Happy Halloween and other thoughts

Happy Halloween! I was a witch today at work! lol. Of course, some people would argue that I'm a "witch" every day at work. My friend Grant, one of the photogs here at the paper, snapped a photo of me to e-mail Jake. Jake's response? "A witch. How appropriate." LOL

In other news, the race at Tumbling Creek went well. It felt like more "fun" than "race." Ashley was the only other chica in my group, so I pretty much knew I had second place sewn up. I didn't kill myself trying to keep up with her, but just decided to ride hard and good and encourage Beth along the way.

Gotta give props to Beth, who I've now taken to calling "the next Krista Park," or "the next Kathleen Tokuda" (both of whom are STELLAR riders and very encouraging, friendly ladies). After being on the bike for 9 months -- as in, she wasn't riding at all 9 months ago -- Beth cats up to Sport class. Tumbling Creek was her first Sport race ... and she got third!! The best part was we got to ride together most of the time -- until she passed me on one of the last climbs and took off like a freakin mountain goat.

After getting in some base training this winter, I can't wait to see what she does next year. Those other Sport ladies should beware!

Really though, it's great to see someone take to the sport so quickly. It's always encouraging to see new riders develop and come into their own. Seeing her excitement about riding and willingness to challenge herself reminds me of how I felt when I first started riding, and makes me enjoy it all over again.

Have a spooky day!

Home fires burning

I know this has nothing to do with physical fitness, but I'm posting anyway.

Jake left yesterday to go to Qatar, where he'll be stationed for the next two months. He's in the Air National Guard and makes the trip about once a year. This is his third time going over since we've been together. You'd think it would get easier, but it doesn't. It gets harder.

For those without a handy locator map, Qatar is right across the pond from Iraq. The base there is one of the closest jumping-off points you can get to Iraq, and its role is to service and care for the planes and people who's job it is to actually go fight in Iraq. Qatar is not currently a war-zone, but it's still too damn close for comfort.

I know everyone has strong opinions about the war, as I myself do. But regardless of whether or not you support the president's efforts, it's just the humane thing to do to care and pray (in whatever way you choose) for the troops stationed over there.

Speaking form experience, it's very hard to keep a sane mind when the war is changing every month and you have a loved one over there. Sure Qatar is safe now, but will it be in two weeks? two months? The hardest part of Jake being gone is the emotional aspect. Knowing his safety is out of my control, and knowing I can't just call him if I need him.

He's supposed to be home by Christmas, so pray to Buddha, Allah, Jesus, Jehovah, the Dalai Lama or even to the sun god that he stays safe and makes a quick trip home. I'd really like for him to be home for Christmas.

Back in the saddle

After being sick for about two weeks, I'm officially back in the saddle again.

Granted, I started trying to exercise after about three days of sitting around, and my body quickly let me know it wasn't ready to do much more than walk. Cut to ... two weeks later.

I hit the pool Wednesday night for a swim. It was really tough. I found myself getting out of breath more quickly and it was harder to do the same number of laps I always do. Last night I went for a nice 4-mile run. It actually went pretty well. I had TRIED to run on Saturday and lasted 20 minutes before I gave out, so actually making it for 40 minutes was a treat.

Today I feel good: no aches, no sinus pain, full of energy. I swear the Moes' burrito I had for lunch yesterday and the pizza I had for dinner were contributing factors to my recovery.

This weekend I'm gonna hit the trail and hope to have a real good ride or three! It's Jake's last weekend in town before heading off to the "big sandbox," so I'm sure we'll be getting in some long rides in the fresh fall air.

ciao!

Random Ruminations

The weather absolutely stinks right now. Been sidelined to gym only/indoor training the past couple days, this after having to take an extra day off over the weekend after catching a cold. Luckily it was a short one. And also, even more luckily, I'm really enjoying the gym lately. So, the rain ain't hurting me too much right now. But it could stop today and I wouldn't mind one little bit. Here's some random tidbits...

- I'm excited to report that I've got some new calluses! No, not on my pardukey, on my hands. The strength training is going great. I'm enjoying mixing the weights with different types of cardio and I'm not at all bored because I'm able to mix things up!

- I'm making some more diet changes, above and beyond the changes I made after the anemia diagnosis. So I'm still off caffeine for the most part. I've also basically given up soda (was drinking diet/caffeine free varieties) except for the occasional night out. I'm working hard to get more protein into my diet each day, as this is something I've always struggled with. I'm also timing my carbs to get them eaten earlier in the day...tapering to more good fats and protein in the later hours of the day

- The diet changes appear to be working, as I've lost around five pounds over the last three weeks and I don't feel at all deprived. In fact, I lost that weight even though I've actually upped my daily caloric intake. I'm just eating much better calories.

