How Hard Can It Be? Round 4 [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Veronica

02-28-2011, 06:34 AM

It's that time again. :D

I've signed up for Barb's Race (http://www.vineman.com/Barb_s_Race.htm) again this year. It will be my 4th entry into this race and my 5th Half Ironman. I'm done well (meaning I've finished!) on the "Show Up and Suffer" plan. This year I want to see real improvement.

I've spent the winter working on my running base, losing some extra pounds and building some anaerobic fitness on the bike. Notice the big sweat pool on the mat. :eek:

http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Training/spinervals/spinervals-02/1200807789_s37fn-L.jpg

My goals right now are pretty simple. I want a sub 35 minute swim, 3:15 or less on the bike and under 2:50 on the run. Depending on how training goes, I may push for more aggressive times on the bike and the run.

I'm excited! I'm in the best shape I have ever been in at the start of a training cycle. If I can keep my focus and stay injury free, those goals are easily within reach. To that end, I'm keeping my monthly training goals pretty basic. For March - 32 miles of running, 180 minutes on the trainer and at least one trip to the pool. I haven't swum last July. :rolleyes: I'll be seeing my trainer twice a week for weights and plyomterics and getting some yoga in there too. Anything else for March is gravy.

Veronica

maillotpois

02-28-2011, 07:03 AM

Excellent! It's great to be starting your training in great shape, and know you'll just be getting better!

kacie tri-ing

02-28-2011, 09:57 AM

You're back for more! Fantastic!

redrhodie

02-28-2011, 10:09 AM

Does it get easier since you're obviously more experienced, and more fit, or is it just as hard because you're trying for faster times?

Blueberry

02-28-2011, 01:15 PM

You continue to be an inspiration!!

Slight thread hijack.....what do you do for your bike after those kinds of indoor workouts? I've been doing similar things to my Surly - and worry about the steel and all.....

Veronica

02-28-2011, 01:42 PM

Does it get easier since you're obviously more experienced, and more fit, or is it just as hard because you're trying for faster times?

The bike and the swim effort pretty much stays the same for me. I have always suffered on the run.

The more fit I get, the harder I make myself work (or maybe I should say, my trainer makes me work harder!) :D So, it always hurts.

Slight thread hijack.....what do you do for your bike after those kinds of indoor workouts? I've been doing similar things to my Surly - and worry about the steel and all.....

Most of my sweat seems to drip straight down to the floor. We took out some of those black mats a week or so ago that had been right under me and they just kind of just kind of disintegrated. I sweat - A LOT! I think it's why I don't mind working out or racing in the heat though.

Veronica

GLC1968

02-28-2011, 03:08 PM

I sweat - A LOT! I think it's why I don't mind working out or racing in the heat though.

I agree. I don't sweat nearly as much as other people I know and I cannot handle the heat at all. My body is very good at staying warm in cold temps and supremely bad at venting excess heat when it's hot!

How exciting to be starting the training season in great shape. I bet you'll do awesome this year!

Bike Chick

02-28-2011, 05:09 PM

Great job and good luck, Veronica! You inspire me!

Veronica

03-05-2011, 01:12 PM

Intervals on the treadmill today. I'm going to be putting some training programs into my Garmin for running outside and I wanted to get an idea of where I'm at for intervals. After a good warm up I did a total of 6 half mile intervals. The first two were at an 8:40 pace, with 4 minutes rest in between. Then I did three more at a 9:13 pace with 4 minutes rest and the last one back at 8:40.

I think that outside I'll be able to maintain 8:40 for these longer intervals since I find running outside so much easier.

We'll see. :D

Veronica

roadie gal

03-07-2011, 05:38 AM

Good luck!

Veronica

03-08-2011, 06:41 AM

Another interval run this morning. We only have time to do 3 miles or so before work - so after a mile warm up, we did one full half mile interval which had a hill in it. We decided the hill so skewed things that we do the rest of the intervals without it.

The following three were about 3 tenths of a mile long. We did the first at a 7:30 pace, then 7:26 and the last was a 7:40. We had 2 and a half minutes rest between each interval - walking up and down the hill. :D

It was a good run.

Thursday is a "fun" run. That's what I call it when I go out and run without worrying about distance or speed. I go for as long as it is fun. :D

Saturday I'm doing a long run - around 8 - 9 miles, just to get an idea of where my endurance is right now and what sort of pace I can sustain.

Veronica

Veronica

03-11-2011, 06:17 AM

A successful training week. :p

2 sessions with my trainer
2 runs outside
1 killer session on the bike trainer
4 yoga sessions

About 5.25 hours of training for Monday - Friday. Today is my recovery day. I've changed my plans for tomorrow and decided to do my first brick - an easy paced 15 mileish ride, followed by a 3 - 5 mile run. Not sure how far I'll run because I want to see how I feel.

I've signed up for my other races:
May 8 - Angels Camp Tri - 1000 yard swim, 16 mile bike, 4 mile run
June 5 - Tri for Real - Olympic Distance - back in 2008 I took 2nd as an Athena for this race - too skinny for Athena now.
June - 18 Tri for Fun - 400 yard swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run. I've done this course several times so it's kind of a benchmark event for me - lots of data to compare.

AND... I'm down another pound - 10 pounds since Nov. 1. It's coming off very slowly now, but I'm actually starting to see hamstrings on my legs. Maybe I'll get that lower body as defined as my upper body some day. :D

Veronica

Veronica

03-12-2011, 09:22 AM

Awesome first brick this morning! I'm just thrilled with how it felt and my times.

The bike was 14.7 miles at a a rather easy pace. As soon as my legs began to burn I backed it off. Average speed was 16.7 mph including stopping at lights.

The run was just amazing - the first mile my legs felt a little heavy, but I pushed through. I was listening to "Bat of Hell", that's a LONG song and it got me through nearly the entire first mile. When I started my goal was just to make it through the song and then I started to feel really good.

I ran a total of 2.8 miles, at... drum roll an average pace of 9:56. I who have only had one other run at a sub ten minute pace, run under ten while doing a brick.

