saturday stuff

60+ miles on the schedule for the day and it was all about bee caves...we were supposed to do two loops...saw jeremiah on the first loop and we planned to meet up for the second loop as we were the only ones out of the group that were riding long...had a good first loop and was not really excited out riding on the chip seal out to 71 then on 71 generally...so we took our chances and turned onto bee cave parkway...we knew it hit bee caves so off we went...it was a very nice road...had a good time out there but then we got to this hill i'm telling you i have never worked harder on a hill in my life...it was about 100 yards maybe longer but it was so steep...standing in my easiest gear i was breathing really hard and hoping that i didn't fall over...but we made it ! ...and were a little shocked as to where we ended up...a lot closer to 360 than we expected....

so we headed back out to sw parkway and did a loop down the big hill and back...then back to mopac with a loop...then one loop on the veloway...with some ice cold water :)...a new bike shop is opening on slaughter and they had water coolers (a la run tex) out at the veloway...a good way to finish a ride...a good ride over all...with good company...

did some random helping of j in the back yard...and odd chores around the house...thought about homework and decided to read harry potter instead...do homework on sunday...made pesto from the basil in from the farm share...and cook up a roasted veggie salad with pesto to take to ashley's....

and believe it or not...we went out on a satuday night...for a bbq...and i stayed up till 11! amazing...well that mid day nap always helps...

W-Th-F

Wednesday started with Am core class...as usual we did circuits of different stuff....this time it was 2 times through with a little mtn climbers...push ups and skiers...all good except there was one exercise that totally killed all of us...stationary lunges where you jump in the air and switch your forward leg and catch your self into another squat...holy cow!...

then it was the first day of school!...so back on the heavy mtn bike to campus through throngs of students...so many people...i guess things thin out a little as the semester progresses but wow...it is always a bit of a shock...classes seem to be good...have both nutrition classes with my friend who is on the pom squad (really, i can't believe it either) she is super nice...and anthro seems like it will be good...

pm track...added more time on the trail before practice...so 2+ miles before track practice...legs felt a bit like lead but generally ok...had a good track workout...where i progressively got faster throughout...so that was good...

thurs...am spin...was one off gear to keep cadence...but it was really an ok thing considering how tired my legs were...oh and sore from those crazy lunges...so i was happy with my effort and cadence...tough class but feeling much better during the one legged stuff...and generally feeling stronger on the bike...

then it was chem class...wow...really a non coherent lecture...completely opposite of my chem teacher last semester...but it looks like i am going to be able to focus a lot of my time on chem so i should be ok...after class i hit the books and did a bit of studying...:) i like it...

thurs pm was swim...my first evening swim in awhile...i remember liking it...so i was looking forward to it...and hoping it would flush my legs out a bit...i ended up with my own lane...and i just did the workout...coach suzanne just let me do my own thing...she was nice...and didn't give my intervals to swim on...she just let me have a more relaxed swim practice...don't get me wrong i didn't slack...2750 swim down...home to watch obama then to bed to wake up at 4am

fri am...20 mile run on the trail...it went well...a bit slower than the last 20 miler i did...but the situation was a bit different too...so i am happy with it...i felt pretty good throughout...properly fueled and hydrated so that was good...i even was able to get a barton springs soak in!...good times...classes in an hour or so...then some errands...i'm hoping to get massage appts. for j and i then it's date night :) happy friday!

swim-phone-bike

started the day with a nice swim practice...i think i like it better when there are less people out there...but i guess everyone feels that way...so yeah not to many folks out there...swam strong...felt good...swim down 2700m..

home to be on the phone most of the rest of the day...scheduling appointments for dr's visits, dentist, haircut, gym...trying to get all of that stuff organized so that i can focus on school and training and homework and family...with as little other stuff getting in the way...i say that now...but you know things always pop up...

pm spin class...with core before...it was a tough class....lots of quad burning...and trying to stay on high cadence in big gears...i had a few times where i was in one easier gear so that i could keep cadence...my legs were tired...not a big surprise after the super fast hills i did the day before and all that pushing off the wall in the morning swim....but good...hard and worth it...

hills again...seriously?

morning swim at barton springs...and i actually saw someone i knew :) amy b and her buddy were out there for a swim too...i did a timed 2400...i finished in 52.00 it was a nice swim for me...nothing weird...just swim swim...there was no stopping or pushing off of walls...breathing was good...all seemed normal...i really don't like people swimming in black swim caps in the dark though...i wear the most garish ones that i have so i can be seen...so narrowly missed a head on with a big dude in a black swim cap...but i was lucky to have sighted at the moment i did...eek...i know my time wasn't super fast or anything but i was ok with that...though it was faster and farther than my 45minute non-stop swim so progress is being made...very very slowly...

