Hello my family & friends! Sorry I've be absent in my postings, but I promise I will make up for it! Today marks the start of my half ironman training-whoo hoo! Started with an easy 30 min. swim and then what was supposed to be a 20 minute run, but I pushed past to get my 2 miles in. :)
Excited and nervous to begin this journey. I've been slacking in the diet & exercise fields for the past 7-8 weeks and am paying for it now! A little heavier than I wanted to be at this juncture and slower, too. BUT, I'm not too worried. With 1-2 hrs of training 6 days a week and a VERY healthy diet, I should be just where I want to be come race day!
Oh, btw, NOT COOL looking up from each stroke in the pool and seeing SNOW outside! But I digress, it IS Wisconsin in December. Luckily it was a kind of rain/snow mix and didn't accumulate. Happy December!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Happy 1,000 miles!
Today marks the 1,000 mile mark for 2011. Yep, that means that since January 1st, I've exercised a total of 1,000 miles. This does include all forms of my exercise, including swimming, cycling, running, walking, inline skating and ellipicalling. I know the last word isn't really a word, but it is today! Who wouldn't count miles on the elliptical?!?
So in honor of my 1,000 miles thus far in 2011, I give you my 1,000 mile cake. I made this when I lived in Green Bay and vowed to bike 1,000 miles in 10 weeks. And by golly, I did!
Here's to another 1,000 miles! Before 2012? We'll see....
So in honor of my 1,000 miles thus far in 2011, I give you my 1,000 mile cake. I made this when I lived in Green Bay and vowed to bike 1,000 miles in 10 weeks. And by golly, I did!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Lake Country Half Race Report
Well, here goes. My second half marathon. Ever. And I had the pleasure of running it with my best girlfriend, Melodie. It was her first half.
For starters, race morning was a nail biter. Woke up at 0500 to severe thunderstorms tearing through the area. Thunder, lightning, sheets of rain and hail. Whooppee! I texted Mel, as she was wondering if the race would be canceled. I thought not, since the radar was showing that the storms would be passing through the area rather quickly. Drove over and picked her up and before we knew it we were out in Oconomowoc at the race venue.
The rain had stopped and I was determined to find my co-workers, who were also running the race, and my dad. (Matt & Marie were also first timers...see pic below) Found everyone, said our "good mornings!" and lined up for the race. We're not the fastest runners, so we lined up towards the back of the pack. The gun went off around 0705 and we were off!
First up was my dad, on the way out of the parking lot, snapping pics and yelling, "Sweet Muff!" Yeah, my cat was with us in spirit. :) Next up, again before we even made it out of the parking lot, was Mel's dad and sister, Maria, snapping more pics. (see below shots, courtesy of Wayne Zeman) Right turn out of the lot and HELLO HILL! Yep, not even 1 mile into the race and we were greeted by a lovely hill. Not to worry, we overcame with a vengeance. Next right turn included a fun, one-man band and his tambourine. Very fun to see at the beginning of the race. (especially considering neither of us was running with music, a feeling foreign to us both)
For the next mile we were passed by the front runners of the 5K race that started 15 minutes behind us. The best runner was "the groom" who passed us. (he had a sign on his back stating just that) We wondered where his future bride was. The next few miles were beautiful as we ran around Lac La Belle. What wasn't so beautiful was the storm damage/debris that we saw in everyone's yards. Trees and branches down everywhere. We even had to move to the opposite side of the street for a bit to allow for the WE Energies trucks on one side of the road. We passed one of our anesthesiologist's houses along with one of my co-worker's houses, but they had moved on along the route by the time we got there.
Met up with Mel's dad and Maria a few more times before we finally saw her hubby, JL, and 4 girls. That was around mile 6.5 I think. JL is a runner himself and was super proud of Mel for running! After that things got a little rough. Around miles 7-8 Mel busted out her iPhone and some tunes. Felt a little desolate only because we were running and didn't see anyone in front of us. (or behind us, for that matter) The tunes were rockin' and we kept rollin'. Mel's parents, sisters and JL and the girls met us again around mile 9 and were a refreshing sight! It's always so nice to have encouragement from people you know every now and again along the race route! :)
The last 4 miles were definitely 4 miles. Taxing to say the least. My right knee, my GOOD knee, was giving me intermittent pains, but I pushed through. The last water stop was the best! It was in a residential Oconomowoc neighborhood. There was a man in his driveway, kiddie corner to the water stop, playing his guitar and singing. It was awesome! I also found out later that a DailyMile friend of mine was volunteering AT that water station, but because we'd not met in person, I didn't know it was her!
