Tri done – resolution met!

Done! I completed the Granite Man Tri 5th (I think) in my age group on Saturday the 17th. Sweet!
The swim was good – but I got a little off path and felt like I lost a few minutes getting back in the pack.
The bike was hard. Really hard. It is constant hills with really only one spot when you can just cruise. And there are three killer hills. I actually did it only 3 minutes slower than my fastest Tri – so I was happy about that.
By the run I was ready to get it done – in a good way. I had my music and my legs loosened up as I reached the top of the steady climb you start the run with.
As I weaves around the paths of an old landing strip I felt good.
I finished at 2:10. 8 minutes slower than 2009. But happy.
The swim was def my slowest and I think that was a result of my path and them making it actually 3/4 mile.
I’m done! And happy. And totally doing it next year with a goal to place in my age group! Or at least move up in rank.
And, on Sat as we sat around relaxing and recovering we signed up for the seacoast half again. Bring on the running!

Tri done – resolution met!

Done! I completed the Granite Man Tri 5th (I think) in my age group on Saturday the 17th. Sweet!
The swim was good – but I got a little off path and felt like I lost a few minutes getting back in the pack.
The bike was hard. Really hard. It is constant hills with really only one spot when you can just cruise. And there are three killer hills. I actually did it only 3 minutes slower than my fastest Tri – so I was happy about that.
By the run I was ready to get it done – in a good way. I had my music and my legs loosened up as I reached the top of the steady climb you start the run with.
As I weaves around the paths of an old landing strip I felt good.
I finished at 2:10. 8 minutes slower than 2009. But happy.
The swim was def my slowest and I think that was a result of my path and them making it actually 3/4 mile.
I’m done! And happy. And totally doing it next year with a goal to place in my age group! Or at least move up in rank.
And, on Sat as we sat around relaxing and recovering we signed up for the seacoast half again. Bring on the running!

Well well Well

Okay- my Tri is in 12 days.  I’m not 12 days away from being ready.  If I’m honest, I’m 20+ days away from being ready.  But I’ll be there at the starting line and I’ll give it my all.

What’s Going Well –

Riding – I’m loving my new bike and shoes.

Running – I’m feeling strong and able to run AFTER doing other endurance training.

Swimming – As always I’m strong here without tri-ing (LOL) and had a great easy swim last week.

What’s Not Going Well: 

Riding – My knees – I’m not trained on lactic acid management

Running- My knees – see above – and just all around tightness

Swimming – Goggles – they either let water in, or they are pressing so hard they hurt.  Ugh.

What I Need:

Riding – I need to get on a spin bike a few times these next two weeks and work on managing lactic acid.

Running – Music – It is one of the key things to keeping me going during the hot, end of a training day.

Swimming – Better goggles – but it isn’t happening – so I deal.

What I’m Going to Do: 

Riding – Spin!

Running – Just keep doing it- and maybe buy an arm band

Swimming – Just keep doing it – I can’t wuss out on swim training because of goggles.

Yesterday I did a 6 mile bike and then a 4.3 mile run – and I felt great!  I felt strong and connected to my body.  I started to think about my time at the race and what I’d aim for.  Trying to piece together how long each activity will take me.  I think aiming for under 2:45 is easy.  I’d like to be at or below 2:30 – but I don’t want to set my self up for failure.  Hmm.  In 2008 at my peak after serious training I did it in 2:02, and then the next year with some training, but not as much I did it again in 2:02 – so maybe I’m selling myself short.  We’ll see!  (now of course I’m thinking about how I can get to that time again).

Anyway- if you want to follow along in my next two weeks of training friend me on runkeeper!  http://runkeeper.com/user/AdrienneBarnard/profile

Ummmm

You want to know why I’ve been quiet? I bet you can guess.

I haven’t been training…

oops?

I mean – I’ve been working out… but if I was to look back and review how I trained my first time around? I’d be scared.

But, the good news is this.
I’ve been swimming
I’ve been biking.
And the best part is I bought a new bike! And I got clip-in pedals and shoes!
What a difference!

It is July 23rd. My Tri is on August 17th.

EEP!

Double!

Ok! First bike workout down! Boring old stationary. But I’ve for to start somewhere!
I am planning to scoot out early tonight to run.
And then my first double will be complete!

I’m doing this!

Here we go

So – here we are 5 months out. I’ve mentally committed to doing the Granite Man Tri in August. Now, I have to get serious and start training.
But, doing that on top of a busy job and a busy two year old is going to be a challenge.
Any tips?
I started today by hitting the pavement. It wasn’t my best run, time for new shoes, but I did it.
Yet- it’s not running in worried about. It’s swimming and biking.
Time to dive in AND get back in the saddle!

1/2 Down! Resolution Met!

