Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in sylvia_wrath's LiveJournal:

[ << Previous 20 ]

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
5:39 pm	Godspeed Wolfpack Battalion Free to Breathe 5k Raleigh, NC NCSU Centennial Campus Saturday November 7, 2009 I knew it was going to be cold (30s) this morning, so I dug out the old winter running clothes and piled on several layers. It got warmer very quickly, so I peeled down to my usual Fall running gear, except I kept the hat on because my hair was a wreck. I thought that the race started at 9am, but it turned out to be the time for the fun run. The 5k race started at 9:30am. That's O.K.; I had plenty of time to warm-up. I'm always surprised when other runners tell me to 'save it for the race' while I am warming up. Maybe they have the ability to go from rest to running very quickly, but I don't. In fact, I am a slow starter. The first mile is always the hardest, especially if I don't warm-up! My warm-up consists of jogging and striding until 'it starts to suck,' then I stop and rest a while. While I'm resting I check range of motion and stretch problem areas briefly and gently, then I, usually, head for the start. This time I headed for the car because I needed to shed another item of clothing. When I got back people were milling about near the start line in such a way that I thought that the race had started. Panic! I had 10 minutes. How did I miscalculate so badly? I talked to an older guy who is at all the races, and he told me that the runners were heading for good spots in their various pace corrals. Relief! (and puzzlement) I thought that they only did official pace corrals for longer races, but OK, I'll go with it. I went to the front of the 8 minute pace corral. I discovered that I was standing behind a woman wearing jeans and a number. So rather than get behind her (she later moved), I moved to the back of the 7 minute pace corral. There was a bit more room there. The race started on time with little pre-start chatter. Nice! The first part of the race started with the usual thoughts of stopping and the 'what in the hell and I doing out here' attitude. These thoughts are easily put aside at the end of the first mile. The mile split was called: 8:05. That was encouraging! What was even more encouraging was the terrain; it flattened out considerably for mile 2. Here is where I discovered the Wolfpack Battalion. The NCSU Army ROTC Wolfpack Battalion was a lovely clot of runners in formation. They were running at exactly my pace. Nice! This race is just getting better and better flat terrain, cute pacers, and soon the finish. Near the end of mile 3, I heard and felt the pull of the finish line. I moved to the head of the Battalion and bid the boys adieu. Except, one guy went with me. I looked over to my left, and this extremely buff soldier was running behind a very sturdy looking baby stroller. We ran side by side until the mile 3 split was called, it was in the low 24s, I think. We burst into a sprint; I tried to follow, but I could not match his speed. I had to be content in pipping another guy at the line. There was no age group award for me this time (I was AG 4th), but I was so happy to run a sub-25 minute 5k that I felt like a winner anyway. Gun Time: 24:43 Chip Time: 24:37 Pace: 7:59 (see I WAS in the correct corral) Current Mood: jubilant (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
5:28 pm	ANNA'S ANGELS - 10 Miler RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 Temps in the 70s - Rain early Terrain rolling hills If you are sick with a cold, then 6:30am is a tough time to get up on a Sunday morning, especially if it is raining. It's times like these that call for coffee, lots of coffee. Some of it was for me, but most of it went into a thermos for the stalwart C. J made his own espresso. I hear it was good. Rule number 1, don't do, or drink, anything new on race day. The ride out to RTP was a trip down memory lane. I used to work about a quarter mile from the start line near the Sheraton Imperial. Not much has changed, except the new, tres chic, Quintiles building. J and C got comfortable by the start/finish line, and I started my warm-up. For a 10 miler, I don't warm up much, just walk/jog around then stretch. There is plenty of time to warm-up during the race. At that point, my legs felt a little dead, but, geez, it is 7:30am. I hoped that I would feel more energetic as the race progressed. I chatted with B, another runner; then we headed to the start area. I always line up near B. She knows where to...um...be. The gun was supposed to go off in a minute, 5 minutes later we were still waiting. I hate that, but what can you do? Finally, we were off. I accept the fact that the first mile in any race (for