J-Hawk Earlybird Race Report

Well, kettlebell class last Thursday kicked my A**.  We did 340 squats, plus 60 lunges.  My knee was majorly upset.  It hurt to get out of my car.  I was uncertain as to how Sunday's race would unfold.  Turns out the knee was okay for the race.  Sunday started with a nice bright yellow ball of fire in the sky!  This is my 3rd time doing this race.  Last year it rained on me.  The 1st year ('08) was cool and overcast.  I was pretty excited -- for about 5 seconds.  I realized that the wind was going to be an issue.  BUT - can't control the weather, can we?! 

Pre-race meal -- 1 slice of pb toast, 1 banana, and a Large Soy Latte Miel (mmmmm).  I rode with the Rewey's to the race.  Set up -- what a bunch of hogs some of those people are!  I actually moved 2 people's stuff to make room for my stuff!  Geez!  Decided to swim with tri shorts and long sports bra/top.  Warmed up for a 150 - ready to go! 

I was in Wave 1 - swimmer 1 in my wave.  My friend Pete was swimmer 2 -- 10 seconds after me.  My friend Wade was swimmer 3 in my wave - 2 lanes over.  Started out with bilateral breathing, but I also give up on that.  I saw Wade get about even with me - maybe slightly ahead.  Made sure he didn't get too far away from me.  On the flip turn at 450 yards, Pete touched my feet.  At this point I decided that I would make him work to pass me.  Timer guy put a kickboard in the water to let us know that we were indeed done.  Grabbed my towel and exited the building with Wade and Pete right behind me.  The chip time says 7:46 - mat just outside of the door.  Rob and kids were right there "Mom!  It's a race!"  Apparently they didn't like that I was walking.

LONNNNNNNNG transition.  I pulled on tights - I was chilled!  Short sleeve, long sleeve, and lightweight wind jacket.  Shoes, helmet, garmin, sunglasses.  Pete and Wade left before me.  I passed Wade not long after we started.  He said that he was already cramping bad.  Wind was brutal!  Really tried to work hard on the bike since I knew the run might not go as well as I would like.  The 1st part of the ride, I was able to get aero.  Had to watch some of the corners because of gravel.  When is it going to wash out of the road?  I passed 1 other person besides Wade on the bike.  I saw several others ahead of me and thought I could catch them.  Then I turned into the wind.  If I could have moved to look at my watch, I am certain I would have seen negative numbers for speed!  UGH!  I had to be in my small ring.  I almost NEVER go to my small ring.  I usually stay in the middle ring.  The way back was so bad with crosswinds, I am literally surprised I didn't blow over.  It was funny to be leaning right just to keep the bike upright.  I don't think I have ever ridden in such wind!  And - it was less windy Sunday compared to Saturday!  Bike time said 53:xx.  SLOW! 

Transition 2 was better.  I pulled off my jacket, pulled on my number and grabbed my hat.  Grabbed a drink at the aid station.  I felt bad throwing the cup since the wind blew it so far.  I started out at a good pace.  I was afraid of hurting my ankle, so I dialed back a little.  I got passed by 2 people on the run.  I came close to passing someone, but just didn't push hard enough to pass him at the home stretch.  The run is on the cross-country trail.  It was nice that it was dry this year.  Especially the long wooden boardwalk!  That always has a few causualties.  I felt I finished strong.  Pete finished about 2 minutes ahead of me.  I became quickly chilled waiting for Wade to come in. Turns out his cramps never subsided.  He reported that he SAT DOWN on the run to try to stretch!  I was about to go in an shower when I saw him coming, so I waited.  Boy that shower felt good.  All in all, this is a fun race.  I enjoy doing it and it is so low pressure.  Especially being in the 1st wave of a pool swim.  We all went to Rocky's for lunch.  Wade and I went back to check our times.  1:31:31  Slowest of my 3 races here.  No hardware this time :(

I have since had a massage, and now my legs are feeling better.  I think it is my IT band, but not sure.  I'm going to go easy with the run this week and hopefully it is just a minimal setback.  The good news is - I'm done with kettlebell class!

