If you can’t fly, then run

Today, things were aching this morning (right shoulder and right foot) so I didn’t run and used that extra hour to sleep. I might run tonight or after my ride tomorrow instead. Probably tomorrow.

No new saddle yet. But I’ve sold 12 pieces of jewelry this week to offset the costs when it does come in. Woo! People seem to like them and are buying them for gifts as well so I’m happy. I wasn’t sure if they would sell or not. It is cool to have a hobby or two that brings you joy and brings in money. Now, if only I could make money with tris….Hey! A girl can dream can’t she!

I’m house/dog sitting for jetsetting Mondi this weekend so I get to stay at my vacation house.  They don’t pay me.  I wouldn’t accept money anyway.  But it’s like getting paid because they always have two fully stocked refrigerators plus I get to use her Explorer to run errands.  Not to mention the pool, pool table, air hockey table, etc.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Hope it’s cool where ever you are.

Day 19 & A Much Better Run July 25, 2006

Day 19 in triple digits for us out here in the IE. It has made people cranky all around, myself included. It was 105 when I left work last night at 5:30. Bleah. But I survived. I have been drinking water like it’s going out of style. I’m so thirsty. But it helps and tastes delicious. My family keeps asking me if I’m still riding to work. Of course, I am. It’s much cooler to ride to work than it is to walk! Hopefully it will cool down a little this week.

I ran/walked for 90 min this morning before work. It went much, much better than Sunday’s fiasco. I felt like a runner and even ran farther than I expected too. I had some aching in that same spot but it never piffed on me. What’s a piff you ask? It’s like a snowball that comes out of nowhere and when you least expect it. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it just goes piff…

Although…a snowball fight sounds really good right about now…

Back to training…I’m feeling more positive about things this morning. I got tons of sleep the last two nights which obviously makes a big difference for me. I’m going swimming after work tonight. Kinda looking forward to it. Happy training all.

The Return of the Penguin July 24, 2006

It was scorching hot this weekend! I was thankful I only had a 2 1/2 hr ride planned for Saturday followed by a 30 min brick. I finished everything by 9:30 and it was already 95 degrees. It hit 113 that afternoon AND it rained. When you walked outside, the air enveloped you and tried to squeeze your breath out. It was a miserable day. Both the ride and the run were okay. I rode out to La Verne and thru Bonelli (where I saw Kylie running and looking as cool as a cucumber). Then on the way out and back up to Baseline, I ran into the Bike Shop Boys who had a good sized crowd with them. They said Hi and called out to me and I almost turned around to join them but decided to go home and run instead. Legs felt great off the bike. No noodleness what so ever. Calf did pretty good. I was happy with that day’s effort. Later, in the evening, we went to see Pirates of the Carribean to escape the heat. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be swimming in the Carribean right now…

Sunday was a very low day for me. First, it was my fault in that I didn’t get enough sleep on Friday night or Saturday night. And I know I get cranky when I’m tired. I should have taken a nap on Saturday but it was too hot in my apartment even with the air on. So, on Sunday morning, I got up, got dressed and headed out for a 90 min run. Things went wrong from the beginning - I wore new shorts (bad, I know) and they were riding up and there was thigh chafing going on and it wasn’t pretty. My right foot and leg were bothering me almost from the start as well and I was running in more of waddle than a run. I was praying that no “real” runners or cycists would come by because, honestly, I was embarrased by my form. Frustration mounted and about 45 min into it, I was done and walked home (another 45 min). This time, the pain was lower than last week. It wasn’t so much the calf as between the calf and the ankle and more on the outside- the exact spot where I’d broken my leg. I just sat around making anklets for the rest of the day and trying to stay off it. It’s feeling a better today and I hope to do the 90 min run before work tomorrow.

On the walk home, I was seriously questioning myself. Maybe I don’t have what it takes for this thing, I don’t know. It’s so disheartening to be so slow right now. I’m just getting more and more frustrated with this whole process. Look, I didn’t expect it to be a piece of cake. I expected and knew that my body would be achy. But I guess I hoped I would do pretty decent for a first timer. Which for me would be between 13 & 14 hours. Now, I am so slow in everything it just all seems to be fading away. And I think the more desperately I try to get faster at any of them, the slower I get.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m still going to do Vineman, even if it looks like I’l be walking the run. I have no idea what’s going to happen and I’m a little scared I won’t get to that finish line in 16:59:59 (seriously, you have no idea how slow I’ve gotten). But all I can do is try. And besides, Kylie and I already booked the hotel room. And so did my mom.

As John B. would say…”Waddle on”.