i think i finally got all the books i need for school...had to grab my course packet for nutrition lab...read through a little of it...i am required to have a white lab coat...hrm...anybody have one they wanna give me...i used to have one in high school...maybe my mom still has that...i'll have to check...should be fun...i am totally nervous to go back...i guess it is the re-arrangement of the schedule and the fact that i will have homework to do that is creeping me out...i just have to use my time between training sessions and classes very wisely...but hey...after a week or so i think i will be ok...

pm run workout...started with a little run in the neighborhood...as it is time to ramp up on the mileage...then a short core class...then drills and strides then hill repeats...really we have done so many hill workouts in the past few weeks...but hey...hills make us stronger...right?...right...i was paired up with a really fast dude...so i wasn't getting a whole lot of rest between sets...i think it was almost better that way...i didn't have time to think about the next one...just grab a drink and off i went again...so they went fast...i finished strong so that was good...

i was totally tired so i was in bed...and asleep super early...not even a dream...

long run

sunday long run...we were to meet at the rock and run 11 on the road...i figured it would be sparsely populated since there was the sweet and twisted tri where many T3 ladies were racing and many T3 guys were volunteering...i was doing neither :) and was able to sleep until 6.30 !! to be at the rock for a 7.30 start...there was one other person there...his name was brian...we ran together...it was nice to run with someone...since i never get to do that on long run days...not for the whole thing...but today was the day...we started at about a 10 minute pace and finished at 8.30s it was a good run...nice and solid...i felt good...nothing major going on...takes me awhile to warm up on these long run days but i think that is kind of the point...see how it feels to run on tired legs..

home to eat and clean the house...then off to see baraka the movie at the paramount...thanks to amy...for that one...it was a very beautiful film...disturbing in some ways but all of the images were powerful...and really amazing...it is hard to believe all of that stuff happens on the same planet...it's a small place...yet feels so big sometimes...

finished the floors and the rest of the house when i got home...read a little harry potter....j and i made a really yummy pizza for dinner and watched fay grim...hrm...didn't realize till right now that i watched two movies in one day...nice... :)

oops...

so sitting at wahoo's fish tacos for happy hour...i realized that i didn't post yesterday...so here is thursday friday and saturday for your reading pleasure...

thursday was a morning spin class with a 15 minute run off the bike...good class...good run...it felt like i was running slower than i was the other day but i did the same distance in the same time...guess it was just the perception...and then that was it...there was no second workout for the day...i know crazy...only 12hours of training this week :)

after spin went to breakfast with a friend...the to the bike shop...to have them check out my seat height or my cleats on my shoes...turned out to be my seat that had slipped a little...so with it taped to mark my location and a little carbon paste in there i was all set...asked jack what was happening with my wet suit...and he fixed it on the spot...my whole trip to the LBS was 0$...being a good customer has it's perks...oh wait...they are just super nice...love them

so after that just read a bunch of harry potter and relaxed...j and i went to dinner at bess bistro...the food was good...our waiter was a tool...but generally it was a nice evening...i like thursday dates...

friday was an off day...so i slept in...sort of not great sleep but sometimes just being horizontal in the bed is the best way to be...did some stuff around the house...ran some errands...the j was home :) he only had a half day...we hung out for a while then met up with ed, ros, mr. john brown, chuck, kristin and jeremiah at wahoo's for really cheap happy hour...and some guacamole...can't pass up the guac...

today was a 50 mile ride out fitzhugh road...got to see lots of weird animals...are there water buffalo out there or am i just seeing things...also saw two donkeys one that looked like eeyore and one that was cream colored with spots...very cute...also saw several horses...they are very pretty creatures...and a baby horse too...and of course lots of big cows and deer....thought i saw some turkeys out in a field too...had a good ride...it is nice to remember when i first started with T3 we did that same route and i really struggled...(i think it was only a 35 mile ride that time) and now i am finishing strong and feeling good on all those hills...it's nice to see my hard work paying off...

going to spend the rest of the day digging up the yard...hopefully with a little time to read #5 in the series...doesn't look like i am going to be able to finish before classes start on wednesday but we will see :P

core! etc

nice core workout this morning...i really like the atmosphere at the group that shows up to get some punishment at 6am on a wednesday...it is always tough but very rewarding...

