Goals

I've started a chart at home, of the events I want to participate in, in the coming year.  The biggest problem is the fact that the MS150 bike race conflicts with the Pike's Peak Hill Climb. I've wanted to attend the Hill Climb for years and years, and have never been. Chris and Joey vowed that they're doing it next year - which means I'm on my own for the bike ride. I'm hoping I can register soon, so that I can start building a team. Plus, if I register soon, I can get an (I think) free room through the college.  Hopefully I won't have a problem building a team for the event. I'll miss my family, but they will be having their own blast in Colorado Springs.

Wings for Life was great this year, and I'm hoping to do it again next year - but Denver's not on the site.  I hope that's just "yet" - not that it won't be held at all.

Also on the goal menu for next year are 14ers.  I need to get with Donna and anyone else who might be interested, and plan ahead for them.  I think Long's Peak is something like a 12 hour hike. It's going to take some planning and training.

Now, just to get through the winter again...hopefully with biking a bit, too!

Update on Statistics

Update on monthly totals:
August 2013:
70.39 miles (running)
30.39 (biking)
14.05 (hiking)

September 2013:

87.75 (running)
5.32 (biking)
4.11 (hiking)

October 2013:
61.25 (running)

November 2013:
79.23 (running)

December 2013:
73.73 (running)

January 2014:
88.47 miles

February 2014:
56.99 (running)

March 2014:
65.31 (running)
42.91 (biking)

April 2014:
52.88 (running)
96.32 (biking)
13.69 (hiking)

May 2014:
61.91 (running)
50.34 (biking)
3.0 (hiking)

June 2014:
42.55 (running)
236.32 (biking)
5 (hiking)

July 2014:
45.81 (running)
115.30 (riding)
11 (hiking)

August 2014:
54.03 (running)
38.52 (biking)
18.63 (hiking)

September 2014:
75.83 (running)
27.67 (biking)

October 2014:
79.24 (running)

November 2014:
37.12 (running - pathetic!)
3.92 (hiking)
4.96 (biking)
:45 minutes (elliptical)

December 2014
25.19 (running - even more pathetic!)
:45 minutes (elliptical)

I really need to bike more. Have to get a bike rack, which means I need to get a bumper with a receiver in it (as opposed to a hang-down aftermarket U-Haul receiver or something that I'll scrape on rocks).

Finished! (The Other Half in Moab)

Yay! I did it!  Actually made it, participated, and finished The Other Half in Moab on October 19, 2014.  I did it in 2:14.  This put me at a 10:11 mm pace, 498 out of 1095 runners, and 36 out of 115 in my F40-44 age group.  These results are what I'm going to use as my baseline, and I'm going to do speedwork and try to do more than just finish next time.  Now, to find a late winter half that I can train for, through the winter.  Have to keep the momentum...

Half Marathon Training...in the Rain

Yesterday's training called for 8 miles.  Yesterday's forecast called for weather in the 50s, and rain, which it delivered.  Because I'm slow and it takes me 80 minutes to run 8 miles, I opted to run after work. Which meant in the chilly rain, and dark.  The windbreaker set that I purchased for $20 in Alabama last year wasn't water resistant, I quickly learned. Not that I 100% thought it would be, but I was hoping.

The first half of the run involved plodding through, and jumping over, puddles, because it was actually raining for real. Not pouring, not drizzle, but a steady, sopping rain. My feet would be cold and soaked, and then I would forget about them until the next puddle. My clothes stuck to my skin (running tights under the windbreaker bottoms, long-sleeve top under the windbreaker upper shell, baseball hat, gloves) and made movement a little interesting/pullish.

But, having said all that - I did it! I did the whole eight miles, and felt great.  The 8 stopped about a half mile from the house, so I wound up jogging the rest of the way home, because I was getting cold walking.  Hot shower and jammies was my immediate next step, which was awesome.

My remaining long run prior to the half next Sunday, is 9 this Sunday.  The weather's supposed to be great.

