Everyone says it happens and it did. Even after the "iron girl incident" (which Rick says I should refer to as a motorcycle crash because it sounds cooler), I have this need to do it again, for a longer distance or a different course. I KNOW I can conquer this bike thing, I just have to get out there and practice to get more comfortable with gearing and increasing speed. It is frustrating because the other legs of the race are all me and how hard I can push myself for speed. The bike leg relies more on coordination and ability outside of how fast your legs can pound the pavement or how fast your arms can pull you through the water.
The consensus, with me and my many personalities, seems to be that I might need to give up tennis or at least really cut back. I know... Should I feel guilty for wishing that the team had not been invited to compete at the state championships?
Right now, tennis feels more like an obligation than something that inspires me so that might be the route I need to take to give myself some more time. For example, this weekend I am supposed to fit a 13 mile run in to keep up with preparation for Chicago. I ran with DJ and his group this morning because I really want to be ready for the 1500 but that was only a couple of miles at best (don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy, unless you enjoy running up and down about 25 flights of stairs in a stadium but it wasn't the 13 miles I needed). I had tennis immediately afterwards. Once I got done with that, it was really too late to think about running due to the temperature. I could do it tomorrow but wanted to get a long bike ride in. I could do it Monday but I would have to be running at 5 AM. It is a dilemma that I need to solve. Other people make it work. I just need to figure out how...
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Peachtree Re-cap
So, the much anticipated details of the Peachtree.... I got up at 4:30, met my Dad, off to Marta by 5:20. We caught the train at the Avondale station. There was a pretty light crowd there so we were able to catch a seat on the train. Not to be once we transferred northbound to Lenox. The train was paaaaaaaacked. There was no way to fit another person on it. By the time we got to Lenox, all of the oxygen was depleted from the train and several people were already sweating from the heat.
We wedged ourselves out of the train at Lenox and made the trek to our corral. After a last minute stop at the "Happy Cans", Dad met his friend Steve and they took off walking shortly after 7:00. I head to my corral and take a seat on the asphalt. I was in time group 1A which was definitely a different class of runner. These people clearly took running very seriously or at least were just naturally fast and fit to boot. I felt like a fish out of water. I down a GU gel (Side note, I was really sick immediately following the ING half and have been experimenting with what food works and what doesn't pre-race. I think the main thing that has helped is to avoid any type of diet soda 24 hours prior to the race). GU gel down, wait for the start.
The benefit to time group 1 is that you are able to cross the line within a minute or two of the start (as opposed to time group 9 which I hear was over an hour after the race started - there are that many people). I tried to pick a person that I felt I could use to pace myself. That worked for about the first mile and then I just kind of went on my own pace. I think I saw the Kashi guy that is running in the commercials - could be wrong - he had a Kashi shirt on, sort of looked like him and he was high fiving kids that were on the sidewalk as we passed. He stopped/slowed down significantly at mile 3 so maybe it wasn't Mr. Marathon Kashi man after all. Either that, or all the celebrity obligations might have slowed him down.
Overall, the run felt pretty good - or as good as it can feel. Do you ever get past that feeling that you might not be able to make it to the end? It doesn't seem tot matter what distance I am running, I always have to mentally psych myself up to keep going. My only other experience was my last Peachtree in 1998 so compared to that one, it felt like I was done in no time. I will say the last hill was BRUTAL. On first approach it didn't appear to be all that long and then I got a better look at the top and it just kept going. So cruel as it was right at the end. Towards the end people kept yelling, you are almost there, almost there. I guess their idea of "almost" anmd mine are two different things... That last mile seemed really long. Time: 55:53. I really wanted to break 55 minutes. Oh well. I definitely did better than my last Peachtree effort in 1998. :)
After the finish, you go through the various areas (turn in the timing chip, pick up the shirt, grab a water). I was supposed to meet my Dad back at the Mich Ultra Party. Somehow I walked right past it and on to the civic center. On the bright side, I was able to grab a couple of free Larabars. I HEART larabars, especially the Key Lime and Cherry Pie flavors!
The funny thing about not being able to find the Mich Ultra party was that my Dad was very specific in telling me how to get there before the race. After the rave, I had not a clue where it was. I asked a couple of volunteers at the civic center, no idea. I finally happened upon one with the official race map and she told me how to get there. Headed back through the crowd like a salmon swimming upstream and eventually bumped into it after several wrong turns. I still managed to make it back to the tent before Dad and Steve so I just hung out and watched the people go by.
They finally showed up and we went in to take advantage of the 3 beers and all you could eat for $10. Pretty good deal. If you were hungry... We hung out there for about an hour, caught a ride back with Steve to the car at Avondale and were back home by 11:30.
