Roger Schoning 5K - Recap

August 29th was my last day of 1/2 day Fridays, official, 1/2 day Fridays.  I'm sure there will be a few I sneak out early...  I'm a rebel like that.  Plus I'm exhausted by Friday and focus goes out the window around noon.

The usual routine of grocery shopping and getting the text from Dave with what we needed from the grocery store when I walked in the house.  I got most of what we needed.  I'm never here, how do I know what we need.  There is diet coke, JD, and peanut butter so I'm set...  (we may have uncovered the root of my weight problem, ha ha)  he seems to need things like oatmeal, half and half, and coffee (ewwww).  I unloaded the groceries, wandering down to the shop to note I missed several items.  He said "Yeah I heard you walk in the door as I sent the text."  Brilliant.

Friday afternoons were made for napping and nap I did.  Two hours, it was bliss. Pulled over an ottoman so Giizzy could curl up with me and Jax snuggled in at the crook of my knees.  Bliss...  Dave didn't have any noisy equipment running in the basement (oops I'm in New England, cellar) double bliss.

6:00 race start with the kids race starting at 5:30.  I love watching the kids run, they are too cute.  No I don't want any.  I ran down from my house to the YMCA, 0.5 miles, downhill, decent warm up.  Saw Mike B, did another run around the block.  Jibber jabbered with Michelle and Phil.  Watched the kids run.  Talked to Chris a bit.  

We were off.  Wasn't really feeling anything, just a nice night for a run.  Traffic was very much under control, thanks to the Westerly PD! I zipped along intending on a 9:30 pace which will get me under 30 minute 5K.  At this point that is my goal, sub 30.  I know what I need to do for that and ran as I wanted to.  Much to my surprise.

As an aside: On New Year's Day run from Esker Point to Mystic I said I might need to drop back on a hill and Steve said, "Watch the feet of the person in front of you, you will get into their pace and keep it and close the gap."  That helped keep me at pace on that day and this time on this pancake flat course got me in pace and able to close the gap and pass, always saying something encouraging as I passed.  I pinged off 10 people.  Stupendous for me.  Thank you Steve.

I finished in 29:42. (2012 was 29:46)  Now it is time to work on sub 29 and determine the pacing required for that.  Slowly I'll get back to my 27:27 PR on the Mews course of all places!!  That's how it works right? Set a goal and work towards it...


Full results here.  WTAC cleaned up over all and in the age groups!  Great job guys and gals!!

I see progress:

2012:  29:46 (9:36 pace | 103/129 | 14/19 div)
2014:  29:42  (9:35 pace | 85/131 | 12/18 div)

This was a good race for me, I got past that or at least made friends with my I hate 5Ks demon.  I think I like longer runs because it gives me the ability to be lazy.  I'm not really sure.  What I do know though is I love the feeling of a long run, I definitely get euphoric and goofy and very much enjoy that feeling.  Usually happens after mile 5 for me. 

Sincerely, 
Beth, feeling far more positive this year than last year...

Weekly Recap 8/25 - 8/31

 Monday - 0

I was supposed to travel to Kalamazoo MI for a new project.  Thought maybe I’d run when I got to the hotel or maybe not.  I spent a lovely week in the Providence Airport Monday afternoon and ended up with a cancelled flight due to a hole in a tire.  Do these people not know about the dollar bill in the tire trick?  Apparently not.  After a very direct conversation with the last of several people I was headed back home, texting Dave to let him know he should send the dancing girls home and take down the disco ball because I was going to be home and not in MI.  He was bummed, he lost his deposit.  Well that just sucks.  I did get to sleep in my own bed and had my outfits for the next two days all planned out, so well guess we can call that a win.

I called my parents and youngest brother to let them know that I wouldn't be around for dinner on Tuesday. I was pretty bummed about this it has been too long since I've seen my people.  

Gizmo got in my face for a walk, I wasn't in the mood, sorry dude.

Tuesday - Run 3.5 / Bike 14

Nice 5K run at work.  Steve scared the crap out of me by sneaking up on me (iPod blaring in my ears blissfully oblivious of everything around me – see Gazelle it’s not just you) stuck a finger in my back and said “Stick ‘em up”  I shrieked.  He laughed.  Thanks.  I said something I probably shouldn't repeat, of course I will “Happy now, you finally made me scream.”  Cue laughter.  We had a nice run I was surprisingly in a jibber jabbering mood and went on and on about the book I was reading (actually listening to) and how it grabbed me from the beginning and isn't letting go.  Our pace wasn't anything to write home about since I’m the one setting it.  On our return to work (he works 1/2 mile further up the road than I do) we spied Don and Ro and did the “stick ‘em up”  they weren't the least bit phased.  I walked for a bit and then bid adieu to run the rest of the way back to campus – it was down hill after all.