I kind of forgot about this blog.  Sorry to my readers!  Never fear, I kept right on running to meet my resolution and guess what!? – I did it!

Today, I ran my 1/2 marathon (1:55:07) and fulfilled my goal!  It felt damn good!  (and hurt a little too).

It was a crisp fall day, cool, cloudy with no wind.  Pretty perfect for a long distance run.

My stomach was a mess during the car ride to the race, but that’s pretty typical for me.  I got a little banana in me, and some water and was ready to just get to running.  As we waited for the gun to sound, I was excited. I turned to a friend running with us and said, “Doing this means I make my New Year’s Resolution!”

Then my Mom said, “We have to go run for 2 hours!”

At about mile 4, I thought, “Really? Only 4 miles in?” Actually, I think I said it out loud.

My goal for this race was to be under 2 hours.  My Mom, who had never done an under 2:00hr half wanted to get there too, so we stuck together.  I kept her speeding along, and she kept me occupied.

It’s great to have a running buddy.

The Seacoast of NH is lovely, and this route took you along some of the highlights.  Great scenery to distract you for a moment.

Before I knew it we were reaching mile 9 and my hip was aching, and my knee starting to twinge from a tight IT band.  I knew I had to stop and stretch or I would hurt myself.  So I did.  Mom kept on trucking and after about 3 minutes, I took off to catch her.

Easier said than done.  I worked my butt off to catch up to her!  It felt good, I felt strong.  We only had a 5k left!

Then my feet started to hurt, and my knees, and I knew I had blisters forming on the outside of my big toes.  Oh well, complaining about our aches and pains took us another few miles.

As we closed in on the last mile I pushed ahead of Mom and pushed myself a little harder.  I knew I was going to be under 2, but I wanted to make it good!  Then I hit a steep hill.  Ouch.  Nevertheless, I ran on and thought, “This is the longest mile of the race!”  It really felt that way.  And then, there was the finish!  I sprinted in and got my water and medal.

I didn’t want to stop right away, but the finish line crowds make it hard.  I was met by David, Matt and Emilio and my friend Jaimie who lives on the race route.  Mom finished soon after and post race discussions ensued.

Then it hit me, my entire body was about to stiffen up big time if I didn’t move and stretch.  I’m thanking myself for that now, because I’m feeling okay!  Oh wait, I also took some IBU in the car 😉

Overall, it was a good race and I look forward to doing it again next year.  1:45:00??

Now, we focus on keeping up the work outs and thinking about to fit in Tri training for next year!

Q3 Race – Color Run!

Sorry for missing the Q3 race and post! The Color Run was a BLAST! Didn’t feel like much of a race, and I’m pretty convinced it was shorter than a 5k AND that if I’d been at the front of the pack I would have had a shot at winning. It was more about the experience than the racing, and it was quite the experience!

Ouch

In April of 2010 I developed a common running cyst behind my knee. It was a result of a right IT band. Umm, I had never stretched it! I “found” it pushing myself too hard training for a 1/2. I got to a point where I physically couldn’t run and had to hobble a mile home. Not fun. It was interesting timing because I was actually a few weeks pregnant and not doing a 1/2 was probably a good thing.
Through physical therapy, rest and focus on my IT band I rehabed. I still feel it tighten and full on some runs, but t wasn’t a “career” ending injury. Phew.
You’d think I’d learn my lesson about pushing too hard.
Clearly I didn’t. Today I got to 3 miles on my run and the cyst was feeling very bad. I stopped to stretch and told myself, “a few more miles”. It still hurt. Added was a pretty painful twinge in my hip on elevation changes. Going uphill, ouch. Going downhill, ouch.
I pushed on, my brain winning in body vs brain.
I decided I would try to get almost home and then walk.
I thought I’d run a little easier. But I actually picked up speed. And then the pain went away.
Sweet! Now I’ll never learn my lesson.
But I banged out 6 miles in 49 minutes.
Super sweet.
Don’t follow my lead. My hip is killing me.

Vacation- using it to get back to it

In my daily life, it’s a challenge to find time to run. I have been getting on the elliptical on a regular basis during my work day, but the dread of treadmill running + how much more I sweat and turn pink have kept me from running there. Now, the elliptical is a good option- but for my body it gets stale quickly and with my 1/2 looming in Nov. I need to be running.
Last week we headed down the shore for an extended weekend. I used the opportunity to run daily! And to top it off it was beach running. 2 days we did 4 and the third we did 3+. It was hot and hard, but I did it and felt good.
As someone dedicated to running and endurance in general I find it’s important to NOT use a vacation as a reason to forget about exercise. Time stretches out before you on vacation, use that to get back on a good routine and then incorporate that in to your daily life
I’m going to try!