5 mile Run

Oh, I forgot...I did manage to get a 5 mile run in last Sunday. I attempted to Calibrate the new Nike +...didn't seem to be too successful, but it's only about a tenth of a mile off now.

Ah...

Yeah, still a bit lazy. :) Last week was a concert week for me, and it was windy outside every day....so to protect my voice, I didn't run. Not a good excuse, I know, but it worked for me. This week, I've had something going on almost every evening, so I forced myself to hop on the treadmill for 30 minutes at the end of the workday on Tuesday. I suppose I should have done the same today...but I'm wearing a skirt, looking nice at work for once, and I just don't want to have to shower in the middle of the day!

Hopefully, I'll get back into the exercise groove sometime soon. This weekend may be a good time to start...

Nike + Back to Running

Well, I put the new Nike+ sensor in my shoe...and ended up running much faster than I have! Errrrr...not really. I need to calibrate the sensor to my very slow pace. Last night's run was actually about 3.6 miles at a 10:00 mile pace. But, I'll let "phantom mileage" show for now. I also hope the date reset itself once I plugged the Nano and the sensor into iTunes. Anyway, last night's run felt great. Oh, and just for fun here are my stats from my uphill run in Maine...

Nike + Lazy = No Good Stats

Well, I still haven't put my new shoe pod in my shoe to track my runs. I'm just lazy...I keep forgetting about it, and then when I remember it's too late and my nano isn't charged, or I don't have the shoe pod with me at all. Oh well.

Swam about 1200 meters on Sunday. I was planning on going longer, but for some reason in the middle of a particularly long freestyle leg, I started getting a headache. I eased off a bit and finished up with a little bit of light breastroke and backstroke. I also felt some weird pressure in my ears. That has never happened before, so I wanted to take it easy. I'm wondering if it has something to do with sinus issues. Anyone ever experienced this?

Last night, the 10K class had a 3.5 mile run with a nasty hill. I was a course monitor, so I ran about 1.6 miles (including the hill), took a 30 min break to help everyone turn down the correct road, and then ran home. Averaged a little over 10:30 min miles.

I'm headed to the mtns of NC this weekend...hoping I can get an easy, but hilly run in...and perhaps hop on the treadmill or ellipitcal machine.

A Little Running, some biking, and a swim or two

Well, in the past few weeks I haven't had any particularly unique runs or bikes or swims to report.... I figure the fact that I am doing these things should be enough to keep me going!

I did have a pretty decent run last night for me... 3.1 miles with 2 significant hills...and I averaged just under 10:00 minute miles. I haven't run that fast in awhile, so I was pretty pleased with myself. The weather was cool and not humid, so imagine that probably had something to do with the quality of my run.

I need to get my new Nike+ shoe pod calibrated...and then I'll start posting those numbers again!

10K Class

Another year of the Striders' 10K class has begun. I'm a mentor for the 3rd time. Honestly, I'm not a very good mentor. But, I try. :)

Had a good run on the B&A with the class last night...nice and short, 2.6 miles. I averaged about 10:45 minute miles. Not bad for me... and I didn't take any walk breaks!

I bought a new Nike+ kit for my nano because I lost the shoe pod for my old one. It's in a pouch tied to my laces, and I think I lost it on a bike ride one day. I need to calibrate the new pod (which if I remember correctly can be an arduous process!). Guess I need to head over to the track some day to get it going. Once I get it up and running again I'll start posting the Nike+ stats again.

Recovering and Retooling

Now that the triathlon is finished, I need to find a nice balance to my workout routine again. I took a lazy week off after the race was finished and also managed to eat every bad kind of food in sight. Bad Page. Last week I got a run in on Tuesday, and yesterday I canoed, somewhat strenuously at times, for about 3 hours.

I'd like to keep cycling and swimming as cross-training options while I'm running. I really enjoyed both of those, although cycling is really only a viable option for the next few months. Swimming is year-round, though. In December, I'll need to start upping my weekend mileage in preparation for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon. That will be a fun race!

Until then, I think my weekly workout schedule will look something like this:

Mon: Off
Tues: Run-usually around 3-4 miles
Wed: Off
Thurs: Run- 3-4 mi
Fri: Off
Sat: Swim or bike
Sun: Swim or bike

In December, I'll probably replace the bike with a long run of 6-12 miles, depending on the weekend. If I can stick to this exercise schedule, I may throw a day of strength-training into the mix at lunch on Monday or Wednesday.

