YAY England!
YAY USA!
way to get the job done... of course that means this weekend i will need to work my workouts in around the two games.... and since it's getting more intense - it will have to be some Bacchus and me bonding time - dont need any distractions - truthfully I have been enjoying listening to the games via ESPN3
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Picked up the bike today
Just like a little kid at Christmas... as soon as I got home, I ran upstairs, changed out of my work clothes and into my play clothes to try out my new toy. I went back to the park - as much as I want to start riding more on the road - I am thinking NOT at that hour of night...
I did 10 miles and it was a really nice ride. I am sure the service made it a bit smoother not just the tires.
I suspect I took some time off my pace. It felt more fun but that could be the whole novelty of its newness. Ask me again in 3 Sundays how I like it. UGH!!!!!
I did 10 miles and it was a really nice ride. I am sure the service made it a bit smoother not just the tires.
I suspect I took some time off my pace. It felt more fun but that could be the whole novelty of its newness. Ask me again in 3 Sundays how I like it. UGH!!!!!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday Music Musing - Something new...
I was recently reminded of forgotten favourite... SNOW PATROL
What were you thinking I was going to say something I didnt hear first on Virgin Radio?
I first heard Spitting Games around the same time I got sucked in to Bedshaped and Keane. I believe it was my friend, Lauren, that eventually went out and bought the albums.
And I listened to the 2 endlessly for months. The subsequent albums from Snow Patrol are equally entertaining. I think they are going to have to be introduced back into rotation - which reminds me A HUNDRED MILLION SUNS has gone missing along with those Keane and Heather Nova cds.
What were you thinking I was going to say something I didnt hear first on Virgin Radio?
I first heard Spitting Games around the same time I got sucked in to Bedshaped and Keane. I believe it was my friend, Lauren, that eventually went out and bought the albums.
And I listened to the 2 endlessly for months. The subsequent albums from Snow Patrol are equally entertaining. I think they are going to have to be introduced back into rotation - which reminds me A HUNDRED MILLION SUNS has gone missing along with those Keane and Heather Nova cds.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Bike Depot
And even though I didnt use the bike at all between the race in September until just a few weeks ago, I did make that promise to myself last year that I would upgrade the tires. So I ventured into the unknown world of the local bike store earlier today. As intimidating as buying hiking shoes for Belize. As unfamiliar as wearing a swim cap. Two years into this and I still think of myself as the "C in gym class girl". I did gymnastics. I ran around in leotards. Hung from bars. Turned cartwheels. Practiced splits. This whole rugged outdoorsy athletic thing is so foreign and intimidating to me... But I walked in anyways - it is something I needed to do. Crap - I have moved myself to a foreign country and survived - this is just a bike store... And you know it was pretty cool. Lots of stuff that I am not even sure what it does. But impressive none the less. Dont worry family members I wont be morphing into Brian any time soon but I am excited to see what the change in tires does for my ride and maybe even my race time.
So I dropped off the bike and they told it would be ready Tuesday. They were nice. They didnt laugh at my little bike. And they didnt snicker behind my back. Maybe I will eventually start to fool myself that I am athletic.
With the bike out of commission for a few days I get a little reprieve from having to get up too early tomorrow.
So off to lounge at SH's pool instead.
So I dropped off the bike and they told it would be ready Tuesday. They were nice. They didnt laugh at my little bike. And they didnt snicker behind my back. Maybe I will eventually start to fool myself that I am athletic.
With the bike out of commission for a few days I get a little reprieve from having to get up too early tomorrow.
So off to lounge at SH's pool instead.
history of bikes
Let's recap a little history of me and biking....
There was that first bike. Whose bike was that? It was used and had those rusty fenders. Thankfully I did not take this as indication to stay away from bikes... The infamous handlebar to the head incident. I was young. My cousin, Terry, was helping me clean the rusty fenders. My mom was observing. We both let go of the bike at the same time (I guess it didnt have a kick stand) and CLUNK we got a bleeder. I dont think there is a scar. I remember there were a number of butterfly bandaids. And I suspect the rest of the rust remained. It eventually got an upgrade to a banana seat - remember those? And a lecture on how they weren't so two people could ride on the bike at the same time. I think the little girl across the street and I tried it anyways.