Maybe it's the endorphins, but I am sitting here with just the biggest grin on my face. :D

Veronica

Veronica

03-14-2011, 04:27 PM

One monthly goal accomplished - I went to the pool today. I miss swimming. I have not swam a stroke since July 30 and it's been a few years since I have regularly trained for the swim. I'd really like to get in the pool once a week this year. Not 'cause it will bring my swim times down significantly, but just 'cause I like it. :D

I tried to take it easy today. I warmed up with a 200 Swim, 200 Kick, 200 Pull. Then I just swam 1,000 yards straight, not going too hard, just a nice happy pace. My hundreds were remarkably consistent. I don't look at my watch while I'm in the water, just hit the lap counter. Five of them were 1:55, highest was 1:56 and the lowest (last one) was 1:47. Total time for 1,000 yards was about 19 minutes.

That's not bad, regular swimming and I should see that drop to 1:40 average pace per hundred and with a little real work, 1:30 is quite doable.

Veronica

Veronica

03-18-2011, 03:41 AM

First off, I'm down another pound - 144 now. The last time I weighed that was after crewing RAAM, not a healthy way to lose weight. :D Prior to that, maybe in college.

Another great training week:

1 brick
2 personal trainer sessions
4 sessions of yoga
1 swim
2 runs - one of intervals on the treadmill and my "fun" run outside
1 session on the trainer "Dropping the Hammer" - love that video!

Happy rest day today!

This week was kind of exhausting at work. The kids are getting antsy. March is a long month and our spring break is really late this year. Four more weeks, we're off to Hawaii. Yes, I plan on training on the IM course. :p I'm happy that instead of coming home and crashing I stuck with my plans. That's been an issue in the past for me.

Looks like rain for us this weekend. I had been planning on doing another brick. That bike to run transition has just killed me in the past. But if we have rain, I'll run instead.

Veronica

Veronica

03-19-2011, 04:18 PM

I sorta did a brick today. I rode my bike in the trainer for 50 minutes and then we went to the gym and while Thom worked out with Shawna, I did 4 miles on the treadmill. I wore my new bright pink compression socks. They look pretty dorky and are not very complimentary to my legs, but they sure did make my calves feel good. :D

Veronica

Veronica

03-23-2011, 05:42 AM

Tuesday is interval run day. Ideally, I do these outside at 4 AM with Thom pacing me. We are having just the wackiest weather. Normally by now it's in the 60s and the rain has ended. We headed out for our run yesterday and right as we started up the road, the skies opened up and started dumping large, plopping drops of rain. We bailed and went back inside. I did yoga and Thom got in an extra long piano session.

That meant doing my intervals by myself either at the gym on the treadmill or outside in the afternoon. I dutifully packed my bag for the gym and headed off to work.

I have a nice, motivated class this year. But they are also the squirreliest bunch of kids I have had in a while. Afternoons have been tough all year and I have really had to change up how I plan things. If they are active, they are focused and on task and learning. Not every lesson can be active though. Yesterday was a tough day. And really, all I wanted to do was come home, make some hot chocolate and hang out... maybe do some cross stitch or read.

I got in the car at the end of day, with a tremendous mental debate going on in my head. Go to the gym... run outside since it's not actually raining right now... do a trainer video... do nothing... I only live 1.2 miles away from work and it's amazing how much thinking you can do in that short amount of time. I realized somewhere on that very short drive, that it's this waffling, after a mentally draining day, that sent me down the path of not training enough last year. Too many days my head was burnt out and I came home and lounged and ate bonbons.

Off to the gym I went. Interval run completed. :p Ended up having a really good run too actually.

Veronica

spindizzy

03-23-2011, 06:25 PM

"Discipline is remembering what you want." Your tag line. Good for you!!!!

I was waffling because I was to do hills today. Outside. We had absolutely no snow on the ground yesterday. An unfortunate snowstorm today relegated that workout to treadmill hills. But got them done.

Crankin

03-24-2011, 03:42 AM

I thought of this post when I didn't want to get out of bed this morning to do my measly 30 minutes on the treadmill. I did, though.

Veronica

03-24-2011, 06:33 AM

Yeah Crankin! And there is nothing measly about 30 minutes on the treadmill.

One of the things I'm doing differently this year compared to past years is having a regular weekly schedule. Previously I would change up my schedule every week.

Monday: Trainer/Swim
Tuesday: Interval Run/Yoga
Wednesday: Trainer/Yoga
Thursday: Spinervals/Fun Run
Friday: Yoga

Weekends are looser - we ride, I run, do bricks and/or yoga. Plus the stuff that needs doing around the house.

I like the set schedule because I waffle less about what to do each day and it fits pretty well with my daily work schedule. Most of my after school meetings are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It's easy to do yoga after a meeting.

Thursdays are long days and deep into the week my motivation seems to wane. The video starts off the day with some good endorphins (high on them now!) The "fun" run is just that. The point is just to get my butt out the door. I've done as little as 1.25 miles - it was windy and cold. And as many as 3.2. It doesn't matter, it's just about getting in a third run for the week.

I only needed 8 more video minutes to get my goal for March, when I got on the trainer today. Woohoo! I now have 130% of that goal.

March has been a good training month so far.

Veronica

Veronica

03-25-2011, 06:11 AM

All three March goals have been fulfilled - a week early I might add. :D

Yesterday's "fun" run was on the treadmill at the gym. I have really started to enjoy running "gasp!!!!", especially if I have some good, motivating tunes. I needed 3.7 miles to get my monthly goal. I did 4.1.

I considered upping my goals for April, but decided against it. Keeping my mileage goals modest allows me to have some wiggle room for those unexpected meetings that crop up. Last year, with higher goals, I had run about 50 miles for the year, by the end of March. I'll have over 100 by the end of March this year. But I think the biggest gain, has been that I actually like doing it now. :p

Love my rest day. The scary thing is I am always so hungry on Friday because Thursday is such a big effort day with a hard video session in the morning and a run in the afternoon.

