tuesday started out great with an awesome swim at barton springs with jeremiah, amy, katherine and amy and a bunch of cap texers...it is fun to see people you know in the water...drafting with some and just chatting with others...did our prescribed w/o of two lengths warm-up 4 lengths alternating strong then easy using the lifeguard stands as markers...two lengths cool down...was a little slow getting going at the beginning so i didn't have time for extra laps...maybe i will try not to just stand in the water for so long before starting...next time...but i am really starting to be a lot more comfortable out there...my sighting is getting better...and i am feeling more comfortable doing it...happy start to my day...
home to study for a few hours...then to school...review problems in chem for the exam we have wednesday...and we chatted about aging in nutrition...home for a minute...
then out on the bike...i only had about 45 minutes do tool around today so i just stuck to my neighborhood doing some loops and exploring some roads i have not been down...not a whole lot of heart rate going on there...then i did a few flying mounts/dismounts with some borrowed bike shoes that are a lot easier to work with...one Velcro not two and open out not in...still need to practice...but i can do it...still a bit tentatively i need to get more confident...all in all a pretty lame ride...but hey i was short on time...
then off to school again for the official chem review...i am trying to get all the help i can on this one...i am shooting for an 94 on this exam...getting all the practice i can...we will see...
home for dinner and a movie called opal dreams...i liked it...it could be not good to those who forget what it is like to be a kid...but i still think of myself as a little kid so i could relate :)
a bit nervous about my first tri coming up a week from saturday...i know i know it is short...i know i can do the distance...but it is just a totally new experience...hard to know how fast to go...for me i have no goal time...i just want to do my first tri and have it be a fun experience...i guess one of the reasons i have no time goal is because i have no clue what i can do or even what a good time would be for me...or where i am strongest...i think i am pretty good at each discipline...and i know i am not the most amazing swimmer...maybe coach will have some advice for me... :) please
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
new week...last week of school!
monday am weights...felt really strong today...maybe it was the sunday afternoon off...but am consistently upping weights every two weeks or so...felt good...
went to office hours for some help with thermodynamics...i will be studying this until wednesday night...then it's time for the last chem exam...it is hard to believe it is the last week of school for the semester...then it is finals...mine are one the first week in May one the second...i guess as i look at the schedule one is on the first day of finals...one on the last...
monday night running w/o...we did intervals...5x~900 strong 200 recovery...that was tough...i could feel myself cramping up on the last two...just below the rib cage...i tried to do some expanding out of the diaphragm but that is hard to do when you are running strong...also i must remember to keep my arms down...i think i run with really bent elbows so my hands are even with my chest...not relaxed near my waist...coach kept reminding me to relax...it feels weird right now...but will get better i am sure...
made one of the standard get home late dinners of seared tuna tacos...i opted for the taco salad as my snacking while studying was a huge carb fest...and not necessarily complex...mmm oatmeal squares cereal...watched a little house MD as j says it really is the _same_ show every time...then i was so tired i wanted to cry...j was nice enough to do the dishes and send me to bed at 9pm...yeah i am sooo cool! :P
went to office hours for some help with thermodynamics...i will be studying this until wednesday night...then it's time for the last chem exam...it is hard to believe it is the last week of school for the semester...then it is finals...mine are one the first week in May one the second...i guess as i look at the schedule one is on the first day of finals...one on the last...
monday night running w/o...we did intervals...5x~900 strong 200 recovery...that was tough...i could feel myself cramping up on the last two...just below the rib cage...i tried to do some expanding out of the diaphragm but that is hard to do when you are running strong...also i must remember to keep my arms down...i think i run with really bent elbows so my hands are even with my chest...not relaxed near my waist...coach kept reminding me to relax...it feels weird right now...but will get better i am sure...
made one of the standard get home late dinners of seared tuna tacos...i opted for the taco salad as my snacking while studying was a huge carb fest...and not necessarily complex...mmm oatmeal squares cereal...watched a little house MD as j says it really is the _same_ show every time...then i was so tired i wanted to cry...j was nice enough to do the dishes and send me to bed at 9pm...yeah i am sooo cool! :P
Sunday, April 27, 2008
rain weekend rain
was a little worried that the red poppy ride was going to be really wet after the rain on friday night...but it turned out to be a perfect day...nice, cool and overcast to start clearing as the day went on...got to the 9th grade center in g.town about 7.30 to p/u the packet and get ready to ride...parked behind the school...just next to some of the team baraka girls...a nice way to start the day...
got all packed up and ready to roll headed to the start at about 10 till 8...they did a raffle and i think i won something...but i couldn't remember my number...it was pinned to my back...oh well... we will see if they mail it to me :) then we were off...
they started the 62 mile group first...i was riding alone...so i was able to chat with some other riders through out the ride...and stop when i wanted/needed to not every time...stopped at rest stop 3...and just kept riding through to #6 where i indeed took my first spill...!...looking back on it...it was one of those...how did i even fall...i was almost stopped and had one foot out of the pedals which i have done a million times...just tipped over and boom...only a minor scrape on the knees and a gear scrape on the calf...the rocket ship suffered minor injuries to the handle bar tape...she told me she feels tough with the scratch and wants to keep it for now...i said ok...refilled the water after trying to recover my pride...and was off again...
i tried for the first time to stick to a nutrition plan as i need to start figuring out what and when and how much to eat on the bike...so at 11pm after dinner out on friday night i made one and a half raspberry jam and sunflower seed butter (like pb but made with sunflower seeds...it is awesome...and contains salt...a necessary nutrient) cut into squares and packed into a ziploc to carry in my jersey...a granola bar and ~20 oz gatorade....i was figuring about 4h for the ride and was going to shoot for ~200kcal per hour...after checking my watch and seeing that i was already into the second hour of my ride..oops...i started in on the plan...opting for the granola bar first...and followed quickly by one square...kept up with it for the rest of the ride...coach will be so proud of me...i even took a water bottle off the back left cage...while riding...refilled the aero bottle and returned the empty to the cage without killing myself or others...
ended up finishing the ride in 3h45m with just a few oz of gatorade left in the bottle....i finished that while i got my running shoes on and headed back out on the bike course for 30m run...15 out and back...i really like running off the bike during these rides...you get cheered on by all the other triathletes out there...its like a mini race...makes the run that much better...there were a few others out running too...camaraderie is good...tummy felt good and my energy was also good...seems that my nutrition worked for me on this day...might have been easier to eat with a bento box and not having to dig into my jersey pockets...i'll look into that...was on my way home about 12.30...pretty good morning workout...i was pleased...
j was picking up the farm share when i got home so i started in on some nutrition reading...was falling asleep so opted for a 20 minute power nap...then back to the books for pretty much the rest of the afternoon...made a yummy pasta with shrimp, tomatoes, asparagus, lemon garlic and basil with an arugula salad and garlic bread...tasty...watched breech about the robert henson (sp?) espionage...very interesting...i liked it...
sunday am was to be an open water swim at mansfield damn...but the weather was not going to cooperate...the sky looked sooooo dark and the lightning was a little scary...so the swim was back at nitro...inside...driving was a little freaky...my trying to beat the death looking sky to the swim place...and not getting hit by lightning....there were some BIG bolts out there...cool...made it with not took much rain...but not too many others from the cap tex group were there...maybe 10 maybe...a bunch of danskin girls too...swam about 2500...pool was arranged in 25m way today...did some drills while 7 of us shared a lane...not circle swimming 4 and then 3 splitting the lane...trying to simulate race conditions...it was strange being the one at the front then swimming through all those people coming towards you...but it was good to be around all those people...one girl was having a really hard time with it...she's a former swimmer...i think i probably just feels really weird...i think the more people the better...practice right?
