Um, wow, what have I been up to…
Dave arrived home Monday afternoon from his 100 mile mountain biking adventure, tired and grouchy so I’ve been making myself scarce around the house. I figured he was better healing and recovering in peace, I know that is my preference.
Monday – TRX / Dog Walk 2.4
Working from home in the morning until I absolutely had to go into the office for a web based meeting. With my luck the internet would crap out mid meeting and well that would just be, well bad. Besides Dave would most likely arrive the moment I had to speak on the call and the background noise of barking would be, well bad.
When I got home I surveyed the piles of dirty biking clothes, filthy bike, tent, quilts, and air mattress. Wonder who is going to put all that stuff away? It’s like that episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where Deborah tripped over the suit case Ray left on the landing on the stair case. And Dave all curled up on the couch grumbling. Oh lovely…
Tuesday – Battle of Stonington 5K / Dog Walk 1.8 / Walk with the Usual Suspects 2.9
Race day! After work races aren’t really a favorite, I’ve run this one the last three years, and the weather looked to be perfect, low humidity and temps with a water breeze.
I was tired all day, back to being away from 3 – 5 a.m. yippee…
Ran into Gazelle pinning on his number and he pretended to ignore me. Yeah, I so totally didn’t see him and the other WTAC guys on their bikes or hear my name being shouted on Sunday. I was off in my own little world, hopefully not singing out loud to the song playing. No one needs to hear that.
Jennifer appeared out of nowhere and we went to pick up bibs and shirts and just like that she disappeared and then reappeared after my warm up run to and from the car. There were 4 other Red Felters there, we lined up in the back, well I stopped to say HI to Buzz Light Year and his wife, and his wife chuckled with the shout out of “Hey Buzz” and Buzz muttered something under his breath. He totes looks like Buzz Light Year. So I lost the gals, again.
Now was time to figure out how I wanted this race to play out. My past results had been in the 29 minute range so that seemed kind of a gimme. Goals: A: Sub 29 B: Sub 30 C: don’t die. I hemmed and hawed about music or not and decided on just replaying Eminem’s Till I Collapse, that would keep me around a 9:30 pace. I stuck to that until the point Jennifer caught up with me and I didn't click the song back, then she stopped and then I remembered my strategy. And rewound (is that even a thing anymore with digital music) back to that song and picked up the pace a bit. I also remembered to pick a target person to chase. Ka (finish time: 28:40) was this target, she keeps a very steady pace and I just kept her in my sights. I lost a little bit of time towards the end when she took off and my legs weren't having much of that.
Happily finishing a 29:08 on the Garmin and 29:11 per SNERO (9:25 pace). Results here. I’ll take it. Wonder if I lost 11 seconds hamming it up for Lisa and Ro’s cameras? Possibly. Possibly not. Sometimes just seeing a friendly face, hearing a cheer, or a car horn beep helps boost the energy, agree?
Had a quick beer and a nice chat with Lisa and then Gazelle and scampered home to the grouch and quick zipped off to give Gizzy his walk. I never did manage to find time to shower before bed. Ick…
Wednesday – Bike 26 / Dog Walk 2.6
Jennifer and I were going to meet up and run the Tom McCoy 5K course and then the mile and those plans fell through. She let me know just as I was taking the first bite of my lunch so there would be no midday run – I learned that lesson once. Left work a little early and got out on the bike. I raised the seat up just a bit maybe ¼ of an inch and felt a difference. When I got back from my rounds my knees didn't ache like they had been, so I’m calling it good. I did some flats and some minor hills, all in all a nice night for a ride. Now if I could just remember what I did with my damn sunglasses. I took them off shoved them in a helmet vent and usually I put them in my purse or the mail basket – they weren't in either place. I liked those glasses too. Had to dig through the glove box to find a pair for this a.m., nice either the bedazzled ones or the 1970s cover up my face huge ones, ugh…
Long ago Gizmo found $5 on one of our walks. Mid spring I took him to Dairy Queen to have some vanilla ice cream with his loot. He had enough change for another trip so we went last night – yeah full on avoidance of being home. Seriously if Dave would have listened to some of my advice he would be feeling a heck of a lot better, but no… what do I know about endurance anything… sheesh...
