Today I ran with some of my favoriate running buddies: Jenny, Brenda, Dan, and Kevin. We ran 11 miles and I know that for sure because Dan and Brenda have GPS's. I've decided that a GPS is a good thing because it validates the pain you feel later in the day like I'm feeling right now!
It was a really good run. I felt great the whole way but now I'm sore and very tired. That's the difference getting older makes....I used to be able to run 11 miles and feel relatively fine later in the day and now, even though I felt great on the run, I can hardly walk 3 hrs later.
But that's ok, I'm just happy to be running and spending time with my friends. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning! Now, excuse me while I hobble over to the kitchen to get some Advil and an ice pack.....
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
First Solo Ride
Yeah, baby! Rode out to Kodak and back and kept a good pace the whole way. The only problem was the wind was much stronger on the way back than I thought it would be, making me late to pick up my kids from school. Thank God for cell phones!
I know I will be doing lots of solo rides and I'm actually looking forward to them. Hoping to ride 3 times a week as soon as the weather is consistently warm.
I keep singing the Rocky theme song in my head. Hmmm......
I know I will be doing lots of solo rides and I'm actually looking forward to them. Hoping to ride 3 times a week as soon as the weather is consistently warm.
I keep singing the Rocky theme song in my head. Hmmm......
Getting Stronger....
You're supposed to sing those words to the Rocky theme song as you read this ("getting stronger!!!") swam 30 mins this morning and felt great! Could've easily swam longer but didn't have enough time - woo hoo! Like Marshall, I get very bored with swimming but at least I'm seeing some progress. AND Tom M. commented on how much my stroke has improved. Thanks, Tom!!!!
It's supposed to be 65 degrees today so I'm taking my bike with me to a presentation I'm giving at Aims today and riding afterward for about an hour - can't wait - I'm on a roll today!
It's supposed to be 65 degrees today so I'm taking my bike with me to a presentation I'm giving at Aims today and riding afterward for about an hour - can't wait - I'm on a roll today!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Counting my blessings
That's what I did on my run yesterday morning, after seeing my son fall through the ice on Saturday at Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch!
He was walking around the edge of the pond that I was skating on and, as he later exlained, he thought he was on a snow-covered bank but lo and behold, it was thin ice. He fell in up to his chest! I was at the other end of the pond and didn't hear him screaming at first...then I turned around and saw a group of teenagers trying to reach him. They managed to pull him out before I got there and although he was unharmed, he was scared to death and crying so hard he could hardly speak. Thank God he's ok!
It's times like those that make you step back and appreciate what you got! And it sure makes training for an Ironman seem like trivial stuff.
But I did get a really good run in on Sunday morning. Ran by myself since I needed to be back by 9:30. I enjoy running long runs by myself once in a while. I get to listen to music that I normally don't listen to and I just relax and let my mind wander. I can stop when I want and go back when I want. I love running with friends and prefer to do long runs with them, but once in awhile it's nice to go solo.
This run was unique. I ran Daisy for 4 miles and took her back home, which I wasn't crazy about at first because it's hard to go back out once your home but I didn't give myself a choice and headed back on the road after dropping her off (she's not ready to run super long with me yet). And guess what? I felt GREAT! I ended up going much longer than I expected - ran out by Target and back through some residential areas....about 80 mins long and I felt I could've easily run another 15 mins or so but didn't have time.
I have a busy work week this week (three presesntations to give) so I'll just bike or run for the next few days since they are "quicker" and then start swimming more consistently again starting March 1st. But for now, no ice skating on outdoor ponds.....
He was walking around the edge of the pond that I was skating on and, as he later exlained, he thought he was on a snow-covered bank but lo and behold, it was thin ice. He fell in up to his chest! I was at the other end of the pond and didn't hear him screaming at first...then I turned around and saw a group of teenagers trying to reach him. They managed to pull him out before I got there and although he was unharmed, he was scared to death and crying so hard he could hardly speak. Thank God he's ok!
It's times like those that make you step back and appreciate what you got! And it sure makes training for an Ironman seem like trivial stuff.
But I did get a really good run in on Sunday morning. Ran by myself since I needed to be back by 9:30. I enjoy running long runs by myself once in a while. I get to listen to music that I normally don't listen to and I just relax and let my mind wander. I can stop when I want and go back when I want. I love running with friends and prefer to do long runs with them, but once in awhile it's nice to go solo.
