Flipping channels this afternoon after watching Germany manhandle Australia 4-0, I settled on watching a recap of the Ironman World Championship in Clearwater, FL. It's a 70.3 mile race, a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. Anyway, neat stuff to see how the pros handle it. Lucy and Ed joined me as we were watching and suddenly Lucy decided she wanted to go for a run (course that was after her telling me I needed to eat better if I wanted to be skinny like those guys on tv). I told her it was too hot for a run, but she wouldn't be denied. Next thing I knew, she'd changed into a cute little tank top and shorts and was tying up her Nikes. Big E wasn't up for a run but agreed to ride his bike with us. We set out and were going to run down to Richards and go around the track once or twice and come home, but then Lucy decided she wanted to go to Mayme and Papa's. Problem was, when we got there, they weren't home. It's only about 6/10s of a mile to there house, but with the heat today and with the complete lack of preparation for this run, poor Lucy was feeling it. We rested for a bit on their porch and then came back to the house, walking a little bit. All in all, in 96 degree heat, Lucy made the 1.2 mile loop in about 13 minutes flat. Not bad for the kid's first run of the year. Ed handled it easily on his bike and was back at the house well before we were. He was quick to make sure I saw how fast he went.
After dropping them off, I went ahead and got in another 2.6 miles. I just figured I was already dressed for it, I might as well get it in. Man, let me tell you what a stupid idea that was. I was fine for the 1st mile or so, but then I hit a stretch with no shade and I started to wilt. I finished, but only at a crawl. I hated it. But I got it in. Sometimes, the quality of the run is only in getting it completed.
I did feel some tenderness in my shin on today's run. It sort of came and went. I iced it for about 20 minutes after taking a cold shower to get my body temp back down. We'll have to keep an eye on that.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday night 5 miler
Well, big E won his game tonight 6-5 on a two out RBI single by Ed. His hit came in the top of the 5th and so we had to hold 'em off for two at bats which the Rams did with some great defense. Another game tomorrow night against Eastern Little League at 5:30. Man it was hot out there tonight and I know tomorrow will be just the same.
After the game, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Logan's. I had a salad and a water. I should have drank about a gallon.
I met Tim and his neighbor Chris around 9:15 down at the riverwalk for a run. Amazingly, it was still over 90 degrees and near 80% humidity. We got in 5 miles in 46 minutes. A 9'12" average, which in that heat and humidity I am pretty proud of. It's funny, I've completed 2 sprint tri's covering about 16.5 miles each, but this 5 mile run felt like the toughest thing I've done this year. It's also the longest run I've gotten in since my shin injury. It feels pretty good to start seeing my distance increase.
Rest tomorrow...and then a long run Saturday or Sunday, or maybe another tri....hmm. we'll see.
After the game, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Logan's. I had a salad and a water. I should have drank about a gallon.
I met Tim and his neighbor Chris around 9:15 down at the riverwalk for a run. Amazingly, it was still over 90 degrees and near 80% humidity. We got in 5 miles in 46 minutes. A 9'12" average, which in that heat and humidity I am pretty proud of. It's funny, I've completed 2 sprint tri's covering about 16.5 miles each, but this 5 mile run felt like the toughest thing I've done this year. It's also the longest run I've gotten in since my shin injury. It feels pretty good to start seeing my distance increase.
Rest tomorrow...and then a long run Saturday or Sunday, or maybe another tri....hmm. we'll see.
Monday, May 31, 2010
The Memorial Day Rivuh Sprint Tri
Well, I'm not sure if I'm starting something here but this morning, I completed my 2nd sprint distance triathlon. Same course as before. Same swim, same killer hills on the bike and run. I wish I could impress on you guys just how tough the hills are on Mtn. Drive, Lickskillet and Harrisville Rd. If you have time some day, just drive it and listen as your auto gears down going up the hills, increasing the flow of gas to the carburetor, looking for all the power it can find. Most of the hills aren't so long, but what they aren't in length, they make up for in slope. Here's the results...
1st leg: 650m swim - 14'45"
6:45 drop in the water on an overcast morning. Temp around 69F. Went out a little faster than last time. But, I felt like I paid for it. The homeward leg was a killer. But, as it was, I finished about a minute faster than last time. Not bad.
