Monday, June 30, 2008
My husband is THE BEST
How many husbands out there would not only watch the kids while I spend 8 hours out riding on Sat. & 2 hours out running on Sunday but encourage & cheer you on?! Mine is the best, he encouraged me to do my training, gave me a pep talk when my ride went so very bad, then gently pushed me to do my run on Sunday when I was tired and lazy and didn't want to do it. I'll get to return the favor in Aug. & Sept. when he is in the thick of his IM training & I am either tapering or DONE! YAY!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Lessons from a 100 miler
Today we rode to Lexington and back which came out to 100 miles and a few. Here is what I learned:
1. I am afraid of dogs when I am riding my bike but yelling NO at them like a maniac does work.
2. It's hard to get up & leave at 5:30 am on a sat. but you will be greatful to be almost done at noon when it's 93 degrees and traffic is agressive.
3. I am really, really sick of sustained energy.
4. Along with that, sustained energy at 93 degrees (the fluid and the outside temp) is nasty, really nasty.
5. 2 hours of no food or drink will hurt - bad. After that it's really hard to start back up again, at which point you will feel worse.
6. It is possible to hurt everywhere on your body at once - trust me.
1. I am afraid of dogs when I am riding my bike but yelling NO at them like a maniac does work.
2. It's hard to get up & leave at 5:30 am on a sat. but you will be greatful to be almost done at noon when it's 93 degrees and traffic is agressive.
3. I am really, really sick of sustained energy.
4. Along with that, sustained energy at 93 degrees (the fluid and the outside temp) is nasty, really nasty.
5. 2 hours of no food or drink will hurt - bad. After that it's really hard to start back up again, at which point you will feel worse.
6. It is possible to hurt everywhere on your body at once - trust me.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Swimming
It's hard for some folks to grasp the idea that some workouts are just bad workouts. You don't stop or throw in the towel (o-k, sometimes you do that, but not most of the time) you just have a bad workout and chalk it up to experience. I had a horrible swim last night. I couldn't get my stroke count down below 20, I felt like I was fighting the water - I just trudged through. In the end though I had a PR for this year for my 4000y. swim - 1:07. See, even the bad workouts can be good.Tuesday, June 24, 2008
This year
Enough looking ahead! I'm back to full force training! I should be able to get out on my bike this afternoon enjoying the nice weather - fingers crossed!
It's about time for me to do another Garrett's Wings plug! If you have already donated, THANK YOU!!! Haven't donated yet but need the link - you're in luck, here it is!! Don't know what the heck I am talking about?! I am raising money for a WONDERFUL charity, Garrett's Wings (see above) through the Janus Charity Challenge. I have been a busy bee this week sending out press releases & business sponsor letters trying to raise that little pledge bar that seems to be stuck!!
It's about time for me to do another Garrett's Wings plug! If you have already donated, THANK YOU!!! Haven't donated yet but need the link - you're in luck, here it is!! Don't know what the heck I am talking about?! I am raising money for a WONDERFUL charity, Garrett's Wings (see above) through the Janus Charity Challenge. I have been a busy bee this week sending out press releases & business sponsor letters trying to raise that little pledge bar that seems to be stuck!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Long swim
Very nice long swim this morning, after a week of NO SWIMMING it's good to be back home in the water again!!
Looking ahead I have been thinking about next year. I think I might skip the big race next year & just do local (read cheaper) races for the season. I want to go to St. Croix in 2010 to do the half iron there so that will take some saving up! One idea I had for next year was to work with the C-Different foundation to help a visually impared athlete do a (or a couple) triathlon. So, I might just start looking for a local visually impared person that is crazy enough to train along w/ me to do a couple of triathlons! So, if anybody knows of someone that might be interested let me know!!!
Looking ahead I have been thinking about next year. I think I might skip the big race next year & just do local (read cheaper) races for the season. I want to go to St. Croix in 2010 to do the half iron there so that will take some saving up! One idea I had for next year was to work with the C-Different foundation to help a visually impared athlete do a (or a couple) triathlon. So, I might just start looking for a local visually impared person that is crazy enough to train along w/ me to do a couple of triathlons! So, if anybody knows of someone that might be interested let me know!!!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The official start of summer training!
Well, this week begins summer training schedule so my optimism will be put to the test! Last week was quite a rest week since we were at the beach & I was incredibly lazy. I chose to lay on the beach & read and watch my adorable kids boogie board all day long instead of training & have no regrets!
Still got in:
about 118 miles of biking
about 13 miles of running
NO swimming! (see previous jellyfish post)
Better go pack my suit for the morning!!