Veronica

Veronica

04-02-2011, 03:26 AM

New month, new goals, nothing really new. Running and trainer video goals are staying the same. I should hit the pool at least three times. Maybe more if I can get in an extra swim while on vacation.

Now that decent weather is here I will get in more outside riding on the weekends. I plan to keep riding the trainer during the week. I have scheduled bricks the next three Saturdays.

Veronica

jef09

04-02-2011, 12:01 PM

This thread was a nice surprise. I have not been on the forum for several months. Been needing a motivational boost for my own training and I found it right here. I really hope you reach your goals this year.

Veronica

04-08-2011, 02:00 PM

This week started off slowly. :( I missed Monday's swim. I had some errands to run... left my wallet at home... the afternoon was shot. Well, not entirely, I did do yoga. I missed Tuesday's interval run. I was going to do it after work, but my after school meeting ran until 4:45. By Wednesday I was back on track with my weekly plan. I barely got in Thursday's fun run before the hail started. It was sunny and 58 degrees when I left. About an hour later the sky was a dark, ominous gray, it was 39 degrees out and my flowers were being pummeled with pea sized hail.

Monday - Friday Workouts
2 Personal Trainer sessions
4 Yoga sessions
1 Spinervals - Uphill Grind
1 run

Veronica

Veronica

04-16-2011, 01:52 PM

Another okay week. I had a trainer session Monday morning and got in a good swim Monday afternoon. Tuesday's interval run with Thom in the morning was great and yoga was a pleasant way to unwind at the end of the day. Wednesday was another trainer session in the AM and more yoga in the afternoon.

Thursday was the "bad" day. My plan was to do my "fun run" in the morning and my "Mental Toughness" video in the afternoon. I woke up Thursday with an awful cramp in the arch of my left foot. I worked it out by the time I went to work, but I was limping around the house for about the first 90 minutes I was up. It wasn't a total loss. I did get all my grading done.

I don't know what was up with my lunch on Thursday, but my stomach was not very happy when I came home. It wasn't anything different from what I normally eat. So, Thursday became a day off.

Friday was more yoga.

Today was brick day. 14.7 mile bike. Average speed, including stop lights and a few small hills, 17 mph. Followed that up with a 5 mile run. Average moving pace was a 10:25. I spent nearly 4 minutes at stop lights. :rolleyes: I wonder why my Garmin shows stopped time for the run, but not for the bike.

Looking forward to training in Hawaii. :p

Veronica

Veronica

04-19-2011, 07:32 AM

We did a beautiful ride from our hotel up to Hawi yesterday - 55 miles of the Ironman route. The coastline is not flat - long shallow hills. The last 5 miles into Hawi are uphill and we had a headwind on it yesterday. It did make for a lovely 5 mile descent with a tailwind though. :D The winds here are weird. We had it blowing every which way on the way out and the way back. I'm glad I wasn't racing, both because of the wind and I like looking out at the scenery. I'm not very good at that when I'm hammering. It was pretty warm - about 80 degrees when we started right around 8 (after a lovely breakfast!) and 88 degrees when we finished. I was dreaming about the icy citrus water the hotel keeps at the valet station for runners.

CNN is here at our hotel this week filming for Fit Nation. I guess they are doing a triathlon series now. They were heading out for a swim as we were going to breakfast. They were leaving for their bike ride when we were coming in.

Veronica

Veronica

04-20-2011, 09:49 AM

Kayaked out to the Captain Cook monument yesterday and then did some snorkeling. I misjudged my position in the surf zone and had a wave slam me into some coral. I am so glad I was wearing a rashguard. I've got some scratches across my chest that are pretty nasty as it is and a bunch on my right thigh and one especially nasty one on my left knee.

I went for a short "fun run" this morning. All runs while on vacation will fall into the "fun run" category. There is a trail that runs between our hotel and the next one over along the beach, so I ran down that. Running in soft sand is hard. I was out just after sunrise, so it was quite beautiful, not too warm yet and watching the surf pound as I ran was so cool.

It's only 2.5 miles so I think I'll do it again tomorrow. Probably head to the gym some time today and swim some laps.

Veronica

indysteel

04-20-2011, 10:11 AM

Veronica

04-21-2011, 10:07 AM

Did weights yesterday with Thom instead of swimming. Did the same 2.5 mile run this morning. Nice, pleasant way to start the day.

Had breakfast with Tim and Nicole DeBoom. Sort of...:D They were at the table next to us with the CNN FitNation people. He was talking to them about nutrition during a race. I didn't learn anything new for me, but it was still pretty cool. He didn't seem to eat much, yogurt, maybe some meat and a lot of coffee. I couldn't see Nicole as well, so I don't know what she ate. My brush with celebrities. :p

Veronica

Veronica

04-23-2011, 06:45 PM

The current lava flow is inaccessible so yesterday we did a short 4 mile hike across Kilauea Iki and then did some driving around to some sites we hadn't seen before.

Today we did a monster hike starting at the Halina Pali overlook at 2280 feet above sea level. Three and a half miles later we were at a small lagoon with a black sand beach, watching ocean waves crash onto the shore. After a snack and water break we turned around and went back to the overlook. Amazingly, going back up took about as much time as hiking down. It was a pretty steep trail and you just had to be super careful on the way down. Hopefully we got some good pictures that we'll post when we get home.

Veronica

redrhodie

04-24-2011, 07:00 AM

That sounds amazing!

Veronica

04-24-2011, 08:31 AM

The hike was very cool. We were really lucky with the weather in that was overcast on our return and we had a tailwind.

Heading home today. I got in one last short run this morning. Volcano is at 4,000 feet and I could feel it on my run today. :D Or maybe I'm just tired from the hike. I went out at 5:45 and got to watch the sun rise when I could see it through the rain forest. Lots of different birds making all sorts of noise, fragrant flowers lining the roads and no cars. Paradise...

Veronica

Veronica

04-25-2011, 08:30 AM

Now that we're home and I've done all of my downloads I can tell you that hike we did had Saturday had 1.5 miles at an average grade of 19.3 percent. I swear it was like going up a wall! :D I'm counting that bit in my running miles.