Transition 1: 6'13"
2nd leg: 21.5km bike - 51'28"
iPod on the arm this time, I hit the road after a good swim. My legs really felt more tired today. The hills were incredible again. Lots more fun to go down than to go up. The same two that almost got me last time were the most difficult this time as well, but I didn't have to drop into the lowest gear at all today. Felt really good finishing this 1'45" faster than last time.
Transition 1: 2'15" - this is 3'15" faster than my rest between bike and run last time...and 4' faster than the first one today.
3rd leg: 5k run - 28'11"
The improvements on the swim and bike and the quick transition after the bike were really great improvements. Every second counts in competition on this and the transition is a place to get easy seconds for me right now...but since I am not in training per se, and since these are basically all new events for me, those improvements have got to be paid for somewhere. Today, it was in the run.
After feeling pretty good getting going, my chest quickly tightened up and my thighs started burning like they were about to explode. The hills on the out leg just got me. Had to walk about 30 seconds at the top of the big hill just as I hit the straight heading out to the turnaround. I went out in about 14'30". I did feel things settle out a bit on the way back, but I just didn't have a lot left. I returned in 13'41" which was well faster, but still a slower overall time.
Total time with transitions - 1:42:45
All in all, a great improvement over my first attempt. 5'35" is fun to see. Hopefully next time, I can improve again, but this time on all events.
1st leg: 650m swim - 14'45"
6:45 drop in the water on an overcast morning. Temp around 69F. Went out a little faster than last time. But, I felt like I paid for it. The homeward leg was a killer. But, as it was, I finished about a minute faster than last time. Not bad.
Transition 1: 6'13"
2nd leg: 21.5km bike - 51'28"
iPod on the arm this time, I hit the road after a good swim. My legs really felt more tired today. The hills were incredible again. Lots more fun to go down than to go up. The same two that almost got me last time were the most difficult this time as well, but I didn't have to drop into the lowest gear at all today. Felt really good finishing this 1'45" faster than last time.
Transition 1: 2'15" - this is 3'15" faster than my rest between bike and run last time...and 4' faster than the first one today.
3rd leg: 5k run - 28'11"
The improvements on the swim and bike and the quick transition after the bike were really great improvements. Every second counts in competition on this and the transition is a place to get easy seconds for me right now...but since I am not in training per se, and since these are basically all new events for me, those improvements have got to be paid for somewhere. Today, it was in the run.
After feeling pretty good getting going, my chest quickly tightened up and my thighs started burning like they were about to explode. The hills on the out leg just got me. Had to walk about 30 seconds at the top of the big hill just as I hit the straight heading out to the turnaround. I went out in about 14'30". I did feel things settle out a bit on the way back, but I just didn't have a lot left. I returned in 13'41" which was well faster, but still a slower overall time.
Total time with transitions - 1:42:45
All in all, a great improvement over my first attempt. 5'35" is fun to see. Hopefully next time, I can improve again, but this time on all events.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Rivuh Sprint Tri - In the books!
Well, the 1st annual running of the Rivuh Sprint Tri is history. After waking up at about 5:15, getting my stuff in order for the transitions, having a gatorade energy boost, eating a powerbar, drinking a little gatorade and trying to settle my nerves, I woke my Dad up to watch my swim and got in the water.
Leg 1: ~650m swim - 15'49"
Started out from the dock doing the crawl. I quickly realized that my breathing was going to be tough in that stroke. I'm not sure why other than I am extremely out of practice. I would breathe every right arm stroke and I just never felt like I was getting a full breath. Consequently, I started getting winded fast which just exacerbated the problem. I switched to the breast stroke and alternated between that and the back stroke most of the rest of the way. I did throw in some more crawl, but only in short bursts. All in all, the swim was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.
When I was finished, I hit the dock, dried off, changed shorts, drank some gatorade, put on a shirt and my bike helmet. I grabbed the bike and hit the road. Now all of that sounds like I was doing it quick, but in actuality, it took around 6'30". I was not in a big hurry needing to catch my breath a bit.
Transition 1 - 6'30"
Leg 2: 21.5km bike - 53'15"
Getting out of the water was a real win. Getting on the bike with tired arms and legs was an unknown. But truthfully, I did fairly well here. The route is a really fun one to ride with all of the down hills, but it is equally as hellish since you have to go up everyone you come down. The pace I was able to avg. was just under a 4' mile. I know that is not extremely fast for a bike, but remember, the 11 miles from Friday was the first bike ride I made all year.
