I arrived in Pennsylvania yesterday morning around 8am. I was so exhausted leaving Detroit that I don't even remember pushing back from the gate. Luckily, the plane was pretty empty so I had an entire row to myself so I could stretch out. Sweet!
After my sister and her girls picked me up and we hit up Starbucks, I went to bed. Emily decided to take a nap with me. In a twin bed. It was actually really sweet. She cuddled up with me and sang me to sleep. And then I awoke to her repeatedly brushing my hair off my cheek and forehead.
It was slow going yesterday. We took plenty of time getting ready, and I took advantage of playing with the kiddos. I won Lilly over playing airplane. Although, as a 9 month old, she still only really likes Mommy and Daddy. Emily, however, only wants Auntie B. Except when tell her not to do things like kick her sister.
Yesterday we ran some errands and did some grocery shopping. I made a fabulous dinner or whole wheat penne pasta, chicken, zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, mushrooms, red peppers and water chestnuts in an olive oil sauce. I loved it. My sister was okay with it. Emily picked pasta out of my bowl. And then it was an early night for me.
This morning I slept in until about 9:30, even though I could hear a tiny voice "B? Wake up, B" Anyway, I finally got up, scarfed down a banana and went for a run. OMG. It was pretty warm. And humid. And hilly. Downtown Pittsburgh- flat. Pleasant hills- HILLS. I only made it about 2.6 miles and was drenched in sweat and my heart rate out of control. Anyway, I came back and shortly after, a downpour started that came and went for the rest of today.
Sunday is definitely going to be a difficult time.
4/30/09
4/27/09
Pittsburgh Bound
Woohoo!! Tomorrow night I leave for Pittsburgh to run the Philips Respironics Half Marathon this coming Sunday. This race is extra important/special to me for a couple reasons. 1) I haven’t run a half marathon in about a year and a half 2) I actually work for Philips, so it’s really cool to see my company getting involved in something like this- of course I’ll be wearing my BC gear instead of my company logo :) and 3) My big sister lives just outside Pittsburgh and I definitely don’t need an excuse to visit her and her two adorable daughters. I even get to take part in a Princess party while I’m there as the older one turns three in a few weeks. I just can’t say no to those pleading eyes and “Pllleeeease B!!!” And why would I want to?
Two summers ago, when my niece was just over a year old, my sister was visiting Washington with her for the summer. They cheerfully got up early and came to my races and little Emily became my biggest cheerleader. Kids will take any excuse to clap and squeal! Now, as she starts to grow up, I hope she still stays excited for racing. She is a huge reason why I race. On the day she was born, she had a minor stroke and was in NICU for a week. She’s doing fabulously now- but anytime I’m racing and it starts getting tough- I think about what that tiny little girl went through in the first three months of her life. And now, I get the chance to run in her hometown and get welcomed back to the finish line by her little squeals of “Yay B!!”
Two summers ago, when my niece was just over a year old, my sister was visiting Washington with her for the summer. They cheerfully got up early and came to my races and little Emily became my biggest cheerleader. Kids will take any excuse to clap and squeal! Now, as she starts to grow up, I hope she still stays excited for racing. She is a huge reason why I race. On the day she was born, she had a minor stroke and was in NICU for a week. She’s doing fabulously now- but anytime I’m racing and it starts getting tough- I think about what that tiny little girl went through in the first three months of her life. And now, I get the chance to run in her hometown and get welcomed back to the finish line by her little squeals of “Yay B!!”
4/22/09
Nature....
I like nature. I don’t think nature likes me. For example, I get pooped on by birds more often than I think the average person should. In fact, one time I was out with a guy I was seeing and a bird pooped on my dinner plate. Luckily I was done eating. We broke up the next day. Last fall, I had to go to Florida for work, so I was pretty excited to get some warmth and hang out with some coworkers. The guy from Canada and I were really excited about all the tiny geckos running around the pool. But they were impossible to get a picture of. I had just told a Florida coworker this as we were walking into a restaurant to meet up with other people- when out of nowhere, something falls from a tree and lands on my head. Yes, a tiny lizard was caught in my hair. Naturally, I screamed. I’m not scared of them- but it was in my hair!!