made some yummy chocolate chip brownie bars...it's my grandmother's recipe...i remember my mom making them too...j loves them...and really so do it...i like that high training volume lets me eat dessert... yummy

track...two miles to start...then warm-up, drills and strides...then 6x800's on 5k...i was able to negative split from first to last...with a couple in the middle hitting the same times :) that was good...i was happy with that...and ran with maggie...who i could have sworn i met before...but it was just that i was chasing her down on the bike at jack's generic tri...i could see the 30 (or some where in my age group) on her calf...i almost had her too...anyway...nice to meet and run with her...she was 3rd at that race...i was just off the podium...maybe next time...good time...

felt good...mentally and physically...this eating enormous amounts of food thing is hard to get used to...as j says...i always have something in my hands that i am ingesting...weird...

wet swim :)

i know they are always wet but this one was especially wet...it poured pretty much the whole practice...i love swimming in the rain so it was a very nice workout for me...3300meters two others in the lane...not too many others there...i had a good time...felt good...

finished another harry potter and am on to #4...i'm trying to get the series done before i go back to school....i have a feeling that i am not going to have a lot of time to read after i get started with classes again...

spin class in the evening...felt awesome...it was a tough class...but my legs were with me today...yeah...good times...did a 15 minute run off the bike...had a side stitch on the way out...but was able to breathe it out...and felt great on the run...good day

monday monday

am barton springs swim...had a lot of trouble getting my wet suit on...as it was very humid and i was sweating but other than that i had a really great swim...total distance of 2400...2x600 2x400 2x200 negative split each...i didn't negative split the 600's the second was 4 seconds slower...i totally thought it was faster...but sometimes i do forget to use my legs :P finished really strong...and felt good...

home to make waffles for breakfast...and read...and run some errands including taking my wet suit to get patched up at jack and adams...yes there are a few little rips...i know...it's beat up...perhaps next time i will trade a little flexibility for more durability...but we will see...maybe i will have an easier time with it in the winter...

monday evening was specialty run workout...no logan (he just did timberman...) so we were coached by mo...so that was fun...instead of doing drills back and forth on the track we did laps...drills on the straights jogging the curves...then...it was hill repeats...lots of them...12 to be exact...one loop clockwise one loop counter clockwise counted as one repetition...ironman group 6 times through...if i remember correctly it's about 1/2 mile...bad news...it took me a lap and then some...maybe two to really get my legs warmed up...good news...i was able to negative split the whole way through...starting with a 3.08 ending with a 2.52 :) so that was good...tired legs but a good workout overall...

and it's a recovery week...totally stoked about that

20miler

could the weather have been more perfect for a run sunday...well i guess it could have been 20 degrees cooler...but seriously...what a better run than last week...started off at barton springs with the other michelle and jeremiah...did a lap around I-35 and back to mopac to meet up with the group...didn't make it before they took off...but no worries...turned around and headed back out...to 35...jeremiah's first lap with me was a warm-up for him...it was a pretty good pace for me...so off they went to pick it up for their second two laps...and it was just me running along...for my second two...saw lots of people out on the trail...nice to see other team members running and cheering...and was feeling really good...

made it back out to do my last loop and could feel myself slowing down a bit...legs were getting tight but my spirits were good...after i got over the 35 bridge i broke the rest of the run down in my mind...it was four parts...first part was the bit on riverside...until you get back on the trail again...ok done...next part...the newspaper building to the water at first street...ok done...get water go to next section...trail by the water to over the barton springs bridge...ok done...last section...trail back to bsp parking lot...done! i finished with a smile !!

went and sat in the water where the dogs play...that felt great...and i was really happy with my run...averaged just over nine and a halfs for the run...way better than last time...even though i was again by myself running...today was a much better day

97.5!

longest ride ever for me...and i felt good...yeah!...it took me 5h 28m...averaged about 17.8 mph...i'm happy with that...road to san marcos via kyle...and then did another loop from 1626 back to san marcos...then back to town...i finished with a south mopac loop...good on the nutrition though i need to remember that the blueberry luna moons are not as good as the pomegranate ones...or at least they seem to go better with my lemon-lime infinit...

i'm going to eat, read, rest and eat some more so i am ready for my 20 mile run tomorrow :)

i miss j...glad he comes home tomorrow...

off day!

so it was a good off day except that several of the things that i wanted to do...go to a friends going away party, stop by to meet some other folks for a drink...not sit in a bunch of traffic...didn't really happen...but the good news is i now know how to work with pvc piping, turn the water on and off to the house...and play with purple primer and some really strong smelling glue that i hope holds...i think it will...

so a pipe that goes to the never used misters on out front porch broke...not like the last time where it could actually be fixed...but it came out of it's fitting so it wouldn't go back together...after turning off the water to the house...and using all my strength to get some pipes apart (i have no idea how they got them so tight)...i was able to figure out the part i needed...cancel the call in to the plumber...go to home depot...and cap off the irrigation system to the front porch...yeah!...it all took way too long...but hey...i probably saved a ton by not having the plumber come out... :)

