finally...a use for them things...

Rewind a couple of days...I did make it out for the last Sunday swim for the year. Now I have to find somewhere to swim on my own. I am thinking of trying an outdoor pool this year...the workout on Sunday was a warm-up and then 20 x 100 meters at race pace...one minute rest after 5...15 seconds rest in between each 100. I held 1:25-ish for all of them...was fading for the last ones to about 1:30-ish...but was really happy with those as I was tired from my bike ride on Saturday. Some of the peeps who did IMCDA were there on Sunday and they did their own workout which was mostly sit at the end of the pool and visit...I was wishing I could hang around and listen to their stories but wanted to get my workout in so off I go to tackle 20 x 100s.

Yesterday was a rest day. A real rest day as I dumped the offspring off at my mom's for the night and I slept and I slept and I slept the whole night. Was awesome!! I love you Luke, but honestly, when you wake up at night and I can't get back to sleep...and it makes for very tough days.

Today was a bike ride. An hour of intervals. And holding my breath as I pedal like mad past that farm. WTF has died there? It was so windy out there today, my mantra was "I LOVE THE WIND!! I LOVE THE WIND!! I LOVE THE WIND!!" And I have found a use for my big, oversized ex-swimmer shoulders...to hang on to my friggin bike as I get blown around the highway. I couldn't even let go to hit the lap button on gary garmin, it was that windy, and gusty. But coming home was fun...I didn't check how fast I was going but I was in the big gear and my HR was up there...I was FLYING!! Was FUN!!

cool...

http://www.livestrong.com/lance-armstrong/video/liamlivestrong-mp4/9b92cfee-9f90-4528-9e15-e722454f6151/

totally trashed...

Today on the schedule called for another 3 hour bike ride. I had done those intervals yesterday then a run and then walked around a golf course for the entire afternoon. When I got to the soccer wind up, my body was so very angry with me. And I was hungry. I ate a hamburger a hot dog, two helpings of potatoe salad and TWO pieces of ice cream cake. Pretty sure I embarrassed myself with the other parents.

Over the last few days, e-mails had been flying around between some biker gals in town...somehow I was on the list...I wanted to reply that someone mistakenly added my name...they were trying to organize a ride for today. I finally did reply that my plan was to head out at 6:00am and do my own thing. Seriously, I don't know how I was on the list...these gals are some of the strongest cyclists in town...I? Am NOT!! Then I get a phone call from DM (she bikes with the fast boys, for heaven's sake!!) and she says they are meetng at 6:00 at the Roastery, get on my bike and come with them in the morning. Gulp.

So. 5:00am rolls around, I get up, get myself ready and jump on the yellow cervelo and head to the Roastery. The plan is to bike out to Pike Lake and back. A route I had never done on my tri-bike. Cool!! So through town we go and it was kind of fun being in a bit of a pack and making our way. Then we hit the highway and goodbye DM and CH!! But it was all good...except that it was SO windy out there. So very, very windy!! And gusty. I was getting tossed around the highway big time. And there is very little shoulder on that road. Hardly any traffic so I was okay. They were very nice to circle back and get me and I got a really good lesson on how to get up a hill. I had no idea actually, so it was good to get the right way to do it. DM says "You might want to get into an easier gear..." Me: "I....am....in...(panting)...my....easiest gear!!"

CH got a flat so we had a chance to stop and chit chat and when it was fixed, we were on our way again. However, I turned back as we were going to be biking into that crazy wind the entire way back and I literally only had 3 hours to get this ride in. So I ended up doing the way home on my own. Funny how that wind is motivating in a strange way...it would blow and I would just get lower in my aerobars and think "C'mon!! That's all you got?!" And then it would gust and blow again nearly knocking me over...And boy, oh boy are my legs feeling like they have been worked over the last few days!! A good, good feeling...

gary garmin's good mood

Today was supposed to be a rest day but I had to switch it up as Luke decided to have a nightmare at around 3:30am on Wednesday night and it took forever to get him to go back to sleep. I? Not in a mood to bike yesterday.

So up and at it at 5:00am today to hit the pedals for almost an hour and then a RUN! My first brick workout of the year so far. This is very different than the term "BRIC" that we use in my work which means Brazil, Russia, India and China....AND the final question on Jeopardy last week that I got right and my spouse did not...but back to my workout...

