I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
Till the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older and I'm getting older too
Written in 1975--the year I was born!-- and I heard it at least 3 times this week. I also heard this song coming home from the Last Chance race last fall.
And nice timing with the moon at perigee tonight. Accoding to The Wiki, "The size and brightness of an object follows an inverse-square law, which means that a full moon at perigee is 12% larger and 30% brighter than an average full moon". 123!!!!!!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The 2012 Vino Fondo: Almost the Mondo
BIKE: 7 and a half-ish hours, 113.7 miles, 11K feet of climbing!
I came into this ride with some fear about my knee. The last century ended with me in pain, and so I had to wonder what would happen this time when I hit the long miles again. Especially with all the hills!
This ride is so much fun! When I did it in 2010 with The Bird I think I claimed it was the most fun I'd ever had on a bike. I can say it again for 2012! I really do love these long rides in new areas, maybe I should look for more. BTW--reading the 2010 post was fun--all the things I learned that day, all the things I've learned since!
DC and I got there around 630, plenty of time to check in and saddle up. The ride didn't start until 830, so after a brief breakfast (none for me) we unloaded the bikes and prepped to ride. It's like preparing for battle. There are so many things that need to be in place--sunscreen, water bottles, clothing, foods, bike tools--it's well worth the time to check and double check. I can proudly say that I forgot nothing this weekend!
The plan was to take the ride slow, or at least I understood it that way. Then I found myself nearer the back of our group with everyone else long gone. Some riders I didn't see again until the return segment from Hermann. I took it easy, stopping to smell the roses so to speak, enjoying the countryside, the views, and the gorgeous day. I ignored the Negative Nan along the road with his cussing and plywood anti-cyclists signs. It takes a lot of hate to spend your morning that way. I didn't have time for it. Oh and have I mentioned yet that it didn't take long for the temps to hit 95F? Oh yeah. 95F. Mostly full sun, little to no wind. Just heat.
Surprisingly it didn't feel that hot to me. I would have guessed high 80's. Apparently I shouldn't be trusted for guessing temperatures.
The knee was tight in the first 20 miles. When we hit the first rest stop at 19 in Washington, I was worried. It was a somewhat painful tight feeling. It was worse at the stops and would loosed up again as I rode. I don't want to say it hurt, it wasn't quite pain. But it was there. And it was a lateral side tightness. It's not just treating this injury, I'm chasing it down!
We really didn't hit hills until the New Haven stop. From NH to Hermann was the best part of the ride--large rollers. Uphill segments so huge they got your attention, but down hill segments so fast that momentum pretty much took you right up. By this point it was just 5 of us: CP, TH, CM, CB, and me. On the hilly way into Hermann we saw other riders coming out, and they looked like they were suffering! We found out why soon enough.
Hermann was a cute little stop at a winery. Not something I'd enjoy doing on a weekend off, but I was sure happy to see it. Water, cut bananas, gels, bathroom, more sunscreen, and we were off again. We rode down a white-knuckler of a hill to get to the stop, now we had to go back up. And you know me, I'd rather go up a hill like that than go down it!
It looked Savage from the bottom but it was no Westernport Wall. Not even close. Frea did an awesome job on this hill (and the entire ride) and although at some points I'd wished I had The Bird, Frea wasn't a bad choice for today. One crank at a time, up, up, up, an over! My comrades were not so enthused about the hill.
There were so many moments I took snapshots in my head of: the color of the peonies, the road-side irises in white/purple and red/yellow, the ridge to Hermann with the cut rock and row of evergreens, the face of a hill when viewed from the crest of another...
What goes up, must come down, and we hit some doozies on the way back before a remarkably flat section. It was in this section that I started to Fuzz over and got some Stupids. I knew I needed some fast sugar! The home made infinit was working, just wasn't enough. Some caffeine maybe? Either way, we had 2 other riders near us and we pacelined a few miles with them before breaking up again. The next stop just couldnt come fast enough.