:) again

thursday was a good day...up in the morning ready for spin class...was feeling a little apprehensive since my last spin class experience was not good...but i was feeling good when i woke up and was going to get my bike on a new trainer...and i was going to give it my best shot...i was very happy when i hopped on the bike and was able to get my cadence way over 90 without having to think about it...turned out to be a good workout...i would say i was at about 95% a very good thing...5 minutes of abs off the bike...and that topped off my core work for the week...nice to be able to make it up in small 5-15 minute sessions...

home for breakfast...mmm....french toast....(well healthy french toast made with egg whites and sprouted whole grain bread with apples and figs)...and to see j off to the airport...he will be in nyc for a few days working on magazine stuff...did some stuff around the house and got packed up for the second workout and things that followed...

swim practice at courtyard...there were 4 in my lane...but it was really like 2 since the other 2 ladies were a lot slower we kind of had to keep going...the workout was good...i sometimes feel like swim workouts are never ending...like OMG we still have 8x9million to swim...but today felt good...swim down was 2800 well 2750 but i added a 50...oh and i was able to get the pull a bit better so it wasn't making my shoulder muscles sore...i needed to rotate more and get the paddle deep and pull down the center of my body not off to the side...always more to work on...

i was off to jack and adams to restock the long workout fuel box and get some more recovery drink...i had one gel left (eek) and we are riding 95 satuday and running 20 sunday...so yeah that would not do...they had everything that i needed...i love when that happens...and i got a cheer pack too...i have been wanting to try this out...has anyone out there used these? what is the best method...when...etc...i was thinking about somewhere near the end of the long run would be good...help me finish strong...let me know...

grabbed some salmon and a few other things (um yes i did buy a piece of chocolate cake) from whole foods...for treat to myself for sticking it out through the last few tough days...i wanted to make a yummy dinner with dessert and wine...with j in new york i was going to get some olympics in (he finds them not so fun to watch) and finish harry potter 1 and move on to two...a good day...good training and good things to make me smile...and friday is a day off...oh yeah...

and today ...

is a new day...wednesday mornings are usually core/strength class at the PTC but due to my little bit of a breakdown i decided to skip it...and get some much needed sleep time...j was taking the day off so he didn't need to be up early either...and so we and the cats slept until get this...8.30am...totally unheard of! and man was it great...woke up feeling like i got some good sleep in there...yeah...i even had two cups of coffee...

did some stuff around the house...and some reading...then j took me out to lunch at this little indian place off of riverside...it, as it was the other time we went, was awesome...i love those hole in the wall places...where the food is just amazing...and you would never guess...home again...and j was off to work on some freelance stuff...and i read some more...prepped gumbo and threw it in the crock pot so it would be ready after track practice...

got to track about 40 minutes early...because i needed to get in 2 miles...to the rock and back...before practice started...it was hot!...but the running actually felt ok...i was not optimistic about what was going to happen but i was in good spirits...and i think that is a big part of it...back to the track...for a warm up, drills, strides...then a timed mile...7.06 :)...then 6x400's with a partner...it was me and erin...my repeats hit around 1.45 finishing with a 1.42...ok...that was ok with me...then a timed 800 at 3.39...i was ok with that...cooled down jogging two laps going backwards on the straights...

all in all a much better day than yesterday...not at 100% but waaayyyy better...so that was good...home to a yummy gumbo and biscuits that turned out really well...and an episode of the wire...

what the heck...

is wrong with me...i need to get it together...this has been my thought since sunday...my emotions have been all over the place...mostly not on the up side...just feeling down and worn out...and to think back to a week ago when i was feeling so strong and ready to take on the world...to feel like a small pea is no good...so i'm thinking it's just me being me...and i will get over it soon...so i take a deep breath and go swimming...

am practice...pretty busy as usual...but today is funny...the gate to the pool is locked...so people just hop the fence..ha! very secure...then joe puts a chair on either side of the fence so us shorties can get over...it felt so highschool...anyway...ended up being a bunch of people in the lane i was in...michelle and charles me ralph and another girl that i didn't know...i mean i have seen her two or three times in the pool but don't know her name and i am not sure she is doing the tri training...since i have only seen her in the pool...doing some swimming and this girl keeps touching my toes...i mean usually this is no big deal...happens all the time...but today it was really getting to me...like over reacting getting to me...so the next set i let her go ahead...and was irked...

