in exactly two weeks i'll be boarding a plane to kona. hard to believe we're actually down to the home stretch now. five months later, we can say we ran and biked in sun, rain, snow and sleet!
this past weekend, i went back to my hometown edmonton, canada for my grandmother's 92nd birthday. when we got off the plane it was 9 degrees farenheit. i don't think it reached double digits the entire weekend! talk about the opposite of hawaii! one night i was walking past my grandmother's bedroom and i saw her on the floor doing arm exercises with small weights. it was inspiring. i also got a swim workout in while we were there and got a chance to go back the same swimming pool that i went to for years as a kid. its funny how everything looked so much bigger back then!
tonight is our last BRICK workout before our bikes are shipped to Hawaii on friday (yes, literally they are going by boat. at least this way the bikes don't have to be taken apart). of course that doesn't mean we get a break from running, swimming or riding via spin classes. we still have our last two weeks of training plus workouts in hawaii to get used to the weather. i think my sun-deprived-pasty white-self is going to go into shock when we land in kona!
alright...here we go!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Random Thoughts...
The bikes ship to Hawaii a week from today and we leave for Kona about a week after that. Exciting! Yesterday morning as I witnessed yet another light & brief flurry of SNOW outside my windows, I am oh, so ready for Hawaii’s sun and 81 degrees.
THE BIKE--I caved a couple weeks ago and bought a new one. I didn’t really need to do that. Guess it was one of those “stimulate the economy” moments. I’ve only ridden it a handful of times. We’ll have hardly gotten to know each other before it boards some boat for Hawaii. After last week’s ride when two teammates had flat tires, I did hang out at the bike shop the other day to learn how to change one. If only they had AAA for bikes on the course. :)
THE WATER—I wore out a swim suit! To be fair, it was one of those “hang out at the beach” suits—not one of the bullet proof Speedos. It did survive the distances, just not my new fragrance “Eau de Chlorine”. My mile time keeps improving and I really am amazed at where I am now as a swimmer compared to where I was 5 months ago.
THE PAVEMENT--I’ve done a 7 mile run now. After 5 1/2 miles the knees started to feel it a bit. Race distance is 6 miles (10K), so I think I’ll be fine. And there’s still time for improvement…and there’s always Advil & ice…
THE GYM-- Developing opposing muscle groups, balance, flexibility, core, strength…Kind of different from the old jumping jacks, sit ups, splits, touch your toes days, and I love it!
INJURIES—Worst so far has been in the water! Who on earth gets injured in the water? One klutz entrance down the steps into the pool resulted in a nasty skinned arm and bonked elbow on the tile edge. A couple of involuntary dismounts from the bike scraped the same knee and bruised a hip. Those were at a standstill, too, after I forgot my foot was still in the toe clip on my bike pedal. That’s like getting injured in the lift line at the ski hill. Nothing to brag about…
INSPIRATION--The donations (I’m nearing my goal!!), notes, emails & good wishes from family and friends. Stories of hope, courage and fight gleaned from random meetings with people who are connected to someone with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or other cancers. Teammates, coaches, husband, sons & daughter-in-law who keep cheering me on---Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Hele hui!! Go team!!
THE BIKE--I caved a couple weeks ago and bought a new one. I didn’t really need to do that. Guess it was one of those “stimulate the economy” moments. I’ve only ridden it a handful of times. We’ll have hardly gotten to know each other before it boards some boat for Hawaii. After last week’s ride when two teammates had flat tires, I did hang out at the bike shop the other day to learn how to change one. If only they had AAA for bikes on the course. :)
THE WATER—I wore out a swim suit! To be fair, it was one of those “hang out at the beach” suits—not one of the bullet proof Speedos. It did survive the distances, just not my new fragrance “Eau de Chlorine”. My mile time keeps improving and I really am amazed at where I am now as a swimmer compared to where I was 5 months ago.
