New Castle 5K

I added a fall race to my upcoming races the other day,  New Castle 5K in New Hampshire. It is on a small island which you simply cross a bridge to get to.  I have done this race 2 or 3 times but it has been awhile. I think I have raced it twice but also raced on the island two more times for Bridges 4 Friendship - a great 10K that no longer exists. It crossed 4 bridges and money was used for  a local charity.  It was  a GREAT race:

• a loop which I love
• both times I did it I did it with family
• it was on the ocean
• it was fairly flat
• it was in the fall, my favorite season

Coming up one hill headed to the finish

I raced it with two of my cousins

I raced with my hubby (and beat

him). This pic went on the Christmas

card.

Why oh why did they stop it?  Back to New Castle.  The first time I raced it I was a walker.  That's how long ago I did it.  It is a very picturesque little town.  They pride themselves on the post race food - all made locally.  At least I hope they STILL pride themselves on the food.

This is also a great race.  

• it's a loop
• it's on the ocean
• it's in the fall, my favorite season
• it is fairly flat
• it is on an island
• I am racing it with friends

I have talked some of my colleagues into racing this with me next year.  I never used to be able to talk anyone into racing and suddenly I have an abundance of  friends racing.  I LOVE IT.  Next year instead of teaching a straight third grade I will be teaching multiage 3/4.  All of the present 4th grade teachers who will also be teaching a multiage 3/4 will be doing this race.  I called it team building. I may have mentioned eating out, a  night away, shopping, seeing the ocean and gossiping.  It took no arm twisting. Everyone said yes instantly.  Plus my present third grade colleague whom I love is moving to kindergarten but she is coming too.  Great times in the Granite State!

Good Workout Ethic or Insanity?

This quote was on L.L. Bean's post on Facebook today and I am stealing it.  

There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." -- Sir Rannulph Fiennes.

It is continuing to pour here after our brief respite last week with such gorgeous days - what a teaser!  I rode my bike both to and from work wearing my L.L. Bean rain pants.  They are absolutely the best "gear" I have bought for my bike.  I also ran with a friend after school before I biked home and yes it was also raining then.  I can't say that I mind the rain as much as I would expect but it takes so much planning and organizing to have everything you need.  Plus I had to carry it all on my bike.  I needed clothes for work for today and tomorrow (I am running tomorrow so I can pick up my car.)  I needed lunches for both days. I needed my water bottles.  I needed rain gear for riding. I needed my running clothes for after school including a jacket and a hat.  I needed sneakers to wear while riding to school, shoes for at school and shoes to run in. Ordinarily I could at least whittle this down to 2 pair but not when everything is getting wet.  I did pretty well and was not missing anything I needed. We'll see if I am so lucky tomorrow.

I think there are many who question my sanity for continuing all this working out in the rain.  I did get my flashing lights going on my bike as it was rather "gray" out there.  There was a ton of water in the road and I had to be careful not to swerve around it (Puddle  full speed ahead) into traffic.  Then the school bus went by and when it sped through the water next to me it was major splash time.  I had no windshield wipers on my glasses so it was blind AJH for a minute.  My husband worries that a car will hydroplane across the road into me.  (Although he also loves how "bad ass and non wimpy I am.)  I had numerous people offer me a ride home. I even had a student wonder how I would get home. 

Is this insane?  What do you do that other people question as an over the edge workout?

Three Parts to My Crazy Busy Weekend

1. Loved racing in my hometown.  Did the recycling on the way.   Could sleep later as it was 2 1/2 miles up the road.  Knew people there.  Raced on roads I run on all the time.

It was very well organized for a first time race.  I chose to do the 5K as did many of the people there. I ended up being the 4th woman!  Ha!  I can't write that very often.  There were lots of people who walked but I'll take that 4th with pride regardless.  I had a 9:13 pace overall.  My first mile was around 9:15, second was 9:53 (the killer hill - this included going down it!) and the third was 8:42.  The last tenth was 7:52.  I don't know most of the stats. I don't know if race results will be published.  T was the third woman.  The two women who tied for first talked the whole way.   CQL came up with her friends for the race. She is also doing 5 races in May, 4 of them the same ones I am.  My next race is this coming Thursday, our state Corporate Cup. I don't like racing in the evening but it should be fun.