Race Report: Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon

Yes! I finished! I'm an Iron Girl! I even finished under my "ultimate" goal time. I am one of those "set multiple goal" types in order to avoid complete failure. Goal #1- Finish alive. Goal #2- Finish under 3 hours. Goal #3- Finish under 2:45. Ultimate Goal- Finish under 2:30. My total time was 2:27:07. Not bad for the first triathlon of a lazy runner. :)

Here are my complete stats:

• Total time: 2:27:07
• Swim time: 27:48 (.62 miles)
• Transition #1: 4:41
• Bike: 1:11:58 (17.5 miles)
• Transition #2: 2:49
• Run: 39:52 (3.4 miles)

The morning started off early. I think my alarm went off at 4:00 AM. I was at my friend's house by 4:45 to carpool over to Columbia. We arrived at about 5:30 AM. I started setting up my transition area (I had stuffed most of it into a bucket), got some air in my bike tires, and left the transition area by 6:45 when the first wave of Elite racers headed out for their swim wave (I think the first Elite was done with the swim in 9 minutes. Yikes!). We walked over to the swim start barefoot (lesson for next year: bring a pair of throw-away flip-flops!). My swim wave was next to last and did not start until 8:17 AM. At about 7:45, I realized I needed to visit the port-a-potty. Barefoot. Hence the throw-away flip flops for next year!

My swim wave went off at 8:17...to the strange noise of the AFLAC duck. A funny and endearing touch, but still odd. We treaded water in the lake for about 5 minutes before the start, so I recalled a lot of my old life-saving classes. I started at the back of the pack. During the swim, I got kicked and knocked around, so it took awhile to get into my swimming rhythm. I should have started at the front because I was a stronger swimmer than half of the swimmers in my age-group. One girl kept backstroking diagonally in front of me. I couldn't get away from her! Every time I would breaststroke to get away from her and get into a freestyle rhythm, she would come back across and run into me! I also thought the swim went further down the lake than it did...and suddenly I looked up and we were already at the finish chute! I had been conserving energy with my stroke, so I increased my turnover and hauled myself in.

The first transition was ok- I took some time to rinse my feet off, put on socks, throw on a gel-pack and grabbed my bike. I jogged in and out of the transition area...it was during those points that I actually felt like a triathlete! Once I got on the bike, my legs were pretty much ready to go. The swim really didn't tire me out at all. As soon as I got on the bike I passed about 5 people, especially on the downhills. My new bike made a big difference, I think. The course was VERY hilly, with some hills that seemed as if they would never end! My one complaint was the traffic on the road- since it wasn't closed to cars, there were a few spots near the park where I had to slow down to avoid hitting a car. My ride in Acadia Nat'l Park really made a difference. I think the ride would have demoralized me too much had I not already experienced some tough hills.

After I got off my bike and through the transition to the run, my legs felt ok. I ran for about 5 minutes until my lungs gave out. I took a hit of my inhaler during Transition #2, but it didn't kick in until halfway through the run (lesson for next year: hit inhaler with 15 min to go in the bike). I walked for 5 minutes to catch my breath. My pattern for the rest of the run was a modified run/walk...basically I walked up hills, sprinted down them, and jogged the flat areas. It worked...I averaged a decent pace for me- about 11:30 minute miles. I imagine I could have run faster if it was cooler and less hilly...oh, and if I hadn't just swam .62 miles and biked 17.5! I did have enough to push it the last half mile or so, especially when I realized that I was going to finish under 2:30!

I felt great at the finish line! They gave out medals, and I found my friends to rehash the race. We all had somewhat similar experiences, and all of us loved doing the triathlon. A few friends had a cookout later in the afternoon to celebrate. All in all, I would highly recommend this triathlon, and plan on doing it again next year! My ultimate goal for next year: 2:20...by shaving 2 minutes off the swim, 1 minute off each transition, 2 minutes off the bike, and 1-2 minutes off of the run. I'll keep you posted...

4 Days and Counting

Well, I'm 4 days away from the triathlon. I'm definitely excited...a little nervous and apprehensive...and a little ready for it to be over! I've had so much fun training and I think I'll be doing another one next year, too.

Last night I went for a short ride/run. As much as I thought my legs would be the transition issue between cycling and running...I think it's going to be my asthmatic lungs! It took about 5 minutes to get my breath. I guess all the oxygen was going to my legs and I suddenly switched and asked it to go to my lungs instead.