The hills were incredibly difficult. I handled Mtn. Dr. fairly easily but Lickskillet and Harrisville had some long hills and some that really ended with a steep crest. I guess, the wave analogy really holds cause on some of these I really felt like I was heading straight up the face of one. The toughest hills were one coming on the return on Harrisville and then the first one I hit on Lickskillet on the return. After cresting the one on Lickskillet, I knew I was going to make it. I rode past the cabin and down the driveway, laid the bike down in front of the porch and came up on the porch, on mighty wobbly legs, for another spot of gatorade as well as an energy gel (gatorade again).
I put on my Auburn visor, added my iPod (kind of wish I'd remembered it on my bike ride), and headed back out for the run.
Transition 2: 5'30"
Leg 3: 5k run - 27'20"
It would be hard for me to stress how weak my legs were after the swim and bike. I literally thought I might fall down going down the steps walking out for my run. I'm pretty sure that Stac, Mom and Dad all thought I was crazy...and likely that I wouldn't make it out of the yard.
They were almost right. Starting out on the run, I had never felt as unsure of the next step as I was then. My stride was abbreviated and steps were as light as they could be. I really thought there was no way I was going to finish, but I pressed on. Hitting the first few hills on Mtn, I managed them well enough. My pace was slow, but I was still moving. It wasn't until the big hill before the straightaway that I thought I might die again. Getting to the top of it, I walked for about 20 seconds before picking up the jog again going down the back side of it. After making the turn at the end of the road (14' on the out leg), I started back and something strange happened...I was able to stretch out my stride again. Not that I really sped up that much, but I did kick it in a little. One or two of the hills on the way back slowed me down again, but I ended up finishing in 27'20"...So I returned 40" faster than I went out. That is pretty awesome!
So I finished my first unofficial sprint tri in 1:48:20 with about 12' spent in transition. It is hard to express how excited I am at the accomplishment, particularly since I did it on my own with nobody really spurring me on (that's mostly true). In fact, the fam was a bit skeptical that I'd even finish I think (course so was I to be fair).
Leg 1: ~650m swim - 15'49"
Started out from the dock doing the crawl. I quickly realized that my breathing was going to be tough in that stroke. I'm not sure why other than I am extremely out of practice. I would breathe every right arm stroke and I just never felt like I was getting a full breath. Consequently, I started getting winded fast which just exacerbated the problem. I switched to the breast stroke and alternated between that and the back stroke most of the rest of the way. I did throw in some more crawl, but only in short bursts. All in all, the swim was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.
When I was finished, I hit the dock, dried off, changed shorts, drank some gatorade, put on a shirt and my bike helmet. I grabbed the bike and hit the road. Now all of that sounds like I was doing it quick, but in actuality, it took around 6'30". I was not in a big hurry needing to catch my breath a bit.
Transition 1 - 6'30"
Leg 2: 21.5km bike - 53'15"
Getting out of the water was a real win. Getting on the bike with tired arms and legs was an unknown. But truthfully, I did fairly well here. The route is a really fun one to ride with all of the down hills, but it is equally as hellish since you have to go up everyone you come down. The pace I was able to avg. was just under a 4' mile. I know that is not extremely fast for a bike, but remember, the 11 miles from Friday was the first bike ride I made all year.
The hills were incredibly difficult. I handled Mtn. Dr. fairly easily but Lickskillet and Harrisville had some long hills and some that really ended with a steep crest. I guess, the wave analogy really holds cause on some of these I really felt like I was heading straight up the face of one. The toughest hills were one coming on the return on Harrisville and then the first one I hit on Lickskillet on the return. After cresting the one on Lickskillet, I knew I was going to make it. I rode past the cabin and down the driveway, laid the bike down in front of the porch and came up on the porch, on mighty wobbly legs, for another spot of gatorade as well as an energy gel (gatorade again).
I put on my Auburn visor, added my iPod (kind of wish I'd remembered it on my bike ride), and headed back out for the run.