and now...i am not on my long run...i am having a second cup of coffee...and watching the rain clear to what right now is a bit of sun...a little break for me...on account of the weather...so i am going to go enjoy it while it lasts... :)
got all packed up and ready to roll headed to the start at about 10 till 8...they did a raffle and i think i won something...but i couldn't remember my number...it was pinned to my back...oh well... we will see if they mail it to me :) then we were off...
they started the 62 mile group first...i was riding alone...so i was able to chat with some other riders through out the ride...and stop when i wanted/needed to not every time...stopped at rest stop 3...and just kept riding through to #6 where i indeed took my first spill...!...looking back on it...it was one of those...how did i even fall...i was almost stopped and had one foot out of the pedals which i have done a million times...just tipped over and boom...only a minor scrape on the knees and a gear scrape on the calf...the rocket ship suffered minor injuries to the handle bar tape...she told me she feels tough with the scratch and wants to keep it for now...i said ok...refilled the water after trying to recover my pride...and was off again...
i tried for the first time to stick to a nutrition plan as i need to start figuring out what and when and how much to eat on the bike...so at 11pm after dinner out on friday night i made one and a half raspberry jam and sunflower seed butter (like pb but made with sunflower seeds...it is awesome...and contains salt...a necessary nutrient) cut into squares and packed into a ziploc to carry in my jersey...a granola bar and ~20 oz gatorade....i was figuring about 4h for the ride and was going to shoot for ~200kcal per hour...after checking my watch and seeing that i was already into the second hour of my ride..oops...i started in on the plan...opting for the granola bar first...and followed quickly by one square...kept up with it for the rest of the ride...coach will be so proud of me...i even took a water bottle off the back left cage...while riding...refilled the aero bottle and returned the empty to the cage without killing myself or others...
ended up finishing the ride in 3h45m with just a few oz of gatorade left in the bottle....i finished that while i got my running shoes on and headed back out on the bike course for 30m run...15 out and back...i really like running off the bike during these rides...you get cheered on by all the other triathletes out there...its like a mini race...makes the run that much better...there were a few others out running too...camaraderie is good...tummy felt good and my energy was also good...seems that my nutrition worked for me on this day...might have been easier to eat with a bento box and not having to dig into my jersey pockets...i'll look into that...was on my way home about 12.30...pretty good morning workout...i was pleased...
j was picking up the farm share when i got home so i started in on some nutrition reading...was falling asleep so opted for a 20 minute power nap...then back to the books for pretty much the rest of the afternoon...made a yummy pasta with shrimp, tomatoes, asparagus, lemon garlic and basil with an arugula salad and garlic bread...tasty...watched breech about the robert henson (sp?) espionage...very interesting...i liked it...
sunday am was to be an open water swim at mansfield damn...but the weather was not going to cooperate...the sky looked sooooo dark and the lightning was a little scary...so the swim was back at nitro...inside...driving was a little freaky...my trying to beat the death looking sky to the swim place...and not getting hit by lightning....there were some BIG bolts out there...cool...made it with not took much rain...but not too many others from the cap tex group were there...maybe 10 maybe...a bunch of danskin girls too...swam about 2500...pool was arranged in 25m way today...did some drills while 7 of us shared a lane...not circle swimming 4 and then 3 splitting the lane...trying to simulate race conditions...it was strange being the one at the front then swimming through all those people coming towards you...but it was good to be around all those people...one girl was having a really hard time with it...she's a former swimmer...i think i probably just feels really weird...i think the more people the better...practice right?
and now...i am not on my long run...i am having a second cup of coffee...and watching the rain clear to what right now is a bit of sun...a little break for me...on account of the weather...so i am going to go enjoy it while it lasts... :)
Friday, April 25, 2008
thurs/fri
am swim at barton springs...guess most of the cap tex group is getting to the pool a bit earlier than 6.30...so they were all swimming....in lil drafting groups...off my start times...but that is all good..we all say hi and try to recognize each other in swim caps goggles and wetsuits...not an easy task...was standing in the water ready to swim by 6.40...and off i went...just me just swimming...swam ~2000 (yards? or something)...5 crack laps...no problems...good sighting...but all alone so no draft advantage...but hey i did it...i am very excited about that... :) woo woo over a mile!...
school...was good...finished the lecture material for chem class...i am already studying for the exam...the probability of me getting a 94 on this last exam is low...so i have a feeling that i am going to have to take the final...dad give me some osmosis learning on this thermodynamics stuff!!!...come on genetics!!...did some lecture stuff on the nutrition of children and then moved on to alcohol....not pretty...but very informative...
thursday pm bike work out at the veloway...we did the 8 mile loop on south mopac...first lap warm up followed by 6x5m strong 5m easy for me this was a total of three loops...with the last portion of the last lap a very strong pace to get back to the meeting point that was "be back here by 7.30" and i was a _good_ 10 minutes off eek sorry coach...but the work out felt great...i love the me pushing myself feeling...i couldn't feel anyone behind me or in front of me...so it was me and rocketship...flying...on the way back...i was feeling bad that i was going to be late...so i hopped into the big ring and just hauled in...i got up to 30...but just for a second...the wind was rough!...1h23m 25.18miles
friday am weights...actually went to the gym with j for a change...yeah!...so nice to have a smile from your honey in the middle of the golds gym at 6.45 on a friday morning...j told me my butt is looking firm... :) yeah tri training...as i learned from shama from marathon group...it's all about the booty....ok not really but it's a great benefit...
off to run errands...then to get coffee time together for j's work...they have a coffee break at 4pm everyday...friday's peeps get to have a turn...this one was j's so i made 6 loaves of sourdough...an herbed goat cheese some cheddar cubes and a few fruits and veggies...turned out nice...oh i thew in a magnum of red too...can't hurt on a friday afternoon :) they liked it! i finished the prep around noon then...
on for a run...60m from the house...down to the trail...30m then back again...nice and humid...hot and overcast...yuck...but a good run...felt the quads a bit from the w/o last night...but good overall...
did some chem hw...must go to office hours 9am monday...ught...struggling with this...had a nice night out with mitch and amy who are moving here from portland...along with 11 others from frog etc...out to east side cafe...yummy...and i should be in bed already because of my ride in the am...but i had to let you know what was goin on!
school...was good...finished the lecture material for chem class...i am already studying for the exam...the probability of me getting a 94 on this last exam is low...so i have a feeling that i am going to have to take the final...dad give me some osmosis learning on this thermodynamics stuff!!!...come on genetics!!...did some lecture stuff on the nutrition of children and then moved on to alcohol....not pretty...but very informative...
thursday pm bike work out at the veloway...we did the 8 mile loop on south mopac...first lap warm up followed by 6x5m strong 5m easy for me this was a total of three loops...with the last portion of the last lap a very strong pace to get back to the meeting point that was "be back here by 7.30" and i was a _good_ 10 minutes off eek sorry coach...but the work out felt great...i love the me pushing myself feeling...i couldn't feel anyone behind me or in front of me...so it was me and rocketship...flying...on the way back...i was feeling bad that i was going to be late...so i hopped into the big ring and just hauled in...i got up to 30...but just for a second...the wind was rough!...1h23m 25.18miles
friday am weights...actually went to the gym with j for a change...yeah!...so nice to have a smile from your honey in the middle of the golds gym at 6.45 on a friday morning...j told me my butt is looking firm... :) yeah tri training...as i learned from shama from marathon group...it's all about the booty....ok not really but it's a great benefit...
off to run errands...then to get coffee time together for j's work...they have a coffee break at 4pm everyday...friday's peeps get to have a turn...this one was j's so i made 6 loaves of sourdough...an herbed goat cheese some cheddar cubes and a few fruits and veggies...turned out nice...oh i thew in a magnum of red too...can't hurt on a friday afternoon :) they liked it! i finished the prep around noon then...
on for a run...60m from the house...down to the trail...30m then back again...nice and humid...hot and overcast...yuck...but a good run...felt the quads a bit from the w/o last night...but good overall...