The next bike - and the only one before my last purchase - was a gift from my dad on my birthday. I think it was grade 3. I remember going up to the bike store on 34 near Hurley Pond Road. We walked all around. We looked at all the bikes. I got to sit on a few. And we made a decision - the maroon Ross 3 speed with tan lettering and soft seat. But it was a gift and I'd have to wait for it. I dont think it came home with us that day. I think my dad brought it home later for me.
Somewhere in there between the two bikes I do remember him teaching me how to ride. Frazee had a good slope for getting up some speed when teaching how to ride a bike. A pain to get back up but not that bad. But I started going places on that bike - ice cream, Sarah's, St. Denis, town (what was the deal with only so many minors in the 7-11 at a time?), and the best destination of all - the beach - especially when you rode home via Riverview - what a great road - tree lines, pretty trees, almost flat...
And I eventually started getting lectures that I needed to use the bike more. I think that's why there was a never an upgrade to the bike. And truth be told I think that bike lasted up until not too long ago at my parents house.
I got this bike 2 years ago after I signed up for the first race.
And I still hear that lecture echoing in my mind - you need to use the bike more.
There was that first bike. Whose bike was that? It was used and had those rusty fenders. Thankfully I did not take this as indication to stay away from bikes... The infamous handlebar to the head incident. I was young. My cousin, Terry, was helping me clean the rusty fenders. My mom was observing. We both let go of the bike at the same time (I guess it didnt have a kick stand) and CLUNK we got a bleeder. I dont think there is a scar. I remember there were a number of butterfly bandaids. And I suspect the rest of the rust remained. It eventually got an upgrade to a banana seat - remember those? And a lecture on how they weren't so two people could ride on the bike at the same time. I think the little girl across the street and I tried it anyways.
The next bike - and the only one before my last purchase - was a gift from my dad on my birthday. I think it was grade 3. I remember going up to the bike store on 34 near Hurley Pond Road. We walked all around. We looked at all the bikes. I got to sit on a few. And we made a decision - the maroon Ross 3 speed with tan lettering and soft seat. But it was a gift and I'd have to wait for it. I dont think it came home with us that day. I think my dad brought it home later for me.
Somewhere in there between the two bikes I do remember him teaching me how to ride. Frazee had a good slope for getting up some speed when teaching how to ride a bike. A pain to get back up but not that bad. But I started going places on that bike - ice cream, Sarah's, St. Denis, town (what was the deal with only so many minors in the 7-11 at a time?), and the best destination of all - the beach - especially when you rode home via Riverview - what a great road - tree lines, pretty trees, almost flat...
And I eventually started getting lectures that I needed to use the bike more. I think that's why there was a never an upgrade to the bike. And truth be told I think that bike lasted up until not too long ago at my parents house.
I got this bike 2 years ago after I signed up for the first race.
And I still hear that lecture echoing in my mind - you need to use the bike more.
triathlon of spending
In addition to the battery excursion. Wait - let's talk about the battery excursion - So I call REI to see if they carry the battery for the Garmin. They do but she tells me so does CVA or Target. So instead of driving in the wrong direction and going to REI, I go to the second Target (there are 2 Targets within a mile of another - the second one is just that much closer to my home). $140 LATER!!!
Well while I was there I had to stop by the shoe place that carries the low end Sauconys that I have used for years. I got a new pair of those. While I was there, I picked up some new flip flops - I suspect my old pair were bothering my feet. And if they had any I was going to pick up new boat shoes - I suspect if it is not the old flip flops then it is the boat shoes bothering my feet.
And since I got new sneaks - hey why not pick up some new workout clothes... oh and a new beach towel (you know I would have purchased the Tinkerbell towel if it was on sale - everyone needs a beach towel with a fairy based on Marilyn Monroe on it)... and some wine (just because).... dog food and batteries (the only 2 things really on my list)...
it's so much cheaper to not have hobbies or interests - hey maybe I can add that to my financial planning and saving SCHTICK...
Well while I was there I had to stop by the shoe place that carries the low end Sauconys that I have used for years. I got a new pair of those. While I was there, I picked up some new flip flops - I suspect my old pair were bothering my feet. And if they had any I was going to pick up new boat shoes - I suspect if it is not the old flip flops then it is the boat shoes bothering my feet.