The Peachtree is not about setting any kind of records, it is more about being part of the event. I definitely enjoyed the sights and am glad I did it. Maybe I can break 55 minutes next year ;)
We wedged ourselves out of the train at Lenox and made the trek to our corral. After a last minute stop at the "Happy Cans", Dad met his friend Steve and they took off walking shortly after 7:00. I head to my corral and take a seat on the asphalt. I was in time group 1A which was definitely a different class of runner. These people clearly took running very seriously or at least were just naturally fast and fit to boot. I felt like a fish out of water. I down a GU gel (Side note, I was really sick immediately following the ING half and have been experimenting with what food works and what doesn't pre-race. I think the main thing that has helped is to avoid any type of diet soda 24 hours prior to the race). GU gel down, wait for the start.
The benefit to time group 1 is that you are able to cross the line within a minute or two of the start (as opposed to time group 9 which I hear was over an hour after the race started - there are that many people). I tried to pick a person that I felt I could use to pace myself. That worked for about the first mile and then I just kind of went on my own pace. I think I saw the Kashi guy that is running in the commercials - could be wrong - he had a Kashi shirt on, sort of looked like him and he was high fiving kids that were on the sidewalk as we passed. He stopped/slowed down significantly at mile 3 so maybe it wasn't Mr. Marathon Kashi man after all. Either that, or all the celebrity obligations might have slowed him down.
Overall, the run felt pretty good - or as good as it can feel. Do you ever get past that feeling that you might not be able to make it to the end? It doesn't seem tot matter what distance I am running, I always have to mentally psych myself up to keep going. My only other experience was my last Peachtree in 1998 so compared to that one, it felt like I was done in no time. I will say the last hill was BRUTAL. On first approach it didn't appear to be all that long and then I got a better look at the top and it just kept going. So cruel as it was right at the end. Towards the end people kept yelling, you are almost there, almost there. I guess their idea of "almost" anmd mine are two different things... That last mile seemed really long. Time: 55:53. I really wanted to break 55 minutes. Oh well. I definitely did better than my last Peachtree effort in 1998. :)
After the finish, you go through the various areas (turn in the timing chip, pick up the shirt, grab a water). I was supposed to meet my Dad back at the Mich Ultra Party. Somehow I walked right past it and on to the civic center. On the bright side, I was able to grab a couple of free Larabars. I HEART larabars, especially the Key Lime and Cherry Pie flavors!
The funny thing about not being able to find the Mich Ultra party was that my Dad was very specific in telling me how to get there before the race. After the rave, I had not a clue where it was. I asked a couple of volunteers at the civic center, no idea. I finally happened upon one with the official race map and she told me how to get there. Headed back through the crowd like a salmon swimming upstream and eventually bumped into it after several wrong turns. I still managed to make it back to the tent before Dad and Steve so I just hung out and watched the people go by.
They finally showed up and we went in to take advantage of the 3 beers and all you could eat for $10. Pretty good deal. If you were hungry... We hung out there for about an hour, caught a ride back with Steve to the car at Avondale and were back home by 11:30.
The Peachtree is not about setting any kind of records, it is more about being part of the event. I definitely enjoyed the sights and am glad I did it. Maybe I can break 55 minutes next year ;)
Friday, July 4, 2008
The Peachtree
More details later... the goal was to beat 55 minutes. My time... 55:53. A personal best for a 10k sooooo close.
Some pictures from today:
The shirt
Me and Dad pre-race. This was his 29th race, my 2nd. My first one was 10 years ago. His was in 1979. WOW. Not too bad for 72.
Dad and his walking buddy, Steve, pre-race.
My view from the start. Note the wall to wall people.
Shortly after the finish. Still wall to wall people.
The crowd outside the Mich Ultra party as I am trying to find my Dad.
Enjoying some of the party food.
And a good time was had by all....
As we were leaving the Michelob Ultra party after having our fill of burgers, BBQ and beer. There were still people crossing the finish line at 10:15 - close to 3 hours after the start. If you are in one of the time corrals in back, it is close to an hour after the gun goes off before you even cross the start line. Insane numbers of people.
Some pictures from today:
The shirt
Me and Dad pre-race. This was his 29th race, my 2nd. My first one was 10 years ago. His was in 1979. WOW. Not too bad for 72.
Dad and his walking buddy, Steve, pre-race.
My view from the start. Note the wall to wall people.
Shortly after the finish. Still wall to wall people.
The crowd outside the Mich Ultra party as I am trying to find my Dad.
Enjoying some of the party food.
And a good time was had by all....
As we were leaving the Michelob Ultra party after having our fill of burgers, BBQ and beer. There were still people crossing the finish line at 10:15 - close to 3 hours after the start. If you are in one of the time corrals in back, it is close to an hour after the gun goes off before you even cross the start line. Insane numbers of people.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A moment of silence for Bozo...
Bozo the Clown died today. Who didn't want to be on the Bozo show as a kid? the chance to drop the ping pong ball in the line of buckets to win a prize and see Bozo in person - too much fun to deny! Unfortunately I learned disappointment early in life. Bozo lived in Chicago. Too far to drive from Atlanta for a chance to drop a ping pong ball in a bucket.