did some chem hw...must go to office hours 9am monday...ught...struggling with this...had a nice night out with mitch and amy who are moving here from portland...along with 11 others from frog etc...out to east side cafe...yummy...and i should be in bed already because of my ride in the am...but i had to let you know what was goin on!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
oops
forgot to add that i signed up for the AT 1.2 mile swim...clicking submit made me a lil queezy...i can do this...as amy says...put your head down and swim eek!
swim/ride
tuesday morning i was excited to swim with Jemimah! though now that i realize..he was coming off a great race and a day off (so excited and rested) and me on my last day of the training week before a day off (so pretty tired)...so he schooled me on that first length...caught up with him at the other end and gave me a minute or so to catch my breath...and we were off again...did some more laps...4 total? or was it three...i had some breathing issues as we came in on the last one...as i was trying to avoid a collision with two swimmers...neither swimming in a straight line...i had to do a bunch of one stoke then sight...so the breath got all confused...and ended up finishing the out breath when i wanted to inhale...hmm...after a brief moment to get that adjusted we finished our length...an ok swim...i was a bit disappointed in my performance...though that was only my 4th BS swim...i will get better...i will get better...right?
came home to study for my nutrition lab final...reading over all the powerpoints and lab documents...wow...my prof loves animations...sounds...bad clip art and moving text...j would be appalled...i think i am almost ready for it...to class for the start of entropy...the tendency of the system to move towards disorder...hmm..makes sense...then some more on the growth and nutrition of children...the girl next to me in class looked at me all shocked 'you use both sides when you breast feed?!' uh duh...
out on the bike an uneventful 1h 10m 18.0 miles...feeling very solid on the bike...well except when going 33 down really steep hills and having a sharp turn at the bottom...but other than that i am doing well with the left hand off the bike and all that good stuff...good ride...glad for Wednesday off :)
came home to study for my nutrition lab final...reading over all the powerpoints and lab documents...wow...my prof loves animations...sounds...bad clip art and moving text...j would be appalled...i think i am almost ready for it...to class for the start of entropy...the tendency of the system to move towards disorder...hmm..makes sense...then some more on the growth and nutrition of children...the girl next to me in class looked at me all shocked 'you use both sides when you breast feed?!' uh duh...
out on the bike an uneventful 1h 10m 18.0 miles...feeling very solid on the bike...well except when going 33 down really steep hills and having a sharp turn at the bottom...but other than that i am doing well with the left hand off the bike and all that good stuff...good ride...glad for Wednesday off :)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
crazy 8
morning gym time...not too busy but the one trainer guy was always getting in my way...oh well...always had one more set to do...so i just added more ab work between...generally good workout...~50 minutes...
worked on and finished my last nutrition lab for the semester...our final is wednesday...so i started studying for that too...re-reading all the old labs...trying to figure out what the heck is going to be covered...then a little prep for dinner...
and off to running...we did hills again...but this time it was a double loop crazy 8 thing..strong on the east west sections...recover on the north south sections...x4...it was very humid out there today...the first really humid day that i can recall...i am going to need to get used to those days...and remember to drink lots of water...and not forget to take electrolytes too.
worked on and finished my last nutrition lab for the semester...our final is wednesday...so i started studying for that too...re-reading all the old labs...trying to figure out what the heck is going to be covered...then a little prep for dinner...
and off to running...we did hills again...but this time it was a double loop crazy 8 thing..strong on the east west sections...recover on the north south sections...x4...it was very humid out there today...the first really humid day that i can recall...i am going to need to get used to those days...and remember to drink lots of water...and not forget to take electrolytes too.
Monday, April 21, 2008
saturday/sunday
Saturday:
9am ride with amy from RoguEquipment out the east side of town behind the airport to some great roads with some fast flat sections for digging into the aerobars...totally fun...got out to some "county" roads with just us and a car every once in a while...a very nice ~2h ride...dropped my bike with amy for a quick transition to run...out 15 minutes on the tail and back...30 minutes off the bike is nice...i felt like i could have gone longer...that is a good sign...the first few yards you get adjusted to being off the bike but then it's like you were never on the bike...nice solid saturday morning...
got home just in time to help j install some digital security cameras around the house to try and catch the plant thief...so far all we have seen in the night are some cars driving by...some neighborhood cats and a large moth...
went to Jack and Adam's for T3 seminar on long course tri...not much that i didn't know or hadn't thought about..but got to ask James Bonney and Tara Castro (?) question about their experiences...very cool...i won a visor and got a free water bottle...woo woo :P
ASTI for dinner with j....it was excellent...we loved everything...from appetizer through main course...i am sure dessert would have been good too but there was no room left!...
Sunday:
up early to get to Nitro Swimming at 7.30am...take the exit for ikea off 35 then go west about 10 miles...ught!...but the pool was nice...50 meters...we were divided into beginner intermediate and advanced...i was putting my swim cap on when they pointed to which coach was taking the intermediate and which advanced...so i ended up in the advanced group...there were totally some former swimmers in this group...yikes...i was worried...i got in the slower of the two lanes...and held my own pretty well...we did a ~5 minute warm up then drills...three strokes six side kicks three strokes...did a few 100s of that...then we did drafting drills...all four together...then the guy in the back passes to the front...at a sprint...all four had to pass in a 100...i was last to pass on the first one...it was so hard because those darn former swimmers can't swim slowly...argh...did that a few times....then we worked on sighting...the tecnique he taught us was pretty much the same as what i came up with on my own the other day at BSP...so that was nice...we did some laps of sighting crossing lanes each other and generally getting in each other's way...good practice...a quick 100 cool down...into the locker room with what seemed like a million other ladies...to change into running gear to do my long run...a girl made a comment to me about my ride saturday that seemed snide...made me mad...grr...so my drive back to town listing to NPR was filled with "what the hell did she mean by that" thoughts...and "why does she care what i do" etc...got to the lot at I35 about 9.40
and was off to do a loop of the trail...still with nagging thoughts...i tried to forget her...and just settled into a nice pace...i had forgotten my watch so i was just relying on feeling and breathing to set the pace...i think i was a bit faster than my marathon training long run pace but it was feeling good...overcast in the mid 60's with not a whole lot of humidity...over the damn and back onto riverside...and who did i see coming up that hill by the dog park but Hot Aussie Pro Richard...we exchange waves a hi and a smile...if that doesn't make my day.... :) so no more thoughts about the lame girl...then just past the bridge at mopac who did i see but Drew from the LBS...big smile and hi from him too...okay much better...and as i was thinking i wonder if Richard is doing his long run which means i might get to see him again...here he was...oh hi again...and then i remembered that the trail was open under congress and first so i didn't even have to deal with running on cesar chavez...nice...back to my car just before 11...the run felt great...home to TP and study...still need to work on the thermodynamics...but i have a lab nutrition final wednesday..so i need to get rolling on that too...good weekend
9am ride with amy from RoguEquipment out the east side of town behind the airport to some great roads with some fast flat sections for digging into the aerobars...totally fun...got out to some "county" roads with just us and a car every once in a while...a very nice ~2h ride...dropped my bike with amy for a quick transition to run...out 15 minutes on the tail and back...30 minutes off the bike is nice...i felt like i could have gone longer...that is a good sign...the first few yards you get adjusted to being off the bike but then it's like you were never on the bike...nice solid saturday morning...
got home just in time to help j install some digital security cameras around the house to try and catch the plant thief...so far all we have seen in the night are some cars driving by...some neighborhood cats and a large moth...
went to Jack and Adam's for T3 seminar on long course tri...not much that i didn't know or hadn't thought about..but got to ask James Bonney and Tara Castro (?) question about their experiences...very cool...i won a visor and got a free water bottle...woo woo :P
ASTI for dinner with j....it was excellent...we loved everything...from appetizer through main course...i am sure dessert would have been good too but there was no room left!...
