RUN: 59 minutes, 6.5 miles 9:04 pace.
Just another loop. Here I am 9 days out of my last tri of the year and I'm doing easy loops. The plan for a 5miler at 10K-ish pace. Not today! Steady, medium pace with IT and LC.
I'm feeling good mental wise and nutrition wise. This is 6 days into my green smoothie fad. My sweet cravings have diminished but I'm getting hungry in the afternoons. I need a good snack or a bigger lunch?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Weds Masters-why you got to be so mean?
SWIM: 45 mins 1600 yards.
This was the first swim indoors and wow what a change. I miss the big pool, but I seemed to have more anxiety in the big one. Wonder why?
I wanted to swim but I didn't want to swim. What the hell does that mean?
So in that vein, I was up early but still didn't leave early. Which means I was 15-20 mins late to the swim. It starts at 5:15 but I show up at 5:35. The outer pool door had fallen shut and locked, served me right. But CHG let me in.
He pointed me to the 3rd lane. GULP! No, I said, they're too fast. He didn't say anything but he didn't have too. I think he chose that lane because it was less crowded. CHG booted LC from the 2nd lane (and I gave a small cheer) and I explained that if everyone around me is faster I get anxious and lose my form. (whatever form I do have). He said I shouldn't let that happen.
But I do. I let it happen all the time. And now I'm seeing it as part of the big picture. I get nervous in the swims if I'm slow, I get wiggy if I fall off the back of a group ride, I get my heart rate up if I feel the group pulling away.
I used to say that I'm not a competitive person. But in the past few seasons I'm learning otherwise. I'm not competing against others, I'm competing against my expectations of me. I think I should be able to do "x" pace based on what others around me are doing. So this that competing against others? I need to rethink this. Maybe I am competing against others. Is this good? Bad?
I thought my swim was anxiety ridden because I wasn't getting any better and because I thought it was a personal failing on my part. But I do I swim better alone? I did a few laps after practice once the lane emptied and I did feel more relaxed. But I didn't swim as fast. Which is better, a comfy swim, a fast swim, a charged go-go swim?
I finished the swim OK but a bit dizzy. That's a problem I thought I'd solved.
I meandering here.
This was the first swim indoors and wow what a change. I miss the big pool, but I seemed to have more anxiety in the big one. Wonder why?
I wanted to swim but I didn't want to swim. What the hell does that mean?
So in that vein, I was up early but still didn't leave early. Which means I was 15-20 mins late to the swim. It starts at 5:15 but I show up at 5:35. The outer pool door had fallen shut and locked, served me right. But CHG let me in.
He pointed me to the 3rd lane. GULP! No, I said, they're too fast. He didn't say anything but he didn't have too. I think he chose that lane because it was less crowded. CHG booted LC from the 2nd lane (and I gave a small cheer) and I explained that if everyone around me is faster I get anxious and lose my form. (whatever form I do have). He said I shouldn't let that happen.
But I do. I let it happen all the time. And now I'm seeing it as part of the big picture. I get nervous in the swims if I'm slow, I get wiggy if I fall off the back of a group ride, I get my heart rate up if I feel the group pulling away.
I used to say that I'm not a competitive person. But in the past few seasons I'm learning otherwise. I'm not competing against others, I'm competing against my expectations of me. I think I should be able to do "x" pace based on what others around me are doing. So this that competing against others? I need to rethink this. Maybe I am competing against others. Is this good? Bad?
I thought my swim was anxiety ridden because I wasn't getting any better and because I thought it was a personal failing on my part. But I do I swim better alone? I did a few laps after practice once the lane emptied and I did feel more relaxed. But I didn't swim as fast. Which is better, a comfy swim, a fast swim, a charged go-go swim?
I finished the swim OK but a bit dizzy. That's a problem I thought I'd solved.
I meandering here.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
CCP brick
BIKE: 1hr 16-some miles
RUN: 2.5 miles in 19-some minutes
I needed a rest after yesterday's ride so waiting until Tuesday eve for a brick with the group was the perfect plan. Yesterday's wind was still blowing through so this was another windy ride. Lot's of friends on this ride, including a soon-to-be cheesy potato!
