Virtual Running Buddies - 7/3

[TKay]

I'll start us off this week. I even have a run to report. I did about 50 minutes of intervals on the TM this morning. Trying to up my speed a bit. Will probably do some abs later.

Les - Sounds like a somewhat sticky run. But like you said, at least you got another one in the bag.
Susan - I can't believe the TdF starts already! More than that, I can believe you won't be viewing it. I think I'll go set the dvr now before I forget. Glad you enjoyed your swim. I remember when you were swimming regularly. Seems strange that it's been so long.

Happy Fourth, everyone. Have a great weekend, whatever your plans.

[Robyn1007]

I know I know some of you have been patiently waiting for this report. As you know my new job is keeping me very busy and with a 2+ hour commute each day I'm exhausted by the time I get home. But, finally, here it is!

Sunday June 28th the alarm went of at 4:05 so that I would be up early enough to get some food in me a few hours prior to the race. I got up, ate a peanut butter and honey sandwich and got dressed. Grabbed my bag which I packed the day before and my bike and off I went. I parked in the lot about a mile from the race site, got my gear together and headed toward transition. I had no idea that riding with a heavily packed bag on my back would feel so different!

I got my transition area set up and did a walk through the race plan with entrances and exits from each event. The water had a small amount of chop but nothing bad. Weather was perfection for racing. I went back to my transition spot and got my wetsuit on to go for a warm up swim. Unfortunately when I got down they told use we weren't allowed to swim but I could get in and get wet at least which I did.

Mom and Gary (my stepdad) just barely made it to transition in time for me to hand off my camera to her and get a good luck hug and then went to line up to start the race. As the National Anthem played I realized it was the first time since junior high that it had been played for an athletic event that I was competing in!

Next thing I knew the elite racers were in the water and the gun went off. I couldn't see them from my vantage point of being surrounded by 1062 incredible women triathletes. When it came my time I moved forward and positioned myself toward the back and outside as was my plan. We waved back toward the crowd as is tradition at this race and then the gun went off. I waded to swim depth and off I went. My asthma gave me some trouble and I started to wonder if I'd make it. I wasn't able to put my face in the water yet which was really hurting my speed and making me more tired. I came upon a woman who was panicked so I stopped to assist her and we got a kayak to her. This break actually gave me a moment to relax and when I restarted I felt more in control. Just before half way I was finally able to swim with my face in the water and started passing people who had been passing me. I came out of the water tired but happy with the swim over all, making my way as quickly as I could up to transition, stripping my wetsuit to my waist as I went.

At T1 I removed my wetsuit, added socks and shoes, helmet and sunglasses, grabbed my bike and headed toward the exit. I know I picked up time here as people were doing all sorts of random things in transition (towel drying hair!). I left transition wading through lots of bike traffic but definitely making up position. I only had a few people pass me on the bike and I was able to pass a lot. I felt good although wish my climbing had been a bit better. Not sure why my legs didn't want to work.

I came into T2 feeling pretty good. I dropped off my bike, switched shoes, grabbed my hat, inhaler, race belt with number and a sip of water and was off. The run was really tough for me. Made even more difficult when about 1/3 of the way through I realized my timing chip was missing. Something about that just dashed my spirits and made it tougher to push myself. Fortunately I saw some friends along the way and they cheered for me which helped. I made my way toward the finish and was able to run the last mile completely.

Nearing the finish my dear friend Gaye was right there and she cheered me into a finishing kick. I passed by Sheila Taormina who is touring with the Danskin race and who I'd had the pleasure of chatting with a couple of times. She recognized me and gave me an extra big cheer and I remembered what she taught us in the motivational talk. "Gambare" means to keep going in Japanese and I'd repeated it many times over the last month and a half through the layoff and training. As I finished I realized that it didn't matter that officially I would show a DNF because nobody could take away the fact that I am now a TRIATHLETE!!!!

The motto of this particular race is "She Swims, She Rides, She Runs, SheRox!" and a week later I still feel like I rock. What an incredible sport to be a part of and I can't wait for the next one.

[newsomz]

Hi all,

I just sat down to catch up on last weeks thread! Wow! Everyone was busy and quite talkative.. it took me a while :) A couple of notes.