me) feels like crap. It usually gets better by mile 2. Nope. Did it get better by mile 3? Nope. My time at mile 3 was in the 27s; that was slower than I wanted. I gave up focusing on time, and just ran. At the next water stop, a lady took a short-cut through the grass and got ahead of me. That pissed me off. I ran behind her with my eyes boring little holes in her back. We battled for a while, but finally I got ahead and stayed ahead. At mile 6, the pain duet between my left knee and right hip began. That's just effin' great. A guy who looked like he was in more pain than me kept passing me, then he would slow down, and I would pass him again. I wondered if I looked as bad as he did. At about mile 8, my body fell into a gait that was mostly pain free, and I started to pass people. At mile 9, I realized that I had more energy than I expected, so I sped up more. According to my Garmin, I was running at about an 8:25 pace in the last mile. Woo Hoo! I finally warmed-up:-/ The next day, I got REALLY sick. I guess HTFU has its price. Place overall 220 Chip time 1:31:59, Gun time 1:32:08, Pace 9:13 Age group (40-44): Placed 12th out of 29 other "ladies of a certain age" Current Mood: sick (Comment on this)
Monday, September 21st, 2009
10:08 pm	North Hills 5K This was my second race after some time off for injury/physical therapy. I thought my first race, the Anchors Aweigh 5k, was hilly; this race could not possibly be hillier. Wrong! I arrived earlier than usual because they did not offer pre-race day packet pick up. That turned out to be no trouble. The pick up process was quick and smooth. The girl with the plastic megaphone in the foyer welcoming runners as they walked by, again and again...she made me nervous. Otherwise, I was excited, and ready to run. Before the race, I saw my friend and running partner Ava and her son. She is a member of Trinity Baptist. Her job as a volunteer was to guide the lead motorcycle through the course. She told me after the race that she had the best of both worlds as a spectator and race volunteer, and the lead runner was hauling butt through one of the toughest courses in Raleigh! My pre-race routine needs work because I took too long to warm-up. By the time I got to the parking lot start line, it was quite congested. I had a difficult time slithering through the crowd of roughly 400 tightly packed runners. I got midway through the pack and gave up. The gun went off, and the crowd surged forward as usual. As we rounded the first corners out of the parking lot, the road narrowed a bit. One poor kid, who lined up too close to the front tripped and sprawled out on the asphalt. As he started to cry, two adults came to his side. Good! I can race in peace, but I felt bad for the kid. Next time, I really do hope there is a next time for him, he'll line up closer to the back. The first mile was around 8:33. That was not the time I wanted, but the terrain was already difficult. I found a runner with a pace that seemed slightly faster than mine, and I ran behind her. Her pace really helped as I struggled with the middle part of the course. At mile 2, she started to slow down, and I started to "smell the hay in the barn." Unfortunately, between this horse and the hay was Wimbleton Road. Yes, that's spelled correctly. On this hill, people who looked fit were walking. No joke. I have friends who are ultra-runners and they sometimes talk about RFP (Relentless Forward Progress not Request for Proposals). I tried to keep that in mind as I tried to run (more like a shuffle) up Wimbleton. Things got a lot better at the top of the hill. Here is where I commit a running faux pas. I was running side by side with another runner down a narrow sidewalk. I push a low hanging branch out of my way and it swings toward this poor dude next to me. I spend the next 50 meters apologizing to him. I can hear the commotion at the finish line, so it is time to drop the hammer (it's a small hammer). I cross the line; the nice lady yanks the chip off of my shoe. I catch my breath and look for the dude I whacked with a tree branch. I found him and apologized some more, he was really sweet about it. I get some water, cool down. I find Ava and chat with her. I tried a sample of protein/recovery drink. I am SO GLAD that I did not drink THAT before the race. I was feeling a little uncomfortable for a few minutes. Anyway, they post the results, and I amble on over to see. One of the drawbacks of being a short middle-aged racer is not being able to stand to the side and see your results. Only the really young and really old can do that. I have to stand front and center to see the 40-44 year old age group list. Then, I have to refrain from jumping up and down and acting like a spazz if my results are good. *this is REALLY difficult for a natural freak like myself* After all of the rehab this year, just finishing with a sub-27 minute time was a good result for me. Getting third place in my age group was really sweet icing on the cake. RALEIGH, NC SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 North Hills 5K - Trinity Baptist Church - 4815 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC Place overall: 94th Chip time 26:27 Gun time 26:43 - pace 8:36 Current Mood: pleased (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, July 26th, 2009
