...but too bad I didn't get signed up for the race!
Thought I registered about 3 months ago for Terre Haute and never, in fact, registered. So I won't be attending - even after a last-minute plea to the RD. I feel much more of a need for a "me" day - some quality yard work, a little bit of actual sleep and some time not spent worrying about anything athletic. Just time to relax.
It's time to keep remembering that this is supposed to be fun and NOT supposed to feel like a job. I have been moving a bit from time-to-time, a 5 mile run here, a short swim there, a bit of a ride whenever I feel like it. Just spending some time trying to get my head in the game.
Picture of the Day
Vacation Fun
May 29, 2009
May 22, 2009
Left Foot, Right Foot, Breathe...Repeat
So I ran 3.25 mi last night...it was not fun. Was right around 30 - 35 minutes, so I don't think my pace was that bad, but I was falling apart towards the end. Not sure if my back has tightened up more or if it's the loss of run fitness, but I just didn't feel good. Had to walk quite a bit in the last mile, not really happy with that, but am fairly ok with the fact that I got out and did run a bit.
Brick on Saturday morning...that should be interesting.
Brick on Saturday morning...that should be interesting.
May 21, 2009
2nd Verse...Same as the First
Along the same lines as my little mini-rant yetserday....I'm a bit frustrated @ my current situation this very minute.
If we consistently allow ourselves and our expectations of the world to be dictated and driven by the expectations and talents of others then there is no possible way we will ever become the person we were meant to be, nor will we ever find satisfaction in our abilities and accomplishments.
If we always allow another's name (whether it may be based on our own efforts) to "shine" rather than our own, does it lessen our own experiences and expectations of our own work?
Further, if that person(s) should happen to make egregious errors, is your name also sullied simply by association? "You are the company you keep...."
Is it wrong to expect others and their performance to rise to my standards and my expectations? Granted that there are always exceptions and "the best" that a person has is ALWAYS acceptable and that IS what the expectation is based upon. But if I continually allow myself to "get by" with what others expect by not pushing myself to always give the best then I feel that I am actually cheating myself. And if I allow myself to lower my expectations for others - not expecting that they fully deliver and fully commit to an effort - then am I really lowering my expectations for myself as well?
READ the emails/letters put before you. LISTEN to the people that are speaking. PERFORM to the best of your ability. ANSWER the questions that are asked. HELP others fully when it is requested.
If we consistently allow ourselves and our expectations of the world to be dictated and driven by the expectations and talents of others then there is no possible way we will ever become the person we were meant to be, nor will we ever find satisfaction in our abilities and accomplishments.
If we always allow another's name (whether it may be based on our own efforts) to "shine" rather than our own, does it lessen our own experiences and expectations of our own work?
Further, if that person(s) should happen to make egregious errors, is your name also sullied simply by association? "You are the company you keep...."
Is it wrong to expect others and their performance to rise to my standards and my expectations? Granted that there are always exceptions and "the best" that a person has is ALWAYS acceptable and that IS what the expectation is based upon. But if I continually allow myself to "get by" with what others expect by not pushing myself to always give the best then I feel that I am actually cheating myself. And if I allow myself to lower my expectations for others - not expecting that they fully deliver and fully commit to an effort - then am I really lowering my expectations for myself as well?
READ the emails/letters put before you. LISTEN to the people that are speaking. PERFORM to the best of your ability. ANSWER the questions that are asked. HELP others fully when it is requested.
May 20, 2009
Bike....
2nd ride on the bike down! Yay! After some epic struggles with the back wheel (trying to run the trispokes on it to get a feel for the beast..except the back wheel is not friendly. Apparently maybe the tire is too big and I need to drop down from 23's to around 20's...which means I have to buy a new tire...grrrr. Noah's bike can run a 23 and I almost told him to put the wheel on his bike and see if it cooperates. My frame is apparently just too small, or the space b/w the frame and tire should be really small...shouldn't be that small though. So we'll see about remedying that problem Friday afternoon...which should only be funny watching me try to change the tire. But alas...if it's not windy on Saturday I might like to see how the wheels feel on a long ride....just to play. But maybe not since I don't know the route and there may be some hills....conundrum.
Anyway...Phil, Wendy and I rode about 27 miles from Casa Ware. It was a nice ride, just the regular out and back. Had a nice little tailwind on the way out (spelling out thoughts of a "character ride" back to the house) and only damaged our average speed a bit on the way home. Think it wound up being around 16.something. But it was a good ride, felt ok.
Do need to probably tweak the machine a bit as I feel relatively powerless on the climbs....not sure what the answer for that is, but it might involve moving around a bit...or just getting used to it again - not sure. But I remember the full fit process did alleviate the issue the first time. As much as I don't want to, it might require a call/consult with T3 to figure out how to adapt my fit on the old machine into the new bike. (I can promise that I will NOT be paying $200+ for a new fit though...GRUMBLE)
So....stay tuned, more to come on that...Saturday could/should be interesting and fun. Nice, low-key shakeout ride.....
Anyway...Phil, Wendy and I rode about 27 miles from Casa Ware. It was a nice ride, just the regular out and back. Had a nice little tailwind on the way out (spelling out thoughts of a "character ride" back to the house) and only damaged our average speed a bit on the way home. Think it wound up being around 16.something. But it was a good ride, felt ok.
Do need to probably tweak the machine a bit as I feel relatively powerless on the climbs....not sure what the answer for that is, but it might involve moving around a bit...or just getting used to it again - not sure. But I remember the full fit process did alleviate the issue the first time. As much as I don't want to, it might require a call/consult with T3 to figure out how to adapt my fit on the old machine into the new bike. (I can promise that I will NOT be paying $200+ for a new fit though...GRUMBLE)
So....stay tuned, more to come on that...Saturday could/should be interesting and fun. Nice, low-key shakeout ride.....
And they wonder...
It makes me laugh that sometimes people wonder why I have a temper. And sometimes people wonder why I just retreat sometimes into my own little world.
I could go on and on. But I'm just tired of a lot of things right now. Coordinating being one of them. I'm sick of coordinating and having to live by the schedule that I coordinate and of not being able to feel like my normal, fairly positive self. (I have to think that there's a damn reason they gave me "Most Enthusiastic" at the tri-club thing....) I feel a bit like the only one stressed about coordination and getting everything and every to and fro w/o pain and suffering.