then i have a conversation with my self "calm down, overly emotional...blah blah" then ralph is hitting my toes...so i'm flustered again...and just get in the back of the line...i felt better then...then the other girl tells ralph to go ahead of her...she says as an aside to me...he is always bumping me...makes me feel better...that she wasn't doing it to me to be mean and i'm not the only one that is bugged by it...i know it was a lot of talking to my self...did a lot of long distance stuff...and had a generally good swim...

started reading harry potter from the beginning...i'm almost done with book 1...it makes me happy...

pm spin...what a mess...it started out just fine...core workout...i am getting better at staying in plank for minutes at a time...that is nice...but i was just not all that talkative with my teammates...usually it is fun...today again i was really inside my own head...got on the bike...and was having a bit of trouble getting the resistance right...

i was borrowing someones trainer because all the T3 trainers were taken...yikes...anyway...so the whole warm-up i was on and off the bike trying to get it to stop slipping...but not be too hard since i couldn't get my cadence over 80...ended up having to get mo to adjust it...and you know i swear he made it so hard...err...so i am working hard...really hard...my legs are on fire and it is the first set...holy cow...it's going to be a long practice...i adjust the tension again...and just try to stick it out...i am one less on the gear and 5 under on the cadence...and just can't get it right...all the while getting more emotional...ught...i see jeremiah adjust his tension and i am thinking maybe it is not just me...

on the rest phase of the first set jeremiah turns around...i look at him and say i've got nothing...he smiles...like...thank god it's not just me...ok cool...i feel a little better and just struggle through the rest of the workout...i am really trying to get my cadence above 80 it's just not happening...i finish...and i am glad to be done...

while doing a little yoga stretching...jeremiah comes over and says i have been all over the place emotionally...and i just loose it...tears and everything...so i'm not crazy...it is so nice to know that i am not crazy...i get it back together a little...and head out...then one of my teammates asks if i'm ok....and i just loose it again...and get a pep talk from nancy, michelle and katy...a lot of good advice...and just encouragement...like it's ok to sleep in one day...treat yourself you have been working hard...you are going to be fine...it happens...everyone gets this way...thanks guys...i needed that...see this is why i love being on a team...there are people there who have been through it...and people who are going through it too...it is that support that is totally priceless

a new week...

after a tough weekend...i was glad to be back to monday...i know weird to say that right...but i knew monday was not long stuff...and i can handle that...

morning barton springs swim...2x1000 with a minute rest...negative split...cool...the only thing that gets me is the negative split...sure i know i can do that but it seems when i am trying to negative split it's when 100 people start swimming in irregular and irrational patterns along the pool...oh and get this...some swimming ACROSS the pool...yes right in front of me...so i was able to negative split but by 30 seconds...nothing major...saw a good draft line of three ladies in wetsuits...but didn't recognize any of them...unusual for me to see many other triathletes out there on monday morning...

home...then off to get school supplies...eek...j and i ordered my books on line...and it ended up being SO much cheaper...but there was one unavailable so i had to hit up the co-op...man...that place is going to be nuts once classes start...i am glad i have an alternative...found my book easily...and cheaply...yeah!...an assignment book and was out of there...stopped at target to grab notebooks...1$ sale on the ones that i like...and got myself a lunchbox...i'm excited...it had a freezer pack for coldness... :)

off to specialty run...i got there a little early because i thought i would have to get in some miles before but when coach said no...not today...i had a feeling it was going to be a tough workout...and it was...after a 7 minute warm-up some drills and some strides it was a jog back into the neighborhood for 1/2 mile hill repeats...starts up a long hill...turn left down a two step hill...around left to a flat section and finishes up a steep hill...one that you can really feel yourself slow down even though you run at it hard...repeat 6 times...jog back to the cars and be done...yikes...i already reset my watch so there was no time recorded...but from what i remember all of them started with a 4 so it couldn't be all that bad...i was tired and the jog back up the hill as the cool down was funny...i could feel my legs protesting...

home for some pasta...and a yummy salad...and watched a couple swimmers win a couple golds...if only i could swim like that...for now i would be happy with a 2 minute 100 pace

tough run

had a really tough 17 miles today...it started out hard and never got easier...though i did get to practice a little of the talking to myself thing that i am sure will happen during ironman...like your body is telling you to stop and walk or just stop and you have to convince yourself that is not a good idea...try to calm your self down when you are just struggling...so that was fun

not sure what my deal was...but perhaps lack of post ride hydration yesterday...i think i maybe had a glass of water...ught i know...i know...and i do know better...it was probably more like 3 glasses but still not enough...

my legs were heavy and tired...by the end of things...they were also really tight...i went home pretty much right after i was done because the only thing that was really getting me through was the thought of an ice bath...it totally helped...it was a tough day but i got through...i ran...averaging 10.30s...my head was not happy with that...but it was really all my body could muster today..

