Well, I finished. Not in the spectacular style I would have liked, and 13 minutes off of the 2 hours I had hoped for. But let me tell you something, I think I hallucinated that last mile, I can't even be sure that I ran it. Part of me thought I floated with lead feet, part of me was concentrating on my breathing, counting breaths in and out, breathing hard when my left foot struck to avoid the stitch that was trying to come. Was I disappointed with my time, you bet! It was like New Delhi today, and if they ever have a marathon in India, I know I would be able to do it. The humidity prevented me from cooling down. I poured water over my head every rest station, chugged Accelerade every chance I could and I still felt like I needed to die by the end.
All I can say is I finished, I don't even want to recount it. I was happy when I finally found Brad. I was happy to hear that I wasn't the only one who had a tough time. The general consensus was it was to frickin humid to run today. I'd have to agree....
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Rock N Roll Half Marathon in 2?
Well as previously mentioned, I got a running coach. Great lady, good fit for me, I love her style. So anyway, last running clinic Wednesday of this past week, Brenda officially started her plan with me. Very scary. As she was doling out our running assignments at the clinic, I almost fainted when she decided I was ready to run a 15 minute threshold run, followed by a 400 meter sprint, which I had to do again because my watch didn't start and I couldn't tell her my time for the lap (which by the way was 1 minute, 46 seconds) followed by a ten minute threshold run and another 400 meter sprint. I looked at her like she had been standing in the rain too long that day and her brain had gotten all squishy thinking that I could actually do something like that. She said she could tell from the week before when I was just doing 5 minute threshold runs 4 times, that I was ready for something more challenging. And you know what? I did it and did a pretty good job for me. I was running 2 miunte, 400 meters during my 15 minute threshold and during the 10 minute threshold. I was pretty psyched because even though I was wiped and thought my eyeballs would explode out of my head, I did the whole workout. If I maintained my single 400 meter lap time, 1:46 I would be running like 7.5 minute miles. Geez, if I could only keep that up for more then a lap, for more then a mile....
So that brings us to the eve of the Rock N Roll Half Marathon. I keep telling myself I will be fine, that I can do this even though I only ran the distance once during my training. Brad keeps telling me my fitness base is ten times what it was last year when I ran it in 2 hours 18. I did the Shamrock Half in 2 hours 11 minutes. I would love to run this in 2 hours, wouldn't that be awesome? Can I maintain a 9 minute mile pace for the full 13.1 miles? I want to tell myself of course I can, but of course I am doubting myself. I will post tomorrow how I do. I will be starting in corral 10 with the other 2 hour hopefuls.
So that brings us to the eve of the Rock N Roll Half Marathon. I keep telling myself I will be fine, that I can do this even though I only ran the distance once during my training. Brad keeps telling me my fitness base is ten times what it was last year when I ran it in 2 hours 18. I did the Shamrock Half in 2 hours 11 minutes. I would love to run this in 2 hours, wouldn't that be awesome? Can I maintain a 9 minute mile pace for the full 13.1 miles? I want to tell myself of course I can, but of course I am doubting myself. I will post tomorrow how I do. I will be starting in corral 10 with the other 2 hour hopefuls.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
It's been awhile
Oh my gosh, it has been awhile. I guess that's my life though. I did have a race since I last wrote. The Waterboy Du. I hated it last year, it was the worst. I ran uphill, both ways in the blistering heat. It took me almost 49 minutes last year too. Well this year, I did it in just over 43 and came in second in my division. Wow, I never get called up for a medal, ribbon whatever, and I did. It was a pretty neat feeling. If I do this race again next year, I want to do it in under 41 minutes. Why 41? Why not???
Anyway, I have been focusing my training on the Rock and Roll Half Marathon at the end of this month. Not much time left to the month is there? My last long run was 11 miles and the last few miles really, really stunk. I can't imagine what doing the full 13 will be like. I did it in 2 hours and 18 minutes last year, I did the Shamrock 1/2 in 2 hours and 11 this March. I'd like to try and finish it around 2 hours and 5 minutes, can I do it?? These are questions inquiring minds want to know, I want to know (do you remember that National Enquirer commercial?)