2:04 pm	Hello everyone! Wow, it has been 7 weeks since I posted. I have been watching the Tour de France for a chunk of that time. That is a lame excuse, but its the TOUR! Yaaay, Contador, Andy Schleck, and LANCE. I did not think that LANCE would be on the podium in Paris, that is amazing. Sometimes I am glad to be wrong. I just wish the VS coverage was more respectful of Contador. I am still running, and I am starting to feel like my knee/ankle troubles are manageable. A few weeks ago I ran my first race since November. It was the Anchors Aweigh 5k. The course was on the lovely (and hilly) NCSU Centennial Campus. A hilly 5k may not have been the best first race, but I came through it with no injuries/troubles. Sadly, I am about a minute off of where I want to be. It may be time to hit the track again. Jason and I went bike riding today. Jason had problems with his seat. I kicked my U-lock off of its holder. Don't ask me how THAT happened. For a while, it was a comedy of errors, but it was a pleasant ride overall. I took my hands off of the handlebars for the first time!! I can only do that going downhill. I slide forward in the seat when I try to pedal on flat terrain with no hands. I think I need to adjust something, but I don't know what. Jason bought a Sansa Clip music player for me; I've used it a few times at an oval track with no traffic. Yesterday was the first time I used it while running on a greenway. So far, I have been very careful to look back before I change my path. When riders pass me without saying anything, I startle easier. If they say something I can still hear them, so I raise my hand to let them know. My opinion of running with a music player is still mixed. My awareness of my surroundings is compromised a little, but I am also more consistent with looking around. My ability to hold a particular tempo for a long time is GREATLY improved by running with music. I would NEVER race with a music player. First, it is against the rules in most (if not all) races. Second, tempo is not as important as monitoring how the body is feeling/functioning and passing people (tempo is out the window here). Finally, I was a bike course monitor for a local triathlon. I had a blast! I also got to return the favor to all the cyclists who help out at the longer running races. (theoretically:-) I'd like to do more of that. Current Mood: grateful (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
8:30 pm	How did I become such a fangirl??? I can breathe now; the tour of Italy (Giro d'Italia) is over. Whoosh.... I am no longer a mere casual fan of Denis (I AM smiling) Menchov. He is my new CycleCrush. Warning: pink and orange kit alert. You may want to don your sunglasses now. I noticed that most of my favorite cyclists ride for Rabobank. Heck, I went to the Rabobank Web site and posted a congratulatory note to Denis there. *total fangirl geek* Current Mood: giddy (Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
7:22 pm	Quote from the NC Bauhaus of Representatives "Does the gentleman from Transylvania have a comment?” -- Speaker Joe Hackney, during a somewhat contentious debate on the Bat Protection Bill (H1419). The bats rallying outside the Legislative Building were NOT amused. Current Mood: mischievous (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
4:25 pm	I Like Bike I had a blast biking with Jason0x21 and our friend CC today! We were on the road for a little while, and nobody got hit by a car. We were on hills that were challenging, but not too hard. I was able to follow a wheel at slow speeds (up hill). Yes, I was a foot behind CC, and we did not lock wheels! I hit a patch of dirt while going around a sharp curve, and my front wheel slid out, but somehow the rubber stayed on the road. Whew, no addition to my road rash collection. Holy crap, for me that was a perfect ride. Good friends, good times, followed by beer:-) Maybe there is something to this slipstream thing, but I am not interested if the speed is more than a crawl. Current Mood: ecstatic (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
