Tuesday October 31st 2006, 6:29 pm
Filed under: random
Okay. So, we’re innocently sitting at home, watching TV and handing out Halloween candy while I do some work when the following advertisement came on the television less than five minutes ago — and James and I just lost it. It’s awesome:
In a world of hideous political ads, it’s nice to see one that makes me laugh while striking a chord. To me, this just rings true, true, true, true, true.
You must have known I’d get political on you at some point. We’re only a week away, kids. Vote for change!
Tuesday October 31st 2006, 12:23 pm
Filed under: the husband
I realize there hasn’t been a lot of activity on the site as of late. I think it’s a combination of busy random life stuff and the fact that I’ve officially entered my off-season. This off-season will continue through November and December. And while I’m not giving up working out, I’m not following a training plan either. I need this opportunity to regroup, rest and start to plan for next year. I don’t need to stress myself out all year round regarding swim appointments and speedwork.
So, the off season leaves me somewhat topic-less for the most part.
Although, James DID compete in his first cyclocross race this past Sunday. Whether you agree with it or not, James found himself a cyclocross bike at an area pawn shop for cheap (the bike had been there a while and did cost a whole $450). So, he decided to jump right into the crazy sport without much of a knowledgebase. And he did pretty well, considering. Of course, I think we both are thankful he ended up doing the B and not the A race (although, according to James, the A race had fewer people).
The race was 45 minutes. It was crazy. He bonked towards the end. But I still think he finished 40th out of 60 (or something like that). Luckily, some of our teammates captured some of the moments on film:
Yesterday was a good day. We got up early, ate breakfast with the New York Times. We weren’t on a schedule but we had somewhere to go nonetheless. The “must do” item on the agenda was a hike and we arrived at Frontenac State Park (just out of Red Wing, MN) a little after 11 am. We hiked for roughly 3 hours. The first third up and down the bluffs of the St. Croix. The final 2/3 in prairie and woods. Although we were supposed to leash the dogs, there was no one at the park and both Sienna and Tryna were able to run loose and ahead of us on the trail. They had an awesome time and so did we. Flash Point dvdrip
After the hike, we stopped in Cannon Falls and sampled the various vintages at the Cannon Falls Vineyard. Afterward, we relaxed with a full glass of their Meritage and some Wild Rice Gouda and crackers (weird, I know, but it was good cheese). Chariots of Fire hd
We arrived home around 5pm where James cooked a nice meal (I’m a lucky woman) and we hung out in our living room watching bad network TV (Halloween H20 — can you believe that movie is 8 years old?) and just relaxed. I think Harry Potter entered the DVD player sometime after 10pm, but I was dozing in and out of conciousness. Finally, we hit the sheets sometime around midnight. But that was just a technicality. I had been dozing long since then.
We got up at 8am . Then I realized it was 7am (hah! I love that extra hour). We managed to squeeze in a leisurely breakfast, grocery shopping and a trip to the farmer’s market in before hitting the Como cyclocross race (which was James’ first ever!). I spectated, feed and enjoyed the temperate fall weather. After that, we returned home. I showered. Made some nummy avocado dip and then headed to Book Club where we had a very animated discussion of Freakonomics. Good stuff.
Now, I’m home and in front of The Amazing Race and yet another dinner prepared by my boy.
Tuesday October 24th 2006, 11:36 am
Filed under: Running
To start off, the Whistlestop Half Marathon wasn’t just a race event. It was a weekend. Originally, we had 12+ members of our cycling team signed up and ready to share a cabin in Ashland, Wisconsin. Everyone seemed to agree that it would be a perfect way to finish out the season while enjoying some cool, crisp fall weather and colors. When it actually came down to the weekend, there were six of us still in. We arrived at our lodging on Friday night in waves and stood around in the kitchen discussing Saturday’s plan of attack. Since Whistlestop is a “one way” race, most runners have to drive to Ashland and be bussed to the start. But because we had a number of people and vehicles, not everyone needed to be in Ashland at 7:30 am with a race start time of 9:00 am. We agreed that a few of us would drive vehicles to Ashland and the remainder could sleep in and drive to the half marathon start.
