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Spam I Am January 31, 2006

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Nothing new to report really. I just wanted to say I’m sorry I haven’t been around much on the blogs. Work has been crazy busy lately. I got a promotion yesterday to a supervisor position (Asst. Accounting Manager) and the transition has been fun. They also changed something at work and now my IP address is blocked from posting comments on some of your blogs. So I’m reading them even if I can’t post to them. I talked to tribro about it and he said my work must be going thru an IP address that is on the bad list of the DNSAntiSpam stuff.

I didn’t run this morning but I think I will go for a short 3 or 4 mile run tonight. I felt almost normal on the ride into work today. I think it was the first time I’ve enjoyed my ride in over a week. It could be because of my new toys. I ordered some turtle lights and they came yesterday so I have new flashing red and white lights on my commuter bike. I must look like a UFO flying down the road now. One of my coworkers, who travels the same way I do, gave them her seal of approval. Whenever I get something new, I ask her look for me on her way home and let me know if it’s obnoxious enough. Obnoxious is good when it comes to lights at night.

I think I also feel better today because I decided not to give up on the LA Marathon after all. Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement and advice yesterday. I hope you all have a good day and happy training. :)

3 mile cool down January 30, 2006

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Nothing is going according to plan right now. Not my training. Not my eating. Not my bike. It’s so discouraging. Last week, all I did on Wed/Thu/Fri was commute to and from work. I wanted to get back into training so on Saturday, I rode to the gym to swim. I had planned on 3000 but only did 1500. I also skipped weight training and just rode home. Then I went for a 4 mile run. Which went ok. Not the best run I’ve ever had but not the worst.

Since Saturday’s run was ok, I decided to see if I could get back on the marathon schedule on Sunday. It called for a 16 mile run. Just to be safe, I took an out and back course which would put me at 13 miles back home (since I had already done that) and if I felt good, I would go for the other 3. So off I went on a nice, cool morning. I made it to the turn around point fine. But then on the way back, things started to hurt – my left foot, my right knee, my outer right thigh (where I still have a lovely purple bruise). I gave up after 10 miles and thought I would walk for awhile to see if I could start up again. I walked about a mile and tried again but my body wasn’t having any of it and I ended up walking the rest of the way home, 3 miles total. During the walk, I let go of the LA Marathon dream. I want to be smart about my running and the Vineman is the more important part of the picture. Better to take it easy now and build up again then to really hurt myself and lose the Vineman dream as well. I was pretty bummed. :(

This morning, I woke up sore all over and I bailed on my swim. :( Argh!!!! I hate this. You don’t know how much I wish I could go back in time and change what happened – taken a different route, gone at a different time, gone for the group ride instead. I hate that my training is taking such a big hit. I hate that I have to spend so much time trying to get my bike fixed. I hate that right now, I have no focus or drive to do anything. Damn it!!!!

Speaking of my bike…the guy who hit me never called me back last week. On Saturday, I borrowed my mom’s car and went to the police station to pick up the accident report and then went to the bike shop to get the estimate on fixing it. Later that night, I called him and he told me he was still trying to get the money. That he had been out of work for six months and he was trying to borrow it from a friend. But he said he would go to the bike shop yesterday and take care of it and then call me. He didn’t. :( And you know what? I felt like sh!t for making him pay for it, what with him being out of work and all. Maybe he’s playing me. I don’t think so but he could be I guess. But I just felt like a selfish, spoiled brat worrying about my bike. Damn it! I just want my bike. Is that too much to ask for?

Back on the Bike January 25, 2006

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The LBS gave my bike a thorough examination. The verdict: my bike needs both wheels and a new fork. The man who hit me was surprised when I told him how much it would be to fix my bike. He was supposed to call the bike shop yesterday to verify the amount and then call me back but he didn’t. If he doesn’t call me back today, I’m going to call him. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he will come through for me.