5:43 pm	Umstead 100 After dancing most of the night away last First Friday, I got up at the crack of 9:30 to prepare for the Umstead 100. I put my bike rack and bike on my car, and ingested the usual amount of caffeine and sugar. I said goodbye to Pocus and Jason, and set out to Umstead. The Umstead 100 (and 50 mile "fun run") is a race famous for its hospitality and aid stations. It is so popular that the limited number of entries are rapidly claimed. I arrive at the visitor's center, unload my bike and ride to Camp Lapihio. I signed in and claimed my volunteer gift. (What? Did you think I would run this race?) I'm 10 minutes late, like last year, but it is not a big deal. I quickly take my place at Sally's Asylum (aid station) and make a mental note to stay a little past my shift. Sally's Asylum lives up to its name. There is near constant movement and activity in my 4 hour shift. In the hours between 11am and 3pm the 100 milers are starting to get a little tired and many fifty milers are finishing their runs. Everyone needs food and liquids. Some runners needed Vaseline, Immodium, and/or moleskin. One or two need actual medical attention provided by the local Red Cross. The queen of Sally's Asylum is Sally Squire. She is a marathon and Ultra Marathon veteran who is personable and supportive to runners and volunteers alike. She knows exactly what 100 mile runners need because she has been there and done that. The key difference between this year and last year was the weather. This year, the weather was sunny and mild. Last year, it was rainy and HUMID. It was the type of day where gills were more useful than lungs. Because of the weather, the "floorplan" of Sally's Asylum was very different. Last year, the Asylum was in the lodge along with the runners' supplies and crew members. The key work was filling water bottles while runners rifled through their belongings to get socks, supplies or supplements. If a runner was in distress, you saw it. I saw runners popping blisters with pins, bleeding nipples, etc. I did a lot more first aid type of work last year. This year, the Asylum was outdoors under a tent, and it was warmer than last year. The runners' crews and supplies were in the lodge or in various outdoor camps, so I did not see the drama as much as I did last year. I really couldn't pay attention to drama anyway because I was extremely busy. The runners had easier access to the fluid and food station, so there was more self-service this year. Because of the easier access and warmer temperatures, it seemed like the food and fluid disappeared much quicker than last year, so restocking the food and drink station was also an endurance event! I stayed about 30 minutes past my shift. Hmmm, I did that last year too. It is hard to get away because there is so much that needs to be done. I said my good byes to Sally and the rest of the volunteer crew. I picked up my new Umstead 100 blanket (nice gift eh?) I'll put it to good use. On the way out, I discovered that carrying a blanket while biking over gravelly hills is challenging. This time I did not fall, but I had a few tense moments. I noticed other bikers looking at me funny. I wore my roller derby helmet. I also wore rolled-up olive green chinos and my King's tee shirt. When I got to my car, I noticed that I still had my volunteer name tag on. Maybe that was it. Current Mood: cheerful (Comment on this)
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
3:07 pm	Sandy Casar and I have something in common and no I did not win a stage at the Tour de France... This is what happened I was on an asphalt track at a local middle school and a couple was running their 2 dogs in the center of the oval. As a runner, I never had trouble with dogs here, so I thought that I would be ok. NOT! The dog barreled into the side of my front wheel. The dog is fine. I have road rash on both hands, my right knee, and calf. Lesson learned! Last night I raved until 1am. Too smoky! I'm still bleeding...I thought that I cleaned that up. Current Mood: sore (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, March 20th, 2009
6:54 pm	Slowly Running and I am Comedy on a Bike My knee has started behaving in the last month. I completed two workouts where I ran 4 continuous miles! They were not exactly pain-free, but there was a significant reduction of pain and increased range of motion. I am also starting to get some 'speed' back. Never mind that my current 'speedy' pace is the same as my old easy pace. At this point, I am just happy to be running. My bike needs to go into the shop. About 2 weeks ago, I went to a local track to practice riding in a straight line. (sounds easier than it is, especially on a windy day) On the second lap, something happened to my chainring, and I lost the use of the easy chainring gears. I was OK to continue practicing because I was on a flat track, but I really need to get that looked at before I go back out again. My bike looks dorky because I put masking tape on the handle bars as a reminder of what gears go up or down. I also looked REALLY dorky because as I was reading my handlebars, I was blown off the track by a gust of wind. I was glad I was not on the road when that happened! Tonight jason0x21 and I are going to a Rave Until Dawn event. Even back in the day, I was never a raver. I anticipate a Rave until 2. Fortunately, DJ Steve from the now defunct Fallout Shelter will be the first DJ. Now that I think about it, I can't do ANYTHING all night. I can't even sleep all night, sheeesh. Current Mood: dorky (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, January 31st, 2009
