New plan

I looked back at a 5K race I did last October and I came in 4th place in the age group of women 50 - 59. I thought I did terrible because the course was really difficult. My average pace was 12:01 per mile. That is real, verifiable information on the race results page. It is not wack-a-doo nike+ info. So what the heck has happened between October and August? I think it was training for a half-marathon.... not that it was bad.

But I stopped using the treadmill and I basically stopped trying to go fast. All I was doing was slow runs. I think I have realized that I have got to get back in the dreaded gym and get on the dreadmill.

So my new plan is: 3 days a week in the gym on the treadmill, going as fast as I can for 3 miles, 4 miles, and 3 miles. On the weekend, I will head out on the road for my wonderful slow, long-distance runs. I will follow the mileage suggestions in one of my books, but for this week, it is 3/4/3/5. I did my five mile yesterday. Tomorrow I will get in the gym to start my week with three miles on the dreadmill.

I also hate to admit this, but I need to add in some strength training. I SO do NOT want to do this. But I think I better. I tend to be very very muscular, so I am thinking maybe I could do pilates instead of weights? Just writing this makes me anxious. I do not want to do this. I started lifting weights in the 70s, I was dang good at it. I used to love it. I got very defined triceps, biceps, quads, and my calves are something that would look more natural on a male weight lifter or wrestler. I know that they say to use light weights and high reps, but I still get all ripped looking and I do not want to look like that! I am a girl for God's sake!
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I have just worked up quite a sweat fixing my dryer and rearranging my deck furniture (not like on the titanic). I put Christmas lights on some outdoor trees to add a festive touch for my son's homecoming. I will get to see him tomorrow. He will get to come home within a week. Words cannot even begin to convey how this feels.

I don't know why people respond to this news with "is he coming home for good?" What does that mean? For good? Forever? Nothing is forever. If he is in the National Guard, he will probably have to go somewhere again some day. But today I thank God that he is on his way home and that is all I care about.

good news, bad pics

The pictures for the race were finally posted this morning. Now I know why I never wear tight shirts. Oh well. I was smiling because I was having fun and that is the important thing!

My son called yesterday and is no longer in Iraq!!! He is on his way home. There will be a ceremony on Sunday at a local Army Base and I will get to see him then. He will debrief there for a few days and then he will be HOME. I feel like I can breathe for the first time since July 10, 2006 when he left.

I feel just giddy I am so happy about this. I went out this morning and took a 5 mile run - it will be my long run for this week. I wanted to get that under my belt before this weekend so that I am not worried about it.

And then I showed up at work in an outfit straight out of a "dress for success" manual - for what NOT to wear to work if you ever want anyone to take you seriously. I am wearing green sequined flip flops, khaki capris, a hot pink camisole, with a brightly multi-colored tropical shirt over that! What the heck was I thinking? I just must be in celebratory mode!

My boy's 31st Birthday

This time next week, he should be back in the United States of America. I should actually be able to see and touch and talk to my son within the next week! Today is his birthday, the second one since he left for Iraq last July. We shall have a celebration to end all celebrations when he gets back!

I just took a lovely 5K run. It is a cool morning, and it felt great to just go out and run. I am actually beginning my training for my next half-marathon (October 14), but for right now, I feel like I am just going out and running for the love of it, and that is a good thing.

I have to get new shoes within the next month, and when I went to the running store last weekend, I didn't see "my shoes" anymore. I found a shoe I love in the Brooks Trance 6. But now they are on to the Trance 7 - which is a super cool space ship looking shoe - silver and blue. I will try them on and take them for a spin on the treadmill at the store and let the wonderful folks at Boulder Running Company tell me if they work for me.

I really appreciate all the feedback on the Survivors' Table at the race. I felt like I was being a jerk, but it is heartening to see that others feel the same way. I will definitely give them my feedback and actually at this moment, I think I won't do this race next year. You pay $80., raise money for a good cause, train and train, finish the race, and then you are greeted with snarly people and after you walk by the good food that you don't qualify to eat, you finally find some green bananas and plain bagels. No thanks. I really like the post race festivities, that is part of the whole deal for me. After an event that takes 2 hours, I really NEED to eat something and rehydrate and stop sweating at least. I may change my mind about this....

The pictures from the race are not posted yet. You will see them as soon as I do!