So, this weekend, was just another example of the “nature” things that happen to me. Saturday was gorgeous so I went for a 13 mile run. About three miles in, I’m running along and singing to myself, when a large bug flies into my mouth! The cyclists riding by the other direction I’m sure had a great laugh at me trying to spit it all out while still running.
The next day, I decide to go for a bike ride. On my way down to the trail, I see deer. This isn’t too uncommon because I do live on a greenbelt, but this little family was hanging out on the sidewalk. I blame clear-cutting. Some developer is building a huge new complex right there and I’m sure wiped out the deer families home. So, it saddens me for a bit, but I can’t dwell too much, the land has already been destroyed- so on to the trail. Halfway through my ride, I see a snake. A little black and green thing. I scream. Like a girl. Like a five year old little girl. I hate snakes. Really hate them. Petrified of them even. Ew. I’m getting creeped out just thinking about it.
Moving on. Yesterday was gorgeous. I had to ride my bike to work. There was no way I was going to let such a beautiful day pass by. So, back to the trail to take a more scenic route to work. I’m noticing the mist rising off the slough. The chirping of birds, a few squirrels running about and thinking what a great day it is. I come around a corner and there is duck sleeping on the middle of the path, a few chickens running around and then some pigeons. Two on the right, one on the left. I make a bit of whistling sound to alert them to my presence and the two on the right take off, and then the one on the left does as well- first flying left and then realizing his buddies when right. He turns around and flies right into my hand! I tried to swerve as I realized he was about to hit me, but we apparently had the same swerve pattern. He just clipped me with his wing, but it definitely startled me.
Seriously. This is the kind of stuff that happens to me ALL the time!!!
So, this weekend, was just another example of the “nature” things that happen to me. Saturday was gorgeous so I went for a 13 mile run. About three miles in, I’m running along and singing to myself, when a large bug flies into my mouth! The cyclists riding by the other direction I’m sure had a great laugh at me trying to spit it all out while still running.
The next day, I decide to go for a bike ride. On my way down to the trail, I see deer. This isn’t too uncommon because I do live on a greenbelt, but this little family was hanging out on the sidewalk. I blame clear-cutting. Some developer is building a huge new complex right there and I’m sure wiped out the deer families home. So, it saddens me for a bit, but I can’t dwell too much, the land has already been destroyed- so on to the trail. Halfway through my ride, I see a snake. A little black and green thing. I scream. Like a girl. Like a five year old little girl. I hate snakes. Really hate them. Petrified of them even. Ew. I’m getting creeped out just thinking about it.
Moving on. Yesterday was gorgeous. I had to ride my bike to work. There was no way I was going to let such a beautiful day pass by. So, back to the trail to take a more scenic route to work. I’m noticing the mist rising off the slough. The chirping of birds, a few squirrels running about and thinking what a great day it is. I come around a corner and there is duck sleeping on the middle of the path, a few chickens running around and then some pigeons. Two on the right, one on the left. I make a bit of whistling sound to alert them to my presence and the two on the right take off, and then the one on the left does as well- first flying left and then realizing his buddies when right. He turns around and flies right into my hand! I tried to swerve as I realized he was about to hit me, but we apparently had the same swerve pattern. He just clipped me with his wing, but it definitely startled me.
Seriously. This is the kind of stuff that happens to me ALL the time!!!
4/18/09
whee!!
I always think of great things to do or write about when I'm out running-- and things are going well. And then after several more miles, pain sets in and my thoughts go out the window. Okay, so it's not always pain, more often it's my wandering mind. And it's killing me! I went for a 13.4 mile run this afternoon (since it appears spring has come to Seattle for the next couple days) and I remember thinking about something around mile 4 or 5 and thinking to myself "ooh, I should blog about that!! that's a great idea!" And now, I can't remember for the life of me what it was!