THE PAVEMENT--I’ve done a 7 mile run now. After 5 1/2 miles the knees started to feel it a bit. Race distance is 6 miles (10K), so I think I’ll be fine. And there’s still time for improvement…and there’s always Advil & ice…
THE GYM-- Developing opposing muscle groups, balance, flexibility, core, strength…Kind of different from the old jumping jacks, sit ups, splits, touch your toes days, and I love it!
INJURIES—Worst so far has been in the water! Who on earth gets injured in the water? One klutz entrance down the steps into the pool resulted in a nasty skinned arm and bonked elbow on the tile edge. A couple of involuntary dismounts from the bike scraped the same knee and bruised a hip. Those were at a standstill, too, after I forgot my foot was still in the toe clip on my bike pedal. That’s like getting injured in the lift line at the ski hill. Nothing to brag about…
INSPIRATION--The donations (I’m nearing my goal!!), notes, emails & good wishes from family and friends. Stories of hope, courage and fight gleaned from random meetings with people who are connected to someone with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or other cancers. Teammates, coaches, husband, sons & daughter-in-law who keep cheering me on---Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Hele hui!! Go team!!
Monday, March 2, 2009
4 weeks to go!
This last saturday may have been our last long bike ride before our bikes ship off to Hawaii, on March 13th. Eeek its coming up so fast!
We did a 18 or 26 mile bike ride, followed by a 4 mile run, and once again had great weather for it (though a little chilly to start with). I did the first 9 miles with my mom and Karen along the burke Gilman, then decided to continue on the 26 mile route while they turned back. I caught up with a group of 4 from our team, just in time for a humongous never ending hill. I'd see it flattening out and push myself to that bit, thinking it was over, only to turn a corner and see it go even higher... That was a long long hill...(thanks coach Cathy!). We stopped to take a few rests part way up, which helped, and then we were able to make it to the top. I did enjoy the long downhills we earned as a result of it though :).
After cutting through bothell (for that lovely hill), we hit the burke gilman again, for a 10 mile flat ride home.
With about 6 miles left, I came across Sarah changing a flat tire (with Capt'n Ande's help). I stopped and watched, and commented that I was lucky and had still never had a flat, and that I should really know how to do it... Then I hopped back on my bike, rode a mile or so, and got my first flat!! Poor Ande then had to come help me as well. We had one little scare where we thought the tube was part of the tire, cause apparently they make some fancy tires like that, but then found it was just well stuck. So I finally got it back on, and headed back to the car.
At this point it felt like I'd been out there for ever (like 3 hours) with all the stopping to figure out were we were going, and seeing two flat tires get changed, and it didn't help that I managed to forget all my liquids that day! (I left my Gatorade on the kitchen counter :( ).
I knew I needed to practice more bricks though (bike-run-ick), so I compromised and said I would do a 2 mile run. It just so happened it was a two mile loop. However, as I finished my first loop, I found cathy and 5 people cheering for me, and cheering me onto the 2nd loop! Peer pressure is totally unfair!! So I guiltily took off, and ended up doing the 4 mile run. And I ran the whole way, and didn't find it terrible! (Very exciting for me).
I'd just like to also point out that I have had two flat car tires in the last 3 months, so that is 3 flats in 3 months, and I think that is unfair!
After practice I drank lots of water, ate a lot, took a nap, and then dropped my bike off to get looking over, so it is fresh and ready for Hawaii.
Go team!
We did a 18 or 26 mile bike ride, followed by a 4 mile run, and once again had great weather for it (though a little chilly to start with). I did the first 9 miles with my mom and Karen along the burke Gilman, then decided to continue on the 26 mile route while they turned back. I caught up with a group of 4 from our team, just in time for a humongous never ending hill. I'd see it flattening out and push myself to that bit, thinking it was over, only to turn a corner and see it go even higher... That was a long long hill...(thanks coach Cathy!). We stopped to take a few rests part way up, which helped, and then we were able to make it to the top. I did enjoy the long downhills we earned as a result of it though :).