Veronica

Veronica

04-28-2011, 04:31 PM

I had to finish up my goals for April today. I have stuff going on Friday and Saturday and while I could probably squeeze in something... I didn't want to count on it.

Before work this morning I had a nice session on the trainer with Coach Troy and Dropping the Hammer. I swear I get more out of that video than any other I do. Tuesday was Mental Toughness and it just doesn't seem to get me like Dropping the Hammer. It's nice to go to work pumped up on endorphins.

Thursday afternoon is 'Fun Run" time. I decided I was going to do my "hilly" route. The Fun Run is all about no expectations. I knew I needed 4.5 miles to finish up the month and my hilly route is 4.6 miles and I hadn't done it in a long time. It's got a nice, relatively flat two mile warm up that I averaged 9:45 on. Woohooo! The hills start just after mile two - 4 pretty good size hills and they each kicked my butt. I ended up walking a little bit after each one. But it doesn't matter, 'cause it's Fun Run day. :D And I still ended up with a 10:17 average for the 4.6 miles. The last time I did this exact same route was July 9, 2010 (love Sport Tracks, it was easy to find) and I averaged 11:42 with no walking. It's so cool to be able to see the improvement.

I didn't swim as much as I would have liked to this month - only once. Two bricks, lots of yoga and personal trainer sessions and I made my running and Spinervals goals.

In some ways it feels like time is flying! I only have six more weeks of school. I'll ramp up the training a bit then. I have my first race May 8. It's kind of a long sprint distance: 1,000 yard swim, 16 mile bike and 4 mile run. Not a lot of women have done it in the past, so I could place. :D That would be cool, but really it's more about seeing where I'm at. My bricks have been just about that distance. My only concern is my run on my brick is pretty flat.

Otherwise, May will be more of the same.

Veronica

tprevost

04-28-2011, 06:08 PM

Which one are you doing may 8? I'm signed up for two this year (my first attempts). This thread is very helpful 8-)

Veronica

04-28-2011, 06:33 PM

Angel's Camp.

Veronica

tprevost

04-28-2011, 06:36 PM

Angel's Camp.

Veronica

Cool! We have a few people we know that do this one... I'll wave to you as you speed by in a blur 8-). (just watching our friends on this one)

Veronica

04-29-2011, 03:14 AM

Cool! I've never had any one other than Thom cheering for me.

Are you going to the BBQ after?

Veronica

tprevost

04-29-2011, 10:00 PM

I didn't know there was one 8-). Last year we watched our vet race, it was freezing but fun! Have you done this one before? My family is forced to go... It's on mothers day so I am the boss 8-). Hee hee! I'll find you and say hello.. I'm sure you'll rock it!

Veronica

04-30-2011, 04:24 AM

First time for me for this one. I hope it's not too hilly. :rolleyes:

Veronica

tprevost

04-30-2011, 09:31 AM

Well... If the course is the same, you'll run uphill from the swim to transition, the bike ride has a good hill in the first couple miles but is otherwise rollers, and the run is a trail run with very slight rollers... It's a nice course 8-)

The good news is that the water level is much higher than last year so a shorter distance from the water up to transition. Also, the water start is on the launch so you'll be running up grooved concrete (they sweep it for you I believe)

Veronica

05-01-2011, 11:39 AM

My first run in May was fantastic!

First of all, I really didn't want to do anything today. We worked a rest stop for the Devil Mountain Double yesterday and it is exhausting and an all day affair. Our stop is probably one of the most remote, at the base of Mount Hamilton. It's 50 miles out a very twisty road, so just getting there is an adventure. It's roughly at mile 125 of a 206 mile ride, so the riders are pretty spread out. Our first guy showed up at 12:50, the last rider at about 6 PM. Then you clean up the spot, drive out, drop off supplies and head home. LONG day.

But I figured I would go out and do an easy run while Thom worked out with the trainer.

All this interval work, weight work, plyomterics, eating properly... it's all coming together. I did 2.8 miles at a 9:22 pace. I am just thrilled with my progress.

First race is a week from today. I'm getting excited and nervous. :rolleyes:

Veronica

maillotpois

05-02-2011, 03:53 AM

We worked a rest stop for the Devil Mountain Double yesterday and it is exhausting and an all day affair. Our stop is probably one of the most remote, at the base of Mount Hamilton. It's 50 miles out a very twisty road, so just getting there is an adventure. It's roughly at mile 125 of a 206 mile ride, so the riders are pretty spread out. Our first guy showed up at 12:50, the last rider at about 6 PM. Then you clean up the spot, drive out, drop off supplies and head home. LONG day.

And thanks for that - you guys put in incredibly long hours. The amount and quality of the support out there is always humbling.

Glad you got a good run in!!

Veronica

05-02-2011, 05:50 AM

And thanks for that - you guys put in incredibly long hours. The amount and quality of the support out there is always humbling.

Glad you got a good run in!!

We really do have fun doing the rest stop, but we're always a bit tired the next day. Next year will be our TENTH year working DMD.

Hey, we both had PBs this weekend. Three hours off your last DMD finish time! You ROCK MP!

Veronica

maillotpois

05-02-2011, 04:24 PM

My friend Rick was at the start to see us off and pick up his Mines rest stop stuff (the mile 17 water stop), then he and his wife were at Sunol at 8 - 9 when I came through, then they were at the finish til after 1. I have other friends who work days in a row on that. I am just in awe of the time and energy putting something like that on takes.

And in awe of a 9:22 pace - crazy fast! (Says the reformed non-runner.) :)

Veronica

05-03-2011, 09:09 AM

Off to a good start this month.

I swam Monday afternoon. After my 600 yards of warm up, I swam 1,000 yards straight, at race pace. For me this means not going out too hard; I try to do it a 6 - 7 RPE. I thnk of the swim as just a warm up for the rest of the race. Finished up with a time of 18:22 for the 1,000 yards. Twenty minutes should be very doable for Sunday's race. I always worry about sighting and the other racers.