Questionable Fuel

This past weekend, my training plan called for a long run of 8 miles on Sunday.  We had a wheeling trip planned, but had to get home in time for the Broncos game, so I was all geared up to run as soon as we got home, mid-afternoon, when the game started.  However, we didn't take the time to stop to eat lunch while out on the trail, since we were in such a hurry to get home timely.

So, my pre-run fuel consisted of several handfuls of cheese Ruffles, two oatmeal cream pies, and half a bottle of Mountain Dew (plus a half a gallon of Eldorado water).

And don't you know, the run kicked ass (I did my "city lap" twice). I don't like what that's telling me...I feel better when I eat like a hippie.  But man, junk food sure can fuel a run.

Noted.

4 Miles 9-14-14

Last night's run sucked. I mean, it was great because I was able to do it (for which I am daily and eternally grateful), and because Skyler came with me on his bike - but it was nothing like the last couple longer runs where I've been faster than ever (for me) and felt high as a kite and bullet proof. This run was a totally average pace, and it was a little tougher than normal.  Disappointing.  Skyler spotting the (possibly juvie great horned) owl on the telephone pole by the railroad tracks was super cool, though. That put him at about eye-level with us, since we were going over the bridge over the railroad tracks on 92nd by Carrabba's.

I'm a little worried about the trail closing by the house until November 1. I'm guessing it's already closed - there were signs last week announcing that it would be closed until November 1, but it wasn't actually closed yet - but surely that meant the closure was/is imminent. I believe they have "detours" and I'm guessing it's just the one or two bridges affected by the light rail crap along 36...but totally have to go check that out and see what effect that's going to have on the running/biking.  I'd been curious if that trail was open year-round (I didn't run on it last winter, because dark), and I guess that answers that question, yay!

I'm dreading all the coughing and hoarking that's going on at home and at work - I'm really hoping for an epic eight miler this weekend, and to be healthy, and trained, for the Moab Half in a month.

Not running- or wheeling-related...Chris said he wants to ski Vail this season when I go.  Well, he's going to snowboard, not ski.  I wish I had the patience to try boarding again, but life is just too short (and I'm too old).

Sunday, September 6, and Tuesday, September 9

Sunday was an epic run. I'm training for the Moab half (October 19), and I had to run my second 7 mile run.  I started out a little after 7 PM, not thinking it would get quite as dark quite as fast as it did...I need glasses in the dusk/dark because ever since my LASIK surgery in '07-ish, my night vision is crap; however, I didn't bring my glasses with me on the run.

When I set out, almost immediately saw a great horned owl in flight - low, and slow, right before the Harley exhaust fish in the city park.  Shortly after that, I started seeing BATS!! So excited. I love bats.  Not long after that, I couldn't really see much. Thankfully there was a nearly full moon, which provided some light so I wasn't completely out of sorts.

The weather was perfect - low 70s, dry.  I FLEW through the run, even had some sub-9mms.  That's a first! I was thinking, during the run, that it was my best ever, of my life. Pretty sure that's true.

Today was four miles, at work. I left in the rain (70*), and it rained the whole time. Still a great run, followed immediately by a Reece's.

Back At It

Unintentionally took a couple weeks off; the week before the 14er, because of my questionable foot (I fell into a spare tire and bent my foot backwards, and it's been weirdly swollen and my toe was mysteriously purple), and then the week after the 14er.  I rode twice in that time - 15 miles, and 20 miles. Running for July was lame.  Time to pick the pace back up.

Sunday, I set out at 11 with Skyler, and ran up the path to the elementary school. I sent him left, to go home (he's starting building from a mile) and I went right, to do my route in reverse.  Wound up running 5.8 without realizing/intending to. Felt great.  Last night, I didn't want to be near all the traffic, so ran on the trail.  Hammered out 5 miles, negative splits.  Felt great!!!

Tomorrow  I resume morning runs with Emily.  Looking forward to that!

I have to keep the momentum up so I don't completely fizzle out over the winter. This'll be Winter #2 of my life that I refuse to give in to.