And since I got new sneaks - hey why not pick up some new workout clothes... oh and a new beach towel (you know I would have purchased the Tinkerbell towel if it was on sale - everyone needs a beach towel with a fairy based on Marilyn Monroe on it)... and some wine (just because).... dog food and batteries (the only 2 things really on my list)...
it's so much cheaper to not have hobbies or interests - hey maybe I can add that to my financial planning and saving SCHTICK...
Garmin
So I woke up for my walk/run on Friday morning, yucked my FR60 out of the gym bag and strapped it on my wrist. I hit the start button as my foot hit the pavement behind my house - BEEP - and a blank screen. You know I am not much of a techy so when I am faced with the challenge of malfunctioning technology I just cringe... I figure it will cost me money and I so hate parting with my money. It totally threw me off my walk/run game. I dont think I got the full workout in. I just kept tinkering with buttons and it kept turning off. I sent an email off to Garmin first thing. As much as I cringe I have also this Murphy's Law aura - it's not going to be just the battery - just you wait and see... So I may as well prime that pump sooner than later. I got a new battery and that didnt look to be working. Good thing I primed that pump because by the time I figured it out I already had a service case started with Garmin.
And to my delight they offered to send me a replacement watch.
That made me smile.
I have gotten very fond of using the Garmin FR60 since I got it last July. I am always amazed at how my heart rate plods along, how my swim pace varies, how my run for a minute is getting longer than a minute. Sure the Bulova is nice but you cant tell time down to the second like the FR60. And then to be able to download it all. Pretty cool stuff.
Looking foreward to a new one that works.
And to my delight they offered to send me a replacement watch.
That made me smile.
I have gotten very fond of using the Garmin FR60 since I got it last July. I am always amazed at how my heart rate plods along, how my swim pace varies, how my run for a minute is getting longer than a minute. Sure the Bulova is nice but you cant tell time down to the second like the FR60. And then to be able to download it all. Pretty cool stuff.
Looking foreward to a new one that works.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Regiment to follow
So a few weeks ago I sat down with the calendar and drew up a down to the last straw game plan to train for this silly race I thought sounded so convenient in July. WHAT was I thinking?
I have done somewhat OK with it. Well there was a storm Monday that interferred with my swim. And I didnt sleep well Monday night - so Tuesday morning's run/walk didnt happen. But HEY I got Wednesday as my off day down pat. Thursday was way too hot and I needed to catch up on that up at 3:30am for work Wednesday. Friday I got the walk/run in but got distracted by my Garmin.
So hopefully next week will go a little better.
I have done somewhat OK with it. Well there was a storm Monday that interferred with my swim. And I didnt sleep well Monday night - so Tuesday morning's run/walk didnt happen. But HEY I got Wednesday as my off day down pat. Thursday was way too hot and I needed to catch up on that up at 3:30am for work Wednesday. Friday I got the walk/run in but got distracted by my Garmin.
So hopefully next week will go a little better.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
kids in tow
on the path this morning - after i convinced myself to do the 10 miles on the bike - i did do 2 miles on foot as well... there was a couple that arrived around then on bikes... and the mom had a child in tow on the back of her bike. and it reminded me of a younger day...
i used to ride on the back of my mom's bike with her. i can remember being in it once - that must have been some feat for her to lug me along. i dont remember going far. i do recall something like daddy could ride with me on the bike further than she could.
then heidi got a kid seat for her bike - i remember it was when they lived in WLB. i must have been a senior in high school. i remember taking someone tiny on the bike with me. i think it must have been ty because tony would have been REALLY little - like a new born - or maybe it was either of them.
i can remember coming out of the nighborhood and going up a street or two. i never rode too far. i remember it was difficult.
i thought of all that today as the woman rolled by me - she was doing a good job and kudos to her for pulling that extra weight around.
oh and kudos to me for kicking out a pretty big workout
now to clean the house - YUCK
kp and I may swim later as long as the storms stay away
i used to ride on the back of my mom's bike with her. i can remember being in it once - that must have been some feat for her to lug me along. i dont remember going far. i do recall something like daddy could ride with me on the bike further than she could.