Slightly dramatic, yes. Hitting a nail on the head as to how I feel right now - absolutely. I just have a desire to be desired, and to be taken care of for a little while. Let someone else make the plans, arrange the packing, transportation, luggage, yards, vets, schedules and workouts. I'm just going to go over here, sit down and read for awhile. Wake me when it's ready, ok?
I could go on and on. But I'm just tired of a lot of things right now. Coordinating being one of them. I'm sick of coordinating and having to live by the schedule that I coordinate and of not being able to feel like my normal, fairly positive self. (I have to think that there's a damn reason they gave me "Most Enthusiastic" at the tri-club thing....) I feel a bit like the only one stressed about coordination and getting everything and every to and fro w/o pain and suffering.
Slightly dramatic, yes. Hitting a nail on the head as to how I feel right now - absolutely. I just have a desire to be desired, and to be taken care of for a little while. Let someone else make the plans, arrange the packing, transportation, luggage, yards, vets, schedules and workouts. I'm just going to go over here, sit down and read for awhile. Wake me when it's ready, ok?
May 18, 2009
Athletic Counts
SO I'm not hitting goals...I'm ok with it. The early-season slump has officially hit me and I'm ok with that, too. I seem to be OK with a lot of things lately. Ok...I can usually survive the madness and don't get the first round of burnout until early June. Not this year.....too much, too fast.
Mullet, Crash, Pig, Dirt...done.
I'm fully extended on patience right now (read: I have none) and I'm looking exert myself at other things like yardwork or golf. Anything to heartily avoid running and swimming.
Spent about an hour and a half last Sunday or Monday on a bike, spent about the same time on the C'Dale the week before. I have not, since the Pig, run at all. At. All. That's bad. Prior to pig, my only run had been the Mulletman. So....I've got to get my head out of my butt on that one. I really would have enjoyed a run this morning, but there were other things that prevented that.
The bike is up and running (thank God) - went for first ride yesterday. As soon as I get all situated, I will like it very much. I do wonder, however, how long the fear of crashing it will last.
Monty is at the vet. He had his teeth cleaned today (yuck) and the bump on his side removed. It was "questionable" and so it's being sent off to a lab to be analyzed. I'm sending up some serious prayers about this one. I love the dog, he's my Prince, my Big Man, my Monster Pain in the Ass, we've been through some crap, I want him to keep living a happy Monty life. So we're staying tuned and staying positive. I'll be picking him and the staples in his side up shortly after 5. We should hear something back in 3-5 days. Fingers crossed and all that jazz. He's getting the special treatment for a few more days. Poor guy. Not sure if I can handle Vivi without Monty (but we're not going to think about that now...). So, it's just kind of not an option. FYI.
Mullet, Crash, Pig, Dirt...done.
I'm fully extended on patience right now (read: I have none) and I'm looking exert myself at other things like yardwork or golf. Anything to heartily avoid running and swimming.
Spent about an hour and a half last Sunday or Monday on a bike, spent about the same time on the C'Dale the week before. I have not, since the Pig, run at all. At. All. That's bad. Prior to pig, my only run had been the Mulletman. So....I've got to get my head out of my butt on that one. I really would have enjoyed a run this morning, but there were other things that prevented that.
The bike is up and running (thank God) - went for first ride yesterday. As soon as I get all situated, I will like it very much. I do wonder, however, how long the fear of crashing it will last.
Monty is at the vet. He had his teeth cleaned today (yuck) and the bump on his side removed. It was "questionable" and so it's being sent off to a lab to be analyzed. I'm sending up some serious prayers about this one. I love the dog, he's my Prince, my Big Man, my Monster Pain in the Ass, we've been through some crap, I want him to keep living a happy Monty life. So we're staying tuned and staying positive. I'll be picking him and the staples in his side up shortly after 5. We should hear something back in 3-5 days. Fingers crossed and all that jazz. He's getting the special treatment for a few more days. Poor guy. Not sure if I can handle Vivi without Monty (but we're not going to think about that now...). So, it's just kind of not an option. FYI.
May 13, 2009
Hello. My Name Is Sloth...
...and I'm totally ok with it. After a month of gogogogogogogo and runrunrunrunrunrunrun with a little bit of CRACKWHAMMOCRASHTHUMP, I am more than accepting of a little quality time off to let my body do whatever the crap it wants - including hurt a little bit. I've got to get some recovery time banked into these muscles, bones and joints or I'm going to seriously hurt something.
That includes drinking plenty of water, getting a decent diet on track, trying to get back into a schedule and sleeping. Hmm...sleeping. Like going to bed at a regular time and trying to relax for a little while ahead of time so that I might sleep through the whole night. Ahh....wouldn't that be nice? So, I'm giving this recovery thing a good
shot and taking a bit of a mini-break from the training and trying to get back into the fun swing of things.
I've slated an 8-10 mile run for this weekend to be super easy. No expectations, just enjoying a run, shaking off my legs and enjoying a morning. If it's raining, all bets are off. Much like today - there will supposedly be a ride leaving from my house this evening. If it's raining - hell no i won't be going (which it's practically guaranteed to be raining, so I'm already saying I'm not going). Instead, I'm going to get some real-world stuff done (like bitching at the Apple people, hopefully picking up the new bike and possibly vacuuming my bedroom, cleaning my bathroom and starting some laundry). Tomorrow I will be looking over the yard with the yard guru and possibly hitting a driving range (hopefully not sending my club out into the driving range this time...). I'm hopeful that I could possibly get a short, easy run in the morning - again ONLY if it's not raining - and possibly taking the pooch to the vet. Who knows....I just would like to get some things done.
On the bright side - I've had too much caffeine so if I could focus on any one thing for more than 30 seconds I could be POUNDING out some projects. Of course, I can't (one of my many side-effects of too much caffeine) so I am ping-ponging around in my brain and not accomplishing anything, but I have a record number of windows and emails open on my computer....
Ahhhh, ADD at it's undiagnosed finest.
