't make it. So, it makes sense that we (meaning I) gave birth to an owl. No.
I have been persuaded that no child (except for those rare, rare species of tiny humans) is an owl; they are ALL larks. My son is no exception. As a new mother, I witnessed way too many sunrises, met way too many paperboys (are they paperpeople now?), and was on a first name basis with the garbage man. I lived in denial, however, convinced that this would change...eventually...before he left for college....Not a chance, I have had to turn to bribing him to stay in bed until the sun comes up; so far it's working.
How does this relate to training? When I embarked on this journey to my first Half Ironman (HIM), I knew it was going to mean getting my ass out of bed much earlier than I am comfortable with. Nevertheless I have a goal and I mean to fulfill it. My life is unpredictable after 10 AM. Certainly my son is on something of a schedule, I do have a sitter 4 days a week and also have the good fortune to work from home. My work time is my work time and I don't feel right about taking advantage of that, add to this my marriage to the uncertain schedule of a newsman and you kind of get my drift.
It has been very close to 2 months since I started formally training for this goal with many, many wake up times at 5:30 AM. This introduces a whole new bedtime for me too; no later than 10PM. I've actually been quite surprised by how I feel regarding all this early morning stuff. For one, I am done training by 8 AM which feels wonderful (except for those few days when I have an afternoon run on the schedule in addition to my AM routine). I've also gotten to enjoy the quiet of the city at that hour, the city is never fully quiet, but relative to the rest of the day the early morning is sweet (and made even sweeter when the sun is up at that hour). I also watch a lot less TV. I don't really know why that is, but I have lost interest in shows that used to give me hours of mindless enjoyment. Always a reader, I find myself reading even more, huh.
All this said, I was sent for quite a loop this week when my husband had to leave town on a dime; no more morning workout, and scrambling to figure out what to do on the days I had no sitter. As a result I discovered that I really like my morning routine of training; I missed it, I longed for it. I felt as though I was thrown off by the change (it also didn't help that I was on my way to a nasty head cold which is present and accounted for at the moment and has acquainted me with the delight that is the neti pot).
Ah Neti, I know you well..
Should have turned the other way, but a videographer I am not...see pic above for nasal entry and exit (ok, maybe I was shoving it a bit too hard up that nostril)
Thanks to the free babysitting at the Y (where I belong), preschool and the girl who lives downstairs, I was able to meet all my training commitments. Although, yesterday's 90 minute run in 38˚F, in the rain with this cold, was probably an unwise decision, but I got it done, my muscles are no longer atrophied and I have feeling in my fingertips once again.
I am happy to report that my husband caught a flight out of Haiti today and may be home as soon as this evening. I was only able to talk to him here and there for a couple of minutes, but he was able to convey to me the extent of the disaster there and the desperation of the people he saw. We've all seen the images, so it came as no surprise to hear him say these things. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and prayers. We are the lucky ones.
Ah Neti, I know you well..Should have turned the other way, but a videographer I am not...see pic above for nasal entry and exit (ok, maybe I was shoving it a bit too hard up that nostril)
I am happy to report that my husband caught a flight out of Haiti today and may be home as soon as this evening. I was only able to talk to him here and there for a couple of minutes, but he was able to convey to me the extent of the disaster there and the desperation of the people he saw. We've all seen the images, so it came as no surprise to hear him say these things. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and prayers. We are the lucky ones.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Foto Friday II: My Sister
This is my sister Jodi. Today is her birthday. She would have been 40 years old today. Unfortunately she passed away at age 27 from a congenital heart condition. My mom did a very nice memorial for her on her blog (yes, my mom blogs!). HAPPY BIRTHDAY JODI!!
Foto Friday: Speechless
A Spanish rescuer holds two-year-old Redjeson Hausteen Claude, as his father Reginald Claude, right, looks on, after he was rescued from a collapsed home (photo: AP)If you haven't had a chance to donate, please do. Even the smallest amount. To donate $10 to the Red Cross text "Haiti" to 90999 or $10 to the Clinton Foundation text "Haiti" to 20222.
If you would like to donate a larger amount, you can find a list of trusted charities here on the CNN website. Thank you.
If you would like to donate a larger amount, you can find a list of trusted charities here on the CNN website. Thank you.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haiti Needs Help
I am not one for preaching and no one wants to hear preaching anyway, but if any of you can find it in your heart or your wallets (I know times are tough) to make a donation to help these poor folk out maybe we can make a small difference.
CNN has a list of charities here and I've checked most of them against Charity Navigator and they are well established with almost 100% of their contributions going straight to the recipients. I made mine to Direct Relief International, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
You can donate as little as $10 to the Clinton Foundation by texting "Haiti" to 20222.
Or $10 to the Red Cross text "Haiti" to 90999.
You can donate as little as $10 to the Clinton Foundation by texting "Haiti" to 20222.
Or $10 to the Red Cross text "Haiti" to 90999.
I'm not much good at brainstorming, I wish I could come up with an idea that would raise money through this blog, but for now I only have my 'voice' and my ability to reach my readers and ask that they do what they can.
