thursday am spin class was fun...chrissie in a tiara and others in ears of various kinds...funny...good workout...fast...mostly because i am asleep for the warm-up and the first part of the main sets...by the time i am fully awake we are on the last main set and cool down...got a good workout in...can't wait to ride with my fresh chain out on the road this weekend...
home to read about galvanic cells more...and try to figure out how that all works...it's going ok so far...we will see though...at class we went into some of the reaction quotient stuff that we did earlier in the semester...i like how it is all fitting together...neat...
ate some yummy dinner with j then it was off to swimming...split a lane with a relatively new guy to T3...and split the pool with swim clinic...i had a super great swim...did a 400 at a moderate pace in 6 minutes...and a 200 at threshold in 2.35! woot! i have been struggling with my swim for what feels like this whole six months of training...and finally i am starting to turn a corner...was able to maintain my pace for the second round through...woo hoo...
home for a glass of wine...some reading...some popcorn and some bed time...off day tomorrow!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
wed
so only 30 minutes of core work on the schedule for this week so i got to sleep in on wednesday morning...man that felt good...nice and cool and i had no weird sleep issues...woke up when j got back from the gym...it was great...
did some homework and went to class...registered for next semester...6 classes!...well...4 classes and two labs...fun times...lots of science...including o-chem...joy!
home again for some more study guide preparation...have two tests next week....both in nutrition...so there will be some studies going on this weekend...while being glued to IMLive watching Jeremiah's progress...
off to run practice...really not many people out...maybe 10...did a fast and short workout...then home for PF Chang's and early to bed...sleep=good
did some homework and went to class...registered for next semester...6 classes!...well...4 classes and two labs...fun times...lots of science...including o-chem...joy!
home again for some more study guide preparation...have two tests next week....both in nutrition...so there will be some studies going on this weekend...while being glued to IMLive watching Jeremiah's progress...
off to run practice...really not many people out...maybe 10...did a fast and short workout...then home for PF Chang's and early to bed...sleep=good
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
squats and steamy water
it was cold! in the morning...well at least for texas it was cold...so i bundled up...with hat and fleece lined hoodie and headed over to lost creek to swim...not a whole lot of people there...but there were people...standing around on the pool deck thinking about getting in was much worse than the actual getting...the water was steamy warm...had a pretty good workout...not the best swim ever...but not the worst either...just plugged along...trying not to fall too far behind on the pull sets...i really need to get better on the pulling...getting out was hard...i quickly put my hat and socks on the lessen the shock...but i really didn't warm up until the super hot shower when i got home...
oatmeal for breakfast to try and warm-up on the inside...and a round of not so hard chem homework...a 10 problem set due friday...we are starting a section on galvanic cells and electro chemistry...interesting...i really liked thermodynamics from last semester and this ties in there...so i am hoping that i am going to understand this stuff...
off to class...the girl that usually sits next to me...was not there...she told me before the last test that if she didn't do well she was out....hrm...i wonder what she will do...worked out some half reactions and construction of the cells and some keeping track of electrons...and working on which reaction is on the anode side and which the cathode...not too bad...
stuck around for office hours...just for a little bit...got the rest of my homework done...and listened to some other people ask questions...sometimes this is very helpful...i asked him about some test taking strategies...he asked why i think i ran out of time...i said well the first time i knew what time it was (after the fire alarm) i had to ask the TA to write the time up and it was 9.15...so yeah...i didn't realize that i had spent that much time on the first half of the test...prof rolled his eyes...and said "i'm going to have a talk with those TAs"...we also told him all the other issues that happened that night...no scratch paper...ran out of exams...ran out of equation sheets...just a lot of weird stuff...prof seemed annoyed by this...not that we were telling him this...but that the TAs were not doing their jobs...
home to make enchiladas...then off to bike practice...core before...then a good workout...new chain and tuned up bike feel really good...i'm able to get a lot more power...and that feels awesome...we did a 15, 12, 9, 6, 3 minute set workout....between each set we did one leg drills and squats...get off the bike and do squats...yikes!...good workout all in all...
and the enchiladas were delicious!
oatmeal for breakfast to try and warm-up on the inside...and a round of not so hard chem homework...a 10 problem set due friday...we are starting a section on galvanic cells and electro chemistry...interesting...i really liked thermodynamics from last semester and this ties in there...so i am hoping that i am going to understand this stuff...
off to class...the girl that usually sits next to me...was not there...she told me before the last test that if she didn't do well she was out....hrm...i wonder what she will do...worked out some half reactions and construction of the cells and some keeping track of electrons...and working on which reaction is on the anode side and which the cathode...not too bad...
stuck around for office hours...just for a little bit...got the rest of my homework done...and listened to some other people ask questions...sometimes this is very helpful...i asked him about some test taking strategies...he asked why i think i ran out of time...i said well the first time i knew what time it was (after the fire alarm) i had to ask the TA to write the time up and it was 9.15...so yeah...i didn't realize that i had spent that much time on the first half of the test...prof rolled his eyes...and said "i'm going to have a talk with those TAs"...we also told him all the other issues that happened that night...no scratch paper...ran out of exams...ran out of equation sheets...just a lot of weird stuff...prof seemed annoyed by this...not that we were telling him this...but that the TAs were not doing their jobs...
home to make enchiladas...then off to bike practice...core before...then a good workout...new chain and tuned up bike feel really good...i'm able to get a lot more power...and that feels awesome...we did a 15, 12, 9, 6, 3 minute set workout....between each set we did one leg drills and squats...get off the bike and do squats...yikes!...good workout all in all...
and the enchiladas were delicious!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
ah monday
it is always tough to get out of bed on a monday morning...even tougher after a long weekend of long training hours...knowing we are going into another week of rather long training...but some how for the past 6 months i have been able to do it...and get to barton springs before most people even think about being awake...and i'm done with a 3200 meter swim before sunrise...it's hard to think about it...but once you start moving it's not all that bad...the water was warmer than the air...and that makes for some pleasant swimming...and less and less people come to the springs when the weather is cold...perfect...
had a good swim it was a 2000 non-stop then 3x400...felt good time was fine...nothing super great...but hey it has totally improved since i started...
had one class cancelled for the day so i didn't have to be at school until 12...but that still means leaving at 11.15...took j's laptop to see if i could connect and found that i could...classes from 12-5...got my mid-term back in anth...24 out of 25 :) and got my test back from food science lab...i got a 100 :) woo...woo...
off to running after school...900 meter repeats with 3x all out hills in between sets...5 times through...started out slowly...or at least it felt that way...and was able to negative split the whole way through...nice...
home for a good dinner of tarragon chicken from the gourmet slow cooker book...it was very good...more work on the front end but the result upon completion is worth it...yummy...makes me kind of want some now...
had a good swim it was a 2000 non-stop then 3x400...felt good time was fine...nothing super great...but hey it has totally improved since i started...
had one class cancelled for the day so i didn't have to be at school until 12...but that still means leaving at 11.15...took j's laptop to see if i could connect and found that i could...classes from 12-5...got my mid-term back in anth...24 out of 25 :) and got my test back from food science lab...i got a 100 :) woo...woo...
off to running after school...900 meter repeats with 3x all out hills in between sets...5 times through...started out slowly...or at least it felt that way...and was able to negative split the whole way through...nice...
home for a good dinner of tarragon chicken from the gourmet slow cooker book...it was very good...more work on the front end but the result upon completion is worth it...yummy...makes me kind of want some now...