Transition 2: 5'30"
Leg 3: 5k run - 27'20"
It would be hard for me to stress how weak my legs were after the swim and bike. I literally thought I might fall down going down the steps walking out for my run. I'm pretty sure that Stac, Mom and Dad all thought I was crazy...and likely that I wouldn't make it out of the yard.
They were almost right. Starting out on the run, I had never felt as unsure of the next step as I was then. My stride was abbreviated and steps were as light as they could be. I really thought there was no way I was going to finish, but I pressed on. Hitting the first few hills on Mtn, I managed them well enough. My pace was slow, but I was still moving. It wasn't until the big hill before the straightaway that I thought I might die again. Getting to the top of it, I walked for about 20 seconds before picking up the jog again going down the back side of it. After making the turn at the end of the road (14' on the out leg), I started back and something strange happened...I was able to stretch out my stride again. Not that I really sped up that much, but I did kick it in a little. One or two of the hills on the way back slowed me down again, but I ended up finishing in 27'20"...So I returned 40" faster than I went out. That is pretty awesome!
So I finished my first unofficial sprint tri in 1:48:20 with about 12' spent in transition. It is hard to express how excited I am at the accomplishment, particularly since I did it on my own with nobody really spurring me on (that's mostly true). In fact, the fam was a bit skeptical that I'd even finish I think (course so was I to be fair).
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The Rivuh Sprint Triathalon
Well folks, after long respite, I am back...at least for today and maybe tomorrow. And I am back with a vengeance. How so you say? Well tomorrow, I attempt something never attempted by any man. The Rivuh Sprint Tri! That's right folks. Take a look at yonder link and you'll find 26.5 kilometers, or about 16.5 miles, of swim, bike and run. It breaks down like this...
First leg will be the swim. Leaving from the dock and swimming to the southernmost buoy in our slue, looping to the northernmost and then back to the first before coming back to the dock. It should be about a 650m swim.
Second leg is the bike. Leaving from the cabin and heading to the end of Mtn. Dr. turning North on Lickskillet to the old G&G site then back passing Mtn Dr. and heading down Harrisville Rd. to the intersection of Harrisville and Pinetree Rd. From there, it's back to the cabin. It should be about a 21.5 kilometer ride, 13.4 miles.
Last will be the run. A simple 5k from the cabin to the end of Mtn. Dr. and back.
All told, and taken separately, I know that I could finish all of them with relative ease. But taken as a whole and with some expedience between the changes in disciplines, I am thinking I will be lucky to finish.
So what worries me particularly? Well, I got in the water once since last summer. And that was to jump in and get a hinge pin for the dock that I had just kicked in last November. Needless to say, it wasn't for fitness. I swam to the first buoy and time or two last summer, but this will be a longer swim and my first swim in quite some time...So, I am a little anxious on this leg.
On the bike side of things, I just rode 11 miles yesterday morning so the distance is really nothing, but not knowing how my legs are going to feel coming out of the water has me nervous and then realizing the elevation changes that I will be dealing with has me shaking a little. Mtn. Dr. is a hilly street, yet when I look at the elevation breakdown of my route, Mtn Dr. looks like so many ripples in an ocean with a couple of tidal waves beyond it on Lickskillet. So will I be able to handle it? I am hoping so. But this is going to be a real test.
On the run, I've run Mtn. Dr. countless times. It's a great run. Challenging with the hills but perfect for the distance. But again, if I make it this far, this will be after the swim and the bike...will my legs work? I'm guessing my thighs are going to be pretty well cooked at this point which means that running the hills might be the most painful thing I've ever done. Hopefully, I'll be able to tell you all about it.
So that is it. Again, for the distance, it's nothing. But for me, it is a great test and hopefully one that can set me on a path of tris that will extend me and my abilities.
Pray for no bike wrecks...big hills ought to be fun, slow and hard on the way up, but fast as lightening on the way down! Hoping for safe drivers in any cars I encounter...and vigilance on my part for those that are not. I just don't want to have to bail off some embankment or something.
Also pray for no sprains, strains, pulls, breaks...that would suck.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow!
First leg will be the swim. Leaving from the dock and swimming to the southernmost buoy in our slue, looping to the northernmost and then back to the first before coming back to the dock. It should be about a 650m swim.