And when it did -- I took the gel equivalent of 3 caffeine shots. Zing! Suddenly I was in a grinning happy mood! I was the bouncy, yay for us rider, and I was the only one... CB and TH dropped out at that station leaving just me CM and CP. And CP was in a negative mood! He was talking about cutting the ride short and getting home earlier. But I wanted to finish...I was feeling OK.
For 5 minutes anyway. Then I wanted to quit. Then I wanted to finish. Then quit. Ah, long rides. How was I doing overall? My feet started to hurt. That burning pain at my 2nd and 3rd toes would wax and wane as we rode. I knew it would go away if I waited a few minutes, and it did, but when it came back YOW did it hurt. I was having trouble staying in aero, I think because just overall my body was tired. I started to get more Stupids, and at some point around mile 107 I was DONE. By that time we'd already cut the course to come home so I knew I just had to hang on a little longer.
Once finished, I was wiped but feeling good. All pains faded away, the mood improved, and although I didn't eat or drink much I was feeling great.
What could I have done differently to have hit 112 feeling stronger? Today's heat was a huge factor that drained me, and although I don't think CDA will be that hot I still wonder how I would have felt in better temps? We would have moved faster instead of being conservative, and then instead of being on the course 7.5 hours it would be closer to 6.5. The hills were another factor, I rode conservatively on each one knowing I needed to be ready to do it again.
Great learning experience! Frea is good to go on hills, my Boom-finIT is great stuff, my energy bars could use a little more fast energy, and best of all my knee held up to the challenge!
I came into this ride with some fear about my knee. The last century ended with me in pain, and so I had to wonder what would happen this time when I hit the long miles again. Especially with all the hills!
This ride is so much fun! When I did it in 2010 with The Bird I think I claimed it was the most fun I'd ever had on a bike. I can say it again for 2012! I really do love these long rides in new areas, maybe I should look for more. BTW--reading the 2010 post was fun--all the things I learned that day, all the things I've learned since!
DC and I got there around 630, plenty of time to check in and saddle up. The ride didn't start until 830, so after a brief breakfast (none for me) we unloaded the bikes and prepped to ride. It's like preparing for battle. There are so many things that need to be in place--sunscreen, water bottles, clothing, foods, bike tools--it's well worth the time to check and double check. I can proudly say that I forgot nothing this weekend!
The plan was to take the ride slow, or at least I understood it that way. Then I found myself nearer the back of our group with everyone else long gone. Some riders I didn't see again until the return segment from Hermann. I took it easy, stopping to smell the roses so to speak, enjoying the countryside, the views, and the gorgeous day. I ignored the Negative Nan along the road with his cussing and plywood anti-cyclists signs. It takes a lot of hate to spend your morning that way. I didn't have time for it. Oh and have I mentioned yet that it didn't take long for the temps to hit 95F? Oh yeah. 95F. Mostly full sun, little to no wind. Just heat.
Surprisingly it didn't feel that hot to me. I would have guessed high 80's. Apparently I shouldn't be trusted for guessing temperatures.
The knee was tight in the first 20 miles. When we hit the first rest stop at 19 in Washington, I was worried. It was a somewhat painful tight feeling. It was worse at the stops and would loosed up again as I rode. I don't want to say it hurt, it wasn't quite pain. But it was there. And it was a lateral side tightness. It's not just treating this injury, I'm chasing it down!
We really didn't hit hills until the New Haven stop. From NH to Hermann was the best part of the ride--large rollers. Uphill segments so huge they got your attention, but down hill segments so fast that momentum pretty much took you right up. By this point it was just 5 of us: CP, TH, CM, CB, and me. On the hilly way into Hermann we saw other riders coming out, and they looked like they were suffering! We found out why soon enough.
Hermann was a cute little stop at a winery. Not something I'd enjoy doing on a weekend off, but I was sure happy to see it. Water, cut bananas, gels, bathroom, more sunscreen, and we were off again. We rode down a white-knuckler of a hill to get to the stop, now we had to go back up. And you know me, I'd rather go up a hill like that than go down it!