More Tri Thoughts

After over 24 hours to gather my thoughts, I will share some here: My times were posted at about 6:00 last night. I actually added 2 SECONDS to my time from last year! I couldn't believe it, 2 seconds! In comparison to last year: Swim :11 less. Trans One 1:26 less. Bike Plus 1:03, Trans Two Plus :22, and the Run Plus :14. So, now I will come out of the slow closet and tell you that my time was 2:03:32.
Swim 23:49
trans 1 5:11
Bike 47:47
trans 2 4:07
Run 42:36

The funny thing is that I enjoyed the swim, I felt great the whole time. I just plugged along, I was able to get right in the water and get right to it... no freaking out and breast stroking or back stroking or the dreaded panic-stricken-treading-water.

The bike ride was torture. I have no idea what happened. I just felt like I was riding on two flat tires with the brakes stuck on through quicksand.

The run was OK. I didn't feel bad as I have in years past. I was slow, but not terribly so. There was only one water station - it was at the half way point. By then I really really needed some water. I had a gu during transition 2 and then a swig of water, but I felt like the gu was sticky in my mouth and it was unpleasant.

Now another "true confession" moment. When I finished, I felt like I had just been run over by a train. I was happy, but absolutely beat. I needed some water and something to eat. The first tent I approached had some bagels and fruit. As I reached for one, I was sternly told that "this is the survivors' table." I really wanted to cry. I felt like I just crashed a party and I really really needed something to drink and eat. I walked around and someone handed me a popsicle and I decided I just wanted to go home. Now, please don't think I begrudge breast cancer survivors' right to first dibs on the after race festivities, and don't think I minimize what they have been through... but holy cow, was there a way to clearly mark that tent so people could not feel like they are trying to steal the food out of a cancer survivor's mouth?

OK, now in the interest of fairness... a stellar facet of the race. I was looking forward to being over 55, because I knew I would have less "competitors" of my own age group. What I didn't think about was that women over 55 who are doing triathlons are generally pretty good athletes. They are serious! And good! And fun! And wonderful! And generous of spirit! I so enjoyed sharing the transition area with them. Maybe some day I will slim down and get better at this.

For now I am thrilled that I can even be in the game. I can put my little race bib on and get to go out with the big kids and play!

Another Triathlon Finished

I finished my 4th triathlon this morning. I enjoyed it very much. It was surprising to me that I struggled during the bike ride. That is traditionally my strongest sport. At one point during the bike ride, I looked at my tires to see if they were flat. I felt like I was riding through quicksand. I don't think my time was too bad, but it isn't posted yet. I felt great during the swim and it isn't even too much of an exaggeration to say I felt pretty decent during my "run". I think my transition times were not good. When I got off the bike, I really felt beat up.

I enjoyed sharing the bike rack with some wonderful women - I think I like being over 55. I also really enjoyed my new clothes. I felt great in them. Several women commented on my "cute skirt". It really is cute.

I also concentrated on looking appropriately stern during the bike ride so that there won't be any pictures of me looking like a smiling nut! I did laugh during the run and I think a photographer might have caught that.

So, I don't know much except I am done, and I had a great time. Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive.

Excitement!!!!

I am so psyched about the race after attending the expo this morning (and purchasing $130. worth of stuff I could NOT live without!) So, the race jersey is black. I thought that would be OK, but I didn't realize it would have sleeves on it. It is supposed to be 92 degrees tomorrow and I do not need to be wearing a black short sleeved shirt, so I purchased a pink bike jersey... I needed one anyway.. sure I did. AND I purchased the skirt I of which I have been so desirous. It is freaking cute! And of course, I NEEDED to buy a new pair of tri shorts to go under the skirt because my old tri shorts are too long.
Note that the race bib SNAPS on the skirt. Oh, it is so cute! I am in love with this thing. This is a Colorado company, so I will tell you all about SkirtSports... I think they are wonderful... and you can order online if you feel the need to purchase a super cool skirt with snaps for a race bib. Well, some of you men probably aren't that interested, but that is OK. This afternoon I have to go buy the pink hat I was trying to avoid buying. Oh well.

Yesterday I got out and ran. It was 2 miles, but I felt good. I am going to go out in the heat now and take a 45 minute to hour bike ride. Then I will come home and finish the final Harry Potter book - and take a nap. I bought myself a beautiful steak to have with a salad tonight - and I have peaches for desert.

I am so excited! Good luck to everyone else who has races this weekend! I can't wait to read about them all.

3 days

And I am being a complete jackass about my training. I have been so lazy this week. I took 2 days off in a row and one of them was sheer laziness and tiredness. I have a commitment to be at my church on Thursday mornings from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m., so Thursday is my normal rest day. But Wednesday I just couldn't get out and run.

So tomorrow I plan on running maybe a slow 5K and Saturday take an easy bike ride. Then my Tri is on Sunday. I am very excited.

If I manage to get any kind of workout in tomorrow, I probably will post to "brag" about it. You guys rock and I can't tell you how motivating you all are.