Still got in:
about 118 miles of biking
about 13 miles of running
NO swimming! (see previous jellyfish post)
Better go pack my suit for the morning!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Priorities
I was so looking forward to a week of training at the beach! Lots of time to run & bike (no ocean swimming for me - one word - jellyfish!) while the family played or chilled out. I got a nice bike ride in yesterday with my sweet husband while my folks watched the kids, it was nice to have some alone time. I have found though that working out is ending up at the end of the priority list. I have been watching the kids play & am finding that I would SO much rather spend the time with them.
They are at such an AWESOME & fun age. Playing family games, reading to them, digging in the sand, boogie boarding (alright, watching them boogie board - again, jellyfish) - all the things I would miss while out running or biking. I would much rather spend the time out on a 6 mile family bike ride then to get up at the crack of dawn for a 50 mile ride on my own, missing out on wonderful morning time with the kids.
So, not much training getting done this week but that's o-k. There are YEARS more of Ironmans to do, this is the only year that the kids will be 8 and 5.
They are at such an AWESOME & fun age. Playing family games, reading to them, digging in the sand, boogie boarding (alright, watching them boogie board - again, jellyfish) - all the things I would miss while out running or biking. I would much rather spend the time out on a 6 mile family bike ride then to get up at the crack of dawn for a 50 mile ride on my own, missing out on wonderful morning time with the kids.
So, not much training getting done this week but that's o-k. There are YEARS more of Ironmans to do, this is the only year that the kids will be 8 and 5.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Question - How much can Kati eat in an afternoon of flying?
7 hours of airport sitting & 2.5 hours of flying (p.s. - not good after running 14.5 miles in the morning, welcome to the world of leg cramps) I can eat:
1 bag of skittles (I know, I have to have some kind of guilty pleasure)
15 almonds
6 (yes 6) gluten free vanilla oreos (no, they are not healthy or low fat just b/c they are gluten free)
2 salads w/ full fatty gross ranch dressing (but mmmmm it was good)
1 bowl of mushy vegtables which might cause major gas while on next flight
1 diet coke
2 bottles of water
2 servings of pretzels (that's something like 60 pretzel rings)
I think I spent about $20 on food and I brought the pretzels, cookies (mmmmm) and almonds with me.
1 more hour of waiting, I wonder what kind of candy I can get at the gift shop?! . . .
1 bag of skittles (I know, I have to have some kind of guilty pleasure)
15 almonds
6 (yes 6) gluten free vanilla oreos (no, they are not healthy or low fat just b/c they are gluten free)
2 salads w/ full fatty gross ranch dressing (but mmmmm it was good)
1 bowl of mushy vegtables which might cause major gas while on next flight
1 diet coke
2 bottles of water
2 servings of pretzels (that's something like 60 pretzel rings)
I think I spent about $20 on food and I brought the pretzels, cookies (mmmmm) and almonds with me.
1 more hour of waiting, I wonder what kind of candy I can get at the gift shop?! . . .
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hurray for the weekend!
I will be so glad when the weekend arrives! This week has been impossible for training b/c I have had a lot of training appts (good for the pocketbook, bad for my training), we are doing a special bike helmet fitting at the kids school that has eaten up a lot of my days, this is the last week of school so there are awards' ceremonies & kindergarten graduations (sniff!) to go to and I am trying to get ready for a trip!!
Hurray that I get to go to Louisville this weekend!! I am excited to get away with the girls (yes, I am a bad wife going away on father's day weekend and absolutly if Paul did the same on mother's day I would be upset. We'll call it babysteps that I even recognize my hypocritical behavoir!), I haven't been back to Louisville since the race last year so it will be wonderful to see all the sights again & while there I get to train all I want all weekend long!
So, not much training going on for a few days then monster training weekend w/ a 112 mile bike followed by a 2 mile run Sat., then a 20 mile bike followed by a 15 mile run on Sunday. Hurray!
Hurray that I get to go to Louisville this weekend!! I am excited to get away with the girls (yes, I am a bad wife going away on father's day weekend and absolutly if Paul did the same on mother's day I would be upset. We'll call it babysteps that I even recognize my hypocritical behavoir!), I haven't been back to Louisville since the race last year so it will be wonderful to see all the sights again & while there I get to train all I want all weekend long!
So, not much training going on for a few days then monster training weekend w/ a 112 mile bike followed by a 2 mile run Sat., then a 20 mile bike followed by a 15 mile run on Sunday. Hurray!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Totals for the year so far . . .
