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Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
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9:55 pm - My actual first CapTexTri
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After getting rained out two years ago,and having a not-so-fun volunteer experience last year, I only signed up to do anything related to CapTex 2009 due to one Kirk Offel.
Last year my friend at work Hans told me about Kirk and his cause. I became an informal "mentor" to Kirk (and I guess, ultimately the team). This year, the pressure's on - they want me to join The Team. And one of the races they wanted to take 'by storm' was CapTex. Kirk is a Navy vet and it makes sense that he'd want to have CapTex be a big "awareness" event for the cause of Sarcoma.
Well about 2 weeks ago I got news that my right knee will need some arthroscopy in the near future (AFTER DANSKIN!!!!!!) so I told Kirk I'd be glad to be the cyclist on an Olympic relay team. He paired me with one Doug (I've done IronMan Coeur d'Alene) Thompson for the swim and Karen (I got three kids, and I'm a badass runner) Ayala. Sweet.
We met each other for the first time in the vestibule of Palmer Events Center on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, we were in line behind some poor sap whose team didn't know the whole team had to be present to pick up packets.. well.. uh.. WE DID! so, could you let us through please????
Karen's hubby was doing the sprint (not relay) and they had a committment later in the day, so we wanted to get packet pickup underway so they could see where I'd rack Buzz Yellabike. Well, there are only two racks for Olympic Relay. One at the very last row closest to the lake, and one on the very last row across from the path from the other rack..
Doug followed me to transition to see where the bike was (which was the most important anyway, since I gotta get the chip from him). We somehow lost Karen. But I figured we'd see each other at the tent in the morning.
I arrived about 6am on race day at TxDOT parking lot and thought, "where is everybody"??? So I re-parked about 4 times, finally picking a really primo spot under a tree just behind the strip joint.
Indeed it was a good place cause when I came back later, it was in total shade............
I loaded up the TriZones cooler with icepack and two bottles of gatorade endurance for the bike as well as a water bottle, and my sling chair (race starts at 7:00, Olympic Relay goes off at 8:30.. thought I'd put my feet up) and the 2008 RiverCities Awesome custom-embroidered tribag containing my bike pump, helmet, sunscreen, phone, paper towels, hand sanitizer, bandaids, spare goggles (even though I'm NOT SWIMMING), and extra electrolyte powder mix.
Made my way to the transition area (where I turned my back to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) triman so he could see my helmet with number!!) so I could pump up my tires, put down my "never kissed a frog.. never had to" tri towel with my bike shoes, Texas Iron socks and road id on it, and wipe off my rear view mirror and bike computer, then put the two bottles of gatorade endurance on the bike cages. I wandered through transition and found Coach Jen so went to say hi to her.
Went back to VFS tent to hang out. I knew Sarah R was supposedly working in bodymarking. I went over to the tent, but she wasn't there... dang.. Karen, my runner arrived and I explained how we'd exchange the timing chip. Went back to bodymarking tent. Still no Sarah..... whipped out my own sharpie and marked myself while talking to Karen at our team tent and putting on sunscreen (our photographer got a lovely pic of this)
Soon saw Bets walking by on her way to Sprint transition (I also saw her last year! cool to see your friends again and again). I am truly amazed at her "pre-race" meal. she was holding a bagel with what appeared to be chunky peanut butter on it, and a can of diet coke. DIET COKE?!?! BETS!!! you have a cast iron stomach!!! and you seemed so calm about all of this.. (more on Bets later.........)
I saw Heather and she so tried to find me a Water Monster to fill up my waterbottle! Heather was out there solely to cheer for us, that is truly awesome!!Karen & I walked down to swim start and ran into Amber and Rob, stopped to visit for a bit, then wandered down to water where I saw Kendra "meditating" on the ground. I can't really get on/up from the ground so bent over to talk to her. Chris was already in the water, but I knew Kendra was a strong swimmer. Just passing the time............Karen's hubby was getting in line to do the sprint so we went back to team VFS tent for a bit.. very soon we went to transition and not too long after 9:00 heard Doug yell, "ANNETTE!!" so I grabbed the chip/strap, put it on left ankle and ran the bike out of transition. that rocky/bumpy transition. It took FOREVER till I got to the mount line. Then it was time to rock 'n roll. Up 1st street, right on CC.. HEY!!! THERE's NIKKI!!! Thanks!!! Congress Ave will now be known to me as the Wind Tunnel. Saw Amber again as I approached the Capitol. Mentally it was kinda weird, since previously all the events I've done that approach the Capitol from the south were running races. Then after you turn right onto 11th, it's an uphill... then SanJac.... ready for downhill? had some gatorade?? CHECK!!! fly at 30mph down SanJac.................. U-turn, and back up... ugh.. do it all again.. I think it was on 2nd loop that Bets passed me.... I saw trichelle just before I had to head south on 1st for the u-turn.