Kinda bummed there was no Dog Watch fun run to go to so I got out on my bike.  My butt is not sore, quite pleased with that.  As I pedaled away I realized I forgot my helmet, turned around and righted that situation.  Back on the bike I totally spaced on where I had intended on going.  I ended up riding to Watch Hill and then down Ocean Road and back home.  Very much at an easy pace.  When I got home and checked my texts, one from Ro about riding on River Road in Mystic and meeting up with the TRALPers who are now back at Harp and Hound since Dog Watch runs are over.  Crap, that is where I wanted to go.  River Road is so nice to ride on, guess what, it does follow a river, the Mystic River. 

Wednesday -  Walk 3 / Run 2.5

Walked with Ro and Darlene – Steve was out running again and decided against his stick ‘em up routine when approaching three women.  Smart man.

Jennifer wanted to run hills so we met up in Watch Hill, after work, and ran a few hills, I’ll tell you she is a good hill runner, had to drag me up the steeper ones.  That didn't last too terribly long and while I should have pushed for another ½ mile (it would have been down hill) so we’d hit a respectable 5K I didn't.

Figuring we’d continue with our post run drink we sauntered into The Olympia Tea Room in Watch Hill and slowly backed out when we realized there must be a dress code.  Wandering down the street wondering if there is an actual bar in Watch Hill we determined, um no…. and went to Misquamicut starting at Paddy’s and I was a little taken aback after we had to get wrist bands because we were of age for drinking.  Um been that way for a looonnng time…  The drink menu went something like this:  Pick your booze / Pick your mixer / Pick your animal shaped straw cup.  Um, no…  Jennifer said “Ya think Sandy’s is divey?”  I was game to check it out.  It has been years since there was a ‘bar scene’ in my life and really not looking for one.  It wasn't divey and it wasn't crowded and instead of $20 meatless nachos they had $10 meat nachos (yeah, I’m still tasting them – but that is neither here nor there) with beer in a bottle and wine we were set.

Thursday  - Run 5.5

Today was the day I was going to run more than 3 miles at a time, how long has it been???  It was windy, from the north, I planned on finishing by running into the wind, I’d be running downhill it would be OK.  It was really windy and I wasn't running fast and decided to just run to the beat of the music when I could.  The iPod Shuffle was in a weird mood and played the trashy songs on my play list.  Sure.  I’m good with that.  Kid Rock, Eminem, Aerosmith, Pit Bull  lifted my spirits about my shitty pace and I enjoyed singing lines out loud.  I really need to not do that.  

Getting back to the gym, Mike B wandered in after leaving me in his words "a nasty note on your desk".  He asked how the run was I said uninspired, slow and windy.  He was staying in to do weights commenting that his run on Wednesday sounded the same.  He spied me planking and decided to join me, keep your butt down and your back won’t hurt.  HA!  That was entertaining.    

Friday - Run Schonning 5K

Write up on another post.  

Saturday - Bike 30

I was going to haul myself up to Killington and run in Chatfield Hollow.  I decided better of that with Labor Day traffic and got on the bike.   Dave was off to VT to ride with some friends Sat and Sun he left early (6 a.m. which IS early for me on a Saturday - for some they are just finishing up their 20 mile runs, perspective).  The dogs were up and about milling around, I fed them hoping that once they got some food they'd just go back to sleep. 

Really didn't have a particular route in mind, I just wanted to pedal and thought about going out to Narragansett not quite up for a 60 mile bike ride though...  I pedaled for an hour out on US 1 and then turned around and pedaled back.  Not very inspiring.  

All in all it felt good, my legs were very tired in the beginning and I wondered if I'd even make the 5 miles to the beach!

Sunday - Run 2

This morning Tammy died.  Nearly a year long battle with lung cancer.  She had to bow out of the Princess 1/2 Marathon in February, hip pain.  The cancer spread to her bones.  46 is too damn young.    Parents should not bury their children.  Children should be adults when their parents die.  In a perfect world these would be true.  However, death is inevitable, it happens, sometimes far too soon.

Jennifer and I were going to run 10 in Narragansett with another friend of hers.  She texted, lets go to Goddard, it will probably be cooler.  I was game, trails sounded nice. The weather was horrible and I was in a bad place in my head.  I don't know if I could have run 10, I did know I needed to get out of the house and on my feet and be with a friend.  