then heidi got a kid seat for her bike - i remember it was when they lived in WLB. i must have been a senior in high school. i remember taking someone tiny on the bike with me. i think it must have been ty because tony would have been REALLY little - like a new born - or maybe it was either of them.
i can remember coming out of the nighborhood and going up a street or two. i never rode too far. i remember it was difficult.
i thought of all that today as the woman rolled by me - she was doing a good job and kudos to her for pulling that extra weight around.
oh and kudos to me for kicking out a pretty big workout
now to clean the house - YUCK
kp and I may swim later as long as the storms stay away
rain in the forecast
i am trying to motivate to get on out there again this morning let's just say the world cup festivities were more festive than i had anticipated
and we got sucked into conversation...
so this morning i am trying to motivate again, it is already about an hour later than i started yesterday, but there is a chance for storms later today and i dont want to get thrown off by that - so i must get moving...last week i had trouble a few times with the bike being stuck on top of the car during a rain storm - truly not fun!
JK and I had fun at our initial location - keep in mind my workout yesterday - so i made sure i had enough water in me to not overdo it on the beer - but i was also FAMISHED!!! and the nachos sounded appealing... sure far more food than one person should eat but it was tasty
i must admit that i was disappointed that the game was a draw and at the score of the first goal i realised that i did in fact want england to win - no, that is not un-american of me - come on folks we have all these other sports we obsess about the rest of the 4 years and hardly pay any mind to futbol so why should we be so pissy about winning now that it has come to this - i mean the scheme of things futbol ranks at least 5th or 6th behind our obsessions with football, baseball, hockey, basketball, golf, nascar, heck even tennis... so let's give england a break - this is the sport (ok besides cricket) that they all know and love... that being said, i hope they win the rest of the games in their group
from there we ended up at a little bar down the street... we have those now that the law has passed... and we had some beers there - oh and a very yummy chili dog with cheese - remember the workout earlier? i ws hungry...
we probably wouldnt have stayed long except we met the new owner of the bike shop in town...and we got sucked into conversation...
so this morning i am trying to motivate again, it is already about an hour later than i started yesterday, but there is a chance for storms later today and i dont want to get thrown off by that - so i must get moving...Saturday, June 12, 2010
up out of the saddle
so i did as intended - alarm went off at 545 and i struggled out of bed... it really wasnt that bad, although a nap may happen soon (yes, i know it is only 10am).. made the coffee, let the dog out, attended to the FB addiction, hurled the bike up on the car... at 709 I was on my way down the road. i realise the turn around time was not as quick as one would assume but i was please with it. I was at the park by 722.
LUGGED the bike back off the car and started on my way... i had every intention of doing 10 miles. but you know once i get started plus the back and forth aspect of six mile creek, i find it hard to stay motivated
i have found that the internal conversation in my head while swimming has become quite rhythmic and peaceful.. i find myself swimming along and not paying too much mind to the passing of laps - of course that always screws with the count.. but on the bike i have yet found that rhythm of cycle cycle cycle cycle oh where did the time go... i am getting close but not quite
so at 4 miles i decided 8 would probably be the accomplishment of the day... turns out it was probably closer to 8.6 but....
unfortunately today the regulars i have gotten used to seeing the past two weekends werent there - granted i was there about an hour earlier than ususal but is suspected by the time i left i would see them
and if i think that riding for 6 miles in a back and forth pattern is rough - i can only imagine these few runners that do it...
so i peddled along.... i used the highest gear i could muster in an effort to give the legs a better workout
i need to do some hill work - which is not an otpion on the trail - but i dont want to forego stamina and endurance by winding myself on a hill and then being down for the count - so for now it is high gears
the other thing i tried today - that has been a struggle for me since i started back on this bike thing 2 years ago, lifting myself out of the saddle...
technically the longer you can stay in the saddle the better as standing uses some of the same muscles as running and can fatique those muscles before the run aspect of the race
but up out of the saddle is truly helpful on those really bad hills - so i figured i need to get on that
plus if i am going to start taking my friend's spin class i should try to get better at the concept
unlike my childhood - nowadays when i stand on the bike i feel like all sequence of peddling gets muddled, my legs are moving fast and out of sync with my body. on the downward motion i am convinced my chest is going to smack into the handle bars and eventually my feet will slip and my chil with slam into the handle bars... hence my hesitation... lo and behold this morning something seemed to kick in, the feet and legs and body struggled at first but did in fact get in sync... it was a cool feeling... i need to add that more frequently...
