Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wacky Wednesdays
To quote Jennifer, "We're Zumbaletes now, consisting of three consecutive sporst -- cycling, Zumba and yoga. You will now be stronger, sexier and at peace. Now isn't that better than wet, tired and miserable?"
Next week, game on!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
2007 in Review
Workout summary
Running - I ran 547 miles in 2007 compared with 698 in 2006. It was a conscious decision to cut back on running as I added volume in other activities. And it was better for my body as I sustained fewer injuries.
Swimming - swam 58,050 meters versus 15,050 in 2006. A pathetic effort both years, but still an improvement.
Cycling: 1642 miles versus 280 in 2006. The year of the bike, baby!
Weights: 62 versus 73. I didn't mean for this number to decrease. But dropping Friday weight workouts in favor of strong Saturday rides took a toll.
Yoga: 23 versus 28. Whoops. I love yoga and need to fit it in more regularly.
I have to recognize that breaking my finger impacted all of these numbers somewhat, since I couldn't swim, lift weights, or do yoga without pain for six to eight weeks. Overall, I'm okay with these numbers and they are a reasonable benchmark for future training.
Races and Events
I participated in a lot more races/events in 2007 than in years past, including:
- Monument 10k run
- Capital to Capital (half-century bike)
- Power Sprint triathlon
- Luray Olympic triathlon
- Heart of Virginia two day cycling event
- Giant Acorn sprint triathlon
- Smithfield duathlon
My best events were the Heart of Virginia, where I felt strong, and Giant Acorn where I loved the bike and felt good in each event. I have a bone to pick with Luray and/or the Olympic distance after freaking out on the swim, flatting on the bike and losing a bunch of time.
Goals
My stated 2007 goals were:
- Maintain an appropriate balance of training/exercise and family time.
- Continue with TriGirls. Get to know the team better and have fun!
- Improve strength, form, and speed on the bike. Goal: 18 mph average speed over 20 mile distance.
- Improve run form and increase speed to 8:15 minute miles over 10k distance.
- Be more consistent with swim and bike workouts - 1x/week minimum swim; 2x/week minimum bike.
- Strength train 2x/week for one hour each.
- Yoga or pilates 1x/week for 45 minutes.
Hmmm, not so sure about that balance of training and family time. I always feel guilty about leaving my kids and I did it pretty much every Saturday morning for the whole year. I'd also like to get to know more TriGirls which was seriously hampered by the fact that I rarely go to the team workouts. The few that I did get to hang with and get to know better - including the Lane girls, Annnnn, Deanna, Megan, Susie Q, Lesley, Margo and others - totally rock the house.
I definitely improved on the bike. Frankly, there was no other direction to go. I didn't get any faster on the run and I didn't gain consistency on the swim. Strength training and yoga were hit or miss.
So all in all, not great but not horrible. I'm really happy with my time and improvement on the bike and satisfied that I was reasonably consistent in other areas. If I ever get serious about triathlon, I'll have a lot of work to do learning to love the swim... or at least forcing myself to do it! Weights and yoga I love but tend to sacrifice for other things.
On to thoughts of 2008!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Jodi's Race Report
- we knew we looked good (we wore orange & red sleeveless shirts) (NOTE from Tri-Di: Jodi is the cutie on the far left)
- it was getting hot. Will the heat zap our energy? Are they re-using the sponges on the course? It's Disney..they better not.
My friend, Dr Mike, is also my chiropractor. He suggested that vitamin C was good for post-race recovery. Well, guess what's in a mimosa? That's right. Vitamin C. It was dreamy. We drank 2 bottles of champagne with fresh-squeezed Florida OJ after our showers and never had a post-race nap. We met up with the other 'superstars' (thanks, Jamie!) have another bottle of champagne that Magic Judy sent down for us (thank you) and went out to Downtown Disney for our celebation. Surely we would need to rent a wheelchair to get us home. Nope. All good. Some of the girls actually danced as was discussed in our pre-planning goal session. Vicky wins the dancing award...that girl will do anything for music!
Tons 'O Fun
The plan was for us to meet at Maramarc for 7 a.m. cycling. And that would have been a great plan had I been more prepared. As it was, I fought with getting my bike rack on my car for a half hour. It was far more difficult than I anticipated in the dark with a thin sheet of ice covering my entire car. I was about 15 minutes late to cycling, but Ed kindly let me join his shenanigans anyway. There was a stellar group of TriGirls represented: Megan, Patty, Caroline, Lynn, Jennifer, and Molly. I hope I'm not forgetting anyone and apologize if I am! We did lactate threshold training which I have to say sucked. I was kind of happy that I missed the first 15 minutes and therefore the first set of intervals. It was a great workout though and such fun to catch up with Megan... during the times when I could breathe and speak normally that is...
