Friday, February 29, 2008
Off to indonesia!
I'm off to Indonesia for 10 days! Then I'll be back for more training, with lots of pictures.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Chilly Hilly!
We had an action packed tiring weekend. Saturday morning we ran just over 6 miles, along lake Sammamish. Overall it went pretty well - although I think its time for a re-adjustment of my running shoes (or new ones) as my left leg is starting to hurt a bit now. The Boomer dog came with us the whole way, and afterwards, even had enough energy for some playing and swimming in the dog park. I don't see how he got so fit.
THEN Sunday, three of us headed down to the Seattle Ferry and rode Chilly Hilly. I'm pretty sure none of us really knew what we were getting into. While the sun did come out during our ride, making it not so chilly, it was definitely hilly!
I got off to a rough start - near the beginning of the ride, a few miles in, we came to our first steepish hill. We were still in a somewhat crowded pack of riders, since it was early on, and as people got off bikes to walk, they got yelled at, since they would suddenly stop in front of other bikers. I was careful to not do this, however as I went to downshift to an easier gear, suddenly I couldn't pedal! I almost fall off, as I'm clipped in, and surrounded by hordes of other angry bikers (mad I'm in their way). I make it to the side of the road, and discover my bake tire somehow slipped over, so it was pressed against the frame, making it not spin. I fiddled around with the quick release, and think I got it fixed, but that definitely make me nervous for the rest of the ride - as I didn't want that to happen again!
Luckily my tire seemed to stay put for the whole ride. I ended up having to walk a few of the super long, and steep hills. Being clipped in made it a little scary to get off! as I had to unclip while pedaling fast (in a low gear) up the hill and dodge other riders.
About 20 miles into the ride, we came around a corner, and where back on the east side of the island. It was slightly down hill, and I saw the ferry to our right, and thought that The ride must be almost over. I thought to myself how it really wasn't so bad, and I'm not that tired etc, and it was almost fun... Then I keep biking, and biking, and biking and after what felt like a long time, and a few more hills, the ferry went out of view, and I saw a 5 miles left sign... Ugh.
Those last 5 miles where the hardest part of the ride. While the hills where not the steepest of the ride, and were not THAT long, after the previous 25 miles of hills, they felt hard! I pushed myself to not get off, and keep biking. Mile 5 went by not so badly - in about 4/5 minutes... then mile 4 somehow took me like 20 minutes. and was super painful, tiring, and I really just wanted to be done. I swear it must have been signed wrong. Somewhere in mile 4 was a relatively long hill, though not too steep - I was pushing myself to not get off and walk, when I suddenly realized my legs where shaking! So I got off and ate some clif bar - I hadn't eaten anything in during the previous two hours of biking - that may have helped!
When we finally came around the corner to the finish line I was very excited.
So now I have done chilly hilly. I'm not sure if I'll do it again next year. I have to say I overall found just chilly hilly harder than the entire triathlon last year! I think I need to bike more :)
I slept really well saturday and sunday nights .
THEN Sunday, three of us headed down to the Seattle Ferry and rode Chilly Hilly. I'm pretty sure none of us really knew what we were getting into. While the sun did come out during our ride, making it not so chilly, it was definitely hilly!
I got off to a rough start - near the beginning of the ride, a few miles in, we came to our first steepish hill. We were still in a somewhat crowded pack of riders, since it was early on, and as people got off bikes to walk, they got yelled at, since they would suddenly stop in front of other bikers. I was careful to not do this, however as I went to downshift to an easier gear, suddenly I couldn't pedal! I almost fall off, as I'm clipped in, and surrounded by hordes of other angry bikers (mad I'm in their way). I make it to the side of the road, and discover my bake tire somehow slipped over, so it was pressed against the frame, making it not spin. I fiddled around with the quick release, and think I got it fixed, but that definitely make me nervous for the rest of the ride - as I didn't want that to happen again!
Luckily my tire seemed to stay put for the whole ride. I ended up having to walk a few of the super long, and steep hills. Being clipped in made it a little scary to get off! as I had to unclip while pedaling fast (in a low gear) up the hill and dodge other riders.
About 20 miles into the ride, we came around a corner, and where back on the east side of the island. It was slightly down hill, and I saw the ferry to our right, and thought that The ride must be almost over. I thought to myself how it really wasn't so bad, and I'm not that tired etc, and it was almost fun... Then I keep biking, and biking, and biking and after what felt like a long time, and a few more hills, the ferry went out of view, and I saw a 5 miles left sign... Ugh.
