What it takes... June 2011
Hello ladies! Happy June!
It's hot and humid as can be here in DC. Ugh... I think I may have missed spring altogether. The only upside is this will help me acclimate for Eagleman. Ugh!
My AC is out and the new compressor is on order. I stopped at Target after work yesterday for a fan which sort of helped with my drainer ride this morning (couldn't do it yesterday bc of the oppressive temps in my condo). You know it's gonna be a bad day when it's 77 at 5:45am. Wow. Please send good karma to the compressor-making fairies as I'd really really like to get AC soon... I feel so bad for my monsters. They just lay around on the pergo floor - it's pretty pathetic. I hope they notice a difference with the fan (I"m sure I will when I get my next power bill).
I've got a fun training weekend planned with friends. Gonna hit the Wilson Aquatic center on Fri after work (50m pool) then have dinner in Tenleytown. Sat we're getting up to head to Nokesville to do a brick (a 50 mi loop then a 20 min run)... I think another friend will help me with my new saddle later that day (I ordered an adamo of my very own)... Sun is an off day (yay taper week) but I may head to the outdoor pool in my hood and do 2000 yards without a break.
I'm hoping that Michele M and Jonnie will come down around 4th of July (I offered to pay Jonnie's way in exchange for him doing a bike fit)... so if that is a go, I'll have to organize a team EN Alexandria weekend (perhaps Tracy will come in from Balto. Nemo, will you be up for a road trip to visit your old stomping ground? Hopefully Kate G and Suzanne K will also be around). There will be lots of riding and lots of food!
Comments
I'd be up for a little training weekend in the DC area- but I'm going to Colorado during the July 4th week. I do miss River Road and Mt Nebo :-)
we listened to the dessert time trial this weekend while sitting at Bluephie's waiting to order. 3 people, 3 desserts - I'd say that was an epic fail on our parts!
@Nemo... we'll try harder in July (assuming we go back)! There were definitely a few things I wanted to try (key lime and red velvet off the top of my head).
It's official, Michele and Jonnie are coming to DC for the 4th of July - so hopefully I can get a group ride set up for Sat as well as some fun... sorry Nemo can't be there but hopefully Kate, Suzanne, and Tracy will be free for some of it!
Looking forward to a fun training weekend here. The humidity finally broke and I'm going to run at lunch followed by a swim after work at a 50m pool with some friends. Gonna do a 50 mile loop in Nokesville tomorrow followed by a brick run... then it's time to taper although I'll probably do a long swim Sun in the outdoor pool... it's so much nicer being outside!
Think it will be outing number 2 with the kids this Sunday... we'd planned on my joining them this weekend for Mike's marathon in WV, but he's not running bc of knee problems. So, I'll probably catch up with them on their weekly walk downtown (and trip to frozen yogurt shop in DuPont circle). I've invited them to join me at my pool afterwards... then I suspect we'll part ways (or maybe have dinner) until Mike drops them off at home.
Tapering this week with eagleman coming up, then 1 week off and IMWI training begins for real... crazy!
I'd always planned on 2012 being IM free (partly a concession to Dan - but he's out the picture)... but a friend here is thinking about Couer d'Alene and I might join her. It'd be nice to be done early in the season and I could still focus on NYC marathon. We'll see... have a few weeks before the race to think about it. Mike having the kids every weekend means our schedule wouldn't be all that different than it is now as the longer training hours are mostly on the weekends. Who knows.
@Beth (if you're back), have you done HHH? How's the bike fit working out for you?
My weekend was a bit of a bust. Sprint distance Tri in Norfolk got called due to T-storms. The storms rolled through right as we were setting up transition and just sorta sat on us for a few hours. Any other race they probably would have been able to wait it out and delay the start- but this race is on a military base and we had to be cleared from the base by a certain time (which means we had to start by a certain time). Such a bummer to drive all the way up there, spend the night, and then not even get to race. Oh well, that's life!
I'm still toying with my 2012 thoughts. Lots of options. I wasn't going to do a WTC race but another IM distance was a possibility (like Vineman or Rev 3 Cedar Point). And I also really want to do Savageman one of these days too. But damn them, they've announced this new Quebec race which fits my schedule nicely. Grrrrrr
Go Becky, in Eagleman!