The loop we did was the one Jennifer learned to run on.  I feel very special sharing this trail with her.  We ran two miles, enough for both of us to work up a sweat and to get up and moving.  It was perfect. 

Sincerely, 
Beth, who is very happy Surftown sold out!  I'll be out there cheering you runners on!

Posted:  8/29
Updated:  8/30
Updated 8/31

Rhode Warrior ½ Distance Ironman - Recap

Most of my teleconferences start with waiting for this person or that person to dial in.  I find it insane that meetings go from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and then the next is 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. even in High School and College we had time to transition from subject to subject and room to room but apparently as adults in a business setting we are supposed to have possession of Hermione Granger’s time turner so we can magically appear at the exact beginning of a meeting which is the exact end of another meeting.  Alas, a discussion for another time.  So the first 5 minutes are usually gathering people in a room and on the phone lines.

One of the gals had just finished the Luxembourg ½ Ironman and I had recently finished the IAT 50K so we discussed, to everyone’s dismay and horror, endurance events.  This is what happens when two Midwesterners get on the phone, they are really really good at jibber jabber.

A few weeks passed and Tanya and I were back and forth about something and the fact I lived in Westerly was unearthed, as someone told me Midwesterners communicate in stories, so of course there was a story of some sort.  She asked if there were any tris in the area and I told her about Crabman in just a few weeks and about the Rhode Warrior Half Distance Ironman.  I sent her the info and heard back in a day or so. She wasn’t ready for another half Ironman however would I be interested in a relay if she could find a runner. SURE!   She didn’t want to do that much elevation gain over 58 miles and doubted she knew a biker who would be game.  Oh ok.  A runner was found, I talked with the RD and was able to pull all my volunteer points together to get us into the relay as the “Legal Ladies” for the low low cost of $50 (well and the other two had to stay overnight and travel in from Brewster and Brooklyn NY so it wasn’t completely cheap).

As race day approached I wondered what I had gotten myself into.  I’d only briefly met Tanya and never met Karen.    

Karen wouldn’t be able to make it in to do package pick up the day before.  Of course this put me in a panic, what if I overslept, what if we missed the start, and so on…  worry is useless, why do I bother?  So I had nightmares, waste of precious sleep time.

This was the first year for the Rhode Warrior, 150 participants.  I guess I was imagining chaos, there was none.  Kathy Robbins would never allow such nonsense.  

To quell my nerves and also to not have to fight with Vinnie’s stupid trunk I road my bike to the start, 5 miles in the dark, it was weird and it was soothing.  Definitely was the right thing for me to do.  In hind sight I should have worn my headlamp. Safety first!

We met at 5:30 a.m. to pick up the package.  Karen is so calm and soothing, from Ohio, of course another Midwesterner, so weird how water seeks out its own level sometimes.   Karen’s calmness and her boyfriend’s even calmer demeanor Tanya’s energy and well me… who knows exactly what I bring…

Beth Tanya Karen

Watching everyone get ready for their transitions was interesting.  Quite the science!  Nice to get to talk with everyone and great to see Mike B down there to see the guys off on their adventure!

Tanya was first up with the 1.2 mile swim.  The swimmers had to walk down the beach to the start of the swim and it took a while for all to get gathered so they were a bit late getting started.  I paced and jibber jabbered with Mark and Karen at the start.   Tanya was in and out of the water in 36:03.  While the current was strong and helped push her along it also was pulling her off course. The helpful advice was “Swim towards Taylor Swift’s house”  COMPLETELY lost on Tanya who lives in Brewster NY.  She had no idea which of the giant Watch Hill homes were Taylor’s, well she knew the yellow one was the Ocean House so not completely unaware.

The bike course and the elevation profile

We had an easy transition.  I forgot to get my space watch started right away so I missed about 1/10 of a mile.  In the grander scheme of nearly 58 miles, 1/10 of a mile is no big deal.  Having no idea how to execute this mount, was there a special way one was to get on the bike?  I watched everyone.  Oh they just got on the bike, although one person had their shoes in the pedals and well that looked complicated fastening shoes while pedaling, probably not advisable for me.

And she's off!!
Photo Credit:  Jana Walker

I didn't notice the headwind on the way out to the course; I was trying to get into a rhythm and find my gear and not wear myself out on the first mile of flat. Should I pass that person.  Oh sure, they will just pass me later… Wow adrenalin certainly is something.  The back of my mind was Pendleton Hill.  Once I was at the top, the real top with the stone fence and the corn fields it would be downhill from there.  After crossing US 1 I was pretty much on my own, which was just fine.  People who read my race recaps regularly know I’m happiest on my own or running with a friend I planned on running with, and please only minimal pleasant jibber jabbering with the other competitors.  