from the 8 mile ride i did do 2 miles on foot, only a very little run...
overall it was a good feeling
now on with the rest of my day
LUGGED the bike back off the car and started on my way... i had every intention of doing 10 miles. but you know once i get started plus the back and forth aspect of six mile creek, i find it hard to stay motivated
i have found that the internal conversation in my head while swimming has become quite rhythmic and peaceful.. i find myself swimming along and not paying too much mind to the passing of laps - of course that always screws with the count.. but on the bike i have yet found that rhythm of cycle cycle cycle cycle oh where did the time go... i am getting close but not quite
so at 4 miles i decided 8 would probably be the accomplishment of the day... turns out it was probably closer to 8.6 but....
unfortunately today the regulars i have gotten used to seeing the past two weekends werent there - granted i was there about an hour earlier than ususal but is suspected by the time i left i would see them
and if i think that riding for 6 miles in a back and forth pattern is rough - i can only imagine these few runners that do it...
so i peddled along.... i used the highest gear i could muster in an effort to give the legs a better workout
i need to do some hill work - which is not an otpion on the trail - but i dont want to forego stamina and endurance by winding myself on a hill and then being down for the count - so for now it is high gears
the other thing i tried today - that has been a struggle for me since i started back on this bike thing 2 years ago, lifting myself out of the saddle...
technically the longer you can stay in the saddle the better as standing uses some of the same muscles as running and can fatique those muscles before the run aspect of the race
but up out of the saddle is truly helpful on those really bad hills - so i figured i need to get on that
plus if i am going to start taking my friend's spin class i should try to get better at the concept
unlike my childhood - nowadays when i stand on the bike i feel like all sequence of peddling gets muddled, my legs are moving fast and out of sync with my body. on the downward motion i am convinced my chest is going to smack into the handle bars and eventually my feet will slip and my chil with slam into the handle bars... hence my hesitation... lo and behold this morning something seemed to kick in, the feet and legs and body struggled at first but did in fact get in sync... it was a cool feeling... i need to add that more frequently...
from the 8 mile ride i did do 2 miles on foot, only a very little run...
overall it was a good feeling
now on with the rest of my day
Friday, June 11, 2010
sleep
the one thing about swimming - it usually lends itself to a good nights sleep
gonna give that a try so i can do it all over again in the AM
tomorrow i'd like to ride my bike further than the people who seem to run forever on the bike path
and i'd like my pace to be faster as well
gonna give that a try so i can do it all over again in the AM
tomorrow i'd like to ride my bike further than the people who seem to run forever on the bike path
and i'd like my pace to be faster as well
get in the water
my fear this evening was i would have too much to do and not get out of the office on time. i have a meeting on tuesday that i have only just recently been made aware of. hence i had lots of data digging to do yesterday and today... amizingly enough i got it all done.
so i left about 15 minutes to 5 and headed to the Y
can anyone else remember when i was at the Y last because i sure cant... especially to swim.. it could be january...
the parking in front option to not materialise. i was so lucky over the winter when the "you really need to swim parking fairy" wa on my side. every day for like a month i found a parking spot right in front. not so much this time around. thankfully it wasnt as bad as it can be... and in this weather you dont have to lug quite as many heavy garments too and from the car...
into the Y i went. i did the normal routine of walking over to the window to see how many lanes were open in the pool - NONE! - are you kidding me? in the winter no one was at the Y on a Friday night - I guess this being the first day of summer there were lots of people just kicking about
OH how I hate to share a lane. it has more to do with the awkwardness of standing over someone while they are in the water and you are in just a bathing suit (not to mention fashionable swim cap and goggles) and asking to share. i know they would not say no, but i just hate that feeling. once i get in the water and stasrt moving the share lane aspect doesnt bother me - i might not relax as much but it is quite the simulation to race day. my lane sharer was getting out of the water when i got in so it worked out well.
it took some time to get a pace - i have given up on the breast stroke as my warm up - i am now trying a steady freestyle as my warm up with the intention of picking up my pace in the rest of the workout... it's that picking up thing over the next 4 weeks and rest of the summer that I want to focus on
100 yards right hand breathing, 100 yards left hand breathing - uHp, there goes that water in the left ear...