CP had us do some hill repeats on the Z-hill to the Katy. One very easy, one very hard, and one in the middle. I didn't do the hard repeat hard enough. The goal (I learned the specifics afterwards) was to see just how hard you can turn the gears. Maybe this weekend I'll give it another try.
I almost didn't run, it was getting dark and I wanted to get home. So when the 4-mile run was shorted to a 20 minute run I took that option. I had the Kinvaras which contributed to the light feeling. CP and TH were with me, we had a light fast run. The first mile was smooth and fast, the second mile was more of a challenge with GT joining us and the little "attacks" happening. I hung on to whatever shoulder was in front. This was fun, and felt good until the last quarter mile at which my form started to fall off a bit. Legs shaky, but not quite anaerobic.
Can't believe I forgot my HRM!
RUN: 2.5 miles in 19-some minutes
I needed a rest after yesterday's ride so waiting until Tuesday eve for a brick with the group was the perfect plan. Yesterday's wind was still blowing through so this was another windy ride. Lot's of friends on this ride, including a soon-to-be cheesy potato!
CP had us do some hill repeats on the Z-hill to the Katy. One very easy, one very hard, and one in the middle. I didn't do the hard repeat hard enough. The goal (I learned the specifics afterwards) was to see just how hard you can turn the gears. Maybe this weekend I'll give it another try.
I almost didn't run, it was getting dark and I wanted to get home. So when the 4-mile run was shorted to a 20 minute run I took that option. I had the Kinvaras which contributed to the light feeling. CP and TH were with me, we had a light fast run. The first mile was smooth and fast, the second mile was more of a challenge with GT joining us and the little "attacks" happening. I hung on to whatever shoulder was in front. This was fun, and felt good until the last quarter mile at which my form started to fall off a bit. Legs shaky, but not quite anaerobic.
Can't believe I forgot my HRM!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Headwinds and holiday roosters
BIKE: 4hrs 18 mins and 65.something miles in IL
Labor day weekend = free day! Let's make the most of it!
It started off with a 7am ride from Columbia. Saturday the weather was 100, yesterday in the 70's, and today in the high 50's/low 60's. There was a steady wind out of the north/northwest, the crops are turning, and a few leaves falling. Speaking of falling, and regardless of what the calendar says, fall is HERE.
We started out on a slightly different route that eventually merged in with the usual. We also had 4 new riders! DD, DS, LK, and DS joined us. Unlike most group rides, I wanted this one to just go-go-go. Not because it was cold (that was part of it) but because I wanted a training ride that was more like a race ride--steady moderately hard effort with water breaks and stops. It's not my ride so I can't do that to everyone else, but I could make the most of the intervals in the mean time. So that's my goal--try to find that breaking point I see in races and dance around that fire for awhile.
Oh and my other Need-To-Fix: nutrition--today had batter-like Sustained with a gel, Powerbar, Perform, Lara bar, 2 gels. Total of about 1100 calories? 170+100+220+210+220+200=about 1100. OK, rock n roll.
Started off good and strong, trying to hang with GB who can accelerate out of nowhere and put the hammer down. Note I said trying to hang with GB, I was only moderately successful.
Hills, curves, cornfields, winds, sunshine, quiet roads, Bird, great company. What I love about this.
At the stop in Millstadt CP talked a bit about the mental strategies I need to be working on, right now for SM but also for the future. This was 1hr in, and I noshed most of the powerbar while at the stop. Off to Waterloo, during which we passed a T-intersection with some lazy-ass roosters crowing. We figured it was a holiday, so they slept in. Started working on the Sustained and had the rest of the PB. Hydration was good (in retrospect, I'll bet it was low), energy felt good.
In between W and V was Trout Hill. IT read it was a 25+% hill so we just had to try it. I was nervous about going down. I'm such a downhill chicken. BAWK BAWK. Get the f down the hill, yo. OK that wasn't so bad. Now back up! I was the first rider up, with CP, GT, and IT behind me. Grind, grind, and stand, and stand, and SUMMIT! Awesome! I'd do it again if I could! But I don't think it was really the advertised 28%.