last few loops, the police let people cross in front of us (hey, can't you see we're climbing here??) on SanJac. I didn't think I'd like the loop course (due to USAT rules, which, at this race are a MOOT POINT), but actually it felt like some kind of NASCAR racing. I really enjoyed it!!
Handed off chip to Karen who really smoked the 10k run!!
We even made the front page of today's Austin American Statesman.After we were done, there is evidence that although I raced under VFS jersey, I was ringing a TriZones cowbell for one of my teammates!! 
Finally saw Sarah R after I finished, who said she'd be reassigned to water safety.. probably where they needed most help. Thanks Sarah......
current mood:  ecstatic
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| Friday, May 8th, 2009
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1:32 pm - Hello LJ
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It's been a very long time. Right knee is giving me fits, I went and had MRI done but can't get in to see Dr. Spears to go over results till 5/19. In the meantime, I'm not running. We did a nice little 16 mile ride out Parmer last night - it was designed to get the Danskin Mentors and Mentees out. Ten Mentors showed and one mentee! I hope we didn't intimidate her too much! Tomorrow is brick workout at Lake P-ville and Sunday I'm volunteering at Rookie. Another bizzzzzzy weekend.
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| Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
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10:16 pm - it's April now
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I ran a marathon in Feb and did a few workouts in March.
Apr 1 I ran about 2 miles.
Apr2 I did nothing except pickup Zooma packet. I can't run Zooma since I've had a sinus infection for 2 weeks and cause Steve got us tix for Leonard Cohen in Grand Prarire tomorrow.
But -- it's tri training season again and I will get with it!!!
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| Friday, March 6th, 2009
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5:44 pm - It's March already?
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At least I FINALLY got into a pool on the last day of February:
Swim: 1600meters
Bike: 75 miles
Run: 65.5 (most of which was a marathon!)
not doing so well so far this month, it's been crazybusy at work. Managed to ride 43 windy miles with friends on Sunday and Wed evening was brick workout training - about 7 miles of cycling (on trainer) and 1.5 miles of running.
I was going to run after work tonight but here it is nearly 6pm again. And my tummy hurts. So I guess I will rest one more day till the big Pedal thru the Pines tomorrow. I'm hoping for slightly less wind, please!!!!
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| Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
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12:37 am - it's that time...
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| Saturday, February 14th, 2009
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5:20 pm - It's really gonna happen!
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I went to pick up my packet yesterday afternoon and the line was waaaay long. Since doughnut_girl's inspirational hubby was on the stage talking, I decided it was way more worth my while to listen to him than stand in that long line. A few min after I sat down, I saw her go sit in the front row so I improved my position, sat down next to her and kinda waved my "hello". When he was finished, she took me over to personally shake his hand and he gave me a big hug! And so did she! I wandered back to get my packet and from behind me I heard "Annette!" and it was Kasey. I got another hug. We talked about being nervous first-timers, etc. and parted after we got our bags. I wandered around with the express purpose of seeing just how many people I know would also be there. I saw Coach Tracy (more hugs!) and went by HCRC to say hi to Fish, Jamie and Coach Kim. Tracy L from the women's group was there with her two kids. Said hi to Stacy and Dan at the Jack and Adam's booth. Visited for a few min with Tina, a former Team Leader with our TZ North group (she is a police officer and was stationed at the exit of the "official merchandise" shopping area). Eventually went by the ARC booth to visit a bit with Leilani.
With all those hugs how can I go wrong? After I left the expo, I decided to drive the south end of the course since it had changed since the training run I did long ago. Of course, there was an accident with an ambulance right at the corner where I had to turn onto Krebs. But I managed and as I was stuck in traffic down there, I noticed they'd given me a large tshirt. Probably the first time I never checked the shirt out before leaving packet pickup. But oh well, I was still in the area, so I figured as I got back up 1st street I'd park at one texas center and go exchange it. So that's what I did. Tracy was STILL wandering around!