9:28 am	Bittersweet I've been a member of the North Carolina Roadrunners Club (NCRC) for the past 2 years, and I attended my first meeting last Thursday. I joined the club for the social runs, not so much the meetings. The reason I showed up was to collect my 1000 mile club t-shirt. Last year I ran 1,100 miles (and change). Sadly, I still can't run now. After my third PT session, I am still having bad knee pain after run/walking 40 minutes. I am really getting frustrated. The speaker for this meeting was an inspirational high school cross country coach. I should write more about him, but I don't have the time right now. Another post soon, I promise. Current Mood: frustrated (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, January 19th, 2009
1:03 pm	I gotta bike. You can ride it if...nope you can't ... Mine Mine Mine hehehehheheweeeee! I got a Specialized Tricross 49 cm. I brought it in the front door, cut off the tags, and went out the back door to ride it in the yard. I took the straps off the toe clips, and still fell over once. I rode over branches and carried it up and down the steps on the deck. I shifted on a little hill. I did it wrong the first time. The hill got harder to climb. The next shift was in the correct direction:-) In the future, I'll probably swap the handlebars for a smaller female specific design, but right now it is all about learning to ride a 21st century bike. The plan is to take it to a track, and become familiar with the shifting system. Oh BTW, the tree is still up. No really, I'll take it down soon! Current Mood: giddy (14 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, January 8th, 2009
7:19 pm	Post Holiday The holidays are over, and the accompanying party/family frenzy is a pleasant (hazy) memory. This weekend, I plan to work, spin, and take down the tree. I used to be reluctant to put away the Christmas tree because I liked the ambiance it provided. In the past, I've kept the tree (stick with lights on it) up for the entire year. As the seasons changed, I'd adjust the decorations. When Christmas returned, the excitement and anticipation was not as great. The holiday season was just another tree adjustment. No more seasonal drudgery! The tree goes back in storage until next year. I anticipate that this year will be dynamic. Cross training and variation will be the exercise themes. I am still working on getting my knee into working order after the marathon. That race was over 2 months ago, and my knee still stiffens painfully after run/walking about 2 miles. In the interim, I have been walking and spinning like a frustrated runner. sigh. Next week, I am seeing a masseuse who works on athletes, and she has 20 years experience as a physical therapist. I am also gathering gear for pool running. I don't want to be too out of shape if my knee problems resolve! Another dynamic situation is the impending home renovation. If the renovations happen, this year will be flat-out chaotic! I am sure I'll blog more about that. Current Mood: tired (8 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
4:11 pm	OBX 2008 Part 2 The Washington-Baum Bridge looks like a bell curve. Remember the bell curve from school? Anyway, this bridge has long slightly-sloping tails at the front and back with a large bulge in the center (so tall ships can pass - get your mind out of the gutter! ;-). It spans Roanoke sound. Once you cross it from the island side, it is just a few more miles to Manteo, NC. Imagine running over this. Like many bridges, this one is made of concrete. I normally run on asphalt and dirt, so this was new to me. I have heard that concrete is a tough surface for running. I whole-heartedly agree. It was my undoing. I was survival shuffling for the last few miles of the marathon. EXCEPT, in the last 200 meters, one of my fellow walking-wounded picked up the pace!? Huh?! Of course, I went with her. We were sprinting to the finish line, I won the sprint (heh, heh, ouch). Thank goodness all that track time came in handy, but once across the finish line simply standing up became a problem. I was weaving and staggering like a drunk pirate! Eventually, fortified with food and drink, the staggering stopped and the knee pain began. Once back at the hotel, I took an ice bath and a nap. jason0x21 and Cindy came over, and we ate pizza and hung-out. It was a pleasant evening, not too exciting. I think that I had enough excitement for one day. I think that I did some damage to my left knee. Even now (11/30/08), it hurts and stiffens after I run about 2 miles. I am trying to fix it, but I've had no luck so far. Cross-training is my friend at this point. Current Mood: blah Current Music: Mingus (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, November 14th, 2008