a hot 80

started at lost creek and rode up through the arboretum out jollyville zig-zagged over to parmer and rode and rode some more...went out past 29 to some intersection that is not on google maps...that i can find...hmm...it was there i swear...turned around and headed back into town...got to see long horn cattle, regular ones too, the rrisd jumbo-tron and lots of other great stuff out there on the roads...got back to lost creek and was short a few miles so i rode down 360 a bit more to walsh tarelton...er i think...then turned back...

was feeling really tired on jollyville on the way back into town...but stopped again for water on 360 this getting off the bike for a minute...only the second time today...and getting some cold water in the aero bottle was key...really helped me get through the last little bit...

hot tough at the end but good...averaged in the 16mph range even with those hills on 360...so that was good...

omg...two weeks

it has been almost two whole weeks since i had a day off...and thursday was my last day of double workouts before a WHOLE day off...i was tired but feeling good and strong...good motivation mental attitude etc...so i was ready to get done

am went to spin class...noticed two things...1. the sweat puddle under me is not as big as some people but i noticed it has been growing...i think that is a good thing...a sign of fitness i have read...2. kept up really well on the proper gear and cadence...nice...it wasn't just a fluke the last time...sometimes we get a choice of gear...i always chose the hardest...most of the time having to shift to the easier...but no more...nice...

home to get a grocery list together, do some house chores then off to swimming class...my legs were pretty dead...just some tired muscles...got in the pool...and swam ~150 really just feeling like my legs were dead weight...i put my self in a lane way at the end hoping who ever was coaching would let me stay in the "slow" lane...alas...this was not the case...darn foiled again...got bumped into the T2 lane...(what) ok the slower of the T2 lanes...but hey...put my self at the end of the line and held on...part of the main set was like 8x150's...yeah....swim down was 3200 on the sheet plus the lil bit i tacked on at the beginning...good long swim...

home to eat everything in sight...then out for a massage...yes!...it was nice and relaxing...next time i am going to have to go with some deep tissue stuff...but this time i was just really tight all over...so a good flush of the muscles was needed...then to groceries then home again...with a big smile on my face...off till saturday...when it will be 80 miles on the bike and 17 on the run sunday...must eat more...

core and track

had such a good time at core/strength last week that i came back for more...and again it was hard and sweaty but a lot of fun...the hour goes by quickly but i was beat by the end...a good way to start the day...

home for a significant breakfast...yard work, baking two batches of banana cup cakes one filled with mocha butter cream for my track coach...i was mean to him on monday...ok well i gave him a mean gesture...and felt bad :( so i bake...one batch for us...like i need more sweets...anyway..they were really yummy...and wrote a letter of recommendation for a friend doing a practicum in the fall...read a bit as well...then off to track...

we (us ironman kids) are starting to add the miles so it was 2 miles...to the rock and back...even before practice got started...some laps for warm-up...drills...strides...then 6x1000m...alternating between 10k and 5k paces...4.53..4.37...4.56...4.40...5.06...4.45...not a whole lot of negative split action there...ught...but i felt strong...like i finished strong...coach said to me...as i was struggling with myself over the time thing...he said ironman makes you look at time crumple it up...rearrange it spit it out and throw it out the window...it's not about time it's about what gets you through...hmmm...ok...i will work on incorporating this idea...and letting go of the i must hit my time thing...i'm learning

weird swim strong spin

for some reason my swim this morning felt weird...it felt like a lot of stopping and starting and not a whole lot of good swimming on my part...but looking at the swim down it was 3200m...i guess part of it was the lane line came off the wall in the middle of one set...paused to fix it...and missed a 50 in the process...had to get out of the pool for a sec at another point (had to pee) missed a 50 pull (too bad! ha!) it was just weird...but when i was swimming it was good...nice long practice...not too much in the super fast category...which i like...we did do one set that i really am not good at...AT ALL...it is breathing 3-5-3-7 a 100 each 25 using a different breathing pattern...i am good at the threes can hit the 5s on occasion and NEVER hit the sevens...hmm...maybe someday

home to clean the closet, the dresser do some sewing and some other domestic chores...got a good sized bag ready for goodwill...i am sure there will be more to add in the next few days...payed my tuition...signed up for the olympic distance in the austin tri...after all that deliberation i went with my original plan :P...cleaned my bike and cassette and generally just tied up some loose ends around the house...that always feels good...

off to spin class with a bit of core at the beginning...i was finally able to keep on the gear and the cadence mo was telling us to be on...yeah!...i was excited about that...and was feeling really good and strong...not to say that it was easy by any means...but i was able to do it...and sometimes that gives you just that little bit of energy to fight the fatigue...

monday already?

barton springs swim in the morning...on the schedule was a 45 minute non-stop swim...counting laps to get a distance...swam 2000 in 45m...i was happy with that...just took it nice and smooth...and guess what...i saw the turtle that shublog was taking about on sunday...totally covered in some type of green stuff...good for hiding :)

home to catch up on rest and fueling from the weekend...basically i felt like i ate, napped and read...oh i did run a few errands but it was pretty minor...anyway it was super hot again...

evening run workout was totally weird...football season is starting so there are all these little dudes on the field doing their football stuff...they seem so small to be playing but hey i guess i was 5 when i started playing soccer...but soccer is not football...unless you are from Europe...