We didn’t get to bed until after 11pm. And while I’m normally a freak about sleep, I was okay with the late night. I knew I needed to be up at 5:45 am. I wanted to make sure we left by 6:45. That gave me time to eat my bagel, get dressed, deal with a few essentials in the bathroom and get my game face on.
Since James and Annie were doing the 10k, I rode with them to Ashland. I would bus out to the start of the half marathon and they would bus out to the start of their race. The remainder of our team would meet me at the half marathon start. And while the extra sleep might have been nice, I was thankful for the alone time that this afforded me. I knew I had a goal — one I wasn’t sure how capable I was achieving and I used this time to concetrate on my plan of attack. I listened to my Nano and thought about my approach. I’d start the race at the front so the fast people would inspire me. I’d keep my heart rate at 155. I’d pace myself at no slower than a 9:00/mile.
Originally, when we signed up for this race, I pictured 50 to 60 degree fall-ish weather. Bussing out to the start proved a much different reality. There had been snow. Temps had been low. This was more of a 30-40 degree run and there would be some snow on the trail. In fact, we were warned that the bridges could be icy.
I tried not to let the cool weather bother me. I like running in this. What’s the big deal? But when the bus dropped me off at the start 30 minutes before the race, the wind was strong and cold and my fingers started to grow numb — even in my gloves. I stood in line to use the bathroom. I dropped off the rest of my clothing that I wouldn’t wear to race (brrr! even COLDER!) in the SAG wagon and I stood in line for one more bathroom break (I tend to be a freaking about wanting an empty bladder before a race). I never did catch up with my teammates at the start. I knew they were there. But I was more focused on the task at hand. Soon, it was almost race start time and I got right up at the front. I didn’t care that I’d be past by the fasties. I wanted the energy of these guys and didn’t want to spent my first mile dodging slower runners than I.
Right away, the race started out great. I was only cold for the first 5 minutes. And aside from the fact that my heart rate monitor wouldn’t register for the first five minutes, I knew I was going at a good pace. My first mile was about 8:20 and some change. Luckily, my monitor was registering again (at the 3 minute mark) so for the rest of the race, I just added five minutes to my watch time in order to pace my run.
The rest of the run is pretty uneventful. I stuck to my goal of maintaining a 155 heart rate. In fact, most of the time was around 157 and 158. There were a few patches where I fell down to 154 or 152 and I’d speed up slightly to get back into range. At those times, I was thankful for all my heart rate training experience. In fact, it’s really quite amazing how the body can dial in the specific heart rates and maintain them!
At each mile marker, I did the math and confirm that I was still running at sub 9 minute miles (just barely — but sub). The air warmed up a bit. I was glad to remove my hat. And the only snow after mile 4 that I saw was on the bridges (which were a bit slippery).
I was mostly passed during the run. And even 6 and 7 miles into the race, I was surprised when groups keep streaming by me. It was tough to watch them run faster, but I was doing what I could do, maintaining what I could maintain. At one point, a guy with these barefoot things ran by me. I was fascinated by them and wondered if the rocks on the trail bed hurt. He was running about my pace and I followed him for a number of miles. A few times, people would pass me that I knew were struggling them. I’d make mental inventory of who they were, vowing to pass them at the end (and, for the most part, I caught them all).
I did a Gu at miles 4 and 8. I walked through most of the water stops. I followed what I call “the Jeff Galloway” crew because they’d pass me running and then I’d pass them when they were walking. For the record, I beat all but one of the “Jeff Galloway” crew. There was also a girl in a pink jacket who would pass me fiercely. I usually caught her back on slight inclines and then she’d come screaming by when I’d be walking through a water stop. Towards the end, as I tried to pick up my pace, she was in sight and towards the nd, she became my rabbit. She was running with a guy in a yellow hat and for the final mile we were neck and neck. About four blocks from the finish, I picked up my pace and passed them. It was probably too soon for a sprint, but as I passed them, I heard them comment and they picked up their pace so I picked mine up even more. Soon I was sprinting (with three blocks still to go!) and they guy in the yellow hat passed me. But the girl in the pink jacket did not. SCORE. I beat her ass. Heh!