This morning ran intervals with Thom. After a 3/4 mile warm up run at a 9:40 pace, we did 5, 1/3 mile intervals with about .15 walk in between. Four of these I kept a pace of 7:30 - 7:50. I had one at an 8:02. :rolleyes:

Definitely getting faster. :D

Veronica

Veronica

05-04-2011, 07:52 AM

Dropped the fit ball on my head today while doing inclined leg raises. It was on the last one of my second set and I just couldn't hold it between my calves anymore. So glad it weighs nothing. :D I cracked up as did the other people working out. It bounced off my forehead and onto the floor.

Veronica

Veronica

05-09-2011, 06:14 AM

Thom's race photos (http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Triathlons/Angels-Camp-2011/16984554_sdHCdt#1284803978_bN4jZfB) are up.

It was fun and beautiful. I'll do a detailed write up after work today for our blog.

I did get third in my age group. I suspect there were only three entrants. :p

I got to meet tprevost and her family though and it was cool to have someone shouting, "Go Veronica!"

Veronica

GLC1968

05-09-2011, 08:44 AM

Nice job, V! And great photos (as usual!). Looking forward to the write up!

Blueberry

05-09-2011, 09:03 AM

Beautiful Photos! Can't wait for the full report:p

Veronica

05-09-2011, 03:34 PM

Official results just got posted. It's silly, but I am thrilled that there were 8 people in my age group. :)

I was 10th overall.

Veronica

tprevost

05-09-2011, 05:02 PM

Official results just got posted. It's silly, but I am thrilled that there were 8 people in my age group. :)

I was 10th overall.

Veronica

Wow! That is very impressive! I knew you did well though... Ya should have trained me better... I could've counted for you (shows you what I know). Looking forward to the full report, the pictures are great 8-)

Veronica

05-09-2011, 07:13 PM

The blog post is done. :p

Follow the link below.

Veronica

tprevost

05-09-2011, 08:29 PM

The blog post is done. :p

Follow the link below.

Veronica

I don't see it... Could be me, my day has been like that :p.... Is it labeled or should it be on the first page?

Keep meaning to tell you how great it was to get to meet you and Thom :D

colby

05-09-2011, 08:54 PM

Congrats, V! Nice job! :D Love the photos. I always love hill climbing photos. "Yep, that's me. ON MY BIKE. CLIMBING THAT HILL. TAKE THAT!!"

Veronica

05-10-2011, 02:57 AM

It should show up when you click on the tandemhearts link in my signature. Then to see the whole thing you have to click more.

Veronica

tprevost

05-10-2011, 06:07 AM

It should show up when you click on the tandemhearts link in my signature. Then to see the whole thing you have to click more.

Veronica

Ill try on my computer at the office... I still get just geckos and Blizzard only... Oh wait... There's a title on the left now... Yeah! Nice report!

Veronica

05-10-2011, 06:10 AM

Try this one.

Angels Camp Tri (http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/angels-camp-triathlon/)

Veronica

Veronica

05-18-2011, 06:10 AM

It happens every year at this time. I come home mentally and physically exhausted from dealing with the "drama" of ten year olds and my training takes a dive. This year's issue is "bullying". Is it really bullying if both kids involved are constantly picking at each other because they get on each other's nerves? Neither can stay out of the other's business and they have to play the same games at recess. They can't just avoid each other. And the parents... oy. Can't you protect my son from that awful child? No, not when your child constantly follows him around.

I think I'm going to take a day or two off in the next few weeks and see if that helps me keep my batteries charged. It's not like they are really going to learn anything at this point anyway. :D

Veronica

SheFly

05-18-2011, 06:35 AM

Congrats on the accomplishment! I just read the blog post about the tri. Looks beautiful, and you had a great result.

And this time of year is tough not just for teachers :D. I can't stay focused OR motivated here either. Our weather is pretty dimal right now, so that isn't helping. Do take some time off - batteries always need charging.

SheFly

spindizzy

05-18-2011, 06:18 PM

Congratulations! Looks like a beautiful course. Thom sure knows how to get some awesome shots!

Veronica

05-19-2011, 06:03 AM

Congrats on the accomplishment! I just read the blog post about the tri. Looks beautiful, and you had a great result.

SheFly

Congratulations! Looks like a beautiful course. Thom sure knows how to get some awesome shots!

Thanks very much!

One of the tricks to good photos - good editing! He started off with over 100 shots and we whittled it down to those 8. We looked at all the swimming photos for the one with best splash and arm position and the least dorky look on my face. He had a lot of practice shots of other riders cresting the hill or going through the corner. I wish I could look as happy climbing as Chris Horner does! :D

I'm lucky because he enjoys the challenge of getting good photos.

Veronica

Veronica

05-22-2011, 06:39 AM

Tweaked a muscle in my back yesterday at mile two of my planned 7.5 mile run. I went on for another mile and a quarter and it kept hurting more and more. I was running to the gym to meet Thom, so I called him and he picked me up.

Planned on a tandem bike ride today, but I think I'll be sitting around the house icing. :rolleyes:

I don't think it's that big of a deal right now, but I need to keep myself healthy. A day off today won't kill me.

Veronica

Veronica

05-26-2011, 05:41 AM

Will May ever end?

I have felt lackluster since my race on May 8. It's been hard to motivate myself to follow through on my workouts and to stay away from all the sweet stuff that finds its way to school. Stress is such a buzzkill and it's not just typical end of year stuff. My coworkers are contributing a bit as well. :(

I finished up my spinning goal for the month this morning. I've been doing my "easier" videos - Zoot Challenge, Hillacious and Uphill Grind rather than Dropping the Hammer. It was my mental compromise to actually get my butt on the bike. :D Weird thing though, I've switched the screens around on my Garmin to show HR and speed, rather than cadence. Trying to maintain a certain speed is tremendously motivating. Little changes in cadence wouldn't worry me, but a change in speed... gets those legs churning. :D

I've got three more runs to do this month though - "Fun Run" this afternoon, long run on Saturday and intervals on Tuesday.