After cutting through bothell (for that lovely hill), we hit the burke gilman again, for a 10 mile flat ride home.
With about 6 miles left, I came across Sarah changing a flat tire (with Capt'n Ande's help). I stopped and watched, and commented that I was lucky and had still never had a flat, and that I should really know how to do it... Then I hopped back on my bike, rode a mile or so, and got my first flat!! Poor Ande then had to come help me as well. We had one little scare where we thought the tube was part of the tire, cause apparently they make some fancy tires like that, but then found it was just well stuck. So I finally got it back on, and headed back to the car.
At this point it felt like I'd been out there for ever (like 3 hours) with all the stopping to figure out were we were going, and seeing two flat tires get changed, and it didn't help that I managed to forget all my liquids that day! (I left my Gatorade on the kitchen counter :( ).
I knew I needed to practice more bricks though (bike-run-ick), so I compromised and said I would do a 2 mile run. It just so happened it was a two mile loop. However, as I finished my first loop, I found cathy and 5 people cheering for me, and cheering me onto the 2nd loop! Peer pressure is totally unfair!! So I guiltily took off, and ended up doing the 4 mile run. And I ran the whole way, and didn't find it terrible! (Very exciting for me).
I'd just like to also point out that I have had two flat car tires in the last 3 months, so that is 3 flats in 3 months, and I think that is unfair!
After practice I drank lots of water, ate a lot, took a nap, and then dropped my bike off to get looking over, so it is fresh and ready for Hawaii.
Go team!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Comedy Kicks Cancer
On Sunday we had our tribe fundraiser "Comedy Kicks Cancer" - a night of standup comedy & silent auction at the Market Theater at Pike Place Market. I wasn't quite sure what the turn out would be, we were competing with the Oscar's after all, but we were all very pleasantly surprised when over 80 people showed up! We had the food, beer & wine donated for the event along with the venue and comedians. People have been incredibly generous and I've learned they are usually very willing to get behind a great cause!
We had 75 silent auction items and people left with all sorts of things from pet sitting (can't wait to take up Scottie on that) to hotel stays to handmade scarves, jewelry, event tickets and all sorts of impressive sports memorabilia. It was amusing to watch people bid for items and then "hover" to make sure their bid stuck. I have to admit, my competitive nature came out a few times too as I didn't want to lose a few key items :)
So thank you to everyone who came out to support our team, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and most importantly cancer patients and their families.
Can you believe we have only 4 weeks left?! GO TEAM!
We had 75 silent auction items and people left with all sorts of things from pet sitting (can't wait to take up Scottie on that) to hotel stays to handmade scarves, jewelry, event tickets and all sorts of impressive sports memorabilia. It was amusing to watch people bid for items and then "hover" to make sure their bid stuck. I have to admit, my competitive nature came out a few times too as I didn't want to lose a few key items :)
So thank you to everyone who came out to support our team, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and most importantly cancer patients and their families.
Can you believe we have only 4 weeks left?! GO TEAM!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Bricks...
When most people think about bricks, they think of clay and mortar; the building of houses and roads etc. I was once like this, now when I hear the word brick, I think "ugh..." as the word brick is now synominous with effort, pain and moving really, really, slowly. Many of you may wonder where and why I must be carrying bricks and potentially even wonder about what I am building. Alas I am no mason, I have no major blueprint that I am working on. I am simply biking, and then running. But how is that related to bricks??? It is a simple equation: Bike + Run = ICK -> BRICK
You may laugh at this but I dare any of you to go out on a long bike ride and then attempt to move with any form of speed directly after, it's damn near impossible. Go on try it. Your legs literally feel like bricks, the lactic acid has built up to such a degree while you were biking that it is hard to move. However with practice you can teach the muscles how to recover better and adjust to the change in movement. That is currently my major focus in training. It gets me on the bike (we know how I love that) and provides focus for the last transition I will have on race day. I know that by this stage I will be tired, potentially sun burnt and the last 6 miles will seem like an eternity. I am hoping though that this training will help manage some of the pain and get me out and moving as fast as I can so that I can finish in a somewhat reasonable time.