Monday, October 27, 2008
sunday 16
got a text from erin on saturday night asking what time i was running in the am...sweet!...running friend...we planned on meeting at the rock at 6.30am so i could get some miles in before the group hit the trail...when i got to the rock erin and elizabeth were there...sweet...had friends for the 7 mile loop on the trail...this was a very good thing...we ended up keeping a really good pace on that loop...it was so nice to have company...i can't even tell you...it's been a while since i have been able to run with people...
met the group back at the rock...erin and elizabeth were on their way back to barton springs...i headed out again for a 5 mile loop and a 4 mile loop...keeping pretty much the same pace through the rest of the run...really quite happy with how this one turned out...
i was surprised that my legs were feeling pretty fresh and a little bouncy as i was finishing that last loop...i really tried to pick it up from the mini railroad tracks back to the rock...finished strong...ended up keeping about 9.23 pace for 16 miles...yeah...
home to relax a little...cook a yummy breakfast...do some homework...fall asleep while reading...do some more homework...go pick up my bike from the shop...she's all tuned up with a fresh chain too :) wow do she look nice...three "long" rides till AZ...
met the group back at the rock...erin and elizabeth were on their way back to barton springs...i headed out again for a 5 mile loop and a 4 mile loop...keeping pretty much the same pace through the rest of the run...really quite happy with how this one turned out...
i was surprised that my legs were feeling pretty fresh and a little bouncy as i was finishing that last loop...i really tried to pick it up from the mini railroad tracks back to the rock...finished strong...ended up keeping about 9.23 pace for 16 miles...yeah...
home to relax a little...cook a yummy breakfast...do some homework...fall asleep while reading...do some more homework...go pick up my bike from the shop...she's all tuned up with a fresh chain too :) wow do she look nice...three "long" rides till AZ...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
100.75
wow...was it chilly when i started my ride...i wanted to see what 53 felt like on the bike so i went...well minimal...tri shorts/top and arm warmers...it was cold! to start but i did warm up once the sun came out fully...did 1.5 loops on mopac before meeting up with the group when they started their ride at 8.30 then headed out to the bee caves loop...rode back past the car, dropped the arm warmers hit up the ice water jug at the veloway and took off for kyle/buda...all the way to the velaro on 2770 then back to town...finishing with 1.5 loops on mopac...for a total of 100.75....yeeah!...wasn't my fastest ride ever...but got it done...and was happy...as usual i was riding by myself...but with others out there...i think this has been really good practice for what it's going to be like come race day...thought about that a little on the ride...
also thinking about jeremiah...as he is now counting single digit days until his IMFL...i am so excited for him...i have a feeling he is going to come very close to that super secret don't tell anyone except your dog/cat goal time that we all set...he has put in the work and now all that is left is to enjoy the day...and try to relax!...you are going to rock buddy! i'll be watching for sure...
had a nice evening with j making stirfry and watching a couple episodes of weeds on netflix...it's pretty funny if you have never seen...nothing very deep....but entertaining...jeniffer came over for a drink on the porch...and they headed out...and i headed to bed...16 miles sunday...
also thinking about jeremiah...as he is now counting single digit days until his IMFL...i am so excited for him...i have a feeling he is going to come very close to that super secret don't tell anyone except your dog/cat goal time that we all set...he has put in the work and now all that is left is to enjoy the day...and try to relax!...you are going to rock buddy! i'll be watching for sure...
had a nice evening with j making stirfry and watching a couple episodes of weeds on netflix...it's pretty funny if you have never seen...nothing very deep....but entertaining...jeniffer came over for a drink on the porch...and they headed out...and i headed to bed...16 miles sunday...
Friday, October 24, 2008
yah!
woke up thursday at 4am for no good reason...i was really tired and all that i wanted to do was sleep...but it wasn't happening...funny how the things you want most you can't have!...so i got up made coffee and went about my normal day...just an hour and a half early...
off to spin class...much more populated than tuesday's class...there were other girls there too...the workout was tough...partially because i was so tired...my legs wanted to fall off....and partially because it was a hard workout...some wicked high cadence against some heavy gear pushing...i was having a hard time...my mental focus was on how tired everything was...and i'm tired of being tired!...
home to not do homework...i decided that i was going to give myself a mental break...only have a light load of work to do so i allowed some down time...went to whole foods...got a few things...and wandered around...that place is fun...got sad about my test again...and tried some "get over it" talk to myself that wasn't really helping...did a few things around the house...then off to chem
starting on electro chemistry...should be good...and less math for me to mess up on :)...class average for the test was a 63...well at least i got above the class average...but not by all that much...ok...i know...get over it...i'm trying i swear...on to a lecture about oxidation states...which i remember from 301...yeah! i remembered something from last semester...cool...then a quiz...i got all of them right! sweet...ok things were looking up...we got out of class a few minutes early...prof was mobbed with people so i will talk to him next week...i need to ask him about test taking strategies...i felt like i could have done better on the exam if i wasn't so pressed for time at the end...going through the second half too fast...the first half too slow...we will see if he has any advice for me...
home...then off to jack and adams...:) i need some arm warmers...i don't have any cold weather cycling gear...and it has been chilly the last few saturday mornings...oh and carboom (my fav. gel brand) now has raspberry! yum...i'm taking that on my run sunday for sure...saw jack and richard...yeah!...i love that place...
home to make an early dinner...i made this fish dish with garlic bread crumbs and fresh tomato with pesto (adapted from a recipe off the fine cooking website) wow it was really good...dug it a lot...i think j did too...nice...
then off to thursday swim practice...thursday swim practice has been my nemesis for the past few weeks...partially because it is my _last_ workout before my off day...so by the time i get to it i am just wicked beat...no legs...no help there...and my arms get sore from all that pulling...anyway...i was hoping that this one would be ok or else i would just struggle through it...and get it done...without being too happy about it...swim clinic started so we had three lanes of regular practice and three (four maybe?) of clinic...and double coach action...i only had one other in my lane..nice...the workout was good...3350...lots of technique stuff...and then a set at the end of 10x100 on 10 seconds rest...wow...i totally rocked it out...it felt great...better than any swim thursday or otherwise i have had in a _long_ time...that really turned my spirits around...hoping to ride that through the weekend...
this is the last big weekend...100 miles saturday....16 on the run sunday...then it's all down hill (yikes!) i hope i'm ready for it :D
off to spin class...much more populated than tuesday's class...there were other girls there too...the workout was tough...partially because i was so tired...my legs wanted to fall off....and partially because it was a hard workout...some wicked high cadence against some heavy gear pushing...i was having a hard time...my mental focus was on how tired everything was...and i'm tired of being tired!...
home to not do homework...i decided that i was going to give myself a mental break...only have a light load of work to do so i allowed some down time...went to whole foods...got a few things...and wandered around...that place is fun...got sad about my test again...and tried some "get over it" talk to myself that wasn't really helping...did a few things around the house...then off to chem
starting on electro chemistry...should be good...and less math for me to mess up on :)...class average for the test was a 63...well at least i got above the class average...but not by all that much...ok...i know...get over it...i'm trying i swear...on to a lecture about oxidation states...which i remember from 301...yeah! i remembered something from last semester...cool...then a quiz...i got all of them right! sweet...ok things were looking up...we got out of class a few minutes early...prof was mobbed with people so i will talk to him next week...i need to ask him about test taking strategies...i felt like i could have done better on the exam if i wasn't so pressed for time at the end...going through the second half too fast...the first half too slow...we will see if he has any advice for me...