This morning I did my 2.5 mile "Easy" run, am all cleaned up (and now off my feet) and prepared. Took a couple pix for the record:
current mood:  nervous
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| Friday, February 13th, 2009
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12:47 pm - It's packet pickup day!!
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woo hoo!!! I did my prescribed 45 min run (as repeats of 1/2 mile run, followed by 2 min of walking/swigging water) on Tuesday and Wednesday was women's group. We only had to run the 6 flights of stairs two times. I was still a little sore yesterday so I'm taking TWO days off till my little 30 min easy jog tomorrow morning. I've got 7 podrunner mixes of D J Steveboy on the ipod and I see there is a new one today that I might add although 165bpm will be a little faster than my feet will likely be turning over. So I'll put it at the end of the playlist. Or not worry about it till later (like, when I go out for a "Short" 6 mile run!).
the gels and thermolytes are laid out, the bandaids and bodyglide in a ziploc bag, the nutrition/hydration plan is printed (now with locations of cowbelling friends!), the shoes are aired out (I stepped in a puddle Wednesday night), the water bottle is washed, the clothes picked out and I'm as ready as I'm likely to be. I hope a few brave souls are around to see me when I finish - I'm not expecting anything sooner than 6 hours because the longest run was the 20 miler on Jan 11. Since then the longest run I've had was only 9 miles (but it followed a day of 6.5, and the day before that was 8).
Hope all my friends have a great race. If the forecast holds, the weather shouldn't be too darn bad.
current mood: excited
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| Monday, February 9th, 2009
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3:55 pm - Countdown to the marathon.....
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I can't believe I'm writing this. ME?? running a marathon? Last week I had conflicts early in the week and couldn't get in a run and on Wednesday afternoon I went to see my new GP doctor. We had a very productive visit and I left feeling like at least someone was listening! she's ordered a sleep study for me and some more labs, plus faxed in a prescription for ambien (which I was just informed is ready for me!). I got so excited thinking after my doctor's visit, I'd just pop over to Schlotzsky's, check the work email, change into workout clothes and meet the womens' group at the park. Cool! I got there like 30 min early and nobody was arriving.. what the heck? Finally at 6:25 I called Susan's phone but she didn't answer. Neither did she call me back... Finally at 6:45 I called Steve and asked him to check the women's group workout location. DUH! I was at the SUNDAY LONG RUN location.. Wednesday was supposed to be Balcones Pool.. silly me. And that was sort of in my neighborhood. By the time I did get to my neighborhood, it was like 7:15 so I just blew off that workout. darn it. I was all ready to go, too.
Thursday evening I couldn't run after work because I had to test some firmware before the end of day. That meant it was completely dark before I was done working.. I decided I'd try to run the equivalent of a marathon over the course of the weekend...
Friday I finally got out there. 8 miles after work-and the temp was pretty warm. Saturday, Steve and I had brunch at Hoover's north and later I ran 6.25 miles around the house (again, very warm!). I got to go to dinner as Mindy's guest for their annual "recognition" dinner, which was at 7:30 at Cannoli Joe's in far Southwest Austin. Mindy had to work till after 6:00, so I went to get her just before 7:00, and we headed down Mopac. We got caught in horrid traffic around the Lake Austin Blvd exit. Thinking it would clear up after we passed whatever wreck happened in front of us, we just kept creeping along. she had to call two of her friends who were already at the restaurant to tell them we were stuck in traffic. It took FOREVER to get to the 2244 exit, then Barton Skyway. THEN, we find out ALL THREE LANES of traffic had to exit at the lp 360/Barton Creek mall exit. Great. And I didn't realize you had to squeeze into the right lane to go straight at the light, so I had to turn left.
I was just glad to get out of the mess and figured I'd find the place eventually. We had to take back roads and such but eventually found ourselves on the backside of Toney Burger Center. Thank goodness I've lived here 25 years and knew what's what we were driving next to. It was probably 8:30 when we finally got there, but they were very nice to us, gave us drink coupons (I immediately ordered a glass of merlot) and the food was really good, even for buffet that was probably not "real fresh" when we arrived. I had to get up early the next day so had to rein in the food intake. I had one plate with salads and one with pastas. The desserts looked scrumptious but I had to pass on them. Mindy was so cute - she ordered a glass of white zinfandel for her first drink and a frozen margarita for the second (did I mention I was driving?).Since we were pretty much the "end of the party", the Great Clips owners came and sat with us and we had a really nice conversation. She's got a pretty good deal with them and they seem like they treat their employees more like family. Really enjoyed that outing and Mindy got a certificate for one year of service.