At the stop in Valmeyer (about 3hrs or so in) I had a gel and debated another. By this time all I had left was 1/4 bottle of Perform, 1 gel, and plenty of water (add in a refill here). This was the time in a ride that I start to falter from nutrition. But I was still good for now.
Getting a sense of where this is going? The last 15-some miles included the big downhill then a long stretch of flats. Today the flats were directly into the headwind! So instead of a 28 mph tailwind ride it was a 13 mph headwind ride. Oooff!! But it wasn't hard. It was just long.
CP gathered us into pacelines and echelons, teaching some of the new to the group riders how to do it. At about 7 miles into this wind, my wind went to The Stupids. It's hard to get a water bottle or food out in a wind, and even harder to do it while pulling a rider in the wind. So when CP asked a rider to hang with me and asked me to signal proper positioning to this other rider, my mind said something along the lines of "what-f^cking-ever let's just get this done". Hmmmm, sounds like somebody needs to eat!
Yup, I went south. Again. I quit talking, I quit looking behind me as much, I focused on just the road in front of the Bird and nothing else. My pace stayed steady but that look a lot of effort. My HR rose a little but didn't go south as well. It was all mental. Damn it!
We turned out of the wind and had only miles to go. By this point I realized it was too late to eat, and once out of the wind I was feeling magically better. Back at the truck, I was fuzzed over but functional (I've had rides ending in this parking lot with me being non-functional!). Looked at the clock--only 1hr to get to our Savage planning meeting! AH!
Hurry home, drink some green smoothie with protein and chia, hurry shower, hurry drive. I'd noticed earlier that my hands were tingly but I thought it was the vibrations from the rough road and non-carbon Bird. But now my forearms were tingly. And now my neck. And now my face. Kinda like an electrolyte tingle, but not quite. I still think it was vibrations. But just in case, I started popping Endurolytes with water. And Whammo! Nausea.
I walked by the salad bar at our meetup place and the food just looked awful. Wonderful veggies, cut fruit, raisins, nuts, yummy yummy awful. So I didn't eat :( I really needed to but really couldn't. A few times I was sure I was going to hurl. I did my best to hang in there, I did get better over time, but I didn't do too hot. Damn it all to hell!
I need to fix this shit! It's killing my performance, my recovery, and my day to day living! This past few weeks has felt like an anxiety-ridden, fatigue-filled, blusterfest. WTH? Time to crack down on this. This has never been a nutrition log, but for a while now it will have to be. I need to fix this! I need to get my life in order, my work ethic recharged, my goals laid out, and some solid ground to stand on. I can't live like this.
Labor day weekend = free day! Let's make the most of it!
It started off with a 7am ride from Columbia. Saturday the weather was 100, yesterday in the 70's, and today in the high 50's/low 60's. There was a steady wind out of the north/northwest, the crops are turning, and a few leaves falling. Speaking of falling, and regardless of what the calendar says, fall is HERE.
We started out on a slightly different route that eventually merged in with the usual. We also had 4 new riders! DD, DS, LK, and DS joined us. Unlike most group rides, I wanted this one to just go-go-go. Not because it was cold (that was part of it) but because I wanted a training ride that was more like a race ride--steady moderately hard effort with water breaks and stops. It's not my ride so I can't do that to everyone else, but I could make the most of the intervals in the mean time. So that's my goal--try to find that breaking point I see in races and dance around that fire for awhile.
Oh and my other Need-To-Fix: nutrition--today had batter-like Sustained with a gel, Powerbar, Perform, Lara bar, 2 gels. Total of about 1100 calories? 170+100+220+210+220+200=about 1100. OK, rock n roll.
Started off good and strong, trying to hang with GB who can accelerate out of nowhere and put the hammer down. Note I said trying to hang with GB, I was only moderately successful.
Hills, curves, cornfields, winds, sunshine, quiet roads, Bird, great company. What I love about this.
