How Hard Can It Be? Year 3

[Veronica]

Barb's race is July 31 - so about four more weeks.

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

Nice work. You are a killer swimmer. I would love to not have to swim for a month and come out on top like you do!

Way to go! 4 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!

[salsabike]

Barb's race is July 31 - so about four more weeks.

Veronica

How much are you running, now that school's out?

[Veronica]

Just had an awesome run! It wasn't far - 4.6 miles or especially fast - but it was hilly. And it felt good. It's been a while since I've done a run that just felt good. I made it up every hill and kept going. It was fantastic!

Veronica

[Veronica]

I did an 8 mile run today. I was hoping to get in ten miles in two hours, but 8 miles in 1:43 is not bad. It's pathetically slow, but pain free so, I'll take it.

The first 6.3 miles were pretty good. My self talk has been really good lately. Last week's awesome run had really good self talk. Things like at the top of the 1/4 mile, 12% grade hill, "You don't need to stop, you're getting plenty of air!" as I crested the hill gasping, but continuing to run. At one point I was actually thinking, " I am a running bad a$$." Not really... but it made me keep running.

Today's notable self comment as my brain was asking for a breather. "What's tired? Nothing - then no, you can't stop." About the 5th time I had that conversation my body answered, "Well, the legs are kind of tired, you really need to eat that gel and you have to go to the bathroom." Fine, we'll stop at the park. That was at mile 6.3.

It's always hard for me to get moving again. Right after the park, I have a little climb and I managed to run up that. But then fizzled out and drank the last of my water. I really should have refilled my flask at the park, but didn't. I figured I could refill at the little park that's only 1/2 of a mile away. I seldom stop there, because there is no bathroom and you can imagine my dismay when I discovered that the city has cemented over the water fountain there.

That was enough to convince to turn for home instead of doing another half lap to get to 10 miles. It was 80 degrees out when I took off at 7:30 AM and I really didn't fancy doing two miles knowing that I was thirsty. My shirt was totally soaked and not because I had been dumping water on myself. I lost 4 pounds on the run and that was after drinking a bottle full of water when I got home. I sweat like a pig, so it's not surprising.

Considering that just two weeks ago I was turning for home after two miles, I am reasonably happy with my progress. I just need to keep my right leg healthy for two more weeks.

I'm starting to consider my goals for Barb's Race. I'd really like to finish in under 7 hours this year. Last year was 7:09. I'm not going to be able to take much off the swim as last year was a 37:04. Last year I averaged just under 16 mph on the bike. If I can bring that up to 17 mph, that will give me the time I need, since at this point, I don't think much will come off the run.

Maybe I'll surprise myself. I've been reading Lori-Ann Muenzer's book, One Gear No Breaks. I think that is where all my really good self talk is coming from. She really believed in herself and her ability to win a gold medal. I just gotta believe too... Oh and put in bucket loads of work I suppose.

Veronica

[roadie gal]

Good luck with the race! I'm glad your run was pain free yesterday.

[Veronica]

Aarghhh... I've developed salivary stones - AGAIN! So, I'm not sleeping well at night because apparently my salivary glands work overtime in the night, causing my gland and face to swell and I wake up because it hurts so darn much.


It's not like I'd acquire much more fitness in the next 11 days anyway.

Veronica