home...then off to jack and adams...:) i need some arm warmers...i don't have any cold weather cycling gear...and it has been chilly the last few saturday mornings...oh and carboom (my fav. gel brand) now has raspberry! yum...i'm taking that on my run sunday for sure...saw jack and richard...yeah!...i love that place...
home to make an early dinner...i made this fish dish with garlic bread crumbs and fresh tomato with pesto (adapted from a recipe off the fine cooking website) wow it was really good...dug it a lot...i think j did too...nice...
then off to thursday swim practice...thursday swim practice has been my nemesis for the past few weeks...partially because it is my _last_ workout before my off day...so by the time i get to it i am just wicked beat...no legs...no help there...and my arms get sore from all that pulling...anyway...i was hoping that this one would be ok or else i would just struggle through it...and get it done...without being too happy about it...swim clinic started so we had three lanes of regular practice and three (four maybe?) of clinic...and double coach action...i only had one other in my lane..nice...the workout was good...3350...lots of technique stuff...and then a set at the end of 10x100 on 10 seconds rest...wow...i totally rocked it out...it felt great...better than any swim thursday or otherwise i have had in a _long_ time...that really turned my spirits around...hoping to ride that through the weekend...
this is the last big weekend...100 miles saturday....16 on the run sunday...then it's all down hill (yikes!) i hope i'm ready for it :D
Thursday, October 23, 2008
wednesday
core class in the morning...totally kicked my butt...we had these rubber-band things and did a lot of hip/leg stuff in between core sets...then some crazy jumping lunges and high knees...guess we all have a tendency to shuffle when we run...picking the knees up is an issue...so we have been working on this in core, track and specialty runs...hopefully it will make us faster :D
home for a quick breakfast...then off to an early morning Dr. apt...then to school...early but there was no point in going back home...read to catch up for anthropology (since my life for the past week has only been about chemistry...and _that_ didn't even work)...then three classes...all uneventful...except for the fact that one is canceled friday and one monday (different classes) but i'm ok with that...
did some homework for nutrition and decided to take a break for my mental health...so i cleaned...it made me happy...i know that sounds weird...but i have been missing it...it is one of the things that falls to the bottom of the priority list while IM training...just wait till i have time to bake again....it's going to be amazing :)
off to track practice...a cold front rolled into town in the afternoon...dropping the temp about 10 degrees...it was amazing...perfect running weather...we did the 2 minute work out....2m hard 2m recovery...going from ~10k pace to faster than 5k...then repeating the whole 8 minutes again...not a long workout...but a good one...had a couple miles of warm up and cool down...
good training day...feeling nervous about this race that is coming up...but also ready for it to happen...
home for a quick breakfast...then off to an early morning Dr. apt...then to school...early but there was no point in going back home...read to catch up for anthropology (since my life for the past week has only been about chemistry...and _that_ didn't even work)...then three classes...all uneventful...except for the fact that one is canceled friday and one monday (different classes) but i'm ok with that...
did some homework for nutrition and decided to take a break for my mental health...so i cleaned...it made me happy...i know that sounds weird...but i have been missing it...it is one of the things that falls to the bottom of the priority list while IM training...just wait till i have time to bake again....it's going to be amazing :)
off to track practice...a cold front rolled into town in the afternoon...dropping the temp about 10 degrees...it was amazing...perfect running weather...we did the 2 minute work out....2m hard 2m recovery...going from ~10k pace to faster than 5k...then repeating the whole 8 minutes again...not a long workout...but a good one...had a couple miles of warm up and cool down...
good training day...feeling nervous about this race that is coming up...but also ready for it to happen...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
spin/exam
had to alter the schedule due to an night exam...so it was spin in the am for me...me and 8 guys...nice...totally out numbered...but it was a good workout...amazing after all this time that i can still feel the burn in the legs from a hard set...guess there is always room to get more fit...
literally spent the rest of the day with chemistry...studied from 9-12...class from 12.30-2...hit the books again from 2.30-5...made dinner...ate...left for exam at 6.30...ready to start at 7...then...the fire alarm went off...nice...but not...45 minutes later we were back in the testing room...till 9.45
yeah...enough of that!...test was hard...don't feel too confident about it..but you never know...read a little...then to bed...later than normal but i need some down time (read glass of wine) after the exam...i can indulge right?
literally spent the rest of the day with chemistry...studied from 9-12...class from 12.30-2...hit the books again from 2.30-5...made dinner...ate...left for exam at 6.30...ready to start at 7...then...the fire alarm went off...nice...but not...45 minutes later we were back in the testing room...till 9.45
yeah...enough of that!...test was hard...don't feel too confident about it..but you never know...read a little...then to bed...later than normal but i need some down time (read glass of wine) after the exam...i can indulge right?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
barton springs/trail running
up wicked early to hit barton springs by 5.30...i have come to like swimming there in the dark...got started on my swim which was 3600...800 then 3x600 then 2x400 and a 200 cool down...did the 800 one 600 then my goggles started to fill with water...did 400 of the next 600...still messed up...then back on a 200 to get out switch goggles and do 2x600 to finish...pesky new goggles...the ones that coach amy gave me like a million years ago are still the only ones that i trust...i have a feeling they are going all the way to IMAZ...
speaking of that little race...32 days...not that i am counting
long day of school with a test and some happy news that i got the last two chem homework questions done with 4 hours to spare...and didn't have to skip my workout to get it done! yeah!....my TA rocks...there are three she's the only one that is good :)...actually got out of lab at 4.45 instead of 5...it makes a huge difference in traffic getting to the run...
got there early!...and was able to study in the grass for a few minutes...then it was out on the trail for fartleck going up to 5 minutes hard then back down again with 1 minute rest in between...logan ran with me...so there was no slacking...5 minute at faster than 5k is tough...no joke...we finished the set about 1/4 mile from the trail that goes to barton springs...he said i want you to push it to the truck (where we all met)...i was beat...but i did it...pushed hard...then a little more leaving it all in that parking lot...felt great...
good day...finally a little relief in the stress from that home work...now i must study for the chem exam that is tonight...then maybe there will be a little rest...maybe...
speaking of that little race...32 days...not that i am counting
long day of school with a test and some happy news that i got the last two chem homework questions done with 4 hours to spare...and didn't have to skip my workout to get it done! yeah!....my TA rocks...there are three she's the only one that is good :)...actually got out of lab at 4.45 instead of 5...it makes a huge difference in traffic getting to the run...
got there early!...and was able to study in the grass for a few minutes...then it was out on the trail for fartleck going up to 5 minutes hard then back down again with 1 minute rest in between...logan ran with me...so there was no slacking...5 minute at faster than 5k is tough...no joke...we finished the set about 1/4 mile from the trail that goes to barton springs...he said i want you to push it to the truck (where we all met)...i was beat...but i did it...pushed hard...then a little more leaving it all in that parking lot...felt great...
good day...finally a little relief in the stress from that home work...now i must study for the chem exam that is tonight...then maybe there will be a little rest...maybe...