Caroline, Patty, Jennifer and I headed to Starbucks after cycling and indulged in their new skinny lattes. Very tasty! As usual we were the rowdiest (and funnest) group at Starbucks. From there, we went to the Y for Zumba. I tried it last week and piqued Jennifer's interest with my tales of Latin dance moves. The class was so much more fun with friends! Those of you who know Patty especially can imagine how entertaining the class was with the four of us. Beanie peered in from the studio next door where she was doing body shape, but I couldn't convince her to join us. She got a good laugh at my expense though. I still didn't have any rhythm but got a great workout this time.
Since we're used to doing things in threes apparently, we went to yoga after Zumba. The switch between the two was quite abrupt. Once we adjusted, we were fine. This particular yoga class was low intensity and focused mainly on relaxation. I really needed to stretch and it was fabulous.
Caroline suggested the weight room afterwards or perhaps a quick run but we opted for Carytown and Nacho Mama's instead where Patty was wild, Jennifer was loco, and Caroline and I were bangin'. After margaritas, lots of chips and salsa, and a great meal, we went to Clementine's in hopes of seeing Lesley but alas she must have been warned that we were heading her way and made a quick escape. What a great shop though! I have to go back when I'm in a condition to try on clothes because she had tons of cute things at great prices.
We had so much fun that we're planning a complete repeat this Wednesday.
Come join us!
Workout Week in Review
Sunday: It was quite cold and the Bean refused to run outside, so we headed to the Y for a lovely treadmill run. It was quite boring but we were warm. I ran eight miles (yawn) at ~ 9:50 minutes/mile average. Thank goodness the Y has TV screens now so I was able to pass the time watching What Not to Wear.
Monday: Weights class. Good stuff. I love that class.
Tuesday: Ran solo, five miles at 9:27 minutes/mile average. I'm faster without the Bean, but I wouldn't go as often without her. So it seems like a better alternative to run with her when she wants to run.
Wednesday: Had a phenominal day with Jennifer, Caroline, and Patty - more on that subject in another post. Here, I'll summarize by saying we attended Maramarc cycling (45 minutes for me and 60 for them as I was terribly late), then we went to Zumba and yoga. It's a different kind of triathlon for winter training!
Thursday: Ran 4 1/2 miles with the Bean at an 11:01 min/mi average. See what I mean?
Friday: Weights class. Chris taught and she is fabulous. We did pushups where we were supposed to push our entire upper body and both hands off the floor between each rep. Chris looked great doing it; I looked much like a beached whale.
Saturday: I was supposed to cycle but gave into Taz's plea to go to his basketball game instead.
And that my friends is my workout week in review.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Workout Week in Review
Sunday: Nothing. Recovered from the Bean's birthday bash!
Monday: Went to my usual weights class. Felt guilty for skipping the previous day's run and ran five miles with Beanie at a snail-like 10:56 min/mile average.
Tuesday: Revisited Pilates. I really need to work Pilates and yoga into my schedule more regularly.
Wednesday: Since I messed my schedule up by skipping Sunday's run, I had to do weights and running on Wednesday too. This time, Beanie and I ran further (6 miles) but slower (11:20 min/mile). We're going for distance, no?
Thursday: Ah, Thursday. Thursday is when I lost my shit at the Y. Not really, but I was angry. They gave away my spot in spin class and what's worse, got all snippy and tried to blame me for not leaving a phone number or being on time when in fact I was never asked for a phone number and I was early. I had to be satisfied with 45 minutes on the exercise bike in the fitness center. I wasn't satisfied a bit though.
Friday: Ran with the Bean, five miles at a week-top speed of 10:48. My speed is going to crap. But I've got that distance going for me.
Saturday: I was supposed to bike with my usual suspects but we all bailed based on reports of immanent snow fall. We finally got some flakes late in the day and I kicked myself for not going. So that's a long way of saying... I did nothing!
Fortunately, the workout week starts anew tomorrow and I will have the opportunity for redemption.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Newsflash from Orlando!
Mickey is safe!!
We did not run him over. We did try! Nah, just kidding. 3 awesome medals.
We're all finished. Did the half in 2.5 and the full in 5.5. Feeling pretty good. May lose a few tornails but feel great everywhere else.
Celebrating with mimosa's. Yummy! I'm much better than I was after Chicago.
P.S. Even went dancing on Sunday night after dinner!