My new trainer/co-worker Theresa and I worked out this morning. It was fun, hopefully we can stick with it. She is coming up with a tougher regimen for Tuesday when we hit the weights again.
The Peachtree Road Race is tomorrow. Me, Dad and 54,998 other folks will be pounding the pavement for the coveted shirt. I am going to try and take some pictures to capture the essence of the race and all the sweaty people in my midst.
I had one more person sign up for my Wednesday morning run club. I have myself and 3 others now. It should be interesting to see how long every sticks with the program. I am going to try and talk them into signing up for a 5k to get started.
I got my photo proofs from the Iron Girl today. I must look straight down at the pavement when I run, every picture I ever get from a race looks like I have my eyes shut. I must work on being more photogenic as I am gasping for air and passing the photographers.... something to aspire to at the race tomorrow I suppose. :)
My new trainer/co-worker Theresa and I worked out this morning. It was fun, hopefully we can stick with it. She is coming up with a tougher regimen for Tuesday when we hit the weights again.
The Peachtree Road Race is tomorrow. Me, Dad and 54,998 other folks will be pounding the pavement for the coveted shirt. I am going to try and take some pictures to capture the essence of the race and all the sweaty people in my midst.
I had one more person sign up for my Wednesday morning run club. I have myself and 3 others now. It should be interesting to see how long every sticks with the program. I am going to try and talk them into signing up for a 5k to get started.
I got my photo proofs from the Iron Girl today. I must look straight down at the pavement when I run, every picture I ever get from a race looks like I have my eyes shut. I must work on being more photogenic as I am gasping for air and passing the photographers.... something to aspire to at the race tomorrow I suppose. :)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
While I was running I came up with a plan...
You know my Dad told me you could get lost in your thoughts running. Today was kind of one of those days. Several of the ladies on my tennis team talk about wanting to run. I *think* they want to run, they just can't seem to get started. Today I came up with a plan. I decided that since I was out there running every Wednesday at 6 am why not get them to come out there too? One of them lives a half mile down the street and should have no excuse, right?
The plan is no in action. I have one definite and two seriously considering it. I am sure it will be slow going at first but maybe I can at least get them to commit to a 5k in the not too distant future! I kind of feel like I am paying it forward. DJ got me started, now its my turn.
Speaking of DJ.... I called him today to make sure he was going to be there tomorrow. He is not. He was fired. Bummer. New plan, my friend Theresa is going to help me with weight training on Tuesday and Thursday in his place. He is still running with me on Saturdays at a local high school, just no outside training which is really what I needed.
The plan is no in action. I have one definite and two seriously considering it. I am sure it will be slow going at first but maybe I can at least get them to commit to a 5k in the not too distant future! I kind of feel like I am paying it forward. DJ got me started, now its my turn.
Speaking of DJ.... I called him today to make sure he was going to be there tomorrow. He is not. He was fired. Bummer. New plan, my friend Theresa is going to help me with weight training on Tuesday and Thursday in his place. He is still running with me on Saturdays at a local high school, just no outside training which is really what I needed.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
I had a revelation ...
Today was a day of self evaluation. Mostly non-sport related which I won't go into here. Overall, a day of reassessment, cleaning out the cobwebs in my mind and trying to get re-motivated.
I played a tennis match tonight. I lost 6-3, 6-3. I should have won. I could have won. It could have least been closer. She was good, don't get me wrong but I just wasn't into it. Maybe still tired from Sunday, who knows... Up until this match I was in first place in my division on track to move up another level (which is the golden ring everyone ultimately is trying to attain in this league). So the revelation... Who am I trying to impress? I lost. So what.
Yes, all my recent activities have proven to me that I am competitive (which up until this point, I would have honestly said I was not). Ultimately, who cares if I lose a match to someone I should have beaten? (OK, maybe the girl who is now in first thanks to my loss does but...) Who cares if I finish a few minutes slower on teh bike leg due to a minor crash at the start? (OK, maybe the guy whose motorcycle I crashed into but....) My big revelation today was ... I don't need to impress anyone but myself. If I am OK with it, who cares what other people think? Deep, isn't it? :) Were you expecting something more?
I played a tennis match tonight. I lost 6-3, 6-3. I should have won. I could have won. It could have least been closer. She was good, don't get me wrong but I just wasn't into it. Maybe still tired from Sunday, who knows... Up until this match I was in first place in my division on track to move up another level (which is the golden ring everyone ultimately is trying to attain in this league). So the revelation... Who am I trying to impress? I lost. So what.
Yes, all my recent activities have proven to me that I am competitive (which up until this point, I would have honestly said I was not). Ultimately, who cares if I lose a match to someone I should have beaten? (OK, maybe the girl who is now in first thanks to my loss does but...) Who cares if I finish a few minutes slower on teh bike leg due to a minor crash at the start? (OK, maybe the guy whose motorcycle I crashed into but....) My big revelation today was ... I don't need to impress anyone but myself. If I am OK with it, who cares what other people think? Deep, isn't it? :) Were you expecting something more?
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