Monday, October 20, 2008
last 18
don't have time for a real post...but i did my last 18 miler sunday....thought about the kids running IBM and about my friend Allison running her first half-marathon!....way to go allison...
i had a tough run...it felt long..though it was ok time wise...just tired legs...i think
the participant guide is posted...i can't even look yet...holy cow...it is getting real now eek!
i had a tough run...it felt long..though it was ok time wise...just tired legs...i think
the participant guide is posted...i can't even look yet...holy cow...it is getting real now eek!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
90...
getting to the end of the schedule here...kind of scary...but also kind of exciting too..there are a lot of things i have had to say no to these days...and will be happy to be able to do after the big day...i owe a lot of friends face time :)
saturday was the last 90 mile ride...did the south austin to kyle to san marcos ride...getting a couple loops in on the 35 access road...which everyone tells me is just like az...the flatness/wind issues...so good practice...
generally a good ride for me...nutrition was good...weather was good...it felt like it took a long time but i think that was really due to the fact that we started around 8 since it isn't very light before that...averaged just over 18 mph...so that was good too...
feeling stressed about my hw and tests next week...i hate that...really makes for a not super fun time...i'm getting my head around some things....but need to hit the books more...
j and i grilled out last night and kept hearing something...it sounded like traffic/ocean...we never hear I-35 so that wasn't it...then i remembered there was a UT game...we could hear the crowd cheering...it was cool to hear 100,000+ people...weird but very cool...
saturday was the last 90 mile ride...did the south austin to kyle to san marcos ride...getting a couple loops in on the 35 access road...which everyone tells me is just like az...the flatness/wind issues...so good practice...
generally a good ride for me...nutrition was good...weather was good...it felt like it took a long time but i think that was really due to the fact that we started around 8 since it isn't very light before that...averaged just over 18 mph...so that was good too...
feeling stressed about my hw and tests next week...i hate that...really makes for a not super fun time...i'm getting my head around some things....but need to hit the books more...
j and i grilled out last night and kept hearing something...it sounded like traffic/ocean...we never hear I-35 so that wasn't it...then i remembered there was a UT game...we could hear the crowd cheering...it was cool to hear 100,000+ people...weird but very cool...
Friday, October 17, 2008
ught...
thursday started out just fine...spin practice at 6am...was tough but good...did a lot of high cadence stuff...and pushed some big gears..home to get things together for school and the rest of the day...
made some chili to throw in the crock pot so dinner would be ready when we were...then started in on the chem homework...worked on that until noon then off to class...review for the test a little then on so solubility of salts and Ksp and Qsp...office hours after class to try and get some homework help...only made a little progress...but progress none the less...
off to another TA session this time for food science lab...were i got to review my quizzes and ask some questions...and got an outline for the exam...sweet...lots of stuff to study over the weekend...
dinner with j...finally home from ohio...then swimming
probably the worst swim i have had since i started this whole program...felt totally uncoordinated...like swim clinic...but worse since i know how it feels when it feels right...it was frustrating...and we had a sub coach cause chrissie and mo are on their way to half-max in vegas...so i got no love from coach...was tired and had no power in my legs...i imagine that is still from mile repeats etc from the week...but yeah didn't make me feel like i am ready for an ironman...no good...
made some chili to throw in the crock pot so dinner would be ready when we were...then started in on the chem homework...worked on that until noon then off to class...review for the test a little then on so solubility of salts and Ksp and Qsp...office hours after class to try and get some homework help...only made a little progress...but progress none the less...
off to another TA session this time for food science lab...were i got to review my quizzes and ask some questions...and got an outline for the exam...sweet...lots of stuff to study over the weekend...
dinner with j...finally home from ohio...then swimming
probably the worst swim i have had since i started this whole program...felt totally uncoordinated...like swim clinic...but worse since i know how it feels when it feels right...it was frustrating...and we had a sub coach cause chrissie and mo are on their way to half-max in vegas...so i got no love from coach...was tired and had no power in my legs...i imagine that is still from mile repeats etc from the week...but yeah didn't make me feel like i am ready for an ironman...no good...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
38...
yes that is right...38 days until IMAZ...i have not been counting...but it is hard, every time i go to a workout i get reminded...and i'm getting the are you ready questions too!...sure i'm ready for the race but i'm not ready for the questions yet...i need a little more time to mentally prepare...school does not afford me much time to work on my mental game...it's not that i haven't been working on that for the last 6 months but i just feel i could always work on the mental game...always....
wendesday core was hard!....but good...we did a lot of aerobic stuff between core exercises...high knees drill in place...mountain climbers etc...kept the heart rate up....and got me going...totally dug it...
did a little preparation for my midterm and some review for several of my other classes...i like doing this occasionally just to make sure i am remembering what i have been learning...i have two exams next week so it's going to be a lot of studies for that and not much time for review over the weekend...classes were good...midterm was fine...the second essay felt a little rushed...because it was...i started on it with only 15 minutes left to go in the class...we will see...
and when i got home i didn't do homework for a change...i started working on my schedule for next semester...i can't believe that it's time to register already...yikes...
run workout was very sparsely attended...i guess due to the threat of rain that didn't materialize in the evening....it had been raining on and off all day....which was a great relief for everyone...started under the bridge and jogged about a mile warm up and met on lou neff road...did mile repeats...with me...the only long distance person out there not in taper mode...doing 5 repeats at 5k pace... 7.21, 7.23, 7.21, 7.25, 7.28...so not really a negative split...but i was able to maintain a pretty good pace through the set...and i was working hard...
home to eat and chill for a bit then off to bed...like a good girl...
wendesday core was hard!....but good...we did a lot of aerobic stuff between core exercises...high knees drill in place...mountain climbers etc...kept the heart rate up....and got me going...totally dug it...
did a little preparation for my midterm and some review for several of my other classes...i like doing this occasionally just to make sure i am remembering what i have been learning...i have two exams next week so it's going to be a lot of studies for that and not much time for review over the weekend...classes were good...midterm was fine...the second essay felt a little rushed...because it was...i started on it with only 15 minutes left to go in the class...we will see...
and when i got home i didn't do homework for a change...i started working on my schedule for next semester...i can't believe that it's time to register already...yikes...
run workout was very sparsely attended...i guess due to the threat of rain that didn't materialize in the evening....it had been raining on and off all day....which was a great relief for everyone...started under the bridge and jogged about a mile warm up and met on lou neff road...did mile repeats...with me...the only long distance person out there not in taper mode...doing 5 repeats at 5k pace... 7.21, 7.23, 7.21, 7.25, 7.28...so not really a negative split...but i was able to maintain a pretty good pace through the set...and i was working hard...
home to eat and chill for a bit then off to bed...like a good girl...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
wow...
it seems like tuesday happened but where was i...everything is going very fast...how is it the middle of october...
up for swim in the morning...had a good swim...tired but good...have a blister on my heal from running off the bike in a pair of socks with a hole in that exact spot...so the fins work was a little painful...but i love fins so it was ok...
home to eat and study and do some chem homework...i got a 15 minute power nap in and that was very nice...i am amazed always that 15 minutes feels that good...i used to have a hard time falling asleep...now i think i could sleep anywhere...more homework then off to class
doing titration in chem...still a lot to learn...but i am getting it...it's a long home work this time so it seems we are getting the concepts slowly...in a good way...stayed after for office hours...didn't really get much done but saw that i am on the right track...we worked on one problem for a long time...and by the time we were making progress my brain was done...so i went home...
prepped for dinner and then off to spin...i realized that some of my being "tired" is that it just is taking me a really long time to warm up and get going...did about 20 minutes on the bike before the "official" start of practice...and felt like i warmed up about 10 minutes after the real start of spin...guess that is how it is these days...