OK, let's see how much further I can go today... I dont want to make this trek and get out too soon.
I ended up completing 1000 yards in about 28 minutes and eventually had to go back to sharing a lane
I was pleased with the accomplishment
I showered, steam roomed (there was something way off with the temp in that steam room), and actually donned shorts, tank and sneaks and hit the stationary bike for 2.25miles (about 10 minutes)...
I fee good!
tomorrow is a bike/run day at the park
followed by world cup something
so i left about 15 minutes to 5 and headed to the Y
can anyone else remember when i was at the Y last because i sure cant... especially to swim.. it could be january...
the parking in front option to not materialise. i was so lucky over the winter when the "you really need to swim parking fairy" wa on my side. every day for like a month i found a parking spot right in front. not so much this time around. thankfully it wasnt as bad as it can be... and in this weather you dont have to lug quite as many heavy garments too and from the car...
into the Y i went. i did the normal routine of walking over to the window to see how many lanes were open in the pool - NONE! - are you kidding me? in the winter no one was at the Y on a Friday night - I guess this being the first day of summer there were lots of people just kicking about
OH how I hate to share a lane. it has more to do with the awkwardness of standing over someone while they are in the water and you are in just a bathing suit (not to mention fashionable swim cap and goggles) and asking to share. i know they would not say no, but i just hate that feeling. once i get in the water and stasrt moving the share lane aspect doesnt bother me - i might not relax as much but it is quite the simulation to race day. my lane sharer was getting out of the water when i got in so it worked out well.
it took some time to get a pace - i have given up on the breast stroke as my warm up - i am now trying a steady freestyle as my warm up with the intention of picking up my pace in the rest of the workout... it's that picking up thing over the next 4 weeks and rest of the summer that I want to focus on
100 yards right hand breathing, 100 yards left hand breathing - uHp, there goes that water in the left ear...
OK, let's see how much further I can go today... I dont want to make this trek and get out too soon.
I ended up completing 1000 yards in about 28 minutes and eventually had to go back to sharing a lane
I was pleased with the accomplishment
I showered, steam roomed (there was something way off with the temp in that steam room), and actually donned shorts, tank and sneaks and hit the stationary bike for 2.25miles (about 10 minutes)...
I fee good!
tomorrow is a bike/run day at the park
followed by world cup something
dribble
so i already did my 530am walk(almost run) this morning but i just had this world cup inspiration to add to my workout...
i could dribble a soccer ball around in front of me when i walk/run
STOP LAUGHING!!! it would totally help me address those dark negative thoughts in my mind for sure..
half the reason - shoot it could be 90% of the reason - i fend those negative thoughts is because of soccer
i would say the first sport we played each year in gym class from grade 1 to grade 12 was soccer...
i didnt play soccer... my mom was a ballerina. she had me do girlie sports - dance, gymnastics - and i liked it... soccer, not so much
so I dont really think i would have the skill to dribble a ball with me... but it would be quite the site
tonight is supposed to be a swim time - guess i better get that suit, goggle, cap all gathered up - note to self - remember both pieces to the suit :)
i could dribble a soccer ball around in front of me when i walk/run
STOP LAUGHING!!! it would totally help me address those dark negative thoughts in my mind for sure..
half the reason - shoot it could be 90% of the reason - i fend those negative thoughts is because of soccer
i would say the first sport we played each year in gym class from grade 1 to grade 12 was soccer...