P.S.S. Even went to MGM on Monday for some theme park action! And Tues. And Wed....
Eenie Meenie Miney Moe
I have to wonder... would I have been better off to stay in bed and have a salad for lunch?!?!?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
New Workouts
This week, my "new" thing was a return to Pilates. I did Pilates for a few months two summers ago when it happened to fit into my schedule, and I've missed it since I haven't been able to do it. Ironically, the first few times I tried Pilates, I thought it was really easy. I was advised to stick with it at least three times and soon discovered that when I did the moves in some semblance of correct form, it was actually difficult.
I'm not sure whether the class has gotten harder or my core strength has gone to nil, but today's class was incredibly difficult. There were some crazy moves that I could not do at all, although I'm thinking laughter is a good core strengthener so I have that going for me! (And anyone around me who saw me in action...)
The other class I want to try is hot yoga. I'll have to chat with my friend Liz about that.
Perhaps I can complete a triumvirate of humility! (Or should that be humiliation?!?!?!)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Shameless Solicitation
Seriously, she wants to sell 150 boxes to win some damn stuffed animal, so help a sista out. In her mind, I'm at $350 in purchases and anything you buy decreases that number (as well as the number that will appear on the scales afterwards...).
They are $3.50 per box and types are: Lemon Chalet Cremes (new), Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, All Abouts (new), Sugar Free Chocolate Chip (new), Tagalongs, and Thin Mints. For details on each cookie, go to http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/ and select “Meet the Cookies” from the information bar near the top.
No pressure, really... just a shameless solicitation.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Birthday Bean
Cate and me in dance form
Beanie cutting the cake
Bryan taking the stage with the band
Bryan did a great job planning the bash and a great time was had by all. For anyone out there who may be fearing 40, let me assure you that it is most definitely worth the party!
Workout Week in Review
Sunday: Ran 5 miles, 9:30 min/mile average. I made up a new route around my neighborhood that included more hills and I thought it would never end. It was a gorgous day though.
Monday: Zumba (ha!) followed by weights class. The same instructor taught both classes and she was fabulous.
Tuesday: My goal Tuesday was to do my long run of nine miles according to my half marathon training. I ran two, feeling pretty blah, then altered my route to run two back to my house for a bathroom stop. My plan was to go back out for another five miles but it never happened. For four miles, I ended up with a too slow 10:46 min/mi average. Bummer.
Wednesday: Weights class. I had hoped to go to yoga immediately following but couldn't because I had a job interview. Which is a very good thing.
Thursday: The Bean was back for her first run following her recent illness! Yeah!!! We cruised for four miles at 10:56 min/mi average pace and had fun catching up.
Friday: I was sore and tired from a long week so I opted to skip my usual Friday weights class and did yoga instead, which was perfect.
Saturday: My bike posse got together to ride 23 miles on Osbourne Tournpike at 16.9 mph pace. That's fast for me lately. As usual, it was a highlight of my workout week to see TriGirl40, Richard, and Kermit.
Today I'm taking an unscheduled but much needed rest day. I'll have to make up my run tomorrow... or something...
Cheers!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Go Jo!
Do you know about this event? Participants run a half marathon on Saturday then a full marathon on Sunday. And in Jodi's case, they go directly to the nearest spa for massages each day after the runs. Then to a bar once the whole thing is complete.
Jodi's family moved to Richmond from Toronto when we were in seventh grade. She sat beside me in French class, and soon a friendship was born. They moved back to Canada at the end of seventh grade, and I was devastated. She flew down to visit me that summer, and every time she was supposed to go home, we begged our parents for an extension.
We wrote sporadically over the years but didn't see each other again in person until 12 (or maybe more) years later. Jodi and her husband Bruce drove cross-country on their honeymoon, and on the way back to Toronto they dipped through the southern United States. When they were in Tennessee, she called me out of the blue and asked to stop by. Our friendship was soon right back where we left it, plus alcohol, and as a bonus, our husbands get along great. We've visited each other often over the years.
Neither one of us has ever been particularly athletic, so it was a surprise to me when Jodi ran the Chicago marathon a few years ago, and with a damn impressive time. Bruce even qualified for Boston and ran it two years ago! Now she's doing a half and a whole marathon in the same weekend. Clearly, she has become an athlete.
Good luck Jodi!!! I hope you have a blast!
And if you decide to swing through Virginia on your way home, you know where to find me...
Monday, January 7, 2008
It's Official: I've Got No Rhythm
Zumba.
