Still High From My Duathlon........

I had a couple of real positives out of my bike commute today.  


First thing this morning when I arrived at work on my bike (rain clothes on because it was rather wet out) a rough and tumble 6th grade boy who has given many teachers more than a fair share of grief asked me if I rode to school every day.  I told him no just some days.  He commented on what a great bike I had  and asked me where I was riding from.  When I told him where I lived his eyes got huge and he said, "Wow."  Slight pause  "Wow!"  Nice that I could impress him so.  Good way to start the day.  


After work I had to go to the vets to get some medicine for our cats.  I almost bailed and drove today because it would be much easier to have my car.  But I didn't. I brought a check so I could pay. I brought my lock so I could lock up my bike.  Then I had that great feeling of accomplishing something while I was exercising because I ran an errand. Good way to end the work day.

I've also gotten up early the past two mornings and plan to continue. I've been running by 5:15.  Although this is  a bit early for me I have been loving it. It is really a peaceful time of day and I seem to be beating the bad weather while I run.  

I have only 1 1/2 days of school left! Woot Woot for sure.

I was down to only one race left that I had registered for so I went ahead and signed up for our local 5K.  I am about to register for a few more that I have been procrastinating over.

I am still feeling rather high from my duathlon.  It reminds me of how I felt after my first marathon.  I had so much fun and rode the high well into the next week and beyond.  I know that duathlons aren't going to be a big part of my racing time but when I can I certainly want to do more.  Someone may be trying to convince me to try a triathlon even though they know how I swim when I do which hasn't been for about 5 years.  When I do swim I have never used goggles, I don't do rhythmic breathing and I am no good at the free style. I prefer a very elementary breast stroke.  Sounds just like someone ready for a tri right?  Maybe it will be a goal for another year.  

We have 3 cats who need pills.  So far we have been successful with one cat.  My husband is so impressed that last time I did this alone.  But they must remember and tonight they are having no part of it.  Suggestions?  

Dynamic Duathlon - LOVED IT!

This woman is a duathlete!

Here are my goals for this race:

I want to have fun. (ABSOLUTELY)

I want to finish. (DEFINITELY)

I want to finish with the feeling that I want to do it again. (FOR SURE)

Here is one of my goals for 2011: CHECK!

15. Secret goal- find a duathlon and race in it! Tell no one as when they see you show up on a mountain bike looking not one bit like a bike racer they may not let you enter! Be prepared to come in last.

I had forgotten I made it a secret goal! 

Here is one other relevant goal:

2. Cross train especially in warmer weather. Don't forget what a friend the bike was to you when your feet failed you! This would be a big fat CHECK too!

I loved this duathlon.  I wish there were more of them.  I DID NOT come in last.  I am very proud of how I did.  It is all relative and I am thrilled. 

THE BIKE

 The bike course has been described as challenging and yeah it was but doable.  It was actually 15.6 not 15.  When I went this distance before hand the fastest I was doing it was 1:13 or so.  Today I finished the bike in 1:05 flat. I was thrilled! (yeah be prepared for me to overuse that word)  I felt like I put a lot into it during the bike.  When we were going up a hill around Mile 2 or 3 I was dead last.  I thought okay but just keep those bikers ahead in your sight.  Well, I did and within the next mile I passed one. I had no idea if I would stay in the "lead" but I did. There was one biker who was friends with a woman I have raced the 100 on 100 with twice.  They were doing this as a team.  She and I passed each other several times.  She would zoom by me on the downhills but I would pass her on the uphills.  I felt like I did okay on those uphills.  Generally when I passed someone that is where it was.  I think there were 3 hybrid bikes total in this race. I was glad I didn't have my mountain bike as I would have been on my own I am sure.  Maybe around Mile 7 I passed a man.  Okay this is good, AJH.  You might not be the last biker.  My "friend" and I switched positions often.  On the last third of the bike course I caught up to and passed a woman.  It wasn't long before she was passing me.  We did this a few times.  The last time I passed her I told her I was sure she would be going by me soon but I stayed ahead of her.  There were many hills, two were particularly steep.  I did a little drinking and eating on the bike but I felt like it really slowed me down when I did.  Soon enough I reached the 15 mile mark and knew I was almost back at the start.  I slowed down to go into the school.  I was so worried about the dismount that I never looked at the clock.  I "racked" my bike (new word for me), ate a little, drank some and headed off to realize I had forgotten my hat (took off my helmet though) and came back to get it.  Then I started again.  As I came around the corner I checked the clock and it was 1:07:12 so I figured I was around 1:05 in the bike. I found out later that is exactly what I was. When results are published the transition is included in the run so pace is a little deceiving.  I did find myself absolutely widely grinning during portions of the bike race! And when I was done I was NOT the last one in on the bike.  