At the stop in Millstadt CP talked a bit about the mental strategies I need to be working on, right now for SM but also for the future. This was 1hr in, and I noshed most of the powerbar while at the stop. Off to Waterloo, during which we passed a T-intersection with some lazy-ass roosters crowing. We figured it was a holiday, so they slept in. Started working on the Sustained and had the rest of the PB. Hydration was good (in retrospect, I'll bet it was low), energy felt good.
In between W and V was Trout Hill. IT read it was a 25+% hill so we just had to try it. I was nervous about going down. I'm such a downhill chicken. BAWK BAWK. Get the f down the hill, yo. OK that wasn't so bad. Now back up! I was the first rider up, with CP, GT, and IT behind me. Grind, grind, and stand, and stand, and SUMMIT! Awesome! I'd do it again if I could! But I don't think it was really the advertised 28%.
At the stop in Valmeyer (about 3hrs or so in) I had a gel and debated another. By this time all I had left was 1/4 bottle of Perform, 1 gel, and plenty of water (add in a refill here). This was the time in a ride that I start to falter from nutrition. But I was still good for now.
Getting a sense of where this is going? The last 15-some miles included the big downhill then a long stretch of flats. Today the flats were directly into the headwind! So instead of a 28 mph tailwind ride it was a 13 mph headwind ride. Oooff!! But it wasn't hard. It was just long.
CP gathered us into pacelines and echelons, teaching some of the new to the group riders how to do it. At about 7 miles into this wind, my wind went to The Stupids. It's hard to get a water bottle or food out in a wind, and even harder to do it while pulling a rider in the wind. So when CP asked a rider to hang with me and asked me to signal proper positioning to this other rider, my mind said something along the lines of "what-f^cking-ever let's just get this done". Hmmmm, sounds like somebody needs to eat!
Yup, I went south. Again. I quit talking, I quit looking behind me as much, I focused on just the road in front of the Bird and nothing else. My pace stayed steady but that look a lot of effort. My HR rose a little but didn't go south as well. It was all mental. Damn it!
We turned out of the wind and had only miles to go. By this point I realized it was too late to eat, and once out of the wind I was feeling magically better. Back at the truck, I was fuzzed over but functional (I've had rides ending in this parking lot with me being non-functional!). Looked at the clock--only 1hr to get to our Savage planning meeting! AH!
Hurry home, drink some green smoothie with protein and chia, hurry shower, hurry drive. I'd noticed earlier that my hands were tingly but I thought it was the vibrations from the rough road and non-carbon Bird. But now my forearms were tingly. And now my neck. And now my face. Kinda like an electrolyte tingle, but not quite. I still think it was vibrations. But just in case, I started popping Endurolytes with water. And Whammo! Nausea.
I walked by the salad bar at our meetup place and the food just looked awful. Wonderful veggies, cut fruit, raisins, nuts, yummy yummy awful. So I didn't eat :( I really needed to but really couldn't. A few times I was sure I was going to hurl. I did my best to hang in there, I did get better over time, but I didn't do too hot. Damn it all to hell!
I need to fix this shit! It's killing my performance, my recovery, and my day to day living! This past few weeks has felt like an anxiety-ridden, fatigue-filled, blusterfest. WTH? Time to crack down on this. This has never been a nutrition log, but for a while now it will have to be. I need to fix this! I need to get my life in order, my work ethic recharged, my goals laid out, and some solid ground to stand on. I can't live like this.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Swim, Bike, and Buffalo
SWIM: 2300y in 1hr. 3x500 focus on steady
BIKE: a little over 2hrs, about 31 miles
I slept in until 7:15 and I had to be at the pool at 8. Luckily in my fuzz I was smart enough to pre-pack everything. Go me. Prepared, yet unprepared.
I picked a workout from a previous swim and switched it up. I made the 3x500's a steady 500 with a focus on a steady pace. No negative splits, no hurry. But I'd peak at the watch to catch my halfway times. Seeing this would either make me happy or make me upset. I was surprised how this number could affect me, and this isn't new. This recent focus on heart rate, position in a pack, race PR's, etc etc.
The swim was good. It was my only swim this week, and I'm glad I did it. I didn't realize I had 2300y until I added it up later.