HHH is still two weekends away (this weekend is Ragnar Madison-Chicago relay). Bike is feeling beautiful!
@Beth - so glad that Dash is treating you well! I'm so glad that Jonnie and Michele are comingto town in a few weeks and he's gonna give Jina a once over to be sure we're in sync.
@Mary - you're going to be great.... think of all the amazing course training and even harder HHH training you're gonna have! You're going to be leaps and bounds ahead of folks as far as comfort with the course goes. Don't stress it (especially now, so far out). Just trust the training. LoL. I say this as I remember what an anxiety ridden maniac I was last year getting ready for flat-as-a-pancake Florida. Seriously, just have fun with it. As much stressing as I did, I have a wonderful time doing FL. I couldn't stop smiling because I was proud of myself and happy... it was an amazing day and I felt amazing in spite of the crazy shit that happened to me that week and that day. It didn't matter, it just made my victory sweeter. Hang in there, chica!
As for Boston. You are correct, there isn't a # slots per age group. Instead it's a rolling registration. The first round goes to folks 20min or more under the qualifying time. Next round to 10min or under, and finally everyone else who qualified. So the fastest folks have the best chance of getting in. Since the qualifying times themselves are different for each age/gender, I'm gonna guess that sorta acts as the equalizer in the whole thing. It actually seems like a fair system to me - even though my chances of getting back to Boston again are greatly reduced as a result.
@Jennifer - that's how I understand it, too...which means that I may never make it to Boston now. Which is kind of a bummer. I wish they didn't change it to advantage the super fast rabbits. If I ever get a qualifying time it will probably be by the skin of my teeth and that won't be good enough to actually get into the race now. Which is a total bummer. Oh well.
FWIW, I'm leaning more towards CDA by the day. I know a friend here who's likely going to do it. Kate Green (who's taking a year off from EN) is interested - which would give me 2 people to train with... we'll see...
Feeling okay about Eagleman. It's starting to get hot and nasty out, of course. EM could never actually be held on a mild day. Argh. But knowing that I'm going to be doing a run/walk and kind of taking it like a training day as a result has done wonders for my attitude. Yes, I'd like to break 6 hours again (last year I didn't, and I blame the long swim) but that may not be in the cards bc of my lack of run training all winter and most of the spring. But, it's improving and I'm going for longer distances on the foot so I am hopeful that I'll be running steady when I start IMWI training in 2 weeks.
@Beth - I finally read Dragon Tattoo and I thought it was great. I remember you had trouble getting into it and ultimately put it down. I actually didn't have any problem getting into it (despite being warned it started slowly with a lot of relationship/character history).
Hope you are all well. I'll try to check back a little more frequently.
@Nemo... that would be GREAT! If Kate registers, we can come your way for an epic training weekend and you could come back to visit us for the same! Totally bored at work (working on charting complaints), I took a look at the accommodations at CDA posted on the website and see several private homes... the one I'm leaning towards sleeps 6 and goes for 320 a night. You and your friend (assuming my friends and Kate are in) would make 6... perfect! It'd be nice to be a bit out of the way (quiet and away from all the nervous energy) and to have a kitchen (not to mention a fireplace and private dock). There are a few others that I'm keyed into, but that one seems to have the best set up for 4ish people and if you go, we'll have 6 and that might be the only one big enough.
@Michele - the DC weekend will be great... hopefully Tracy will have some time off and can meet us out. Kate is game for dinner Sat and a ride Sun(assuming you ride). Hopefully Suzanne will be able to make it out Th or Fr before she shuffles off on her epic swim vacation in Croatia! As far as Bluephie's goes, hopefully I/we will do better in July... perhaps bringing Mary and Sue (and other chicas) to help me devour everything on the menu!
I wasn't getting the emails, so dropped in and went "oh, yeah - new month!" Sigh.
Sounds like a lot of people are weighing what to do next year. Fun stuff! At least we can't all drink and talk racing. That is how my book club gets into trouble. LOL!
I've started training for NY marathon. I'm using CoachP's marathon nation. I'm loving having a training plan since I haven't used one in a long time. For 2012, I'm thinking the Goofy in January, Gulf Coast HIM in May then another HIM in the fall. If all goes well, I'll do IMTX in 2013. After seeing the race I know it can be brutal weather-wise, but having so many friends racing and supporting is amazing!