THE RUN

 The run course was also more than 5 miles, I am estimating 5.2.  It was hilly, hilly, hilly. If it was a stand alone race I don't see myself signing up for it.  When I started out I was pleased that I could see some runners. I didn't know how far ahead people were.  The first mile and a half is all up hill.  During the next mile and a half there are some flats but still lots of uphills.  The fourth mile is a little of everything. The fifth mile is a blessedly long downhill and the last section is a path across a field to the school parking lot.  None of the bikers who were behind me passed me (all 3 of them) but I passed 4 runners during the run. I passed them in the first two miles and then I could see one runner quite a ways ahead of me.  Once I got a little farther I was running alone.  It was a strange feeling as I definitely use other runners to give me energy and help me go faster. I felt I did okay staying in the race groove though and not settling into a slower every day run.  This run was slow don't get me wrong, but not as slow as a workout would be for me.  As I ran by one home, a man was out mowing his lawn.  He gave me a big grin and tipped an imaginary hat to me.  I loved it.  I thanked all the volunteers as I so appreciated knowing just where to turn and having traffic stopped way in advance for me so I didn't have to worry about it.  My final time was 1:56:43.  I had thought I would surely be 2 hours plus so I was once again thrilled.  My run time without the transition was somewhere around 49 minutes so somewhere high in the 9s. I'll take it. It was one tough course on tired legs.  

Disappointment

 My Garmin was dead again. One more chance and it is history.  In case that third failure appears does anyone have a Garmin they love?  What model? What features do you love?

I didn't take any pictures until I got home.  I was too nervous and caught up in making sure I was doing what I needed to, I decided not to worry about pics.  

Thrills

 The whole thing!  I am so glad there were some newbies there. I am glad I could see bikers while I was biking. That helped a ton!  I would not have wanted to have been alone. It was very motivating to try to keep up, catch up, pass.  I actually knew a few people.  And the weather  - the rain held off.  The temps were quite perfect.  Once again, the whole thing.

The swag - pretty basic.  

Not Many Hours Left Before My First Duathlon

Cloudy. Showers likely...mainly in the morning. Highs in the upper 50s. South winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

That is the weather report for tomorrow.  It also says around 11 (I will not be done by then) there is a chance of thunderstorms.  This is getting worse instead of better. I am not sure what to wear. Obviously bike shorts but long sleeve, short sleeve?  Water repellant or don't bother?  If I am super soaked getting off the bike do I change my shirt before running just for comfort or is it not worth the time and bother?  


I picked up my bike today (new bike tune up) and told the guys helping me I was doing the Duathlon tomorrow.  They  said the bike course was fine (I think it looks hilly as hell) but man the run had an unbelievable hill. Remember I said I had paid no attention to the run aspect of this race?  There was a girl there who was doing it too worrying about being slow on the bike. I will be doing a public service by participating and helping others feel good about their bike times!

I managed to commute to work twice this week.  Thursday was very iffy due to weather. After listening to thunder storms rolling through all night long I got to work with no problem.  All day people were asking me if I would be able to bike home and I thought this was the day I would have to call for a ride as storm after storm rolled through the day also.  But after work it appeared to clear and I rode home plus some extra.  Just as I was getting off the bike in my yard I told my husband I lucked out and he told me I just made it. As soon as he finished saying that the skies opened and it dumped big time!  I got  soaked just putting my bike away.  Love that I got my commute in in between all that weather!