I’m tired people. I rode to work yesterday – slower even then I usually do on my Active Rest Days. I found out that my right glute is also sore and my back was bothering me as well. Probably because I was really tense on my ride. Especially whenever I saw someone making a left turn. I had to tell myself to relax and consciously relax my grip. I was feeling a little crappy by the end of the day so I asked one of my coworkers to give me & my commuter bike a ride home. I rode today but I am tired. Mostly from lack of sleep but also from feeling frustrated. I was feeling so good last week. I had plenty of energy and nothing was hurting. I was ready to jump feet first into training for the marathon. It makes me so mad, I could spit. This is not how I envisioned this year starting off. :(

Hobbes is in the Hospital!!! :( January 23, 2006

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Well, you can add me to the list of trifuelers who have been hit by a car. I am fine – the right side of body is black and blue and sore and scraped up, but I’m fine. My beautiful new bike, however, has a bent front wheel. It happened on Saturday morning when I about 19 miles into a 45 mile ride. The day was gorgeous. Clear and sunny and not too cold. I was so happy to be on my bike and I felt great. I was riding along at around 20/21 miles per hour and I see a car stopped in the left turn lane. I thought since he was stopped, he must have seen me. But then I see he starts to turn left just as I’m getting to him. So I brake hard hoping I’ll miss him or I can turn into the parking lot of the Burger King (where he was turning into). I remember thinking “Oh SH!T, he’s really going to hit me!”. The next thing I knew, I was getting up and looking down at my bike and watching one of my water bottles roll around. I don’t remember him hitting me or hitting the ground. Did my brain block it out? Anyway, he must have seen me at the last minute and braked as well because he didn’t run me over. He hit me at a 90 degree angle and just knocked me over. I remember picking up my water bottle and Hobbes to get out of the driveway and that Hobbes wouldn’t roll. Then the driver comes over and asks me if I’m alright and I give myself a quick check…nothing broken, yep a little road rash on my right leg and right hand, otherwise I appear to me okay. I start to shake (and cry, yes, I’m a baby) and I tell him I just need to sit down and I sit down on the curb and concentrate on Hobbes, I guess so I don’t have to think about what happened. Then I hear the sirens and look up and here comes a fire truck, a paramedic, and ambulance, and two police cars. :-O They had me walk around, took my blood pressure (118/82) and my heartrate (then I showed ‘em my heartrate monitor) and asked me questions. I told them I didn’t need to go to the hospital and they just gave me bandaids to cover the worst on my fingers. The police did a full report and the driver (a nice, older man – I felt sorry for him, weird huh?) said he would pay to fix my bike. OOOHHHH, poor Hobbes!!! One of the witness said that I fell very gracefully!?!? Then I called my grandfather and he came and picked me up and took me over to Foothill Cyclery to drop off my bike. I have to call them today to get a full estimate of the damages. :(

Later that day, the aches and pains started – my right knee, my right thigh, my right elbow. I found new scrapes when I took a shower and felt the sting. I couldn’t fall asleep that night either. On Sunday, I woke up stiff and sore and decided I wouldn’t be going on that 15 mile run after all. :( Instead, I went to the Getty museum with a group so I wouldn’t mope and walking seemed to help the stiffness. My right thigh is still really sore today and feels hot to the touch. I decided not to swim this morning and took the bus to work. We are having really wild winds right now – steady 35-45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. Just walking down to the bus was an experience!!! Anyway, I thought I would give myself another day off. But I also have to admit, that I am glad I didn’t have to get on my bike today. What if I fell again because of the winds? What if something else happens? I feel a little depressed today because I feel this way and also because I miss my workouts. I really, really need to get on my bike tomorrow. You have to get back on the horse, right?

Oh…I did complete the 4000 swim on Friday night. But only 4000 yards, not 4000 meters. I had some serious problems with my feet and calves cramping up. :( What is up with that? I have never had that happen during a swim before. I drank plenty of water before and during. But every 10 to 12 laps, I would have to pause and get rid of a cramp. It made for a miserable swim, but by golly, I was going to go as long as I could. I was so tired after that I had to sit down for about 20 minutes before I could get on my bike and ride home. Do I get credit for at least going 4000 yards?