That includes drinking plenty of water, getting a decent diet on track, trying to get back into a schedule and sleeping. Hmm...sleeping. Like going to bed at a regular time and trying to relax for a little while ahead of time so that I might sleep through the whole night. Ahh....wouldn't that be nice? So, I'm giving this recovery thing a good
shot and taking a bit of a mini-break from the training and trying to get back into the fun swing of things.I've slated an 8-10 mile run for this weekend to be super easy. No expectations, just enjoying a run, shaking off my legs and enjoying a morning. If it's raining, all bets are off. Much like today - there will supposedly be a ride leaving from my house this evening. If it's raining - hell no i won't be going (which it's practically guaranteed to be raining, so I'm already saying I'm not going). Instead, I'm going to get some real-world stuff done (like bitching at the Apple people, hopefully picking up the new bike and possibly vacuuming my bedroom, cleaning my bathroom and starting some laundry). Tomorrow I will be looking over the yard with the yard guru and possibly hitting a driving range (hopefully not sending my club out into the driving range this time...). I'm hopeful that I could possibly get a short, easy run in the morning - again ONLY if it's not raining - and possibly taking the pooch to the vet. Who knows....I just would like to get some things done.
On the bright side - I've had too much caffeine so if I could focus on any one thing for more than 30 seconds I could be POUNDING out some projects. Of course, I can't (one of my many side-effects of too much caffeine) so I am ping-ponging around in my brain and not accomplishing anything, but I have a record number of windows and emails open on my computer....
Ahhhh, ADD at it's undiagnosed finest.
May 11, 2009
Luc is Coming Home!!!
The new frame is in the town....it's almost home. If it were actually being shipped to me - I would call UPS and ask to pick it up. But alas, I'm stuck working through this bike shop (which I will no longer associate with, nor will I be patronizing in the future. At some point I might write my 
feelings/thoughts on this here, but it might be best to just let sleeping/dead dogs lay...) and am subject to their hours. But at any rate....the new bike - which will probably be named "Luc" (or if I decide it's a girl Lucy - I kinda get skeeved out about riding a girl bike though...seems creeepy, and like it might start rumors...) - is almost home. Will be calling tomorrow to pick him up and drop him off at another shop to get the job done. Might be on a new ride by Wednesday. HOT DAWG.
INDIANAPOLIS,IN, US
05/11/2009
8:35 A.M.
THE BUSINESS WAS CLOSED TODAY. A DELIVERY ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY / PACKAGE WILL BE DELIVERED NEXT BUSINESS DAY-NO SATURDAY GUARANTEE (posted from the UPS website using tracking info provided by QR)
feelings/thoughts on this here, but it might be best to just let sleeping/dead dogs lay...) and am subject to their hours. But at any rate....the new bike - which will probably be named "Luc" (or if I decide it's a girl Lucy - I kinda get skeeved out about riding a girl bike though...seems creeepy, and like it might start rumors...) - is almost home. Will be calling tomorrow to pick him up and drop him off at another shop to get the job done. Might be on a new ride by Wednesday. HOT DAWG.Now....as to how long it might take me to NOT be terrified to go fast on it....that's still up for debate.
INDIANAPOLIS,IN, US
05/11/2009
8:35 A.M.
THE BUSINESS WAS CLOSED TODAY. A DELIVERY ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY / PACKAGE WILL BE DELIVERED NEXT BUSINESS DAY-NO SATURDAY GUARANTEE (posted from the UPS website using tracking info provided by QR)
This piggy flew...Flying Pig RR
So since I'm catching up on the madness that has ensued over the past month of racing, recovery, attempted recovery and more stupid racing....I did run the Pig.
The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnatti is renown as one of the more fun marathons out there. They don't disappoint - let me tell you. The volunteers are full of energy, the race course is well marked, there's music out there (though they could use more of that) and some of the scenery is gorgeous. The weather even somewhat cooperated.
Having had that whole bike wreck thing a week prior to the marathon certainly made life interesting. I wasn't quite sure I was going to be able to run. Coming down the stairs on race morning with a back that was already pretty sore (and a running partner convinced I needed to go get x-rays on my back) didn't instill much confidence that it was going to be a great day. I figured I was in for some compensation issues at the very least (I didn't disappoint). I'd also realized over the course of the week (and telling the story a thousand times) how lucky I am having gotten out of said bike wreck with no major injuries.....but I've already said that.
Woke up and it was raining lightly and warmer than expected. Neither were great signs. Grabbed a thing of wheat pop-tarts (breakfast of champions) and some water and off we went to find the start line. During the 1/2 hr drive we had plenty of time to debate the weather and our intelligence and my back. I decided to pop 4 tylenol prior to the run, have 4 with me and a vicodin for worst-case scenario. Had my Zensah red calf sleeves on (THANK GOD), a DWD tech T and UA compression shorts. (Funny development - had the WRONG compression shorts - the ones I bought to wear under regular running shorts, NOT the ones I have to wear AS running shorts....so they were a bit shorter than expected) I also had a long-sleeve running shirt with me just in case..it was a tad chilly and it matched (red) so why not. We had our UBER FASHIONABLE trash bags on for the first couple of miles as it was still raining. We kept them with us for most of the race in case the rain came back. I had done most of our long-run training w/o a fuel belt as it was still out in CA from Silverman, so I was used to not having as much fluid as normal. With the back issue, not being sure if I was going to be able to do the full race (I figured if it got too bad I would just turn with the half folks and head back to the barn) and knowing there would be plenty of fluid on the course I didn't even wear my fuel belt. I did, however, wear the super-cool SpiBelt I picked up at the expo.
First few miles were a loosening up and shaking out experience. Keep in mind the most running I did all week was around the car in the Lowe's parking lot on Thursday. Things just hurt. The bruises hurt a bit early on, and we both discovered early on that downhill hurt more than uphill. I figured this wasn't a bad sign.....and away we went.
Still felt fairly good around 6 - 8, chugging along at a decent (albeit slower than anticipated prior to bike smashing) pace, feeling ok. Then we started going uphill....and continued uphill for 2 miles. Saw the first medical incident needed about halfway up said hill - chick out cold - but everyone else was doing ok. At some point we got to the top of the hill and thanked God and kept going. Still felt fairly decent from 8 - 12. Started to hurt a bit around there.
The "start slow and taper" philosophy was holding strong. We didn't get much quicker, but did actually wind up picking it up a bit through the middle few miles of the race. We're weird like that. My wheels started to fall off a bit around 15 - 18, just started to ache all over, my back was hurting and my left knee had decided it no longer wanted to cooperate with the rest of my body. I took the Tylenol just past 15. Had a minor crisis when 3 of them fell on the ground, dove to save them and you bet your ass I still took them. Still had the other magic pill in the belt - was thinking it might be necessary around 20. And we kept chugging along....