So I started training on Wednesday nights with a group of runners. What a great group of people. Brad and I do it, then there is another Brad, Fred, Karin (who's a fabulous runner) Brian, my running buddy and Tom another guy I like running with. Like I said, it's a really good group of people. I have been enjoying myself and feel like I have really improved in just three weeks of training. I should mention the coach Brenda too. She is just perfect for me. She is the nicest lady. She does a very individualized job with all of us, even with all of our different levels of abilities. I really look forward to going each week.
Brad is off to Chicago this week for a tri there and my girls, Micayla included, did beautifully this weekend at the Twin Hickory youth tri. Heather is one to watch, she really has talent and ability, plus the drive. Erin has beautiful form, she needs to practice a bit and she could be unstoppable.
Until we meet again...
Anyway, I have been focusing my training on the Rock and Roll Half Marathon at the end of this month. Not much time left to the month is there? My last long run was 11 miles and the last few miles really, really stunk. I can't imagine what doing the full 13 will be like. I did it in 2 hours and 18 minutes last year, I did the Shamrock 1/2 in 2 hours and 11 this March. I'd like to try and finish it around 2 hours and 5 minutes, can I do it?? These are questions inquiring minds want to know, I want to know (do you remember that National Enquirer commercial?)
So I started training on Wednesday nights with a group of runners. What a great group of people. Brad and I do it, then there is another Brad, Fred, Karin (who's a fabulous runner) Brian, my running buddy and Tom another guy I like running with. Like I said, it's a really good group of people. I have been enjoying myself and feel like I have really improved in just three weeks of training. I should mention the coach Brenda too. She is just perfect for me. She is the nicest lady. She does a very individualized job with all of us, even with all of our different levels of abilities. I really look forward to going each week.
Brad is off to Chicago this week for a tri there and my girls, Micayla included, did beautifully this weekend at the Twin Hickory youth tri. Heather is one to watch, she really has talent and ability, plus the drive. Erin has beautiful form, she needs to practice a bit and she could be unstoppable.
Until we meet again...
Monday, July 28, 2008
A Monday Run after an off week
After the NY City tri, my husband said we needed some time off. It was good, I did loads of laundry, caught up on work and house work. It was a great week off.
Today starts a new week. I am training for the half marathon Labor Day weekend most specifically. I will keep up with biking and swimming when Brad asks me to join him on those workouts, but I need to totally focus on my running.
I took the girls to Tri team this morning and ran while they ran. I wanted to do a two hour run, really I did, but that would be hard to do when the girls camp is only an hour long. So off they went and off I went. I have to say, at first it felt great, by minute 11, I was thinking I can do this no problem. Then after 1/2 hour I felt a little fatigued. This is when that evil little man in my head starts riding me. "How the heck do you expect to run for two hours if you're dying after 1/2 hour?" So I plowed on, and it felt good again. I did a good 42 minute run with a three minute cool down. I wound up running almost 4.5 miles, so I was running a slower pace then what I wanted, but after not doing anything for a week, and not really focusing on running before but more on all three disciplines, I have to be pleased with my start.
Back to the NY City tri for just a bit, I found a picture of my husband before the swim in the lost and found. I was so excited I sent it to him and then he must have found one too. I had to laugh out loud when I saw it. He had this maniacal, almost twitchy mental patient look in his swim cap and his wetsuit. The smile was definitely One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest. All work and no play makes Brad a dull boy...
So I will run again tomorrow. How long, who knows?? I want to get my stamina up, I want to increase my endurance and I have 5 weeks to do it in. Piece of cake, speaking of pieces of cake, I wonder if we have anything sweet in this house to eat? I need to go rummage in the cupboard...
Today starts a new week. I am training for the half marathon Labor Day weekend most specifically. I will keep up with biking and swimming when Brad asks me to join him on those workouts, but I need to totally focus on my running.
I took the girls to Tri team this morning and ran while they ran. I wanted to do a two hour run, really I did, but that would be hard to do when the girls camp is only an hour long. So off they went and off I went. I have to say, at first it felt great, by minute 11, I was thinking I can do this no problem. Then after 1/2 hour I felt a little fatigued. This is when that evil little man in my head starts riding me. "How the heck do you expect to run for two hours if you're dying after 1/2 hour?" So I plowed on, and it felt good again. I did a good 42 minute run with a three minute cool down. I wound up running almost 4.5 miles, so I was running a slower pace then what I wanted, but after not doing anything for a week, and not really focusing on running before but more on all three disciplines, I have to be pleased with my start.
