Things that make you go hmmm????

So after a bit of slacking at the tail end of last week which I will just call a taper, I headed down to Columbus Saturday night to meet up my ole college roomie, Liz. Not only am I thankful to have such a nice place to stay before my big Fat Rabbit Event #2, but it is such an added bonus to catch up with friends!!!! Bonus!

After a nice relaxing evening I woke up around 5 to head to Antrim Park in Columbus where the event was being held. I got there just before 6 and started the process of hitting the lines for package pickup, body marking and then headed back to the car to gather everything up before the race. As I waited I scoped out the competition. There were not many ladies doing the duathlon and I chatted with one lady who said she was nervous as she was a runner but not so much a biker (she was planning to do 7 marathons just this fall...wow, I was knew I would have to watch this chick on the run) Time flew and before I knew it, it was go time!

After a late start, the long course duathlon people were off. The men quickly pulled ahead I tried to run a conservative pace for once! I was running with one other guy and we made a little short talk. The run was on a limestone path around the lake which I enjoyed and then out onto a bike path before the turnaround. All seemed to be going well and I was happy to be out in front. At the turnaround I scoped out my competition. The next closest chick who I will call super running chick that I had been chatting with before the start, was not too far behind. About a mile from the end, my stomach felt a little off and I was nervous about how things were going to hold up throughout the morning. As we headed into transition we had to run quite a long way up this grassy hill, just before the hill super running passed me, but I was hit the mat just 6 seconds behind her- 5K Run 1 time 21:56 (7:03 pace-a little slower than FRR #1 time of 21:03)

Super running chick told me nice run in transition and I said the same to her and then I left transition before super running chick. T1- 1:12:05

Once I pulled out onto the road, my aerobar pad went flying. Oh well, what could I do. I kept going and tried to settle down into my groove. All seemed to be going fine. The bike course was a 5 loop course, half of the loop was on the highway, which seemed fast. With all the other people out on the course doing the various distances, things were a bit congested at times. However by my final lap the sprint competitors were done and things had thinned out quite a bit. On the bike I got passed by 4 or 5 women...still need to focus more time in the seat!!! With each one I focused on their legs to see what event they were doing....all doing the olympic tri. One of the ladies I went back and forth with several times but as we came into the final stretch, she had pulled ahead. I was a little bored and singing little songs in my head to try to motivate myself to keep pushing hard. I could feel tightness in my hamstrings and groin again and I was consciously trying to make sure I did not overdue it and have the same issues as last time. As I came into T2, my seat area was happy as it was getting sore! It was probably nothing like many of the some of the new ironmans felt, but uncomfortable just the same! (YEAH IRONMAN JEN--CONGRATS)

Bike time 1:12:05 (40 K/ 24.854 Miles at 20.7 mph) A little better than last race!!

Run 2- As I started into the 10K I was intent on holding my lead. I was the lead female and I wanted to keep things pretty conservative to make sure I made it through the rest problem free. As I passed the 5K turnaround I was totally wishing I was turning around there as I was ready to finish already!!!! As we journey on the bike path, we made a right to head down the ramp and into the a park area. It was nice scenery and I caught up and passed the female that I had leap frogged with on the bike. Where the heck was the turnaround. It was tough knowing I still had to go back all this way that I have already ran!! Just before the turnaround my spirits were lifted as Trial went by. He asked how I was and I just said I was tired. He said to stay on his heels and I kept at them for a minute before my sketchy stomach seemed to twist and I thought I did not want to push it and have some major intestinal temper tantrum present itself. One foot in front of another and I started thinking that I was going to walk through the stop around 4 miles in and take in some gatorade and hope it would give me some more energy. At this point the only thing I had was probably 8 ounces of water on the bike (in addition to my SOBE energy drink and my generic 130 calorie Lowfat Mixed Berry Bar I had pre-race). After the turnaround, I took note of the women out toward the turnaround to see how far back super running chick and other faces I had saw were and I did not see any contenders that were close enough to make me nervous.

I was thirsty so I treasured my gatorade and then continued on. The cop at the corner made me smile when he said I did not have far to go...the little things sometimes do really matter!!! As I came around the lake I could hear the announcer and I was set to finish it in strong. The stomach felt off, but I knew the port-o-potties were close now!!! Run 2-10K -48:44-8:00 pace.