It looked Savage from the bottom but it was no Westernport Wall. Not even close. Frea did an awesome job on this hill (and the entire ride) and although at some points I'd wished I had The Bird, Frea wasn't a bad choice for today. One crank at a time, up, up, up, an over! My comrades were not so enthused about the hill.
There were so many moments I took snapshots in my head of: the color of the peonies, the road-side irises in white/purple and red/yellow, the ridge to Hermann with the cut rock and row of evergreens, the face of a hill when viewed from the crest of another...
What goes up, must come down, and we hit some doozies on the way back before a remarkably flat section. It was in this section that I started to Fuzz over and got some Stupids. I knew I needed some fast sugar! The home made infinit was working, just wasn't enough. Some caffeine maybe? Either way, we had 2 other riders near us and we pacelined a few miles with them before breaking up again. The next stop just couldnt come fast enough.
And when it did -- I took the gel equivalent of 3 caffeine shots. Zing! Suddenly I was in a grinning happy mood! I was the bouncy, yay for us rider, and I was the only one... CB and TH dropped out at that station leaving just me CM and CP. And CP was in a negative mood! He was talking about cutting the ride short and getting home earlier. But I wanted to finish...I was feeling OK.
For 5 minutes anyway. Then I wanted to quit. Then I wanted to finish. Then quit. Ah, long rides. How was I doing overall? My feet started to hurt. That burning pain at my 2nd and 3rd toes would wax and wane as we rode. I knew it would go away if I waited a few minutes, and it did, but when it came back YOW did it hurt. I was having trouble staying in aero, I think because just overall my body was tired. I started to get more Stupids, and at some point around mile 107 I was DONE. By that time we'd already cut the course to come home so I knew I just had to hang on a little longer.
Once finished, I was wiped but feeling good. All pains faded away, the mood improved, and although I didn't eat or drink much I was feeling great.
What could I have done differently to have hit 112 feeling stronger? Today's heat was a huge factor that drained me, and although I don't think CDA will be that hot I still wonder how I would have felt in better temps? We would have moved faster instead of being conservative, and then instead of being on the course 7.5 hours it would be closer to 6.5. The hills were another factor, I rode conservatively on each one knowing I needed to be ready to do it again.
Great learning experience! Frea is good to go on hills, my Boom-finIT is great stuff, my energy bars could use a little more fast energy, and best of all my knee held up to the challenge!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Rest Day
And I was full of energy! Got packed up for the Vino. Hope my new home made infinIT and bars hold up to the test.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Fatigued Brick
BIKE: 25 miles in 1:35, loops in Fo Pa and on Wydown
RUN: 4 miles in 37 mins
Yay for being outside! Yay for sunshine, light breeze, green grass and trees, birds singing, honeysuckle, other runners and riders, and for being so blessed and healthy to be able to do this.
I got a late start but once the sun was out I started from work and did the ride, looping Fo Pa and using the extension on Wydown. The first loop had a tight left knee and my energy was flat. Given that I woke up to dead arms and back, I'd say I was doing pretty good. The second loop was better and more even. Wydown was a shooting gallery in the second loop--cars and construction everywhere--so I opted out of Wydown for the 3rd and shortest loop.
What a great ride, I saw IT after his 2hr run, I saw two female riders twice on Wydown, a saw people swerve for squirrels on the roadway who probably wouldn't serve for a bike...
The run was also a little flat, literally and figuratively. I chose a minimal-hills route past the skating rink to rest the feet from yesterday. And my energy was there but was only enough to get me through it. I had moments of "omg how will I do TTT in just 15 days?!?" but I need to keep in mind the taper and yesterday's long run. TTT weekend will be tiring, but I won't go into it tired. So I can do this.
I tested my homebrew Infinit today, a little too sweet but like a lemonade drink! I only tried half a bottle, I think I'm ready to move up to full test here once I knock the sweet down.