home to eat my dinner...black bean enchiladas with mole (i am glad i had it frozen from a while ago) sauce with brown rice and some baby greens...it was delicious...
up for swim in the morning...had a good swim...tired but good...have a blister on my heal from running off the bike in a pair of socks with a hole in that exact spot...so the fins work was a little painful...but i love fins so it was ok...
home to eat and study and do some chem homework...i got a 15 minute power nap in and that was very nice...i am amazed always that 15 minutes feels that good...i used to have a hard time falling asleep...now i think i could sleep anywhere...more homework then off to class
doing titration in chem...still a lot to learn...but i am getting it...it's a long home work this time so it seems we are getting the concepts slowly...in a good way...stayed after for office hours...didn't really get much done but saw that i am on the right track...we worked on one problem for a long time...and by the time we were making progress my brain was done...so i went home...
prepped for dinner and then off to spin...i realized that some of my being "tired" is that it just is taking me a really long time to warm up and get going...did about 20 minutes on the bike before the "official" start of practice...and felt like i warmed up about 10 minutes after the real start of spin...guess that is how it is these days...
home to eat my dinner...black bean enchiladas with mole (i am glad i had it frozen from a while ago) sauce with brown rice and some baby greens...it was delicious...
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
long long monday
monday started with my last 4000 meter barton springs swim...the distance starts going down now...eek...that means we are getting close...!gulp! it was a really good swim...i got there early just after 5 so i could be in the water by 5.15...and getting done with this swim before a lot of people were headed in to the pool (this seems to happen when it gets light)...i am always amazed that there are people swimming -who are not crazy training for IM-at 5am...decided just to swim (it was a non-stop swim) without worrying about much else...well except for counting lengths...i was _not_ going to forget how many i did...turned out i did alright...not exactly fast...took 1h29m...but that is with trying not to run down swimming oncoming traffic...i was happy and done before the sun came up...
home for a little while...to see j off to the airport for a lovely trip to Cincinnati...then i was off to my epic school day...finished up with food science lab...got to make meringue in many different variations to see what worked the best...to my surprise....whites beaten to stiff peaks...then adding the sugar worked the best...the sugar broke the foam down just a little...to give very perfect soft peaks...after baking there was no condensation as compared to those beaten to a foam then adding sugar...then beating until soft peaks...very interesting...(to me at least)
then off to running...the first thing logan said to me was...how are you feeling...i said tired...he said...i can tell...hrm...i thought i was hiding it well...he gave me 4 repeats instead of 6 tonight and sent me home early :) that was nice...rest is much appreciated...
home for a little while...to see j off to the airport for a lovely trip to Cincinnati...then i was off to my epic school day...finished up with food science lab...got to make meringue in many different variations to see what worked the best...to my surprise....whites beaten to stiff peaks...then adding the sugar worked the best...the sugar broke the foam down just a little...to give very perfect soft peaks...after baking there was no condensation as compared to those beaten to a foam then adding sugar...then beating until soft peaks...very interesting...(to me at least)
then off to running...the first thing logan said to me was...how are you feeling...i said tired...he said...i can tell...hrm...i thought i was hiding it well...he gave me 4 repeats instead of 6 tonight and sent me home early :) that was nice...rest is much appreciated...
Monday, October 13, 2008
long run sunday
got to sleep in a little (6.15!) on sunday...always nice...met a group of folks at the rock for the long run...which for me was not all that long....13!...we were doing two 7 mile loops on the trail with the option to cool down/do drills on the last mile in...sweet...not even two full loops...
as i headed off on that first loop i could feel i was not particularly comfortable..but it wasn't one thing in particular...it was just a general tired feeling...took it easy until i felt like i was a bit warmed up...didn't feel warmed up until the I-35 bridge...geez...that seemed like forever...was already passed by the main group (always happens) so i was on my own for pacing...and began to pick it up on the other side of the trail...it felt good...was hoping that i could maintain the pace for the rest of the workout...
stopped at mopac for water and headed back out again...i was shooting for under 2.15 for the 13 miles...pulled it off in 2.02 finishing the 14 in 2.12 yeah! that was a happy thing...again finished on my own...but was felling super happy about a good run...had to play some mental games...but i need to practice that...had a stitch in my side at one point and had to problem solve to get it feeling better...no problem...glad to finish strong...
spent the rest of the day doing homework...prepping for a mid term, cleaning, learning about the 10 different types of cheeses and the 6 different moisture grades...cooked a really yummy dinner with j and was in bed nice and early :) nice sunday
as i headed off on that first loop i could feel i was not particularly comfortable..but it wasn't one thing in particular...it was just a general tired feeling...took it easy until i felt like i was a bit warmed up...didn't feel warmed up until the I-35 bridge...geez...that seemed like forever...was already passed by the main group (always happens) so i was on my own for pacing...and began to pick it up on the other side of the trail...it felt good...was hoping that i could maintain the pace for the rest of the workout...
stopped at mopac for water and headed back out again...i was shooting for under 2.15 for the 13 miles...pulled it off in 2.02 finishing the 14 in 2.12 yeah! that was a happy thing...again finished on my own...but was felling super happy about a good run...had to play some mental games...but i need to practice that...had a stitch in my side at one point and had to problem solve to get it feeling better...no problem...glad to finish strong...
spent the rest of the day doing homework...prepping for a mid term, cleaning, learning about the 10 different types of cheeses and the 6 different moisture grades...cooked a really yummy dinner with j and was in bed nice and early :) nice sunday
Sunday, October 12, 2008
saturday brick
did just over 60 miles saturday....starting out on south mopac doing a loop...then heading out to bee caves via south west parkway/71...then back via 360, south west parkway...to do anther couple loops on south mopac...i like the bee caves ride...lots of good down hills to practice staying aero...a few good climbs...with some rollers thrown in there...was able to keep my average up at about 18...trying to push it a little on the mopac loops...
then off the bike to run for 45 minutes...i was just going to do a run by time...and that's what i did..but it didn't turn out exactly as i thought...so a while ago we did a run off the bike in the same neighborhood...and i made it from where we park to slaughter and back in the time given...so i figured that if i just ran down slaughter to mopac and back again i would be fine for time...nope...not enough...so i ran down escarpment the other way for a while then turned and headed back again...
i find it harder to run and get into a rhythm when i keep having to adjust my plan...guess it just makes me distracted and not focused on where i am in terms of running...
all in all it was a good day on and off the bike...had a nice afternoon with j...actually did something called "relaxing" for a little while with a glass of wine on the porch in the late afternoon...made a nice dinner together...and i was in bed by 9 (yes!)...while j went over to matt's house...
then off the bike to run for 45 minutes...i was just going to do a run by time...and that's what i did..but it didn't turn out exactly as i thought...so a while ago we did a run off the bike in the same neighborhood...and i made it from where we park to slaughter and back in the time given...so i figured that if i just ran down slaughter to mopac and back again i would be fine for time...nope...not enough...so i ran down escarpment the other way for a while then turned and headed back again...
i find it harder to run and get into a rhythm when i keep having to adjust my plan...guess it just makes me distracted and not focused on where i am in terms of running...