Shawna, my trainer, has been whipping my butt on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Monday's killer was plank position, elbows on a Bosu, held for three minutes, followed by an isometric squat on the Bosu, holding a 5 pound weight out in front of you, held for two minutes. Repeat!

Wednesday was side plank with top arm and leg extended, hold for a minute, then do the other side. Repeat two more times. That one was mixed in with some other exercises.

I've only swum twice this month and once was my race. Of course that was 500 yards longer than it was suppose to be. :eek:

Last day of school is June 9th. June's challenge will be to find a schedule that works when I don't have a schedule. You'd think it would be easy... but the lure of sitting around drinking coffee and riding a book is strong.

And oh my goodness, next race is June 5th!

Veronica

Blueberry

05-26-2011, 05:53 AM

You'd think it would be easy... but the lure of sitting around drinking coffee and riding a book is strong.

I think your subconscious is trying to tell you something:D:p

I know what you mean about schedule. I have a lot more flexibility than I used to - but I also have to deal with all of the emergencies (which have been eating up too much training time).

Veronica

05-26-2011, 06:19 AM

I think your subconscious is trying to tell you something:D:p

I know what you mean about schedule. I have a lot more flexibility than I used to - but I also have to deal with all of the emergencies (which have been eating up too much training time).

Ha! Too funny! You're probably right. And I read over that post three times before submitting it!

I try to do my most important training first thing in the morning. So that "other" stuff doesn't keep it from happening. It's hard to get out of bed at 3:45, but... most days I do.

Veronica

Veronica

05-28-2011, 09:49 AM

Got my running mojo back. 6.77 miles this morning at an average pace of 10:04 and it felt great! Love those endorphins. :D

Veronica

Blueberry

05-28-2011, 10:04 AM

Yay for a good run! I did the trainer today - but at least I did it!!

Veronica

05-31-2011, 06:04 AM

Saturday's mantra was "easy and light." It worked very well for me to keep focusing on those two words. Saturday afternoon when I was reading Born to Run I got to Caballo Blanco's advice to the author - focus on easy, light then smooth and you'll get fast. It just seemed so prophetic.

Went out for my last run of the month this morning on my own at 4:30. Early AM runs have a tendency to be difficult and uncomfortable for me - breathing and stomach issues. But until I'm done with work I can't run at 8AM every day - the primo time! It was a good run. I run a couple of the hills a little too hard, but I was able to recover on the flats and a keep a decent pace. It wasn't as fast or as far as Saturday's run, but I'm coming to the conclusion that it's an unfair comparison. Early morning is just not as good as after breakfast and that's the way it is.

8 more work days! Field trip to Sacramento today.

I have an Olympic tri this upcoming Sunday and a sprint tri on the 18th. I'll have the last three weeks of June to really get in some significant training before we head to Glacier for a vacation.

Veronica

Veronica

06-14-2011, 06:07 AM

Yesterday was our 25th anniversary. Thom took the day off and went to my trainer session with me in the morning. Monday is legs and plyometrics day. It was fun to have him there. We did a lot of jumping, kicked the boxing bags some and isometric wall squats in addition to regular weight work. Those wall squats were "fun". First round was just to squat for three minutes. Second round was squat for 90 seconds with one foot up, then switch for another 90 seconds. The first minute of that wasn't bad, but then the burn kicks in and the last thirty seconds goes by so slowly.

Went for our regular Tuesday morning interval run. It was nice - 69 degrees at 4 AM and a big moon. We did 6 three tenth of a mile intervals. Fastest was the third one at a 7:25 pace. I blew up on the 4th one and thought I was going to hurl. I took 5 and 6 "easy" but still averaged in the low 8s for both.

Veronica

Crankin

06-14-2011, 07:28 AM

SheFly

06-14-2011, 07:31 AM

Yesterday was our 25th anniversary.

Happy Anniversary! Did you get married when you were 10? :D

SheFly

Veronica

06-14-2011, 07:48 AM

Veronica, do all of the squats, etc. affect your legs when you ride or run? I have terrible issues with this, any time I try to do lower body strength stuff when I am doing a lot of riding. I am thinking of re-joining a gym and I am not sure if I want to wait until near the end of the cycling season.
Probably just my age and my "delicate" muscles. I know everyone is different, but this bugs me.

I definitely feel the leg work from Monday when I run on Tuesday. That's why I also plan a yoga session on Tuesday. I only do legs once a week, so I plan my longer rides and runs to be later in the week. A hard ride on Sunday does make the leg workout on Monday tough sometimes.

Happy Anniversary! Did you get married when you were 10? :D
SheFly

Nearly so. :D

Veronica

jobob

06-14-2011, 07:56 AM

Happy anniversary, V!

GLC1968

06-14-2011, 08:30 AM

Happy Anniversary! Did you get married when you were 10? :D

SheFly

Heh, I was wondering the same thing!

Happy Anniversary, V! (and Thom!)

Crankin

06-14-2011, 11:34 AM

Thanks, I am not always so structured about when I do my longer rides or running, as that way, if I have to change something, I don't get "off." But, I am trying to add in yoga a little more and I hope that helps.

And happy anniversary.

Veronica

06-14-2011, 11:47 AM

This is the first year I've been so structured, and actually stuck with it. :D

So far it is working for me.

I love my yoga sessions. They're really more like stretching than yoga. I use the Yoga for Triathletes DVD series. The kitties like to help. :D Tucker sprawls across the mat and Cassie plays with my hair.

Veronica

maillotpois

06-14-2011, 02:28 PM

Happy anniversary!!! :D

Veronica

06-18-2011, 04:12 PM

I am disappointed with how this race went.

I have been dealing with chest congestion, stuffy nose and a mild sore throat which I was attributing to post nasal drip - the last couple of weeks. I figured it was allergy related and that as soon as warm weather got here, the allergens would die... A couple of Sudafed every day seemed to be helping.

Well, apparently not helping enough!