That morning I had also run but I stayed close to home in case it started to thunder. I did some back and forth but couldn't go as far as I wanted because there was a large tree down across the road.  Yikes!  The next morning just past this point my husband saw a bear there on his way to work. I do not want to see  a bear when I am running or biking.

Last week Jamoosh had a good post about Stories Make the Race.  I would change that slightly to Stories Make the Runner and encourage you to go read a recent post by my friend CQL.  She is a very inspiring lady who always has nothing but a positive attitude. She is amazing.

Three Things Thursday - The Duathlon Addition

1. Okay, I am getting nervous.

I know NOTHING about doing a duathlon.  I don't know how to attach the number to the bike.  I do know you need to dismount and walk in but I am afraid I will forget. I am afraid I will break some rule I don't even know exists.  I am afraid I will be so far behind I won't even see other bikers.  I am afraid some people will finish their run while I am still biking.  I am afraid I will feel like a fish out of water. I don't know anyone going at this point and I am not good at small talk.

2.  But.......having said all that I am also very excited.  This was a goal I thought of last fall when I started biking due to my injury and I am pleased that I have followed through. Or I will have mid day on Sunday.  I am excited to be doing something outside of my comfort zone that may open other opportunities for me.  I am thrilled at how much I love biking and can't wait to do LOTS of biking this summer although very little of it will involve racing. I really have paid no attention to the running part of this race and perhaps I should be more nervous about it particularly that first uphill mile.  I think I will be so glad to be running and doing something totally in my comfort zone that I won't care.

3. Here are my goals.

I want to have fun.

I want to finish.

I want to finish with the feeling that I want to do it again.

I LOVE BIKING!

"My" mountain - this is in lots of photos on my blog.

Great weather has arrived in Vermont.  It is going to get too hot for me tomorrow (90s - horrible especially at work on the second floor, south side, not air conditioned room filled with small sweaty bodies) but right now it is great! Having said that I went to the gym yesterday but I had a great workout.  I'm not sure why but the whole run was terrific.  Today I got up early and was running before 5:30.  Trouble was apparently I did still have some of the same problems I had Saturday night and I had to run for the bushes twice.  Not really how I wanted to start my day but it was cool and very little traffic so most of the run was great.

 I came home, showered and then jumped on my bike for my quick ride to work.  Loved it!  I had the ride home to look forward to all day. I did extra hills to put in one last hilly ride before Sunday. I will probably commute again Thursday but may shorten it.

Sheep 

These guys become curious about me.

While I was riding it occurred to me not for the first time that I LOVE BIKING!  Yes, I also "love" running but it is more the feeling after running or racing that I love than the actual doing of it.  I think I have even posted about this before but it hit me so strongly again today how much I love biking.  I don't think I run along that often (ever?) with a big smile on my face. Today I was grinning ear to ear while biking.  I am so glad I have gotten back into this sport.  It seems like other people at work are also becoming bikers and we are planning some rides this summer.

Now I'm on my way down to my house - another angle.

Same pasture, different view

When I was going up the longest hill today (I need to figure out how long it is) I was trying not to use the "granny gear" which I assume is the lowest gear.  I may have used the "My daughter is pregnant and about to deliver gear' but I did not use the granny gear at all very much.

I wasn't going to post today but I had my camera with me and took some pictures so I thought I would.  I hope you all had a great day too!

What form of exercising brings a smile to your face?

Second Brick

On my bike Saturday

I did my second official brick Saturday and it def. felt better than Monday's.  I waited  a bit before I started as it was 38 degrees.  It warmed up quickly and was a gorgeous day.  I took off down the mountain, across the flats and back up the mountain on another road. While I was on the flats I may have mouthed A*****E rather obviously to a driver who was passing a car and came way too close to me.  Then I thought it could be a future parent of mine, a hazard of biking in the town you work in. But at least we would have started developing a relationship.  As I was going up the mountain a biker caught up with me (not hard to do) and stayed with me until I made a turn.  I was surprised as this never happens when I am running. People are polite but they zoom right by.  He gave me a few tips (mostly about shoes) and was quite pleasant to talk to. He had watched VCM for the first time last weekend as his daughter ran in it.  Soon enough though I was turning to do my loop while he continued over the whole mountain, something I can aspire to in the way distant future.  I had a great ride, slightly faster than last week. When I got back home I changed my shirt as I was so sweaty and wanted to run in comfort. My run was much easier. Would that little bit of time had made a difference?  My run part today was more than 6 minutes faster than last week and felt it the whole way.  I saw no moose although I had a fox run near me. I don't like foxes at all. They are often rabid and eat/chase cats. I won't tell you what I jumped and screamed at while on my run.  It was living and was not a stick that I thought was a snake.