Sunday:
up early to get to Nitro Swimming at 7.30am...take the exit for ikea off 35 then go west about 10 miles...ught!...but the pool was nice...50 meters...we were divided into beginner intermediate and advanced...i was putting my swim cap on when they pointed to which coach was taking the intermediate and which advanced...so i ended up in the advanced group...there were totally some former swimmers in this group...yikes...i was worried...i got in the slower of the two lanes...and held my own pretty well...we did a ~5 minute warm up then drills...three strokes six side kicks three strokes...did a few 100s of that...then we did drafting drills...all four together...then the guy in the back passes to the front...at a sprint...all four had to pass in a 100...i was last to pass on the first one...it was so hard because those darn former swimmers can't swim slowly...argh...did that a few times....then we worked on sighting...the tecnique he taught us was pretty much the same as what i came up with on my own the other day at BSP...so that was nice...we did some laps of sighting crossing lanes each other and generally getting in each other's way...good practice...a quick 100 cool down...into the locker room with what seemed like a million other ladies...to change into running gear to do my long run...a girl made a comment to me about my ride saturday that seemed snide...made me mad...grr...so my drive back to town listing to NPR was filled with "what the hell did she mean by that" thoughts...and "why does she care what i do" etc...got to the lot at I35 about 9.40
and was off to do a loop of the trail...still with nagging thoughts...i tried to forget her...and just settled into a nice pace...i had forgotten my watch so i was just relying on feeling and breathing to set the pace...i think i was a bit faster than my marathon training long run pace but it was feeling good...overcast in the mid 60's with not a whole lot of humidity...over the damn and back onto riverside...and who did i see coming up that hill by the dog park but Hot Aussie Pro Richard...we exchange waves a hi and a smile...if that doesn't make my day.... :) so no more thoughts about the lame girl...then just past the bridge at mopac who did i see but Drew from the LBS...big smile and hi from him too...okay much better...and as i was thinking i wonder if Richard is doing his long run which means i might get to see him again...here he was...oh hi again...and then i remembered that the trail was open under congress and first so i didn't even have to deal with running on cesar chavez...nice...back to my car just before 11...the run felt great...home to TP and study...still need to work on the thermodynamics...but i have a lab nutrition final wednesday..so i need to get rolling on that too...good weekend
Saturday, April 19, 2008
friday
friday 6.15 weights at the gym...my first since returning from AZ...the weight room there was good...but not the same as "we want to pump you up" golds...worked hard for 45 minutes felt great...home for breakfast and getting j off to work then loaded bike into the car to take to LBS to have a quick check of a shifting issues...changed into run clothes...packed a change of clothes and was off...
got to LBS at opening...but james bonney was already in there getting his bike tweeked...eee! he's so awesome...here is a link to some photos that paul took at IMAZ that include some of the our famous austin triathlete...anyway the LBS took a quick look at a shifting issue i was having...climbing a hill i would crunch up the last few gears...no fun...so it was just a loose cable...took about 4 seconds to fix free of charge...love those guys...
to barton springs for a run...50 minutes on the trail...nice day for a run...it was cool and low humidity...ran the first street bridge loop at a nice clip...back to the pool area through the hordes of children on field trips...to the showers for a quick change before lunch...
met up with team baraka, i tri therefore i am and as a special guest...why iron joined us at mr. natural...yummy...nice to get in two workouts before noon...grabbed a drink with j for happy hour at the bar that is next door to his office...home for homemade pizza...and he was off again for drinks with a former student visiting from SAV. and me to bed
got to LBS at opening...but james bonney was already in there getting his bike tweeked...eee! he's so awesome...here is a link to some photos that paul took at IMAZ that include some of the our famous austin triathlete...anyway the LBS took a quick look at a shifting issue i was having...climbing a hill i would crunch up the last few gears...no fun...so it was just a loose cable...took about 4 seconds to fix free of charge...love those guys...
to barton springs for a run...50 minutes on the trail...nice day for a run...it was cool and low humidity...ran the first street bridge loop at a nice clip...back to the pool area through the hordes of children on field trips...to the showers for a quick change before lunch...
met up with team baraka, i tri therefore i am and as a special guest...why iron joined us at mr. natural...yummy...nice to get in two workouts before noon...grabbed a drink with j for happy hour at the bar that is next door to his office...home for homemade pizza...and he was off again for drinks with a former student visiting from SAV. and me to bed
Friday, April 18, 2008
thursday swim bike
thursdays are the same as tuesdays...i think i am starting to remember my training schedule...and soon that will all change...
up and off to barton springs sans coach to get in a 30 minute swim...at the pool i recognize a few other cap tex folks but not many names pop into my mind...chatting with robert i think...ask him if he wants to draft...not a taker...so off i go trying to get to the other side with out running into anyone...a duck buoy...or a wall...in the dark while swimming...my sighting is not great with what is close to me...i can get to the other side of the pool with out zigzagging but looking for other swimmers is not my strong point...so on the way down two head ons were barely avoided...and the swimming technique was not very good since i wasn't really paying attention to it...i decided i would work on my peeking skills for the rest of the swim...i feel like i got better but i think that is because the sun started to peek into the pool area...hmm...two laps down...and usually that is it for me but a cap tex-er ...jeff maybe...came in just behind me on the "last" one and asked if i wanted to draft...i was down...it is so very nice to draft behind a person who is bigger than you...the swimming is much easier...and you don't have to sight :) ...then it was my turn to lead on the way back...i did a good job! i was so happy...i have been trying to do the peek as i breathe on my right side...every five or six strokes...i think it's kind of like bad swimming form...6 good form one bad lifting the head while breathing...seems to work...
off to school...hard to grasp that there are two weeks left of classes...doing some thermodynamics stuff in class...yeah...confusing at times...i understand the general processes and steps...sometimes the details totally elude me...nutrition we went over the test...ended up with a 97 (she added an extra point because there were "a lot of people one point away from a B"???)...anyway...we are on to nutrition through the life cycles...
home for a few to do some dinner prep...made the barley salad that we made in AZ but substituted pine nuts in place of walnuts and arugula in place of parsley...wow! so good...
bike workout near southwest parkway in the travis country neighborhood...intervals...2m strong 5m recover...for 1h10m...19.48miles 16.9average...i totally thought it was going to pour on us...it didn't but the head wind on half the loop was intense...like i have been thinking....i need all the practice i can get in the wind...bring it on...
speaking of nothing...i keep having these vivid IMAZ dreams...i woke up in the middle of the night the other night having no idea where i was...having the feeling like i am in the middle of racing...and just snapped out of an inward looking moment to realize i am running...VERY vivid...strange...some are me racing some are me being a spectator...but i guess it's on the brain now and for the near future...
up and off to barton springs sans coach to get in a 30 minute swim...at the pool i recognize a few other cap tex folks but not many names pop into my mind...chatting with robert i think...ask him if he wants to draft...not a taker...so off i go trying to get to the other side with out running into anyone...a duck buoy...or a wall...in the dark while swimming...my sighting is not great with what is close to me...i can get to the other side of the pool with out zigzagging but looking for other swimmers is not my strong point...so on the way down two head ons were barely avoided...and the swimming technique was not very good since i wasn't really paying attention to it...i decided i would work on my peeking skills for the rest of the swim...i feel like i got better but i think that is because the sun started to peek into the pool area...hmm...two laps down...and usually that is it for me but a cap tex-er ...jeff maybe...came in just behind me on the "last" one and asked if i wanted to draft...i was down...it is so very nice to draft behind a person who is bigger than you...the swimming is much easier...and you don't have to sight :) ...then it was my turn to lead on the way back...i did a good job! i was so happy...i have been trying to do the peek as i breathe on my right side...every five or six strokes...i think it's kind of like bad swimming form...6 good form one bad lifting the head while breathing...seems to work...
off to school...hard to grasp that there are two weeks left of classes...doing some thermodynamics stuff in class...yeah...confusing at times...i understand the general processes and steps...sometimes the details totally elude me...nutrition we went over the test...ended up with a 97 (she added an extra point because there were "a lot of people one point away from a B"???)...anyway...we are on to nutrition through the life cycles...
home for a few to do some dinner prep...made the barley salad that we made in AZ but substituted pine nuts in place of walnuts and arugula in place of parsley...wow! so good...
bike workout near southwest parkway in the travis country neighborhood...intervals...2m strong 5m recover...for 1h10m...19.48miles 16.9average...i totally thought it was going to pour on us...it didn't but the head wind on half the loop was intense...like i have been thinking....i need all the practice i can get in the wind...bring it on...
speaking of nothing...i keep having these vivid IMAZ dreams...i woke up in the middle of the night the other night having no idea where i was...having the feeling like i am in the middle of racing...and just snapped out of an inward looking moment to realize i am running...VERY vivid...strange...some are me racing some are me being a spectator...but i guess it's on the brain now and for the near future...