We both started to fall apart around 20. It was further than T had ever run, and she was feeling it a bit, but her knee was holding together (much to my chagrin) and still doing ok. We kind of both just fell apart though, and had to start walking quite a bit. Our last full mile of running was around 19 or so....tanks were just running dry. We did a decent job of hydrating though, had to make a potty stop around 9 - i take that as a good sign, and we weren't swelling up too bad. I'm taking most of the credit for that - as T turns into a camel if not reminded to hydrate, then puffs up like a marshmellow. So...we were doing good there.
The Penn State club handing out Gu somewhere around 18 - 20 helped out drastically. They had a great Buffett theme going and we knew we were headed downhill to the barn. Definite pick-me-up there.
Met another inspiring story somewhere around 20-21 - we were walking along and came upon this other chick in a bright yellow shirt limping fairly badly. Walked together for quite awhile, turns out she had torn her miniscus (HOLY CRAP) a few weeks prior to the race - yes she had been to the ortho, no she didn't know exactly how bad it was, yes he knew she was doing the pig, no he wasn't happy about it, yes it was going to need surgery, yes she had her ACL reconstructed a couple of years ago and yes this was her 6th marathon - and it turns out this was supposed to be an even bigger deal - HER REMISSION MARATHON FROM BREAST CANCER - found out officially cancer-gone and in remission earlier that week. We stuck together for about a mile, hobbling along together and swapping stories and keeping each other positive until I got to the point where I had to run, walking was just hurting too bad and I figured if it was going to hurt I might as well run since I'd get there a bit faster. She ran with us for just a bit then had to go back to walking. I know she finished - people like that don't quit - and she was hugely inspiring (and humbling, it was just a bike wreck). Unfortunately, by the time we got to the line we were so mired in our own pain that we didn't get the chance to hang around and see her finish. I didn't even get her name. But she's already won a helluva battle.
The last few miles were uneventful, just chugging along, running when we could, walking when we couldn't. We saw the 25 and T said she was going to run it in. I saw the "One Mile to Go" sign and said I was running it in from THERE...yes, I thought the .2 made a huge difference and would have killed me. And we did. Having not run a full mile in an hour, we both picked up the pace and ran the entire last mile. I'd say we ran it in a fairly decent pace but I don't have a clue. It took much encouragement to get through that, T hit barn mode as soon as she saw the banner - wound up finishing about 10 seconds ahead of me. I tried to "kick" the last little bit, but lost just about all feeling in my left leg a few hundred yards out. Left knee got REALLY painful around 22 and just didn't let go.
Tried to stick to around a Gu an hour. Wasn't too precise on the hydration, either. Just kind of took it when I wanted/thought I needed it. Alternated between Gatorade (Endurance formula, mixed on course, varying strengths, all disgusting) and water. Later in the race took to grabbing a cup of both and mixing them. Didn't really snack on anything except the best damn Baptist Oranges ever (they prayed over them) around 21 and some of the best gummy bears ever somewhere around 23 or 24. If I were to do this again seriously, I might have a more solid nutrition plan. (But the probability of me doing this again is slim...seriously or not) I think we need to give a LOT of credit to Skyline Chili...the planning for that meal got us through many of the 26 miles.
The whole thing hurt, hurt worse than Silverman. really. I'm not lying. I don't think I'll run another marathon unless it's at the end of an Ironman. I've proven I can in not great circumstances twice on tough courses. I've got it in me to push through. That's enough (I think). My finish time was only 4 (FOUR, DAMNIT) minutes faster than the marathon at Silverman. That's pretty disappointing to me, but when I think about the bike wreck, the weather and the lack of long-run training over the last month, I'm not too displeased with the overall outcome. I finished, which is more than a lot of people could/would do. And I did it with a good friend at my side the whole time who wouldn't let me quit (even when I wanted to) and who made the experience so much better.
Overall it was a great experience. Had a good time learning about lacrosse (and scaring parents) Saturday - Steph's team did great. Met a great family in Sue & Mike - meeting us at the finish line was great, letting me stay at your house even better, but being understanding and putting up with the whining/crying afterwards is even better. It's a great race with great swag (I've basically not taken off the jacket or put down the bag since) and a great theme. There were a lot of people that told me I was stupid to do this - thank you to all of them. My stubborn ass probably wouldn't have gritted it out so much without you.
Proving the naysayers wrong, one stupid step at a time.....a pig flew that day.
6.8 time - (clock times) 1:32:51
12 time - 2:36:06 (5.2 mi - 1:04)
13.1 time - 2:36:06 (1.1 mi - 12:01)
19.7 time - 4:08:50 (6.6 mi - 1:20)
25.2 time - 5:27:31 (5.5 mi - 1:19)
26.2 time - (chip time) 5:27:42
Times indicate that we ran miles 13 - 19 faster than we did 1-6. Which would almost make sense given that it's clock time being shown and we were about 12 minutes after gun going over the line - but our last mile in 12 seconds really takes the cake...Tanya has it more precisely but it'll work out to show that 12 - 13.1 was about the same pace as 25 - 26.2. Oddly humorous and so typical of us running.
Pace - 12:31
Finishers - 4,014
Females - 1,633
Average time - 4:29:41 (work to do)
The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnatti is renown as one of the more fun marathons out there. They don't disappoint - let me tell you. The volunteers are full of energy, the race course is well marked, there's music out there (though they could use more of that) and some of the scenery is gorgeous. The weather even somewhat cooperated.
Having had that whole bike wreck thing a week prior to the marathon certainly made life interesting. I wasn't quite sure I was going to be able to run. Coming down the stairs on race morning with a back that was already pretty sore (and a running partner convinced I needed to go get x-rays on my back) didn't instill much confidence that it was going to be a great day. I figured I was in for some compensation issues at the very least (I didn't disappoint). I'd also realized over the course of the week (and telling the story a thousand times) how lucky I am having gotten out of said bike wreck with no major injuries.....but I've already said that.