I crossed the line in 2:25:35. I was stoked that I thought I took first overall female in the du. However after the race, they said I was second. It is not that I mind second place but I never saw this female...so I am totally perplexed. Supposedly she finished the first 5K 30 seconds ahead of me. I saw all the people take off which was not a big group. Then I saw everyone at the first turnaround and never did I see a female in front of me. I don't think I would have missed another female. The bike split of #1 female was impressive 1:02:05...fastest female split of olympic tri and du. So I am still perplexed and wonder if I missed this person or if perhaps this person was a male and not a female. Hmmm? Not sure, but totally perplexed. I really don't care about the plaque or placing (since obviously this person is not in the series)...but now I am so friggin curious as to whether I was wrong or the classification or something else was off. Why do I fixate on these things? So I guess I got second overall female, but just maybe first. At the awards this Christine (maybe it was Chris???) was not there so I could not figure it out then either!!!

Anyways, enough with that. It was an improvement over last race. Again, I really felt I did not perform on my second run and much of this I attribute to these darn repeating stomach issues. I am really going to have to concentrate on my diet these next several weeks leading up to my half. I have slacked in this area and definitely pay for it!! Darn my love of cheese and plenty of other things that are definitely not quality pre-race nutrition foods!

Never a dull moment!

Thursday night friends were in town and the night got very late...especially for me who is in bed typically before we even left to go to the local bar! So I took Friday off from working out!

Saturday I mapped out a 50 mile route on my bicycle. I have gotten so accustomed to having company for rides longer than 25 miles that I was not really looking forward to it. However a couple miles in and I was having a good time. However, I ended up on a rough road which jarred the bike so bad that my computer would not register. Grrr! It has not been working lately and I had just finally got it to finally start working before I left. It had only worked for 7.1 miles and despite my best efforts I finally conceded defeat and continued on with my ride. I so badly wanted to see my speed and mileage. The miles flew by and after a brief pitstop to see my little nieces I arrived home feeling good after yet another windy ride.

After a quick shower I hopped on my motorcyle and the hubby and I rolled our motorcyles through the gorgeous valley and had lunch at Gasoline Alley, a very cute restaurant / bar out in Bath area. My butt was tired that night for sitting on it for so long!

Sunday, I woke up early to go meet my ole running buddy for our first long run for the fall training season. On the FURMAN FIRST advanced schedule I have been following, I was already up to 20 miles. So I went out early to get in 6 before I met Bob for the plannned 14. As usual I was running a little late and was intent on getting it all in. So, I quickly set out on the towpath at a pace just under 8 minute miles. Although it was relatively cool, it felt so humid and I was sweating my butt off in no time. Before long I was back to the start just soaking wet from sweat and met my partner. We kept a very easy pace and took lots of water breaks. The towpath was soooo crowded, not at all like our winter training runs where we rarely saw others out there. I don't know how many times we had to fall in single file and the dust from the bicycles was blowing around us on the dry humid morning. Finally we arrived back to the start and we stretched as we tried to quit sweating!

First 20 of 5 down!!! The thing though is, I really don't need to train so hard this time around for my fall marathon as I will be running with my cousin at whatever pace is comfortable for her. So while I am following the training plan for fitness, I am allowing myself some flexibility with it as it is definitely overkill for the pace I will be running. At any rate, I am really looking forward to experiencing the marathon with the goal only of supporting my girl through 26.2 miles!

The rest of Sunday I went to my sisters to veg by the pool as I switched between my raft, the water and the lounge chair. Now that is a perfect way to spend a day after a 20 miler!!! Nice and relaxing!!! Oh I love this weather!!! Summer is my time!

Monday, I met with a swim coach for some tips!!!! Yes folks, I actually might put a little focus on my swim!!! It is amazing how the smallest things can make such a difference in the way things feel. Here are some take away points for me-

1) The thing that seemed to make the biggest difference was consciously pushing my head to chest further down in the water to bring up my tail end.

2) I also keep my arms very rigid typically so she had my loosen things up and think about putting my arms in to a shirt sleeve.