Back to the NY City tri for just a bit, I found a picture of my husband before the swim in the lost and found. I was so excited I sent it to him and then he must have found one too. I had to laugh out loud when I saw it. He had this maniacal, almost twitchy mental patient look in his swim cap and his wetsuit. The smile was definitely One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest. All work and no play makes Brad a dull boy...
So I will run again tomorrow. How long, who knows?? I want to get my stamina up, I want to increase my endurance and I have 5 weeks to do it in. Piece of cake, speaking of pieces of cake, I wonder if we have anything sweet in this house to eat? I need to go rummage in the cupboard...
Monday, July 21, 2008
There Has to Be a Morning After....
I am happy to report I am alive! I lived through my first Olympic distance triathlon and, although, I didn't do so well, I survived to regale you all in the details of the duh, duh, duh NEW YORK CITY TRIATHLON....
As I posted yesterday Brad went and got us coffee to start the day and brought back some fresh fruit from that Greek diner across the street. We ate the yogurt we bought the night before, and granola, drank our G2 and there you go. We got showered, dressed in our Richmond Tri Club suits, yes we were rocking the Richmond blue, and out the door we went. We video-ed everything, and I am glad we did. I was extremely at ease. Why, I have no idea. I was terrified of the jelly fish, wondering if I could make the 24 miles and couldn't fathom running a 10K after.
As we were going into where our bikes were racked, we got body marked. After the cute guy who marked me was done, he looked up from the 41 he was writing on my leg and asked, Are you an elite? Which of course got me giggling like a school girl. I guess only an amateur triathlete would take that as a compliment. We got to our transition spots and started setting up. I was number 2256, Brad was 849 so we were pretty spread out. My spot was right near the in and out for the swim and the run but the bike was a million miles away. So after much puttering around and chatting with my fellow triathletes, I went back to where Brad was, with wetsuit in hand and we went down to where we could get our timing chips. We stopped at the loo on the way. Of course the boy line moved with the speed of light and the girl line hadn't even moved by the time Brad came to fetch me. Thankfully, I didn't really have to go.
At this point, it's around 5:45 and Brad's wave is set to start at 6:08. He gets into this race zone, a place where no man but Brad can go, and he was starting to zone. It gets kind of scary, like he could potentially hurt someone if they get in the way. He had this wild look in his eyes, sputtering about his wave starting and needing to get there as he was walking the almost mile to swim start. Here he is, in his crocs and asking me if I minded him running ahead of me to get to where he needed to go. I told him to go ahead, I was going to meditate my way to a triathlon nirvana.
I was all alone, there was no one there beside me...My problems had all gone...I kept trodding along, saying hello to the volunteers who greeted us so warmly along the route and was singing in my head, Who's afraid of the jellyfish, the jellyfish, the jellyfish....I found chip pick up, and my zoned husband, kissed him, told him I would see him on the other side (it's what I always say to him before a race starts) strapped my chip on my ankle like a dolphin being tracked in the wild, pulled my wetsuit out of the plastic bag I had it in, found a grassy spot to sit and started getting into it. I was wishing someone had a stick of butter to rub all over me because they are a pain to get into, especially being sweaty with how hot it was that morning. But I got in up to my waist, walked around like Jacques Cousteau waiting to dive and find the elusive moray eel and decided to find my corral.
The swim waves had already started, the pros and elites were off, and it was awesome to see them swimming that mile. The excitement started to rise with my other 40-44 year old age grouping women. We kept moving down the line to the start barge, all of us helping zip up our suits, making sure we were done up properly down the back. Suddenly it was here, the Swim Barge, inch by inch, step by step, slowly we turned down the barge ramp, and there I was, poised on the precipice of what could be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. The announcer called, Red Caps, you're in the water. I jumped in, held on to the rope and waited. The air horn sounded and we were gone. I was pummeled like a speed bag at a gym, but found a spot, got into my rhythm and I started my mile down the Hudson. Hey, I'm doing pretty well, look at me zoom through the water, this is great! But I started wondering to myself, how is someone holding a lit match to my toes??? Next thing I know it felt like someone smacked me in the face with a blazing hot frying pan. Ack, jelly fish attack, jellyfish attack!!!! Danger Danielle Robinson, Danger Danielle Robinson, now, at this point I am thinking, I am calling the kayaker, I need assistance!! But as I lifted my head out of the water to scrape the stinging from my lips, I saw the end. I was but 250 meters away, I just swam a freakin mile, I can't stop. So I swim on, now I have stinging in my wetsuit over my right shoulder blade, I finally realize what that sensation was that got my toes. Lion's mane jellyfish. Those mutant looking basketballs of angry red and purple pulsating goo! But I made it. I couldn't believe when the lifeguard was helping me out at the swim finish. I carefully avoided the fresh water showers, remembering I read somewhere that would make the sting of a jelly fish worse, jogged the 1/2 mile to transition peeling myself like a banana, and made it in. I got to my bike, grabbed my sponge soaked in ammonia and sponged down my face and feet. But there was the poor girl across from me who was absolutely panicked, asking me wide eyed what's going on with me, why am I on fire?? I helped her, and offered my ammonia sponge to everyone and anyone who was stung, and everyone happily obliged. I grabbed my bike shoes, put on my race belt, put my sunglasses on, slapped on my helmet, tore through the opening of transition, crossed the blue line and hopped on my bike.