6:39 pm	The Good News is: I Completed the OBX Marathon!! The not so good news is: my time was nothing like I hoped it would be. According to conservative pre-race predictions, I should have finished before 4 hours and 30 minutes. I actually finished in 4 hours and 51 minutes. The first 20 miles were solid and steady. The last 6.2 miles were my most painful miles ever. The knees crapped out again. Back to the drawing board. All that said, I had a great experience! The morning of November 9th was a little chilly for standing around waiting for a race to start(low 50s). I cut the heels out of some knee socks, and I used them as arm-warmers/fingerless gloves. I was very glad to have them, and folks seemed to think that they were cool looking. I found a group of Raleigh runners at the start line, and I had a great time hanging out with them. Two of those runners were ultra-marathoners, so this was a nice little training run for them. Three of us were marathon newbies. This was a great chance to ask the veterans last minute questions. As the race time drew near, we headed to our various start corrals, and waited for the gun. Someone sang the national anthem, and a minister said a really funny prayer. (He was great!) Soon we were off! The cheers and music from the local folks along the route really made me feel special. Some spectators had some cocktails to fortify their efforts; I'll admit to being a little jealous. All I had was water mixed with GU:-( The temperature was getting warmer, but not too hot (60s). Midway through the course we ran through a hilly maritime forest. I LOVE this terrain, and I was bombing up and down those hills like someone without knee trouble. Most likely, the seeds of my trouble were planted here, but I wouldn't change a thing. I was so happy running carelessly through this section of the course. Speaking of being happy, jason0x21 and Cindy drove the course and cheered for me at various mile points. I was always glad to see them. At mile 22, I was in a spot of bother, but Jason and Cindy were there to offer encouragement. I stopped to hug Jason, and I had trouble letting go. I just wanted someone to hold my sorry ass up for a little while. I also wanted to delay my date with the bridge. I was feeling bad, and looking up at that big ol' bridge did not help! At least it was not windy. More later... Current Mood: contemplative (15 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
8:47 pm	2008 Autism Ribbon Run I ran the Autism Ribbon Run last Saturday, October 11th. It was a lovely day, not too cold or warm. It was a little windy, but not enough to float Mary Poppins. I arrived at the race an hour and a half before the start because I needed to pick up my packet, pin on my number and warm-up. These days warming-up is crucial. Just over a year ago, I thought it was ridiculous to run BEFORE a race. Why get tired before you start? This time I ran two easy miles and a few faster strides. I stretched some parts that felt achy and tight. I felt O.K. but not pumped up or race ready. Hmmm. At the start line, I positioned myself behind a group of teen boys from a local soccer team. I felt like they would jet off like little rockets once the starting horn sounded. They were very entertaining during the wait for the start. That was a good thing because the race started a bit late. Unfortunately, I cooled down significantly in the mean time. Uh oh. This was in the top 5 most challenging starts for me. There were many non-runners near the front. One runner in particular would sprint, then stop...abruptly. I hate to weave and bob through a start, but it was either that or run into people. In spite of, or because of (not sure), the chaotic start I hit the first mile in 8:08. This was on target, but I hoped to speed up. Nope, didn't happen. My average pace was 8:11. The 2008 course was hillier and more challenging than the 2007 course. I realized this at the halfway point:-( I was a bit bummed because I set my 5K personal record (PR) on the 2007 course, and I hoped to do a little better this year. As I closed