Monday, April 25, 2011
Last Place=1st Place
Well, not usually but somehow in my case it does. Yep, that's right, I managed to survive my hellish ordeal with the 5K run/8 mile bike, while coming in dead last...and still earned a GOLD medal for 1st place in my age division. How awesome is that?! For now we'll pretend that there were more people than just me in that division ;)
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Last place, not exactly what I had in mind...
Let me start by warning all MEN to turn back now. This post will definitely be TMI for you!
So yes, I attempted my 5K run/8 mile bike race today and I, not so proudly, got last place. I guess someone had to, but I had always thought I was more of a middle-end of the pack type of gal...guess I was wrong. I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that I am not the athlete that I thought I was. I'm just not sure how all of this has happened. I don't know if I'm not training as much as I should be or if it has more to do with me properly fueling my body. Trust me, I'm not starving myself!
Here's a breakdown of how the race went today: AGAIN, MEN TURN BACK NOW AND SAVE YOURSELVES!!
I had decided to just ride my bike to the race since it was just downtown and not far from my house. I didn't want to have to load it in the van, drive it there, and then have to unload it. This might have been a mistake or it might have helped, as it was a least a little practice on the bike prior to the race. I arrived only to realize that I had left my registration form and check at home. FANTASTIC! What a great start! Luckily they allowed me to race and bring the check afterward. So I headed over to the rack and, again not so proudly, placed my rusted mountain bike (NOT A FANCY RACE BIKE) among all the fancy race bike. There were, thank goodness, about 2 other mountain bikes there so this helped the ego a bit. Then I stood around waiting for the start while watching all the pros practice their transitions in their heads. They would stand at their bike, gears in their minds turning, making sure that everything was just right for the fastest transition from running to biking. I'm not so worried about my transitions, as the transition won't be what causes me to lose a race at this point...its more of the actual race that does it for me.
So finally the race began and my goal was only to finish. We started with a 5K run (3.1 miles) before transitioning to the 8 mile bike. I, once again, got caught up with everyone at the start of the race and took off a little too fast...I quickly realized and slowed to the pace I wanted. Then came the hill, but I survived. At mile 1 I was surely huffing and puffing but kept pushing on. All in all it was alright but not great. Next came the biking portion... (and let me just add that by the time I reached the bike rack mine was only 1 of 3 bikes left)
Like I mentioned earlier I'm not too concerned with my transitions. It won't be the transition that keeps me from winning a race, at this point anyway. I grabbed my bike, strapped on my helmet and hit the road pedaling. I made it down the big hill and started up the HUGE hill when...GUYS TURN BACK NOW-LAST WARNING...I realized I was facing every teenage girl and woman's worst nightmare...I had "sprung a leak" (and I don't mean potty). Sheer panic set in and I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I was less than 1 mile into my 8 mile ride. I didn't know whether I was going to have to quit or even what my other options were. Thankfully I work next to the hospital (right on said HUGE hill) and have gone to the cafeteria for lunch several times. I knew there had to be a bathroom close...
So I veered of course, noticing that the next to last biker was right behind me, and headed straight for the bathroom. Like all other bathrooms there were no FREE "supplies" so my only option was a wad of paper towels. Yep, you read that right! So I ran back out of the hospital, jumped on my bike - which was less than comfortable given my situation, only to be steps ahead of the last place biker and the follow car...CRAP! This was not exactly what I had planned.
I pedaled on and realized that things were bad. I was still highly worried about my "situation", very uncomfortable, totally spent on energy and still have 7 miles to go. I wanted to quit so bad but didn't want to be a quitter. So stupid me, I just sucked it up and kept going...not knowing what the next 7 miles would hold.
I made it to mile 3 of the bike portion before the last place guy passed me. Then after a hill I had caught him and quickly realized that we were "racing" for last place. Well, I held him off for just a bit and then he past me for the last time. The moment I realized I had no energy to catch him was a bad moment. Although I knew I wasn't going to win this race I really didn't figure I would be last. But I was. Now it was all about just finishing and taking care of my situation. One of the biggest things on my mind was wondering exactly what the severity of my situation would be once I finally reached the finish line...