KathyB - Yes, Berlin was very bike friendly. Not so much with the bike lanes, however, there were so many bikers on the roads that the cars were used to dealing with them and VERY tolerant.

Susan - Great pics! Let me know if you need any Paris suggestions. I can tell you where to buy honey from Parisian honey bees. A kinda out of the way place.. but a nice novelty :) Also, I started swimming this week, too! I'm loving it.

Tkay - That is great that you only live 9mi from the beach. You could even run there!

Vicci - I'm always so jealous of all your trails!

Les - Your bike rides are all sounding like a blast. And what wonderful critters you see while out!

Robyn - Great slideshow! I enjoyed the pics. And thanks for the great race report. Sounds wonderful... I'm now considering a tri since I started swimming this week... we'll see.

Kathy - I wish the humidity would give it a rest already!

OJ - My neighborhood is the lower part of the 15th arrondissement. Close to Parc Georges Brassens.

Here to report a Tuesday track run. My first exercise swim ever on Thursday (got in 1/4 mi) and 30 min run this morning. It is awfully hot out there to run so I have to make sure I get out early. I am looovvving the pool!

[Kathy B]

Just a quick note to report 45 min on the EB yesterday plus weights, and a little over 2.5 mile run on Thursday. I am unexpectedly going in to work today (still home in time for fireworks), so no workout today.

I'll check back in tomorrow. In the meantime....Happy 4th of July! (Stay safe!!!)

[TKay]

Robyn - Loved, loved, loved (three times for the tri) your race report. How thrilling! And you know what? You do rock.

Newsomz - I know what you mean. Sometimes it's hard to keep up around here. When I was single, I lived across the street from the beach and used to run there all the time. Spoiled. Good going on getting in all your various workouts. Let us know if you move forward with tri training.

KathyB - Sorry about work, but glad you'll see the fireworks. Nice work on the exercise front.

Planning yoga and a trip the farmer's market today. Going up to the naval base to watch fireworks with friends. Also, viewing as much of the Tour de France as I can catch. Dh took ds #1 on a tandem ride this morning--such good bonding for them.

Happy Fourth, everyone!

[Robyn1007]

Just have to add this pic from the professional photogs of the race because I freaking love it. I'll be ordering the digital image for sure.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7UMpSolyPX4/SlAtuTicOZI/AAAAAAAACfI/KDXUsLKtcfM/s400/Danskin+Bike.jpg

[TKay]

Awesome shot, Robyn! Looks like you're flying.

The only exercise I ended up getting yesterday was a bunch of errands and walking to the base for fireworks. Did get in 45 on the TM this morning though.

Hope you all had a safe and happy Fourth! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. (We've got summer heat here today. You?)

[Robyn1007]

Tkay, good job on getting on the TM this morning.

Newsomz, the pool is probably a great option for you this time of year. Don't forget to hydrate in the pool still.

Well, yesterday I did a new climb for me. It was about 8.5 miles up with 2000 feet of elevation gain. Yowza! But hot d*mn that descent was FUN!!!! Today I decided to do an easy recovery ride of around 30 miles. Uh, yeah, wasn't as easy as I thought and my legs are feeling yesterday's climb so the seemingly minor hills felt like mountains.

Not sure what this week will look like as I'm having a minor surgery tomorrow that may slow me down for a few weeks. We'll see, I plan on begging my doc for permission to run and strength train. I'm pretty sure swimming (infection concerns) and running will be out.

[SusanMac]

Great July 4 weekend! Ice cream, parade candy, popcorn, margaritas, chips & guac, Wimbeldon & Tour de France. Oi! Back to being good now :-)

TKay - who are your picks this year?? I'm going with Evans, Contador and Andy Schleck

Robyn -- um, excuse me? Minor surgery??! Take care of yourself and smooth healing

Happy holiday everyone

[Kathy B]

DD and I went to the CC this afternoon, and I had a great TM workout. Got about 4.5 miles, and it felt really good. I was watching a movie, so after I was done I sat on an EB and watched the rest while DD finished up. I did NOT cycle, just sat. :D

Susan, thanks for posting the foodie pics from Singapore. I love checking out the food in new places, both eating it AND going to where the locals shop and checking it out. You must have had a blast! I ate pretty well yesterday, too. Yes, I was at work, but nurses never let a holiday go by without bringing food (and lots of it!). I had brats, potato salad, bbq beans, lots of fruit and some kind of trifle thingy for dessert. Yum!

