While I enjoyed briefly chatting with you in the shallow end about how crowded the pool was last night, I would like to point out that a crowded community pool with three people in each lane, almost all of whom were trying to get in a real workout, is not the place to throw on your snorkel, mask, and fins for a leisurely paddle.
Furthermore, when you were choosing a lane to hop in and force into a 3-person circle swim scenario, why would you choose the one with two very focused swimmers doing drills, instead of the one with two older women doggy paddling?
To quote the immortal Stephanie Tanner - HOW RUDE! Next time, I will practice my triathlon start skills and swim right over your slow old ass. Promise.
Hugs and Kisses,
Brenda
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Stowe Race Recap
I'm a little behind on my blogging, but not by much, and I'd be remiss if I didn't post a race recap from Stowe. I ran a 1:03:59, which comes out to about an 8 min/mile average, and I felt strong through pretty much the whole thing.
The odds were stacked against me when I went to bed the night before the race - tired, travel-weary, wasp sting on my arch (note to self: don't walk barefoot in the grass), too much to eat/drink - but I woke up to a perfect race morning. My stomach was OK, I got out of bed without too much complaining, my foot was feeling better, and it was a cool morning. I rolled up to the start thinking "It doesn't get much more perfect than this" and when the race director shouted "GO" through his megaphone, I was ready to attack it.
Now, it's important to also note the course itself at this time. Field start (read: running through grass/dirt for the first little bit), PLENTY of hills (see green elevation line below), and one packed dirt road that felt like it went on forever and made me nervous about rolling an ankle. There was also a headwind for the first couple miles, and by the last two the sun was blazing.
So, all that being said, I ran a great race, and the 8 minute pace average isn't representative of my splits - it's representative of the mile with the steep climb that dragged down my average.
And of course, good race or bad, the weekend itself was wonderful and filled with good friends, good food, good beer, and lots of laughs. So in the end, who cares how I ran?
The odds were stacked against me when I went to bed the night before the race - tired, travel-weary, wasp sting on my arch (note to self: don't walk barefoot in the grass), too much to eat/drink - but I woke up to a perfect race morning. My stomach was OK, I got out of bed without too much complaining, my foot was feeling better, and it was a cool morning. I rolled up to the start thinking "It doesn't get much more perfect than this" and when the race director shouted "GO" through his megaphone, I was ready to attack it.
Now, it's important to also note the course itself at this time. Field start (read: running through grass/dirt for the first little bit), PLENTY of hills (see green elevation line below), and one packed dirt road that felt like it went on forever and made me nervous about rolling an ankle. There was also a headwind for the first couple miles, and by the last two the sun was blazing.
So, all that being said, I ran a great race, and the 8 minute pace average isn't representative of my splits - it's representative of the mile with the steep climb that dragged down my average.
And of course, good race or bad, the weekend itself was wonderful and filled with good friends, good food, good beer, and lots of laughs. So in the end, who cares how I ran?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Just when I thought track was the worst...
Coach Vic, on building bike endurance:
"It is typically easier for new athletes to get their heart rate up during running and more difficult during cycling. You have entered a new world of pain."
"It is typically easier for new athletes to get their heart rate up during running and more difficult during cycling. You have entered a new world of pain."
Friday, July 16, 2010
My training is coming along quite nicely, and things aren't nearly as dire as when I left you last, dear reader.
I'm feeling noticeably stronger in the pool and last weekend Noah and I took a little trip to Walden, where I swam roughly a quarter mile without panicking/hyperventilating/drowning. I kind of dig swimming because it's all flowy and relaxing and stuff, and I can feel small improvements week-over-week, which is nice. And, Noah bought me some sweet pink goggles designed for open water swimming and new gear = newfound interest in training so I can use said gear, so I've been itching to get in the water. The man knows me.
I'm still feeling "meh" about cycling, but I have a thousand excuses for why - none of which are related to my suckitude, of course. So rather than kicking my butt training for the bike portion of the race, I'd rather come to terms with how slow I am and just accept the fact that I might get passed by someone on mountain bike from 1992. It's my first tri and everyone can just deal.
And then there's my beloved, wonderful, fabulous running. Yes, it's been hot-as-all-getup and humid (pronounced YOO-mid) to boot, but I've actually been hitting, if not exceeding, my target paces. I've been going out and excitedly running each and every mile. Wednesday, I was even rewarded for my passion with a big gorgeous rainbow behind the Boston skyline as I ran along the river. Wednesday was a REALLY good run, actually.... Started off with some early 90's Janet Jackson on my iPod, the river wasn't too crowded, then BAM - giant rainbow in between the two Hancock Buildings. I'm not that up on my Bible stories, but I DO know the one about Noah's Ark (and the camp song about it), and I know that God sent the rainbow at the end to tell everyone He'd never flood us all out and try to destroy humanity again. So I'm pretty sure God sent the rainbow on Wednesday to the runners on the river as His way of saying "Sorry I've been making the weather suck for you the worst these last couple weeks."