Well, last place was all wrapped up by yours truly and then I headed straight for a friend to ask for help. She quickly directed me to the bathroom where she knew there were "supplies". Thank goodness! My situation was taken care of for the time being. Now I only had to ride back home, not the highlight of my day with my already sore butt, tired legs, and dehydrated everything else. I reached the front door, explained the horrid ordeal to mom and hunted for the check...no check to be found. Great, I must have lost it on the way to the race. Wonderful! Now a $30 race would cost me $60 because some cricker will have found my check and gone ahead and cashed it. Awesome!
Mom and I decided lunch was a good idea and would take the kids out somewhere...on the way we would stop by the race area and drop off my payment. We took the same route I rode just in case the check had fallen out of my pocket...I was doubtful. I'll be darned, there it was. Right on a hill that I had skipped (by taking another route home b/c I was so tired and didn't want to ride the hill again). Mom jumped out, grabbed it and we delivered it.
On top of all of that I had to hit the pool later in the afternoon to practice my swimming skills. This Triathlon next weekend is gonna be rough. After the struggle of running and biking during the race and now realizing just how spent I will be after the swim portion (the first portion of the triathlon) my goal will be to finish and I pray for anything other than last place again. I'm a good sport but last place is hard to take...my ego is severely damaged. Might I also take a quick moment to add that the guy who beat me was probably 25 years older than me, a little thick around the middle and on a bike that appeared to be too small for him. But really, what can I say, he did better than I did. Kudos to you, big guy on a little bike!
Disclaimer: I'm tired and don't feel like proofing this right now. If there are typos I am sorry. I hate typos but right now just don't care.
So yes, I attempted my 5K run/8 mile bike race today and I, not so proudly, got last place. I guess someone had to, but I had always thought I was more of a middle-end of the pack type of gal...guess I was wrong. I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that I am not the athlete that I thought I was. I'm just not sure how all of this has happened. I don't know if I'm not training as much as I should be or if it has more to do with me properly fueling my body. Trust me, I'm not starving myself!
Here's a breakdown of how the race went today: AGAIN, MEN TURN BACK NOW AND SAVE YOURSELVES!!
I had decided to just ride my bike to the race since it was just downtown and not far from my house. I didn't want to have to load it in the van, drive it there, and then have to unload it. This might have been a mistake or it might have helped, as it was a least a little practice on the bike prior to the race. I arrived only to realize that I had left my registration form and check at home. FANTASTIC! What a great start! Luckily they allowed me to race and bring the check afterward. So I headed over to the rack and, again not so proudly, placed my rusted mountain bike (NOT A FANCY RACE BIKE) among all the fancy race bike. There were, thank goodness, about 2 other mountain bikes there so this helped the ego a bit. Then I stood around waiting for the start while watching all the pros practice their transitions in their heads. They would stand at their bike, gears in their minds turning, making sure that everything was just right for the fastest transition from running to biking. I'm not so worried about my transitions, as the transition won't be what causes me to lose a race at this point...its more of the actual race that does it for me.
So finally the race began and my goal was only to finish. We started with a 5K run (3.1 miles) before transitioning to the 8 mile bike. I, once again, got caught up with everyone at the start of the race and took off a little too fast...I quickly realized and slowed to the pace I wanted. Then came the hill, but I survived. At mile 1 I was surely huffing and puffing but kept pushing on. All in all it was alright but not great. Next came the biking portion... (and let me just add that by the time I reached the bike rack mine was only 1 of 3 bikes left)
Like I mentioned earlier I'm not too concerned with my transitions. It won't be the transition that keeps me from winning a race, at this point anyway. I grabbed my bike, strapped on my helmet and hit the road pedaling. I made it down the big hill and started up the HUGE hill when...GUYS TURN BACK NOW-LAST WARNING...I realized I was facing every teenage girl and woman's worst nightmare...I had "sprung a leak" (and I don't mean potty). Sheer panic set in and I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I was less than 1 mile into my 8 mile ride. I didn't know whether I was going to have to quit or even what my other options were. Thankfully I work next to the hospital (right on said HUGE hill) and have gone to the cafeteria for lunch several times. I knew there had to be a bathroom close...