We head to Naples, FL tomorrow for a wedding on Saturday. Scheduled a mani/pedi at the spa Friday morning. Other than that and dinner Friday, wedding Saturday, the plan is to relax, sleep, read, knit, repeat.
Have a great one everyone!
@ Michele - let me know when your cyclocrossing event is. It sound like fun....to watch.
This weekend is busy, busy, busy. My daughter's (Rachel) 8th grade graduation, parents 50's wedding anniversary, sister and niece in town and Capital View, Oly tri. No wine for me on Sat. night but a cook out on Sun after the Tri. My niece ( 10 y.o) is participating in the kids race.
For everyone who doesn't know me - I am an RN and work in cancer research - FDA new drug trials. I travel at least 2-3 days a week, so training becomes a challenge at times. I spend alot of time at the Y. I am looking forward to meeting and conversing with everyone on this forum.
Everyone racing this weekend - have a great time!!
Oh, and the IMWI bike course is SO much easier than the HHH terrain. No need to worry at all. It's early June, and IMWI is September. You SHOULD feel very unprepared right now. Don't want to peak too early.
@Penny - glad to hear NYC training is going well. I'll be in next year so I'm looking forward to your race report. have fun at the wedding.
It's hot hot hot here. The AC is being fixed as I type. Thanks goodness! When it's done I'm off to the pool (I hope) in time to make my 3:15 pedi. I love telework day!
Printed my lists for eagleman this weekend and should probably think about putting stuff together for packing. we'll see.
thinking long and hard about things with Mike. my gut has been telling me it's not working for a few days now... and need to figure out what's up. he's been a bit moody lately and I'm not sure why. work has been stressful and he's upset about his knee setback... so I want to give him the benefit of the doubt but I'm feeling uneasy. we'll see...
looking forward to it, actually... knowing it'll be what it'll be is taking a lot of the pressure off. I'm looking forward to heading out tomorrow and to soak up the AC at the hotel!
I'm fairly new here.. I just joined EN last week. I wasn't entirely sure if I should have made a new thread to introduce myself, but I figured posting here would be okay. My background is being a marathon runner. I've added duathlons into the mix this year while I'm getting my swimming down to something that I'm comfortable with. I've also been able to snag some age group wins so far this season too, which makes me a little happy as I'm working towards tri! My goal is to take on 70.3 Florida next year or so, and eventually make 70.3's my main A races in a year over marathons, and eventually take on an IM!
At the *very* moment, I'm enjoying a self-imposed 1-1/2 week "break". I finished my previous program I was on earlier on Tuesday, and I'm going to be starting the OS Plan/Marathon Hack in 10 days, and between now and then I'm just getting some miscellaneous stuff off my to-do list like my annual physical, getting a new Rx for contact lenses, etc etc. My "A" races for the rest of the year are 5150 Clearwater and RnR Vegas. I'll also be doing Goofy '12 too, but that's just a fun event for me to do.
Hopefully I'll be able to meet you all soon!
Becky- I hear you on not racing "with" Rinny, but you can certainly look forward to finishing up and hanging out on the lawn with her at the awards ceremony. The nice thing about that race is that it gets some big pro names, but it's still really a hometown smallish race. Too bad it's always do dang hot!!!
Things have been super busy out in Oregon this month for me. I just started a sabbatical from work for the summer, and I swear I'm so busy I don't know how I ever had time to have a job! End-of-year school and sports stuff for the kids is crazy, plus ramping up training and trying to re-organize closets.
I'm also considering a trip to Sweden later this summer to visit my sister. It would be a major challenge to bring 3 kids to Europe, though, plus it would definitely be hard to train over there - I'm thinking just running, no biking or swimming. Hopefully that wouldn't interefere too much with my IMAZ prep.
On a side note, it's been a stressful two weeks as my beagle, Betty, has been really sick and the vets have not been able to pinpoint what's wrong. So lots of tests and xrays and meds, and for most of the time it didn't seem like she was in any less pain. Last night I found out she probably has a degenerative back disease which is sad and scary. I'm just hoping at this point that the steroids they gave me can help with some of her pain, and hopefully delay the progression of the disease. Hard to believe she's only 5 and dealing with this! Looking at her has definitely put my own injury struggles into perspective.
I hope everyone has a good week!