Then I wore my recovery tights to work all day. This isn't really new, what's new is that I only wore shorts over them. ;)
Just enjoyed the morning, loved being outside!!
8:18 of training since monday morning, time to shut down, rest, and ready for the Vino!
RUN: 4 miles in 37 mins
Yay for being outside! Yay for sunshine, light breeze, green grass and trees, birds singing, honeysuckle, other runners and riders, and for being so blessed and healthy to be able to do this.
I got a late start but once the sun was out I started from work and did the ride, looping Fo Pa and using the extension on Wydown. The first loop had a tight left knee and my energy was flat. Given that I woke up to dead arms and back, I'd say I was doing pretty good. The second loop was better and more even. Wydown was a shooting gallery in the second loop--cars and construction everywhere--so I opted out of Wydown for the 3rd and shortest loop.
What a great ride, I saw IT after his 2hr run, I saw two female riders twice on Wydown, a saw people swerve for squirrels on the roadway who probably wouldn't serve for a bike...
The run was also a little flat, literally and figuratively. I chose a minimal-hills route past the skating rink to rest the feet from yesterday. And my energy was there but was only enough to get me through it. I had moments of "omg how will I do TTT in just 15 days?!?" but I need to keep in mind the taper and yesterday's long run. TTT weekend will be tiring, but I won't go into it tired. So I can do this.
I tested my homebrew Infinit today, a little too sweet but like a lemonade drink! I only tried half a bottle, I think I'm ready to move up to full test here once I knock the sweet down.
Then I wore my recovery tights to work all day. This isn't really new, what's new is that I only wore shorts over them. ;)
Just enjoyed the morning, loved being outside!!
8:18 of training since monday morning, time to shut down, rest, and ready for the Vino!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
HTFU swim
SWIM: 1800y in 40 mins
This swim was after work and after the long run. I was worn out, wavering on going, and according to the DH getting crabby about it. I wanted to go if for nothing else to prove that yes I can swim after work (95% of the time I skip this workout!) and yes I can swim tired.
There was only 1 lane for lap swimming, an aerobics class, and multiple swim lessons. The noise in the pool was a shock after weeks of quiet mornings. But once my head was under water the noise was gone and it was just me and the sound of blowing bubbles.
I was tired. Oh man was I tired. My arms did not want to hold what little form I do have.
And after this morning's long run, my ankle was not the happiest camper. Painful, maybe a 2/3 out of 10, but nothing to stop me. Dr H agreed that these are normal pains to be having.
This swim was after work and after the long run. I was worn out, wavering on going, and according to the DH getting crabby about it. I wanted to go if for nothing else to prove that yes I can swim after work (95% of the time I skip this workout!) and yes I can swim tired.
There was only 1 lane for lap swimming, an aerobics class, and multiple swim lessons. The noise in the pool was a shock after weeks of quiet mornings. But once my head was under water the noise was gone and it was just me and the sound of blowing bubbles.
I was tired. Oh man was I tired. My arms did not want to hold what little form I do have.
And after this morning's long run, my ankle was not the happiest camper. Painful, maybe a 2/3 out of 10, but nothing to stop me. Dr H agreed that these are normal pains to be having.
I found my ankle's current mileage limit
RUN: 12 miles in 1:57. Purposefully slow and easy, just getting time on the feet.
Today was fly day, and I still can't do that with the ankle yet, so I skipped Weds Masters. Then I goofed around the kitchen all morning (wasn't really goofing I guess, I did get two brochure drafts out...) to the point that I only had 30-40 mins to swim before I had to be running so I could get to my appt with Dr H on time.
Running or running late. I chose running. I fully intend to get to the pool later today. Ha!
I set out around 730 (running late!!) with the goal of doing an easy-breezy-lemon-squeezy 2hr run. No more than 2hrs and no more than 12 miles. Since last week's 90 min/10 miler is my current peak of long run mileage, this was pushing it. Sure it's just 2 more miles, but it's 30 more minutes.