2. AS SOON AS I got home from the race I took my car to Shelburne to leave it for an appointment. It needs to sit for awhile so I wanted to get it there early in the weekend.  I took my bike as I was going to get myself back home. I love running errands while riding/running and I love being self sufficient.  Of course when I was thinking about doing this it was sunny and beautiful.  It started raining pretty much as soon as I started riding. It wasn't too bad for awhile but was quite settled in by the halfway point.  I divided the route into 4 parts mentally as I thought about how much I had done/had to do.  On the way up I drove the first 2/3 of the duathlon route. That was a mistake as I am more freaked than I already was. It is very hilly, again and again and again.  The first part of my ride home  included the final third. I have driven this road many times but not paid attention to the hills before.  Nonetheless this section was okay.  I knew in the second section that there was a very giant hill so I was mentally prepared for it.  The trouble is .........it goes on forever...........it is very steep.............you go around a curve and it just continues and continues and continues.  But I made it up and I'm riding along when I remember another giant hill that I had forgotten.  It is also very long and very steep but it is straight with no surprises.  I make it up that one and then I remember one more big hill to come in this section. It's amazing how different a familiar road is on a bike.  I am quite wet but I don't want to stop because I am afraid if I do I will call my husband to come get me.  Everyone tried to talk me out of doing this once it was going to rain but I can be rather stubborn.  So I continue on and get to the third part which was the easiest.  There were some rolling hills but nothing alarming.  I stop just before I head up to my house for the last section because I can no longer shift my gears and I need my gloves on.  I also eat a quick energy bar probably far too late. How do you eat on a bike?  Then I head up along the river to home. Now everyone I work with thinks I am amazing to ride this route home but truthfully it is all hill but not a steep incline. I felt like I had a motor on my bike in comparison to some of the hills I had been on. Or maybe I was the horse heading for the barn.  Whatever..... I made it home.  The whole ride was 27.5 miles.  And my butt felt every one of them.  I wish I had been faster. That also makes me nervous for the duathlon.  Will I finish my bike and they tell me I took too long so I should pack up and go home?  But for the present I am proud of myself for doing this ride and not quitting.

I MADE IT!

Then after a quick shower we jumped in the car (not mine) and went to a birthday party. Very busy day.
No time to rest.

3. Today I had 12 miles planned. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it but I could tell almost as soon as I started that it would be fine. I felt quite good and managed all 12 even though it was once again raining.  It felt great to be on my feet and not on the bike.

I plan to ride to work tomorrow (rain again) and run on Tuesday so I can catch a ride with  a colleague who lives that way to get my car. The biggest problem is carrying all the stuff I need.  I don't want to carry stuff running on Tues. so I am taking it tomorrow. Because of the rain I need more (dry shoes - plus I am planning on running with  a friend after school so I need that stuff.)  Who knew how much organizing working out could take?

Five things Friday since couldn't do Three Things Thursday

1. Wednesday night I went to a Crosby Nash concert at a great local theater.  I cannot say enough about how good this was.  I am a huge fan of any and all combinations of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with Crosby and Nash being my favorites. I seriously love David Crosby even though as he joked he is built like an avocado.  I hugely admire anyone who pulls himself/herself out from under a life of addiction.  When Crosby and Nash sing together they have the most beautiful voices imaginable.  In my opinion no one can harmonize like those two. I was talking with a friend I saw at the concert and we both agreed that David Crosby's voice has only gotten better.  How old are they?  65?  They are INCREDIBLE. Now I want to see them again............soon.

2.  I have been doing a lot of biking along with my running.  I had one double where I ran early (with the right hat this time) and then biked to work.  Beautiful weather for it this week.  Then yesterday I biked to work and then commuted home with a colleague. Sweet! She lives farther "up - literally" than I do. Everyone thinks I have  a hard ride and I guess if you don't work out it would be. But it is NOTHING compared to my colleague's.  I rode with her and one hill was steeper than anything I have ridden on. It was hill after hill after hill and they were long and steep.  Then I left her to head home(down) and I couldn't even go fast because it was so steep.  But I really felt like I got my workout in. I didn't take my camera and it was beautiful. I guess I am going to have to tackle it again.

3. Tomorrow I have a long ride planned - more about that in another post. I have been thinking I want a new bike.  When I started riding due to my running injury I had no idea how much I would like it.  Then I thought once I was running again I wouldn't find time for it but that is not the case. I am looking at roads as I drive thinking about how I want to bike on them. I got two books for Christmas with routes/rides all over Vermont. If I get a new bike I want a hybrid type. I don't think a road bike would be practical as so much of my riding is on dirt roads.  Don't you think I should get need a new bike?