all in all it was a good day on and off the bike...had a nice afternoon with j...actually did something called "relaxing" for a little while with a glass of wine on the porch in the late afternoon...made a nice dinner together...and i was in bed by 9 (yes!)...while j went over to matt's house...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
thursday...and friday too
thursday was an am spin class...there were 6 of us there...it was awesome...amazing how many folks did longhorn...anyway...i was up in the front...and found coach chrissie counting my pedal strokes as we were doing cadence checks...eek...better be on the right cadence...i was :) thankfully feeling strong and was hitting it well...i know that she always does this...but this is the first time i caught her counting mine...i feel violated...no not really...
home to read anthropology....and was so tired that i was falling asleep sitting up...so i took a 10 minute power nap with the cats...nice...and got up and read some more...it was hard to get up again...but i knew i had one class and one workout left before an off day...i can do one of anything (pretty much)...
chem class was good...were talking about buffers and acid base titration...i need to read some more..but i am generally understanding the concepts...stayed for a little bit of office hours to get a few things clarified...there were not a lot of people there since we didn't have our homework assignement yet...so we got to talk to the prof...nice...
nice early dinner with j before heading out to lost creek for swimming...shared a lane with one other guy...whom i had not met before...was nice...suzanne was nice to me and gave us the T1 workout (shorter distance 2700 not 3200) so that i could be done a little earlier...it was kind of her...i finished well...not exactly super strong...but good
friday off day!....i slept until 7.45...i was very happy about that...went to classes...and as i was getting my bike to go home...i stepped off the curb weird and rolled my ankle a little...argh...felt a little weird as i got on the bike...and tested how it felt with weight on it at the stop sign...totally fine...glad i wasn't working out and would keep an eye on it...ice it later and see what happened...i was keeping my fingers crossed for no swelling...or pain...
home to grab the car and head to lunch at mr. natural with amy (who i don't get to see enough), jeremiah and mr. enstone (who i never get to see anymore)...i love our lunches...then off to do errands in and around lamar...then home to hang out with j for a change...we cooked dinner and watched a movie...a very nice evening...
home to read anthropology....and was so tired that i was falling asleep sitting up...so i took a 10 minute power nap with the cats...nice...and got up and read some more...it was hard to get up again...but i knew i had one class and one workout left before an off day...i can do one of anything (pretty much)...
chem class was good...were talking about buffers and acid base titration...i need to read some more..but i am generally understanding the concepts...stayed for a little bit of office hours to get a few things clarified...there were not a lot of people there since we didn't have our homework assignement yet...so we got to talk to the prof...nice...
nice early dinner with j before heading out to lost creek for swimming...shared a lane with one other guy...whom i had not met before...was nice...suzanne was nice to me and gave us the T1 workout (shorter distance 2700 not 3200) so that i could be done a little earlier...it was kind of her...i finished well...not exactly super strong...but good
friday off day!....i slept until 7.45...i was very happy about that...went to classes...and as i was getting my bike to go home...i stepped off the curb weird and rolled my ankle a little...argh...felt a little weird as i got on the bike...and tested how it felt with weight on it at the stop sign...totally fine...glad i wasn't working out and would keep an eye on it...ice it later and see what happened...i was keeping my fingers crossed for no swelling...or pain...
home to grab the car and head to lunch at mr. natural with amy (who i don't get to see enough), jeremiah and mr. enstone (who i never get to see anymore)...i love our lunches...then off to do errands in and around lamar...then home to hang out with j for a change...we cooked dinner and watched a movie...a very nice evening...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
zilker again
wednesday morning is a fun one...an hour of all out core with coach chrissie...always earning her coach pain name in this class...but it is making me really strong...and that my friends is a good thing...
home to eat a lot and read for anthropology later in the day...do a little homework and organizing...then off to classes...got 100.5 on my first food science test...off to a good start in these nutrition classes...learned about making cheese...then about infant nutrition....then we talked about the women of kenya in anth class...
wednesday run practice had been in the dust bowl that was the park during ACL for the last two weeks...i was excited when i saw that the park was finally back to normal again and we could run on the roads...yeah!...did 5x800meter repeats...starting at 10k and negative splitting the set...went well...hitting just under 4minutes to start and ticking off a few seconds from each one...then we did something funny...for 60m we ran, all out, knees up...trying to hold really amazing form just to see how it felt to run "properly"...wow...i felt really fast...and light on my feet...someday...i will fly like that without having to think about it...but that is for another time...after IMAZ...
home to eat and crash...looking forward to friday off...one day to go...
home to eat a lot and read for anthropology later in the day...do a little homework and organizing...then off to classes...got 100.5 on my first food science test...off to a good start in these nutrition classes...learned about making cheese...then about infant nutrition....then we talked about the women of kenya in anth class...
wednesday run practice had been in the dust bowl that was the park during ACL for the last two weeks...i was excited when i saw that the park was finally back to normal again and we could run on the roads...yeah!...did 5x800meter repeats...starting at 10k and negative splitting the set...went well...hitting just under 4minutes to start and ticking off a few seconds from each one...then we did something funny...for 60m we ran, all out, knees up...trying to hold really amazing form just to see how it felt to run "properly"...wow...i felt really fast...and light on my feet...someday...i will fly like that without having to think about it...but that is for another time...after IMAZ...
home to eat and crash...looking forward to friday off...one day to go...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
nada mucho
totally normal tuesday morning swim...except that there were a lot less people around
chem class...with quiz that i didn't do very well on...i was really half asleep...he had the lights off all of class...(zzzzzzzzzzzzzz)...office hours to finish homework...had one left to do when i got home...and could not get it!
so i went to bike practice in hopes of getting my mind refreshed...and my legs ready to fall off...it worked...and there was about 1/2 the numbers at practice...i guess i didn't realized _that_ many people had long horn as the A race
j made dinner...he rules...ate watching the beginning of the debate...then off to finish chem...and to bed...
chem class...with quiz that i didn't do very well on...i was really half asleep...he had the lights off all of class...(zzzzzzzzzzzzzz)...office hours to finish homework...had one left to do when i got home...and could not get it!
so i went to bike practice in hopes of getting my mind refreshed...and my legs ready to fall off...it worked...and there was about 1/2 the numbers at practice...i guess i didn't realized _that_ many people had long horn as the A race
j made dinner...he rules...ate watching the beginning of the debate...then off to finish chem...and to bed...
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
monday..normal
right back to things monday morning...with a swim at barton springs...saw mr. grumpy pants as i was getting suited up so i stuck to the other side of the pool...and so did _everyone_ else who was out there...by the time i was done with 3200 i was so sick of dodging swimmers who were not looking up...people in masks/snorkels/backstrokers...i was done...called it good and got out...i felt perfectly fine cutting it 800 short...
home to eat...quick study review...throw food in the crock pot...then a long day of school...test, class, class (paper due), lab w/quiz, test return, jello making and bean cooking...done at 5.15 then off to run
i knew it was going to be lightly attended but i was surprised at how light...there were less than 10 people out there...did 5x1200 repeats negative splitting...and picking it up on the flat section through the parking lot...was able to do it...and work on picking my knees up and leaning forward a little...felt actually like a good run considering this past week...i think the post race massage was key...
home to eat with j and relax a little before bed...
home to eat...quick study review...throw food in the crock pot...then a long day of school...test, class, class (paper due), lab w/quiz, test return, jello making and bean cooking...done at 5.15 then off to run
i knew it was going to be lightly attended but i was surprised at how light...there were less than 10 people out there...did 5x1200 repeats negative splitting...and picking it up on the flat section through the parking lot...was able to do it...and work on picking my knees up and leaning forward a little...felt actually like a good run considering this past week...i think the post race massage was key...
home to eat with j and relax a little before bed...