Robyn, hope your recovery is quick and uneventful. A 30 mile easy recovery ride, eh? You are too funny! I will echo the others, great picture!

Good job on the TM Tkay!

Glad you are getting a chance to swim, Carrie. Sounds like you really enjoy it. I'm sure if you decide to do a tri, there are a couple of people here who can give you a lot of good advice.

Off to walk the dogs before I settle in with a book. Wishing you all a good week. :)

[VictoriaL]

Happy Monday, everyone! :)

I'm waiting for DH to get his act together so we can go out for a bike ride. I'm hoping to bump up the distance a little to 12 miles this week (if my bu** feels like it-- I think I need a new padded seat!)

Tkay, you've been doing great with fitting in the TM along with your myriad of other activities. Fifty minutes, though, good heavens...

I loved reading your race report Robyn, and the photo is just awesome!

Carrie, I will trade you my trails for your pool for a couple of days. ;) Actually, I don't swim well (not many opportunities when growing up in the landlocked North). You could do a tri, you know!

KathyB, 4.5 miles on the TM is nothing to sneeze at-- how long does it take to go that "distance"? A friend has an elliptical which he is selling "cheap", and I considered it as an alternate to the EB for winter, but that particular model received so-so ratings and I declined his offer.

Oh, I ALSO participated in a Firecracker 5K. My very own! :o
Went out Saturday late morning, plotted a 3.125 mile course, and tried to run it to end up with a time faster than all of my previous runs. It worked. I won!!! :D
Yep, gotta make my own fun here...

Anyway, I think that I ended up doing a little more than 5k because of the length of the trails, but I did it. And we then spent the weekend moving furniture and cleaning the pond. I swear, next year I'm going to have a picnic-- doing manual labor on a holiday (when it's pretty much like every other day) isn't very festive.

Hi to all, and I'll check back soon.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Waving from the sidelines... Great pix Robyn.

More to post - life is good and runs/rides are still occuring.

Happy trails all,
Les

[Kathy B]

Weights at the CC this AM. Hoping for a run tomorrow.

Vicci, you crack me up! I hope your DH made a good cheering section as you plowed across your finish line in first place. :p

Spent the afternoon/evening in meetings and doing office work. Back in tomorrow for more of the same. Hopefully I can get out of there early enough to workout before dinner. DD is asking to go to the CC a bit regularly these days, and I don't want to discourage that, so I may be on the TM a little more for a while. It's a worthy cause, though. :D

[SusanMac]

Great bike ride w/DH on Sunday. Some good hills that I hadn't tackled yet this year. 30 miles.

Mon night I joined my cycling group for a bike ride. 25 miles. Flat, nice course with awesome weather. Met a few new women, which was nice.

This morning DH & I had a fun hilly run out at the dog park. 45 min. Bode looked like a little wet rat from romping through all the tall dewy grass! He's such a cutie. We met a friend w/a golden puppy and walked there on Sunday. Bode kept running big circles through the tall grass. Butter decided he didn't like all that grass in his face, so kept on the trails w/us. It's so funny how different they are from each other!

[TKay]

Tried to pop in for a quick post last night, but the bb wouldn't cooperate.

Robyn - What a climb. I'd have been absolutely dying. Hope your procedure goes well and recovery is quick.

Susan - A little Fourth of July indulgence is a good thing. Sounds like you're back on track quick. Funny about Bode and Butter. Even the names sound cute together. Nice work on the cycling. Is the TdF inspiring you?

KathyB - Do you think your body gets some sort of psychosomatic workout from just sitting on the EB? ;) Great going on the TM and the other workouts.

Vicci - Congrats on your big win! Wow, that's amazing. And in that field. :p Good luck with the rides.

Les - Waving right back!

Played tennis for an hour-and-a-half with ds #2 yesterday morning. It was a blast. Picked up a Stick massager and some new kicks at the local running store. I can't wait to get on the TM and try them out. The shoes, not the Stick. They are Adidas: AdiStar Rides. They have pink stripes! So unlike me, but I loved the fit.

Happy day, all.