Gizzy was a bit hit at the DQ, lots of questions on his age and if he was getting his own ice cream and would he eat it all at once. Well he is old, and we share a small vanilla and if he ate it all at once he might get a brain freeze and that might be a bad thing. He was nearly perfectly behaved. Didn't try and lick the ice cream cones in the little kids hands, let everyone pet him, and cleaned up some errant peanuts on the floor. It was hard to get him to focus, he is nearly deaf and has a mind of his own, and can be damn near immovable if he wants to be. He had most of the ice cream and some water and was happy to trot back home. He was quite pleased with this walk.
I do watch as he has some problems with his hips and his legs aren't getting the right signals and he does some funny steps. We are sure the walks continue to be good for him keeping up his strength and giving him his much desired special attention, yeah and a treat every great once in a while.
Thursday – Run 4.1 / Dog Walk 1.8
Dave woke up in a much more pleasant mood, I may go home on time tonight!
Holy humidity, at least the temperature was just in the 70s with an ice breeze on the run out (the run back it was at my back). Put on my new Kayano 20s. I do love that shoe. The experiment with the Nimbus is going well, I like them. When I put on my favorites (well the next model up) my feet sang, it was weird; probably mental. The run was tough, felt like I was hauling a sled with a good deal of weight in it. My feet were happy in their favorite shoes. It will be interesting to run in them for a week and see how I feel in the Nimbus. There is another experiment waiting in a shoe box, I don’t think I need three shoes in rotation but I just might try it and see how I like the GT1000s.
Friday – Not sure / dog walk
My Friday night knitting group is having a pop up fiber fest! I’m so happy to be able to see these gals and knit with them again, it has been since April!! I’m pretty sure, April. I did see a few at the Tuesday night fun runs and we talked running / walking / knitting.
Saturday – Not sure – maybe just an easy run, not sure what I should or shouldn't do pre bike race. Probably biking isn't a good idea.
Sunday – Bike as part of a ½ Ironman relay team
I’m not really sure how to prep or taper or what for this bike race, or really a ride where I push myself to go faster. It will be so fun to experience a tri from the inside. I've marshaled at 3 but that doesn't really give much of a perspective.
I’m also not sure if I should bike to the race or drive, it is less than 5 miles from the house… I’ll probably drive. My quandary is because Vinnie has decided he won’t let his trunk be open from the outside so I have to use the emergency release lever on the inside. I need to get a piece of string to tie to it so I don’t have to crawl into the trunk, that will be difficult with the bike in there (been there done that, already know how much it sucks). I’ll take him to the shop to see about this issue, I've tried the remedies I've found on line and nothing. Grrrrr… thinking SUV for my next vehicle, just not sure what either Ford, Volkswagen, or BMW. I do miss my Explorer that was a handy vehicle for sure.
Sincerely,
Beth, being summoned for a walk.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Weekly Recap - 8/11 - 8/17
Monday – Run 5 / Bike 5 / Walk 1
I don’t usually have the opportunity to run on Monday, this Monday was different. I was able to run and it was awesome! Well other than being snubbed by Mike B. It was hot and dry, so much better than hot and humid. Soon the running weather I love best will be here, patience, patience, patience. This run felt good, finally. I think the PMC took a bit more out of me than I had expected.
TRX was cancelled, I took the opportunity to go to the grocery store and when I got home discovered Dave was out and about and I had about 30 minutes to burn. Took a quick bike ride and made it home with time to cook some dinner, ok boil water for the corn I picked up at the grocery store. Still it required turning on the burner!
Tuesday – Walk 4/Run 2 /Rock climb
Tuesday was a team building day at the Sports Center in Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.