This run was unique. I ran Daisy for 4 miles and took her back home, which I wasn't crazy about at first because it's hard to go back out once your home but I didn't give myself a choice and headed back on the road after dropping her off (she's not ready to run super long with me yet). And guess what? I felt GREAT! I ended up going much longer than I expected - ran out by Target and back through some residential areas....about 80 mins long and I felt I could've easily run another 15 mins or so but didn't have time.
I have a busy work week this week (three presesntations to give) so I'll just bike or run for the next few days since they are "quicker" and then start swimming more consistently again starting March 1st. But for now, no ice skating on outdoor ponds.....
Friday, February 20, 2009
Down Time
Not feeling well today but managed to squeeze in a 45 min run with Daisy. Better than nothing. Yesterday I rode the trainer for 30 mins. Whoop-dee-doo!
Taking a church group to Beaver Meadows tomorrow to do some tubing, ice skating, and snow shoeing, with the kids, of course, so need to move my long run to Sunday (before church, of course). Trying to think positive....I will get it done, I will get it done, I will get it done....
Right now I've decided to do what I can for the next month, mainly due to work commitments, and then gear up for full-fledged IM training on April 1. Marshall is already way ahead of me but he's going to start a 26-week IM training plan developed by Gale Bernhardt and that's what I want to do too. So maybe that will help my motivation level (which is waning big time right now).
I will say that keeping this blog really does help to keep me accountable. I know a few people who read it (hello!) and just knowing that helps me to keep going....a little bit of pressure is a good thing!
Taking a church group to Beaver Meadows tomorrow to do some tubing, ice skating, and snow shoeing, with the kids, of course, so need to move my long run to Sunday (before church, of course). Trying to think positive....I will get it done, I will get it done, I will get it done....
Right now I've decided to do what I can for the next month, mainly due to work commitments, and then gear up for full-fledged IM training on April 1. Marshall is already way ahead of me but he's going to start a 26-week IM training plan developed by Gale Bernhardt and that's what I want to do too. So maybe that will help my motivation level (which is waning big time right now).
I will say that keeping this blog really does help to keep me accountable. I know a few people who read it (hello!) and just knowing that helps me to keep going....a little bit of pressure is a good thing!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I love my kids, I love my kids, I love....
Of course I do but I'm starting to wonder if training for an IM is compatible with parenting younger kids.
Twice in the last few days my workout has been cut short because of my kids and normally that would be no big deal....I like to think that I'm a typical mom who adores her kids and who puts her kids' needs first, who would gladly stay home and read Green Eggs and Ham for the 50th time instead of going for a leisurely ride or run.....but once you send off that big fat check to North American Sports for an Ironman.....you become just a little bit greedy with your time.
Case in point: Sunday morning I really wanted to ride my trainer for 45 mins, maybe even 60 minutes. I felt really good and ready to go. I quickly got breakfast for the kids, cleaned up the kitchen, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, threw a load of laundry in the washer, listened to my son tell me all about his birthday presents for oh, maybe the 10th time, grabbed my water bottle and ran downstairs. We had to leave for church at 10 so I needed to get going.
But nooooo....my kids have not acquired "conflict resolution skills" in any way, shape, or form. They chose this morning to argue and fight over EVERYTHING and to come tell me in great detail what the other one did. After the third round of "Mommy, she/he won't share the computer" (or whatever), I get off the bike and have a heart-to-heart conversation with them. I tell them in my kind-but-don't-mess-with-me voice to please stop fighting and to get ready for church. I would be done riding soon and we need to get going.
But noooooo.....they are intent on tormenting each other. After getting back into a good pace, I hear a scream....then a wail....then a "Mommy, he/she hit me!!!!" For a split second, I considered ignoring the noise and pedealing on but the screams got louder and louder so I got off the bike AGAIN. By the time I got them settled down, it was too late to finish the ride. Fuming, I took a shower and went to church (I had to teach Sunday School that day so I was committed).
This is the point when all parents, I believe, fantasize about saying to their kids what Bill Cosby said so very well: "I brought you into this world and I can take you out!"
Ok, fine, I thought to myself. We're going to Winter Park this afternoon to ski for a few days, I'll go for a good run tomorrow morning since Kurt will be there to manage the kids. Great, can't wait.