It was 11pm when I got home (yikes! I wanted to take a benadryl to help me get to sleep...) I had the running stuff already planned out (thank goodness!). Was probably close to midnight when I fell asleep, I woke up once and I guess I went back to sleep pretty easily cause the alarm had to wake me at 6:15. It was again pretty warm as I met the group - since this is the last long supported run before the marathon we all started at 8:00. Susan took a few pix and then we all took off. I kept Praveeta in my sights for about 2 miles, then she disappeared and I was all alone as usual. I got new earphones for the ipod - the kind that hook over your ears-and they had worked well for me.
Coach Kim had our first rest stop at Brentwood school (around mile 3), so I had my gu and water, then she was on White Rock around mile 6 so I had a clif shot & water. I knew the cutoff time was 90 min so I told her not to wait up for me, I'd run the last 3 miles "alone". So I did, it took me 2 hours to run that 9 muggy miles! Went home and saddled up "Buzz". Coach Cindy had concocted an informal bike ride starting at 1:00 at Lake Pflugerville. Windy?? you bet! Kim was there, newly ok'd to ride, and Coach Gina came from "south of the river" with her right knee braced up after the skiing incident.. We had quite a little group - two people I hadn't met before (Jeremy and Jennifer), Coaches Cindy and Gina, Kim, Carolyn, Vickie, Kenneth, Emmie and I took off on a modified "Pflugerville Tri bike course" 13 mile loop. WINDY??!! goodness.. it was just survival.. I was riding just behind Gina when the wind finally died down enough to talk to each other. Gina said,"I'm naming this the Bob Seeger Against the Wind ride!".. Gina, Emmie and Kim called it good after one loop and the rest of us went on for a second one. Cindy's friend Cynthia had showed up between the loops and they tacked on another 4 or 5 miles to their second loop. Me - after running 9 miles in the morning and riding 26 miles "against the wind", I was done.
on my way back home I called Steve and told him I was starving so we met for early dinner (I wiped off the top layer of salty sweat) at Casa Chapala. I like that place - unfortunately he'd eaten most of the excellent chips and custom mixed salsa before I got there!! oh well.. I had plenty of food with the mole negro. Steve ordered sopapillas so I was "obligated" to eat one of those also! When I got home and cleaned up and put things away and got the workout clothes in the washer, I had to smile to myself. I had a decent amount of sleep, I'd run and cycled like crazy and had two very nice dinners. What a weekend! now I have to be good till Sunday evening!
current mood:  mellow
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| Monday, February 2nd, 2009
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5:44 pm - blah........
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Well, I managed to do NO swimming again in the month of January. I cycled only 84 miles and ran 82. And I missed the long run again yesterday. I am sick of this insomnia. Literally. I've decided in the less-than-2-weeks left before Austin Marathon, I will take the drugs that my previous doctor prescribed, at least on nights when I simply can't spend 10 hours in bed to get 5 of sleep. I just don't see any other way for the short term. The last long run I did (if you can call it long) was 8 miles, the Thursday before 3M. Of course if I'd known I wasn't going to run 3M, I would have made that run even longer..
off to the ACA meeting now..
current mood:  cranky
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| Monday, January 26th, 2009
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12:45 pm - Thank you City of Austin..
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dammit!! I did a short (4 miles!) ride and 1.5 mile run Saturday, then had lunch with Steve and went to Academy to get a pair of knickers like Vickie told me about. Washed them, hung to dry and set about getting everything ready for Sunday morning.
Since the city of Austin had "upgraded" my electric meter earlier in the week I had to reset the clock & alarm. Well, apparently I set the alarm for 4:50PM!!!!!!! I woke up in the night and it was still dark but I have a rule that I don't look at the clock so as to not get freaked out. this was one time I SHOULD have looked (I felt okay and didn't have a headache, so I would have been okay to go then....) boohoo!!! I went back to sleep (which is strange in and of itself) and didn't wake till there was light coming through the windows. UH OH! I knew that meant it was after 7:00 and sure enough, it was 7:15.. If I was one of those people who can just fly out the door after putting my contact lens in and throwing on clothes, I would have done that. But it takes me an hour to get moving.. I toyed with the idea of driving to somewhere on Shoal Creek and joining the crowd but my conscience wouldn't allow me to do that...