Finish time was 1:54:45. That was a little more than a 8:45 mile. I finished 13th in my age group. It was a spectacular race.
My teammates were at the finish. We hung out and bit and tried to keep warm. They headed back to the cabin to nap. James and I showered in Ashland and hung out in town for a while for a NUMMY post race meal of beans and rice at a very groovy coffeeshop. We also picked up groceries from a local coop for dinner. There was a trip to the Visitor’s Center that had a fun museum displaying the wildlife in the area. We headed back about 4pm where we took the dogs on a short hike and settled in for some more food and recovery.
It was a great, great day. The rest of the crew headed back to Ashland for dinner. And the next morning we all bid adeau and promised to return next year. If there was anything I regretted about this race, it was having not been able to do the full marathon. Next year, I’d really like to do that.
On Sunday, for the return trip, James and I hit a local wineryFighting Tommy Riley full movie that specializes in Mead. We conned Nate and Annie into joining us and we tried a bit of everything they had. We then headed to Duluth for lunch at Fitgers. I was very disappointed that the Pumpkin Ale was yet to be “in season” — but the meal was still great.
We finally arrived home at about 6pm and crashed. It was a good weekend. A good race.
James and I are proud to say that this year’s L’Oktoberfest party was our best yet. Once again, James and Kevin prepared homemade bratwurst (which always receive rave reviews). And our buddies brought amazing food and even more amazing company. We had an absolute blast drinking wheat beer, socializing and consuming.
It was not a Weight Watcher’s friendly weekend — that’s for sure. And what is left in our house are high-calorie remnants including Chocolate Zucchini Cake, Ginger Cake, Pumpkin Bars, Oatmeal Raisen Cookies, Pffernuesse (sp?), Bird Cake, Maple Cake — it’s crazy. download Star Trek V: The Final Frontier dvd
I must take it into work and share.
So that’s all. Just an update that we had an awesome party. And now that it has passed, it’s officially the off-season for us kids. No more races. No more parties. Time to settle down, clean our house, watch the calorie consumption and hibernate a little.buy Blood Money
So, when you receive an email from a teamate with the subject, “weekend’s best photos” — you expect some serious racing action. No?? Bled
Of course, this is what we get. James and I in our various states. Me, chatting away with some serious hair issues and James simply concentrating on his glass of wine (sporting a Mudball 1994 t-shirt, no less).
Seriously, this photo cracks me up. It is such a statement of our relationship. It is a total snapshot of what it’s like to spend the evening with the two of us. Annie’s mug is in the corner — but you could easily substitute yourself in her place. This was also the night before we kicked some serious butt at the Whistlestop Half-Marathon and 10k. Can you also tell it’s freaking HOT in the cabin?
Oh, and did I forget to mention that I had my hair dyed dark and red last week? I’m a blonde no more.
Tuesday October 17th 2006, 8:18 am
Filed under: Running
The sub-2 hour half marathon time was obtained! I haven’t had time to update and I do want to write a proper race report, but until I can find time to do so: the official results are 1:54:45. That’s a 8:45/mile pace. I finished 13th out of 85 in my age group and it was sweet.
I enjoyed the race. The course awesome. I was sad I wasn’t able to do the full marathon, but I still accomplished something big. My average heart rate for the entire race was 158 bpm — that’s some suffering for me!
You’ll get the full story later — but I just thought I’d let you know quickly how it went.
Thursday October 12th 2006, 7:09 pm
Filed under: Running
It’s not even mid-October and there were flurries yesterday and today. Sure, I know I live in Minnesota — but, damn! My run this morning? A cold 26 degrees with wind. I had to dig out my cold weather gear including Craft pants and winter gloves.
The run was fine. Not as fast as I would have liked — but my body just wanted to stay in the 135 heart rate area. I kept trying to up my pace, get my heart rate into the 140s. But then I’d fall right back until I eventually just gave up and went with it. I still managed a 9:28/mile so I figured my body was just tired and cold and that’s all I had to give this morning.
That said, the half marathon (that was supposed to be a marathon) is this Saturday. The weather looks to be on the cooler side. We have a cabin and friends assembling tomorrow night. And I have a sub-2 hour race goal to achieve.