I am really liking the mornings on my bike. It is warm and quiet and not busy and I just pedal and pedal and listen to the birds on my rest breaks. Today, in between intervals I nearly fell off as I was grabbing some drink and there was some heavy rustling in the tree line right next to the highway. Nearly shit myself. But then two deer popped out of the trees, looked at me like they were bored and then scampered off into the field. That? Pretty cool.

Then my transition was put the bike in the garage, go into the house, find my runners, grab my iPod, do I wear my hat or my visor?...okay my hat...check the mirror...I know, don't bug me...have a quick pee, touch up the lipgloss (I have learned that I bike with my mouth open and it makes my lips really dry....) and out the front door. Holy, my run felt good. Gary Garmin told me afterwards I did almost 6km in 30 minutes. That? Fast for me even without a bike ride before hand. But then I love to run in the early mornings. And it felt good. So I just ran.

Today is our annual work event. These are fun. One year we did a pool party. One year a scavenger hunt (my team won first place only because on the list was a whole watermelon and we were not allowed to buy anything so I marched into the Extra Foods right by my house and chatted up the cute stock guy...hey...it was worth 50 points and they still tell the story here...) Today we are golfing. Me>not a golfer. But we are on teams and it is a texas scramble so surely we will be able to use a couple of my shots!!

a pretty solid swim

Showed up at my Wednesday am swim today. It went a little something like this:

Warm-up.

10 x 200 meters on 3:10.

Before the 1st one: Me to swim coach Chris: "I'm tired, I don't think I can do these on 3:10"

Swim Coach Chris: "Okay, how bout 3:20"

Me: "How bout 3:40?"

Swim Coach Chris: "Aren't you getting close to game day?"

Me: Sigh

All of them done on 3:15. Sigh.

Was on my bike in the Sask wind yesterday for an hour. I actually enjoyed it....really, I did!! It was warm and sunny and windy but I toughed it out on the way out and pedalled like mad on the way back. Was a good solid hour.

Had a good long talk with Justin yesterday. He had an athlete to IMCDA on the weekend. The athlete was 67 years old. The guy was dissappointed as he wanted to be down around 13 hours and he was around 14 hours. Did I mention he was 67? Justin says he is amazing for 67 years old...no shit! AND JP's good training buddy apparently, came in second in the pros!! Awesome!

Nothing much else is happening. Have a big BIG bike ride coming up on Saturday. I am to go further than I did last week in the same time. Let's DO IT!!! And then we are taking the boys fishing...I see a lawn chair and a book and cool one while they fish...

the universe spoke and I listened

I was supposed to do my do-over half marathon yesterday.

I didn't do it.

I got sick in Banff and missed my two big runs I was supposed to do...then my sister was having a very difficult time in Calgary last week and my mom (aka my childcare for the weekend as Shaun was working) had to go for support...I had no one to watch the munchkins...the weather was beautiful so I snatched the boys and we snuck away to the cabin for a few days as I had the week off work...yesterday I woke up at the cabin and it was pouring rain...the run was to take place in Prince Albert about 25 minutes away from my cabin...thank-GOD I did not run in a pissing, pouring, cold downpour!!

My do-over will have to happen another time.

We went for about 10 bike rides...for ice cream twice...drove with all the windows down and the sunroof wide open and my Dance '95 tunes blaring...flew a kite (and let me just tell you that if you want a really good workout, try running with a kite through grass in your bare feet with just about not enough wind and two giggling little boys chasing you)...jumped on the trampoline...went for a few walks...started a rock collection...was a great weekend.

with love, from the prairies!

I booked this week off work. Have been cleaning up all sorts of messes around our house. Cleaned out the storage room, painted the cement that runs around the bottom of the house, have done all sorts of yard work, cleaned out my vehicle. Has been a good, good week to get this stuff done. I am very lucky that I can come and go from work as I want to, and it usually depends on the weather!! Today I put the munchkins in daycare and jumped on MY BIKE!! Took the yellow cervelo for 70kms. I am so very excited and proud of this little milestone!! I have seriously been in some major doubts about the half ironman in August. Was going to pull out or roll my spot over for next year (I am assuming this, I have not actually talked to anyone yet...) I have felt like with the weather and my life, my biking has been very lacking. But 70km TODAY!!! It was gorgeous and hot and I was thinking these are the days I dream about all winter when my arse is stuck on my trainer. And I can't believe how good I feel. Way better than last year when I attempted my first 70km bike ride!! Way better.