[VictoriaL]

Waving to Les as he zooms on by.... (running? cycling? couldn't tell!) :p

KathyB, hope that you were able to get a run in today. No, DH did not know that I was even doing this "All About Me 5k"-- some of my weirdness I must keep to myself...

Susan, nice time in the park! We keep going back and forth about getting another, but so far have been unable to make a decision. Hey, aren't you afraid that you'll wear out your bike tires?!?!? ;)

Hope that you get to try the new shoes soon, Tkay. And 1-1/2 hours of tennis sounds fun-- I wish we had some convenient courts in the area.

The bike ride went quite well, averaged about 14mph for the 12 miles. I'm less sore than I was last week with the 10 miles, so my bu** appears to getting accustoned to the seat. Hopefully we can try 15 miles next Monday.

Off to the lake house this afternoon to scrape and stain the deck (oh, yay), and hopefully I'll be able to get in a run at least once before we leave on Thursday.

"See" you all on the next thread!

[SusanMac]

I'm doing research for trail running shoes. Have never had a pair before! (DH 'got' them for me for my bday a while back, but I need to figure out which pair is actually best for me)

Any recommendations? Good/bad experiences with different kinds?

[TKay]

Can't help with the trail shoes, Susan, since I've never had any.

Vicci - Glad you'll share your little idiosyncrasies with us, at least. ;)

Popped back in because I forgot something. Our local 5K/10K is in a few weeks. I hadn't been training for a thing other than myself, but I'm considering doing the 5K just for fun. I like setting that example for my boys.

Okay, as you were.

[newsomz]

Hi All! Another busy week :) Glad to hear you're all keeping up with the biking/running/swimming.

I'm stopping by to report a surprise 3-miler race on Saturday (more later), a 45-min swim on Monday & another track workout today (4x 800m repeats at 2min/lap).

Soo.. about the surprise race. I was running around the park around 6:45 or 7am and saw the local running club setting up for the annual 4th of July Melon Run... It was a race I had on my goals calendar but had decided to skip out on because I was heading to the beach later in the day. Running past everyone setting up reminded me of my motto these days ("Pain of disciple or pain of regret") so I decided to run back home real quick, print out the entry form, and head back to the park to run the race. The free watermelon at the end of the race was also enticing :) Needless to say with an 8am start time it was HOT!!! Add on a few hills at the end and it was really a killer race. However, I ran my best 3 mi yet - a time of 23:25 and if I did my calculations correctly splits of ~7:48. Very crazy for me!!!! Guess those track workouts are helping ;)

[Kathy B]

Great job, Carrie! What a fun thing to run an impromptu 5K. And congratulations on your 3 mi PR, too! Watermelon at the end of a race would not be a lure for me (when I was a kid, I hated it, now I just dislike it intensely), but I can imagine the adrenaline starting to pump just being around the race atmosphere. I am sure it would be hard to resist!

Tkay, learning from Carrie's example, it is never too late to sign up if the race hasn't started! I say go for it! Or another thought might be to volunteer...your boys might even be able to volunteer with you. I have been wanting to do that with DH and the kids, but haven't made it happen yet. It looks like it would be really fun (and Susan said it is!).

I don't know anything about trail shoes either. Are you doing some trail running for training, Susan? Good job on your biking and hill run.

Vicci, I don't know how you keep finding so much work to do on that lake house. It looked perfect in the picture! Glad to hear your bike riding is progressing. Way to go!!

50 min on the TM for me today, although the last 10 was all cool down. Felt pretty good though. Lately all of my TM runs seem to leave me feeling great, even though I don't necessarily start them with a lot of enthusiasm. Tomorrow will be weights and the EB, then I work Thursday.

Nothing else to add, so I'll sign off. :)

[VictoriaL]

A surprise pop-in this morning for me. :) I woke at 6am and have been enjoying watching the early-morning lake activity (ducks, mostly, a few fisherman floating by on their boats, and a couple of early kayakers).

Susan, I bought Asics gel trail runners when I started, and have never switched brands (although the last time I did try on a couple of others, but the Asics fit best for me). The tread also seems to be more rugged than other brands. Just make sure they fit well, especially with ankle support.