Seems the weather is warming up - should make for some good upcoming training opportunities! 

Gwen has her Groove Back

I have been running.  I think I can safely say - I'm back.  It feels so good.  This morning, the dog and I ran over 6 with the sun coming up in the east (yes, I know - it always comes up in the East - shut up Robert).  Glorious!  I LOVE that feeling.  I am not breaking any speed records, but I am happy with my pace.  My legs were not even sore!  I think the dog even enjoyed it. 

Biking has been going well.  Again - not breaking any speed records, but it feels good.  Legs get a bit tired, but I feel I am making progress.  I just need to start introducing more hills.  I think I will try that this afternoon while the kids are at choir. 

Swimming has been going GREAT!  I did a 2500 straight last week and was able to hold a 1:26/100 yard pace.  That is about my goal pace.  I am starting to incorporate longer sets into my workouts.  Pretty soon I have to consider open water :( 

Life is about to get really crazy.  The boy is on 2 baseball teams - one of which Robert is coaching.  I have to consider something for the girl -  I think she wants to try softball.  Not sure how that is going to work with the baseball schedules and my workout schedule.  We'll see. 

May 1st is my 1st triathlon of the year and then there is an Aquathon race May 19th.  Let it begin....

Hel-loooooo Spring!

Well, spring fever has sprung.  I had a lovely run outdoors on Monday while Mel was at gymnastics.  Ozzie and I ran to the other side of Oregon and back.  Passed a lot of high school track members (and yes, we were faster than them).  I glanced at the garmin a few times, and we were around an 8:30 pace for a portion.  I went around 4 miles.  THEN - tonight - I rode outdoors!  AND - it's only supposed to get a little warmer!  I am going to try a 60 minute run tomorrow.  We'll see how the ankle holds up.

The last month has been going okay.  I am more motivated, although I haven't done every workout in a week yet!  I haven't done any bricks, but I am trying to build up to that.  My goal is to be fully completing all of my workouts by the end of week 10.  It would be nice if I could keep biking outside.  I'm sure we'll have some set backs.  It is spring in Wisconsin after all.  I have yet to name the bike.  I feel like it should have a name.  It seems like it should be a girl.  Aren't all cars/trucks/bikes referred to as "she"?

Hey - swimming is going well!  I swam a 2500 straight last week in 37:31.  Not bad...I'd like to drop 5 sec/100, but I can live with a 1:30 pace.  I did blank on the flags in one workout doing backstroke last week and went into the wall hard .... with my head.  Guess I am jealous of Rob's rib injury. 

I also am doing a Kettlebell strength training class right now.  It's killer.  I have to make sure I run before it, because my legs will not be happy if I run after!  Wish me luck on my longer run tomorrow!

ABC's of Me

Stolen from my husband's blog:

(A) Age: 39
(B) Bed Size: King
(C) Chore You Really Dislike: picking up. I always feel like there is a better way to organize my house -- there apparently is not.
(D) Dogs: Ozzie - an adorable, spazzy vizsla who drives me insane.
(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: A shower - I do skip on occasion and it never feels quite right
(F) Favorite Color: pink - preferably hot
(G) Gold or Silver? hmm - I think I enjoy silver more now than gold, but I wouldn't trade my wedding rings.
(H) Height: 5'2" - and 1/2!
(I) Instruments You Play: If forced, I could probably remember how to play the flute.
(J) Job Title: Audiologist
(K) Kids: Patrick - 9 1/2 and Melanie - almost 7
(L) Live: Stoughton, WI
(M) Mom's Name: Linda
(N) Nicknames: Wendy, Gwen, G, Wendell
(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? when both kids were born
(P) Pet Peeve: people who don't apologize for being late - heck I can be late at times; being lied to
(Q) Quote from a Movie: hmm - drawing a blank.  I do like many quotes from "Forrest Gump" -- particularly - "I felt like run-ning"
(R) Right or Left Handed? Right
(S) Siblings: 1 sister - Jenny and 1 brother - Nick
(T) Time You Wake Up? the 1st time -- between 4:45 and 5:00
(U) Underwear: apparently anything but a thong is grandma panties -- so I guess I wear grannie panties -- usually
(V) Vegetable You Dislike: eggplant
(W) What Makes You Run Late: kids
(X) X-Rays: foot, knee, chest, sinus, abdomen, teeth -- that might be all
(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Depends on who you ask. I especially like this brussel sprout/chicken dish that I make -- that I stole from Deanna -- but I think I am the only one who likes it.  My kids would probably say tater tot casserole.  I don't think Rob really cares for my cooking much
(Z) Zoo Animal Favorites: orangutans and polar bears and penguins