I am leaning toward not doing a marathon this fall.  If I don't I will sign up for the half.  I have found two more duathlons I could do in New York in July and September. I would like to concentrate on these (unless I hate my duathon next weekend) and not worry about a marathon. When I think about training for a marathon right now I get a little pit in my stomach at all the time it will take.  I may change my mind. I missed the first cut off for it to be cheaper so I don't need to decide yet.

On my run Sunday

Sunday I was going to bike and run again but so far I have only run. Running may have been pushing it as I am not feeling that well. Somehow I got 8 miles in but I'm sure they come under the category junk miles.  I guess I feel if I can push through it I am building my endurance for when  a race is miserable.  But that may have been all the pushing I can do today.

One week from today is my first duathlon.  I am moving along the scale from nervous to excited. I don't generally get nervous before races but I certainly will be before this one.  I know so little about them.  Expect to hear more this week as it gets closer.

Three Things Thursday Plus Two

1. Watching - Just finishing Brothers and Sisters - Season 4.  About to start Friday Night Lights Season 5. I would have already watched this because I bought it awhile ago. But I misplaced it and I just rediscovered it.  (Notice I didn't use the words Lost or  Found as it was only misplaced.  You will get this more if you are older believe me.)

2. Reading - Heartsick by Chelsea Cain.  This is the first book in a series I just discovered.  A librarian who seems to like a lot of the same books I do recommended it. It is not a book for the fainthearted. It is about a serial killer and the detective who almost became her victim.  It definitely reeled me in and I already have the next two on reserve.  I have now finished Heartsick and am reading Stay by Allie Larkin a much lighter book about a woman and her dog. Well it is about more than that but....... For some odd reason I really like books about dogs even though I am not a dog person.

My friend P is down the road, this is the top

of a much longer hill than the picture shows.

Glad to be near the top.

3.  Running and biking - Wednesday I took a run on the hottest day I have run on in a long time. I typically don't run in the late afternoon heat (both because I don't run in the late afternoon and we have had no heat) but I ran with my friend from school. We only went about 4 miles but I was BEAT.  It was 85 plus and I am not used to it.  How do you who live in the south do it? Today I ran early and then commuted to school.  It was cool and raining on the way home and my husband actually started a fire.  I was very grateful as I was chilled through and through.  Loved the ride though. I feel I am improving even if only slightly.  I rode with a friend from work.  Since I started in April I have commuted at least once a week.  Sometimes more but never less.

This is where I turn to go down to my house.

There were some good pics that I could have taken

but I was too wet and cold.

4. Best race ever - I've enjoyed reading various posts about the Vermont City Marathon. If I haven't convince you yet with all my gushing here is one post from a blog I recently discovered that may.  And those of you who know my Em at Sweats Once a Day and sees how often she races may have seen what she had to say in a recent post.

2) What is the best race you ever did?

While you all know I have a special place in my heart for Boston, the Vermont City Marathon continues to reign supreme over all other races. This was the fourth year in a row that I’ve either done the full marathon or participated in a relay and I have no desire to stop participating in it any time soon! From the crowd support, to the race organization to the positivity of other racers to the majestic course through the streets of Burlington and along Lake Champlain it never fails to blow my mind and put a smile on my face for 26.2 miles.

4. Garmin Strap - I ordered my new Garmin strap Monday night and it came in the mail today. That is some fast service.  My awesome husband already put it on for me.  (There may have been some cursing involved.)  He is not sure it is on correctly but it appears to be so.  My husband also told me last night as I was drifting off to sleep that he has seen moose prints on our woods road and thinks "my" moose is still around. I am not sure if this was a human interest conversation or a be careful out there note. But no more moose sightings yet.