My sister is having a very rough time these last few months (if you have not been following along, she has MS). I have decided that I need this race. (I stole that from Amy but I completely understand what she was saying) I need to do it. Bevin will be there cheering and I want to cross that finish line with her. And my kids of course, but when the biking got hard today, I just kept thinking about Bevin and all the challenges she is facing.

Here are some pics from today:

Do you see that little bump way off in the distance?? That, my blogger friends is our BIG hill!! Ha Ha!! Thank goodness we have wind!!!

Finished just in time as this is what was coming!!

By the way, this is from the TOP of our BIG hill!!

child abuse...?

Matthew's kindergarten farewell was yesterday. He DID NOT want to go...kept telling me his stomach hurt and he was going to throw up...I kept him home in the morning but dragged him to the school in time for the "Three Piggy Opera" play that the class was putting on.

You tell me, but I think I now know why he did not want to go!! Doesn't look very happy, does he?

the numbers game

I took a friend's advice and did not wear a watch or HR monitor for my race yesterday. I have to say it was refreshing!! I enjoyed not having Gary Garmin yell at me from my wrist. So here are the numbers from the results page, no need to worry about the seconds:
Swim: 750 meters: done in around 11 minutes and some change...this is surprising as I had stopped to make sure that green capped gal was okay. It must have been the new-to-me wetsuit...
Bike: 20km: done in around 46 minutes...so the new-to-me wetsuit has zipper on the ankles that I forgot about when trying to take the damn thing off...T1 was a disaster...could NOT get that wetsuit off!!! Holy I got frustrated....I tell you this because I was also shocked at this bike split cause it sure felt faster than that!!! Remember I was passing people!!!
Run: 5km: done in around 27 minutes: The more I think about the run, the more I feel good about it. For someone who did not think it was possible to EVER run 5km under 30 minutes...I am happy with this as well.

Spin Sprint Race Report

Did anyone else remember I had a triathlon to do this weekend? Cause I nearly forgot. With being away and being sick and then some major (major) drama go on in the last 48 hours....I was sure not into this race. Thanks to the triathlon gods for me only doing the sprint distance. But I showed up anyway, cause I am cheap, and I needed to clear my head so why not do a triathlon??!! Sounded good to me...

The swim: Was uneventful. I was thinking after I should have maybe gotten on some of the fast guys feet for something to do...they are all off to do the IM next weekend so opted for the shorter distance today. But didn't and swam a pretty hard 750 meters. So hard in fact, that the sprint distance was the last wave to go so some of the slower swimmers of the standard distance(wearing bright green "panic" caps) were in in jeopardy of getting run over. When I was almost at the last bouy, I ran straight into a green cap swimmer...she was doing back stroke...I almost went over top of her...not on purpose and when I saw her cap, I stopped short and she was gasping and I tread water for a minute and asked if she was okay...oops. I am guessing my swim time is kinda crappy but whatever!!

The bike: I biked like I had a firecracker up my ass. Not kidding. I know this would sound weird in any other circles, but I wanted to feel that burn in my legs...real bad. You know? When you just want to FEEL it? And you LOVE how it feels? This was me. And nothing was going to bug me on the bike ride...it rained a bit, it was windy a bit, I was passing people...Yeah...KellyB was passing peeps on the bike!! Most of these people were doing the 40km in the longer distance...I was doing a 20km hard effort...but I can take it..right? I ran out of fluid which was kinda crappy, but was pretty happy with the effort.

The run: Felt really slow and heavy on the run. Could not breathe. Wanted to cough real bad but I knew if I started that, I would not be able to stop. So I focused on a gal who was wearing a bright pink tank and reeled her in...she is a total sweetheart and after the race told me she knew I was behind her and that was what was motivating HER to keep running!! I was flattered someone was worried about me!!! Ha Ha!! I got my legs around the 3 km mark and had only 2km to run...so passed the gal in the pink and felt really strong for the end. Much better than I had anticipated...