Those last 5 miles where the hardest part of the ride. While the hills where not the steepest of the ride, and were not THAT long, after the previous 25 miles of hills, they felt hard! I pushed myself to not get off, and keep biking. Mile 5 went by not so badly - in about 4/5 minutes... then mile 4 somehow took me like 20 minutes. and was super painful, tiring, and I really just wanted to be done. I swear it must have been signed wrong. Somewhere in mile 4 was a relatively long hill, though not too steep - I was pushing myself to not get off and walk, when I suddenly realized my legs where shaking! So I got off and ate some clif bar - I hadn't eaten anything in during the previous two hours of biking - that may have helped!
When we finally came around the corner to the finish line I was very excited.
So now I have done chilly hilly. I'm not sure if I'll do it again next year. I have to say I overall found just chilly hilly harder than the entire triathlon last year! I think I need to bike more :)
I slept really well saturday and sunday nights .
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
My first fall!
I finally had my first fall thanks to my new bike shoes and pedals. I came up to a roundabout, just as a car was arriving. The car slowed down, and I waved them forward, intending to slide in behind the car. However, the car proceeded to turn left, without going AROUND the ROUNDabout - ie coming right in front of me and my clipped in feet. I fell, in slow motion, to the ground.
While it didn't hurt that much then, after the bike ride I found my pants had a nice blood soaked area on my knee. And my thigh now has a large bruise.
After the long bike ride (only 21 miles, but we got lost, stopped for picture, stopped for talking etc, meaning it took us over 2 hours) we went out to a large delicious breakfast.
But then we had to bike home. Granted it was only 2 miles, and flat... but man, after sitting, and eating lots, my legs where not happy! I decided if in the triathlon, we had to sit and eat a meal between the bike and run I'm not sure I could complete it! blegh.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
"Boys wish granted on big yellow school bus"
http://www.ketv.com/family/15304410/detail.html
Just read this article from a link on cnn. A little boy who was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 2.5 just had his wish granted by the make a wish foundation, for his 4th birthday. He got to be picked up by a yellow school bus, and spend a day in kindergarten. His birthday isn't till March, but they were not sure if he'll make it till then.
I just thought this article was touching - and shows you how leukemia affects peoples lives. To have a wish that is so simple - to go to school shows how we really shouldn't take anything for granted.
After spending a day in school, the bus returned him tot he hospital.
Just read this article from a link on cnn. A little boy who was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 2.5 just had his wish granted by the make a wish foundation, for his 4th birthday. He got to be picked up by a yellow school bus, and spend a day in kindergarten. His birthday isn't till March, but they were not sure if he'll make it till then.
I just thought this article was touching - and shows you how leukemia affects peoples lives. To have a wish that is so simple - to go to school shows how we really shouldn't take anything for granted.
After spending a day in school, the bus returned him tot he hospital.
Monday Run
We did interval work again this monday. (I'm not sure if interval is the right word... but oh well). After warm up we ran fast for 1/2 mile, then slow for 1/4 mile, and repeated for about 30 minutes.
I was back to my about 8min pace for the parts I was pushing myself, so I was happy. (Last time I did a workout like this my fast pace was equal to my normally slow pace...). And it was nice out again! yay good weather again.
I still haven't done any long runs yet this season, so I'm going to try to fit one in soon.
I was back to my about 8min pace for the parts I was pushing myself, so I was happy. (Last time I did a workout like this my fast pace was equal to my normally slow pace...). And it was nice out again! yay good weather again.
I still haven't done any long runs yet this season, so I'm going to try to fit one in soon.
Brick
Saturday we did a decent brick. It was originally planned as a 26 mile bike ride followed by a 45 minute run. However we had a party to get to afterwards (the whole team did) so it was shortened to a 13 mile bike ride and a 30 minute run. I can definitely say that I, and the people who ran for the 30 minutes w/ me, where happy it was shorter! We were pretty tired by the end of it.
The bike was around mercer island. I started off strong, and in a good mood, then about 2/3ds of the way I got bored, and was biking alone the whole way. I finished fine, but was happy to be done at 13, and not only half way done... Also, we had good weather! which made it nicer. The run however was not so easy. My legs felt weird, as usual (I forgot to do my pedal fast trick at the end of the bike ride), AND it was a hilly run! I don't run hills very often, so blegh.
Only 8 weeks to go till lavaman! the fact that I found Saturdays work out tiring scares me a little bit! but we did it last year, so hopefully it will only be easier this year.
Oh, then I went out and bought a bike trainer! so hopefully I will get more miles in on the bike. that is, once I get it set up. must find a wrench...
The bike was around mercer island. I started off strong, and in a good mood, then about 2/3ds of the way I got bored, and was biking alone the whole way. I finished fine, but was happy to be done at 13, and not only half way done... Also, we had good weather! which made it nicer. The run however was not so easy. My legs felt weird, as usual (I forgot to do my pedal fast trick at the end of the bike ride), AND it was a hilly run! I don't run hills very often, so blegh.