Anyway, GREAT run! An out and back on the Sammamish River Trail that was a little windy on the way back- but it always is. I have realized lately that I need about two miles to get a good warm up.
On another note, I got my bike tuned up this week. And added a couple more water bottle cages behind the seat. Yay!! It's supposed to be even nicer tomorrow so I'm definitely headed out for a long ride tomorrow. Definitely excited about getting myself lost around town.
Minor, Jacque and Chris are still training for the half marathon in June. Minor is probably ready to kill me. He headed to Georgia for the week and he's got a nine mile run scheduled for tomorrow- in the heat and humidity of Atlanta. hahaha. I'm just waiting for a pissed off text message. And poor Jacque has come down with a nasty cold.
Anyway, GREAT run! An out and back on the Sammamish River Trail that was a little windy on the way back- but it always is. I have realized lately that I need about two miles to get a good warm up.
On another note, I got my bike tuned up this week. And added a couple more water bottle cages behind the seat. Yay!! It's supposed to be even nicer tomorrow so I'm definitely headed out for a long ride tomorrow. Definitely excited about getting myself lost around town.
Minor, Jacque and Chris are still training for the half marathon in June. Minor is probably ready to kill me. He headed to Georgia for the week and he's got a nine mile run scheduled for tomorrow- in the heat and humidity of Atlanta. hahaha. I'm just waiting for a pissed off text message. And poor Jacque has come down with a nasty cold.
4/8/09
bike crash
Yesterday after work Minor, Jacque and I went for a run up the Bothell-Everett Hwy. Just over a mile into it, we hear this terrible sound. As we look across the rush hour traffic, we realize there's a cyclist laying in the road. He was face down on the asphalt, his ride arm and shoulder contorted to a terrible angle. Minor wouldn't even look at it- but I couldn't look away.
We stood there on the opposite side of the road, unsure of what to do as people started to get out of their cars and figure out what happened. From what we could tell, some kid in a Camry turned right into a gas station right in from of the commuter cyclist and took him out right there in the bike lane. I don't know how this kid didn't see the guy- he was wearing a bright yellow jacket. And not yellow like the Morton salt girl's rain slicker, that kind of neon yellow that almost hurts your eyes to see it. Looking at the cyclist's legs, he was in great shape and most likely very familiar with riding in traffic.
Anyway, it was completely horrifying for me. The image kept running over and over in my head last night, and then again during work today. I've never actually seen a crash, just pictures of the aftermath.
ugh.
We stood there on the opposite side of the road, unsure of what to do as people started to get out of their cars and figure out what happened. From what we could tell, some kid in a Camry turned right into a gas station right in from of the commuter cyclist and took him out right there in the bike lane. I don't know how this kid didn't see the guy- he was wearing a bright yellow jacket. And not yellow like the Morton salt girl's rain slicker, that kind of neon yellow that almost hurts your eyes to see it. Looking at the cyclist's legs, he was in great shape and most likely very familiar with riding in traffic.
Anyway, it was completely horrifying for me. The image kept running over and over in my head last night, and then again during work today. I've never actually seen a crash, just pictures of the aftermath.
ugh.
4/6/09
drafting off a toothpick
It has been gorgeous in Seattle for the past couple days, I finally got out my bike tonight.
I'd been daydreaming all day about getting down to the trail and cruising along in the sunshine so after work I spend a few minutes in the gym getting a quick weight workout and then I impatiently drove to downtown Bothell to start spinning my out of season legs.
I haven't bought a bike computer so I decided to throw on my Garmin and also keep track of my heart rate. The sun was incredible. Although, my bike definitely needs a tune up. I've finally put enough miles on it that the cables need to be checked.