4.  We had a field trip the other day - the really fun one to a golf course.  Driving golf balls is rather addicting. You keep thinking you can do better. I had a couple of students that rocked at it. We also went to a putting green and putted, watched them put a new hole in and mow the green.  Felt the cuttings (a huge thrill - you would think these Vermont kids had never seen or touched grass) and a ride in a golf cart. No need to tell you that was the favorite thing if you have a 9 year old child.  Then they run on the college football field - beyond exciting.  Then we walked - yes walked much to my delight about a mile each way to lunch. They eat in the college cafeteria with all the college students and all the choices!  They complained when they were told they couldn't have soda. Being the loving teacher I am I told them if they whined about it more I would add no dessert.  Apparently they believed me because they stopped. They quickly found they had tons of juice choices, lemonade and chocolate milk and it was all good!  The whole day was tiring but a blast.  And one of the best things that happens each year is you hear them talking about where they want  to go to college.

One of many excited kiddos trying to 

drive the ball

I wasn't able to provide

much of an example

Giving it a good try

Where did it go?

If the golfing isn't working for you

pick dandelions.

Retrieving the balls after hitting them =

just as much fun as hitting them!

5.  Tomorrow I have the race with the killer hill. Someone tried to talk me into doing the 10K which usually I would but the hill is even more of a killer and I have 5 races this month. I feel okay saying the 5K will do me just fine.  I am hoping to do well and give it my all. I want my pace to be in the 8s where it hasn't been all year or the low 9s.  But mostly I am thrilled to have another race especially on roads I often run.

Conquering THAT hill and A WINNER!

Sunday T and I ran our 8 plus up the killer hill to practice for the next weekend's race! T didn't bat an eye when I wanted to extend our run to give it a try.  She's seriously the best running partner ever.

Starting up the hill

Closer to the top

Almost there......

Conquered and on the way back down.  (T did it too, I

don't make her just take photos.)

We are ready!  It is not an out and back race. It is an up and down race, first one and then the other. I certainly should be able to negative split.

When I got home it took me hours to warm up before I headed out for my bike ride. I rode 12 miles and was not happy that I was at the same speed as the day before. I expected to be faster.  It was once again a hilly route but of course I had downhill as well as uphill.  I had a good workout nonetheless and feel pleasantly tired. I had a great Mother's Day- two workouts, some lazy time, a barbecue cooked by my son who came home for the day, a wonderful chocolate chip cookie from Fresh Market- slightly undercooked and delicious.  My husband put up the Medal hangar that he gave me for Christmas!  I guess it is a two holiday gift.  And now I am relaxing again.

Monday I ran after school with a lady I should run with more often.  My first two miles were so much faster than I usually run.  My first mile could have been a race mile.  She kept going to do 8 but I was only doing 4 so I turned around. What happened to my speed?  It slowed way down.  It was sunny and temp was great but it was as windy as I ever want to run in.

I have read two different dates for National Bike to Work Day. One is this Thursday, May 12th.  The other is May 20th.  May 12th works for me so I will be riding on Thursday.  Anyone joining me?

And there is a winner................the winner of Running on Empty is Amy from Fit and Fabulous After 40.  

The Sunshine Run Race Report and some biking

The Sunshine Run

R, Myself and C before the race and R's two cute

kids including her 1 year old in skinny jeans!

The Sunshine Run was great in spite of the reason for it's being.  Both of Sarah's Leary's parents spoke at the race. Her dad said he wasn't able to drive by this farm for a long time (it is where the accident occurred and Sarah died) but the race has transformed it into a place with many good memories as so many people turn out to honor Sarah.  Truthfully I don't know how her family does it but it is a wonderful tribute.  Last year (the first year) there were 200 racers. This year there were 300.  The proceeds sent a student to Spain who is now going off to college to major in languages.   There is a blog post written last year by Sarah's mother about the help everyone has given her.  There was a long segment on the local news tonight about the race. I cannot imagine the emotions the family must go through today and every day. I admire them tremendously.

T and I are good to go

It was great to have C and R from school racing.  R had to bring her two oh so cute daughters. We were there plenty early (Anal AJH) so there was plenty of time to see the goats

and even .........a baby goat!

 First R ran with her older daughter (almost 3) in the children's race.

Then she pushed both of them in the 5K UP and DOWN all those hills!  Wow!

I laughed when I met C as we were racing as she mouthed to me - "You are the 8th woman. There are only 7 ahead of you."  Yeah, those competitive juices will be coming out in that lady!  Both C and I won random prizes which I hope hooked her even more.

I got a flag that has flown over the Capitol 

that Senator Leahy donated to the race.

(Shh) I am going to give it to my husband for 

Father's Day. He will love it.

