Bumbles and Waddles

In the middle of my four night shifts, I got the hair-brained idea to go do a climbing ride. I went from my house out to Discovery Park then up to the Hilltop Cafe, a 1000 ft ascent up Hwy 21. Back down and then I went down the Hwy towards Federal Way, where there are two more smaller hills to climb. Then back home. Felt great–but i was pooped. Plus, I almost got hit by an idiotic car!

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 06/23/2008
• Time: 15:00:00
• Total Time: 2:45:00.00
• Distance: 40 miles
• Average Speed: 14.55 mph
• Ascent: 1,000 ft
• Descent: 1,000 ft

After working all night long, I ran from M58’s station to Mile Marker 0.0 where I met Kristy and Rafael. We went for a “slow” run. Slow is in parentheses because slow for them is uncomfortable for me. But I kept it up and finished pretty strong. I couldn’t keep a conversation, so I’m more than happy to call it a training run. They are great new friends!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 06/22/2008
• Time: 08:00:00
• Total Time: 00:49:42.00
• Distance: 6 miles
• Average Pace: 8:17.24/mile

I took Laci into the Camelsback Hills for her first MTB ride on her new bike. It was my first ride of the season since my bike needed some doctoring. It was 101 degrees, and we didn’t go very far coincidentally. But I remember why I love mountain biking so much! I can’t wait to go again.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 06/21/2008
• Time: 14:00:00
• Total Time: 1:00:00.00
• Average Speed: 4.5 mph

I love Boise! We have so many wonderful things and people here!

Ran 5 mi with Rafael and Sparky after rafting the Middle fork of the Payette. Wasn’t looking forward to it, but after I got started it wasn’t bad. It was hot and my body sure felt the heat, but I actually did pretty good. It was a harder pace for me, but I was still able to talk somewhat. I like these runs cause they make my push the pace.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 06/19/2008
• Time: 17:30:00
• Total Time: 00:42:47.00
• Distance: 5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:33.55/mile

Today I met Liz at my place and we biked out (against a headwind) to the EMI meeting spot. Wyatt and Ryan were supposed to meet me there–whoops, they changed their minds and didn’t bother to tell me. Boys!!! So, I packed up and biked down to the fairgrounds for the first FCA Endurance Criterium Series Race. Dum dum dum!!! My first race of any kind on a biike!!! Yippee! I got schooled, but I did enjoy myself. Its fun having a community of peeps that think like you do (kind of ) and enjoy the same thing that you do. Ryan did well, placing 7th. He is such a good racer; he looks like a pro to me. He is so patient with me. He did scold me yesterday, and I deserved it. I have a hard time taking criticism–I always have. My dad and I battled for years, and it took me a long time to just shut up and listen, instead of objecting to everything. I was able to get over that, but I have fallen on old habits now that I’m back into the habit of competing. I’m really, really going to try to be a better student!! After the race, me and Ryan stretched out our legs, going for an easy ride down the Greenbelt followed by some sprinting practice. Good day. And then, after all that, I got to go play Frisbee in the park!!!

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 06/18/2008
• Time: 16:30:00
• Total Time: 4:00:00.00
• Distance: 30 miles
• Average Speed: 7.5 mph

I met Carter Ryan and Wyatt for an “easy” morning ride after getting off the nightshift.  Bad for me, I stopped at my parent’s house on the way to drop off the reflective vests I’d borrow for the Relay.  While there, I PIGGGGED out on junk food.  I almost puked it back up.  Needless to say, I wasn’t my normal chipper self for the start of the ride.  After biking out to Eagle so Carter could branch off and go home, we went down to the Fairgrounds to practice turning, criterium style.  Ryan is an amazing teacher.  He is mine and Wyatt’s little guru.  He is so patient and kind, but quick to laugh his butt off when you mess up:).  He showed how we should stay as wide as possible and then dive in tight, avoiding overcorrecting and changing your flight path around the curve.  He pointed out that if you overcorrect in a peleton that is speeding by you, you’re bound to cause a pile-up.  I will do ANYTHING to keep from being the one that they all chase after threatening to dismember!  Inadvertently, i also got to work on my sprints too.  This crit will definitely humble me.  I barely survived today; I’m not sure how i will be able to keep up Wedsnesday.  Guess there’s no way to find out, except to try!!!

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 06/16/2008
• Time: 08:30:00
• Total Time: 3:00:00.00

I didn’t have a chance to blog on the crit til now, cause I had to do the Relay right after it.  The Crit was the first bike race I’ve ever seen.  I have my first race on Wednesday and I’m officially scared out of my mind.  I had no idea how different it is from a running race!  There’s so much that I don’t know.  It’s a small race that (I think) only a few will be there, so it should be a good virgin race for me.  Ryan, my biking guru, will be there too, so hopefully he will help me get everything straightened out.  There isn’t much chance that I will hang with the big girls this time and good odds my feet will be higher than my head at some point, and I’m sure Ryan will tease me about this for a long time.  Wish me luck!

Today me and 4 girlfriends did the Sawtooth Relay. It took us 11 1/2 hrs to complete the 62 mile course. It goes through the Sawtooth Mtns, one of the most amazing and beautiful sights you have ever seen!!!! I ran three legs. The first leg, labeled “Hard”, was a 5.97 mi run uphill. #2 was leg 6, “Very Hard”, a 1300+ feet ascent up Galena Summit–uggggggg—. The last leg I did was a 5 miler that was flat-ish to downhill and a killer.
The girls were incredible! We were crazy and dressed up 80’s style! Everyone kept asking for pictures with us. One guy even made a comment like, ” You guys make it worth us coming out and doing this” We really cheered up the crowds and relaxed the runners.
This race was the first one where my body felt great THE WHOLE TIME!!!! Near the end of my third leg, my body was tired and spent, but it felt like it was doing what it was supposed to be. I was tired from giving the race and my teammates my all, not because I was hurting or out of shape or just chickening out. My knees weren’t hurting, my form was great and I wasn’t shuffling. I now know what it means when you are truly in shape and you hit that runner’s high. It’s an amazing feeling being able to run and feel as if your body was actually meant to do it. I can’t even describe it!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 06/14/2008
• Time: 03:45:00
• Total Time: 11:00:00.00
• Distance: 62 miles
• Average Pace: 10:38.3/mile

After doing our sprints on the bike, I went to Shu’s and met up with the group. I ran with Sharon today. She’s 48. And she runs. She is gorgeous and looks great! She may just well become my new hero (along with Cathy! She’s my number one hero.) I felt great for the most part, but the end took it out of me. I definitely need to work on combining my runs/swims/bikes.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 06/12/2008
• Time: 17:30:00
• Total Time: 00:49:55.00
• Average Heart rate: 152
• Max Heart rate: 177
• Calories: 1032
• Distance: 5 miles
• Average Pace: 9:59/mile