I walked from GCT to Chelsea Piers, always love a nice 5K walk in the city. Couple miles on an indoor climate controlled track at the Sports Center. OMG that was absolute bliss!!
Team building was good fun, not the most athletic of groups and I was so surprised by everyone getting involved and participating! I do work with a great group of people. The highlight of the day, for me, was rock climbing. Oh yeah, and actually catching a football!
Wednesday - Run 6.2
Ran a 5k for lunch and then after work. Surprisingly consistent on my pacing. I was a little beat from a long day on Tuesday and yet pretty charged up as it was a very successful and fun day. Nice to run with Jennifer and keep each other motivated and honest.
Thursday – Run 3.1 / Walk 2.7
Perfect running weather today and I couldn't pass it up!! Totally left my space watch at my desk, turned on Strava and never turned on the GPS, oh well nice to be gadget-less for a 5K.
Gizzy has been neglected lately, so we had a nice long walk in the cool evening air.
Friday – 5K walk
Took full advantage of a compressed work week and working from home. I'll pay for this on Monday, when I am in catch up mode. HOWEVER, a morning of eMail serenaded by the whirring and carving of the CNC machine in the basement was followed by lunch with the girls then a pedi afterwards. Delightful. Took a nice long nap when I got home. Long dog walk with the Giz rounded out my rest day nicely.
Saturday – Bike 26 (probably a dog walk)
I wanted one last climb up Pendleton Hill on the Rhode Warrior course. For some reason this particular climb has been weighing heavy on my mind. So that was what I set out to do, climb it and put that angst behind me. Done and dusted and feeling more positive about that section of the course.
Dave is off to ride the Hampshire 100, packing put the dogs in an absolute tizzy, Jax looks on the verge of tears, Giz ralphed, Gus can't get out of his own way. Should be a fun couple of days for me. I think he will do fine. He figures he was sore for a week after the 74 mile ride and well another 26 he will be more sore, so he grabbed some Vitamin I. Knocked me on my back foot, he rarely touches the stuff. Better to be prepared, right? Can't wait to hear about his adventure. I think I'm more excited about it than he is!!!
Sunday – Run 10K (maybe an easy bike later in the day)
Blah run, I thought about 10, and then decided on 10K. Thankful for the portapotties in the park for the Shakespeare play.
I need to raise the seat on my bike and clean the chain. I think my knee issue is a combo of repetition and seat height. They felt fine on the run, a little pain on the inside of the left knee, I really need to follow Mike B's advice and tape it. I listen, I don't always act.
Sincerely,
Beth, who's knees are a little less angry with her, and feeling ho hum... (which is about right 2 weeks post PMC)
posted: 8/14
updated: 8/16 & 8/17
I don’t usually have the opportunity to run on Monday, this Monday was different. I was able to run and it was awesome! Well other than being snubbed by Mike B. It was hot and dry, so much better than hot and humid. Soon the running weather I love best will be here, patience, patience, patience. This run felt good, finally. I think the PMC took a bit more out of me than I had expected.
TRX was cancelled, I took the opportunity to go to the grocery store and when I got home discovered Dave was out and about and I had about 30 minutes to burn. Took a quick bike ride and made it home with time to cook some dinner, ok boil water for the corn I picked up at the grocery store. Still it required turning on the burner!
Tuesday – Walk 4/Run 2 /Rock climb
Tuesday was a team building day at the Sports Center in Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.
I walked from GCT to Chelsea Piers, always love a nice 5K walk in the city. Couple miles on an indoor climate controlled track at the Sports Center. OMG that was absolute bliss!!
Team building was good fun, not the most athletic of groups and I was so surprised by everyone getting involved and participating! I do work with a great group of people. The highlight of the day, for me, was rock climbing. Oh yeah, and actually catching a football!
Wednesday - Run 6.2
Ran a 5k for lunch and then after work. Surprisingly consistent on my pacing. I was a little beat from a long day on Tuesday and yet pretty charged up as it was a very successful and fun day. Nice to run with Jennifer and keep each other motivated and honest.