So, 6 months into the year here are my totals:
Total training time: 195.5 hours
bike: 1683.93 miles
run: 395 miles
swim 74,381 yards
I would think these are all a little low except when I remember that I had mono for a month and had to take 3 full weeks off training, then slowly get back up to speed for the next 6 weeks.
Training has definitly ramped up in the last week or two, jumping up to 16 hours last week, on it's way to 18 this week. Better go spend time with the kids now . . .
Total training time: 195.5 hours
bike: 1683.93 miles
run: 395 miles
swim 74,381 yards
I would think these are all a little low except when I remember that I had mono for a month and had to take 3 full weeks off training, then slowly get back up to speed for the next 6 weeks.
Training has definitly ramped up in the last week or two, jumping up to 16 hours last week, on it's way to 18 this week. Better go spend time with the kids now . . .
Friday, June 6, 2008
Field Day
Skipped swim workout to go work at Field Day at the kids' school:
-hot & sweaty
-sunburn
-missed my speed swim for the week
-legs are all itchy from the grass
-had to pick up about 200 wiffle balls (and anyone that knows me knows that I don't belong anywhere near a bat and ball!)
Seeing my daughter's look of surprise then a HUGE smile when she saw me there:
PRICELESS!!!
-hot & sweaty
-sunburn
-missed my speed swim for the week
-legs are all itchy from the grass
-had to pick up about 200 wiffle balls (and anyone that knows me knows that I don't belong anywhere near a bat and ball!)
Seeing my daughter's look of surprise then a HUGE smile when she saw me there:
PRICELESS!!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Kati the teenage boy
O-k, so it sounds weird, but just stick with me. I am so feeling like a teenage boy w/ the current IM training.
1. I eat non-stop. Seriously today I have had: 2 waffles, a bowl of grits, 2 egg whites & 1 whole egg, almonds, a half a box of pasta (2 servings) w/ sauce & cheese, a bowl of cereal and an apple. It's 3 o'clock. Our grocery bill is through the roof not only b/c of inflation but also b/c I am eating non-stop and it's all gluten free stuff that costs a fortune!
2. I am up for a nap at any time. Seriously - I can fall asleep in a matter of seconds.
3. I am usually smelly and sweaty.
4. Dressing up means putting on flip flops and shorts instead of workout clothes and running shoes.
5. I go out and play on my bike all day.
6. I quote songs from popular movies on my blog.
7. I'm broke between all the gear and the extra food!
Why I'm NOT like a teenage boy:
1. I'm ready for bed by 8 pm - not much room for thinkng about anything but sleep.
2. I'm up and out of bed at 4:30 am, even on the days off I'm up and wide awake.
Scary stuff!!!
1. I eat non-stop. Seriously today I have had: 2 waffles, a bowl of grits, 2 egg whites & 1 whole egg, almonds, a half a box of pasta (2 servings) w/ sauce & cheese, a bowl of cereal and an apple. It's 3 o'clock. Our grocery bill is through the roof not only b/c of inflation but also b/c I am eating non-stop and it's all gluten free stuff that costs a fortune!
2. I am up for a nap at any time. Seriously - I can fall asleep in a matter of seconds.
3. I am usually smelly and sweaty.
4. Dressing up means putting on flip flops and shorts instead of workout clothes and running shoes.
5. I go out and play on my bike all day.
6. I quote songs from popular movies on my blog.
7. I'm broke between all the gear and the extra food!
Why I'm NOT like a teenage boy:
1. I'm ready for bed by 8 pm - not much room for thinkng about anything but sleep.
2. I'm up and out of bed at 4:30 am, even on the days off I'm up and wide awake.
Scary stuff!!!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Summer Schedule
Ahh, the end of the school year. The kids are going on field trips every day or just spending the days playing outside. No homework (yay!) and a no afterschool activities (yay!)!! The kids are done w/ school next Thursday so the time has come to formulate a schedule for getting my training done & spending lots of good quality time w/ them. I'm choosing optimism!
Here's how it looks:
Monday - early morning appts. until 8:15, trainer ride in the a.m. while kids play outside (read: watch tv) then glorious pool time , evening run (fingers crossed) when Paul gets home
Tuesday - early morning appts. until 7:15, then the kids are off to Angie's for the day : ) ride / run scheduled w/ one morning training appt. Kids have swim practice from 2:30 - 4 so I can either get in a swim or run
Wed. - early morning appts. until 7:15, pool time in the am, kids have swim practice from 2:30 - 4 - time for a ride or run
Thurs. - early morning appt. until 7:15, pool time or other kid fun, trainer ride in the am, swim practice from 2:30 - 4 - long swim
Friday - day off - watching my nephews for the day, pool or playground fun all day long (except nap time - for all of us!!!)