15 minutes of core then we did two laps around the school which ended up being like a 13 minute warm up...then drills...then to the back side of the school to learn what our main set was going to be...it was a hill run from 12th and possum trot up to the school taking a left on that street (no idea the name) and stopping at the end of the block...maybe a 1/4 mile...but i really have no idea...and it was an all out run...100%....coach said "i expect you all to do one...but no more than 5"...i did two...the second slower than the first...but i really was putting it all out there...asked what the cool down was...and got a "you are training for a big race...i know you have one more"...grumble...and again it was slower...by 4 seconds...pesky...i worked hard and thought i did ok...again it was 104 degrees...so yeah it was tough...but overall a good workout..

you know you are a triathlete when...

you have a tan line from your swim cap.



(what do YOU think)

weekend/race report

saturday was a 65 mile ride followed by a 30 minute run off the bike...i wanted to try to get most of it out of the way before it got so hot that i just couldn't do it anymore...so while the rest of the group was going to start at 7.30am i opted to grab erin and head out at 7am...we were doing a loop from the veloway out wm cannon to sw. parkway to 71 (eek!) to bee caves to 360 to mopac (for a second) to sw. parkway etc...erin was riding 30 so she did one loop with me and i continued on to do a second...the bike felt really good...i stuck to my hydration and nutrition (got my custom batch of infinit) and felt strong even after my long run the day before...did a second loop in what felt like a faster time than the first one...but i didn't do a split on my watch...got back to the starting point and did one loop out there on s. mopac for a total of 65.07 miles according to the bike computer...

there were very few cars left at the rally point as i was putting the bike in the car and getting my running shoes on...but i recognized them as fellow long course people...what is it that is so reassuring that you are not the only one out there...even if you don't see them until the end...headed up to escarpment because i had such a good time running it last weekend (uh...not) for a 15 minute out and back...the first block my legs were so heavy...like it was hard to pick them up and move them along...but soon i got into a rhythm...and was actually running...ended up coming in faster than i went out...so i only got in 28.45minutes...guess that was a finish strong :)...i felt so much better than last weekend...i felt really defeated after that brick and this one was a confidence booster...

can't even tell you what i did the rest of saturday only that i got the farm share and there was a honeydew and a watermelon in it...i love melon...

sunday...jack's generic tri at the texas ski ranch just about 45 minutes south of austin...i was looking forward to the race...because there was really no pressure to preform i decided that i would work on a few things...one was calming my nerves...and another was getting my transition set up done and then just walking away...i have a tendency to keep going back to check to see if everything is there...i know it is because my bag is empty and i have gone over my transition in my head while mentally picking things up off the mat and "putting" them on...so that is just what i did...finished setting up and pumping my tires...grabbed my bag and pump...dropped the bag at the T3 tent and the pump at the car (i was close) and went down to the water to just sit in one of those chairs and relax...it was easy once you got out of all of the mayhem of other people...one lady was trying to talk to me but i was not really about her nervous energy so i moved and found another spot...went for a pre-race swim...then was ready...

it is always fun to watch the open/pro wave go off...the fastest swimmer (actually david from T3) was out of the water just as the first regular wave was starting...his pace was like 1m per 100m amazing...lots of standing around...but i like watching the waves go and the beach clear out...then it was time for me to get in the water...good thing...i needed to pee :O...then we were off...for the swim i was focusing on my breathing...breathing calmly...trying to find some toes for a little while...and trying to pick up my pace just a little bit...not a lot of contact out there...it seems though i always get a few of the people who just stop and frog kick right when i am getting into a good pace...ah well...rounded the island no problem and was sighting at the swim exit...and just cranked it up a bit...i really wanted not to average 2.22per100...i felt stuck at this time...and was successful...
swim: 500m 10.17minutes 2.03 average (yes!)