Miles 1 – 10 40 minutes

It was hard to get myself sorted out for pacing and eventually I did.  It was so fun to fly across US 1, with traffic stopped for the biker.  This also started the climb on a very shady beautiful road, I want to live on this road when I grow up.  It isn’t as pristine as the roads leading up to it, and it isn’t very well traveled.  There were a few people out cheering on the bikers.  Awww so sweet.  The Race Director does a great job with alerting the community.

Miles 11 – 20 41 minutes

The climb off of Tomaquog Road and on to Woodville Road.  Woodville is one of those roads they put all the pot holes once they are done filling them.  After you cross into Connecticut the road gets better and has fresh tar.  Oh I love this stretch.  At one of the crossings, again just zipping through was fun, the highlight were a couple of calves in the front yard of a farm house.  There they were in all their black and white, spindly legged, calf cuteness.  I said HI to them.  I love to see cows and corn fields – there were PLENTY of them on this route, yippee!!

On Pendleton Hill
Photo Credit:  Crutch

Mile 18 was a familiar blue truck with a bunch of poster board signs and Crutch making a lot of noise and cheering and clapping!!  So sweet!!   THANK YOU CRUTCH!! Me and my bad eye sight couldn’t see the writing on the signs.  

Miles 21 – 30 44 minutes

More climbing on Pendleton Hill and then Rockville.  I sort of forgot about that climb on Rockville in all my fretting about Pendleton Hill.  Once over that hill I could feel that it was definitely downhill from here and any further uphills would have a little downhill assist to them.

Miles 31- 40  36 minutes

Oh yes lots of downhill and some coasting.  Navigating the cross over route 3 was tough, traffic was a little backed up and people were hugging the right shoulder, which was full of sand I slowed down a lot so I didn't end up tangled up with my bike on the side of the road.

Miles 41 – 50 42 minutes

At the intersection was Amanda!  Flagging and waving and shouting.  Oh how I needed that cheerleading and I knew she was going to be there; perfect it had been 20 miles since I saw a familiar face.  THANK YOU AMANDA!  

Well there was another familiar face I’d see along the course, a guy in a red shirt with a blue car with MA plates, he was a super cheerleader.  I don’t know which biker he belonged to but when I’d hear that cow bell I’d wave at him, thank him and call him rock star or something equally as dorky.

Miles 51 – 58 28 minute

Oh this was nearly over, my A goal was 3:30, my B goal was 3:45, my C goal was 4:00, my D goal don’t die.  I really need to add in an additional goal have fun!  E goal have fun!

I thought we were turning left down Winnapaug Road, we weren't I was crushed. B goal flew out the window.  Oh crap where do we turn left, here? here? here?  FINALLY left on Maplewood and then on to Atlantic.  Remember that headwind from the start?  It was still there and I was really getting tired.  Dodging cars and tourists schlepping chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and kids and with that wind I was getting a teensy bit irritable.

Finally the parking lot, then the bike in chute, then off the bike and giving Karen the timing chip and wishing her well as she went off to run a ½ marathon in the heat of the day dodging cars and tourists.  Ugh.  I think she had the worst leg.  A two loop  course the only saving grace was it was pancake flat.

Tanya and Karen
Love how they are still smiling!!

Tanya ran a couple miles with Karen.  I cheered on the folks I knew running, Nicole, Jennifer, Bethany, and Karen.  Crutch showed up to run a couple miles with Nicole and give her some moral support.  Gezzz I should have thrown my running shoes in my back pack.    Gazelle and 5K were done and waiting for their age group awards!  Great job guys!!


 Oh yeah, I finished at 3:53!  For my first ever bike race and not knowing what to do I’ll take it!  Strava handed me out several awards, so I worked hard for that 3:53 and I’m pleased with myself.  

Collected some nice PRs - proving to myself I worked to earn that 3:53
NB:  I've ridden all these roads at least once so the PRs are legit!

Did I have fun? Of course!  There were a few demons here and there and then I remembered this was fun and chased them away, they scampered to the corners of my mind and would poke their heads around the corner from time to time.  All in all it was good to see familiar faces and cheer them on and congratulate them and it was super great to get to know two people I work with and build those relationships

Legal Ladies on the Podium placed 8th!
Photo Credit: Mark

Sincerely,
Beth, who really did enjoy this experience and wouldn't say no if there was another opportunity to participate in another Half Ironman (maybe a full?) relay!

Jittery and Nervous at the start!
Photo Credit: Mike B