I knew all my friends would be looking for me, so about 10:00 I called Coach Cindy and told her what happened so they wouldn't keep looking for me. She said I could still wear my shirt, so I am!! I also joined all the TZ gang at TacoDeli afterward. As if earned it.. they all said next time they'll set up a phone tree to make sure I wake up (which means I'll have to remember to take the phone upstairs to bed with me..) In the afternoon, Steve and I went to see Gran Torino. We enjoyed it a lot.
current mood: pissed off
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| Friday, January 23rd, 2009
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11:38 am - quick update
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ran 5 miles after work Wed and last night did 8 - but boy it felt like 20!!! it was still so warm when I started out (about 5:00, I think). I went home to soak in cold water and took an advil but for some reason I hurt all over.. weird.
Got one meeting from 2-3 on the afternoon calendar, then it's over to 3M for packet pickup. Tonight is the Markek Pre-3M Carb Fest. I have no idea what to bring, so maybe a bottle of that Ulupalakua Red...
I am so freaked out about how little sleep I'm getting - I may resort to drugs tonight because I know I won't sleep worth a crap Saturday night.
Today's ride to the office brightened my day a little - there was a guy on a mountain bike riding alongside me on Parmer and I noticed how he manuevered through the cones and debris to cross at Mopac. He was obviously dressed for work, plus the bike helmet. He had on a white shirt and tie, covered by a maroon apron! I never saw anybody ride a bike wearing an apron before! anyway, he's got my admiration for being brave enough to commute by bicycle in that part of town..
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| Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
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12:58 pm
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I did do my first hosted ride Saturday - two ladies training for their first MS150 showed up and we had a pretty good 30 mile ride. I ran 1.5 miles on the trail in the park afterward.
Sunday I should have done the long supported run with TxI, but I again suffered from the dreaded insomnia! dammit! and I never felt good the rest of the day to try and do my own long run. Basically I did a little core work, some housecleaning and that's about it. So the past two days I've felt incredible guilt for not running 20+ miles on Sunday. I was going to try and get in 12 yesterday afternoon, then some today, but got stuck in a staff meeting and it would have been dark before I even strapped on the Garmin. (I've had to forget about trying to work out before work due to the insomnia thing - I can barely get to work by 10 as it is..) I'm hoping like heck that the ht5p and whatever that amino acid (therine?? or something) start working between now and Saturday!
I've got the shoes and gear with me today so today I WILL get out there and run! Not sure how far I'll be able to go but hopefully 8 or so.. then if a miracle occurs and I get going in the morning maybe I can add a couple of loops around the house. Gotta be ready for 3M!!!
It's official! I just got email from the race director: Marble Falls Triathlon is July 19!!!!
( my 2009 calendar as it stands right now.. )
current mood: cranky
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| Friday, January 16th, 2009
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7:06 pm - I went to training for this.
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so tomorrow I get to have my very first Austin Cycling Association hosted ride. It'll probably not be ideal weather. The idea behind hosted rides is that many people (me included) express the dismay that you have to load your bike in the car, drive some distance/time and then ride your bike for a while. My policy has been "if I gotta drive farther than I intend to ride my bike to a ride, seems worthless". So I did something about it. I went to training to become an Austin Cycling Association hosted ride leader.
I created a 30 mile bike ride starting at WilCo regional park, that is on the ACA website as a hosted ride. It'll be cold tomorrow. Wear lots of layers.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/tx/-cedar-park/829867267445
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| Thursday, January 15th, 2009
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9:56 pm - Took a while..
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| Thursday, January 8th, 2009
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4:24 pm - not much to report
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Finally got a chance to view the video of the 20 miler on Sunday. The Good: I know those roads like the back of my hand. The Bad: the reason is because I've been RIDING MY BIKE out there.. (not running). Oh well, it's better than not knowing, I guess.
Tuesday I did a 5 mile run in 60 min after work (woo hoo). I actualy slept pretty well Mon and Tues nights. Last night, notsomuch, even after I took my H5tP and some other supplement, I woke up at 4:00. After about 30 min it was apparent I wasn't going back to sleep, so she told me to take two more of the (can't remember name) capsules. Well, it didn't help. I think I finally got a short nap sometime between 6:30-8:00. Ugh.