It's hard to believe that it is only 5 weeks until we head out to Hawaii, the reality of the race is becoming ever present with the ending of every day. I can only hope that the training I have done so far, and the training that I will do in these last few weeks will be enough to take me to the finish line. Having looked at our training schedule, Cathy is definitely out to kick our butts so I'm sure I'll be fine!
If you do decide to try out a BRICK, make sure you have enough fluids and snacks with you and remember - be safe, be happy and DONATE!!
You may laugh at this but I dare any of you to go out on a long bike ride and then attempt to move with any form of speed directly after, it's damn near impossible. Go on try it. Your legs literally feel like bricks, the lactic acid has built up to such a degree while you were biking that it is hard to move. However with practice you can teach the muscles how to recover better and adjust to the change in movement. That is currently my major focus in training. It gets me on the bike (we know how I love that) and provides focus for the last transition I will have on race day. I know that by this stage I will be tired, potentially sun burnt and the last 6 miles will seem like an eternity. I am hoping though that this training will help manage some of the pain and get me out and moving as fast as I can so that I can finish in a somewhat reasonable time.
It's hard to believe that it is only 5 weeks until we head out to Hawaii, the reality of the race is becoming ever present with the ending of every day. I can only hope that the training I have done so far, and the training that I will do in these last few weeks will be enough to take me to the finish line. Having looked at our training schedule, Cathy is definitely out to kick our butts so I'm sure I'll be fine!
If you do decide to try out a BRICK, make sure you have enough fluids and snacks with you and remember - be safe, be happy and DONATE!!
Friday, February 6, 2009
The journey to Lavaman continues...
With 14 weeks down and 7 weeks to go, here is the state of affairs for this body:
Swimming—I’ve been working hard. Good news for me is that I’ve improved—a LOT! I’m not attending the Team in Training coached practices (too far to drive at night), so I don’t really know how I compare to my teammates at this point in time. I just know now I’m a whole lot more confidant that I can swim a mile in the ocean and live to hop on my bike afterwards. A couple of weeks ago I went to a swim clinic in Redmond--two full days of working on stroke technique. (And yes, I was rather prune-like by the end of the weekend). The class was small (6 of us) with 2 instructors. The best part of the two days was the several underwater videos they did of each of us. There’s nothing like seeing yourself on video to show you that your head wasn’t really low enough (when you could have sworn it was) or your arm wasn’t really high enough (when you could have sworn it was) :) It was a fun group of people and I am grateful for all their pointers since I was the only one there without any triathlon/half-ironman/marathon experience.
So last week at my swimming lesson I worked on sprints. My instructor told me to swim 10 X 50’s—all out, as fast as I could swim—with about a minute in between each. She said if I didn’t feel like barfing my guts out (her words) after each one I wasn’t working hard enough. That’s always encouraging to hear up front! I managed to keep the breakfast down, but Tina came pretty close to having some serious pool cleanup to do. Yesterday it was back to endurance work. Swam another mile without stopping (ok—I did have a couple 15 second breaks to gulp some non pool water). She said I took 10 minutes off my last timed mile. Yippee!
Biking—We’ve somehow been incredibly lucky with the biking weather. As Rachel pointed out, last Saturday was so beautiful. It makes the miles go by quickly when the sun is shining and the water is sparkly. I only got separated once from the group I was riding with after the long last uphill climb. I was just about to get the cell phone out to call for directions when a few teammates miraculously came up behind me. The only bad part of the day was hopping off the bike and trying to run for 10 minutes. It’s hard to get those muscle groups going after riding 28 miles.
Running—6 miles doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’ve never been a distance runner, it feels like plenty. At the coached runs I always get passed by lots of people. I am getting better, though. 4 ½ miles has been my longest run at a good clip. I’m sure I’ll improve more in the next few weeks.
