895 Miles!

How is training going? GREAT.

I finished my first full marathon today!  5:42:28. 

I felt better after the end of this race than I did after my first half. Thats good.

Race report tomorrow, I'm heading to bed. Gotta work at 5am. SHIT.

I have run and ridden 895 miles this year, too bad I didn't realize I was so close to 900 yesterday when I didn't do shit.

Stressing out

How is training going? I'm stressing out.

I'm running my first marathon tomorrow, New Years Eve.

 It's supposed to be cold, rainy and windy so looks like a miserable day. No one else is doing the full, even though Linda was supposed to (I signed her up for it). Lan isn't even running at all. Kris doesn't want to pay $75 for an entry fee.

It pisses me off that Linda is wimping out. At this point I wouldn't put it past her to wimp out of the Ironman.

Can you see I'm irritable? I had to work last night until 2:45am, had to get up at 9am to feed horses. Lan woke me up by getting out of bed to put John Henry out of the room & then he got back into bed. Didn't even have it in him to feed the fucking dogs.

I have to go into Gig Harbor to Route 16 Running for packet pick up. I think I should go alone. After I go for a really easy run for a half hour.

Done Before Dark

How is training going? Well.

This morning I got up at 4am and was at the gym before 5am for 2 spin classes. These were classes I hadn't attended before so both the teachers thought I was a noob but I kicked ass & didn't bother taking names.

I rode 16 miles in the first class, 45 minutes long. Took a 5 minute break then started on the second class about 10 minutes early, just to keep warm. Got 18.5 miles in that 1 hour long class for a total of 34.5 miles.

The first class was mostly men, about 12 people.  The second class was mostly women, about 24 of them. There was 1 man & 1 woman besides me who did both classes and they were GOOD.

This photo isn't of my class but these are the kind of bikes we use. I had my heart rate monitor on, high 159 average 141.

I got home and had to take a nap.

New Years Resolution

How is training going? Fine.

My New Years Resolution is to exercise first thing every morning and not procrastinate till later in the day and no screwing around. If my training plan calls for a 3 hour run then I'll get my ass out on the roads and run for 3 hours.

Christmas was good to me. 'Lan'ta brought me the one thing I really wanted and asked for: a broom.

I had also asked for new race wheels but at $1,035 for the front wheel and more for the back it was highly unlikely I'd get them. but it was worth a try.

I did get new biking shoes, I had asked for these:

Lanta brought these:

Which was cool because I can use them to go ride out at Banner Forest. They are cold weather biking shoes and I can put them to good use. They are a tad small but I can deal with that.

I got Lan:

A new Timex Ironman watch. If hes counting laps all he has to do it tap the face. Cool.

It doesn't have GPS but we can figure that out when we need to.

In horse news:

The Pie in his new home

I have sold The Pie. I'm extremely sad, I miss his deep whinny in the mornings when he sees me coming down to feed and I miss seeing him in his run waiting for me.

but hes got a new girl and shes 3. She will Love him for a very long time and then her sister will love him for a long time too and that's what I wanted for him.  I just hope it all works out for them.

Mason Lake ride, again

How is training going? BBbbbbrrrrrrrr!

Went for a ride around Mason Lake again but today it was only 31* outside. Here, Lan & Les are getting dressed to go.

I had originally planned on going two laps but it was so frigging cold I only made it one lap. My toes were hurting. I don't have booties for the bike so I had cold feet. Here is Linda waiting for the guys pre-ride.

Here is Linda almost half way around the lake, at about mile 5. You can see shes NOT a happy camper. There were 2 reasons for that, first of all she was frozen into an ice cube. second, Les had practically attacked her right off the bat, made her feel very uncomfortable with his closeness. He likes to touch too. Hes not making a pass at you, hes touching you to let you know how/where to move or something.

Les is an excellent bike coach but he likes to talk too much.

At about the 6 mile marker the guys went on ahead, Linda and I struggled to complete the ride and get it over with.  It was SO cold out and the wind we created & the damp fog didn't help at all.