Last but CERTAINLY not least, I got two new pairs of sneakers, neither model of which I've ever run in before. They're slightly less supportive than what I've been running in and slightly less cushioned, too, but ohmygoodness do they feel good and make me run fast. I picked these bad girls up for speed work and short races. They're light and fast - and NOT suitable for my feet to do long distance in. Then I'll be using these for my long and recovery runs. They feel like heaven, which must be why it's one of the most popular models on the market (according to the nice guy at Greater Boston Running Co.).
And with that, I'm headed up to Stowe Vt. for my third time doing the Stowe 8-Miler. The pace to beat is 8:16, and Vic would like me to run sub-8, so we'll see!
I'm feeling noticeably stronger in the pool and last weekend Noah and I took a little trip to Walden, where I swam roughly a quarter mile without panicking/hyperventilating/drowning. I kind of dig swimming because it's all flowy and relaxing and stuff, and I can feel small improvements week-over-week, which is nice. And, Noah bought me some sweet pink goggles designed for open water swimming and new gear = newfound interest in training so I can use said gear, so I've been itching to get in the water. The man knows me.
I'm still feeling "meh" about cycling, but I have a thousand excuses for why - none of which are related to my suckitude, of course. So rather than kicking my butt training for the bike portion of the race, I'd rather come to terms with how slow I am and just accept the fact that I might get passed by someone on mountain bike from 1992. It's my first tri and everyone can just deal.
And then there's my beloved, wonderful, fabulous running. Yes, it's been hot-as-all-getup and humid (pronounced YOO-mid) to boot, but I've actually been hitting, if not exceeding, my target paces. I've been going out and excitedly running each and every mile. Wednesday, I was even rewarded for my passion with a big gorgeous rainbow behind the Boston skyline as I ran along the river. Wednesday was a REALLY good run, actually.... Started off with some early 90's Janet Jackson on my iPod, the river wasn't too crowded, then BAM - giant rainbow in between the two Hancock Buildings. I'm not that up on my Bible stories, but I DO know the one about Noah's Ark (and the camp song about it), and I know that God sent the rainbow at the end to tell everyone He'd never flood us all out and try to destroy humanity again. So I'm pretty sure God sent the rainbow on Wednesday to the runners on the river as His way of saying "Sorry I've been making the weather suck for you the worst these last couple weeks."
Last but CERTAINLY not least, I got two new pairs of sneakers, neither model of which I've ever run in before. They're slightly less supportive than what I've been running in and slightly less cushioned, too, but ohmygoodness do they feel good and make me run fast. I picked these bad girls up for speed work and short races. They're light and fast - and NOT suitable for my feet to do long distance in. Then I'll be using these for my long and recovery runs. They feel like heaven, which must be why it's one of the most popular models on the market (according to the nice guy at Greater Boston Running Co.).
And with that, I'm headed up to Stowe Vt. for my third time doing the Stowe 8-Miler. The pace to beat is 8:16, and Vic would like me to run sub-8, so we'll see!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Training Bliss
I don't think anyone has ever been as excited to begin training for a marathon on a steamy July night as I was tonight. FINALLY, back in the saddle doing the sport I love. No more muddling through two brand new sports that I suck at while fumbling through made up workouts for the one sport I'm sort of good at.
It was hot, it was humid, I was wearing both a fuel belt AND nothing more than a sports bra and shorts (read: I was doubly self-conscious), and I had the pleasure of running by a bunch of pigheaded movie production crew members not once, but TWICE, each time enduring comments. And I. WORKED. IT.
My cadence was more or less where Vic wanted it to be, my pace was more or less what Vic had planned (even in the oppressive weather), my heart rate was maybe 5-10 beats out of the zone Vic had suggested, and somehow all of this together meant I didn't care how dorky I looked or how sexist the fat guy with the beard was being. I smiled and gave him a his buddies a nod, politely declined his offer of burritos, and decided to appreciate it when he said I was gorgeous. And no, sir, I don't have any hand grenades in my belt, but thanks for asking. Maybe Batman can help you out when he runs by next.
I ended my run and cooled down by walking to the gym, where I resumed the strength training I kind of gave up on doing a week or 2 ago. There, I felt self-conscious and pudgy all over again, but got over it as soon as I heard a girl marveling incredulously to her trainer at the idea of running in this heat/humidity. Then I was able to refocus on my bad-assery and crank out my lift routine.