My husband is on his way there as I write this. He went to Sri Lanka for the tsunami and he was in New Orleans when Katrina hit. I have a feeling this will be far worse. Along with not being much of a preaching woman, I am not much of a praying woman, but I am saying a little prayer for the safe return of my husband and relief for the people of Haiti.
My husband is on his way there as I write this. He went to Sri Lanka for the tsunami and he was in New Orleans when Katrina hit. I have a feeling this will be far worse. Along with not being much of a preaching woman, I am not much of a praying woman, but I am saying a little prayer for the safe return of my husband and relief for the people of Haiti.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
We Want You!
I think it was Groucho Marx who said, "I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member".
Except maybe this club: "Welcome to the 2010 Brooks I.D. Program, Regina!" That was the opener to the email I received last week. After I did my review of the Brooks Launch shoe, Tri Diesel told me about their program (he is a member) and suggested I look into it if I liked their product that much. So, I did. I filled out the questionnaire and voila! Actually, it wasn't that quick, I was beginning to think perhaps I didn't fit into their idea of 'inspirational'. I've looked over the details, including the lovely 40% off all shoes and apparel. Part of the deal is racing in Brooks apparel. I think they are sending something 'uniform' like. I'm still a little fuzzy on that with regards to triathletes. Perhaps Tri Diesel, you can shed some light? I haven't activated my membership with them yet, but I can't think of why I wouldn't. This is a good thing right? Right?
Let's move on to failure, shall we? I do a fair amount of posting about my accomplishments, but today my training hit a bump in the road. Nothing fatal, I just couldn't do it. My AM swim was good for the most part. Coach Michelle had me do a set of 4x100 @ 3' descending. Plenty of time to get it done. The idea here though was to get a feel for pacing. I was instructed to start my first at 2:45 and descend by :05 for each of the following. The fact that I have no sense of pace or what 2:45 feels like was about to become clear. They went like this:
#1: 2:28 (Ok, too fast, I'll slow it down for the next and then go faster for each of the last two)
#2: 2:29 (Hmmm, obviously that was not slower. Maybe I'll just keep going slower to get a feel for pace instead of going faster)
#3: 2:31 (not at 2:45?! That felt so slow)
#4: 2:35 (Damn! I am a pacing ignoramus)
I did fail to do what was laid out for me, but I did get a real lesson on pacing. No, I still don't know what :05 seconds off feels like, but I'm learning something new, and that is so cool.
My PM track workout (yes, you read that right, I was out at the track the same day!!) didn't fair any better. I have a better sense of running pace, but by no means can I depend on this sense. I have been running now for just a year (this month); I'm no pro.......at all. I did my 20' WU on the track so I could recalibrate my Garmin Forerunner 50; it had been awhile, it was off by .12 miles after 2 miles of calibration; not too bad. I then went into some runs on the straights and jog the corners for two laps. Gulp...now the torture.
2x800 @ 3:50-4:00 (4' RI)
4x400 @ 1:45 (2' RI)
What did I manage? A 4:10 and a 4:01 respectively for the 800's. The 400's went like this:
#1: 1:41 (cool! but I am dying)
#2: :49 (I gave up and wanted to cry)
#3: 1:45 (got it together, but these last two were supposed to be faster)
#4: 1:07 (complete meltdown....mentally lost it; DNF)
Here comes my big mea sorta culpa...
I could blame the gusty winds (which there was), that I forgot my inhaler (which I did), that my legs were exhausted (which they were), but I'd be making excuses. I just gave up on those two. I have to forgive myself though. I've never done these, it was freakin' hard for me. I just have to forgive myself, move forward and try again.
I think that is the thing about failure; I believe it makes you stronger if you can survive it. Even if I am just trying to do a little convincing of myself here, I do know on a cerebral level that it is true. Nothing worth having was gotten easily. When I do Mooseman, I want to know I earned it, that I didn't la-di-da through it just looking for a finishers medal. As an added benefit, I become a better, more educated athlete and that hasn't happened in a looooooong time. Not since I studied karate. Man, I talk a good game, no? I will dread the next track workout, no doubt, but I'll do it, and I'll do it better.
Tomorrow I am off to have a follow up mammogram. Fun times. I had one done in November, but they asked me to come back for another. It's all good, I am not worried. Time to sage the house for the new year.
Let's move on to failure, shall we? I do a fair amount of posting about my accomplishments, but today my training hit a bump in the road. Nothing fatal, I just couldn't do it. My AM swim was good for the most part. Coach Michelle had me do a set of 4x100 @ 3' descending. Plenty of time to get it done. The idea here though was to get a feel for pacing. I was instructed to start my first at 2:45 and descend by :05 for each of the following. The fact that I have no sense of pace or what 2:45 feels like was about to become clear. They went like this:
#1: 2:28 (Ok, too fast, I'll slow it down for the next and then go faster for each of the last two)
#2: 2:29 (Hmmm, obviously that was not slower. Maybe I'll just keep going slower to get a feel for pace instead of going faster)
#3: 2:31 (not at 2:45?! That felt so slow)
#4: 2:35 (Damn! I am a pacing ignoramus)
I did fail to do what was laid out for me, but I did get a real lesson on pacing. No, I still don't know what :05 seconds off feels like, but I'm learning something new, and that is so cool.