Last year the race started by running through a field.  You were instantly soaked plus worrying about sprained ankles so I was relieved when I heard we wouldn't be doing that this year.  When we approached the turn to the finish we kept going past and down and up another of the many hills. I could see where the people were turning around and it certainly looked longer than the field would have been.  As I headed up the hill I yelled to cql that we were going farther than last year.

With cql after the race

Sure enough as I approached the top of the hill before the turn to the finish my Garmin was already showing 3.1.  By the time I finished it said, 3.35, an extra 1/4 mile. I was glad I had the Garmin so I could know what I did run and how long it was. My pace was 9:13 rather than 9:03 like last year. I thought maybe with not having to run through the field I would be faster.  I felt good even with all the hills. One of these days I will have a race in the 8s again.  But I am not going to beat myself up and hate all my races nor am I going to accept that I have just slowed down. I will keep working on getting in the 8s and having fun regardless because I do love racing!  I don't think it will happen next week as the course goes straight up a hill I always avoid but who knows?  My son would say of course I won't do it if I am thinking that way so I am allowing a little hope/expectation that I will.  (I haven't told T but we will be running up that sucker tomorrow!) 

It was fun to cheer people in and to have a lot of friends there.

Here is cql motoring up the hill for a strong finish!

 R and C came a bit later.  Can you imagine it being your first race  and you are pushing two kids in a stroller up that hill?  My friends rock!

The t shirt - 

A key chain I got for registering early

Cards I bought - showing the statue of

Sarah on the lawn where the accident was.

The family who owns this farm must be 

really something to allow this

race each year and the statue on

their lawn.  (Up to the sky, down to the

ground and all around the world)

The Bike Ride

It was a gorgeous day so once back from the race I headed out on my bike.  I did my 15 mile loop that sends me up a mountain, no rolling hills here.  I didn't know if I was ready for this but went for it.  I tried to push it a bit thinking about that duathlon I say I am doing.(not registered yet)  It is a 15 mile bike ride. Well this ride took me forever,way longer than anyone in the results last year.  Yes, it was hard and I can't imagine the course is as bad but I had downhills today too.  I will have my mountain bike and not a particularly new mountain bike.  Am I crazy to do this?  I really don't mind being last but I don't want to be way last and have people waiting for me.  Then of course I will need to run too and the first mile is uphill.  Yikes.  I still have a month and I have plans for a 27ish mile ride next weekend.  I can get ready.  I can do it.  I can get ready. I can do it.  I couldn't resist taking a couple of pics.

"Easy" Day at Work or at least no teaching was involved

A trip to the Flynn to see Beakman on the Brain started out my work day.  I expected it to be highly entertaining as well as informative which it was.  To prep the students for this performance I showed a few You Tubes about Phineas Gage as suggested in the teachers' manual from Flynn Theatre.  I thought the students would be fascinated by this story and found  a book to go along with it.  The You Tube that I showed the whole thing of was a cartoon made by some college students and it was very well done. I watched everything thoroughly before showing to make sure they were appropriate.  Well, I may not be a teacher that makes kids cry but apparently I am a teacher that makes kids vomit.  One kid told me he was sick so I sent him to the clinic. I thought he had a virus.  This morning I had an email from his dad telling me "O" didn't want to come to school and go to the Flynn because the You Tube video had made him vomit.  I had no idea!  The dad wasn't criticizing, he was just letting me know.  So I talked to O before we went and ended up sitting him between myself and our class foster grandmother. I joked with him about the usher thinking he must get into a lot of trouble to be between two adults.  We talked about how he could hide between his fingers if needed.  I told him I used to do that when the witch appeared in the Wizard of Oz and he said he did it for the third Star Wars movie.  Nothing like bonding with your student over movies that scare you. Well, he did hide behind those fingers but only briefly.  The part about Phineas Gage was a puppet show and very tame. (It is a great story - you may want to google it.) He laughed hysterically throughout the performance. The humor from Beakman fit him to a T.  So yeah, I made him vomit but I gave him a good time too.

Beakman also gave quite a good talk and demonstration on the importance of wearing a bike helmet.  My colleague passed a message up to me how important it was to wear one even when running. Ha Ha.

On the post about my smarts while wearing a bike helmet while running here is one comment:

Chris K said...

Aren't you in charge of teaching the youth of America? Yikes. :-) 

"Well, yes, Chris, I am and I am still doing just wonderful things for the future leaders of America."  

Phineas Gage holding the tamping iron

that pierced his head.  

Showing how the tamping iron went through

from different angles.  Wouldn't you think

this would fascinate 9 year old boys?

Then we got back to school for lunch and recess followed by taking a walk around town to Green Up. Tough day all around!