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
IMAZ weekend
off very early on friday to head to phoenix/scottsdale/tempe for IMAZ...on the flight with notcoachamy, paul and coachamy...nice easy flight with a little studying of nutrition along the way...picked up the rental car and it was off to the folks second home in scottsdale...paul and notcoachamy went to sedona to check into some wedding locations while coachamy and i worked on a menu for the evening meal...went to AJ's to shop for it...did a bit of napping and working out...40 minutes in the gym 35 minute run...cooked salmon on the grill, barley salad from this month's food and wine and some green beans...some gin and tonics and a bottle of wine made for a nice evening with friends...
up saturday to head to the anticlimactic volunteer meeting...here are you shirts and wristbands...be here at 4.30 am...bye...then met up with whyiron who was racing the next day...met mum and dad and the wife and chatted to try and relieve some pre-race tension...but you know what...i couldn't really detect any...he was so calm and collected...he knew what he needed to do and was just taking the steps to get there...
lunch at the local chuy's type tex-mex place...off to the botanical gardens...totally amazing...humming bird...bunnies...cacti...lizards...wild flowers...hung out there for almost 2 hours then back to the ranch for some pool time...did just over 30 minutes in the pool...all of us...that was fun...there were two lap lanes in the pool so we all took a half...no one else out there wanting to use them...just some sun worshipers...and a few kids...
off to AJ's to grab some chicken to throw on the grill and some lettuce for a green salad...we rounded out the meal with some more barley salad and a nice zin...then to bed with us...alarms set for 3am...ught!
up and to the race site by 4.30...transition and athletes arrival around 5am...armed with a big marker our job began...read the number off the bracelet...mark on both arms and age on left calf...i asked a few easy calming questions...and gave a lot of kind encouragement to those who came to me shaking...you will have the best race that you can have today...you have prepared for this...it's just like a really big brick...:) i tried to help...i think i did for a few people...some where smiling when they came...some were stoic...one guy said it was his first triathlon..._seriously_ not his first ironman...his first tri...wow...i can't remember his number or i would tell you how he did...i did get to mark mr. cully of t3..that was awesome...he finished in 10.30...and chrissie...she finished in 11...got to see them both out there...and cheered my little heart out for them...saw whyiron in transition...cool as a cucumber...then out on the course many time...every time we saw him he was smiling...it was amazing...he finished in 11.50...he was spent but thrilled...and so was his entourage...
the whole experience was amazing to witness...emotional and thrilling and exciting...i had a lot of thoughts running through my head...what i need to start thinking about...and how much mental preparation i am going to need as well a physical training...i need to practice the swim starts as much as i can...that i think is going to be tough...all those bodies all wanting to go the same place at the same time no matter who is in front of them or under or behind...no matter how good of swimmer you are...i need to get my head in the game for this one :)...it is going to be tough but i know i can do it...
home monday afternoon...b-line to j's office just to say hi since it felt like a million years since i saw him...home for a few then off to running...~45 minute workout of hills...6 repeats...2 repeats backwards...
barton springs this morning...in the wetsuit...good fit...4 crack lengths 2 danskin lengths...~35 minutes...not a whole lot of rest between...i need to practice drafting and keeping my head down...it's harder in a wet suit...
school...thermodynamics...and a nutrition test...not bad...then out on the bike...seeing the conditions in AZ i opted for something flat and windy...did the backward marathon course thinger...with the wind/flat on shoal creek and great northern...1h10m...now time to cook dinner... :)
up saturday to head to the anticlimactic volunteer meeting...here are you shirts and wristbands...be here at 4.30 am...bye...then met up with whyiron who was racing the next day...met mum and dad and the wife and chatted to try and relieve some pre-race tension...but you know what...i couldn't really detect any...he was so calm and collected...he knew what he needed to do and was just taking the steps to get there...
lunch at the local chuy's type tex-mex place...off to the botanical gardens...totally amazing...humming bird...bunnies...cacti...lizards...wild flowers...hung out there for almost 2 hours then back to the ranch for some pool time...did just over 30 minutes in the pool...all of us...that was fun...there were two lap lanes in the pool so we all took a half...no one else out there wanting to use them...just some sun worshipers...and a few kids...
off to AJ's to grab some chicken to throw on the grill and some lettuce for a green salad...we rounded out the meal with some more barley salad and a nice zin...then to bed with us...alarms set for 3am...ught!
up and to the race site by 4.30...transition and athletes arrival around 5am...armed with a big marker our job began...read the number off the bracelet...mark on both arms and age on left calf...i asked a few easy calming questions...and gave a lot of kind encouragement to those who came to me shaking...you will have the best race that you can have today...you have prepared for this...it's just like a really big brick...:) i tried to help...i think i did for a few people...some where smiling when they came...some were stoic...one guy said it was his first triathlon..._seriously_ not his first ironman...his first tri...wow...i can't remember his number or i would tell you how he did...i did get to mark mr. cully of t3..that was awesome...he finished in 10.30...and chrissie...she finished in 11...got to see them both out there...and cheered my little heart out for them...saw whyiron in transition...cool as a cucumber...then out on the course many time...every time we saw him he was smiling...it was amazing...he finished in 11.50...he was spent but thrilled...and so was his entourage...
the whole experience was amazing to witness...emotional and thrilling and exciting...i had a lot of thoughts running through my head...what i need to start thinking about...and how much mental preparation i am going to need as well a physical training...i need to practice the swim starts as much as i can...that i think is going to be tough...all those bodies all wanting to go the same place at the same time no matter who is in front of them or under or behind...no matter how good of swimmer you are...i need to get my head in the game for this one :)...it is going to be tough but i know i can do it...
home monday afternoon...b-line to j's office just to say hi since it felt like a million years since i saw him...home for a few then off to running...~45 minute workout of hills...6 repeats...2 repeats backwards...
barton springs this morning...in the wetsuit...good fit...4 crack lengths 2 danskin lengths...~35 minutes...not a whole lot of rest between...i need to practice drafting and keeping my head down...it's harder in a wet suit...
school...thermodynamics...and a nutrition test...not bad...then out on the bike...seeing the conditions in AZ i opted for something flat and windy...did the backward marathon course thinger...with the wind/flat on shoal creek and great northern...1h10m...now time to cook dinner... :)
Monday, April 14, 2008
he's an IronMan
WhyIron rocked a sub 12 IronMan in Tempe yesterday...it was amazing to be there to watch it go down!..more from the weekend later...but just wanted to give him a really big shout out for an amazing accomplishment...way to go IronMan :)
Friday, April 11, 2008
nice pool!