Tkay, go for the 5k! :)

Carrie, what fun to go on an impromptu race (and receive a watermelon for your efforts as well!). Hot at 8am? Wow-- when would I run, not being an early-morning runner?!?!? And perhaps I will use your time as a goal for my 3-milers. My times are fairly pathetic, but I do have some long, steep hills (excuses! excuses!!!)

I understand about not starting workouts with much enthusiasm, KathyB. ;) Some days I am probably 20 minutes into a run before I start to enjoy it. But you did it, and that is absolutely what counts!
And the photo of the lake house was taken from a distance...
it also doesn't show the flagstones as having a green-ish tone (which has to be scrubbed off during this trip as well).

With the physical labor planned for today (and DH already stirring, so he should be ready to start our chores soon), I will skip a run and do it tomorrow before we leave to go back to the farm. I hope to get a Bowflex session in soon, though, and maybe some abs because I still haven't worn my new swim suit in public yet. :rolleyes:

Good runs, biking, TM's, etc to all!

[SusanMac]

Checking in to report another swim today. Not a super long one at 25 minutes, but at least I got in and did it.

Newsomz - Congrats on your race! I love that it was impromptu. Runnersworld.com has an online pace calculator that is super handy.

Kathy - You don't like watermelon?? That's just crazy.

TKay - Definitely sign up for the race. You've been workout out a lot lately, very steady. You'll do great and will feel better for having done it.

[Kathy B]

Kathy - You don't like watermelon?? That's just crazy.



So the rest of my family tells me. But I don't even eat it "just to be polite."

What can I say? I just don't like it...never have...pretty sure I never will.

[TKay]

KathyB - Funny about the watermelon dislike. Sounds like you're liking the TM as much as I am. I force myself to step on that thing, but I'm always glad I did.

Carrie - An impromptu 5K--what fun! Congrats on such a great time too. I am impressed. I'd be crossing the finish after you'd gone home to shower and came back for the pancake breakfast. :p

Vicci - Watching the early morning activities sounds so nice. With the workouts you've been getting in plus the chores, you must be fit, fit, fit. Put on that bathing suit and walk around with pride.

Susan - What's the water like when you get in? Is this in the lake? I think that's where you were swimming before, no? Bravo for getting back into the swim. (Sorry.)

Got in 50 on the TM with my new kicks yesterday. Loved them, but still need to work out the lacing. I had an area that felt tight by the end of my run.

You guys have inspired me. If I go for the 5k, any advice for what I should be doing between now and then? It's only a couple of weeks away (it's the 25th). I feel so ill-prepared.

Either weights or yoga (or both) today. Bike riding with the boys and then a pancake lunch. What can I say? They're on summer break.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Waving again... no run today (or yesterday). :( Spent most of the day both days in the car. But good news is I'm home tonight (in Alexandria) and getting ready to sleep in my own bed for a change.

90 minute massage session tomorrow but may get a run in before I go (definitely not after a session that is that long).

Happy trails and personal messages to all later,
Les

[SusanMac]

Les - that much time in a car drives my batty! Awesome that you are home with LW. Enjoy

TKay - yes, I swim in one of our local lakes. W/out a major race, I try to avoid the pool/laps/chlorine (horrible combo in my mind!) The temps are really nice right now and the weeds are minimal b/c it hasn't been a hot summer for us.

Victoria - thx for the Asics trail rec. I'm doing lots of online research right now, and hope to do a bit of shopping in the coming week. I adore DH's gift...but really loathe shopping. The trails we run on around here are mostly pretty tame, so I don't need anything too technical.

Tonight I'm joining my running club's weekly Thurs night run for the first time in about a month. Looking forward to seeing them again. Many of them will say 'how was Grandma's Marathon??' Oi!

[TKay]

Tried to program the TM for a test 5K today, but just went manual instead. It was taking too many brain cells to get the thing set up. I finished in 36 minutes. Hmm. Looks like I could use some speed training.

Work is slow (one of my big clients is out sick), so I'm taking the boys to the beach this afternoon. Now THIS is the kind of summer vacation I like.

Hello to all as you run by.

[SusanMac]

Victoria - I forgot to ask another Q about the trial shoes. How do you test/determine ankle support while trying on the shoes at a store?? (this is new to me!)

Tkay - but you FINISHED! That's all you gotta do in a race, ya know