The bike ride was something else. They tell you straight away to get into your little ring to get through the first part of the ride out of the park. The rest of the ride was extremely hilly, but the scenery was to die for. There you are, riding along, looking at the City, it was truly breathtaking. But hilly, holy cow, I was working every gear I had getting up and down those hills, down the Henry Hudson, to the Moshulu, back to 50th street, back to Riverside Park. I was tired, my legs were screaming from the hills, how was I going to do this run???
I get through the bike dismount, stop, pull my shoes off, and run the billion miles to my spot. I drop my helmet, shoes, grab my socks, put on my sneakers, spray down with sunscreen, get my Richmond Tri Club hat on and start the steep incline to get to the run down 72 Street. It was pretty gnarly, the hill was like running to the top swirl of a 1000 foot Carvel Ice Cream cone. But I ran the whole thing, and down 72nd. I couldn't stop, there were too many spectators, all cheering, I had to run, which I did. I ran into Central Park and to the first Hydration Station. I grabbed an Accelerade and a water. I promptly dumped the water over my head and gulped down the Accelerade. I started running again, and then it happened. Did anyone get the loin cloth number of the native that threw the spear into my thigh??? Geez, medic, I'm hit, I'm hit. Surprisingly, there isn't anything sticking out. Hmmmm, better start running again. Then it hits me again, yowza, this hurts, stop and walk it out. I did, hit the next hydration station did the Accelerade and cup of water over the head. I continued this pattern for the whole 6.2 miles. Up and down the hills of Central Park. The mean, little man that lives in my head is yelling at me, you lived through jelly fish fields, the mean streets and potholes of NY, you can do this, finish this. Then I heard another noise, the noise of a finish line in the distance. It energized me, my legs started moving me. Not fast, not lightning like, but faster then the walk that I had to do at certain points. The end was mine my friend. I started running hard, I had legs left and flew through that end like I was an elite finishing in 2 hours. It was a wonderful feeling, I was done, met up with my husband, life was good, very good and that's all I have to say about that...
As I posted yesterday Brad went and got us coffee to start the day and brought back some fresh fruit from that Greek diner across the street. We ate the yogurt we bought the night before, and granola, drank our G2 and there you go. We got showered, dressed in our Richmond Tri Club suits, yes we were rocking the Richmond blue, and out the door we went. We video-ed everything, and I am glad we did. I was extremely at ease. Why, I have no idea. I was terrified of the jelly fish, wondering if I could make the 24 miles and couldn't fathom running a 10K after.
As we were going into where our bikes were racked, we got body marked. After the cute guy who marked me was done, he looked up from the 41 he was writing on my leg and asked, Are you an elite? Which of course got me giggling like a school girl. I guess only an amateur triathlete would take that as a compliment. We got to our transition spots and started setting up. I was number 2256, Brad was 849 so we were pretty spread out. My spot was right near the in and out for the swim and the run but the bike was a million miles away. So after much puttering around and chatting with my fellow triathletes, I went back to where Brad was, with wetsuit in hand and we went down to where we could get our timing chips. We stopped at the loo on the way. Of course the boy line moved with the speed of light and the girl line hadn't even moved by the time Brad came to fetch me. Thankfully, I didn't really have to go.