out of the water running to transition...heard lots of cheering..always nice...T3 had a lot of volunteers out there...yeah!...had a good pretty quick transition...not eventful
T1: 1.56

and was out on the bike...saw david coming in off the bike...they had just done that chip seal thing out on the access road so only the shoulder was smooth...it was hard to pass folks on the bumpy stuff but i tried really hard...and was mostly successful...wanted to keep a high cadence though out the bike and had a good time out there...seemed to work...chased down a girl in my age group and we played leap frog for a bit...i really wanted to catch her...i did...then she schooled me..argh...well i had thought if i was riding on fresh legs...maybe i could have caught her...anyway...had a good fast ride and was back on the access road on that sweet down hill...cranked in a big gear and sailed in...with a flying dismount...my legs were tired when i dismounted...they just kind of paused in that little squat position after jumping off the pedals...then i was able to move them forward in an awkward jog to t2
bike: 13.8m 41.37minutes 19.9 average :)

another uneventful transition...and was out on the run...
T2: 1.08

i like that there is a little bit of pavement to run on before you get to the run through the parking lot (big rocks) i felt like i got my legs underneath me before i was doing high knees so as not to fall...and i like seeing people coming in as i am heading out...and i knew it was 1.5miles out and back...gave my self a small talking to...as to not push it too hard on the first part so i could finish strong...but wanting to push hard enough that i wasn't holding too much back...locked into a pretty good pace that felt comfortable...hit the first mile marker and saw i had run ~8m...cool...i could totally do that...and i did :) held pace really well...saw a lot of T3 folks...got some nice words from random people...and just brought it home...finished strong and smiling
run: 3miles 24.23m 8.08 average

total time 1.19.24...good enough for 5th in my age group... :) i had a fun time...and felt good after the race...and it was nice to compare how i felt this time (calm and excited) versus the rookie (totally nervous)...and i was able to accomplish my goals...always good...so it was a good finish to a weekend of training...and makes me think that i am going to sign up for the austin tri...i think sprint distance...i think...

Jack's

1.19.24 5th in my age group (of 77) :)

had a great race...more later.

long run...

racing jack's generic tri on sunday so i needed to get my long run in early...there is no way that i would want to do it after having raced...and it being 105 degrees on sunday...so friday...my off day :( was it again...i posted to the board that i was running and there were a bunch of people that turned up to run...a few for the first half and one for the second half! that was great...

met, liz, elizabeth, logan and blythe to run the 7mile loop on the trail with the out and back to barton springs bringing the total to 8miles...picked up val and headed out for a second loop...in the other direction...always fun to mix it up even just a little bit on the trail...was supposed to do the second loop faster than the first...i thought that i wasn't going to be able to but did by some miracle pull it off by a whole three minutes...

felt much better than last weekend's long run...one because there was no riding of the bike before...two because it was not 10am but 6am...three because i was better hydrated....four because i was better fueled as well...seems strange...i had chocolate soy milk on the way there...not oatmeal like i have been...i think the liquid was able to get into my system faster...so that is good...i like being able to make a change and see/feel the difference...

soaked for a few minutes in the pool...that was totally what i was looking forward to while struggling..getting tired...on the back side of the trail coming up to mopac...and it was so worth it...

home to rest...shower...and get ready for indian food with amy, j, and vishal at bombay express...it was a delicious meal...and nice to hang with friends...

don't really know what happened the rest of the day but at some point we had a bit of a fiasco with the sprinkler system...a coupling loosened and water was shooting everywhere...yikes...we had to turn the water off at the street fix what had come undone...and turn the water back on...it was a mess...but i am sure someday we will laugh about it...and as my mom said today...at least we were home and not on vacation or something...yikes...that would have been a huge waste of water...

squashed day

went to morning spin class...worked hard...of course when it is coached by chrissie...how is it that she has been my coach for everything but running this week...hmm...anyway...i had a good workout and enjoyed it too...

home for a bit then off to swim at courtyard...11.30-12.45 swim...did 2900m with lots of stuff going on in the pool...we did these sets like 1x300 2x125 6x50 all at increasing efforts...uhm yeah...my legs were about done after that workout...you should have seen me with the kick board..kind of pathetic...there was just nothing left...

ran a few errands up north and stopped by the whole foods up there on the way home...it is amazing to me how much smaller that store is...funny how perspectives get shifted...home again to do some cleaning...i have been avoiding...and it needed to get done...somehow lately i just can't gather the strength to do the whole house at once...i need to do one room at a time...lame...

read a little then j got home from work early...we were just relaxing and i was reading a magazine on the floor and promptly fell asleep...hmm i guess i was tired...when i got up it was time to go to wink...we had a delicious dinner...if you've never been and you live here GO...they also have a wine bar next door that looks good too...j was jealous of the sliders that kept walking by our table...our meal was awesome...