I knew on the swim that I was not feeling very well. I still had a decent time of about 6 - 7 minutes for the 400 yards. Tri for Fun doesn't do any timing, so I'm basing my swim time on when I started my Garmin at the bike.

http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Triathlons/Tri-4-Fun-2011/i-s8QfqNK/0/M/tri-4-fun-2011-01-M.jpg

http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Triathlons/Tri-4-Fun-2011/i-Sgb8GP2/0/M/tri-4-fun-2011-02-M.jpg

I rode up the hill out of the park all right and once on the flat concentrated on settling in and riding. But I couldn't settle in, I couldn't get my breathing under control. I just could not seem to get enough air into my lungs.

Thom got pictures of me at this point and I look miserable - pale, pasty and pinched looking. Luckily they were all slightly out of focus so none of them made the cut.

I kept trying throughout the ride to just settle in and find that happy place. I couldn't ride in the drops because I couldn't get enough air. Every time I tried to push the speed, I couldn't breathe. I've ridden faster on harder terrain for my weekend bricks. It was so frustrating to not be able to hit the speed I knew I was capable of. I ended up with a 17 mph average over the 11 mile course. And I look just as miserable in the last picture (also out of focus) that Thom took near the finish.

He said after, on the drive home, that he was surprised I didn't bag it at this point, I looked so horrible.

But I took off the run. I kept trying to find a pace where I could breath. In my head I was reminding myself, "Light and easy." But no matter what my head said my body kept saying, "You need more air. You need to walk." Stupid body just refused to listen to my brain.

http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Triathlons/Tri-4-Fun-2011/i-x3HHNdb/0/M/tri-4-fun-2011-03-M.jpg

I ended up averaging 11:16 over the 3.25 miles. So beyond frustrating because on my bricks I have been sub ten.

Monday I'm calling my doc for an appointment. If it is allergies, maybe she can give something stronger. And if something else... I'll find out what it is and deal with it. I've got six weeks...

Veronica

salsabike

06-18-2011, 08:28 PM

Hey, I have been dragging around the exact same malady. I already have the Monday 8:40 am doc appt And I skipped the second of my two sprint races this morning because of it. I was glad that I did. Don't feel bad--it's hard for your legs to do their job when they're not getting the full oxygen dose. Go to the doc and get it taken care of. And eat a cookie. :)

Crankin

06-19-2011, 04:07 AM

It's amazing you accomplished what you did, feeling that way!
Go to the doctor. I have been struggling with the same thing for 6-8 weeks. Two rounds of antibiotics and I am now just starting to feel normal. And, it actually did start off as allergies, but spiraled downward to sinus infection, triggering the asthma, etc.

colby

06-19-2011, 12:36 PM

I hate that feeling. I raced a marathon after "fighting off" a cold that I didn't actually fight off, and I just never could find my stride.

Not your best, but still a strong showing considering your situation. You'll sleep well, at least (or slept well, considering this was yesterday). ;) And yes, you deserve a cookie! Get well soon!! 6 weeks is plenty of time.

maillotpois

06-19-2011, 03:32 PM

I hate that - when the lungs just don't work. Get yourself checked out to make sure it isn't something serious or something that might be helped with antibiotics. And REST!!

yellow

06-19-2011, 05:19 PM

Whatever ails you will surely pass. You are still bada$$, icky lungs or not!

Veronica

06-20-2011, 09:24 AM

Doc confirms it's probably just allergies. My lungs sound good. There is a LOT of drainage into my throat and that's the most likely cause of the sore throat - just as I figured. Swab came back negative for strep.

She gave me some nasal spray to use that will hopefully clear up the congestion. It feels weird, but hey if it will make me "normal" again that's okay.

Veronica

Veronica

06-22-2011, 05:37 AM

Working out with Shawna I realized just how crummy I had been feeling these last few weeks.

It's amazing how being able to get oxygen helps you work out better. I have not felt this energetic in a long time! Maybe I'll even wash the kitchen floor today. :D

Veronica

ultraviolet

06-22-2011, 07:28 AM

Maybe I'll even wash the kitchen floor today. :D

I would need super-human energy to make me want to do that. Hah!

Glad you're getting oxygen! :D

Veronica

06-22-2011, 10:41 AM

Great upper body workout with Shawna first thing this morning - gotta love push ups with a clap between.

Followed by a fantastic mid morning swim. I miss swimming. I really should do it more often, just for the fun of it.

Hmmm.... what shall I do this afternoon. :p

Veronica

Veronica

06-23-2011, 03:02 PM

I am reveling in how much better I feel. Breathing is good!

I rode the bike portion of my regular brick today, set a new PR on the course by more than a minute. The day of the old PR I had been pushing pretty hard - trying to average 17 mph over what is a fairly hilly course with some sections that can have a very strong headwind. Sacramento Delta winds are world renowned in the sailing community. :D Well there wasn't much wind that day back in April. Now that it has gotten hot, our winds have picked up. In April I averaged 17.1, today I averaged 17.5 - 19.5 if you take out time at stop lights.:eek:

And I finally washed the kitchen floor. :D

Veronica

Veronica

06-24-2011, 01:41 PM

Did my longest run of the year today - 9 miles, 1 hour 42 minutes. The first five miles were pretty good. I averaged 10:36. Then I decided to eat the solid Perpeteum that I am trying out. Sadly it's not going to work on the run. It requires too much water to help it go down, which left me with a very uncomfortable, sloshy tummy. For miles 6 - 8 I had a walk/run strategy that let me average 11:41. But I totally blew up on the last mile. It was the hilliest and I just felt fried - 12:59 pace.

Overall average was 11:21. I'm actually pretty happy with that. The last time I did this run was in April of 2010 and I had a 12:29 average pace. I love how easy it is to compare the same route in Sport Tracks.

I've been working pretty hard at becoming at better runner this year. I think it's working.

Of course I was actually suppose to run for 2 hours. Maybe next time.

Veronica

Veronica

06-28-2011, 06:12 AM

My last interval today I averaged 7:03!