First 14er

On Saturday (8/2/14), I did my first 14er with Donna.  Technically, it was two - but I feel like that's cheating, because we didn't hike from the bottom up of the second peak - we hiked up Gray's, then took the saddle from Gray's peak to Torrey's peak, and then down Torrey's.  Regardless, it was absolutely amazing and a total heart-lifting, gorgeous, amazing, feel-good time. I left the house at 3:30 a.m., and met her at the Park N Ride at 4:00 a.m., and then we reached the trail head and started hiking at 5 a.m.  It's incredible how many people were already up there - but that dulled in comparison to how many were coming up when we hit the summit. It was like some religious pilgrimage coming up the hill.  Crazy! The early start was well worth it for missing that.

A few days prior to the hike, I had asked Donna what to bring.  I'm used to running in the heat (for up to an hour or a little longer) and biking in the heat (all day) and hiking in the heat (all day) but have never done a 14er (add altitude and in some spots, more incline than a regular hike).  She mentioned a list of stuff she was bringing, and I added a hat and gloves to my pile. THANK GOODNESS she mentioned those things. I didn't use the hat (had a hoodie, and a windbreaker hood) but the gloves...even with them on, my fingers got a little uncomfortable.  I can tell I'm going to have to start slowly acquiring appropriate gear.  I can definitely get by, but will be better off with sport-specific gear.  I did manage to get hiking poles via Amazon - they were $25 and worth every penny, but I can see why it would be worth it to go look for a higher end model eventually.  Hiking backpacks are around $100, presumably because they're lighter and stronger than a regular backpack. I'll be using a regular backpack for the foreseeable future, but will keep an eye out for sales and Craig's List. Nothing like having hobbies on a budget!  Next time I'm going to bring a backpack and some real food (as opposed to the Clif Bar and energy GUs from bike riding that I brought) and more water. I knew I was skating by on minimal water, but with a backpack, I can do like Donna did and fill a 2-liter soda bottle with water and keep it in the backpack, along with the external smaller bottles. Brilliant!

It would be so great if the other three members of my family would be interested in doing this stuff with me.  They are proud couch potatoes.  It's a major bummer for me, but I'm not letting that hold me back, as this stuff is so incredibly fun and therapeutic for me. They are perfectly happy to be doing other stuff while I gasp and sweat.  Donna and I are grateful for each other, because her husband and son are similarly uninterested.  It's great to have a pal to do these things with!

Can't wait till the next one. We're presently trying to figure that out. The only downside is that Gray's and Torrey's are close - only about 90 minutes from the front door - the next 14er that's within our skill level is 100 miles away.

Time Off

Taking some unplanned time off.  Last Monday night (21st), I was trying to go to the garage in the dark, and I slammed into, and fell over, my husband's spare tire that he had put between the garage door and the Airstream.  Brilliant on my part.  He and Kate had stacked various crap that they'd pulled out of the Airstream between the Airstream and the garage, so that it wouldn't be an eyesore. I bent my left foot backward on the tire, and bruised my upper arm on the oven.  My (second smallest) toe was purple, but didn't hurt.  Now, my foot is still swollen, and I'm supposed to hike my first 14er on Saturday. So I'm giving it a break. It doesn't exactly hurt, but I can't tell something's not 100% with it. Next week, I'm going to resume the usual everything.  I'm hoping my body can use the week off for something good.  Getting stronger or something.

MS 150 Bike Ride, June 28-29, 2014

We did (most of) it.  Chris and I made the 81 miles the first day, despite his knee's protest.  He iced it on Saturday night.  We spent the night at the Embassy Suites in Loveland (after some Hooters, and a hot tub) and then got up Sunday morning (sadly, neither Chris, Joey, nor I could sleep in past 6:30), had Waffle House, and Joey dropped us off at the cool little Conoco in Niwot - and we rode Niwot Road to 95th, and caught up with everyone there, to ride 23 miles for Sunday (to attempt to preserve Chris's knee). It was an amazing experience.  We then went road bike shopping. Joey's in for next year.