FYI

So - apparently, my husband starting blogging again under a different title.  2 MONTHS AGO!  If you are interested - here's the link http://chasing-mailboxes.blogspot.com/  I thought he might have mentioned it to me, but I guess not.  He's out of town for a couple of days, so my workouts will all be on the bike until the weekend.  Probably a good thing. My foot is killing me.  I also almost burned the kitchen down, so probably also good he's gone.  Hopefully it doesn't smell like burnt grilled cheese on Friday night yet!

Ironman - Week 1 Wrap-up

So-training has begun.  It seems so hard to be motivated to train for something that seems so far away.  I felt a lot of pressure already this week.  It made me pretty negative.  I had thoughts about what I really signed up for.  I questioned whether I really am willing to sacrifice missing time with the kids.  Trying to balance household duties.  Not to mention that my first "run" was a 2 mile walk.  And that hurt.  I can't imagine that I am to start slowly running in a week.  I'm queen of "over-doing it", and I have tried really hard to not over-do it yet.  I questioned the pain in my ankle before signing up, but figured I needed rest.  I didn't realize that it was going to hurt my off-season maintenance.  I haven't gone this long without running since I was pregnant with Melanie.  I developed plantar fasciitis, coincidentally, right when I got pregnant with her.  When I re-started running, I had a hematoma in my uterus that had me unable to run through pregnancy.  Actually, besides that, this is the longest I've gone without running since 1996.  I ran through 6 months of my prenancy with Patrick.  I realized just how far my fitness has fallen since then. 

I still have 1 workout left to do, but after my weekend - I'm not sure I will get on the bike tonight.  I did ride outside yesterday.  That was rough.  My legs are pretty out of shape.  I did the Lake Kegonsa loop in about 67 minutes.  That is actually not bad.  Average speed about 15.5 mph.  The hills were tough though.  I have to say - even though it was cold outside, I felt good.  Only my feet were a little cold.  I was able to go aero for about 30% of the ride.  I don't know why I can't seem to ride aero on the trainer.  I did feel a little soreness in my lower back, but I think my overall fitness is really down compared to when I am in running shape.  Biking is the only thing that doesn't hurt my ankle, so it should be the thing I look forward to.  I guess I really have to decide to become friends with that thing.  Maybe I should name it?  Maybe that would help.  "I'm going to visit with _________________ tonight."  Seems better than - "going to ride in the hell-cave on the trainer".  Pretty soon I will be done with "Friends" too. Then I have to switch to Coach Troy and spinervals.  Evil man that he is.  Hopefully this week will be a little better.  29 weeks to go................

Where Have I Been??

I'll tell ya.... Laid UP!  So, my plan for a spectacular pre-season really failed.  Mostly my fault. Well, all my fault since I planned on getting good on the bike.  But, I love to run.  And - I could NOT run. I still swam.  Love to swim too.  I have not lifted weights.  Have not done yoga.  I finally had an MRI in December when I couldn't even run a 1/4 mile.  I had a little cyst dude in my ankle.  Decided to do surgery.  I am still recovering.  Surgery was 1-19.  I am in a walking cast.  I get that off next week.  We'll see what happens then.  I am swimming right now.  I use a pull buoy so I don't kick.  It hurts to kick.  My training plan officially starts on Feb. 14th.  I don't think I will be running, but I hope to be doing everything else.  I thought about looking into joining a gym for 1 month to use an elliptical in place of running, but I don't know if that will be an approved exercise.  I will have to wait until I see Lynn next week.  I can't wait to run though.  Remind me of this in July when I am trying to log 20-25 mile weeks!