When we started doing them in March I was doing 7:40- 8:00.

Maybe next time I'll have a sub 7:00. :D

Veronica

colby

06-28-2011, 02:49 PM

Awesome!! I'm sure you can find 3 seconds :)

Veronica

07-06-2011, 05:01 AM

Beautiful 4 mile run yesterday. We headed out about twenty minutes before sunrise. We're staying near Many Glacier in cabins across from Lower St Mary Lake, south is downhill, north is not. We headed north for two miles, turned around and got to watch the sun illuminate the mountain peaks.

Veronica

maillotpois

07-06-2011, 06:37 AM

Nice! We are in Whistler right now, headed to Lake Louise this week and home through Glacier next week. Have fun.

Veronica

07-21-2011, 09:11 AM

Nerves are starting to kick in. 10 days to go...

Why do I do this again? :cool:

I had my last tough workout with Shawna yesterday. Next week she'll go easy on me. I'm really sore today. That's what I get for going on vacation for two weeks! Oh well, Glacier and Hell's Canyon were freakin' awesome! Tuesday it looked like I had gained SIX pounds on the trip. Can you say freaking out?! A couple of days back on my regular food routine and things are back to normal. I suspect there was a lot of salt in those guide cooked meals and two days of sitting in the truck to drive home, didn't help.

I've got the Tour and a good book (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gYzDOPscL._SS500_.jpg) to keep my mind occupied most of the time. No fitness to be gained in these days, just maintained. Given my poor performance at Tri 4 Fun, I'm worried I'm going to let myself down. That sounds weird as I type it... I've had some fantastic sub ten minute runs since then though. And so much more energy since I started on the allergy meds after Tri 4 Fun.

I know I can't maintain that sub ten minute pace for 13 miles after biking 56. I've programmed my Garmin to alert me if I'm faster than a 10:20 and slower than a 15:00. I know I'm going to end up walking some, but I want to walk fast. :D I'll be thrilled to average somewhere between 11 and 12 minutes.

Goals - I'll be happy if I can do a 40 minute swim, 3:15 bike and 2:50 run, plus 10 minutes of overall transition, that will give me a 6:55 total time.

The OMG goal, do I dare put it out there? It's in my head - 35 minute swim, 3:00 bike and 2:40 run. That's a 6:25 with transition time.

My best result so far was a 7:09 in 2009. I have come so far in the last year though, that I don't think it's overreaching. But I'll need a perfect day. Projected highs are for 85 degrees. I like that.

Veronica

Tri Girl

07-21-2011, 10:34 AM

You're going to kill it, V!! SO excited about your race (and wishing mine were closer, too). ;)
I think your goal is totally do-able. Your fitness has come light years in recent years and I have no doubt you can achieve it. As with any event- you never know what race day will give you. You'll play the cards you're dealt and do FANTASTIC! :D

Veronica

07-27-2011, 06:08 AM

Since Jan. 1 I've put in 175 hours of training. I know every single minute of it has been quality time - no junk miles, no half-hearted training sessions - just a lot of good solid work.

Saturday is the big test. :eek: I woke up at 1 AM this morning and had a hard time falling back asleep as I lay fretting about the race. Thank goodness Cassie Cat settled in on my legs at about 2:30. Something about her snuggling next to me helps me fall back asleep.

Of course Shawna, my trainer, pointed out that I could be taking naps. :D

Veronica

Veronica

07-27-2011, 06:35 AM

Got my race number - 2148.

Veronica

indysteel

07-27-2011, 07:26 AM

Good luck, V! I'm sure you'll do TE proud.

Catrin

07-27-2011, 07:36 AM

Got my race number - 2148.

Veronica

That is a good number! You have worked so hard for this race that you will do great! Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

lawnchick22

07-27-2011, 07:48 AM

Wow, impressive. Just read through the entire thread. You have trained hard, been dedicated and it will show on Saturday.
Sending you good...no wait, GREAT vibes.

Look forward to hearing your results.

tprevost

07-27-2011, 07:09 PM

Go get 'em Veronica! You are gonna rock this race!!! :D

kacie tri-ing

07-28-2011, 04:46 AM

Good Luck! Can't wait to hear all about it!

maillotpois

07-28-2011, 06:46 AM

Hey - good luck!!! You'll do great!

Veronica

07-28-2011, 10:48 AM

Apparently I can be tracked (http://www.onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=7015). :D

I never saw this in past years. Cool! I've enjoyed tracking fellow TE'ers in their Ironmen.

I wonder if Thom can get it on his phone. :p

Veronica

Veronica

07-29-2011, 06:29 AM

This is the year of the "smart" race. Typing it out helps me focus. :rolleyes:

Swim - just get in and do it. Time on the swim really does not matter. Really, really... it does NOT matter. You can go hard and probably do a 34 min. swim or you can go easy and do a 40 min.swim. GO EASY. Yeah, the wetsuit feels weird. Just deal with it.

T1 - just do what you need to do, don't rush.

Bike - once you're out of town, start eating. Eat and drink every 15 minutes. The ride is essentially flat. Don't kid yourself - rollers and two small hills. Stay in the drops and stay just below lactate thresh hold. It's okay to go harder on the first hill. The route south sucks because of the headwind. Don't let it get to you. Stay strong, stay in the drops. Take it easier on Chalk Hill. Don't stop eating here, you have 10 miles to go. Once you're over the highway, dial it back 2 miles an hour. Cruise into the finish, it really is flat here. Keep eating, you should be done with the blocks and working on the Hammer Gel. This is not the place to hammer to get that certain bike split that you REALLY want. Either you've already done the work to get it, or you haven't.

T2 - same as T1. Take the time to get your shoes right.

Run - Stay within your zone. I know it feels slow, but you have a long way to go. Eat your gels as you approach miles 2, 4 and 6. I don't care if you don't feel hungry. Just do it! It's okay to walk while you eat, just be quick. Smile, be the cheery person who encourages others. Don't drink too much water.

Stay smart, don't go too hard, have fun.