Swimmin' in the Lake

I had another good open-water lake swim today...about 700-800 meters I think. It took me about 18 minutes...but I finally got used to not being able to see in the water. My swim was after water-skiing and tubing, so I was pretty proud that I wasn't exhausted!

Vacation and Triathlon Training

So, I've managed to get some good training in on this vacation. A swim in the lake, a great uphill run, and a 20 mile super-hilly bike ride along the coast. Tomorrow, I'll be trying out my triathlon suit in the lake, and possibly riding a bit as well. Hopefully I'll also get another run in before we leave.

Today was my 20 mile bike ride in Acadia Nat'l Park on the Park Loop road. The views were stunning, but the uphills were really tough! I had a lot of fun going downhill, though. :) By the end, my legs were shot, but I knew I had gotten a good workout in.

Intense 2 weeks

Less than 3 weeks until the triathlon! Yikes... so I'm now in the last 2 weeks of really being able to train hard. I'm planning on the week before the race being a "taper" week with very little training.

On Sunday, I did a "test swim" in the pool by swimming the entire race distance (1100 yards/.62 miles). I managed to complete it in about 25 minutes..with only about 100 meters of breaststroke as a "breathing break". Taking into account other swimmers and the fact that it may be a bit choppy in the open water, I'm hoping to finish the swim part of the tri under 30 minutes.

I rode 15 miles on my new bike Monday night! I love it! I cut 10 minutes off my time from the week before on the same course. Who says that technology can't make you faster?? I'd like to finish the bike part of the tri in 1:15.

Today, I went for a run on the treadmill at work. I ran the entire race distance (3.4 miles). I averaged about 11 minute miles. I'll take that for the race, for sure. My goal is to finish the run in about 40 minutes.

Adding those together and including transitions, I think I'd like to complete the whole tri in 2:45 or under. We'll see...I think that's a conservative goal, but considering I've never done one of these, who knows what will happen?!?!

New Bike

I bought a new bike! After a few months of riding my roommate's city bike...I decided it was time to buy a racing bike. So I did! A Trek 1.5. It's white, grey, and lovely all over! It's all tuned up and waiting for me at the shop...as soon as I can figure out a way to get it in my itty bitty Saturn.

I had a rough run last week...it was hot, humid, and I hadn't run too much because of the biking, swimming and opera deal. I almost got overheated, but thankfully had some smart friends with ice and lots of water. A post-run beer helped as well.

3 weeks until the triathlon. I'm nervous and excited...just ordered my racing outfit yesterday. I should have a few weeks to try it out before the race.

I'm headed to Maine in a week or so for vacation. The friends I'm staying with live on a lake, so I'll be able to get some open-water swims in.

Exercise Holding Pattern

Until the show I'm in closes (this Sunday....), my exercise regimen-schedule-whatever-you-want-to-call-it is in a holding pattern. Meaning, I'm just trying to maintain the fitness I've built with a little running, some biking, and my normal Saturday AM swims.

Luckily this week, I had time to get a good, hilly bike ride in, as well as my first open-water swim! We went swimming off a friend's dock in the Severn River. It took me about 50 meters of swimming to relax and adjust to the murkiness of the water, but once I did it was fine. I felt like I could swim forever! The odd thing, however, is that it doesn't seem like you are making progress in open water...more like you are floating, flailing your arms about (otherwise known as a stroke..:)), and staying in the same place. I was shocked to look up sometimes and see the next dock was much closer!

Next week, I'll finally be able to get back into a more solid schedule...and hopefully take my running off the treadmill and back outside!

Normal

Just normal exercise recently... a few treadmill runs at work (gotta get back outside and going with the Nike +), a couple of bike rides, and my normal swim class. Training has been in a bit of a holding pattern while I am rehearsing for an opera production. Hopefully, I'll be able to gear it up in two weeks when the show is over! At the moment, I'm just glad to find time to exercise here and there!

Exercise Update

I know I keep saying it...but I really love swimming. I headed to the pool for a swim on Thursday evening. My goal was to get into a very slow rhythym that I can maintain for some distance. My swimming class every Saturday morning has been great for my technique and speedwork, but I know that in order to be able to finish the swim portion of the tri, I need to get a nice, smooth, slow pace going. I finally accomplished that on Thursday, and was able to swim about 500 meters without needing to stop. I did throw a few laps of breaststroke in there, but I figure as long as I'm moving forward that is what counts!

