Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Rollin'

Yep, now we're rollin'. I got 6 miles of hill repeats done at lunch on Monday. Had a bit of a feeling like I was short of breath near the end, though, almost like asthma or something. I couldn't get a deep breath. This reminded me that this happens to me during the last 20 miles of a 100 mile ride, too. My lungs hurt, and I can't seem to get a deep breath. I don't know if this is all a part of the training and adaptation process, or if I need to go see doctor. I do feel like if I could just get a couple puffs of some albuterol that it would make me feel better. But I don't know. I probably should just go for good measure...I like to put my health insurance to good use, anyways. It makes me feel better about that outrageous premium I pay.

Tuesday was a bike day. The plan just called for an hour ride, so Don, Tim, Lee and I met up at 5:15 a.m. at the rec center. It's awfully dark that early these days, but thankfully I had my NiteRider MiNewt Dual shining brightly, and Terri told me that she thought I was a motorcycle! So the thing works well, obviously. The four of us take off out of the parking lot and down Hwy 41. We decided it would be in our best interest to stay in town most of the way since it was so dark. We rode up Jail Hill and came to the first red light. Keep in mind that it's like 5:20 a.m. in Manchester - so there's no traffic really, other than a cop here and there. Don and Tim slow down and roll through the red light since no cars were in sight. I hesitated a little, because I saw the county cop sitting there, but I rolled on through, too, and Lee came on right behind me. We got on up the road a ways, though, and I noticed blue lights. We all got way over on the shoulder to let this cop pass us and go get whoever he might be after...but he never would pass us!! Then he turned on the siren and blew the horn at us!!! Finally, after a few of us saying "Is he pulling us over?", we pulled over. We sat there, and he sat in his car for a minutes, just like the real thing. Then he got out, walked over to us, and said, "Now you guys have to follow the rules of the road. You ran that red light back there, and you can't do that." We were all like, "Uh, okay, we're sorry." And I asked, "Well, do we not fall under the motorcycle law in TN, where you can stop and go at a red light?" He paused, looked kinda funny, and then said, "I don't believe that has been addressed yet. So you all follow the rules like everyone else." We nodded our heads, said, "Alrightly, then," and he let us go. I'm still cracking up about it. I mean, the guy was nice and all, so I am thankful that we didn't have to deal with an Officer McBreakfast Taco like Greyhound...and technically I guess we were at fault in running the light...but geez. It was 5:20 a.m. in Manchester - it wasn't like we darted out in front of anyone or tried to beat a yellow light at the main intersection. Anyways...I'm just sayin'.

I need to lift weights that evening while Bo was at swim team, but unfortunately there was a swim team parents meeting that took most of that time. I did sneak out in time to get my leg work in, but no core or upper body. And by the time dinner was cooked, then cleaned up, homework was done and the kids were in bed, I was in no mood to do anything but crash in the bed. I hate that I missed the weights, but I had a good night's sleep.

I knew that it was worth it when I woke up at 2 a.m. thinking it must be time to get up and run, and I was happy to see that I still had 2 more hours to sleep!! It's a good thing I got it, too, because I ran 8 miles with Tim, Lee, Holly J., John, and Jonathon - and they ran my legs off. 8 miles in 1:05 and change. I was seriously cussin' them during the last few miles, but then thanking them when it was done. That's the best run I've had in a long time. Afterwards, Tim and I hit the pool for a 2350yd swim. I did a 300 yd warmup, then 10x200yds on 4 min, then a 50yd cooldown. My first 5 200s were right at 3:30, my last 5 were between 3:30 and 3:40. I am very pleased with that.

So....the momentum is rollin'...and hopefully will carry me on into an iron weekend. Tomorrow is rest...and I'll be needing it.

10 comments:

Michele said...

that is too funny. Glad you didn't get a ticket :)

I think you should go ahead and get checked out by the dr. if it is nothing great but if it is something maybe you will catch it early and get it taken care of before it becomes an issue.

great job getting the momentum back, knew it wouldn't take long.

Lisa said...

Oh yeah, see a doc for peace of mind.

I laughed my butt off over the cop thing. I've driven to the Rec Ctr at 5:15am before and I go the jail house hill route. Guess I'd better not be speeding through there!

TriSonq said...

Ha! That is hilarious. What kind of traffic is the light controlling when there are no cars?!? Be careful riding out there.

Eight miles in 1:05. Holy Crap, you're flying now!

Eric said...

That's better than how I deal with police. My comment is always, "when the cars start treating me like I am part of traffic, I will start riding that way, until then, I will do what I have to do to keep my ass from getting run over"!!!

Wes said...

What kills me is the lights don't pick up bicycles, so they won't ever change to green. What's a cyclist to do then? I have to jump up on the curb and hit the cross walk button!

You are just too much of a morning person!! (spoken in a jealous voice ;-)

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD said...

Great job with the training. Keep up the great work! IMFL is around the corner!
-marni

Bigun said...

Kick it this weekend.

Oh, and I gotta ask ya...200's? Hey, you are the speedster...so just keep doing what cha doing...

greyhound said...

Those numbers are right where you want to be for a strong Ironman. You are so ready.

"rollin' rollin' rollin', git those doggies rollin', everybody's rollin' rawhiiiiiiiiide!"

triguyjt said...

congrats on gettting over on the poh---leeeece-man....

your speed is impressive and i know you will rock ironman

Joe said...

I had breathing problems like that for the first half of summer, following a minor cold. I took a chest puffer spray called Qvar, which really helped me. The problem was gone in less than a week of treatment.