- A couple races have already set their dates...Bakers Dozen is April 21st and the Dirty Spokes Ft. Yargo race is May 5th. BD will be a solo, Yargo I'm doing with Linda as a duo. I've also got a biggie planned for February (no not Reddick) and will post more later.

Today's a leg and cardio circuit day at the gym.

The Night Ride

So, the ladies met for the first ladies pines ride of the season. It didn't involve that much night riding as we haven't had the time change yet, but it involved the chatting and fun that it always has in the past. Hillarie made her triumphant return to the bike (now if we can just keep her on it), Renee told her cold in no uncertain terms that she'd had enough of it, and Beth was sporting her new teeny-tiny Titus and ready to see what it could do.

For me it was one of those incredibly enjoyable rides with friends. Lots of laughing and story telling. Catching up with eachother's lives and whatnot.

Sure the ride didn't really improve our skills or our overall fitness level. But we were out on our bikes instead of in front of the television set. That counts for something with me.

The New Ride

Sure...it's entry level. Sure, it's a triple. Sure, many of you have finer and dandier rides. But here's the newest member of the family. She makes me smile. 'Nuff said!

Kenny Rogers made me do it

I HATE being sick. What I hate more than actually being sick is missing a race because I'm sick. I can count on one hand the number of times that's happened in the last five years. Well, this weekend I added another finger to the count, as I had to sit out what would have been my last tri of the season.

I'm SERIOUSLY bummed. I was all excited about doing it, as it was short and I had really planned to test myself. Unfortunately, the germs that make up my universe decided to test me as well this weekend. I've been feeling like I was coming down with something for a little more than a week now (wonder if that tri in the rain up in Hiwassee had anything to do with it!) but have been ignoring the signs: namely sneezing. I only sneeze when I'm getting a cold.

Friday night the sneezing led to a stuffy nose and headache. I woke up Saturday morning feeling real low, and then (probably unwisely) went to Savannah with Jake to spend the day with his family. As the day progressed, so did my sinus issues and feelings of woe about Sunday's event.

On the way home Sat night I decided not to do the tri. It would have involved getting up at about 4 a.m. and traveling to Atlanta, and then participating in the event in scheduled 55 degree weather. Not good makings for one already afflicted with the sniffles. Looking back now (with a cold still in full swing) there's no way I could have done that event. I would have been a danger to myself and others -- and not because of the aerobars!

So now I just feel grumpy and blue that I missed what could have been such a fun time. But I guess sometimes you just have to -- in the words of The Gambler himself -- know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away when the deal is done.

Hopefully my cards will look better next time around.

BRRRR(oad)RRRRR(ide)RRRRRR

Those of you who live and ride in the North and Midwest can go ahead and smile condescendingly or shake your heads right about now. But yesterday during my first real road ride, I was chilly. I was cold. I wore my arm warmers for the entire ride. And I had the best ride I can remember in a long time!

The bike I've borrowed (from Lauren) doesn't have a working computer, so I don't know exact mileage or speed...but sometimes you just need a ride that's simply about the ride.

I overcame my fear of the skinny tires blowing up at the slightest obstacle when I hit railroad tracks and rough cracks in the pavement early on. I was pleased to have my new Tifosi sunglasses (orange lenses as it was overcast and shady) that kept the frequent headwinds and occasional bugs out of my eyes. I was so into the ride I failed to drink regularly (something I don't normally forget).

It was a thrill to cycle the flats in the big ring, feeling the muscles in my legs flowing smoothly under the skin. It was an even bigger thrill to tackle some of the climbs (Plum, Walnut) and maintain a good spin, or test my standing climbing ability.

After a little over two hours I came home with pink cheeks, an appetite and sore hands, without the sore pardukey and shoulders I was expecting. I came home with a huge grin on my face and happy descriptions for my husband. I came home thrilled with biking, being outdoors and having a relatively fit body and spirit.

Today I go to the shop and will have them put my pedals, a computer and make some adjustments to my new steed. I hope to have it tomorrow or Wednesday. Pics to follow.

Hurts So Good

Off season is here...well, with all the medical issues it's not like I really had an "on" season...but you know what I mean. And with it comes the re-entry of weights into the workout schedule. I'm determined to really add to my core and upper body strength this year, as it will only add to my ability to hang on in the later hours of the endurance races I plan on entering next year.