Then had to get to Matthew's soccer game so packed up my gear and left in my stinky tri shorts and tank!! Showed up at the soccer game in my runners, shorts and numbers on my arms and legs...at least I remembered to take my race belt off...

Banff = sick

Went to Banff for work meetings.

Got sick.

Really sick.

It was horrible.

Here are the pics.

Before sickness...me and the boys at Earl's.

My buddy...?

A walk down one of the halls at the Banff Springs. So very cool!!

All dressed up heading into the Banff Springs.

Thought maybe a martini would help my spirits...omg that was the longest dinner to get through... feeling like I wanted to DIE!!!!

Maybe a second one would help...? Cold medicine and alcohol...not a great combo...

We just don't get these views in Saskatchewan!!!

he woke up at 4:00am

Yeah. Luke was up at 4...he was half falling out of his bed and started screaming and that is what I woke up to...panic!! So after getting settled and tucked in and asleep again, it was about 4:30...my alarm was due to go off at 5...so i stayed up, did some laundry, surfed the net, doddled around the house until about 5:30am...then I DID go out for my 5km run!! Was a really good hard effort...in my own humble opinion!! I was wheezing by the end...had to sit down on the curb on the corner of Ruth and Clarence to catch my breath...BUT the good news is that I did the 5km in 25:48...my second fastest ever 5km! And this AFTER I biked for 2 hours on Saturday and swam 3600 meters yesterday...Ohhhhhh Yeahhhhhh!!!!

I am off to Banff this week for a work thing...me and the (work) boys...the nice thing about these trips is that I get my own room and I sleeeeep the whole night...I guess I should make an effort to learn some stuff too but truly, I am looking forward to the sleeeeep!! And finishing my book. "Outliers". GREAT book, I am really liking it. It is basically this guy's theory on success. And his theory, is that it doesn't come down to just smarts and or/luck...it has everything to do with your environment, your family, your community, your experiences, when you were born, the opportunities that were put in front of you, the time you are willing to put in. I think we likely all know this, but he has some really awesome stats to prove his points.

weather sucks

Due to the coldest spring in history, our plans to head to the lake were kyboshed. Trying to occupy two young kids in an 800 square foot cabin is not my idea of relaxing. The forecast for P dot A dot was 5 degrees and rain. FIVE DEGREES AND RAIN. Yak.

But the weekend was not lost...did my ride yesterday, and my swim today. Got in M's soccer game and a birthday party and lots of errands and a supper with family tonight.

The swim was uneventful. I jumped in with the top lane today just for kicks...and got crushed as I have not been swimming very much. But was still a great workout trying to keep up!! The trash talking has started with all the races coming up. Ahhh good times!

Tomorrow is my 5km timed event for the month. With ball and soccer in the evening, I will have to get up in the morning and do it on my own if I want to get it done...I have zero time for the rest of the day...my alloted time for a 5km hard run is between 5:15am and 5:45am...we shall see how I feel when that alarm goes off...

there will be blood

So here's the thing. I am trying to get into my bike a bit more. I have a half ironman to do in less than two months and I should really be riding more...even Coach Justin agrees. The plan was to do a 2 hour ride this morning...for the last several days I have been trying to get myself mentally prepared for this...some of you raise your eyebrows because you are doing many more hours than this..well, training by yourself is not all that much fun and then to do something you are trying to learn to really like (not quite to the love stage yet...) for TWO HOURS...BY MYSELF...is a hard, hard mental struggle. I do get invited out for rides but with family life and the way the weather has been, I can't go or the ride gets cancelled. It's been a real bummer this spring.

Then there is the whole bike maintenance thing. I keep telling myself, I am a human being with a brain, certainly I am smarter than this bike...they can't be THAT hard to figure out. And my back tire has been worriesome for a few weeks as I have no idea if the dang thing has enough air in it. My dear children broke the gauge on my pump and I have not been confident in whether or not it has enough pressure. I am pretty sure the duathlon was done with a really low and flat tire....