Have you heard of it? Or better yet, tried it? It is essentially an aerobics class with Latin music and Latin dance inspired moves. Today, our super-fit instructor cha-cha'd, spun and shimmied all over the room. I stood in the back feeling - and looking - like a complete idiot. A fact which was comfirmed as two of my friends who were waiting for the next class looked through the windows and laughed hysterically at me.
I've seriously got no rhythm. Alcohol only makes me believe that I do.
Book Review
I started reading it Friday and couldn't put it down all weekend, finishing last night. Richard's review provides a perfect summary, so I won't repeat it but will add my recommendation to his. The book is tremendous. I loved The Kite Runner by the same author but think I liked this one even better. It was fascinating to see the political turmoil and destruction in Afghanistan through the eyes of two women. Particularly frightening was the Taliban rule where women literally were not permitted out of their homes without a male escort. If they did and they were caught, they were beaten.
One of the main characters, Mariam, is only seven years older than me so her experiences in Afghanistan roughly parallel the period of time in which I've grown up. Yet no two lives could be more different. Both of Hosseini's books gave me a far deeper and more sympathetic understanding of life in the middle east.
It is my turn to select a book for book club, and this one is most definitely it.
Seven Weird Things
What the hell; here goes.
- I never know whether weird is spelled "weird" or "wierd" until I type "wierd" and realize how, well, weird it looks.
- Even though I can't spell, I have a much better written vocabulary than spoken vocabulary (not that you could prove it here!) mainly because I have mispronounced words and embarrassed myself way too many times.
- When I was in college, I used to dump clean laundry in a big messy pile on my bed, then sleep under it until I wore it all. Then it became a big pile on my floor and the pattern repeated. I'd still do it today if Scouter would let me get away with it.
- I never think anyone remembers me, and even if I've met someone multiple times, I will usually either say nothing or re-introduce myself.
- I could eat chips and dip for dinner every night. And I used to do it frequently until my eating habits became an example for little people.
- When I was 18 or 19, an older co-worker told me that I had child bearing hips. I still hate him for it. Bastard.
- Apparently an oddity among TriGirl bloggers, I don't require my M&Ms to be paired or color coordinated when I snarf them down. I do prefer them to have almonds in the middle but I'm not particularly selective on that point.
Richard
Kermit
Jon
Siren
Jodi (ditto)
I'm feeling a little wacky right about now... come join me...
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Workout Week in Review
Sunday: It rained. I lounged about in running clothes all day but never actually did any running. Oh well.
Monday: Weight class at the Y. I have no definitive recollection of going, but I'm pretty sure I did. Afterwards, the kids and I ran around picking up dinner materials for New Year's Eve festivities at our house. When we got home, I had a message from poor little Beanie saying she was sick... and on her 40th birthday. Poor baby. We somehow managed to have a good time, but it was definitely not nearly as much fun without her.
Tuesday: Tried to sleep in but the dog kept barking and waking me up. Scouter seemed to find that amusing. Finally went out for the long run I was supposed to do on Sunday - eight miles, 9:43 minutes/mile average. If I was going to feel like crap, I may as well run.
Wednesday: The kids went back to school, thank goodness. I went to weight class at the Y followed by yoga. What a good day! This not working thing really frees up my schedule.
Thursday: It was a frigid 17 degrees when I put the kids on the bus. I usually run from the bus stop but since I have leisure time now, I goofed off until it warmed to a comparatively balmy 29 degrees then ran five miles, 9:33 minutes/mile average speed.
Friday: Weights class at the Y. There was some sort of cardio class immediately following but I didn't even consider taking it. Whoops.
Saturday: Biked 30 miles with TriGirl40 and Annnn. They both dropped me like a bad habit. The only advantage I had was that I knew the route, but that is an advantage with diminishing returns since TriGirl40 is going to learn it soon. I'll have to start mixing things up... Bah ha ha!
Whew! I'm tired. And sore.
And thirsty...
Friday, January 4, 2008
Hypothetical Question
Just wondering.
Purely hypothetical.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Happy Shiny Christmas Post
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy 2008!
Cate and me
Our evening began with frozen cranberry margaritos, followed by dinner from Cavanna Pasta which was delicious - gnochhi, spaghetti, and spinach ravioli with an assortment of sauces, along with Italian chopped salad, crusty bread, and red wine. Dessert was bourbon balls. And of course, we had the obligatory champagne at midnight (with sparkling white grape juice for the kids).
Bryan, Scouter and Wood in between turns on Guitar Hero
A good time was had by all, although it wasn't the same without the Bean's antics. We get a re-do as soon as she feels better!