Been slowly easing back into the lifting, and am now actually fully back on a schedule, which I love. I know Renee likes a more flexible outlook in her training, but I do best with planning, set workouts and set goals. So I hit the weights pretty hard on Thursday and again this morning.

I have that lovely slight tenseness and minimal soreness that makes you aware that you've really worked the various muscle groups. Because I do spend the bulk of my day hunched over the computer, and because I don't have the best posture to begin with, I'm concentrating on really increasing the strength of my back in order to help try to correct some of my postural problems. I'm also working hard on my triceps, as they aren't as in balance with my biceps as I'd like.

I'm pretty lucky that years of soccer and volleyball, as well as no fear of working my hamstrings on the weights, have allowed me to keep a pretty good balance between my quads and hamstrings, despite numerous hours and miles on the bike. But I'm not taking that balance for granted (especially after the knee pain and tightness Beth's been dealing with) and have been working diligently to ensure that I don't lose that balance.

So I've got my workout in already and have the day to catch up on some chores. Time to wash all my sweaters and let then dry naturally in the brisk fall air (well, brisk for Georgia in October). And tomorrow I tackle my first real road bike ride...around the streets of downtown Macon. Walnut shouldn't seem so daunting on the skinny tires after years of tackling it on the knobbies.

Enjoy your weekend...

Road Riding - The Beginning

You probably can't really call it a road ride...more of a large parking lot ride. But I still had an absolute blast.

My first concerns were (1)feeling wobbly on the turns and (2) having trouble shifting. I was very pleased that I only wobbled when going slow enough to converse with Jeff who was keeping pace with me on the BMX bike. And the shifting gave me no problem. Once I realized which way was harder and which easier, I had it down.

It was so much fun swooping around the parking lot, sprinting it out with Jeff and actually coming out the victor (remember he was on the BMX bike so he was hauling ass throughout our adventure). I practiced shifting, braking, moving my hands to the right position for standing climbing and cornering. I have a bad habit of letting my inside foot drop when I'm cornering, so I tried to pay special attention to that.

Though his e-mail to his buddies is rather contrary, I think Jeff was happy that I enjoyed it so much. Here's what his e-mail looked like:

Ugh...my lyin', cheatin', good-fer-nuthin' wife is a stinkin'...

ROADIE!!!

She rode Lauren's bike tonight and is sold. Hello yet another bike in the fleet, goodbye $$ and my BMX self respect. Just because Mal does, I want the record to reflect that I personally have not and never will wear lycra.

Respectfully yours in red meat, ultimate fighting and all other things testosterone,

Jeff

I got a kick out of that!!! More chronicles as I take the borrowed bike out on a longer spin and start the wheeling and dealing to add another steed to the Dein corral.

Hello, aero

Last weekend I tested my balance a little by borrowing a friend's clip-on aerobars and giving them a go on the road.

Now, I've always been of the "I don't need aerobars to faster" school of thought. I never really saw a need for them. I mean, I do about one or two time trials a year, and it never really occurred to me that they were a necessity for triathlons. But ... since he had a pair to lend and I was feeling brave, I had Jake hook them up and off we went on a Sunday ride.

I have my last tri of the year this weekend. That was part of the motivation for trying the aerobars out last weekend. Maybe I could use them in the tri?

So I rode around a little in the parking lot of my apartment complex thinking, "this isn't so bad." Then we get out on the open road and I start to ride. After about 10 minutes my shoulders are killing me. Then we climb a hill. Now my legs are hurting in a totally different spot. What the heck?? I thought these things were supposed to make me ride faster, easier!

Turns out the faster part was right, cause I watched my pedalstroke compared to Jake's and he was working a lot harder than I was. So that's a plus. The set up being uncomfortable (shoulder pain) is just the fact that I've never been in that much of a tucked position on the bike before. I can get used to it. The one area where I need some serious work though, is the whole riding in a straight line thing. lol. I was weaving, or as I like to call it, sweaving -- (swerving + weaving) -- all over the road. I had a REAL hard time with that. I guess it's because the aerobars made the steering so much more twitchy, aka responsive, than I'm used to. Poor Beth, I kept looking back wondering why she wasn't riding up there with Jake and I. She hollered up that she was giving me my space. Apparently I looked dangerous from behind. LOL.

I survived the ride (and the run that came after) and asked my buddy to let me keep the aerobars to use at the tri this weekend. Maybe they'll give me a miniscule advantage -- which would be good considering 600 folks have registered for the event. WTF???

Hopefully I can control my sweaving.