I'm just hoping tonight is the first of many good workouts on my way to Baystate. I want to enjoy this training season and enjoy my race even more.
It was hot, it was humid, I was wearing both a fuel belt AND nothing more than a sports bra and shorts (read: I was doubly self-conscious), and I had the pleasure of running by a bunch of pigheaded movie production crew members not once, but TWICE, each time enduring comments. And I. WORKED. IT.
My cadence was more or less where Vic wanted it to be, my pace was more or less what Vic had planned (even in the oppressive weather), my heart rate was maybe 5-10 beats out of the zone Vic had suggested, and somehow all of this together meant I didn't care how dorky I looked or how sexist the fat guy with the beard was being. I smiled and gave him a his buddies a nod, politely declined his offer of burritos, and decided to appreciate it when he said I was gorgeous. And no, sir, I don't have any hand grenades in my belt, but thanks for asking. Maybe Batman can help you out when he runs by next.
I ended my run and cooled down by walking to the gym, where I resumed the strength training I kind of gave up on doing a week or 2 ago. There, I felt self-conscious and pudgy all over again, but got over it as soon as I heard a girl marveling incredulously to her trainer at the idea of running in this heat/humidity. Then I was able to refocus on my bad-assery and crank out my lift routine.
I'm just hoping tonight is the first of many good workouts on my way to Baystate. I want to enjoy this training season and enjoy my race even more.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Bring It
Marathon training starts tomorrow! As much as I'm not looking forward to long runs in the heat, I'm giddy at the idea of finally having some structure to my training. Here's hoping it gets me out of the funk I've been in!
And of course, knowing what's in store for me over the next 12 weeks, I ended my short little "off season" with a bang - lots of bangs in the sky, that is! It was a fun weekend of eating, drinking, boating, and watching fireworks. It's my favorite weekend each year, and it did NOT disappoint.
And now, bring on Baystate training!
And of course, knowing what's in store for me over the next 12 weeks, I ended my short little "off season" with a bang - lots of bangs in the sky, that is! It was a fun weekend of eating, drinking, boating, and watching fireworks. It's my favorite weekend each year, and it did NOT disappoint.
And now, bring on Baystate training!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Gotta Blame It On Somethin'...
Michael Jackson once advised to blame it on the boogie. Milli Vanilli said to blame it on the rain. Jamie Foxx blames it on the a-a-a-a-a-al-co-hol. Me? I blame the humidity and heat for my poor athletic performance this summer.
Last night after work, feeling tired and having not bothered to eat anything before I left the house, I threw on the sneaks for a 7-miler. A mile in I felt wonderful. Two miles - ditto. By my turnaround point I was shocked at how fresh my legs felt. When I finished and entered Crossroads, my friend Marcy immediately said "You look like you just had a good run." Mary Ann agreed. They were right.
I haven't changed my diet, my sleep, my workout routine, or even my sneakers. The only things that changed between this Thursday's good run and last Thursday's notsogood run were the temperature and dewpoint. It almost felt like early Fall outside. It's amazing what people are capable of physically when they can breathe and aren't overheating.
I also got my marathon training plan today from Vic, and it officially starts on Tuesday. VERY VERY VERY excited. I'm hoping that focusing on and nailing my marathon workouts will make me feel better about not doing so well at my bike and swim workouts. One out of three ain't bad, right? And I'm considering changing my triathlon goal from "finish feeling strong" to "just freaking finish." Lofty goals, I tell you. And if I bonk along the way, I can always blame it on somethin'...
Last night after work, feeling tired and having not bothered to eat anything before I left the house, I threw on the sneaks for a 7-miler. A mile in I felt wonderful. Two miles - ditto. By my turnaround point I was shocked at how fresh my legs felt. When I finished and entered Crossroads, my friend Marcy immediately said "You look like you just had a good run." Mary Ann agreed. They were right.
I haven't changed my diet, my sleep, my workout routine, or even my sneakers. The only things that changed between this Thursday's good run and last Thursday's notsogood run were the temperature and dewpoint. It almost felt like early Fall outside. It's amazing what people are capable of physically when they can breathe and aren't overheating.
I also got my marathon training plan today from Vic, and it officially starts on Tuesday. VERY VERY VERY excited. I'm hoping that focusing on and nailing my marathon workouts will make me feel better about not doing so well at my bike and swim workouts. One out of three ain't bad, right? And I'm considering changing my triathlon goal from "finish feeling strong" to "just freaking finish." Lofty goals, I tell you. And if I bonk along the way, I can always blame it on somethin'...
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