Monday, October 6, 2008
70.3 race report
woke up at 4am sunday without a race plan...this you might say is a really bad idea...but at this point in the weekend it ended up being my saving grace...i was going to go out there an complete a 70.3 with what ever i had left from a full week of training...an 18 mile long run friday...a 90+ bike on saturday and no rest day...yeah...oh and a paper, test and quiz to study for as well...
the lack of goal other than completion was utterly liberating...there was _no_ pressure (from myself...ok maybe a little) to do anything more than my best on that day...i was so relaxed it was a little weird...but i was so happy that i was relaxed...there was not time to get nervous...there was a 15 minute delay to the start...and by the time the red caps were lining up i was _ready_ to be in the water...i started towards the front of my wave...on the right side...totally in the lake weeds...very weird...but i was totally fine...started swimming right away...and just went with it...didn't easily come on to any toes...but was in my own groove so i went with it...then i found some legs...i thought they were a teammates...still not sure if that is true or not...and hung on...the whole way around to the last turn buoy then a little more...then the really fast guys from the wave behind caught up...and i drafted on Noah's feet to the finish...i was a bit worried for some of the green caps out there...saw a few on their backs...that always worries me...finished the swim in 30.22 (uhm...the first thought that crossed my mind was...that would be a 1h ironman swim...there is no way that course was 1.2 miles) but i was happy anyway... :D
30.22
ran up to T1...did my thing and was off on the bike...i am always surprised at the strange things people do in T1...do you have to stretch every major muscle group after the swim? anyway...
3.14
due to shear numbers of people...i did just a normal mount on the bike....wasn't dealing with shoes on the bike with this mess of people...was on the bike and rolling before i even knew...saw amy b on the bike...asked if she wanted to play tag :) (we did this at cap tex)...and tried to settle in for the ride...was still feeling the ride from saturday in the saddle...so i just tried to get as comfortable as possible...i noticed i was feeling like i needed to burp...or something...this happened at cap tex too...so i tried when i could to sit up and move around to get the air bubbles out when i could...the more bike...the better i felt...i never felt bad...i knew what was up and i knew what i needed to do to fix it...and wiggled it out along the way....the turns came faster than our practice tri...and i pushed it when i felt like i could (when the headwind was a little lighter)...was able to do hand ups easily...calling out what i wanted...slowing down...and doing some swift moving when bottles were dropped or all over the road...pushed hard when we got a hint of a tail wind...but did not go all out...i knew i needed to save something for the run...after the first aid station...which i rolled by...i told myself that i needed to hydrate and fuel according to plan...even though it was feeling cool and overcast...i knew i needed the fluids for later...so i kept on plan...and let me tell you from what happened to others...this was key...overall good bike...
3.05.41 (18.something average)
T2 was a blur...thought about stopping at the porta-potty in transition...but decided against it when two people ran in ahead of me...i knew there was one at the first aid station so i decided to wait...that aid station was like three feet from transition...so i decided to keep going until the second...saw j on my way out of the park on to the road!!! nice...and hit the second water station after cheering everyone in T3 blue on...grabbed a sponge and a gatorade and veered to the potty...woot empty!...nice...best...bathroom....ever...anyway...who knew that peeing could be that great...after that i felt good...but knew (from coach amy's advice) to be a little conservative on that first loop...and pick it up on the second...ok...i just kept chugging along...amazingly...i felt really good....and was on the back into the park and through the T3 cheering section and into the woods...then back to the second loop...still feeling good...sticking to gels/hydration/gatorade...and tried to pick it up when i could really pick it up...like downhill...but up that back hill that was dubbed "quadzilla" i was literally the only one running when i hit it that second time...and that felt really great...got a great cheer from logan on that hill :) from then i knew it was just a little but more...so i picked it up again...and chugged pretty well through that last mile and something...saw j again just before the chute...i had a huge grin...heard a volunteer say "you know they are done when they have that look"....i must have been grinning like crazy...i was pumped!...crossed the line...and was done!...first 70.3...done with a long weekend of training...and i had run a 2.04.40 half marathon...sweet...
time: 5h 45m 55s
i couldn't have asked for a better first 70.3...feel like i could maybe have pushed it a little more on the bike...but having never done the distance it was tough to figure out how hard to go each section...super happy with my results when my super secret don't tell anyone goal was to break 6h....i think it's a good benchmark on the road to IMAZ
the lack of goal other than completion was utterly liberating...there was _no_ pressure (from myself...ok maybe a little) to do anything more than my best on that day...i was so relaxed it was a little weird...but i was so happy that i was relaxed...there was not time to get nervous...there was a 15 minute delay to the start...and by the time the red caps were lining up i was _ready_ to be in the water...i started towards the front of my wave...on the right side...totally in the lake weeds...very weird...but i was totally fine...started swimming right away...and just went with it...didn't easily come on to any toes...but was in my own groove so i went with it...then i found some legs...i thought they were a teammates...still not sure if that is true or not...and hung on...the whole way around to the last turn buoy then a little more...then the really fast guys from the wave behind caught up...and i drafted on Noah's feet to the finish...i was a bit worried for some of the green caps out there...saw a few on their backs...that always worries me...finished the swim in 30.22 (uhm...the first thought that crossed my mind was...that would be a 1h ironman swim...there is no way that course was 1.2 miles) but i was happy anyway... :D
30.22
ran up to T1...did my thing and was off on the bike...i am always surprised at the strange things people do in T1...do you have to stretch every major muscle group after the swim? anyway...
3.14
due to shear numbers of people...i did just a normal mount on the bike....wasn't dealing with shoes on the bike with this mess of people...was on the bike and rolling before i even knew...saw amy b on the bike...asked if she wanted to play tag :) (we did this at cap tex)...and tried to settle in for the ride...was still feeling the ride from saturday in the saddle...so i just tried to get as comfortable as possible...i noticed i was feeling like i needed to burp...or something...this happened at cap tex too...so i tried when i could to sit up and move around to get the air bubbles out when i could...the more bike...the better i felt...i never felt bad...i knew what was up and i knew what i needed to do to fix it...and wiggled it out along the way....the turns came faster than our practice tri...and i pushed it when i felt like i could (when the headwind was a little lighter)...was able to do hand ups easily...calling out what i wanted...slowing down...and doing some swift moving when bottles were dropped or all over the road...pushed hard when we got a hint of a tail wind...but did not go all out...i knew i needed to save something for the run...after the first aid station...which i rolled by...i told myself that i needed to hydrate and fuel according to plan...even though it was feeling cool and overcast...i knew i needed the fluids for later...so i kept on plan...and let me tell you from what happened to others...this was key...overall good bike...