A few walk breaks now and then and before we knew it, we were at mile 11. Then mile 12. And there was that friggin' hill again. Yep, same one we had to run UP at the beginning of the race. DANG! Sucked that it was at mile 12, but oh well, we pushed through! As we came into the parking lot, my right hammies were screamin'. YEOW! But I could see the finish line, so I gutted it out. Saw my co-workers, both the cheerleaders AND the runners, cheering me on as I approached the finish line and it was just the push I needed! I crossed the finish line smiling, happy that I finished. (and barely walked)
So here's to my second half marathon finish. Whoo hoo! And just think, in March I will be running one AFTER a 1.2 mi swim and 56 mi bike ride-YIKES! This is just the beginning.
And I'm totally stealing this from my friend Jenn...a random song that puts some "zip" in my training step!
For starters, race morning was a nail biter. Woke up at 0500 to severe thunderstorms tearing through the area. Thunder, lightning, sheets of rain and hail. Whooppee! I texted Mel, as she was wondering if the race would be canceled. I thought not, since the radar was showing that the storms would be passing through the area rather quickly. Drove over and picked her up and before we knew it we were out in Oconomowoc at the race venue.
The rain had stopped and I was determined to find my co-workers, who were also running the race, and my dad. (Matt & Marie were also first timers...see pic below) Found everyone, said our "good mornings!" and lined up for the race. We're not the fastest runners, so we lined up towards the back of the pack. The gun went off around 0705 and we were off!
First up was my dad, on the way out of the parking lot, snapping pics and yelling, "Sweet Muff!" Yeah, my cat was with us in spirit. :) Next up, again before we even made it out of the parking lot, was Mel's dad and sister, Maria, snapping more pics. (see below shots, courtesy of Wayne Zeman) Right turn out of the lot and HELLO HILL! Yep, not even 1 mile into the race and we were greeted by a lovely hill. Not to worry, we overcame with a vengeance. Next right turn included a fun, one-man band and his tambourine. Very fun to see at the beginning of the race. (especially considering neither of us was running with music, a feeling foreign to us both)
For the next mile we were passed by the front runners of the 5K race that started 15 minutes behind us. The best runner was "the groom" who passed us. (he had a sign on his back stating just that) We wondered where his future bride was. The next few miles were beautiful as we ran around Lac La Belle. What wasn't so beautiful was the storm damage/debris that we saw in everyone's yards. Trees and branches down everywhere. We even had to move to the opposite side of the street for a bit to allow for the WE Energies trucks on one side of the road. We passed one of our anesthesiologist's houses along with one of my co-worker's houses, but they had moved on along the route by the time we got there.
Met up with Mel's dad and Maria a few more times before we finally saw her hubby, JL, and 4 girls. That was around mile 6.5 I think. JL is a runner himself and was super proud of Mel for running! After that things got a little rough. Around miles 7-8 Mel busted out her iPhone and some tunes. Felt a little desolate only because we were running and didn't see anyone in front of us. (or behind us, for that matter) The tunes were rockin' and we kept rollin'. Mel's parents, sisters and JL and the girls met us again around mile 9 and were a refreshing sight! It's always so nice to have encouragement from people you know every now and again along the race route! :)
The last 4 miles were definitely 4 miles. Taxing to say the least. My right knee, my GOOD knee, was giving me intermittent pains, but I pushed through. The last water stop was the best! It was in a residential Oconomowoc neighborhood. There was a man in his driveway, kiddie corner to the water stop, playing his guitar and singing. It was awesome! I also found out later that a DailyMile friend of mine was volunteering AT that water station, but because we'd not met in person, I didn't know it was her!
A few walk breaks now and then and before we knew it, we were at mile 11. Then mile 12. And there was that friggin' hill again. Yep, same one we had to run UP at the beginning of the race. DANG! Sucked that it was at mile 12, but oh well, we pushed through! As we came into the parking lot, my right hammies were screamin'. YEOW! But I could see the finish line, so I gutted it out. Saw my co-workers, both the cheerleaders AND the runners, cheering me on as I approached the finish line and it was just the push I needed! I crossed the finish line smiling, happy that I finished. (and barely walked)
So here's to my second half marathon finish. Whoo hoo! And just think, in March I will be running one AFTER a 1.2 mi swim and 56 mi bike ride-YIKES! This is just the beginning.
And I'm totally stealing this from my friend Jenn...a random song that puts some "zip" in my training step!
Run Fast song of the day: Stop the Rock by Apollo Four Forty
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| me, Matt & Marie-we did it! |
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Lake Country Half Marathon 9.3.2011
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| Me & Mel at the start of the Lake Country Half |
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| still smilin around mile 6.5 |
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| FINISHED! |
The first 56
So I am totally delinquent in posting this ride, but better late than never, right?