The bike was great. But before the bike we got to see JM's little A practice for her 1st tri next weekend :) And I got a laugh when she kept asking her time. Guess the focus on numbers goes way beyond just me.
IT and I joined another member on a "guided" bike tour, KD lived in the area and new the good hills. Like a drug dealer.
We rode out of Babler onto roads I wasn't familiar with, and this was the best part--I didn't know what to expect, what kind of hill was coming up, or how much rest I'd get. But I followed KD's shifting carefully, he knew the roads and I figured he was preparing for any inclines. I started off slow, but knew I'd warm up soon enough.
Unlike yesterday today was cool. I hate to complain flip flop style, but it was almost too cool! This was good, it helped me recover from yesterday.
The first hill was Babler Forest, aka Chocolate Hill, described as : Babler Trails Road - (.25 mile, 190 feet of ascent, 14.39% average grade, 20.5% max grade)
- This is one climb you may have unknowingly passed countless times if you regularly ride
out Wildhorse Creek Road to Ossenfort. Just before you reach the Wildhorse-Ossenfort fork,
Babler Trails Road will appear on your right. The innocuous entrance to this quiet neighborhood offers no clue as to the major bump in the road that lies dead ahead. This climb is long, straight, and unforgiving. Cyclists heading out to St Albans who get their heart rate up in anticipation of Ossenfort hill should consider scaling this one. It will change their perspective of the minor climb known as Ossenfort Hill. Additional note: To throw in a little confusion, along the climb the road changes names to Babler Forest. -
Long good hill. No chocolate, just a turn-around and back down.
Next hill...some winding through new roads...passed some buffalo on Bassett road...and off to St Albans. It was 0.7miles long, and how do I know this? I checked my Garmin, which I found to my dismay has been OFF to this time. NUTS!!!
Next hill was Melrose. I've heard people talking about this hill, but I didn't know where it was. Turns out I do--I just didn't know the name of it. It's the hill just out of St Albans: Melrose Road - (First Climb- .33 mile, 156 feet of ascent, average grade 8.86 %, max grade 14.5%) - Second Climb- .34 mile, 136 feet of ascent, average grade 7.57%, max grade 15%) - The hills of Wildwood are man. An immensely popular one is Melrose Road starting just around
the corner from the entrance to Rockwood Reservations near Hwy 109. While not the steepest
nor the longest hill in west county, this is actually a double-tiered ascent which will still put a
distinct burn in the legs. Once crested, the first plateau is but a two-thousand yard respite before the road points back up again. If the first climb didn't reduce you to spinning your small chain ring, the second one probably will. When ridden from the opposite direction (i.e. from Six Flags) the combination of hills offers two blazing descents that can be taken full out. - Melrose Road & Glencoe Road, Wildwood, Mo
That wasn't so bad, actually kinda enjoyed it.
Next hill wasn't on the maps. At least I havent found it yet. What a GEM. Oh, a JEWEL of a hill. We were almost at a complete stop at the bottom, then this WALL of a hill. Oh sweet d-lish. This one was tough. I ended up standing. I also tried weaving a bit. IT was seated the whole way up, wow.
There were other hills in between, but those were the biggies. Lots of little climbers that needed a granny gear, but since they weren't named so I can't comment on them.
What a great ride! I know some of these roads, but for the most part this was on unfamiliar roads. When we got back to the parking lot, IT and I took a look at the Bird. I was worried that I had to stand on some of today's hills, and these hills were Savage. Turns out the Bird only as a 12-23!!! Off to BShark, hoping to find KJ. What luck, I did! He's going to get a 12-27 for the Bird sometime this week.
BIKE: a little over 2hrs, about 31 miles
I slept in until 7:15 and I had to be at the pool at 8. Luckily in my fuzz I was smart enough to pre-pack everything. Go me. Prepared, yet unprepared.
I picked a workout from a previous swim and switched it up. I made the 3x500's a steady 500 with a focus on a steady pace. No negative splits, no hurry. But I'd peak at the watch to catch my halfway times. Seeing this would either make me happy or make me upset. I was surprised how this number could affect me, and this isn't new. This recent focus on heart rate, position in a pack, race PR's, etc etc.