Wednesday although I had a severe headache (lack of sleep, perhaps??), I did manage to get over to Catherine's for our "Small group" bike trainer workout. I'm glad I went. Again didn't sleep so well, Cindy is at the house much of the time, and is sick. I'm obsessing about wiping off doorknobs with alcohol, etc. Last thing I need is to catch a cold just before Sunday.. Me and emergen-C have been right close buddies lately.. Had initial 1x1 with new boss today. I think as long as I do my job and don't screw up, she'll be okay with me - and she came out and said that. I know she's the type that doesn't bullshit, so I got that going for me ;-) today's supposed to be swim/water run. I haven't swum a stroke since Hawaii. I refuse to put on a swimsuit till I'm below 180.
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| Monday, January 5th, 2009
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1:39 pm - It's 2009
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December totals were pretty abysmal, bike 36 miles, run 55.35 miles.
2008 totals: Bike 86 hours (1416 miles), Run 74 hours (355.5 miles), swim 22 hours (39470 yd). There were a few hours of elliptical and core training also due to not being able to run for the first few months.
I guess the "good" is that I can say I did an average of at least 30 min per day of SOMETHING.
the "bad" is that I spent most of the year feeling like crap, gaining weight and battling insomnia. It is so bad that I've missed 3 Sundays in a row of the supported long runs. Finally got in to see Dr. Romy but the lab she called my prescriptions into says they don't have them. I sure hope I'm not in for another situation like with Dr. Wiseman's clinic.. at least I'll be getting back on Armour Thyroid, and am hoping that will help me drop a few pounds before I tackle my very first Marathon...
Managed to more or less start off the new year well:
1/1 - trainer workout at Catherine's - 10 miles
1/2 - run, 3 miles
1/4 - run, 17.3 miles (A new record -- my previous Longest Run was 15 miles and that was two years ago)
so I think I'll be able to "survive" the 20 miler on Sunday. It won't be pretty, fun or painless but at least I can quit losing sleep over THAT. The 3M Half Marathon will seem like a piece of cake after THAT distance..
I've got a new "team" affiliation - although I am not officially training "with" them, I did help support them last year during their first year of triathlon, and might show up at some events this year wearing their jersey: Veterans for Sarcoma.
current mood:  tired
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| Saturday, December 27th, 2008
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2:19 pm - whole lotta nothin
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I SHOULD be working on my self-assessment for Dell but technically we're on vacation. I hate creating LIWF anyway. My right knee decided to start acting up again. Dammit. I missed the Dec17 women's group workout (my digestive tract had been actingup all day), then I missed the long Sunday run because I think I caught whatever my coworker had (he missed Mon-Wed as sick days, then came in Thursday - nice, huh?). In the meantime I re-discovered exercise DVDs. I had ordered a couple from Amazon, and figured even though I felt kind of crappy, I could manage a 35-40 min workout. Strange how I didn't record those - it's weird that I feel like that type of workout "doesn't count", although they were certainly good and challenging workouts. So I thought I'd be in pretty good shape for my 3 mile run in the afternoon of Dec. 25. It wasn't too terrible, I guess but my mind plays games with me "you'll have to run that, PLUS 10 or 11 more next Sunday". And my weight keeps climbing. I finally (I hope!) get to see Romy on Tuesday. And after years of hearing my primary care doctor tell me "I've tested your thyroid, it's fine", I got my own test results from healthcheckusa and my TSH is 4.848. The results came with a little slip of paper saying my thyroid results were abnormal. Seriously, I've spent most of 2008 feeling like crap, and for no good reason. The PCP kept telling me it's either menopause or I'm eating too much. The past few weeks have been so difficult - I'd say bordering on depression. So hard to keep going when it seems like there isn't any improvement. If Dr. Romy can at least get me on thyroid medication, that will be a step in the right direction.
Went over to Carolyn & Tom's on christmas eve -- 6 of us donned blinky lights and rode our bikes about 5 miles around their neighborhood to look at lights. Other than that, I did a 9 mile "trainer" ride this afternoon while watching "the Great Escape". Hope tomorrow's long run is not a disaster. I've registered for the 20 miler and 3M Half Marathon, so I have to do it!!!
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| Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
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3:45 pm - eeyore type of day
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sure is wonderfully gloomy! I was wondering why I couldn't get anyone from Intel to call me or even email me when I mentioned, "well, maybe they don't have any power".. and sure enuff a quick search of Oregon news said they're having a heck of a winter storm right now and lots of places are without power..
But on a happier note, Happy Birthday tripam !! (I hope it's happy anyway!)
We had a lovely yoga class at HCRC Thursday. This was good in that I needed it. This was bad in that muscles I forgot I had are STILL hurting..