Anyway, I decided a quick out and back would be good for today. Just after my turnaround point a guy pulled up next to me and then ahead so I decided to drop in and draft off him for a bit. I was in a pretty tough gear and keeping my cadence lower than his and keeping up without a problem. After a few miles I pulled ahead of him and he dropped in after me for a few miles. He finally pulled up next to me and said, "you're like drafting off a toothpick!" Probably the funniest thing I've heard while riding in a long time. So, we started talking, he asked me about Ironman and my Cervelo P2C- said it looked like a perfect fit for me. Which was awesome to hear since I had some trouble getting fitted since my legs are so long and my torso so short. Turns out Jeremy just moved here from MN and works not too far from me. We ended our ride and I headed home. Hopefully I'll run into him again down there. He was about my pace and could be a good riding buddy. Unfortunately, he also looks like 75% of the guys out there on the trail so hopefully I'll be able to recognize him. He's got one up on me on that, my bike is kind of obvious and he pointed out my M-dot on my leg.
Anyway, it wound up being 17 mile ride and my average heart rate was 136 for the 58 minutes I rode. I'm definitely not ready for my first sprint tri of the season this coming Saturday. Eek!!
I'd been daydreaming all day about getting down to the trail and cruising along in the sunshine so after work I spend a few minutes in the gym getting a quick weight workout and then I impatiently drove to downtown Bothell to start spinning my out of season legs.
I haven't bought a bike computer so I decided to throw on my Garmin and also keep track of my heart rate. The sun was incredible. Although, my bike definitely needs a tune up. I've finally put enough miles on it that the cables need to be checked.
Anyway, I decided a quick out and back would be good for today. Just after my turnaround point a guy pulled up next to me and then ahead so I decided to drop in and draft off him for a bit. I was in a pretty tough gear and keeping my cadence lower than his and keeping up without a problem. After a few miles I pulled ahead of him and he dropped in after me for a few miles. He finally pulled up next to me and said, "you're like drafting off a toothpick!" Probably the funniest thing I've heard while riding in a long time. So, we started talking, he asked me about Ironman and my Cervelo P2C- said it looked like a perfect fit for me. Which was awesome to hear since I had some trouble getting fitted since my legs are so long and my torso so short. Turns out Jeremy just moved here from MN and works not too far from me. We ended our ride and I headed home. Hopefully I'll run into him again down there. He was about my pace and could be a good riding buddy. Unfortunately, he also looks like 75% of the guys out there on the trail so hopefully I'll be able to recognize him. He's got one up on me on that, my bike is kind of obvious and he pointed out my M-dot on my leg.
Anyway, it wound up being 17 mile ride and my average heart rate was 136 for the 58 minutes I rode. I'm definitely not ready for my first sprint tri of the season this coming Saturday. Eek!!
4/5/09
taking days off
When I started training again this summer I told myself that I would always take at least one day off from training and be lazy. I figured Saturday would be the best day for that while I got things with my schedule all figured out. And now, I'm starting to think that's a bad idea. I took yesterday off (partly because I had a wedding to go to in the afternoon) and the entire day I kept asking myself why I didn't drag myself out. The weather was gorgeous!!
Well, I went from the wedding down into the city since a friend of mine was in town and I promised him I'd go out for drinks and dancing. It stayed pretty low-key but we were hanging out in Seattle until 4:30am!! So, I got home a little after 5- just in time to fall asleep and awake shortly after at sunrise and I was starving! Needless to say, I did nothing all day. I laid on the couch and watched terrible tv and movies. And now I'm really mad because I should be training much harder than I have been. Just looking at pictures, I can see how out of shape I still am. The 70.3 I did in 2007 and Ironman last summer got me into amazing shape.