3) I need to work on not turning my head so far...only one eye coming out of the water.

4) Must focus on quality swim sessions...not just straight sets. Straight kicking with fins or kickboard would be good for me.

5) Must get in more time and yards.

So I will be trying to focus on this!!!

Tuesday did a short track workout on the treadmill (running late again!!). Consisted of warm-up, 3X1600's with 1 minute recoveries and a short cooldown. Only 5 miles total, although I had hoped to get in closer to 7 on the day.

Slept in Wedneday morning as I was sleepy but hopefully I will get in some quality training later today!

This and that!

First off, those of you who wondered what socks I bought, it was women's (they had men's too) Nike performance socks. They came in 2 pair packs at Dicks for $12ish. They are little no show, no cotton little treasures. I knew I was all good when I put in 5 miles Friday and followed that up with 17 Saturday and there were no problems. My feet are beginning to look normal. However normal or not, I am going to stick with this anti-blister regimen!!! Really this has been such an ordeal that it is such a FRIGGIN RELIEF to FINALLY have this problem kicked!

Sunday I was sooooo exhausted. I had these training plans set for Sunday but I totally blew them off. I was sooo tired. I slept in. This getting up a lot earlier for the AWESOME new job is taking a toll on me. I told my husband I was sleeping in when he left around 7 and rolled over and pulled the covers up over my head and drifted back off to sleep. I rolled over and was in total shock to see the clock read 10AM. I cannot even remember the last time I slept in that late!!

I rolled out of bed and decided I would at least get in a little training and rode my bicycle out to my parents (13 miles + one way). I felt like I was riding like a turtle. The wind was all in my face and it was already 90 degrees. I finally got to my parents and was going to be angry if the wind quit while I was there. I stopped in and had some juice, played with my litle shiba inu doggie, and my little nieces since my parents were babysitting (so darn cute). After an hour or so I hopped back home and sailed with the wind the first 12.5 miles.

And then...something flew in my jersey and got me in the boob. Ouch, I thought I was getting stung all over! My hand reaches down trying to get this thing out without crashing. Now of course this would be the moment a bunch of traffic is coming the other way and I can only imagine what they saw or must have thought. But at least I kept my shirt on! I finally stopped as I whinced in pain. I never did see what got me. A bee, a wasp, super horsefly, spider???? All I know is I was hurting. I am not allergic where I can't breathe but I get really bad reactions where the sting area (no stinger) was a huge swollen white mark the size of a dime and then my entire entire chest was burning hot and bright red all over my entire chest. Oh it messed me up for the day after the Benadryl knocked me out. It is now Thursday and still swollen, itching and ANNOYING!!!!!

So the rest of the week has been so so. Some good days, some not so good. Work has been cutting into the workout time to a degree and evenings have been busy so that has not helped me get in the training. Then I swear that sting was plaguing me on my run Tuesday and my chest still ached. Redemption came Thursday morning when I banged out a 7 mile run a decent pace and felt great!

The TriFecta

Body Glide + Baby Powder + New Expensive super sweet socks = zero blister issues!!!!! Enough to make my day!!!!

BUSY!

OK the new job is going to be cutting into the blogging, so just jotting down some quick details before I forget them.

Sat June 30 - 15 miles on Headwater Trail. Gville to Mantua and back. Started Chicago marathonn training

Sun July 1- 60+ miles bike, Greater Cleveland Tri Course plus some hills thrown in for good measure. 35 minute run after. Good training day with the boys!!! Actually felt good when done!!!

Mon July 2 - 60 min spin class

Tue July 3 - 3 mile run-24 min; 20 min stationary bike

Wed July 4 - North Canton YMCA July 4th Race 5 mile race. (Hermes Road Race Series Race) A little disappointed that I was over a minute off PR. I think the blisters and tight muscles are still plaguing me!

Splits
Mile 1- 6:18
Mile 2- 7:01
Mile 3- 7:09
Mile 4- 7:14
Mile 5- 6:58

Total time - 34:42 (6:56 pace) Huge field (2000 + runners) Was in top 10 females. Placed 2nd in age group. The silver lining though is I think I was the top female from Road Race Series so I will get max race points!