Do or Do Not January 20, 2006

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What a way to start the day – a run and some good tunes. :) Last night I was determined to get 8 hours of sleep (success) so I would be fully rested this morning. I’d decided to do Friel’s test today to see what my LT would be. The last 20 minutes of the test were at about an 8:43 pace (right around the pace I did the 5K at in Sept) and my hrm said my avg for that time was 170. Could that be right? I feel like I should do it again to make sure. I ran my heart out and even started to get a stitch in the last 5 minutes but kept pushing hard. I ran to Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor and it was just the right tempo for the test. :) My sister gave me an mp3 player for xmas and I’ve been loading it with music. I have a 15 mile run planned for Sunday so I loaded it with my favorite tunes from Beth Orton, Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow, Depeche Mode, Audioslave, and Led Zeppelin. Should make for a good run, eh?

It was so cold for my run this morning…33 degrees…and it had only warmed up one degree by the time I left for work. My fingers are numb. Tonight I plan on going for a swim after work. A fellow trifueler who shall remain nameless (Libor) is egging me on to do a 4000 swim tonight. I told him I would try and he quoted Yoda to me…”Do or do not, there is no try”. So I’m going to go for it. Just slow and steady. Wish me luck. :)

Have a great weekend everyone. Happy Training. :)

Blasted wind January 19, 2006

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Blasted wind!!! When I got out of work last night, the sky was threatening rain and there was a cold wind blowing. It was tailwind for the ride home so it wasn’t too bad. I got home, changed and headed out for my 7 mile run. The goal was to run it at marathon pace – 10 minute miles. It was an out and back run. The first half was great – a little ahead of schedule. When I turned around, I found out why. I had a pretty steady headwind all the way home! NO buildings or trees either for most of it to block the wind. The gusts were the worst though. However, it didn’t start sprinkling until the last quarter mile. I finished in 1:11:14 with an avg pace of 10:09 and an avg hr of 154. Not bad really. I’d set the alarm on my heart rate monitor and it beeped at me a lot in the second half but I think I did pretty good keeping it under target. I also finished the run feeling good and wanting more. :) I did my cool down and then stretched. And cranked up the heater because I was freezing!!!!! I took forever to warm up.

Today is an Active Rest Day so I only have the bike commute and pilates tonight. There were clear skies this morning and no wind and it was 40 degrees. I only got 6 ½ hours of sleep last night. I watched Lost didn’t get to bed til 10:15 and then I had planned to sleep in until 6 this morning but I was up by 4:45. Darn it. I’m not too tired though.

American Triathlete January 18, 2006

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I did some intervals on the bike last night on the way home. Seven to be exact. I feel like I have a lot of energy this week. Maybe it’s excitement for the coming year and all I have planned. I was thinking about 2006 while I was swimming this morning and what I have planned for each month. It’s going to be a full year and I can’t wait!!!! :)

So…another 2000 swim this morning. It seemed to go by fast today. I would say I was tired when I finished but not overly so. I also did weights for arms, shoulders, and glutes. I haven’t done any weights in over a week so I thought I should do some today. I gave myself a wakeup call on the way to work this morning. Riding along, thinking about the run I have planned tonight (7 miles) and I rode off the road! Then my front wheel got caught on little lip between the road and the gutter and. Needless to say, my heart rate was a little on the high side but someone must have been watching me because there were no cars around at the time. Whew.