Only 8 weeks to go till lavaman! the fact that I found Saturdays work out tiring scares me a little bit! but we did it last year, so hopefully it will only be easier this year.
Oh, then I went out and bought a bike trainer! so hopefully I will get more miles in on the bike. that is, once I get it set up. must find a wrench...
Thursday, February 7, 2008
swim test
We had a TEST today at our coached swimming. They wanted to make sure we could each do a 500yd. Given that the week before our lane did 3x 300, 500 isn't so intimidating, and we all did fine. Although, there where some counting issues. when a few people where done, i thought I still had 50 more to go. So I either did 550, or they did 450. Oh well, close enough.
Then we did a fun sighting exercise - we tried to swim to the end of the pool w/ our eyes closed, to see how long we could make it. I made it about 3/4 of the way down the first time, which was way more straight than I expected to be. I only made it like 1/2 way down the 2nd time. Its weird to have your eyes closed! I felt like I had no idea where I was, or what direction I was swimming in...
Then we did a quick drafting exercise - we took turns following right behind another swimming , which apparently saves you about 10% effort. While I did think I could feel the difference, I felt like I was always about to bump into her feet. also, I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable doing it in a race, behind a random swimmer I don't know. I'd be scared of getting kicked etc... But we'll see.
8.5 weeks to go! eek.
Then we did a fun sighting exercise - we tried to swim to the end of the pool w/ our eyes closed, to see how long we could make it. I made it about 3/4 of the way down the first time, which was way more straight than I expected to be. I only made it like 1/2 way down the 2nd time. Its weird to have your eyes closed! I felt like I had no idea where I was, or what direction I was swimming in...
Then we did a quick drafting exercise - we took turns following right behind another swimming , which apparently saves you about 10% effort. While I did think I could feel the difference, I felt like I was always about to bump into her feet. also, I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable doing it in a race, behind a random swimmer I don't know. I'd be scared of getting kicked etc... But we'll see.
8.5 weeks to go! eek.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
All day swim clinic
Saturday I jumped back into training, after a week off being sick, with an all day swim clinic. It went from 10am-5:30pm!
It was slightly intimidating when we get in the pool and the warmup is to swim 300yd. I'm like hey! that distance is usually reserved for our main set... Not all of us are pro swimmers! but the day progressed well. We swam for about 1.5 hours - as they took turns video taping us by groups. We got videoed last - we each swam about 4 laps alone, so they could video from different angles.
Then we had a lecture on swim techniques etc, and took a break for lunch. THEN the main part of the clinic - in a group of about 8 we watched each persons video, and the coach pointed out all the things we did wrong. From the above water view - I actually didn't get too many critiques, and he said I had a good body position! Yay I do something correct! Underwater - I could see that I'm not bending my arm at the beginning of the stroke - thus I loose some of the possible power in my stroke. We where given drills to work on to improve our flaws - I also need to work on kicking w/ straighter legs. But I've always been a terrible kicker... sigh.
Then we went back into the pool - and did drills - and he showes us the RIGHT way to do all the drils we'd learn in the past. Obviously if they're not done right, they're not effective.
Overall I thought it was useful - though I wish we could go back in a week/month and get videoed again, to see if we've improved. However Liz on our tnt team has a underwater camera - so we're going to try to tape ourselves more....
This post was rather rambly - sorry.
Saturday before (well, during the first half of) the super bowl 3 of us went for a bike ride! We only did about 12 miles - but I was happy because I find it hard to get in the oyo bike rides.
It was slightly intimidating when we get in the pool and the warmup is to swim 300yd. I'm like hey! that distance is usually reserved for our main set... Not all of us are pro swimmers! but the day progressed well. We swam for about 1.5 hours - as they took turns video taping us by groups. We got videoed last - we each swam about 4 laps alone, so they could video from different angles.
Then we had a lecture on swim techniques etc, and took a break for lunch. THEN the main part of the clinic - in a group of about 8 we watched each persons video, and the coach pointed out all the things we did wrong. From the above water view - I actually didn't get too many critiques, and he said I had a good body position! Yay I do something correct! Underwater - I could see that I'm not bending my arm at the beginning of the stroke - thus I loose some of the possible power in my stroke. We where given drills to work on to improve our flaws - I also need to work on kicking w/ straighter legs. But I've always been a terrible kicker... sigh.
Then we went back into the pool - and did drills - and he showes us the RIGHT way to do all the drils we'd learn in the past. Obviously if they're not done right, they're not effective.
Overall I thought it was useful - though I wish we could go back in a week/month and get videoed again, to see if we've improved. However Liz on our tnt team has a underwater camera - so we're going to try to tape ourselves more....
This post was rather rambly - sorry.
Saturday before (well, during the first half of) the super bowl 3 of us went for a bike ride! We only did about 12 miles - but I was happy because I find it hard to get in the oyo bike rides.
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