Thursday – Run 3.1 / Walk 2.7
Perfect running weather today and I couldn't pass it up!! Totally left my space watch at my desk, turned on Strava and never turned on the GPS, oh well nice to be gadget-less for a 5K.
Gizzy has been neglected lately, so we had a nice long walk in the cool evening air.
Friday – 5K walk
Took full advantage of a compressed work week and working from home. I'll pay for this on Monday, when I am in catch up mode. HOWEVER, a morning of eMail serenaded by the whirring and carving of the CNC machine in the basement was followed by lunch with the girls then a pedi afterwards. Delightful. Took a nice long nap when I got home. Long dog walk with the Giz rounded out my rest day nicely.
Saturday – Bike 26 (probably a dog walk)
I wanted one last climb up Pendleton Hill on the Rhode Warrior course. For some reason this particular climb has been weighing heavy on my mind. So that was what I set out to do, climb it and put that angst behind me. Done and dusted and feeling more positive about that section of the course.
Dave is off to ride the Hampshire 100, packing put the dogs in an absolute tizzy, Jax looks on the verge of tears, Giz ralphed, Gus can't get out of his own way. Should be a fun couple of days for me. I think he will do fine. He figures he was sore for a week after the 74 mile ride and well another 26 he will be more sore, so he grabbed some Vitamin I. Knocked me on my back foot, he rarely touches the stuff. Better to be prepared, right? Can't wait to hear about his adventure. I think I'm more excited about it than he is!!!
Sunday – Run 10K (maybe an easy bike later in the day)
Blah run, I thought about 10, and then decided on 10K. Thankful for the portapotties in the park for the Shakespeare play.
I need to raise the seat on my bike and clean the chain. I think my knee issue is a combo of repetition and seat height. They felt fine on the run, a little pain on the inside of the left knee, I really need to follow Mike B's advice and tape it. I listen, I don't always act.
Sincerely,
Beth, who's knees are a little less angry with her, and feeling ho hum... (which is about right 2 weeks post PMC)
posted: 8/14
updated: 8/16 & 8/17
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Bobby Doyle 5 Miler - Recap
Nicole is training for her first 1/2 Ironman and we haven't been able to run together much, which sucks. In the meanwhile I made a new running friend, Jennifer, who is also a bad influence on signing up for races, although more of a bad influence with the drinking that seems to accompany running.
Fortunately, or unfortunately I have been progressively feeling crappier this week. I skipped the pizza party at Jennifer's on Saturday night. Woke up feeling slightly better than I did yesterday morning and hemmed and hawed about running the race or not. My head is plugged up, it would be lovely to breathe was my only thought, the dogs were concerned about breakfast. Dave was off early biking, leaving me to dog breakfast, again. The hounds weren't going to give me a moments peace so I might as well get up and since I'm up suck it up buttercup and run the 5 mile race it will be easier than running on my own.
The Bobby Doyle 5 Mile Summer Classic is in its 7th year, celebrating RI's marathon king, proceeds of the race go towards the Bobby Doyle Scholarship.
As I got close to the start of the race, Pier Middle School in Narragansett, I noticed a group of young boys running with numbers. It was just after 8, wait the race starts at 9, doesn't it? Wouldn't be the first time I messed up a race start time. Then I saw people milling, ok, they are warming up, no worries. Bib pick up and shirt pick up. Nice shirt. I don't have any that color blue.
Time to consider some goals, A goal 9:45 pace B goal 10:00 pace C goal don't die. C is the sure thing!
Eventually Jennifer and the other Red Felt Running Club gals found me. Ah, nice, so I wouldn't be alone. Jennifer said "If I don't puke by mile 3 I'll be surprised." Guess they had a pretty good time on Saturday night! So that would be fortunately I was feeling crappy. We all started together and pretty much hung together through the race, some a little faster some a little slower.