Woke up and it was raining lightly and warmer than expected. Neither were great signs. Grabbed a thing of wheat pop-tarts (breakfast of champions) and some water and off we went to find the start line. During the 1/2 hr drive we had plenty of time to debate the weather and our intelligence and my back. I decided to pop 4 tylenol prior to the run, have 4 with me and a vicodin for worst-case scenario. Had my Zensah red calf sleeves on (THANK GOD), a DWD tech T and UA compression shorts. (Funny development - had the WRONG compression shorts - the ones I bought to wear under regular running shorts, NOT the ones I have to wear AS running shorts....so they were a bit shorter than expected) I also had a long-sleeve running shirt with me just in case..it was a tad chilly and it matched (red) so why not. We had our UBER FASHIONABLE trash bags on for the first couple of miles as it was still raining. We kept them with us for most of the race in case the rain came back. I had done most of our long-run training w/o a fuel belt as it was still out in CA from Silverman, so I was used to not having as much fluid as normal. With the back issue, not being sure if I was going to be able to do the full race (I figured if it got too bad I would just turn with the half folks and head back to the barn) and knowing there would be plenty of fluid on the course I didn't even wear my fuel belt. I did, however, wear the super-cool SpiBelt I picked up at the expo.
First few miles were a loosening up and shaking out experience. Keep in mind the most running I did all week was around the car in the Lowe's parking lot on Thursday. Things just hurt. The bruises hurt a bit early on, and we both discovered early on that downhill hurt more than uphill. I figured this wasn't a bad sign.....and away we went.
Still felt fairly good around 6 - 8, chugging along at a decent (albeit slower than anticipated prior to bike smashing) pace, feeling ok. Then we started going uphill....and continued uphill for 2 miles. Saw the first medical incident needed about halfway up said hill - chick out cold - but everyone else was doing ok. At some point we got to the top of the hill and thanked God and kept going. Still felt fairly decent from 8 - 12. Started to hurt a bit around there.
The "start slow and taper" philosophy was holding strong. We didn't get much quicker, but did actually wind up picking it up a bit through the middle few miles of the race. We're weird like that. My wheels started to fall off a bit around 15 - 18, just started to ache all over, my back was hurting and my left knee had decided it no longer wanted to cooperate with the rest of my body. I took the Tylenol just past 15. Had a minor crisis when 3 of them fell on the ground, dove to save them and you bet your ass I still took them. Still had the other magic pill in the belt - was thinking it might be necessary around 20. And we kept chugging along....
We both started to fall apart around 20. It was further than T had ever run, and she was feeling it a bit, but her knee was holding together (much to my chagrin) and still doing ok. We kind of both just fell apart though, and had to start walking quite a bit. Our last full mile of running was around 19 or so....tanks were just running dry. We did a decent job of hydrating though, had to make a potty stop around 9 - i take that as a good sign, and we weren't swelling up too bad. I'm taking most of the credit for that - as T turns into a camel if not reminded to hydrate, then puffs up like a marshmellow. So...we were doing good there.
The Penn State club handing out Gu somewhere around 18 - 20 helped out drastically. They had a great Buffett theme going and we knew we were headed downhill to the barn. Definite pick-me-up there.
Met another inspiring story somewhere around 20-21 - we were walking along and came upon this other chick in a bright yellow shirt limping fairly badly. Walked together for quite awhile, turns out she had torn her miniscus (HOLY CRAP) a few weeks prior to the race - yes she had been to the ortho, no she didn't know exactly how bad it was, yes he knew she was doing the pig, no he wasn't happy about it, yes it was going to need surgery, yes she had her ACL reconstructed a couple of years ago and yes this was her 6th marathon - and it turns out this was supposed to be an even bigger deal - HER REMISSION MARATHON FROM BREAST CANCER - found out officially cancer-gone and in remission earlier that week. We stuck together for about a mile, hobbling along together and swapping stories and keeping each other positive until I got to the point where I had to run, walking was just hurting too bad and I figured if it was going to hurt I might as well run since I'd get there a bit faster. She ran with us for just a bit then had to go back to walking. I know she finished - people like that don't quit - and she was hugely inspiring (and humbling, it was just a bike wreck). Unfortunately, by the time we got to the line we were so mired in our own pain that we didn't get the chance to hang around and see her finish. I didn't even get her name. But she's already won a helluva battle.
The last few miles were uneventful, just chugging along, running when we could, walking when we couldn't. We saw the 25 and T said she was going to run it in. I saw the "One Mile to Go" sign and said I was running it in from THERE...yes, I thought the .2 made a huge difference and would have killed me. And we did. Having not run a full mile in an hour, we both picked up the pace and ran the entire last mile. I'd say we ran it in a fairly decent pace but I don't have a clue. It took much encouragement to get through that, T hit barn mode as soon as she saw the banner - wound up finishing about 10 seconds ahead of me. I tried to "kick" the last little bit, but lost just about all feeling in my left leg a few hundred yards out. Left knee got REALLY painful around 22 and just didn't let go.
Tried to stick to around a Gu an hour. Wasn't too precise on the hydration, either. Just kind of took it when I wanted/thought I needed it. Alternated between Gatorade (Endurance formula, mixed on course, varying strengths, all disgusting) and water. Later in the race took to grabbing a cup of both and mixing them. Didn't really snack on anything except the best damn Baptist Oranges ever (they prayed over them) around 21 and some of the best gummy bears ever somewhere around 23 or 24. If I were to do this again seriously, I might have a more solid nutrition plan. (But the probability of me doing this again is slim...seriously or not) I think we need to give a LOT of credit to Skyline Chili...the planning for that meal got us through many of the 26 miles.
The whole thing hurt, hurt worse than Silverman. really. I'm not lying. I don't think I'll run another marathon unless it's at the end of an Ironman. I've proven I can in not great circumstances twice on tough courses. I've got it in me to push through. That's enough (I think). My finish time was only 4 (FOUR, DAMNIT) minutes faster than the marathon at Silverman. That's pretty disappointing to me, but when I think about the bike wreck, the weather and the lack of long-run training over the last month, I'm not too displeased with the overall outcome. I finished, which is more than a lot of people could/would do. And I did it with a good friend at my side the whole time who wouldn't let me quit (even when I wanted to) and who made the experience so much better.
Overall it was a great experience. Had a good time learning about lacrosse (and scaring parents) Saturday - Steph's team did great. Met a great family in Sue & Mike - meeting us at the finish line was great, letting me stay at your house even better, but being understanding and putting up with the whining/crying afterwards is even better. It's a great race with great swag (I've basically not taken off the jacket or put down the bag since) and a great theme. There were a lot of people that told me I was stupid to do this - thank you to all of them. My stubborn ass probably wouldn't have gritted it out so much without you.