I keep thinking of how good the sun, sand, and 81 degrees will feel in Hawaii. Most inspiring to me has been watching the thermometer rise on my fundraising and reading the notes sent with checks and emails. I heard President Obama say recently (this may not be verbatim) “Don’t underestimate the power of a bunch of people joining together to accomplish amazing things.” No kidding!
Swimming—I’ve been working hard. Good news for me is that I’ve improved—a LOT! I’m not attending the Team in Training coached practices (too far to drive at night), so I don’t really know how I compare to my teammates at this point in time. I just know now I’m a whole lot more confidant that I can swim a mile in the ocean and live to hop on my bike afterwards. A couple of weeks ago I went to a swim clinic in Redmond--two full days of working on stroke technique. (And yes, I was rather prune-like by the end of the weekend). The class was small (6 of us) with 2 instructors. The best part of the two days was the several underwater videos they did of each of us. There’s nothing like seeing yourself on video to show you that your head wasn’t really low enough (when you could have sworn it was) or your arm wasn’t really high enough (when you could have sworn it was) :) It was a fun group of people and I am grateful for all their pointers since I was the only one there without any triathlon/half-ironman/marathon experience.
So last week at my swimming lesson I worked on sprints. My instructor told me to swim 10 X 50’s—all out, as fast as I could swim—with about a minute in between each. She said if I didn’t feel like barfing my guts out (her words) after each one I wasn’t working hard enough. That’s always encouraging to hear up front! I managed to keep the breakfast down, but Tina came pretty close to having some serious pool cleanup to do. Yesterday it was back to endurance work. Swam another mile without stopping (ok—I did have a couple 15 second breaks to gulp some non pool water). She said I took 10 minutes off my last timed mile. Yippee!
Biking—We’ve somehow been incredibly lucky with the biking weather. As Rachel pointed out, last Saturday was so beautiful. It makes the miles go by quickly when the sun is shining and the water is sparkly. I only got separated once from the group I was riding with after the long last uphill climb. I was just about to get the cell phone out to call for directions when a few teammates miraculously came up behind me. The only bad part of the day was hopping off the bike and trying to run for 10 minutes. It’s hard to get those muscle groups going after riding 28 miles.
Running—6 miles doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’ve never been a distance runner, it feels like plenty. At the coached runs I always get passed by lots of people. I am getting better, though. 4 ½ miles has been my longest run at a good clip. I’m sure I’ll improve more in the next few weeks.
I keep thinking of how good the sun, sand, and 81 degrees will feel in Hawaii. Most inspiring to me has been watching the thermometer rise on my fundraising and reading the notes sent with checks and emails. I heard President Obama say recently (this may not be verbatim) “Don’t underestimate the power of a bunch of people joining together to accomplish amazing things.” No kidding!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Our first long bike ride
This weekend was our first coached long bike ride - and I think it went well for everyone! We had a beautiful ride, and it was blue sky and sunny the entire day. We started off at Gasworks park, then rode by lake union on the BG, and then all the way down to Seward Park. So we got to bike along a sunny lake washington for a few miles. Then on the way back, some of us added in a out and back on the bg, to get a few more miles.
Most of the team did either 20 or 28 miles - some of us did more than the race distance already :). Then we did a 10 minute transition run to practice that yucky brick feeling.
I had originally dreaded this ride - as last year I got lost on this route, and the longest I'd biked so far this year was only 13 miles. But with the sun shining, and the water glistening, it was really nice! And made me excited for Hawaii! only 8 more weeks!
Most of the team did either 20 or 28 miles - some of us did more than the race distance already :). Then we did a 10 minute transition run to practice that yucky brick feeling.
I had originally dreaded this ride - as last year I got lost on this route, and the longest I'd biked so far this year was only 13 miles. But with the sun shining, and the water glistening, it was really nice! And made me excited for Hawaii! only 8 more weeks!
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