Of course I stopped at the water stops, I haven't mastered drinking and running; honestly I could have done without the water it was nice to take a break and dump the water down my back. I really didn't study my watch till we hit the 5K mark, 31 something, hmm ok. Maybe I'll hit a 10 pace. I really wanted to blow my nose, ugh, I hate this crap. Not a decent snot rocket was to be blown, which really sucked. I've become such a mouth breather it isn't even funny.
Finished with a little pep at a 9:58 pace (my watch read 5.1 miles at 51:02 and I started the clock just before the timing mat and stopped just after the timing mat) I'll take it! Full results are here, gun time. Despite my whining about my snotty nose it was a good run. Narragansett is a great place to run. The course is flat and scenic.
As always I am in awe of the front runners. Fun to see them heading towards the finish when I was winding up mile 2. And then doing their cool down when I was finishing up!
I bowed out of post race mimosas and went home to ice my aching knees, fold the laundry, and curl up on the couch and sleep. The ice was delightful, the laundry a wrinkled mess, and the nap was bliss. My knees didn't even hurt afterwards. Guess I caught up on lost sleep? Who knows. I'll take it, especially if I'm not wincing walking down stairs.
Most Sunday nights Dave and I take the dogs out to the RC Plane field, he heads out a little earlier with a plane, the young pups. He orders a pizza and Giz and I pick it up. The young ones can run themselves to near exhaustion, refuel on pizza crust and we all take a couple mile hike around the property.
Sincerely,
Beth, feeling old and ornery
Fortunately, or unfortunately I have been progressively feeling crappier this week. I skipped the pizza party at Jennifer's on Saturday night. Woke up feeling slightly better than I did yesterday morning and hemmed and hawed about running the race or not. My head is plugged up, it would be lovely to breathe was my only thought, the dogs were concerned about breakfast. Dave was off early biking, leaving me to dog breakfast, again. The hounds weren't going to give me a moments peace so I might as well get up and since I'm up suck it up buttercup and run the 5 mile race it will be easier than running on my own.
The Bobby Doyle 5 Mile Summer Classic is in its 7th year, celebrating RI's marathon king, proceeds of the race go towards the Bobby Doyle Scholarship.
As I got close to the start of the race, Pier Middle School in Narragansett, I noticed a group of young boys running with numbers. It was just after 8, wait the race starts at 9, doesn't it? Wouldn't be the first time I messed up a race start time. Then I saw people milling, ok, they are warming up, no worries. Bib pick up and shirt pick up. Nice shirt. I don't have any that color blue.
 |
| Shirt and a Medal! The clover spins! |
Eventually Jennifer and the other Red Felt Running Club gals found me. Ah, nice, so I wouldn't be alone. Jennifer said "If I don't puke by mile 3 I'll be surprised." Guess they had a pretty good time on Saturday night! So that would be fortunately I was feeling crappy. We all started together and pretty much hung together through the race, some a little faster some a little slower.
 |
| Photo by Allison |
Finished with a little pep at a 9:58 pace (my watch read 5.1 miles at 51:02 and I started the clock just before the timing mat and stopped just after the timing mat) I'll take it! Full results are here, gun time. Despite my whining about my snotty nose it was a good run. Narragansett is a great place to run. The course is flat and scenic.
As always I am in awe of the front runners. Fun to see them heading towards the finish when I was winding up mile 2. And then doing their cool down when I was finishing up!
I bowed out of post race mimosas and went home to ice my aching knees, fold the laundry, and curl up on the couch and sleep. The ice was delightful, the laundry a wrinkled mess, and the nap was bliss. My knees didn't even hurt afterwards. Guess I caught up on lost sleep? Who knows. I'll take it, especially if I'm not wincing walking down stairs.
Most Sunday nights Dave and I take the dogs out to the RC Plane field, he heads out a little earlier with a plane, the young pups. He orders a pizza and Giz and I pick it up. The young ones can run themselves to near exhaustion, refuel on pizza crust and we all take a couple mile hike around the property.
Sincerely,
Beth, feeling old and ornery
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