Finally the ride is over and silly Les is talking so long that we both got chilled. But I got the car heated up & changed my clothes then Linda changed while the guys went for another lap around the lake. By the time Lan got in the car it was toasty, just what he needed. I even had his shoes warming under the heater.

Heres Linda all changed into fresh clothes with her helmet hair.

I really like that ride, can't wait for it to be a bit warmer out so we can actually enjoy it.

Good Bye Ryan

How is training going? So long, trainer.

I had my last lesson with Ryan tonight; we did 1 hour in the pool going over all the drills he has taught me. Since I've been very bad and not swam much in the last 3 months (or year) for that matter, I'm pretty bad at it. But I have much better form now than I did at Black Diamond and I should be able to go a bit faster. Now need to work on this form to perfect it and build endurance.

As for Ryan, he taught me a lot of very important things for my race. I am much more efficient in my running, I can feel when I'm getting fatigued and start to lean down and I know how to fix it. I know how to swim SO MUCH BETTER. I better send  HIM a thank you note.

My hips are sore this evening, don't know if its from Torreys class last Tuesday or riding bikes the other day. I do know that if they hurt tomorrow then I'll only be doing one lap around the lake or not doing spin at the core class. I am going to do the core portion of class no matter what, then at least 1 lap around the lake. I should be getting my shit ready now for tomorrow. COLD weather riding gear and a change of clothes so I don't freeze my ass off.

I have 4 people interested in The Pie but one was supposed to come see him today and she didn't so I'm taking her off the list. You don't cancel a noon appointment at 3:46pm.

795

How is training going? Good, very good.

I have run, rode & swam 795 miles this year and the biking & swimming have only really been counted since I signed up for Ironman. So I wonder... Can I make it to 1000 next year? This morning I ran 8.32 miles, out around Long Lake. Lan came to check up on me & gave me a lift up the hill so I cheated but didn't count that on my mileage.

Today I have talked to a couple people about them buying The Pie.



Kissable nose



 I have him for sale for $500, one lady came out and offered $400 but I wouldn't take a down payment until I see her place. Then after her I spoke to Robyn who wants him for carting.

I was told he has pulled a cart in the past and I saw him long lined but I don't have a cart so I don't know how he would actually pull it. I think The Pie is too sensitive and if they hook him up they are going to need blinders. Robyns home sounds like the best place so far, shes had a few horses die of old age and that means a LOT to me.

Also Robyns 32 yr old son with MS wants a pony HE can cart and have in parades. If his mom thinks The Pie will work out for them then I want him to go there. I understand the 32yr old disabled son living at home thing.

I got teary eyed when they were leading him around. Poor guy, hes doing so well here and now I am going to sell him. I think the carting place would be a better home for him so I hope he would work out for them. I'll tell her to bring her harness out to try it on him, see how he does with that.

The Pie has been here for a year and has settled in quite well. He was happiest when he was with Cookie, the Mini mare, but shes gone back to her home. Now I still turn him out with Wifi and Sunshower and hes doing quite well with them. Hes gained about 100#, hes current on all shots, deworming, teeth and hooves. Whoever gets him is getting a wonderful little guy and I'll cry like a baby when he goes away.

War Horse Movie Review

GO SEE IT.

Its a remarkable movie. Fantastic story line, fresh new actors, it was funny, sad, scary, sad. I could have used tissues 3 different times. The end is amazing and beautiful, reminded me of Gone With The Wind and other people commented on that fact.

This is a movie I'd love to go see in the theater again.

War Horse Movie Premier in Seattle

How is training going? Very good.

I was given tickets for 4 people to go to the Movie premier of War Horse.

I've heard its a real tear jerker so I'm going to take a handful of tissues.

The movie is in Seattle tomorrow night at 7pm, we have to be there before 6:15 to be guaranteed a seat. Meghan, her mom and her friend, Ashley, are going to go.

The movie isn't set to be released until Christmas Eve so we're seeing it a whole 10 days early, how cool. I can't freakin' wait!

I won't get a chance to work out tomorrow, will work from 7am till 3pm then meeting Meghan for the movie. I'm pretty sure I wont get home before  11:15pm and then I have to turn around and go back Thursday for the same shift.