Sunday morning's long run was really difficult. We ran most of the northern half of the Austin Marathon course. I didn't have much trouble remembering where to turn off Shoal Creek cause I knew Tracy was running White Rock! I guess the first 'negative' was it was too hot and way too humid, even though I started at 6:55am. I had also made the drive to Marble Falls Saturday afternoon (1 hr 15 min driving) to see my brother in law and 10 year old niece in "Fantasy Nutcracker" (2 1/2 hours of sitting) following by driving back home (1 hr 15 min). That's about 5 hours of sitting on my ass. Didn't get home till 10:30. Note to self: don't try that again when you have to get up at 5:15 the next day for the 3 hour run. Jamie had me leave before everyone else which was fine, I was going to suggest that anyway, and it didn't take long for Praveeta to catch up to me out on 35th and pass me just before crossing Mopac. Running up Jackson, several others passed me by, Diana and someone I recognize by sight but CANNOT remember her name! hopefully she'll be at the party Friday and I can embarrass myself by asking her again. A few blocks later, I heard Susan's distinctive voice telling a story about some race she'd done when a guy got sick after eating a fried Hostess pie. She said, "I didn't know they made those anymore!" Leary and trichelle and the rest of that pack whizzed by me. Pretty soon Amber went by and she fell into step with another lady up ahead. Finally, out on Hancock Tracy passed me on the left. I said, "oh, you are here after all!" and she replied that she showed up at the last minute, turning the corner on two wheels to the starting point.. Fish and Jamie had our "rest stop" over on White Rock so I stopped to get water to wash down my hammer gel.
There were lots of other folks out running also (probably another training group) but they were all running the opposite way.. weird. I really needed a bathroom stop so had already planned to check out whether the bathrooms at the ballfield behind Gullett were open. No need. There was a strategically placed porta potty just behind home plate. It's lonely at the back of the pack.. sigh.. I had spent probably 2 hours Sat afternoon loading up some podrunner mixes, charged the ipod and had it sitting by the Garmin. I remembered to take it Sunday but when Jamie told me to take off I realized.. duh.. an ipod is not much good without headphones.. so I stuffed it back into the trunk before I started the run. Long about the time I crossed Burnet Rd., I was really wishing I'd gotten more sleep, the run was getting painful. Fish and Jamie met me on Morrow before the turn onto Woodrow and said they'd gotten kicked out of the gas station parking lot. they wanted to make sure I knew where to turn so they said there's a sign that says "happy birthday jesus". I took a gu and washed it down with water and refilled my gatorade bottle. Steve lives over in that 'hood and if they'd just said to turn by Crestview Minimax, that would have made it obvious to me where to turn. I had to consult the map at Romeria but that didn't take too long. Final "rest stop" where I had my 3rd gu and water was on Guadalupe (intramural fields). Going south on Guadalupe there was a bit of a headwind, and I was really really really ready to be done. I walked a little. and I walked some more crossing over mopac. That sidewalk isn't very wide and it freaks me out a little to run on it above Mopac (that plus I knew it was windy - even though it'd take LOTS of wind to knock me over). Finally, I came down that last hill on Exposition and heard someone (Leary?) say, "Go Annette!". Man, that was a painful 13+ mile run.. Fish asked what else I was doing later and advised me to "take it easy". I stayed behind a loooooooong time to stretch. Headed way down south to take some clothing to Cindy, then back up mopac to Steve's to shower and head over to see the Lady Horns play Tennessee. although the score was 31all at halftime, the Lady Horns managed to win it.
I haven't done any more working out since Sunday! that seems to be the theme anymore - after a long run my body seems to require at least 2 days off.. we have TxI women's group tonight, meeting at HCRC for that. I really want to go home and take a nap instead..
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| Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
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12:06 am - running-uh 13.1 miles
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| Sunday, November 30th, 2008
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4:41 pm - 'bout time I wrote in here..
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I had the best of intentions. I really planned to follow the prescribed workout schedule. But with my colleague out and me taking VUTO next week, I didn't do the Tuesday workout and my Wed workout did not follow the 'plan'. I did, however, go on a 24 mile bike ride Wednesday after work. I couldn't convince anybody to join me, but off I went to Berry Springs Park on my own. As luck would have it, a nice gentleman in a yellow jersey noticed I was about to embark on a ride, so he accompanied me. Ralph occasionally also rides with the Cyclopaths, lives in Georgetown, and knows those roads like the back of his hand. We got going about 4:00, but had to haul buns to ride before sundown. I hadn't really figured in the cloud cover being a concern of early sunset. As we were heading back, we were treated with the most gorgeous sunset, the two of us riding along looking over plowed fields. I thanked him for getting us back safely (my route would have taken us on 971, which has no shoulder, and it was getting pretty dark by then!), and hoped his wife wouldn't be angry if he was late!