To top it all off, it was 70 degrees in Seattle today! I didn't go for a bike ride, or a run. Ugh. Okay, I need to go turn off whatever Country music award show it is that I'm watching and get myself ready for weights in the AM
Well, I went from the wedding down into the city since a friend of mine was in town and I promised him I'd go out for drinks and dancing. It stayed pretty low-key but we were hanging out in Seattle until 4:30am!! So, I got home a little after 5- just in time to fall asleep and awake shortly after at sunrise and I was starving! Needless to say, I did nothing all day. I laid on the couch and watched terrible tv and movies. And now I'm really mad because I should be training much harder than I have been. Just looking at pictures, I can see how out of shape I still am. The 70.3 I did in 2007 and Ironman last summer got me into amazing shape.
To top it all off, it was 70 degrees in Seattle today! I didn't go for a bike ride, or a run. Ugh. Okay, I need to go turn off whatever Country music award show it is that I'm watching and get myself ready for weights in the AM
4/2/09
it's April???
Well, here it is the 2nd of April and typical to Seattle we had snow yesterday!!! And then a lot of rain today. Eek. My running buddies of recent days decided to stay inside where it was warmer and drier- but not I! I headed outside for a gentle six mile run amidst a complete downpour. Stretching in the rain waiting for my Garmin to sync up to the satellites I wondered if it was a good idea. It turned out to be a GREAT idea. Just over two miles in, I turned and was facing the rush hour traffic that was just sitting waiting for lights to change and I started laughing. Out loud. Very loudly. I couldn’t contain my giggles! Does this happen to anyone else ever? Random rain laughter? I hope it does, it’s one of the best feelings you could get during a run!
Anyway, I've been having pretty good runs lately. Or at least good company while running. Minor, Jacque, Chris and I have been together pretty regularly. A week or so ago I took them on a very wet and muddy four mile run and I thought they would kill me. Jacque is such a good sport that we dropped off the guys at work and she continued for a couple more miles with me. I feel like my friendships with Minor and Jacque are a bit different then they would be if we didn't get a chance to run together. Sometimes we all run in silence, each hurting and lost in our own thoughts. Other days we seem energized and are talking over eachother, joking and jumping in front of eachother. It's amazing how easy it is to talk though. The words just come out and they seem a lot more honest and heartfelt.
For someone who loves to run alone with her own thoughts, this is definitely a change of pace. But very welcomed.
On the other hand, I hurt. I hope it's just shin splints. That's a weird thing to hope for- shin splints, but it's better than the alternative. Stress fractures. I've dealt with both more than once. Tibial stress fractures is something that gives me nightmares and strikes fear into my core at the slightest uncomfortable twinge. I then start to worry- probably over nothing. But, in 2006 I was finally 'diagnosed' with a tibial stress on a Thursday. I was flying to CA the next day to run my first marathon. Except I didn't. I was crushed. It's a really hard to remember that week. But, I definitely use myself as an example for my buddies who are training too hard.
Anyway, I've been having pretty good runs lately. Or at least good company while running. Minor, Jacque, Chris and I have been together pretty regularly. A week or so ago I took them on a very wet and muddy four mile run and I thought they would kill me. Jacque is such a good sport that we dropped off the guys at work and she continued for a couple more miles with me. I feel like my friendships with Minor and Jacque are a bit different then they would be if we didn't get a chance to run together. Sometimes we all run in silence, each hurting and lost in our own thoughts. Other days we seem energized and are talking over eachother, joking and jumping in front of eachother. It's amazing how easy it is to talk though. The words just come out and they seem a lot more honest and heartfelt.
For someone who loves to run alone with her own thoughts, this is definitely a change of pace. But very welcomed.
On the other hand, I hurt. I hope it's just shin splints. That's a weird thing to hope for- shin splints, but it's better than the alternative. Stress fractures. I've dealt with both more than once. Tibial stress fractures is something that gives me nightmares and strikes fear into my core at the slightest uncomfortable twinge. I then start to worry- probably over nothing. But, in 2006 I was finally 'diagnosed' with a tibial stress on a Thursday. I was flying to CA the next day to run my first marathon. Except I didn't. I was crushed. It's a really hard to remember that week. But, I definitely use myself as an example for my buddies who are training too hard.
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