The swim was good. It was my only swim this week, and I'm glad I did it. I didn't realize I had 2300y until I added it up later.
The bike was great. But before the bike we got to see JM's little A practice for her 1st tri next weekend :) And I got a laugh when she kept asking her time. Guess the focus on numbers goes way beyond just me.
IT and I joined another member on a "guided" bike tour, KD lived in the area and new the good hills. Like a drug dealer.
We rode out of Babler onto roads I wasn't familiar with, and this was the best part--I didn't know what to expect, what kind of hill was coming up, or how much rest I'd get. But I followed KD's shifting carefully, he knew the roads and I figured he was preparing for any inclines. I started off slow, but knew I'd warm up soon enough.
Unlike yesterday today was cool. I hate to complain flip flop style, but it was almost too cool! This was good, it helped me recover from yesterday.
The first hill was Babler Forest, aka Chocolate Hill, described as : Babler Trails Road - (.25 mile, 190 feet of ascent, 14.39% average grade, 20.5% max grade)
- This is one climb you may have unknowingly passed countless times if you regularly ride
out Wildhorse Creek Road to Ossenfort. Just before you reach the Wildhorse-Ossenfort fork,
Babler Trails Road will appear on your right. The innocuous entrance to this quiet neighborhood offers no clue as to the major bump in the road that lies dead ahead. This climb is long, straight, and unforgiving. Cyclists heading out to St Albans who get their heart rate up in anticipation of Ossenfort hill should consider scaling this one. It will change their perspective of the minor climb known as Ossenfort Hill. Additional note: To throw in a little confusion, along the climb the road changes names to Babler Forest. -
Long good hill. No chocolate, just a turn-around and back down.
Next hill...some winding through new roads...passed some buffalo on Bassett road...and off to St Albans. It was 0.7miles long, and how do I know this? I checked my Garmin, which I found to my dismay has been OFF to this time. NUTS!!!
Next hill was Melrose. I've heard people talking about this hill, but I didn't know where it was. Turns out I do--I just didn't know the name of it. It's the hill just out of St Albans: Melrose Road - (First Climb- .33 mile, 156 feet of ascent, average grade 8.86 %, max grade 14.5%) - Second Climb- .34 mile, 136 feet of ascent, average grade 7.57%, max grade 15%) - The hills of Wildwood are man. An immensely popular one is Melrose Road starting just around
the corner from the entrance to Rockwood Reservations near Hwy 109. While not the steepest
nor the longest hill in west county, this is actually a double-tiered ascent which will still put a
distinct burn in the legs. Once crested, the first plateau is but a two-thousand yard respite before the road points back up again. If the first climb didn't reduce you to spinning your small chain ring, the second one probably will. When ridden from the opposite direction (i.e. from Six Flags) the combination of hills offers two blazing descents that can be taken full out. - Melrose Road & Glencoe Road, Wildwood, Mo
That wasn't so bad, actually kinda enjoyed it.
Next hill wasn't on the maps. At least I havent found it yet. What a GEM. Oh, a JEWEL of a hill. We were almost at a complete stop at the bottom, then this WALL of a hill. Oh sweet d-lish. This one was tough. I ended up standing. I also tried weaving a bit. IT was seated the whole way up, wow.
There were other hills in between, but those were the biggies. Lots of little climbers that needed a granny gear, but since they weren't named so I can't comment on them.
What a great ride! I know some of these roads, but for the most part this was on unfamiliar roads. When we got back to the parking lot, IT and I took a look at the Bird. I was worried that I had to stand on some of today's hills, and these hills were Savage. Turns out the Bird only as a 12-23!!! Off to BShark, hoping to find KJ. What luck, I did! He's going to get a 12-27 for the Bird sometime this week.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Saturday at Great Illini
RUN: 6 miles in about 54.5 mins. 9:05m/m pace
Friday was supposed to be a rest day, it was more of a restless day. Didn't sleep in much, got to work late, spent a few useless hours at work, left for home, spent a few useless hours at home, then left for Mattoon for the GI race. Originally I was going to camp, luckily JB had space in her hotel room. I wasn't ready to camp. Just not ready.