i didnt play soccer... my mom was a ballerina. she had me do girlie sports - dance, gymnastics - and i liked it... soccer, not so much
so I dont really think i would have the skill to dribble a ball with me... but it would be quite the site
tonight is supposed to be a swim time - guess i better get that suit, goggle, cap all gathered up - note to self - remember both pieces to the suit :)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
boo crazy thunderstorm
so the sky started getting dark sometime around 4 this afternoon... and i kept plugging along with work. and at 5 i still found myself plugging along - really 150+ funds to sift through? if i dont want to do it does anyone else really want to ?. anyways... so a little before 6 i decided to head on out.. i have farm fresh asparagus and potatoes in my basket from the weekly market delivery. i have fresh wild salmon in the fridge from earth fare. i am going home to grill up some food and then head on out on the bike. and when i excited the building, yup it was still a little dark outside but no rain. i even put my sun roof open. but then eventually the rain drops started to fall. it was really just a sprinkle. and when i looked on the horizon toward home i thought it still looked sunny. and closer to home i got the clouds seemed to be following me. sure the horizon looked clear but up close - not so much. i started thinking - i wonder if there is a tornado warning and waht the heck would i do if i saw one? i probably wouldnt be using the "heck" if i did.... and on i drove. i could then start to see the rain moving in the distance. it looked like it had passed my route BUT OH NOOOOOO was i ever wrong about that. not some hundred yards later - MONSOON type rain just teaming down... right on that part of rea road that has really bad drainage, the part i always say i wont drive on in the rain... and it continued until i pulled into the driveway
needless to say - the food got grilled in the middle of the raindrops. truth be told the rain kind of spoiled my mood for the grilled food. i am sure it wouldhave tasted better if it were sunny.
and the bike ride? just not happening
not sure what i am going to do instead
oh VAMPIRE DIARIES....
not that that will get any calorie or cardio in...
needless to say - the food got grilled in the middle of the raindrops. truth be told the rain kind of spoiled my mood for the grilled food. i am sure it wouldhave tasted better if it were sunny.
and the bike ride? just not happening
not sure what i am going to do instead
oh VAMPIRE DIARIES....
not that that will get any calorie or cardio in...
yay got up and got something done
I went to bed around 10 last night. Not as early as I had been hitting the hay but still a good attempt at sleep. I have been enjoying the going to bed early and getting up early. It feels like I have accomplished something without really trying. Perhaps even more so since I struggle with sleep.
So the alarm went off at 5 something this morning. I was shocked. I thought it was Saturday and couldnt remember why I turned on my alarm. It took some time to realise it was only Thursday. And then started the mind game - get up get up get up... you have an agenda for the morning... It didnt take too long and I did get up.
Donned the usual - tank top, track pants, heart rate monitor, foot pod, smart watch (that's what I've started calling it), headset, blackberry, pandora... and off I went....
It was a nice morning. Those are the things I need to remember. The low light, the cooler temp, the quiet. The hill on the back side of JKs house is always the tough spot - still warming up, legs still waking up, warming up.... but got up and back down around the neighborhood. It felt good.
30 minutes later I am home with a cup of coffee - my first since Saturday - so that tasted pretty darned good too.
NOW to do it all over again tomorrow.
oh and this evening is supposed to include a bike ride
So the alarm went off at 5 something this morning. I was shocked. I thought it was Saturday and couldnt remember why I turned on my alarm. It took some time to realise it was only Thursday. And then started the mind game - get up get up get up... you have an agenda for the morning... It didnt take too long and I did get up.
Donned the usual - tank top, track pants, heart rate monitor, foot pod, smart watch (that's what I've started calling it), headset, blackberry, pandora... and off I went....
It was a nice morning. Those are the things I need to remember. The low light, the cooler temp, the quiet. The hill on the back side of JKs house is always the tough spot - still warming up, legs still waking up, warming up.... but got up and back down around the neighborhood. It felt good.
30 minutes later I am home with a cup of coffee - my first since Saturday - so that tasted pretty darned good too.
NOW to do it all over again tomorrow.
oh and this evening is supposed to include a bike ride
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
0 and 3
i had this as my day of rest
and this morning as i struggled to get up i gave myself a pep talk
as i drove out at 6am for the 3 hour drive ahead of me
knowing it would be 14 hours until i would be home again
and somewhere in there i thought - HEY, I could do some hill runs this evening when I get home.
There is a hill up out of the neighborhood. It is a perfect 2 minute run up the hill. Walk back down.
Of course I got home a little later than anticipated.
I had to do an EarthFare run. And that warranted grilling some lunch for tomorrow.
Maybe I will get to bed now and try to get up early tomorrow.