Saturday, I went to my regular class and had a good, hard workout.

Sunday, I went for a bike ride. I rode about 12 miles in the middle of the afternoon, so it was hot. I rode from my house down to Thomas Point, but I didn't go out to the water because I was afraid I'd be tempted to stop and not come back and finish my ride!

I've taken the past two days off to rest my legs, but I'll be jumping back in with a run tomorrow.

Another week of Training for a Triathlon

I'm really starting to like swimming. A lot. There's something about cutting through the water with a powerful stroke that makes me feel sleek and strong. I don't often feel sleek, so experiencing that in the water is a nice change. :) When I run I typically feel like a heavy amazon, and biking makes me feel like an amateur. Swimming is very peaceful, too.

On Saturday, we had a hard swimming workout, and then LC talked me into a 15 mile bike ride. I was glad I pushed myself, but I was exhausted for the rest of the day!

Tuesday, I ran on the treadmill again. This time I managed to go 3.5 miles without stopping. That was an accomplishment for me!

Tonight, I'm scheduled to go for a bike ride, and tomorrow I will swim.

If I ever run outside again, I'll post my Nike+ stats!

Treadmill Time

So, I ran on the treadmill at work again today. For 35 minutes- probably a treadmill record for me. I hate the treadmill- it really does make one feel like a hamster stuck on a wheel and not going anywhere. I'm normally an outside runner, but recent schedule restraints have sent me inside since I can only run in the middle of the day when it is HOT!

Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to move back outside soon...

Lazy Updater

Well, I've actually been exercising a lot recently. I just haven't been updating this blog...

The week before last I was at my company's Users' Conference. I ran a few miles on Monday, and then hit the hotel gym for a bike and run (during the tornadoes that were coming through) on Wednesday. Last weekend was sooooo hot that I couldn't bring myself to do any exercise.

I've started my summer "operetta" rehearsals, so exercising in the evening is no longer an option. So, I've been heading to the gym at our office. Tuesday I ran 3 miles on the treadmill (boring), and Thursday I rode the bike for 25 minutes and ran for 25 minutes (even more boring). I managed to hurt my neck on Friday, so Saturday was just an easy run in the heat....as I try to acclimate to it...and today (Sunday) I swam for about 1500 meters (not without stopping) and then biked 7 miles. I'm really getting into this exercise thing.

Unfortunately, I don't seem to be losing weight. That's not a goal of the triathlon training, but it would be an added bonus. I've actually gained weight- which I hope is from the muscle I've been building. My clothes fit the same, which is always my guide.

Anyway, this week will probably be similar to last week...hopefully without the neck strain!

Felled by a Cold

Well, I had a nice little exercise hiatus due to a cold. I'm back though- and had 2 ok runs this week.



Tuesday's run was ok- it was the first warm, humid day of the year so I struggled. I made it about 19 minutes before I needed to stop and walk...


Thursday's run occurred on the Truman Parkway with its nasty hills. I forced myself to run for 25 minutes without stopping, and then walked up the hills and ran down them. Considering those crazy hills, I was proud of myself for running continuously for 25 minutes!

Today was my first swim. I started off very rough...I forgot that it's difficult to get used to putting your head under water after not doing it for a few years! After awhile though, I got my rhythym. The class I am in has a great coach, and she corrected a lot of my technique. By the end of the class, I was pretty comfortable with my stroke and getting a pretty decent workout in.

It's nice to be cross-training because I had gotten pretty tired of just running. It gets monotonous after awhile...

Last Night's Run

Well, I finally managed to get a good run in! I guess all this biking cross-training is helping my endurance...



A good run- started with a brief walk...the big dip in the middle is when I walked up the giant hill! Other than that...pretty consistent pace, I think.

Lazy?

Well, I haven't been so lazy when it comes to running...just when it comes to blogging! Here are my last 2 runs that I was able to capture through Nike +:



And:



The first was last Tuesday...as you can see I'm still working up to running 3 miles without walking again to adjust to the warmer weather. I'm getting close...

The second was last night. Maureen and I went for a run/walk- we did a 2/2 modification of Galloway. I knew I would be doing my regular run tonight, so I figured getting out and doing something easy would be good for me.

I've also biked the Bay Ridge loop with it's killer hills for the past 2 weekends. The triathlon training is well-underway. This Saturday begins my swimming training. Yikes. I'll let you know how that goes...