Good sleep Friday night, got up early Saturday. Why the details? I'm trying to piece together this persistent case of The Stupids I've been having for about 2 weeks now. Had a banana, some fake peanut butter, 2 cups of coffee, then off to the race!
Munched on grapes and trail mix. But no water. I waited on the swim, saw everyone off on the bike, then went for a run. The day was hot, but no hotter than days all this summer long. The run started off great. I recognized many features from my race here 3 years ago in 2008. Especially the long boring stretch after the 1st turn. Flat, featureless. Long. But I let my mind wander. My HR was good in the 145 range.
Time went on. The day seemed to get hotter. I passed the aid stations and refused water, not wanting to take water from runners later. But this got me thinking. Water. How much water did I drink this morning? Two cups of coffee.. and that's it. Really?
I still haven't learned this lesson?
I hit the turn-around and by this point my HR was climbing slowly into the 155 range. Time went on. The road was rough and the tar soft. Time went on. The HR went up. The lead runners appeared on the course, they looked energetic. I didn't feel energetic. And my HR went up into the 175 range. Classic textbook example of dehydration. Pace stayed the same. Elevation stayed the same. Effort went up. HR went up.
Damn it.
The rest of the day was a bit of a struggle to focus. I came home around 4pm in a bit of a daze, a combination of the long drive, fatigue, and Stupids.
Friday was supposed to be a rest day, it was more of a restless day. Didn't sleep in much, got to work late, spent a few useless hours at work, left for home, spent a few useless hours at home, then left for Mattoon for the GI race. Originally I was going to camp, luckily JB had space in her hotel room. I wasn't ready to camp. Just not ready.
Good sleep Friday night, got up early Saturday. Why the details? I'm trying to piece together this persistent case of The Stupids I've been having for about 2 weeks now. Had a banana, some fake peanut butter, 2 cups of coffee, then off to the race!
Munched on grapes and trail mix. But no water. I waited on the swim, saw everyone off on the bike, then went for a run. The day was hot, but no hotter than days all this summer long. The run started off great. I recognized many features from my race here 3 years ago in 2008. Especially the long boring stretch after the 1st turn. Flat, featureless. Long. But I let my mind wander. My HR was good in the 145 range.
Time went on. The day seemed to get hotter. I passed the aid stations and refused water, not wanting to take water from runners later. But this got me thinking. Water. How much water did I drink this morning? Two cups of coffee.. and that's it. Really?
I still haven't learned this lesson?
I hit the turn-around and by this point my HR was climbing slowly into the 155 range. Time went on. The road was rough and the tar soft. Time went on. The HR went up. The lead runners appeared on the course, they looked energetic. I didn't feel energetic. And my HR went up into the 175 range. Classic textbook example of dehydration. Pace stayed the same. Elevation stayed the same. Effort went up. HR went up.
Damn it.
The rest of the day was a bit of a struggle to focus. I came home around 4pm in a bit of a daze, a combination of the long drive, fatigue, and Stupids.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Fast Thursday run--10K PR if I could count that!
RUN: 6.5 miles in 55 mins. 6.2 miles in 50:5?
After last nights sufferfast, I made some resolutions to improve my nutrition, hydration, and recovery. Meals for me lately have been just grabbing what's ready to eat. No cooking or baking or prepping. Just wash, peel, eat type of stuff. While this means I'm eating lots of fruit, veggies, cheese, nuts, etc, it also means I'm not able to track good, accurate numbers. And there's no satisfaction to munching half a jicama, a block of string cheese, a microwaved egg, some cucumber, etc... And hydration suffers when I'm tired. I just don't have the energy to walk down the hall to my water bottle!
As for sleep, I had the weirdest dream last night, and I'll swear I've either had it before or I've dreamed about the same thing before. Briefly, I was in a school or lab with my sister (not necessarily MO, but someone in my dream who I thought of as my sister) when I broke a glass vial containing a poison. I was working for someone to plant the vials, maybe? There were 2 vials, S-shaped and fragile. I knocked one over and got a whiff of the chemical inside. We ran out the door, I recognized a teach from grade school, and we dashed out into the woods trying to outrun the poison and anyone catching us. We jumped into a depression in the leaf-covered ground, in which there was a small body-sized sack on the ground. My sister climbed in, then I followed. Then I woke up in a white-walled building. I had the impression that I was transported somewhere either in the sky or in another dimension. Everything was white. My mind was fuzzed, I had trouble thinking or talking. I just kept thinking about all those people who died!