My PM track workout (yes, you read that right, I was out at the track the same day!!) didn't fair any better. I have a better sense of running pace, but by no means can I depend on this sense. I have been running now for just a year (this month); I'm no pro.......at all. I did my 20' WU on the track so I could recalibrate my Garmin Forerunner 50; it had been awhile, it was off by .12 miles after 2 miles of calibration; not too bad. I then went into some runs on the straights and jog the corners for two laps. Gulp...now the torture.
2x800 @ 3:50-4:00 (4' RI)
4x400 @ 1:45 (2' RI)
What did I manage? A 4:10 and a 4:01 respectively for the 800's. The 400's went like this:
#1: 1:41 (cool! but I am dying)
#2: :49 (I gave up and wanted to cry)
#3: 1:45 (got it together, but these last two were supposed to be faster)
#4: 1:07 (complete meltdown....mentally lost it; DNF)
Here comes my big mea sorta culpa...
I could blame the gusty winds (which there was), that I forgot my inhaler (which I did), that my legs were exhausted (which they were), but I'd be making excuses. I just gave up on those two. I have to forgive myself though. I've never done these, it was freakin' hard for me. I just have to forgive myself, move forward and try again.
I think that is the thing about failure; I believe it makes you stronger if you can survive it. Even if I am just trying to do a little convincing of myself here, I do know on a cerebral level that it is true. Nothing worth having was gotten easily. When I do Mooseman, I want to know I earned it, that I didn't la-di-da through it just looking for a finishers medal. As an added benefit, I become a better, more educated athlete and that hasn't happened in a looooooong time. Not since I studied karate. Man, I talk a good game, no? I will dread the next track workout, no doubt, but I'll do it, and I'll do it better.
Tomorrow I am off to have a follow up mammogram. Fun times. I had one done in November, but they asked me to come back for another. It's all good, I am not worried. Time to sage the house for the new year.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Get Thee Some Smartwool!
"The weather outside is frightful...."Ok, not as bad as Fulton, NY with its 46" of snow in the last 24 hours. I know about lake effect snow, I grew up in Binghamton, NY....not fun. However, frigid temps across the nation are also being felt here in NYC. My long run on Sunday (20˚F, feels like 5˚ with gusts of 25mph) was spent on the 'mill for 70 very long minutes!!! So this morning I was determined not to do that again and brave the cold. Truth be told it was a bit 'warmer' this morning (21˚ F, feels like 17˚- break out the sunscreen!) compared to Sunday.
This is essentially what I looked like on my run, balaclava and all, even the sunglasses (actually my glasses have that tinted thing that happens to them in bright light; in retrospect, not a good choice). One new addition to my run wardrobe: Smartwool socks. I have Mom On the Run to thank for that. She mentioned them in a post and I was on the hunt for a pair. As usual, I am late to the party, as I am sure you all know how awesome these socks are. I swear, I didn't feel the cold at all on my feet, hallelujah and pass the grits! Thou must goest back to the store for more. I wish I could say the same for my face, I forgot the Vaseline; can you say chapped.
My run this morning was 15' WU
3x3' zone 3 (3'RI)
4x30" sprint (30"RI)
2x3' zone 3 (3'RI)
4x30" sprint (30"RI)
1x3' zone 3 (3'RI)
5' CD
My run this morning was 15' WU
3x3' zone 3 (3'RI)
4x30" sprint (30"RI)
2x3' zone 3 (3'RI)
4x30" sprint (30"RI)
1x3' zone 3 (3'RI)
5' CD
I still sweated (spell check says "this is not a word!") profusely on my run under my oh so many layers. Apparently enough to provoke my husband to turn his nose up in disgust at the odor emanating from my sweaty underthings. I do not mean underwear; he was not sniffing my underwear, I mean my base layer you animals, this is not a porn site. A hot shower never felt so good (stop it!)
The joy in my swim workouts is that the pool locker room and the pool water is soooooo toasty warm. I actually like getting up at 5:45 AM to go swim. Ok, let me rephrase that, I hate it when the alarm goes off, but once I am up and out, I love it. The city is so quiet and peaceful. I am also having tons of fun with my new pool toys: fins, paddles, pull buoy, etc. Shhhhhhh...don't tell Coach Michelle though, she might think I am not working hard (to the contrary, I am busting my ass!)
On a side note, you should head over the Krista's blog as she is hosting a tasty giveaway for some yummy Gu's, beans and blocks!
Speaking of tasty, I made a whole batch of Bree Wee's recovery balls last night: coconut lime, and some cranberry date ones. I have also experimented with dried cherries, apples, cinnamon and raisins, etc. The possibilities are endless.
Friday, January 1, 2010
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