So I veered of course, noticing that the next to last biker was right behind me, and headed straight for the bathroom. Like all other bathrooms there were no FREE "supplies" so my only option was a wad of paper towels. Yep, you read that right! So I ran back out of the hospital, jumped on my bike - which was less than comfortable given my situation, only to be steps ahead of the last place biker and the follow car...CRAP! This was not exactly what I had planned.
I pedaled on and realized that things were bad. I was still highly worried about my "situation", very uncomfortable, totally spent on energy and still have 7 miles to go. I wanted to quit so bad but didn't want to be a quitter. So stupid me, I just sucked it up and kept going...not knowing what the next 7 miles would hold.
I made it to mile 3 of the bike portion before the last place guy passed me. Then after a hill I had caught him and quickly realized that we were "racing" for last place. Well, I held him off for just a bit and then he past me for the last time. The moment I realized I had no energy to catch him was a bad moment. Although I knew I wasn't going to win this race I really didn't figure I would be last. But I was. Now it was all about just finishing and taking care of my situation. One of the biggest things on my mind was wondering exactly what the severity of my situation would be once I finally reached the finish line...
Well, last place was all wrapped up by yours truly and then I headed straight for a friend to ask for help. She quickly directed me to the bathroom where she knew there were "supplies". Thank goodness! My situation was taken care of for the time being. Now I only had to ride back home, not the highlight of my day with my already sore butt, tired legs, and dehydrated everything else. I reached the front door, explained the horrid ordeal to mom and hunted for the check...no check to be found. Great, I must have lost it on the way to the race. Wonderful! Now a $30 race would cost me $60 because some cricker will have found my check and gone ahead and cashed it. Awesome!
Mom and I decided lunch was a good idea and would take the kids out somewhere...on the way we would stop by the race area and drop off my payment. We took the same route I rode just in case the check had fallen out of my pocket...I was doubtful. I'll be darned, there it was. Right on a hill that I had skipped (by taking another route home b/c I was so tired and didn't want to ride the hill again). Mom jumped out, grabbed it and we delivered it.
On top of all of that I had to hit the pool later in the afternoon to practice my swimming skills. This Triathlon next weekend is gonna be rough. After the struggle of running and biking during the race and now realizing just how spent I will be after the swim portion (the first portion of the triathlon) my goal will be to finish and I pray for anything other than last place again. I'm a good sport but last place is hard to take...my ego is severely damaged. Might I also take a quick moment to add that the guy who beat me was probably 25 years older than me, a little thick around the middle and on a bike that appeared to be too small for him. But really, what can I say, he did better than I did. Kudos to you, big guy on a little bike!
Disclaimer: I'm tired and don't feel like proofing this right now. If there are typos I am sorry. I hate typos but right now just don't care.
Monday, April 18, 2011
I've been a little less motivated
It has been 8 days since my horrendous half marathon in STL and I have yet to even jog a mile. I just don't feel like it. I don't know if I'm afraid of how badly it might suck or if I was just burnt out and need a break.
Today I hit the gym for some weights. It had been quite a while since I had just picked up some weight and got to it. It was a nice change. I am definitely burnt out on workout dvds too. Not that they're bad, I just need to mix it up a little more.
So the gym was great, except:
~I forgot my printed out workout sheet
~I forgot my iPod
~Creepster was there grunting, groaning and sounding inappropriate while he tried to lift too much weight
~I was forced to listen to Creepster because I had forgotten my iPod
But I survived.
I managed to remember all the different lifts that I was supposed to do and I left feeling accomplished and ever so slightly sore. I expect to be quite sore tomorrow...but that is good. I need firm up and weights are the way to do it.
I'm back to really trying to eat healthy and in moderation. The moderation part is what gets me. If it tastes good I want a lot of it. And CHOCOLATE! I can't get enough. I can only imagine what a chocoholic I will be when I get older...my grandma likes the sweets too!
So really, that's about it. New game plan...I like to switch it up...I get bored faster than a 2 year old watching the 60 Minutes.
Today I hit the gym for some weights. It had been quite a while since I had just picked up some weight and got to it. It was a nice change. I am definitely burnt out on workout dvds too. Not that they're bad, I just need to mix it up a little more.