But noooooooo......at 2:00 AM on Monday morning, I'm wakened from a deep sleep by a little girl saying "mommy, I had a bad dream" in my ear. I know from past experience that telling her to go back to bed doesn't work so I lay down with her in her bed, which happens to be a twin bed in the condo we're staying in.
Oh lovely. I'm wide awake at 2:00 AM and squished into a twin bed with a squirmy kid. Nice! She falls asleep quickly but I lay awake for an entire hour.....causing me to oversleep in the morning, meaning that I didn't have time to run. ARRRRGGGHHH!!!
Finally, on Tuesday, the kids slept through the night and I did too, making it easy to get up at 5:30 and out the door for my run at 7:00. I ran for a good, long hour (in heavy snow and ice, mind you, but I didn't care!) and felt great. Thank you, God!
I do love my kids but I also like my time away from them. I just keep reminding myself that training makes me a better mom. Somehow I don't think they'll buy it.
Twice in the last few days my workout has been cut short because of my kids and normally that would be no big deal....I like to think that I'm a typical mom who adores her kids and who puts her kids' needs first, who would gladly stay home and read Green Eggs and Ham for the 50th time instead of going for a leisurely ride or run.....but once you send off that big fat check to North American Sports for an Ironman.....you become just a little bit greedy with your time.
Case in point: Sunday morning I really wanted to ride my trainer for 45 mins, maybe even 60 minutes. I felt really good and ready to go. I quickly got breakfast for the kids, cleaned up the kitchen, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, threw a load of laundry in the washer, listened to my son tell me all about his birthday presents for oh, maybe the 10th time, grabbed my water bottle and ran downstairs. We had to leave for church at 10 so I needed to get going.
But nooooo....my kids have not acquired "conflict resolution skills" in any way, shape, or form. They chose this morning to argue and fight over EVERYTHING and to come tell me in great detail what the other one did. After the third round of "Mommy, she/he won't share the computer" (or whatever), I get off the bike and have a heart-to-heart conversation with them. I tell them in my kind-but-don't-mess-with-me voice to please stop fighting and to get ready for church. I would be done riding soon and we need to get going.
But noooooo.....they are intent on tormenting each other. After getting back into a good pace, I hear a scream....then a wail....then a "Mommy, he/she hit me!!!!" For a split second, I considered ignoring the noise and pedealing on but the screams got louder and louder so I got off the bike AGAIN. By the time I got them settled down, it was too late to finish the ride. Fuming, I took a shower and went to church (I had to teach Sunday School that day so I was committed).
This is the point when all parents, I believe, fantasize about saying to their kids what Bill Cosby said so very well: "I brought you into this world and I can take you out!"
Ok, fine, I thought to myself. We're going to Winter Park this afternoon to ski for a few days, I'll go for a good run tomorrow morning since Kurt will be there to manage the kids. Great, can't wait.
But noooooooo......at 2:00 AM on Monday morning, I'm wakened from a deep sleep by a little girl saying "mommy, I had a bad dream" in my ear. I know from past experience that telling her to go back to bed doesn't work so I lay down with her in her bed, which happens to be a twin bed in the condo we're staying in.
Oh lovely. I'm wide awake at 2:00 AM and squished into a twin bed with a squirmy kid. Nice! She falls asleep quickly but I lay awake for an entire hour.....causing me to oversleep in the morning, meaning that I didn't have time to run. ARRRRGGGHHH!!!
Finally, on Tuesday, the kids slept through the night and I did too, making it easy to get up at 5:30 and out the door for my run at 7:00. I ran for a good, long hour (in heavy snow and ice, mind you, but I didn't care!) and felt great. Thank you, God!
I do love my kids but I also like my time away from them. I just keep reminding myself that training makes me a better mom. Somehow I don't think they'll buy it.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Birthday, Evan!
No time to write much today because it's my darling son's birthday and I have work to do. Just wanted to log my workout: approx. 80 min run with my amazing friend, Jenny - thanks, Jenny!
I ran Daisy (cute dog at left) to meet her and Zoey. We ran to UNC and then dropped Daisy off at my house....I continued on with Jenny and she dropped me off on Reservoir Road. She ran all the way home, getting in 2+ hours of running. I felt pretty good.
Tomorrow we're headed up to Winter Park for some skiing....back Tuesday night. Ta Ta!
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