Weekly Exercise Update

My ipod had a temporary meltdown at the beginning of my run on Tuesday, so I don't have stats for it. Saturday's run had a few "scenic" stops, so it's far from accurate and I stopped tracking it at 1 mile. So a quick description:

Tuesday- I ran 2 miles without stopping again- at a 10:30 minute mile pace. Pretty decent, considering how I've been running recently. My group was going about 5.5 miles, so I turned back in order to complete about 3. I was pleased with it- managed to run most of the way back, as well.

I was uninspired on Thursday, and was headed to a show at 8 PM, so I skipped my run. Oops.

Saturday, I was feeling uninspired, so I dragged my roommate out with me for a gentle run. We did a 2min/2min run walk combo down to Bembe beach, and took a scenic break to look at Back Creek and the Bay at mile 1. Ran/walked home. I was just happy to get out of the house and get myself moving!

Today (Sunday), I went for a bike ride. I maintained a 12 mph pace, and it was hard! I hadn't realized how efficient my body has become running. I always thought biking was easier than running- but biking up hills is much more difficult! I rode about 7 miles in 35 minutes (the Bay Ridge loop again). I had the grand idea to try to run a bit after the bike...Ha! I ran for 2 minutes and my legs were like lead. I think I should try that again once I've become a bit more used to riding.

My ride today did show me that this triathlon should have me more fit than I've been in awhile. Switching it up between running, biking, and swimming will really boost my fitness level since I've become so efficient at running.

I've been trying to feed myself better- lean meats, fish, veggies...I'm usually pretty good but I have the occasional fast food craving that must be indulged.

Currently, I'm sitting on the sofa with a chicken roasting in the oven (rubbed in rosemary from my own garden), Carolina Plantation rice on the stove, and a glass of unoaked chardonnay on the coffee table beside me. Homemade chicken salad and salmon cakes will be made for the week later...life is good!

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy

Last week was a lazy week for me in terms of exercise. I had a lot going on, so of course running or any type of exercise fell to the wayside. I kept trying to run during lunch, but I could never get motivated enough to do it.

Finally, on Saturday, I went for another run. I have to carefully ease myself into the warmer temps, so I ran for 2 miles without stopping at a fairly quick pace, and then allowed myself to walk, and then ran home. It worked pretty well, as you can see below:



On Sunday, I went for my first bike ride in years with Lauren and Scott. We rode the lovely Bay Ridge loop...the weather was spectacular and the view of the Bay, the river, and the Bay Bridge was amazing. We rode pretty slowly....but for my first triathlon training ride I was glad to get 7 miles in the seat.

Eeek

Finally. Nike Plus is working again....last week's runs.


Unfortunately, I didn't run tonight. Too tired after a long day of training and driving. I'm planning on forcing myself to run during lunch tomorrow...

Finally... Nike+ Run information

Ah. Here we go. Nike finally fixed their webpage so that the HTML code provided actually provides correct information. Here are the official stats on the run mentioned below:

Link Issue

Hmm. I keep trying to post the link to my Nike+ running stats, but unless you have a Nike+ username, you can't see it. Drat. Anyway, my last run on Thursday was a little rough because of allergies...breathing was tough. We ran at the Naval Academy, and I probably ran 2 miles and walked 2 miles.

This weekend, I replaced my run with a 6 miles walk with a friend who is walking a marathon. We walked at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, and I managed to have some asthma issues just walking. We must have walked through some pollen that I am highly alleric to.

Tonight's run is back at Quiet Waters, but I think that I'll be ok since it has rained recently. I'll definitely be toting my inhaler along, though!

The Debut of the Lazy Runner

Hi. I'm Page, affectionately known in my running group as the "Lazy Runner". Actually, I gave myself the title since I am often grumpy and complaining at the beginning of our runs. However, by the end of the run, I love being a runner! Despite the title, I have completed a marathon, a half marathon, a couple of 10Ks and numerous 5K races. I'm also training for a triathlon that will be held on August 24th of this year.

This blog is intended to be a log of my training. I think if I put my training stats and thoughts in cyberspace, I may be more motivated to stick to my training plan. We'll see...

In any case, be prepared for my slow running speed. Though I used to be a sprinter and a pole vaulter, as a distance runner I am classified as a turtle. But I almost always finish- which for me, is the point.

Hopefully, I'll be able to update my Nike+ stats from my iPod to this blog. If I can figure out the technical end of that, I'll be happy!