in on the finish line I saw a girl to my right speed-up. Here comes my favorite part!! I sped up too. We were neck and neck for the final 600 meters. Then this guy appeared right between us. We had a three-way sprint into a very narrow finish line area. We were so close together, we looked like a clot of flying arms and legs! I checked the results on the way out, and my gun time was 1 second slower than my 2007 race. *Meh* My chip time was 1 second faster than my 2007 chip time. However, this year, I placed 5th in my age group instead of 10th. I am happy about that. Warning - Here comes a grump! With all the training I did this year, I hoped to improve my 5k time at least a LITTLE bit. Instead I discovered that I've lost a gear. My top-end speed feels slow. Next year will be all about the kick. I miss it terribly! (or maybe last Saturday just wasn't my day) This coming Saturday, I hope to run 21 miles. It will be my last long run before the OBX Marathon on November 9th. Current Mood: quixotic (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, August 17th, 2008
8:19 pm	Public Service Announcement: Cat Help I am on the floor doing my PT exercises. My cat is there to help, by looming over me and taking up space on my mat. I am picking up sticks in the back yard; he is under my feet helping again. Cat help is not equal to actual help. The more you know... Current Mood: amused (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
8:02 pm	What have I done?! I signed-up for the OBX marathon. I've paid the money; now I just have to get to the start line in one piece! If anyone has any recommendations about places to stay, etc. , please let me know! Current Mood: nervous (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, August 2nd, 2008
6:11 pm	Remember me? Since May, my Internet time has been devoted to my pro cycling obsession. Of course I watched the Tour de France, but I also followed the Tour of Italy (Giro) and the Tour de Suisse. I call this "research" to develop my Tour de France Fantasy Cycling teams, yes plural, teams. I've also been running, a lot. I have a little tendinitis in my left ankle, and various parts are starting to hurt, but next week is an easy week. I could use a break for sure. Did anyone else follow the Tour de France? The competition seemed extraordinarily fierce this year with lots of surprises from stage to stage. What did you think? Current Mood: sore (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, May 10th, 2008
8:01 am	A busy time - I'll make up for the radio silence Last week, I ran the MS Run for Research 8k at the RBC center in Raleigh. It was a beautiful sunny day, not too hot, and a bit windy. The course was two laps on the rolling hills around the RBC center. This was a very relaxed, casual race. There was a small field (less than 80 runners), and timing was registered by hand (no chip timing). Then the run started. I first realized that the wind might be a problem when I had to run with my head tilted down, to keep my cap from blowing off. With a brisk head-wind on a hilly course, this race was not as benign as I originally thought. After a slowish start in the first mile (8:47), I sped up slightly and held that pace for the rest of the run. I was alone in the wind for the middle part of the race. That blew, in more ways than one:-) In an attempt to get out the wind, I started catching other runners and drafting off of them. One lady insisted on running ahead of me, so I graciously let her do that:-) Eventually, I passed her, and I started focusing on the slim blond runner 300 meters ahead of me. She was not much of a wind-breaker, but I'll take what I can get. I caught up with her about 40 meters before the turn for the finish line. She turned to me and said, "Ugh, I feel awful!" to which I replied, "I've felt better." She said, "At least we can make it look good." I laughed and said, "O.K!" then we turned the corner leading to the finish line. The wind had slacked off a bit, but when we turned that corner, it was back with a vengeance! Over my shoulder I hear her say, "This is too much, take it." I slacked off briefly, but I realized that she was still with me. Hunph. O.K. lady, it's time to sprint! Sprinting hard into the wind sucks, but I beat her by 2 seconds. Then I did not feel so good. After the finishing chute, I needed a quiet place. I heard my name being called by Rachel (one of the finish line volunteers), but I was too busy holding on to a tree. I later found out why she would want to tell me something. My time was 43:21, a PR by 2 minutes. It was a small race, so that time was good enough for an age group (40-49) first place, and I was the first female masters finisher overall. Surprise! Current Mood: excited (6 Comments |Comment on this)