We shall see how that goes.
and this morning as i struggled to get up i gave myself a pep talk
as i drove out at 6am for the 3 hour drive ahead of me
knowing it would be 14 hours until i would be home again
and somewhere in there i thought - HEY, I could do some hill runs this evening when I get home.
There is a hill up out of the neighborhood. It is a perfect 2 minute run up the hill. Walk back down.
Of course I got home a little later than anticipated.
I had to do an EarthFare run. And that warranted grilling some lunch for tomorrow.
Maybe I will get to bed now and try to get up early tomorrow.
We shall see how that goes.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
so much for that
my goal has been to get up early each morning and go walking
so far that has not happened
i was sleeping so well last week
i was so looking forward to spinning that into a better AM workout
but for some reason that is not the case
YUCK
so far that has not happened
i was sleeping so well last week
i was so looking forward to spinning that into a better AM workout
but for some reason that is not the case
YUCK
Sunday, June 6, 2010
week in recap
well i didnt work out and train as much as i had wanted to with my week off... and i worked more than i planned to on my week off...
but overall i would call it a good mix of swimming, biking, even some running, reading, time with friends, and rain... so i wont complain that i am back to work tomorrow.
i have a game plan pulled together for the next 5 weeks to hopefully prepare me for the race - tomorrow we are back on Monday evening swim time
I am looking forward to it...
i did drive out to the race site today... no obvious hills like the one in september but there are some long rolling hills... i need to go back out there and check it out again... maybe in a few weeks time
but overall i would call it a good mix of swimming, biking, even some running, reading, time with friends, and rain... so i wont complain that i am back to work tomorrow.
i have a game plan pulled together for the next 5 weeks to hopefully prepare me for the race - tomorrow we are back on Monday evening swim time
I am looking forward to it...
i did drive out to the race site today... no obvious hills like the one in september but there are some long rolling hills... i need to go back out there and check it out again... maybe in a few weeks time
Friday, June 4, 2010
cycling up that hill
yessirree... that was me yesterday.... trying to cycle my butt up that hill. i took the bike out of the shed for it's inaugural season ride over the weekend. i took a small jaunt on sunday - really small, just up and down the road... then i took it to the park on Monday. i did 4 miles - i KNOW pathetic... Tuesday my goal was to go for 6 but got sidetracked with swimming and mostly just sitting out in the sun and reading
Wednesday I worked a full day.
Thursday I went to KPs to ride with her - there was a mix up with Russell.. well not really a mix up but anyways she stayed in while i rode. the difference of riding in her neighborhood versus the park - HILLS. not as many hills as my neighborhood but hills none the less.
I ended up riding for 18 minutes. I suspected I did 2 miles and she confirmed that my distance was probably that.
Let me tell you those hills got me. I dont know if it was the vitamins, the heat, the hills or a combination of all three. But when I was done I could be found lying on her cold kitchen floor trying to regulate my body temperature. I hate that! I havent felt like that in a while. It's not the heat outside type of overheating. It is totally from within. Thankfully it passed quickly.
Then I went off to work.
Today is a full day off and we are going to attempt a bike and swim this morning. I may throw in a walk/run later today if possible.
Then Saturday and Sunday need to be hardcore workouts - swim.bike.run
I suspect I should go to the Y to get back into the swim of things. we shall see.
Wednesday I worked a full day.
Thursday I went to KPs to ride with her - there was a mix up with Russell.. well not really a mix up but anyways she stayed in while i rode. the difference of riding in her neighborhood versus the park - HILLS. not as many hills as my neighborhood but hills none the less.
I ended up riding for 18 minutes. I suspected I did 2 miles and she confirmed that my distance was probably that.
Let me tell you those hills got me. I dont know if it was the vitamins, the heat, the hills or a combination of all three. But when I was done I could be found lying on her cold kitchen floor trying to regulate my body temperature. I hate that! I havent felt like that in a while. It's not the heat outside type of overheating. It is totally from within. Thankfully it passed quickly.
Then I went off to work.
Today is a full day off and we are going to attempt a bike and swim this morning. I may throw in a walk/run later today if possible.
Then Saturday and Sunday need to be hardcore workouts - swim.bike.run
I suspect I should go to the Y to get back into the swim of things. we shall see.
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