Last night I was watching/listening to American Idol as I did pilates. It got me thinking; What if there was an American Triathlete show? There would be judges along a course as you were going through a swim, bike, and run. And transitions. And they judged you on form and style and how well you Tri’d. Then America could vote for their favorite triathlete. :) What would they say about me, I wonder…

A new plan January 17, 2006

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I ran 3 miles this morning. Another easy run. I finished it in 34:15 with an average heart rate of 139. I am kicking off the marathon plan this week for the LA Marathon on March 19th - Hal Higdon’s Novice program since this is my first marathon. I’m starting it in the middle where I left off with the Half Marathon program. Wish me luck. :)

It wasn’t as cold as expected this morning…a warm 38 degrees. They issued frost warnings last night but it didn’t get that cold. I dressed warmer anyway…my Zoot long sleeve shirt, another long sleeve shirt over it (both light and breathy) and then my capris so I wasn’t cold at all. 38 degrees is much warmer when you are running then when you are on a bike. :) I was colder on the ride in to work but I was able to warm up once I got to work. I didn’t warm up yesterday until almost mid-morning. :( This morning’s ride was easy but I plan to do some intervals on the ride home. And then pilates.

On kind of a down note…I think my weight has hit a plateau. I worked my a$$ off this past week and really, really watched what I ate. Counted calories and everything. And it didn’t budge one iota. If I didn’t know any better, I would think I was eating in my sleep or something! But since my cat sleeps on my legs and bites me if I move too much, I’m pretty sure that’s not the case. It’s a little frustrating but I’m as determined as ever to lose the excess poundage. Life is just not fair!! Why, oh why, is it so easy to put on weight and 4x as hard to take it off!!!!

Oh, so cold January 16, 2006

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Trifuel Group Ride! First I have to back up though. We lost our championship game on Friday night and we came in second place. We got a trophy and t-shirts though so it was all good and, of course, Pizza party after. Which means I didn’t get home until almost 11:30.

I got up at 4:45 on Saturday and went for a 4 mile run (46 min w/ AHR of 140). Then took a quick shower and rode over to Foothill Cyclery to meet Kylie and Jeremy. I left the house later than I expected so it was a 42 min ride with an avg heart rate of 159!!! The ride that morning was thru Bonelli with lots of hills. After the ride, we went over to Kylie’s to check out the Vineman registration. We also walked over to the bagel shop for some important refueling. :) Yes, a pb&h bagel!!!! Then I rode home really slow and easy since I was tired and it was sprinkling. Total miles for the day -51 with a total ride time of 3:32:00. Not a bad day. I took a 2 hour nap that afternoon!!!! Ahhhhh…naps…

On Sunday, I ran 10K at a 9:54 pace with an avg heart rate of 151 in 1:01:32. I was at my mom’s in the morning and got to run thru Bonelli again. It was a beautiful day. I also did some Pilates in the afternoon.

This morning was COLD. It was 33 on the way to the gym! WAY too cold for me and I’m even wearing TWO pairs of tights today. Wimp, huh? Anyway…I Swam 2000 with 2 45 second breaks today. A good swim. The ride to work was slightly warmer but I still haven’t warmed up. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a hot tub at work…

The pictures are in January 13, 2006

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I went for a run after my ride home last night. 4ish miles in 48:00 at an avg hr of 140. It was a nice, relaxing run. Legs felt good. :) This morning, I rode to the gym and swam 2000 with 2 one minute breaks in there. The first half was a little rough but the second half smoothed out. I got in the hot tub again for about 10 minutes so no weights again today. I wanted to leave the gym early this morning so I could stop by the store on the way in to work and stock up on stuff. I need to make sure I have good food to eat during the day. I am determined to lose a pound a week until Vineman. No more slacking off like I have been the past couple of months.

The pictures are in from the OC Half. This is my favorite one. And these are the rest of them.

So…I have been telling my friends and co-workers that I am signing up for my first full iron distance race. The feedback has been great so far. Sure, I get the “you’re nuts” comments, but no one has made any comments about my not being able to complete it or not being up for it. It feels good (but weird) to know that they don’t have doubts that I will do this. It gives me confidence, but at the same time, a little bit of pressure to succeed. And by succeed, I mean finish the Vineman and live to tell about it!!! :)

In that same vein of thought, here is this week’s quote…“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” ~Mark Twain

Our team plays in the softball finals tonight!!! Wish us luck. :) Have a great weekend everyone. :)