Proving the naysayers wrong, one stupid step at a time.....a pig flew that day.
6.8 time - (clock times) 1:32:51
12 time - 2:36:06 (5.2 mi - 1:04)
13.1 time - 2:36:06 (1.1 mi - 12:01)
19.7 time - 4:08:50 (6.6 mi - 1:20)
25.2 time - 5:27:31 (5.5 mi - 1:19)
26.2 time - (chip time) 5:27:42
Times indicate that we ran miles 13 - 19 faster than we did 1-6. Which would almost make sense given that it's clock time being shown and we were about 12 minutes after gun going over the line - but our last mile in 12 seconds really takes the cake...Tanya has it more precisely but it'll work out to show that 12 - 13.1 was about the same pace as 25 - 26.2. Oddly humorous and so typical of us running.
Pace - 12:31
Finishers - 4,014
Females - 1,633
Average time - 4:29:41 (work to do)
Florabama Tri
The opener of my season...I'm writing this report a bit belated because, well, the past month has been a blur of frantic rushing, racing and whirring about. Just look at the house and the chaos inside it - I have been living like a whirling dervish...no focus or concentration, just moving from one thing to the next putting out fires and doing just what needs to be done in hopes to survive to the next race/heal up enough to race/get everyone TO the race/etc. So...my stint as tour director is now done for awhile. I'm no longer going to be the team mom. I'm going to let my legs heal, try to get my back straightened out and get the new bike up and running and try to get some confidence back. But anyway....the write-up for the MulletMan....a bit belated, so I'm going to miss some of the nuances, but whatever.
It's a long 12-hour drive home. All the nutrition and rest and pre-race lore says the most important time for rest and hydration is actually 2 nights/days before - for a Saturday morning race that means Thursday is THE day. So...when you spend the last half of Wednesday in a car travelling to meetings, all of Thursday morning sitting still in meetings, and all day Thursday afternoon and night in a car driving from the meetings to the rendezvous with the "team car" then driving to Alabama, you're pretty much guaranteed to NOT eat, hydrate or rest right. But whatever...it's a fun race, intended to be a hilarious getaway weekend, not an "A" race for the season. So....we did our best eating ok and hydrating as much as possible. Once at the house (7a on Friday arrival, rest for a few hours) we all kind of locked in a took it easy. Went down to pick up packets and get a first look (for N & N) at the race course and the Florabama. Had a relaxing dinner and readied everything for the early start and went to bed. I've got to say that sleeping on a couch isn't my favorite - but I like my parent's couch. I slept pretty decent the entire time we were there.
Woke up and schlepped around a bit trying to get everything ready and get out the door. Took off, got to the race site and set up. It's been a pretty windy spring down in LA (lower Alabama) and that's been producing rip currents like no other. It's also been driving up some impressive surf. Most of that week had been red flagged (no swimming, rip tides) and this day looked to be no exception. Surf was coming in at an angle. There were rumblings about cancelling the swim (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- it's all I got, yo!!) but in the end they wound up shortening it. I started to whine, they specifically pointed out that if you freaked, you could stand up and run, then realized that I didn't care at the end of the day - no one should get hurt and the Navy swimmers and lifeguards were really just trying to keep everyone safe. At that point, we all kind of said - screw it - there were a lot of people freaking out. (Having swam a few times in the Pacific out at Malibu, I wasn't worried - it IS Gulf surf after all...easy peasy. But there were plenty of people nervous. It was both N's first ocean swims. I kind of hated to see them start like this....but whatever.) The rip tides really picked up - when you hear a Navy lifeguard come running up and say to the RD - "if they go around that buoy we won't be able to save them," you know it's about to get interesting. But anyway...they pulled the buoys in a bit more (which did no good as the far one just kind of kept getting sucked further down the beach - i'm pretty sure the 1st wave had about 100yd shorter swim altogether) and off we went. Noah looked great starting his wave, one of the bigger guys standing out with no wetsuit and his CCMSC kit on - pounded out into the surf and nailed it. His swim time was quicker than mine! (read above about shorter swims....) The extra time spent swimming over the past year has really paid off - he's a rock star. Our wave started and all of my previous ocean swims just CLICKED. Knowing where the current is going and planning accordingly - I'm one of few women that went around both buoys. Started off to the left, dolphin-dove through/under the surf, popped up and just relaxed into a stroke, breathing to the left to keep and eye on the surf, got carried right out and past the buoy. I knew the run to the other turn buoy would be short with the current and surf - i also knew I would have to swim outward a bit (trying to stay inside the rip though) - NAILED that leg....had a nice, easy cruise, rolling over the crests, staying relaxed. Only had to spot once or twice, just kept pointed in the right direction. Made the turn for home just before I reached the buoy - knew the current wasn't going to magically push me the other way - grazed right by it and threaded through the other girls swimming into my right side having not been able to spot the buoy or judge the current well. Also know to not fight the current - it's much easier to run a few extra yards up the beach than try to swim against the current towards the swim exit. Body surfed a couple of times and hit the beach running. THANK YOU MALIBU! Had a great swim. I also know to not try to kill myself running through that deep sand, stay up on my toes, don't overuse the legs and just chug along.
T1 uneventful, I need to get quicker at these things...but I just don't push too hard in them. I kind of think of it as a point where it's better for me to stay steady than to try to rush - I leave things behind when I do that. It wasn't the quickest, but it wasn't that slow. Took off on the bike.
Did I mention earlier it's been windy down there? Popped out of transition, on the bike and away I went. When I looked down a mile or so in and I was way over 20mph, my first thought was that the return leg was going to SUCK...bad. (I wasn't far off base) Having been down that road before, I know that it's better to just hammer the first half, then spent the second just holding form and chugging along. Watching people fight the wind and try to just hammer through it with bad form kills me. It makes me tired for them. I always remember what John used to tell us about how just focusing on form and getting the job done in the wind would pay off - every time I'm in a windy race or ride I remember those words....they save me and my energy stores. My avg speed on the way out HAD to be over 25mph. I was FLYING. I love my bike and my aero position. It just feels good all the way around. Comfortable and efficient. Came flying down off the bridge over 30mph, passed a couple of guys just rocketing along....then we turned around. The wind was REALLY gusty between the towers, it's nice being able to sort of read that and know when it's coming. I only almost got knocked over once. (Thank you Silverman!) Kept chugging along and did my best to just maintain and spin through it comfortably. Was still holding a pretty decent pace. Was also pulling a chick through most of it - annoying. But whatever. Rest of the bike was uneventful. Saw Noah headed back from the turnaround very close to the front of the race - AWESOME - also saw him early on the run looking strong. He was putting in some great effort and looked solid.