after the inclement early morning...the late morning was beautiful...i packed up all my swim gear and all my books to bike over to campus to find the pool...wow...what a nice facility...the gym is huge and i didn't even explore that much...i saw many squash courts...cardio equipment...and indoor track...huge locker room...and great pools...i swam 35 minutes continuously...one stop for a goggle adjustment...and two 10-15 second rest but other than that i was swimming...it felt good to be able to do that...i had been worried after the swim clinic 200 time trial that i wasn't going to be able to swim well at long distances...the time trial left me winded and feeling very tired...but this swim felt great...i really took the time to focus on the technique...and when i hit it i could feel it...zoom
classes were uneventful...but i got an 84.37 on my chem test! made me happy...class average...~60...still it means i need a 95 on the next test to be exempt from the final...thermodynamics here we come...i'm going to give it my best shot...
evening bike workout near southwest parkway...interval loops in the neighborhood...it was fun to push it on the bike...i didn't look at my top speed but i know it was probably pretty fast...at least it felt that way...5x2minutes hard 5 recovery...~1h...we got a new assistant bike coach...Catherine!!! (Katherine? not sure which spelling...)...we ran together last winter...introduced by amy of course...so that is super fun...
it's early...but i'm headed out to IMAZ woo woo! to mark bodies and cheer on mark...and a few others that i know who are racing...so probably no posts for a few days...i know you are all very sad...but i promise i'll make it up to you upon my return...happy weekend
classes were uneventful...but i got an 84.37 on my chem test! made me happy...class average...~60...still it means i need a 95 on the next test to be exempt from the final...thermodynamics here we come...i'm going to give it my best shot...
evening bike workout near southwest parkway...interval loops in the neighborhood...it was fun to push it on the bike...i didn't look at my top speed but i know it was probably pretty fast...at least it felt that way...5x2minutes hard 5 recovery...~1h...we got a new assistant bike coach...Catherine!!! (Katherine? not sure which spelling...)...we ran together last winter...introduced by amy of course...so that is super fun...
it's early...but i'm headed out to IMAZ woo woo! to mark bodies and cheer on mark...and a few others that i know who are racing...so probably no posts for a few days...i know you are all very sad...but i promise i'll make it up to you upon my return...happy weekend
Thursday, April 10, 2008
morning off...
wednesday is the new off day...kind of weird in the middle of the week but hey...a day off is a day off...did a little yoga easy 60 minutes...i am so tight it is scary....i had (many months ago it seems now) been doing at least 2 days of yoga a week...i miss it a lot and now i realize so does my body...so that is now officially a part of the weekly routine...these things (yoga, weights, nutrition, tp etc)are just as important as the run/bike/swim....i need to really remember that it is going to give me an advantage :) and be less prone to injury...
lab class wednesday...only one more of those then the final...chem exam last night...it was hard!...i was there almost the whole 2 hours...but i got answers to all the problems...and not just "i think this is how you do this one" but i know how do this...i just hope i am doing it in the right order...skipped a few on the first pass but went back and worked them out on the second pass...didn't do a whole lot of triple checking as i tend to second guess myself here and change answers that were right...like is phosphate minus 2 charge or (as i had it) minus 3...i left it at 3 and was right :) anyway grades should be posted soon...i'm thinking high b i'll let you know...
got to bed late and was a little mad that i just doodled around but hey...so it was nice to hit the snooze when i got the "no swim :(" txt from coach this morning...i looked out the window...it was windy and dark...hmm...then after a "bad weather?" txt back here comes the lightning and rain...snooze again...yeah bad weather...so i am going to try and find this gregory gym aquatics center that i hear is on campus...really i have no idea what is going on at school...i need to explore more...with an indoor lap pool an outdoor lap pool and a "pool and landscaped deck with wireless internet for lounging and relaxing; like no other place on campus" (are you serious? UT is a school/resort all in one)...yeah going to try and swim there before class to make up for not getting to use my new wetsuit this morning...i know i won't complain as i will have plenty of time in the near future to use it...
lab class wednesday...only one more of those then the final...chem exam last night...it was hard!...i was there almost the whole 2 hours...but i got answers to all the problems...and not just "i think this is how you do this one" but i know how do this...i just hope i am doing it in the right order...skipped a few on the first pass but went back and worked them out on the second pass...didn't do a whole lot of triple checking as i tend to second guess myself here and change answers that were right...like is phosphate minus 2 charge or (as i had it) minus 3...i left it at 3 and was right :) anyway grades should be posted soon...i'm thinking high b i'll let you know...
got to bed late and was a little mad that i just doodled around but hey...so it was nice to hit the snooze when i got the "no swim :(" txt from coach this morning...i looked out the window...it was windy and dark...hmm...then after a "bad weather?" txt back here comes the lightning and rain...snooze again...yeah bad weather...so i am going to try and find this gregory gym aquatics center that i hear is on campus...really i have no idea what is going on at school...i need to explore more...with an indoor lap pool an outdoor lap pool and a "pool and landscaped deck with wireless internet for lounging and relaxing; like no other place on campus" (are you serious? UT is a school/resort all in one)...yeah going to try and swim there before class to make up for not getting to use my new wetsuit this morning...i know i won't complain as i will have plenty of time in the near future to use it...
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
imperfect timing
today was full of less than perfect timing...nothing that got me down or made me sad...just a bunch of near misses...but all with good and sometimes excellent results
6.30 got to barton springs for my first official swim...during marathon season it was a lot of soaking...but i never went in above the waist...so now i am no longer a semi-open water virgin...the first length was less than perfect...it feels weird to see stuff in there...i know it's there...but yikes...swimming into the plants for the first time...in the semi darkness...takes one length to get familiar with it...and going from a 25 yard pool to an 1/8th mile spring fed length feels totally different...i had a blast...but i know it won't feel weird when i get in again...and no toes to draft behind on the way down or back (imperfect timing episode 1)...but amy waited for me at the other end...leaving her little chain of triathlete friends to give me a few pointers...what it means to draft...how to peek to see where you are going...and hopefully not crash...i had two near misses...eek...sorry i'm new!...(imperfect timing episode 2) so the next down and back on amy's toes was great...(sorry for all the touches...you can get me back next time) when i at least kind of know what i am doing...~30 minutes 1/2 mile? in the pre and early dawn...totally beautiful...it makes me smile...
dressed and out to breakfast at bouldin...why does swimming make me starving...with a side of chem studies...then off to get my wetsuit!!! (imperfect timing #3...would have been nice to have _before_ the swim)...fits great on dry land...like a super hero costume...taking it for a test swim on thursday to see how it feels in the water...i have a wetsuit!!! :) i'm so excited
home for a minute...got to the computer just as i heard the ding of j logging off from IM...argh! it is tough with a 7 hour time difference...catch up on a few house chores...i know i know they have been the first thing that i neglect...
off to class...starting thermodynamics...yeah...gonna need to study that stuff...nutrition was canceled today...good thing i had too much to do...home again...
onto the other bike for an hour ride...went up to the UT intermural (sp?) fields parking lot to practice my bike handling skills...coach you would be proud of me :) ...did a few mount/dismounts with the shoes on the pedals...tried to get my feet back into the shoes...this proved more difficult than i had thought...and makes me think i want new bike shoes...with less straps/tongue/issues...almost bailed a couple times...eeek...when the shoes went around minus the feet causing them to drag on the ground and me _almost_ lose it...*blush* then it was left hand off the bike time...i did a few passes of the parking lot steering one handed...then it was grabbing and replacing the bottle from the seat cages...then playing with the shoes...then some signaling...i made progress i was happy about that for sure...on the way home i was signaling with confidence!
home again for a second...my cats are missing their love i am sure...a few minutes of studies then back to campus for a review (timing issue #4 what does this make...bike ride 3 for the day!)...the TA said it took her an hour to complete the exam...and she is a grad student...not like i wasn't freaked out about this test enough...ahh!...it's going to take me forever!!...