What Keeps Me Going

Next week, I hopefully try to help two people develop a love for running.  I'm really anxious about this, because every time I think about convincing someone to take up running, I hope for them that they're in it for the long haul. I hope that they develop the love that I do for the activity.

I'm agonizing (well, not really, but it sounds good. Maybe mildly stressing) over which direction to start them in - with a Couch-to-5K plan, or how I do it - run two miles a day, until it's comfortable, and then incrementally increase distance, repeat. (10% (ish) rule), until they reach a goal "normal" distance.

For these two friends, I think I'm going to recommend C25K, only because one is trying to lose weight by September, and the other wants to get in shape, but is so so so busy all of the time.

I hope hope hope that they give it a chance and get to the point that the act of being out and running is what they love. Being outdoors, and the feeling of being ABLE to run. The feeling of moving their body in the environment, and being capable of doing what they're doing.  The feeling of being tired from exertion.  The feeling after an all-day hike. The feeling after a hard bike ride. All of that - that feeling is like a drug. Seeking it out, because it makes happiness.

Father's Day

So, I bought a notebook to use as sort of a fitness journal, but then took pen to paper and remembered how awful my handwriting has gotten (thanks a lot, career with so much typing) and decided to stick with this.

I told Hubs last night that I was going to run, and then go for a bike ride. He said he would ride with me (we are "training" for the MS150 that's coming up on June 28-29).  I finally rolled out of bed at 9:00 (oh, glorious comfortable bed). I went downstairs, got two hard boiled eggs, the salt, and a big glass (16+ oz) of water, and then went upstairs to the eldest son's room, where he and the youngest son were playing some vigilante video game. We talked about the eldest son's day yesterday, and I told the youngest the he was riding his bike with me on my run.  Much bitching and moaning ensued.

We took off, and I started out pretty slow (not a big morning runner).  By mile three, started to warm up and hit the groove, as per usual.  Went four, had fun talks with the youngest, got home and sucked down a Nuun Strawberry Lemonade electrolyte ("sports drink") tablet with another glass of water, and prepared for the bike ride.

Hubs was dressed and ready to go to Boulder (to see folks for Father's Day) and I was surprised - thought he was going to ride with. Talked him into changing, and coming with me - and shockingly, he didn't complain about going the whole way (Big Dry Creek Trail, from where we pick it up, only goes about 10 miles out, then 10 miles back, for an almost 20 mile ride, that takes 1.5 hours, give or take).  The ride was AMAZING.  I was marveling at how great I felt.  Stopped at mile eight for a Clif Shot (cherry chocolate with caffeine) and water, because I was starting to feel less amazing, and more fatigued. The weather was perfect - 70s and breezy.  There were a lot of people out - riding, running, walking.  It was really great.

Got home, made sandwiches (great Cajun turkey deli meat from yesterday's trip to RAM OffRoad Park for the Dirt Riot), jumped in the shower, and went to Dad's house. Helped them do some cleaning minutia, then went to Moe's for dinner, as their house was being shown.  Good BBQ! DQ was right next door (the one I worked at decades ago) and we went there for dessert.

A fabulous day!

Meg's Miles

This morning, I participated in a "virtual run" called Megs Miles in honor of Meg, a wife and mother (of three) who was hit and killed by a drunk driver on her morning run this past Monday.  After I ran and cooled down, I sat down to continue my (home-based) billing business work.  I had Facebook open behind my billing program.  Along with the Megs Miles event, there's a Meg's Miles Supporters Facebook page.  All day, and still, people are posting the stories of their runs, their condolences, and in several cases, inspirational stories of their own. There is one amazing young woman, Amanda, who was run over by a drunk driver five years ago, and has to use crutches to get around.  She "crutched" four hours to complete a 10K for Meg. She has also done other amazing stuff, like the Spartan Race (see article about her here). There's another young girl who has a disability that necessitates the use of a walker.  Andie walked two miles for Meg. There is another woman who is a young widow.  She ran for Meg.  The stories posted on the wall of that Facebook page could keep you crying for hours, because of the outpouring of love, support, and just the plain, raw glimpse into the good of the human spirit.