Monday, January 28, 2008

Random Thoughts

  • A 12 miler in 13 degrees at an 8:38/mile pace is doable. I did this Friday morning at 4:30 a.m. with Holly, Tim, and Lee. Tim and Lee are fast and just crazy enough to show up at the rec center at 4:30 a.m. for a 12 miler too. Holly and I plugged along, nice and chatty for the first 8 miles trying to keep our lips from freezing. Then, in Holly's words, I "shut off the talking switch and became very focused on each step". She found it comical how I do that, and I guess it is pretty funny. It's like, when I start getting worried about finishing a run at a certain pace I stop expending all unnecessary energy - talking being one of them. I did the same thing to Erin at RNRAZ - I just got really quiet and focused near the end. We did the run in 1:43, I believe, and that included a fair amount of hills. It was on my BT plan to only run 1hr 30 minutes, so I guess that is fairly close. Nobody else that I knew of was running less than that, and the moral support of other people in 13 degrees was well worth running a few extra miles! My nose ran continuously, and I wiped it constantly with my water proof glove on my right hand. When I finished, it was covered in ice. This was my coldest longish run all year, maybe my coldest run ever. For reference, I wore an ear warmer and toboggan on my head, 2 pairs of gloves(UA coldgear gloves underneath Eddie Bauer water proof gloves), 4 layers up top not counting the sports bra(coldgear shirt, l/s tech shirt, Nike track jacket, & fleece vest), 1 layer on the bottom(UA coldgear tights only - I needed something on top of them as my legs were frozen), and 2 pairs of socks kept my feet toasty.
  • I CAN be decent at mountain biking, but I'm gonna have to remember how, and be confident that I can. I gave it another whirl Saturday morning with Leslie and J.O. This time we went to the AEDC trails instead of Tim's Ford. We took off, and I immediately fell behind. Once again trying to "steer" the bike instead of "riding" it. They'd stop and wait, and then I'd catch up. This went on several times, and then I finally relaxed a little and started going with the flow and leaning my body instead of turning the handlebars so much. I was able to stay with them for the last, oh, 7 or 8 miles of the 14 - barely. The 14 miles took 1:46 total time and 1:39 ride time. My BT plan was calling for a 3hr 30 minute ride on this day. I guess I could have gone home and got on the trainer, or rode another 14 miles on the mtb, but I didn't. At some point, as in like - now, I'm going to have to start meeting these prescribed times and distances on this plan, but can someone tell me why I should be riding 3.5 hours on the bike in January for a half-ironman in May? Geez. I think this coming Saturday calls for the same thing. Maybe I'll slow it down some and double the distance. On the mtb that is. I'm not going to ride my trainer for 3:30 hours right now. Not unless I absolutely have to. And don't even start about getting out on the road in 25 degrees. Not for any serious length of time anyways.
  • J.O. and Leslie on the trail
  • Stuff gets lost in the mail sometimes. I ordered a snorkel for swim class and needed it Sunday. Unfortunately, it got "misrouted" in the mail. According the USPS tracking service, they still don't know where it is. I opted not to go to swim sans the snorkel since that's what class was about. It was probably a good decision since I picked up a stomach bug from Briar and started feeling it about the time I would have been jumping into the pool. Nevertheless, I want that damned $25 snorkel asap!
  • Tracking everything you eat works. Atleast it is right now. I've been using the SparkPeople website to track everything I eat, and I've lost 2 lbs in 2 weeks. Not anything miraculous I know, but that means I haven't gained any weight also which is a good thing. I haven't made any really major changes, other than a green drink here and there for breakfast and being more conscience about what I'm shoving into my mouth. Because when type in "Cornbread x 2 pieces" and realize you consumed 346 calories with those 2 pieces you'll think twice before you reach for that second piece the next time.
  • I didn't go see Spirit of the Marathon movie. I wanted to, but I was going to have to drive 1:15 to get there and not get home until 11:00 p.m. before my Friday morning 4:30 a.m. run. Check out Rae's blog for the run down.
  • A few minutes of podcasting fame makes ya feel pretty darn special. So I'm riding my trainer Thursday night listening to TacBoy 'n Bigun's latest podcast, and they start talking about me!! And Trimama's screaming for me at the finish line of RNRAZ! So I kicked it up to 20 mph while they were talking about me, ofcourse. Funny stuff that podcast is...Briar was wanting to know 'what in the WORLD I was listening to' that made me burst out in laughter every 5 minutes. Except he said "bust" not "burst" because we live in the south, ya know.
  • Happy is where it's at. I just feel, in general, happy lately. We all have highs and lows, and I've had some highs and lows lately throughout this "Happy-ness," but I've seemed to be able to remain quite happy even during the lows. In spite of the cold weather, in spite of the dismal economy and the effect it has on hubby's business, in spite of all the other "not perfect" things in my life, I feel a real sense of calm about me lately. I don't exactly know what to attribute it to. Maybe it's the heart to heart talks I've had with God lately, and knowing that He understands what kind of place I'm in with my faith even if others do not. Maybe it's the knowledge that sooner or later spring will be here. Maybe it's the way that looking into the eyes of my kids and realizing how blessed we are just takes my breath away. Maybe it's the absence of a lot of outside things in our lives - few sports going on, few obligations to meet. Maybe it's just the calm before the storm. Or maybe it's the magic of a sub-4 marathon! ;)

10 comments:

Phil said...

There is nothing like a long run on a cold day (as long as the wind isn't blowing too hard). Your body warms up, but won't over heat and you feel like you can run for ever. I'm very impressed that you're banging out 12 milers at 8:30/mi this soon after R&RAZ.

Congrats.

Benson said...

Your running is really good.
And I like that you're trying some mountain biking.
Nice job on the food tracking. That is pretty cool stuff. Do you know what made your tummy turn?
I hope all keeps going well and your happiness gets even better.

jahowie said...

I wish that I could bring myself to run in the cold like that. Very nice run. You are so fast!!

J~Mom said...

Awww...I love that last paragraph!! Sounds so peaceful! :>)

Rae said...

I think 2008 is the year of the happy. And why shouldn't it be??? Life is good.

And Mtn biking looks so bad ass. And so does roller derby but Brent thinks I would get my butt handed to me doing both, so I'll just enjoy your pics! =)

Comm's said...

I have been running in the cold and rain and I don't like it.

(imagine massive temper tantrum right now)

Marathoner in Training said...

Lana, I will have to try Sparkpeople, as for running in the freezing cold, you and your family always have an open invitation to come to Phx. where the weather is just perfect.

Janet Edwards said...

Glad to hear all is goiing so well, happy girl!!!

You are one tough chica waking up at that hour to run in the cold!

Tri-Dummy said...

You do sound happy...that's GOOD!

YOu put together a training plan yet?

Anonymous said...

Hi Lana, Is good to know that I am not alone. ehehehe. Yes, I am from Brazil but also wake up early to do my training as well, specially my Bike training, because here, its very dangerous to train at the commercial times.
Regards and have a nice training to acomplish your goals as Ironman Florida 2008. I am thinking about Ironman Brazil this year and dream with hawaii, but, its just a dream. ;)

Regards,
Thiago
Thiago

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