Last Sunday, August 28, I embarked on my first (of many!) 56 mile bike ride on my new bike. This Spring I bought a Trek 7.2 Speed Concept Tri bike. Pretty sweet ride and all in preparation for the half IronMan (HIM) I planned to do next year. Unfortunately, with unplanned surgery, (yes, AGAIN this year...gallbladder & appendix) run training and planning the Milwaukee Free to Breathe event I hadn't much time on my new wheels. VERY glad I signed up for this ride, though!
It was the Cream City Cycling Club's annual Century (100 mi) ride. Well, yes, there was a 100 mile ride, but there were other options, too. A co-worker, Cindy, and I decided on the 56 mile route. We kind of wanted to do the 68 miler, but I dragged us down to the 56 miler since I knew I had to do a 10-11 mile half marathon training run the day before this ride.
The day started off a little chilly, but once we hit the sunshine, it was beautiful! We wound up meeting up with my friend Chris and her friend Jim. We all rode the route together and it was a blast! There were a few killer hills on this route, but they were NOTHING compared to what we would have had to endure had we chosen the 68 mile route! (I'm seriously considering the 68 route next year) It wasn't a continuous 56 mile ride, as we HAD to stop at the rest stops provided! They had the best food! Great ham and cheese sandwiches, homemade cookies, trail mix, Pearson's mini Salted Nut Bars, and MUCH more! Well worth the stop, that's for sure!
All in all this was a GREAT ride! Prior to this, the longest distance I'd ridden on my tri bike was about 20 miles. I was a little nervous as to how my fanny would fair, but it did just fine! Mostly in part to me changing the seat, but it worked! I think my hands and wrists hurt more due to the shock they absorbed on some of those crappy Racine Co. roads!! Looking forward to many more great rides on my new bike and hopefully a few more OUTSIDE before the snow starts to fly here in WI!
Cream City Century site: http://www.creamcitycycleclub.com/century.htm
Last Sunday, August 28, I embarked on my first (of many!) 56 mile bike ride on my new bike. This Spring I bought a Trek 7.2 Speed Concept Tri bike. Pretty sweet ride and all in preparation for the half IronMan (HIM) I planned to do next year. Unfortunately, with unplanned surgery, (yes, AGAIN this year...gallbladder & appendix) run training and planning the Milwaukee Free to Breathe event I hadn't much time on my new wheels. VERY glad I signed up for this ride, though!
It was the Cream City Cycling Club's annual Century (100 mi) ride. Well, yes, there was a 100 mile ride, but there were other options, too. A co-worker, Cindy, and I decided on the 56 mile route. We kind of wanted to do the 68 miler, but I dragged us down to the 56 miler since I knew I had to do a 10-11 mile half marathon training run the day before this ride.
The day started off a little chilly, but once we hit the sunshine, it was beautiful! We wound up meeting up with my friend Chris and her friend Jim. We all rode the route together and it was a blast! There were a few killer hills on this route, but they were NOTHING compared to what we would have had to endure had we chosen the 68 mile route! (I'm seriously considering the 68 route next year) It wasn't a continuous 56 mile ride, as we HAD to stop at the rest stops provided! They had the best food! Great ham and cheese sandwiches, homemade cookies, trail mix, Pearson's mini Salted Nut Bars, and MUCH more! Well worth the stop, that's for sure!
All in all this was a GREAT ride! Prior to this, the longest distance I'd ridden on my tri bike was about 20 miles. I was a little nervous as to how my fanny would fair, but it did just fine! Mostly in part to me changing the seat, but it worked! I think my hands and wrists hurt more due to the shock they absorbed on some of those crappy Racine Co. roads!! Looking forward to many more great rides on my new bike and hopefully a few more OUTSIDE before the snow starts to fly here in WI!
Cream City Century site: http://www.creamcitycycleclub.com/century.htm
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| all smiles at 20 miles! (first rest stop) |
Sunday, August 21, 2011
What have I done?
Okay, so today I officially registered for the Cali 70.3 HIM (Half Ironman) triathlon. Eeeek! It's starting to sink in as I type, but probably won't fully sink in until I nail down my training program and start my first day of training. And I "think" I know what I've gotten myself into...2 workouts/day on top of organizing a 5K run/2 mi walk with my sister AND working 40+ hours/week. Oh boy! Giddyup, here we go!
And so it begins!
Hi everyone and welcome to my blog! This is going to be the story of my journey to train and complete a Half Ironman/70.3 mile distance triathlon. For those of you unfamiliar with a 70.3 tri, let me break it down for you. It starts with a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike ride and finishes with a 13.1 mile run! It's the Ironman 70.3 California and race date is 3.31.12. Stay tuned because I know this will be one crazy journey!
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