T2 also uneventful. I was worried that I hadn't seen N after the turnaround - was worried she was right behind me so while I still didn't rush through T2 I wasn't exactly taking my time. Popped out on the run and was just putting in some good effort, trying to keep my form in check, not overheat and just run - actually run hard. I started to pay for that about the end of Mile 1...I was maybe running a bit hard and I'm not used to that (training for a marathon doesn't exactly build in much speedwork). Having STILL not seen N I was getting really worried - I even saw Noah headed back in from the run turnaround (form suffering a bit but still was chugging along without too many people in front of him!!!). Finally saw her coming down the bridge as I was headed down for the run turn. She looked like she was in hell and hurting (mechanical - both front & back brakes rubbing). Knowing where she was, that it's such an early season race, I had a marathon coming in two weeks I decided to back off a bit. I wanted a good showing, but with the lack of rest and amount of stress we've been pulling I figured it was more important to have fun.
Finished the run feeling fairly ok. Decent times (though I forget them now) all through the race, though nothing spectacular. Was 4th in age group (again...why does that keep happening?) but at least it was by a few minutes this time. I'll take it. My goal for the race was to go kind of hard - blow off the dust and see if my legs had some "GO" in them. With the weather, it was all skewy, but I think it was a good first race of the season. Took one gel at the beginning of the run - normally would have taken one fairly early in the bike and then also at the beginning of the run, but I don't think that hurt me. I still managed to gulp down some liquid calories (gatorade) and didn't tear up my stomach too much...I did have to pee through most of it - almost tried during the bike but couldn't do it - so I think I still need a bit of work on the morning routines.
So that's that....finally it's done.
It's a long 12-hour drive home. All the nutrition and rest and pre-race lore says the most important time for rest and hydration is actually 2 nights/days before - for a Saturday morning race that means Thursday is THE day. So...when you spend the last half of Wednesday in a car travelling to meetings, all of Thursday morning sitting still in meetings, and all day Thursday afternoon and night in a car driving from the meetings to the rendezvous with the "team car" then driving to Alabama, you're pretty much guaranteed to NOT eat, hydrate or rest right. But whatever...it's a fun race, intended to be a hilarious getaway weekend, not an "A" race for the season. So....we did our best eating ok and hydrating as much as possible. Once at the house (7a on Friday arrival, rest for a few hours) we all kind of locked in a took it easy. Went down to pick up packets and get a first look (for N & N) at the race course and the Florabama. Had a relaxing dinner and readied everything for the early start and went to bed. I've got to say that sleeping on a couch isn't my favorite - but I like my parent's couch. I slept pretty decent the entire time we were there.
Woke up and schlepped around a bit trying to get everything ready and get out the door. Took off, got to the race site and set up. It's been a pretty windy spring down in LA (lower Alabama) and that's been producing rip currents like no other. It's also been driving up some impressive surf. Most of that week had been red flagged (no swimming, rip tides) and this day looked to be no exception. Surf was coming in at an angle. There were rumblings about cancelling the swim (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- it's all I got, yo!!) but in the end they wound up shortening it. I started to whine, they specifically pointed out that if you freaked, you could stand up and run, then realized that I didn't care at the end of the day - no one should get hurt and the Navy swimmers and lifeguards were really just trying to keep everyone safe. At that point, we all kind of said - screw it - there were a lot of people freaking out. (Having swam a few times in the Pacific out at Malibu, I wasn't worried - it IS Gulf surf after all...easy peasy. But there were plenty of people nervous. It was both N's first ocean swims. I kind of hated to see them start like this....but whatever.) The rip tides really picked up - when you hear a Navy lifeguard come running up and say to the RD - "if they go around that buoy we won't be able to save them," you know it's about to get interesting. But anyway...they pulled the buoys in a bit more (which did no good as the far one just kind of kept getting sucked further down the beach - i'm pretty sure the 1st wave had about 100yd shorter swim altogether) and off we went. Noah looked great starting his wave, one of the bigger guys standing out with no wetsuit and his CCMSC kit on - pounded out into the surf and nailed it. His swim time was quicker than mine! (read above about shorter swims....) The extra time spent swimming over the past year has really paid off - he's a rock star. Our wave started and all of my previous ocean swims just CLICKED. Knowing where the current is going and planning accordingly - I'm one of few women that went around both buoys. Started off to the left, dolphin-dove through/under the surf, popped up and just relaxed into a stroke, breathing to the left to keep and eye on the surf, got carried right out and past the buoy. I knew the run to the other turn buoy would be short with the current and surf - i also knew I would have to swim outward a bit (trying to stay inside the rip though) - NAILED that leg....had a nice, easy cruise, rolling over the crests, staying relaxed. Only had to spot once or twice, just kept pointed in the right direction. Made the turn for home just before I reached the buoy - knew the current wasn't going to magically push me the other way - grazed right by it and threaded through the other girls swimming into my right side having not been able to spot the buoy or judge the current well. Also know to not fight the current - it's much easier to run a few extra yards up the beach than try to swim against the current towards the swim exit. Body surfed a couple of times and hit the beach running. THANK YOU MALIBU! Had a great swim. I also know to not try to kill myself running through that deep sand, stay up on my toes, don't overuse the legs and just chug along.
T1 uneventful, I need to get quicker at these things...but I just don't push too hard in them. I kind of think of it as a point where it's better for me to stay steady than to try to rush - I leave things behind when I do that. It wasn't the quickest, but it wasn't that slow. Took off on the bike.