Second leg is the bike. Leaving from the cabin and heading to the end of Mtn. Dr. turning North on Lickskillet to the old G&G site then back passing Mtn Dr. and heading down Harrisville Rd. to the intersection of Harrisville and Pinetree Rd. From there, it's back to the cabin. It should be about a 21.5 kilometer ride, 13.4 miles.
Last will be the run. A simple 5k from the cabin to the end of Mtn. Dr. and back.
All told, and taken separately, I know that I could finish all of them with relative ease. But taken as a whole and with some expedience between the changes in disciplines, I am thinking I will be lucky to finish.
So what worries me particularly? Well, I got in the water once since last summer. And that was to jump in and get a hinge pin for the dock that I had just kicked in last November. Needless to say, it wasn't for fitness. I swam to the first buoy and time or two last summer, but this will be a longer swim and my first swim in quite some time...So, I am a little anxious on this leg.
On the bike side of things, I just rode 11 miles yesterday morning so the distance is really nothing, but not knowing how my legs are going to feel coming out of the water has me nervous and then realizing the elevation changes that I will be dealing with has me shaking a little. Mtn. Dr. is a hilly street, yet when I look at the elevation breakdown of my route, Mtn Dr. looks like so many ripples in an ocean with a couple of tidal waves beyond it on Lickskillet. So will I be able to handle it? I am hoping so. But this is going to be a real test.
On the run, I've run Mtn. Dr. countless times. It's a great run. Challenging with the hills but perfect for the distance. But again, if I make it this far, this will be after the swim and the bike...will my legs work? I'm guessing my thighs are going to be pretty well cooked at this point which means that running the hills might be the most painful thing I've ever done. Hopefully, I'll be able to tell you all about it.
So that is it. Again, for the distance, it's nothing. But for me, it is a great test and hopefully one that can set me on a path of tris that will extend me and my abilities.
Pray for no bike wrecks...big hills ought to be fun, slow and hard on the way up, but fast as lightening on the way down! Hoping for safe drivers in any cars I encounter...and vigilance on my part for those that are not. I just don't want to have to bail off some embankment or something.
Also pray for no sprains, strains, pulls, breaks...that would suck.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Running again...I hope.
Just back from the AFS CastExpo in Orlando. Great time for the kids at Disney. Glad to be home.
As for the running, I laced em back up the other day. 3 miles in 27:00 on the treadmill. Felt pretty good.
Next day, I got on the bike for 30 minutes on a crosstraining program. It was tough, but I finished it.
Tonight, I ran home form the park after watching Ed's baseball game. 2.6 miles in 24:00. Felt some discomfort in my achilles running up the hills. When I finished, there was a little tenderness in my shin. I will have to watch this. Probably need to get on my bike and work toward getting my fitness back that way.
Quick update I know, but wanted to record that I was back on it.
As for the running, I laced em back up the other day. 3 miles in 27:00 on the treadmill. Felt pretty good.
Next day, I got on the bike for 30 minutes on a crosstraining program. It was tough, but I finished it.
Tonight, I ran home form the park after watching Ed's baseball game. 2.6 miles in 24:00. Felt some discomfort in my achilles running up the hills. When I finished, there was a little tenderness in my shin. I will have to watch this. Probably need to get on my bike and work toward getting my fitness back that way.
Quick update I know, but wanted to record that I was back on it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Vive Mexico
Ever have one of those days where you wake up in your own bed, start through a seemingly normal day and then find yourself somewhere you've never been before by the time you lay your head down to go to sleep...Well, this morning, I am sitting in a Hampton Inn (which with the exception of a lack of hot water could be any Hampton Inn I've ever been to), situated in the Municipio de General Escobedo in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. An issue at the Navistar plant down here is what prompted the visit. So George and I flew down yesterday afternoon, connected through Dallas and then arrived at the hotel around midnight last night (11:00 local time). We went out and had some local fare and were in bed by about 12:45. So this morning, we're waiting for our 9:00 meet time at the plant to go through about 550 castings looking for cracks.
Reading 2 Corinthians still this morning...Chpt 5&6. This morning, I'm focusing on being for God rather than trying to change God to be for me.
More later I think...Going down for some breakfast.
Reading 2 Corinthians still this morning...Chpt 5&6. This morning, I'm focusing on being for God rather than trying to change God to be for me.
More later I think...Going down for some breakfast.
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