busy day...like i was saying to my sister-in-law...(from now on referred to as JY)...i think it is because i keep having to think about where i need to be and what i am supposed to be doing...swimming biking running school...once i get to where i don't need to think about that part anymore i will feel less busy i think...i hope
6.30 got to barton springs for my first official swim...during marathon season it was a lot of soaking...but i never went in above the waist...so now i am no longer a semi-open water virgin...the first length was less than perfect...it feels weird to see stuff in there...i know it's there...but yikes...swimming into the plants for the first time...in the semi darkness...takes one length to get familiar with it...and going from a 25 yard pool to an 1/8th mile spring fed length feels totally different...i had a blast...but i know it won't feel weird when i get in again...and no toes to draft behind on the way down or back (imperfect timing episode 1)...but amy waited for me at the other end...leaving her little chain of triathlete friends to give me a few pointers...what it means to draft...how to peek to see where you are going...and hopefully not crash...i had two near misses...eek...sorry i'm new!...(imperfect timing episode 2) so the next down and back on amy's toes was great...(sorry for all the touches...you can get me back next time) when i at least kind of know what i am doing...~30 minutes 1/2 mile? in the pre and early dawn...totally beautiful...it makes me smile...
dressed and out to breakfast at bouldin...why does swimming make me starving...with a side of chem studies...then off to get my wetsuit!!! (imperfect timing #3...would have been nice to have _before_ the swim)...fits great on dry land...like a super hero costume...taking it for a test swim on thursday to see how it feels in the water...i have a wetsuit!!! :) i'm so excited
home for a minute...got to the computer just as i heard the ding of j logging off from IM...argh! it is tough with a 7 hour time difference...catch up on a few house chores...i know i know they have been the first thing that i neglect...
off to class...starting thermodynamics...yeah...gonna need to study that stuff...nutrition was canceled today...good thing i had too much to do...home again...
onto the other bike for an hour ride...went up to the UT intermural (sp?) fields parking lot to practice my bike handling skills...coach you would be proud of me :) ...did a few mount/dismounts with the shoes on the pedals...tried to get my feet back into the shoes...this proved more difficult than i had thought...and makes me think i want new bike shoes...with less straps/tongue/issues...almost bailed a couple times...eeek...when the shoes went around minus the feet causing them to drag on the ground and me _almost_ lose it...*blush* then it was left hand off the bike time...i did a few passes of the parking lot steering one handed...then it was grabbing and replacing the bottle from the seat cages...then playing with the shoes...then some signaling...i made progress i was happy about that for sure...on the way home i was signaling with confidence!
home again for a second...my cats are missing their love i am sure...a few minutes of studies then back to campus for a review (timing issue #4 what does this make...bike ride 3 for the day!)...the TA said it took her an hour to complete the exam...and she is a grad student...not like i wasn't freaked out about this test enough...ahh!...it's going to take me forever!!...
busy day...like i was saying to my sister-in-law...(from now on referred to as JY)...i think it is because i keep having to think about where i need to be and what i am supposed to be doing...swimming biking running school...once i get to where i don't need to think about that part anymore i will feel less busy i think...i hope
run fast
monday...weights in the am...
much studying for my chem test...
running camp in the evening...5x400 with 200 recovery between...this was on the mini track so 2 laps @5k one lap recover...out with about 75% of the cap tex group...woo...it is huge!...but nice to see some folks who i haven't seen in a while...5k pace was hard...it has been more that two months since i ran that fast...but i was able to keep it about even on all the repeats...marathon training taught me well...start easy finish strong...
still in the adjustment period of the new schedule...and i have to keep looking at sheet to remember what i am actually supposed to be doing each day...i will know it by the end of the week...i hope...
much studying for my chem test...
running camp in the evening...5x400 with 200 recovery between...this was on the mini track so 2 laps @5k one lap recover...out with about 75% of the cap tex group...woo...it is huge!...but nice to see some folks who i haven't seen in a while...5k pace was hard...it has been more that two months since i ran that fast...but i was able to keep it about even on all the repeats...marathon training taught me well...start easy finish strong...
still in the adjustment period of the new schedule...and i have to keep looking at sheet to remember what i am actually supposed to be doing each day...i will know it by the end of the week...i hope...
Monday, April 7, 2008
transition clinic...etc
up early-ish sunday morning to Northwest district park for transition clinic for tri training...what _do_ you do when you get there in the transition area...good to practice and know the rules about where you can put your stuff and how it feels to get your stuff on and go and get you stuff off and on and run etc...practiced twice after a good explanation from coach amy...
then is was off to learn some bike ballet...that is the graceful over the back of the bike mount and dismount with your bike shoes still attached to the pedals...totally scary at first but then fun...again i need to practice using my left hand while my right hand is on the bike..i almost feel like i slide forward when i am in this position...i need to get on there and practice the mount/dismount some more...but it was totally something i can see myself mastering...and soon...
off for a run with jeremiah and coach amy...did an hour out and back on shoal creek...kept watching liz pass us on the bike...i think she was doing loops on shoal creek/great northern... :) fun to run with friends...
home to study...but procrastinated due to a skype call from j and then a call to mom...struggling with the practice problems for this exam...planning to go to office hours tuesday morning...and planning more studies today...all day
today started the new training schedule...i am sure that once i get used to it...it will change again...*sigh* it all comes with the territory...very nice weekend...and looking forward to my massage :)
then is was off to learn some bike ballet...that is the graceful over the back of the bike mount and dismount with your bike shoes still attached to the pedals...totally scary at first but then fun...again i need to practice using my left hand while my right hand is on the bike..i almost feel like i slide forward when i am in this position...i need to get on there and practice the mount/dismount some more...but it was totally something i can see myself mastering...and soon...
off for a run with jeremiah and coach amy...did an hour out and back on shoal creek...kept watching liz pass us on the bike...i think she was doing loops on shoal creek/great northern... :) fun to run with friends...
home to study...but procrastinated due to a skype call from j and then a call to mom...struggling with the practice problems for this exam...planning to go to office hours tuesday morning...and planning more studies today...all day
today started the new training schedule...i am sure that once i get used to it...it will change again...*sigh* it all comes with the territory...very nice weekend...and looking forward to my massage :)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
wildflower ride!!
OMG!!! it was great...it was a lot of firsts for me today...first group ride...first 60+ mile ride...first time i knew a bunch of people...first time this far out of austin (and still in texas...i need to explore more!)...first really long hill...it felt like forever with the lactic acid burn....first time other people were yelling encouraging/sarcastic/funny things during the run off the bike...all in all a really great day on the bike...
home to pick up the farm share...which included strawberries and asparagus!!!....then into the ice bath for a ten minute soak...yummy...they are a bit more fun than an ice bath in the dead of winter...and a good time to get re-acquainted with the ritual...
now to pack up for tri training transition clinic tomorrow...i have a feeling there is going to be a lot of repetition tomorrow morning...on the bike off the bike run run repeat a million times...so time to pack everything back up again :P...there is going to be a lot of this business from now on...
home to pick up the farm share...which included strawberries and asparagus!!!....then into the ice bath for a ten minute soak...yummy...they are a bit more fun than an ice bath in the dead of winter...and a good time to get re-acquainted with the ritual...
now to pack up for tri training transition clinic tomorrow...i have a feeling there is going to be a lot of repetition tomorrow morning...on the bike off the bike run run repeat a million times...so time to pack everything back up again :P...there is going to be a lot of this business from now on...