So the gym was great, except:
~I forgot my printed out workout sheet
~I forgot my iPod
~Creepster was there grunting, groaning and sounding inappropriate while he tried to lift too much weight
~I was forced to listen to Creepster because I had forgotten my iPod
But I survived.
I managed to remember all the different lifts that I was supposed to do and I left feeling accomplished and ever so slightly sore. I expect to be quite sore tomorrow...but that is good. I need firm up and weights are the way to do it.
I'm back to really trying to eat healthy and in moderation. The moderation part is what gets me. If it tastes good I want a lot of it. And CHOCOLATE! I can't get enough. I can only imagine what a chocoholic I will be when I get older...my grandma likes the sweets too!
So really, that's about it. New game plan...I like to switch it up...I get bored faster than a 2 year old watching the 60 Minutes.
I am a VAGINA WARRIOR
I am a proud Vagina Warrior. Here's my shirt to prove it!
I had known that a student group at work was holding a reading of The Vagina Monologues but it wasn't until I received an email about these awesome "Vagina Warrior" t-shirts that I really started to look into what it was all about.
www.vday.org And don't you love their logo ({}), yep, that's what it looks like.
I snooped around the website myself and am now a proud sporter of my new tshirt. Craig got one too...they were only $5. Now, considering that fact that those words are the only words on the shirt, no website, no info, no nothing, only the words VAGINA WARRIOR across the chest in bold red letters pose a challenge. I think I can pull it off without looking like a perv but I'm not sure about Craig. This will be a challenge for him. Even if he just wears it around the house it was worth the $5 for a good cause. Please visit their website and learn more about the movement to stop violence against women and girls. Just to save you some time here is their mission:
V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.
V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.
V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.
V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.
V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.
V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.
V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.
V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Join us!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Finished...
And "finished" is about all I can say for my half marathon today. I didn't beat my old time, heck, I didn't even match my old time...I was 12 minutes slower. Here are just a few of the things I blame on my poor performance today (and by poor I simply mean that it sucked and I did not meet my own expectations for myself)
I thought I had that out of my system, all while realizing that I still had A LOT of mileage ahead of me. Then came the hills! These were long, everlasting hills. I said "to hell with it" and started walking again. By this time I had no idea what was going on or how I would even finish the race. I was thrown completely off my game. I walked for quite a while...then noticed that other runners where being carried off the road on stretchers. This made me realize that I wasn't the only one sucking today. I decided I would just walk all I wanted and if Craiger caught me we'd just finish together...I was hoping this would happen. When things get tough it is always nice to see a familiar face, especially when it is the one you love! Craiger was nowhere to be found though so I just kept pushing on and hoping he hadn't been carted off on a stretcher.
Yep, that was pretty much the entire race. There was no turning point when things got better...it all sucked equally. I was tired, exhausted, hot and my whole body hurt. I was just glad that eventually, somehow I would cross the finish line and be able to sit down. I really can't say there was one nice/good part of today's race. I read on a running t-shirt "Embrace the Suck." It means to push through the suckiness because every run has a sucky part, and know that it will get better. I tried so hard today to "Embrace the Suck" but all I could do was think about how much it sucked and was not getting better. Today's race really made me reconsider half marathons...and of course my wild idea of completing a full marathon this year. Now that I've had some time to re-cooperate I have to say that I'm intrigued to run another half and see if I can make it better than this one...if for some reason it is just as bad or worse I'm positive I'll be hanging up the sneakers.
By the way, my first half marathon time was 2:08. My goal for today was 2:00 or under. My time for today was 2:20.
Here's what I'm thankful for:
- It was hot
- I started off too fast
- There were a lot of long hills
- There were A LOT of people
- I crapped out too early
- I lost my head and fell apart mentally
- I did not properly fuel myself
- I did not properly train...apparently!
I thought I had that out of my system, all while realizing that I still had A LOT of mileage ahead of me. Then came the hills! These were long, everlasting hills. I said "to hell with it" and started walking again. By this time I had no idea what was going on or how I would even finish the race. I was thrown completely off my game. I walked for quite a while...then noticed that other runners where being carried off the road on stretchers. This made me realize that I wasn't the only one sucking today. I decided I would just walk all I wanted and if Craiger caught me we'd just finish together...I was hoping this would happen. When things get tough it is always nice to see a familiar face, especially when it is the one you love! Craiger was nowhere to be found though so I just kept pushing on and hoping he hadn't been carted off on a stretcher.