Aaaahhhhhh, bike commuting… July 19, 2006

This is the life.  I missed it for the past two days.  I am, overall, a much happier person when I’m bike commuting.  I’m in a better mood.  I’m less stressed.  My legs aren’t so jumpy.  It’s been 808 days since I gave up the car.  I must admit that it is nice to have a car once in a while.  It gives me a chance to buy bigger items and buy more stuff.  But I do fine without it.  I still think owning a car is more hassle than it’s worth.  Payments, insurance, gas, finding parking, remembering where you parked it, remembering to lock it…yuck.

The past couple of nights I haven’t been sleeping very well.  Ever heard of that restless leg syndrome?  Anybody have it?  *Lisa raising her hand*  I find that on the days I don’t run or ride, my legs just won’t stay still.  Even at my desk yesterday, I had to keep getting up because my legs were flipping out.  It’s really annoying when you’re trying to go to sleep.  And long flights are hell (am I ever glad my sister doesn’t live in NC anymore!).  I see them advertising “purple” pills or whatever color they are for this on tv and I want to shout “I know the cure!  Go for a run or a ride!  Exercise!”  Because ever since I’ve been running and riding, they’ve been fine.  But even one day without exercise and they are like Mexican Jumping Beans. 

Let’s see…what’s still aching on my body?  The calf is about 95 percent.  It feels fine for walking and I’m not limping anymore.  I do still feel a tightness when I’m walking up a hill.  The right foot is still sore.  My butt is still sore.  My right shoulder is still sore.  Hmmmm…why is it that it’s mostly the right side that is bothering me?  Must be because I’m crooked.  Seriously.  My friends think I’m nuts, but I KNOW my right leg is shorter and crooked from when I broke it a few years ago.  The cast wasn’t straight and, at the time, I didn’t think it mattered because the most exercise I got was going from the couch to the refrigerator.  Maybe it is all in my head.  Anyway…despite the aches and lack of sleep, I’m feeling more rested and ready to get back to training.

Weekend Ramblings July 18, 2006

My calf felt almost normal by the end of the day yesterday.  However, when I woke up this morning it was stiff again.  Not as bad as Monday.  It gets better once I stretch it out and warm it up.  Speaking of stiff…I got a dose of the Morning Stiffy this morning.  No not that kind!  I used to listen to a radio show in the morning on 96.7 with Stu, Tiffany, and Jimbo - The Morning Stiffy.  But since I don’t listen to anything when I’m riding my bike to work, I haven’t heard them in a while.  Driving Mondi’s car to work means I get to listen to them.   But I’d rather be riding to work.  You know, I get jealous when I’m driving and see someone riding a bike.  Sick, I know.

Here are some more ramblings about the weekend:

• Riding 101 miles is a good way to get used to new pedals and shoes.  I was nervous when I first put them on but by the end, it was second nature.  Even when I was tired.
• My right foot/knee turn out when I’m riding.  I knew this but I didn’t realize how much.  Having toe clips gave it a lot of float (is that the right word?) and I usually had a nice chain tatoo after every ride.  The knee was surprised that it had to stay straight with the new setup and at first complained but I think it did much better this way.
• Saturday’s ride was a great ride in that I didn’t have any mishaps or flats.  Woo!
• I saw a lot of women riding on Saturday on the river ride.  A lot.  Very cool.
• All the women I saw were wearing helmets.  Only about 75% of the men were.  Not cool.
• My shorts were almost white from all the salt I sweated out.  Kinda gross.
• On Sunday, all the runners I saw were women.  All the cyclists I saw were men.  Weird.
• The new trail is very nice.  It’s actually a horse trail and they have these super tall cross walk buttons for when you are riding a horse.  I couldn’t reach them.
• My knees are doing surprisingly well with the running I’ve been doing.  I think I can stop babying them now.
• I think I finally found the shorts I will use for Vineman - my zoots.  It’s been a long and winding road to find a pair that are comfortable for the long runs with no chafing.
• Of course, it could be all the body glide I used on Sunday.  There was some chafing from the bike ride on Saturday.
• I really, really wish they’d had the Terry saddle in stock at the LBS.  But they are ordering more this week.  My a$$ will be happy, let me tell ya.  

A Triathlete Goes Piff July 17, 2006

Break out the violins. I had a pretty disappointing weekend and it is just not looking good for Vineman.

Gimme the Light July 14, 2006

I may be nuts. Am I nuts? I rode Hobbes to work today and he is currently parked under the stairs inside. I’m riding him over to the bike shop this afternoon to finally outfit him with new pedals. I’d been waiting for the shoes I wanted to come in (and the money) before I put them on. Well, I can’t wait anymore. So, I’m buying some shoes that they just put on clearance that are in my size. I’m still planning to ride 100 miles tomorrow. Is it insane to do that tonight before my ride? I don’t know. But I’m going for it. I was also thinking of buying a new saddle. If they have a Terry saddle that I want, I think I’m going to get that too. I finally caught up on my Discover card bill and can afford to splurge a little this week. Actually, I’ve been splurging a lot lately. So much for my retirement fund!