I did get a good workout this morning, even though it wasn't what I had planned on doing. I wore my bathing suit to the gym and got there early enough to swim for at least a half hour. But I forgot my goggles! Changed and had 20 minutes to run on the indoor track instead, then got a bit of an early start on the spin bike. I went 13.5 miles in 43 minutes instead of the usual 10.

Torrey challenged me and the rest of the class, but specifically me, to this awesome race. Run then do 4 minutes to push-ups, run & 4 minutes of squats, run & 4 minutes of ... I don't know if I COULD do it but it will be in April and I'll (I BETTER BE) in excellent condition then.

Lan has been extraordinarily kind and has said some very nice things about me lately. First he told his mom that my Ironman is THE thing going on next June, not 'See what else is going on' as she keeps putting it. But her sister is dying and I've got remember that.

Then today he said I wimp out way less than he does when I feel like I wimp out more. so that meant a lot to me. He's the best.

Another year older

How is training going? Good.

I am now in the last year of my age bracket, officially 49. Next year I'll be racing against old ladies. But in Ironman Coeur d'Alene I'll be the oldest in my age bracket, which could actually be a disadvantage. Like I'm going to be competitive!

I ran 7.5 miles yesterday, from home toward Lindas house. I was only a short distance from her but I kept getting side aches and I just can not run with those. I'd breath deep and slow down but the pounding kills me. Right after I took this photo Lan drove up and I got a ride the rest of the way.

We went to Lindas and enjoyed a delicious chicken noodle soup lunch then helped them assemble and decorate their Christmas tree.  Lindas got more tree ornaments than I've ever had and she used every single one of them. Plus shes got tons of THINGS that go around the house.  To me its just stuff to have to put away again later.

Today I did go shopping and got a bunch of things to make my own home made gifts. I hope no one hates me for the cookies, pies and hot chocolate they will be getting from me.

740 miles

How is training going? Better today.

Only 199 days until Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

As of today I have gone 740 miles on my counter. That's this year. For a long time I was only counting my running miles, not spin or swimming. But as I did more and more and found out my friends were counting theirs, I decided its OK to do those miles too.

Today I snuck in a spin class and a core class, then tonight I had a swim lesson with Ryan. I was going to tell him that at the new year Id be firing him but I couldn't do it. Its like breaking up with a boyfriend. Sigh.

Not quite healed

How is training going? Not quite 100% yet.

I was in Torreys class at the YMCA this morning, we were doing reverse crunches when I realized I'm not quite 100% better after that little truck wreck a week ago. My neck got sore way too fast. I still completed all the exercises and the entire class but I was feeling it. Just a little bit of whiplash.

But I'm working on healing, staying strong, not letting a little pain stop me. I know not to do too much and I'm damn lucky that I didn't hurt myself worse.

Today I did 1/2 hour of spin, the core/strength class and ran 35 minutes in heart zone 2-3, got about 3 miles. I'm happy with it.

Then I came home and cleaned the barn, played with horses and I actually got a 20 minute nap before I had to get back to work in the barn again. Sigh.

I think Linda and I will plan on going to Coeur d'Alene for the pre-Ironman in May. That's when we'll ride the course, about 100 miles of it, so we can all know what to expect and when/where on the course. I'd like to actually see if there is a half marathon while we're there so we could run the course too. And of course, we'll have to swim in the freezing cold lake.

I'm going to change coaches

How is training going? Fine.

I've made the decision to use Lisa B. starting in January. I'll finish up with Ryan this month, I'll have my 2 personal meetings with him, both at the pool and then I'll start with Lisa. I want to go with her because I know her better and shes finally excited about this. 4 months ago when I signed up for this she was busy doing all the TriBabe things, she had no time for Linda and me and she was very cavalier about out training.

Now there's a mere 6.5 months to go and shes finally getting serious about it. But there's more to it than that:

1. I can't afford Ryan any longer, Lisa is half his price.
2. She includes Yoga classes, running clinics, swim clinics, and will do these things with us.
3. I want a girl coach now.
4. Ryan pushes me to buy a lot of STUFF.