Anyway, there was a guy who met me and tried to calm me. He was quiet, calm, unperterbed. My arguments and fears were addressed with a light reply. I looked around and saw my pictures among others, and all had notes on them, designating some special assignment or ability. There were about 10 pictures, it was like these were pictures of the people doing work for this agency?!?
I was worried about the toxin, but this was the most calming place with the most calming person. I had nothing to worry about, nothing to fear. So nice.
Then I woke up, but I was still half in the dream. I continued to think on it, probably how I can recall it so well now. I decided to keep the feeling and the focus and clean feel of the dream for today.
Anway, back to the run. TS joined for his first group run. DC, LC, JM, and I went off the front and maintained a pace way faster than I thought I could after last night. My right calf cramped overnight and I kept waiting for that to flare up. But no, all good. Fast paces! Once warmed up we did 8 min/miles. Near 5.6 miles LC pointed out that this was a 10K PR for her, so when DC and JM paused for water we kept going. 6.2 miles in just under 51 mins. Or was it 52...?
Regardless, a fast run. Surprising after last nights pain and mental breakdown! Keep the focus, take care of food and water, and just get through the Savageman!
After last nights sufferfast, I made some resolutions to improve my nutrition, hydration, and recovery. Meals for me lately have been just grabbing what's ready to eat. No cooking or baking or prepping. Just wash, peel, eat type of stuff. While this means I'm eating lots of fruit, veggies, cheese, nuts, etc, it also means I'm not able to track good, accurate numbers. And there's no satisfaction to munching half a jicama, a block of string cheese, a microwaved egg, some cucumber, etc... And hydration suffers when I'm tired. I just don't have the energy to walk down the hall to my water bottle!
As for sleep, I had the weirdest dream last night, and I'll swear I've either had it before or I've dreamed about the same thing before. Briefly, I was in a school or lab with my sister (not necessarily MO, but someone in my dream who I thought of as my sister) when I broke a glass vial containing a poison. I was working for someone to plant the vials, maybe? There were 2 vials, S-shaped and fragile. I knocked one over and got a whiff of the chemical inside. We ran out the door, I recognized a teach from grade school, and we dashed out into the woods trying to outrun the poison and anyone catching us. We jumped into a depression in the leaf-covered ground, in which there was a small body-sized sack on the ground. My sister climbed in, then I followed. Then I woke up in a white-walled building. I had the impression that I was transported somewhere either in the sky or in another dimension. Everything was white. My mind was fuzzed, I had trouble thinking or talking. I just kept thinking about all those people who died!
Anyway, there was a guy who met me and tried to calm me. He was quiet, calm, unperterbed. My arguments and fears were addressed with a light reply. I looked around and saw my pictures among others, and all had notes on them, designating some special assignment or ability. There were about 10 pictures, it was like these were pictures of the people doing work for this agency?!?
I was worried about the toxin, but this was the most calming place with the most calming person. I had nothing to worry about, nothing to fear. So nice.
Then I woke up, but I was still half in the dream. I continued to think on it, probably how I can recall it so well now. I decided to keep the feeling and the focus and clean feel of the dream for today.
Anway, back to the run. TS joined for his first group run. DC, LC, JM, and I went off the front and maintained a pace way faster than I thought I could after last night. My right calf cramped overnight and I kept waiting for that to flare up. But no, all good. Fast paces! Once warmed up we did 8 min/miles. Near 5.6 miles LC pointed out that this was a 10K PR for her, so when DC and JM paused for water we kept going. 6.2 miles in just under 51 mins. Or was it 52...?
Regardless, a fast run. Surprising after last nights pain and mental breakdown! Keep the focus, take care of food and water, and just get through the Savageman!
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