Friday, April 4, 2008
catch up post
sorry about the delay in posting...it is hard to, once i get on a schedule, to change it up and still get everything done...and this week has been a conglomeration of two schedules so i still can't get it right yet...next week things should smooth out a bit...so here's the scoop
wednesday barton springs run at 6am. did the congress loop(~5.6 miles) in 55 minutes...it felt really good..to get a nice mid week mid distance run in and not complain about something...weather was good...not too many people...
my class was canceled so i was able to work on lots of homework and try and get prepared for the exams i have coming up...still have more to do but it was nice to get a jump on it..
wed. night was the last swim clinic...sad to say so...it has been a great experience for me...i learned a ton from the T3 coaches...we got a pitch from Mo for training with them...then in the water to practice our gears...80,85,90,95% efforts...i need to practice more on that too...then a 200y time trial...3.53...for me...i have no idea of what to make of that time...as it is the first time that i have ever been timed on that type of distance...and i have no idea what a "good" time is for swimming...i was tired by the end of it...and feeling like i _need_ more aerobic fitness fast...stuck around after clinic for a few pointers on flip-turns from Mo...i think with some practice i can do them just fine...i did two where i actually pushed off the wall...facing the right way! :) all in all i was much happier with the practice than i was monday...i know there is still a lot i need to work on and i also know that i am going to be in the pool/barton springs a lot more in the next seven months...
thursday am weights...time to up some of the others now too...more on bicep curls, lat pull downs and shoulder raises...also hoping to incorporate this core workout i found in an old runner's world from amy....i love when she gives me stacks of magazines that she is done with!...but i think i can do it at home rather than at the gym...just need to blow up the exercise ball again :)...also have been using the TP roller on running days but i need to be using it twice a day on all days...must. start.habit...my calves the big one and the other one...are still very tight...i think adding a yoga session in there is going to help me too...i miss yoga and i know that it is going to help with my flexibility and my core strength...but where to fit it in on the schedule is another thing...can you do yoga on your off day?
good chem class...my prof rocks!...we got to watch a bunch of reactions in solution...and learned about oxidation/reduction reactions...if all my chem professors could be like dr. sparks i might be a chemist :) but alas i know this is not the case...sigh...nutrition class was lame...we learned bout zinc and then watch a video on minerals...as the prof left...hmm...and is not going to be there tuesday...we have an optional movie day then...the video on minerals was made in 1997 and i find it funny that it seems so dated...kind of like watching Mtv from the 80's...
drove to LBS and did the bike route31 ride that amy showed me last week...did most of what we did...about 1h10m nice ride...i love riding...then back to LBS for my first day of Cap-Tex-Tri training...we learned about bike fit, safety on the road and how to change a flat...it was a big group but really really nice to see some of the marathon ladies again :) ...i had David from the shop check me out on the bike to see why i am having this slight pain in my knee...(i have no idea if it is from running, biking or lifting)...and we found that one of my cleats was a bit different than the other...so i was pushing more forward on my toe and not on the ball of my foot...so hopefully that is all fixed as i will get a good chance to test it out this weekend at the pedal power ride:) oh and i must discuss payment for that saddle from whyiron...i love it
today is off day...but i might toss some yoga in to loosen up...nothing major...just feeling a bit stiff...to treat myself since j gets to go to italy..i am getting a massage monday at advanced rehab...hopefully to help flush the grit out of my muscles...maybe a little yoga will help the process
happy birthday to my sister -in-law :)
oh yeah and i am (cross your fingers they have my size) going to buy my wet suit today and get started swimming in barton springs
wednesday barton springs run at 6am. did the congress loop(~5.6 miles) in 55 minutes...it felt really good..to get a nice mid week mid distance run in and not complain about something...weather was good...not too many people...
my class was canceled so i was able to work on lots of homework and try and get prepared for the exams i have coming up...still have more to do but it was nice to get a jump on it..
wed. night was the last swim clinic...sad to say so...it has been a great experience for me...i learned a ton from the T3 coaches...we got a pitch from Mo for training with them...then in the water to practice our gears...80,85,90,95% efforts...i need to practice more on that too...then a 200y time trial...3.53...for me...i have no idea of what to make of that time...as it is the first time that i have ever been timed on that type of distance...and i have no idea what a "good" time is for swimming...i was tired by the end of it...and feeling like i _need_ more aerobic fitness fast...stuck around after clinic for a few pointers on flip-turns from Mo...i think with some practice i can do them just fine...i did two where i actually pushed off the wall...facing the right way! :) all in all i was much happier with the practice than i was monday...i know there is still a lot i need to work on and i also know that i am going to be in the pool/barton springs a lot more in the next seven months...
thursday am weights...time to up some of the others now too...more on bicep curls, lat pull downs and shoulder raises...also hoping to incorporate this core workout i found in an old runner's world from amy....i love when she gives me stacks of magazines that she is done with!...but i think i can do it at home rather than at the gym...just need to blow up the exercise ball again :)...also have been using the TP roller on running days but i need to be using it twice a day on all days...must. start.habit...my calves the big one and the other one...are still very tight...i think adding a yoga session in there is going to help me too...i miss yoga and i know that it is going to help with my flexibility and my core strength...but where to fit it in on the schedule is another thing...can you do yoga on your off day?
good chem class...my prof rocks!...we got to watch a bunch of reactions in solution...and learned about oxidation/reduction reactions...if all my chem professors could be like dr. sparks i might be a chemist :) but alas i know this is not the case...sigh...nutrition class was lame...we learned bout zinc and then watch a video on minerals...as the prof left...hmm...and is not going to be there tuesday...we have an optional movie day then...the video on minerals was made in 1997 and i find it funny that it seems so dated...kind of like watching Mtv from the 80's...
drove to LBS and did the bike route31 ride that amy showed me last week...did most of what we did...about 1h10m nice ride...i love riding...then back to LBS for my first day of Cap-Tex-Tri training...we learned about bike fit, safety on the road and how to change a flat...it was a big group but really really nice to see some of the marathon ladies again :) ...i had David from the shop check me out on the bike to see why i am having this slight pain in my knee...(i have no idea if it is from running, biking or lifting)...and we found that one of my cleats was a bit different than the other...so i was pushing more forward on my toe and not on the ball of my foot...so hopefully that is all fixed as i will get a good chance to test it out this weekend at the pedal power ride:) oh and i must discuss payment for that saddle from whyiron...i love it
today is off day...but i might toss some yoga in to loosen up...nothing major...just feeling a bit stiff...to treat myself since j gets to go to italy..i am getting a massage monday at advanced rehab...hopefully to help flush the grit out of my muscles...maybe a little yoga will help the process
happy birthday to my sister -in-law :)
oh yeah and i am (cross your fingers they have my size) going to buy my wet suit today and get started swimming in barton springs
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
frustrating
just all around tuesday...nothing seemed to go my way...and i ended up with the feeling like it's _only_ tuesday it is going to be a long week...
am gym routine...nothing too exciting there...though i left j sleeping...so all alone for the weights...they felt good but there were a lot of people wanting to use the equipment that i was using...there were not a lot of people at the gym...they just wanted to do what i was doing...
gloomy in the morning made me plan for a spin after class at the gym so i packed it all up and walked to class...usually an easy bike...was a hot and humid walk...in chem class i printed only half the notes that we used that day...argh...but we did spend more time on the notes i printed so i guess there is a good side to it...nothing exciting in nutrition...we have an optional class this coming tuesday...i bet no one comes...
walked to the gym from school...to spin for 1h15m...not bad...and i got to read some magazines that i haven't been able to read yet...
i guess when i write this it doesn't really seem like i should have felt frustrated but it was just one of those days...oh well...wednesday is another day :)
am gym routine...nothing too exciting there...though i left j sleeping...so all alone for the weights...they felt good but there were a lot of people wanting to use the equipment that i was using...there were not a lot of people at the gym...they just wanted to do what i was doing...
gloomy in the morning made me plan for a spin after class at the gym so i packed it all up and walked to class...usually an easy bike...was a hot and humid walk...in chem class i printed only half the notes that we used that day...argh...but we did spend more time on the notes i printed so i guess there is a good side to it...nothing exciting in nutrition...we have an optional class this coming tuesday...i bet no one comes...
walked to the gym from school...to spin for 1h15m...not bad...and i got to read some magazines that i haven't been able to read yet...
i guess when i write this it doesn't really seem like i should have felt frustrated but it was just one of those days...oh well...wednesday is another day :)
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