I'm a take charge kind of gal so I march into one of the local bike shops last week and buy a WAY too expensive pump...the damn thing has a dust bag for heaven's sake...the kid said it was the "gucci" of bike pumps...i said I really don't care I just want the piece of mind it is going to do the job and not break easily. Last night I fiddle with the tire and the tube and I am now happy with the pressure and the tire and everything was great except that I cut my thumb really bad in the process. I did not notice my thumb was cut until it was dripping blood on my bike and on the floor!!

So today, I head out for my epic two hour bike ride...assuming I am going to have to do this on my own. Driving out to the drive-in I see one of the local tri-guys (let's just say he is not someone I want to spend any time with...so I put the pedal to the metal as I wanted to be good and gone before he got to the drive in...) But the Universe was looking out for me and two of the nicest tri-gals and finest athletes I know showed up!! I knew damn well they would kick my butt all over the prairies but we started out together and they would double back every so often to check up on the slow poke!! My dreaded two hours was actually a nice, chatty affair and I was certainly pleased with how I felt after the ride. Biking is certainly more fun when it is social. What a boost of some bike confidence. Coach Justin keeps telling me I have the "fitness" but I need the "confidence". And that, folks, was double the time I have been on my bike for about 8 months....

sooooooooo not happy!!!

The look says it all. From the half marathon a few weeks ago. Photo graciously stolen from marathon photos.

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

But that was a cute lil run shirt...wasn't it??

thank GOD it was raining...

I woke up in good time to get my bike ride in today...but it was raining...and I am a sucky and do not want to bike in the rain!! So I went back to bed...because I was beat tired yesterday. I have far too many things going on in my life. One day at a time, I guess!

Talked to Coach Justin yesterday. His advice is to do the sprint triathlon on the 14th. Sounds good to me! Do the race and then run another 5 km....OH! Wasn't expecting to hear that.

My children got in ALOT of trouble today. I nearly beat them. It was close. I was so mad at them it took me the entire trip downtown to calm down. Here is what they did...they have been told countless times NOT to leave the yard. We live in an older area of town with back alleys. I don't want them back there because I do not know who might be coming by and if they happen to run behind a vehicle backing out of a garage or driveway, chances are the driver will not see them. We have a HUGE back yard...lots and lots of room to run back there, they don't need to be in the back alley. Matthew has grown tall enough to undo the latch...I look back there this morning and the gate is wide open. I call out the back door but get no answer. I put my shoes on and make my way to the back gate, calling the whole time...still no answer. I get to the gate and peek down the alley...no sign of them. I am mad but getting scared...I walk down the alley, calling them the entire time...they are not responding. I am now furious. And feeling sorry for them for when I do see them.... Anyway, the little buggers ventured OUT of the alley at the end of the block and down the street...a semi-busy street....they are 6 and 3 years old...just wandering down the street...they had their swords with them so they were sword fighting at the same time...Luke was wearing his pirate hat...as soon as they saw me, the look on their faces was priceless as they knew what was coming!! They have lost nearly all of their priveleges for after work/school...and I suspect food is not a privelege...but a necessity?

swim bunny

Got to my Wed swim today. Was a good swim! I haven't been in the water much so was good to get in and stretch the limbs. The main set was a 4x50 IM order; 4x100 (on 1:40s; holding 1:30s); 2x200 meters (negative split); 400meters timed...and then back down again. For the 400 meter timed, the boys told me I had to lead. The two strongest swimmers are doing an Ironman in a couple of weeks and are looking very fit and very fast. I? Am neither...but took on the challenge like a trooper (I think I may have cursed at them before I pushed off, but whatever...) The first 200 was steady and strong and I was SO not going to let them catch me!! But of course, they did, but not until around the 250 mark...and then I held on for dear life...they did the 400 in well under 6 minutes. It was all kind of fun!!

I also did a run yesterday morning. My mornings have been up at 5:00...do an hour of gardening and then do my workout. Was a really good run yesterday...why can't they all be like that? Can't decide if I should register for the sprint tri or the standard tri in just over a week...advice? comments? I have my do-over half marathon the week after that so I am sliding towards the sprint...but I also want to see if I have improved any in a year for the standard...Coach Justin says it is up to me as it will all help towards the run so whatever I feel like doing.