3.05.41 (18.something average)
T2 was a blur...thought about stopping at the porta-potty in transition...but decided against it when two people ran in ahead of me...i knew there was one at the first aid station so i decided to wait...that aid station was like three feet from transition...so i decided to keep going until the second...saw j on my way out of the park on to the road!!! nice...and hit the second water station after cheering everyone in T3 blue on...grabbed a sponge and a gatorade and veered to the potty...woot empty!...nice...best...bathroom....ever...anyway...who knew that peeing could be that great...after that i felt good...but knew (from coach amy's advice) to be a little conservative on that first loop...and pick it up on the second...ok...i just kept chugging along...amazingly...i felt really good....and was on the back into the park and through the T3 cheering section and into the woods...then back to the second loop...still feeling good...sticking to gels/hydration/gatorade...and tried to pick it up when i could really pick it up...like downhill...but up that back hill that was dubbed "quadzilla" i was literally the only one running when i hit it that second time...and that felt really great...got a great cheer from logan on that hill :) from then i knew it was just a little but more...so i picked it up again...and chugged pretty well through that last mile and something...saw j again just before the chute...i had a huge grin...heard a volunteer say "you know they are done when they have that look"....i must have been grinning like crazy...i was pumped!...crossed the line...and was done!...first 70.3...done with a long weekend of training...and i had run a 2.04.40 half marathon...sweet...
time: 5h 45m 55s
i couldn't have asked for a better first 70.3...feel like i could maybe have pushed it a little more on the bike...but having never done the distance it was tough to figure out how hard to go each section...super happy with my results when my super secret don't tell anyone goal was to break 6h....i think it's a good benchmark on the road to IMAZ
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
good ride
two down one to go...rode about 90 today then to longhorn to drop off the bike...i think i might get excited tomorrow...
amy qualified for boston...she rocks!
amy qualified for boston...she rocks!
friday
got up at 4am to get my run started at five...so i could get in my 18 miles before class at 10am...met logan at o'henry at 5...then carrie came too...man, i love my team...these people wake up and come run with me just so i don't have to do it alone...amazing...guess that's what being on a team means...it's great...
we ran from the school down to the trail then the three mile loop on the trail...back up to the school then a three mile loop out on the road...for the first round of 8 miles...by then it was light and folks had to get to work so i did the whole thing again...tacking on a back and forth to the trail to get the extra two miles...all in all a good run...legs were feeling tired by the end...but i tried to pick it up on the last hill...foot drills and stretching on the track then home...
ice bath...breakfast...shower...and off to school...classes ended with a test in nutrition through the life cycle...which i think i did really well on...we will see next week...
wanted to get started on my anthropology project but ended up doing stuff like groceries...clean the cat box...you know...fun stuff...then it was off to packet pick-up...sweet!...there were a lot of people there...it took me about an hour to get it done...then home then out to dinner with the team...there were about 50 people there...all at one huge table...good times...left early so i could get some rest before riding 100 saturday...
one down two to go :D
oh, think good thoughts for coach amy today....she's running the st. george marathon with mr. enstone...have fun guys!!!
we ran from the school down to the trail then the three mile loop on the trail...back up to the school then a three mile loop out on the road...for the first round of 8 miles...by then it was light and folks had to get to work so i did the whole thing again...tacking on a back and forth to the trail to get the extra two miles...all in all a good run...legs were feeling tired by the end...but i tried to pick it up on the last hill...foot drills and stretching on the track then home...
ice bath...breakfast...shower...and off to school...classes ended with a test in nutrition through the life cycle...which i think i did really well on...we will see next week...
wanted to get started on my anthropology project but ended up doing stuff like groceries...clean the cat box...you know...fun stuff...then it was off to packet pick-up...sweet!...there were a lot of people there...it took me about an hour to get it done...then home then out to dinner with the team...there were about 50 people there...all at one huge table...good times...left early so i could get some rest before riding 100 saturday...
one down two to go :D
oh, think good thoughts for coach amy today....she's running the st. george marathon with mr. enstone...have fun guys!!!
Friday, October 3, 2008
spin/swim/debate
did a spin class at the training center in the morning...really spun the heck out of my legs...did lots of high cadence stuff like OVER 100 to 120...yikes...good workout...then got some help changing a tube since the stem valve broke on tuesday...looks like the bike is ready to go for saturday...
studied for my nutrition test for the rest of the morning...then off to chem class...the office hours to work on chem homework...then home for more nutrition studies...quick dinner then off to swim practice...
not too many people around but got to share a lane with erin...man...she's ready to rock out longhorn...i could tell (by her speedy swimming) that she is rested, well tapered and ready to hit it sunday...i on the other hand took it one lap at a time...mo was kind and let us skip out on a couple 100m repeats...that was nice...still ended up swimming about 3000...it's weird that both the am and pm swims are now in the dark...
home to catch the last little bit of the debates with j and jennifer...then off to bed for me...to wake at 4am to get my 18mile run in before class at 10am...here we go...
studied for my nutrition test for the rest of the morning...then off to chem class...the office hours to work on chem homework...then home for more nutrition studies...quick dinner then off to swim practice...
not too many people around but got to share a lane with erin...man...she's ready to rock out longhorn...i could tell (by her speedy swimming) that she is rested, well tapered and ready to hit it sunday...i on the other hand took it one lap at a time...mo was kind and let us skip out on a couple 100m repeats...that was nice...still ended up swimming about 3000...it's weird that both the am and pm swims are now in the dark...
home to catch the last little bit of the debates with j and jennifer...then off to bed for me...to wake at 4am to get my 18mile run in before class at 10am...here we go...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
eek!
feeling like i'm about to get overwhelmed with this weekend...
hard to figure out when i will have time to buy groceries and fold laundry...oh and there is always an exam or two, a project and chem homework to do too...
wish me luck!
hard to figure out when i will have time to buy groceries and fold laundry...oh and there is always an exam or two, a project and chem homework to do too...
wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
tuesday stuff
am workout was the usual swim...had a nice lane of three...and a good workout....not super hard....but lots of good swimming...with some longer stuff...not a whole lot of the short fast stuff...so i enjoyed myself...and the pool was warm and the air cool...i like those mornings...you can tell you are doing drills correctly when your arm gets cold...
home to study for an exam i have friday...and to read some chem before class to get prepared for lecture...salts and acid base reactions...i need to do some flash cards so i can remember the strong acids and bases...good class...prof announced no new curve for the test but dropped another question (3 total) so my 81 went to an 84...sweet!...
home to study more...it's a nutrition through the life cycles test...there is a lot to know...where hormones are produced and how they act on different parts of the body...interesting but detailed...so i printed out the main objectives and took them to bike practice...
got a little spin in after chatting with coach chrissie about how to approach this weekend...so it goes...my long run will be friday...100 mile bike saturday...70.3 sunday....guess that is what they call training through a half-ironman...ha!
good spin class though...lots of high cadence stuff...felt like i got my legs nice and spun out...kind of nice that there are so many people in taper...seems to make the workouts a bit (just a little) less intense...which is good if i want to get through this weekend and actually cross the finish line...
home to study for an exam i have friday...and to read some chem before class to get prepared for lecture...salts and acid base reactions...i need to do some flash cards so i can remember the strong acids and bases...good class...prof announced no new curve for the test but dropped another question (3 total) so my 81 went to an 84...sweet!...
home to study more...it's a nutrition through the life cycles test...there is a lot to know...where hormones are produced and how they act on different parts of the body...interesting but detailed...so i printed out the main objectives and took them to bike practice...
got a little spin in after chatting with coach chrissie about how to approach this weekend...so it goes...my long run will be friday...100 mile bike saturday...70.3 sunday....guess that is what they call training through a half-ironman...ha!
good spin class though...lots of high cadence stuff...felt like i got my legs nice and spun out...kind of nice that there are so many people in taper...seems to make the workouts a bit (just a little) less intense...which is good if i want to get through this weekend and actually cross the finish line...
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