Yep, that was pretty much the entire race. There was no turning point when things got better...it all sucked equally. I was tired, exhausted, hot and my whole body hurt. I was just glad that eventually, somehow I would cross the finish line and be able to sit down. I really can't say there was one nice/good part of today's race. I read on a running t-shirt "Embrace the Suck." It means to push through the suckiness because every run has a sucky part, and know that it will get better. I tried so hard today to "Embrace the Suck" but all I could do was think about how much it sucked and was not getting better. Today's race really made me reconsider half marathons...and of course my wild idea of completing a full marathon this year. Now that I've had some time to re-cooperate I have to say that I'm intrigued to run another half and see if I can make it better than this one...if for some reason it is just as bad or worse I'm positive I'll be hanging up the sneakers.
By the way, my first half marathon time was 2:08. My goal for today was 2:00 or under. My time for today was 2:20.
Here's what I'm thankful for:
- I finished
- I was not carried off on a stretcher
- I was not given IV fluids while crashing in the grass
- I did not BONK and was able to run myself across the finish line without assistance
- I did not puke in a bag in the crowd of runners in the finishing areas for all to see
- My hubby was just as fortunate as me with all of the above
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
T-4 days
Yep, that's right...only 4 more days til our half marathon. Are we ready? I hope so!
I had been training pretty well up until last week. Thursday I started getting a sore throat and Friday I felt like full-blown crap. I couldn't decide if I was getting the flu or strep throat. My throat was killing me, I was tired and achy all weekend. I got no training in. Luckily Tuesday I woke up and was over it all...
I went for what I thought would be a nice short 3.5 mile run just to "keep at it." The whole time I just kept thinking, "man, this is tough." I kept pushing until the finish. My muscles felt good but my lungs were hurting. Come to find out I had run my fastest pace yet...8:44/mile! That's why it felt so rough...I was pushing it without even knowing it. That's a great feeling. I've sped up my natural pace without even realizing it. Needless to say, that was only 3.5 miles and I won't be keeping that pace for my 13.1 this Sunday.
So I figured I would run just one more time this week, just to keep up a little maintenance. Well, today my knee has a "twinge" to it. It hurts on the outside of my knee. It isn't an ache, dull, sharp or stabbing pain...it's just an annoyance that makes me worry. I've popped some ibuprofen and will be icing it tonight. I just hope its a fluke and will go away by Sunday. I'm really kinda hoping that everything falls in place like it should.
The hubs is good to go and ready for the race!
And, I must add, the forecast is calling for 82 degrees and a 40% chance of thunderstorms...keep in mind, I've been training in 40-60 degree weather. The heat and humidity will not be fun!
I had been training pretty well up until last week. Thursday I started getting a sore throat and Friday I felt like full-blown crap. I couldn't decide if I was getting the flu or strep throat. My throat was killing me, I was tired and achy all weekend. I got no training in. Luckily Tuesday I woke up and was over it all...
I went for what I thought would be a nice short 3.5 mile run just to "keep at it." The whole time I just kept thinking, "man, this is tough." I kept pushing until the finish. My muscles felt good but my lungs were hurting. Come to find out I had run my fastest pace yet...8:44/mile! That's why it felt so rough...I was pushing it without even knowing it. That's a great feeling. I've sped up my natural pace without even realizing it. Needless to say, that was only 3.5 miles and I won't be keeping that pace for my 13.1 this Sunday.
So I figured I would run just one more time this week, just to keep up a little maintenance. Well, today my knee has a "twinge" to it. It hurts on the outside of my knee. It isn't an ache, dull, sharp or stabbing pain...it's just an annoyance that makes me worry. I've popped some ibuprofen and will be icing it tonight. I just hope its a fluke and will go away by Sunday. I'm really kinda hoping that everything falls in place like it should.
The hubs is good to go and ready for the race!
And, I must add, the forecast is calling for 82 degrees and a 40% chance of thunderstorms...keep in mind, I've been training in 40-60 degree weather. The heat and humidity will not be fun!
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