I loopty looped around TGP. It was a gorgeous morning!! A bit warm too, as I was wiping salt off my face just 45 mins in. I had my Nathan bottle with NaCl, KCl, and lemon juice (this was good!) which meant I couldn't squirt water on my face at all. That would have burned!
Instead of sticking to easy flats and paths, I mixed it up to see what the ankle could handle on uneven surfaces and curbs. All good. I just gotta be mindful of putting the foot down flat.
I saw clubmate HAK! And a woman walker with a Can You Dig It shirt. And a heavy women with a lean doggie and non-running clothes gasping for air while she jogged with the doggie. She got a huge Thumbs-Up from me!! I smiled to everyone and said Good Morning. Because it was a good morning!
My math got bad around mile 8. My feet started to hurt around mile 9. My left ankle Achilles started to act up around mile 10.5 on a hill. I re-routed to flats, but then the medial side of the ankle started to hurt around mile 11.8. Time to shut it down!
I got taped just 2hrs later, more knee and a different ankle tape to address the Achilles weakness I felt and the medial ankle pain. Both joints were unhappy, stiff, and kinda painful later. I found the limit of what my ankle is capable of. And with 16 days to Triple T, I think I'm in a good spot!
Today was fly day, and I still can't do that with the ankle yet, so I skipped Weds Masters. Then I goofed around the kitchen all morning (wasn't really goofing I guess, I did get two brochure drafts out...) to the point that I only had 30-40 mins to swim before I had to be running so I could get to my appt with Dr H on time.
Running or running late. I chose running. I fully intend to get to the pool later today. Ha!
I set out around 730 (running late!!) with the goal of doing an easy-breezy-lemon-squeezy 2hr run. No more than 2hrs and no more than 12 miles. Since last week's 90 min/10 miler is my current peak of long run mileage, this was pushing it. Sure it's just 2 more miles, but it's 30 more minutes.
I loopty looped around TGP. It was a gorgeous morning!! A bit warm too, as I was wiping salt off my face just 45 mins in. I had my Nathan bottle with NaCl, KCl, and lemon juice (this was good!) which meant I couldn't squirt water on my face at all. That would have burned!
Instead of sticking to easy flats and paths, I mixed it up to see what the ankle could handle on uneven surfaces and curbs. All good. I just gotta be mindful of putting the foot down flat.
I saw clubmate HAK! And a woman walker with a Can You Dig It shirt. And a heavy women with a lean doggie and non-running clothes gasping for air while she jogged with the doggie. She got a huge Thumbs-Up from me!! I smiled to everyone and said Good Morning. Because it was a good morning!
My math got bad around mile 8. My feet started to hurt around mile 9. My left ankle Achilles started to act up around mile 10.5 on a hill. I re-routed to flats, but then the medial side of the ankle started to hurt around mile 11.8. Time to shut it down!
I got taped just 2hrs later, more knee and a different ankle tape to address the Achilles weakness I felt and the medial ankle pain. Both joints were unhappy, stiff, and kinda painful later. I found the limit of what my ankle is capable of. And with 16 days to Triple T, I think I'm in a good spot!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I missed the workout!
BIKE: 27 miles, 90 mins. Indoors because of rain.
A few weeks ago, TH and CP were talking about this awesome workout, some anaerobic threshold blood and guts sweat fest that TH just finished. CP promised it was coming up on my schedule.
So when I woke up to plan my bike ride, saw the rain, decided to stay indoors, did I go to TP.com to look at what was on my schedule? No! So when I looked later and saw that I "missed" the work out I couldn't believe I didn't look it up....
Goodbye April...Hello May!
A few weeks ago, TH and CP were talking about this awesome workout, some anaerobic threshold blood and guts sweat fest that TH just finished. CP promised it was coming up on my schedule.
So when I woke up to plan my bike ride, saw the rain, decided to stay indoors, did I go to TP.com to look at what was on my schedule? No! So when I looked later and saw that I "missed" the work out I couldn't believe I didn't look it up....
Goodbye April...Hello May!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)