Thursday was the always-fun Turkey Trot (new route this year), but it was a little warmer than I would have liked! (and let's not talk about the parking situation) I met up with some of the TriZones crew beforehand, met Kenneth's parents and Red's "new dog", Kona. Kona was making all kinds of new doggie friends! Pretty soon triman appeared and we exchanged Happy Thanksgiving hugs. Kenneth and Cindy were rarin' to go and Kim said she'd like to run with me (!). It was her first "race" since the bike crash. About the only friend missing was Emmie. She'd emailed that she was going to stay home to do family stuff. Kim and I started off very slowly (well, that IS my race pace!), we saw Michelle cheering from the sidelines and we settled into a fairly comfortable pace. My sunglasses kept fogging up! We stopped and walked thru all the water stops, which I Was glad for because I needed the water to splash on my face/neck. I hadn't run since the previous Sunday, and it showed. So we ran/walked pretty darn slow. Over near Windsor, we came up on triman again and Kim hastily explained her injury as we ran down the hill. After we finished I went in search of a banana, but only got half! Caught up with IP Maggie, triman again (where Kim went into more explanation about the bike crash), hung out with Coach Tracy and the TriZoners for a champagne toast, then Kim & I went up to the top of the parking garage where I had a mimosa and we visited with our Texas Iron crew.
Walking back to my car at 16th & San Antonio, I passed dozens of tailgaters cooking up meat and setting up generators to run blenders for their marnagritas.. made me extremely hungry!! Got to Steve's, showered and we headed over to his parents house for dinner and a viewing of Steve's Hawaii slide show. It was very touching, he put something very special at the end.. awwwwwww! Right after dinner I started yawning a lot. I hoped that didn't mean.... migraine a'comin'... we sat on their sofa for a very long time (lots of foooootball, of course), and that started to take its toll on my back. I got up occasionally to phone some family member and wish them Happy Thanksgiving. Except I only have 3 daughters, one mom and one grandma <G> It was so good to talk to Grandma, I haven't called her in forever. I'm a Bad First Grandchild... Once again, a FABULOUS sunset, which is always lovely viewed from the top of Cat Mountain. We stayed pretty darn late (I didn't get back to my house till after 9pm), and I was hurting pretty bad.
Friday I woke up very very sore and decided to bail on the Longhorn Half Iron course bike ride. I think the only person who did show up is Red, and she said the ride was actually okay,she got back just before it started to rain. Me, I stayed in all day. In the afternoon, Steve and I again journeyed to the Dead Fish Grill for dinner on the way to 6man in Moody. Unfortunately, Calvert lost this time.
Yesterday, Carolyn sent us the news that Emmie's sister had unexpectedly passed away that morning. What a shock. This morning I got up at 6, expecting an "easy 9, maybe 10 mile run" at 7:30 from the stretching rock. We went out LAB, right at Enfield, left on Exposition where Jamie was set up at Casis, I took a chocolate accelerade gel and water, shucked my gloves and 2005 Decker shirt and continued on. Turned right at 35th, ran past Camp Mabry and the Austin State School and kept going (the actual marathon route would have turned left onto Jackson, but our route continued up 35th/38th, took a right at Duval and Jamie had a second rest stop somewhere near 32nd street, then off I went to finish the route. Down SanJac (nicely deserted!!!), RT 11th, LT Congress, back on the trail west to the stretching rock and my finish line for 11.3 miles. Downed a banana, stretched, went to Westlake Great Clips to have Mindy give me a shampoo and cut, ate lunch at Hangtown Grill (Rowdy Burger and Reeds Salad - yum!), got a few groceries at HEB, then back over to HCRC for some gus (they were out of the knee high Sugoi sox that Andrea was wearing this morning) and over to Jack and Adams for some gatorade endurance and a couple more gel options. Finally back home for cold water soak and wash up all the stinky running clothes from the week.
Training totals for month - really skewed! I don't think I've ever run more than biked in a month! (and no swimming.. I'm so damn fat right now I'm embarrassed to put on a suit)
Bike: 44 miles
Run: 82.84 miles
current mood:  sore
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