Did I mention earlier it's been windy down there? Popped out of transition, on the bike and away I went. When I looked down a mile or so in and I was way over 20mph, my first thought was that the return leg was going to SUCK...bad. (I wasn't far off base) Having been down that road before, I know that it's better to just hammer the first half, then spent the second just holding form and chugging along. Watching people fight the wind and try to just hammer through it with bad form kills me. It makes me tired for them. I always remember what John used to tell us about how just focusing on form and getting the job done in the wind would pay off - every time I'm in a windy race or ride I remember those words....they save me and my energy stores. My avg speed on the way out HAD to be over 25mph. I was FLYING. I love my bike and my aero position. It just feels good all the way around. Comfortable and efficient. Came flying down off the bridge over 30mph, passed a couple of guys just rocketing along....then we turned around. The wind was REALLY gusty between the towers, it's nice being able to sort of read that and know when it's coming. I only almost got knocked over once. (Thank you Silverman!) Kept chugging along and did my best to just maintain and spin through it comfortably. Was still holding a pretty decent pace. Was also pulling a chick through most of it - annoying. But whatever. Rest of the bike was uneventful. Saw Noah headed back from the turnaround very close to the front of the race - AWESOME - also saw him early on the run looking strong. He was putting in some great effort and looked solid.
T2 also uneventful. I was worried that I hadn't seen N after the turnaround - was worried she was right behind me so while I still didn't rush through T2 I wasn't exactly taking my time. Popped out on the run and was just putting in some good effort, trying to keep my form in check, not overheat and just run - actually run hard. I started to pay for that about the end of Mile 1...I was maybe running a bit hard and I'm not used to that (training for a marathon doesn't exactly build in much speedwork). Having STILL not seen N I was getting really worried - I even saw Noah headed back in from the run turnaround (form suffering a bit but still was chugging along without too many people in front of him!!!). Finally saw her coming down the bridge as I was headed down for the run turn. She looked like she was in hell and hurting (mechanical - both front & back brakes rubbing). Knowing where she was, that it's such an early season race, I had a marathon coming in two weeks I decided to back off a bit. I wanted a good showing, but with the lack of rest and amount of stress we've been pulling I figured it was more important to have fun.
Finished the run feeling fairly ok. Decent times (though I forget them now) all through the race, though nothing spectacular. Was 4th in age group (again...why does that keep happening?) but at least it was by a few minutes this time. I'll take it. My goal for the race was to go kind of hard - blow off the dust and see if my legs had some "GO" in them. With the weather, it was all skewy, but I think it was a good first race of the season. Took one gel at the beginning of the run - normally would have taken one fairly early in the bike and then also at the beginning of the run, but I don't think that hurt me. I still managed to gulp down some liquid calories (gatorade) and didn't tear up my stomach too much...I did have to pee through most of it - almost tried during the bike but couldn't do it - so I think I still need a bit of work on the morning routines.
So that's that....finally it's done.
May 1, 2009
Flying Pig...Swine Flew...
Bad jokes abound about this. Let me just say for the record - I laugh so hard (secretly) that I almost snort at each and every one of them. However, they are bad. Bad. Bad. And my Dad should never be allowed to tell them.
That said, the Flying Pig marathon is Sunday. As in 2 days from now Sunday. I'm still having a bit of trouble with getting in and out of cars successfully without pain, let alone standing and sitting. Basically, I'm nervous as hell that I'm going to try it and it's going to hurt. Bad. As bad as those stupid jokes hurt normal people without retardedly bad senses of humor.
I'm equally scared NOT to try this thing, as I HAVE spent quite a few hours running in preparation for it. Granted, not nearly the amount of hours I SHOULD have spent prepping for it, but I DID do a 16 miler and I DID do that whole Ironman thing last year. I know just how bad it CAN suck. The question is, will this hurt THAT bad? And will I be able to justify pushing through the pain OR giving in to the pain? What's the likelihood that this could cause more damage to the rest of my season? (Couldn't cause any more damage than flipping and snapping the bike, in all reality..still working on that whole replacement thing...from multiple angles. Someone's probably going to wind up mad at some point - I just hope it's not me)
So....we're driving over tonight. I'm going to pack all of my running stuff and all the compression gear and Ace bandages I own and all the painkillers I can get my hands on.
I was scared before Silverman. It was an odd feeling to be scared that I couldn't do something. (I'm apparently a fairly confident person....) Somewhere, deep down, I knew I could do it by just keeping going. There wasn't any injury or voodooscarycrap that was inside my head telling me I couldn't. I just had to deal with it. I'm not feeling so peppy about this ordeal right now. I'm scared I can't do it - not that I mentally can't but that my body will physically not let me. Or that I will try and fail. Or that I will try and hurt myself. Or that I will not try and regret that.
Rock, meet hard place. Let's do this thing and prove again that I can do any damn thing I set my mind to. I'm not going to qualify for Boston. I'm not even sure I can beat my Silverman time....but I'm pretty sure that, to me, finishing this thing might be a bigger accomplishment than that whole Ironman in a thunderstorm and hail thing....
That said, the Flying Pig marathon is Sunday. As in 2 days from now Sunday. I'm still having a bit of trouble with getting in and out of cars successfully without pain, let alone standing and sitting. Basically, I'm nervous as hell that I'm going to try it and it's going to hurt. Bad. As bad as those stupid jokes hurt normal people without retardedly bad senses of humor.
I'm equally scared NOT to try this thing, as I HAVE spent quite a few hours running in preparation for it. Granted, not nearly the amount of hours I SHOULD have spent prepping for it, but I DID do a 16 miler and I DID do that whole Ironman thing last year. I know just how bad it CAN suck. The question is, will this hurt THAT bad? And will I be able to justify pushing through the pain OR giving in to the pain? What's the likelihood that this could cause more damage to the rest of my season? (Couldn't cause any more damage than flipping and snapping the bike, in all reality..still working on that whole replacement thing...from multiple angles. Someone's probably going to wind up mad at some point - I just hope it's not me)
So....we're driving over tonight. I'm going to pack all of my running stuff and all the compression gear and Ace bandages I own and all the painkillers I can get my hands on.
I was scared before Silverman. It was an odd feeling to be scared that I couldn't do something. (I'm apparently a fairly confident person....) Somewhere, deep down, I knew I could do it by just keeping going. There wasn't any injury or voodooscarycrap that was inside my head telling me I couldn't. I just had to deal with it. I'm not feeling so peppy about this ordeal right now. I'm scared I can't do it - not that I mentally can't but that my body will physically not let me. Or that I will try and fail. Or that I will try and hurt myself. Or that I will not try and regret that.
Rock, meet hard place. Let's do this thing and prove again that I can do any damn thing I set my mind to. I'm not going to qualify for Boston. I'm not even sure I can beat my Silverman time....but I'm pretty sure that, to me, finishing this thing might be a bigger accomplishment than that whole Ironman in a thunderstorm and hail thing....