Sat. - early morning long ride w/ short brick
Sunday - early am or late afternoon long run
Whew! I think it will actually work! Again, optimism will win out!!!
Here's how it looks:
Monday - early morning appts. until 8:15, trainer ride in the a.m. while kids play outside (read: watch tv) then glorious pool time , evening run (fingers crossed) when Paul gets home
Tuesday - early morning appts. until 7:15, then the kids are off to Angie's for the day : ) ride / run scheduled w/ one morning training appt. Kids have swim practice from 2:30 - 4 so I can either get in a swim or run
Wed. - early morning appts. until 7:15, pool time in the am, kids have swim practice from 2:30 - 4 - time for a ride or run
Thurs. - early morning appt. until 7:15, pool time or other kid fun, trainer ride in the am, swim practice from 2:30 - 4 - long swim
Friday - day off - watching my nephews for the day, pool or playground fun all day long (except nap time - for all of us!!!)
Sat. - early morning long ride w/ short brick
Sunday - early am or late afternoon long run
Whew! I think it will actually work! Again, optimism will win out!!!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
My new FAV song
SEASONS OF LOVE - Rent Soundtrack
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes how do you measure - Measure a year
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life
How about love - How about love - How about love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
525,600 minutes, 525,000 journeys to plan
525,600 minutes how can you measure the life of a woman or man
In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned, or the way that she died
It's time now to sing out, though the story never ends
Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love - Remember the love - Remember the love
Measure in love - Seasons of love - Seasons of love
-------------
Ironicly this song has been on my mp3 player for a while & I just love it. Paul and I were talking about our playlists this weekend and this one was both of our favorite for running. Awwww : )
Anyway, IM training is really a year long process. From sign up a year out to the actual event a whole year passes so I started thinking about my year of IM this year.
First I decided to go back to Louisville, I just loved the race, the place & couldn't resist! This race & training will be very different b/c Paul is not racing w/ me, but I started out thinking I would really push the training hard this year & try to make a big difference in my times from last year. Well, I guess the universe had other plans for me!
I decided I wanted to race for Garrett and Garrett's Wings to try to help Renee and Scott bring about some change and help after Garrett passed away in December. Through that I have loved getting reconnected with wonderful old friends. I have found that I have been able to teach my daughter a great lesson in giving. She has grown and learned so much about helping and giving to others.
After a bout of mono in Feb., March & some of April my dreams of a super fast time in Louisville are gone. I have had moments of panic that my mileage is not up to what it needs to be to get the job done in August. That's when I listen to my song & realize that this year is about so much more than the mileage & time. It's all about rediscovering a wonderful old (I mean that in the good way - I swear!) friend, and teaching my kids about love and life. Crossing the finish line in August I'm not sure it will matter what the clock reads, I have gained so much in the last few months - I wouldn't trade it for all the Kona qualifying slots in the world!!
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes how do you measure - Measure a year
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life
How about love - How about love - How about love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
525,600 minutes, 525,000 journeys to plan
525,600 minutes how can you measure the life of a woman or man
In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned, or the way that she died
It's time now to sing out, though the story never ends
Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love - Remember the love - Remember the love
Measure in love - Seasons of love - Seasons of love
-------------
Ironicly this song has been on my mp3 player for a while & I just love it. Paul and I were talking about our playlists this weekend and this one was both of our favorite for running. Awwww : )
Anyway, IM training is really a year long process. From sign up a year out to the actual event a whole year passes so I started thinking about my year of IM this year.
First I decided to go back to Louisville, I just loved the race, the place & couldn't resist! This race & training will be very different b/c Paul is not racing w/ me, but I started out thinking I would really push the training hard this year & try to make a big difference in my times from last year. Well, I guess the universe had other plans for me!
I decided I wanted to race for Garrett and Garrett's Wings to try to help Renee and Scott bring about some change and help after Garrett passed away in December. Through that I have loved getting reconnected with wonderful old friends. I have found that I have been able to teach my daughter a great lesson in giving. She has grown and learned so much about helping and giving to others.
After a bout of mono in Feb., March & some of April my dreams of a super fast time in Louisville are gone. I have had moments of panic that my mileage is not up to what it needs to be to get the job done in August. That's when I listen to my song & realize that this year is about so much more than the mileage & time. It's all about rediscovering a wonderful old (I mean that in the good way - I swear!) friend, and teaching my kids about love and life. Crossing the finish line in August I'm not sure it will matter what the clock reads, I have gained so much in the last few months - I wouldn't trade it for all the Kona qualifying slots in the world!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