I don't need any more excuses. I'll pay him what he is owed and let him know this is the last month.

Went to a swim clinic with Lisa today, I was in the shallow end trying to swim without a nose plug. I did more than half the lesson but then I had to use it again. I'll continue to try to not use it more and more, until I can do it comfortably. But this evening I have water in my ears and my sinuses hurt.

Otherwise we only covered stuff I already know, there was nothing new. But it was good to get a workout and have the opportunity to go plug less.

Linda is in Las Vegas tonight, she did the Rock & Roll half marathon, finished in 2:45, 3 minutes faster than her Race For A Soldier time.

Jingle Bell 5k Run

How is training going? Good. 

Today Lan & I went into Port Orchard for their 1st annual Jingle Bell 5k Run. It was a lot of fun!!

The temp was only 41* so I had on a heavy shirt and mittens, with my jacket and long tights. We got there at 1pm and Lan got into line for registration. They were going pretty slow though so it took 40 minutes to get him all done and there were only 50 people in front of him but by race time the line was WAY back so they closed registration and just asked that everyone be on the honor system for payment after the race. I hope everyone did. Most of the people were dressed in Christmas outfits and everyone had bells on, some had lot of BIG bells on.

It was so cold that people were dancing in the street to keep warm, see, out past the cold people waiting in line.

They had a 1k run for the kids first, that was FAST!  Those kids were all so cute and they all had #1 so they were all winners.  This lady barely got her kids registered in time for the race, I saw them finish and they were all smiling and had a good time.

 Anyway, The race DJ/MC asked for all the kids and strollers to be in back of the runners and the walkers back too, that was cool. I hate having kids run around my feet when I'm running and their parents just seem to not give a shit that their brats are all over the place.

I ran as Linda because shes in Las Vegas, shes running the Rock & Roll Half Marathon tomorrow night.

I started out right at the front, only 2-3 people in front of my position but I was quickly swallowed up by a LOT of faster people. That's OK, I had planned it that way. Lan was right with me for the first 20 feet, then he went ahead and I didn't see him again. Port Orchard is flat so there was only a very slight rise in the road, can't even call it a hill. We ran from the courthouse out to the Annapolis dock and back.

These were taken about 3/4 mile into the race, I was being passed like crazy. But I didn't care.

I had started out a little too fast so had to slow down and get a good pace going on.

That dog in the white tee shirt was real fast, he passed me here and was done breathing hard before I got done.

I wish I had texted photos off my phone, there were some good ones.

Anyway, I finished the 3.1 miles in 29:21, a Personal Record for me. I'm pretty glad of that since Lan had asked me what my goal for the race was right before we started it.

Lan finished in 25:11 and Steve & Brayden finished in 26 minutes.

I saw a lot of TriBabes, including Lisa, Terry Harter, new FB friends and more. A lot of women recognized me & I have no idea who they are.

It was a good race, for a good cause (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and I'd like to do it again. Maybe not next year but sometime.

Lan and I had this huge cinnamon roll for our reward. Shame on us!

Back at it

How is training going? Finally.

I was able to go out and run today, 6.15 miles in 1:15:58. Not fast, a 12.21 pace, but I went out and got it done. It felt good to know I could do it and not have my head hurt, feel pukey or be sore from the wreck. But after ward my left knee hurt pretty bad so I iced it and now its not so bad.

Soren is here!

How is training going? Much better today.

My niece, Andrea, had her baby, Soren, a little boy. 9 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches tall.

I think hes kinda cute, but these are the only photos I have so its hard to tell. They say hes perfect so that makes me glad for them.

I've sent Andrea a few boxes of baby things, I hope its enough for her. I know she had no income of her own to do anything with. I have more clothing to send her for when hes older but I don't want to send it yet. I don't think she even knows where she'll be living in the future. But I do have stuff for up to 4 years, lol.

Today I was able to make it to Torreys spin/core class and it wasn't too hard to complete. Then I have a nice hour long massage & then met Linda for a 35 minute run/walk at the local high school track. We actually went 3.25 in 40 minutes. Not fast but as much as I wanted to do on my first day back after 2 illnesses and a truck wreck. sigh.