At this point, it's around 5:45 and Brad's wave is set to start at 6:08. He gets into this race zone, a place where no man but Brad can go, and he was starting to zone. It gets kind of scary, like he could potentially hurt someone if they get in the way. He had this wild look in his eyes, sputtering about his wave starting and needing to get there as he was walking the almost mile to swim start. Here he is, in his crocs and asking me if I minded him running ahead of me to get to where he needed to go. I told him to go ahead, I was going to meditate my way to a triathlon nirvana.
I was all alone, there was no one there beside me...My problems had all gone...I kept trodding along, saying hello to the volunteers who greeted us so warmly along the route and was singing in my head, Who's afraid of the jellyfish, the jellyfish, the jellyfish....I found chip pick up, and my zoned husband, kissed him, told him I would see him on the other side (it's what I always say to him before a race starts) strapped my chip on my ankle like a dolphin being tracked in the wild, pulled my wetsuit out of the plastic bag I had it in, found a grassy spot to sit and started getting into it. I was wishing someone had a stick of butter to rub all over me because they are a pain to get into, especially being sweaty with how hot it was that morning. But I got in up to my waist, walked around like Jacques Cousteau waiting to dive and find the elusive moray eel and decided to find my corral.
The swim waves had already started, the pros and elites were off, and it was awesome to see them swimming that mile. The excitement started to rise with my other 40-44 year old age grouping women. We kept moving down the line to the start barge, all of us helping zip up our suits, making sure we were done up properly down the back. Suddenly it was here, the Swim Barge, inch by inch, step by step, slowly we turned down the barge ramp, and there I was, poised on the precipice of what could be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. The announcer called, Red Caps, you're in the water. I jumped in, held on to the rope and waited. The air horn sounded and we were gone. I was pummeled like a speed bag at a gym, but found a spot, got into my rhythm and I started my mile down the Hudson. Hey, I'm doing pretty well, look at me zoom through the water, this is great! But I started wondering to myself, how is someone holding a lit match to my toes??? Next thing I know it felt like someone smacked me in the face with a blazing hot frying pan. Ack, jelly fish attack, jellyfish attack!!!! Danger Danielle Robinson, Danger Danielle Robinson, now, at this point I am thinking, I am calling the kayaker, I need assistance!! But as I lifted my head out of the water to scrape the stinging from my lips, I saw the end. I was but 250 meters away, I just swam a freakin mile, I can't stop. So I swim on, now I have stinging in my wetsuit over my right shoulder blade, I finally realize what that sensation was that got my toes. Lion's mane jellyfish. Those mutant looking basketballs of angry red and purple pulsating goo! But I made it. I couldn't believe when the lifeguard was helping me out at the swim finish. I carefully avoided the fresh water showers, remembering I read somewhere that would make the sting of a jelly fish worse, jogged the 1/2 mile to transition peeling myself like a banana, and made it in. I got to my bike, grabbed my sponge soaked in ammonia and sponged down my face and feet. But there was the poor girl across from me who was absolutely panicked, asking me wide eyed what's going on with me, why am I on fire?? I helped her, and offered my ammonia sponge to everyone and anyone who was stung, and everyone happily obliged. I grabbed my bike shoes, put on my race belt, put my sunglasses on, slapped on my helmet, tore through the opening of transition, crossed the blue line and hopped on my bike.
The bike ride was something else. They tell you straight away to get into your little ring to get through the first part of the ride out of the park. The rest of the ride was extremely hilly, but the scenery was to die for. There you are, riding along, looking at the City, it was truly breathtaking. But hilly, holy cow, I was working every gear I had getting up and down those hills, down the Henry Hudson, to the Moshulu, back to 50th street, back to Riverside Park. I was tired, my legs were screaming from the hills, how was I going to do this run???
I get through the bike dismount, stop, pull my shoes off, and run the billion miles to my spot. I drop my helmet, shoes, grab my socks, put on my sneakers, spray down with sunscreen, get my Richmond Tri Club hat on and start the steep incline to get to the run down 72 Street. It was pretty gnarly, the hill was like running to the top swirl of a 1000 foot Carvel Ice Cream cone. But I ran the whole thing, and down 72nd. I couldn't stop, there were too many spectators, all cheering, I had to run, which I did. I ran into Central Park and to the first Hydration Station. I grabbed an Accelerade and a water. I promptly dumped the water over my head and gulped down the Accelerade. I started running again, and then it happened. Did anyone get the loin cloth number of the native that threw the spear into my thigh??? Geez, medic, I'm hit, I'm hit. Surprisingly, there isn't anything sticking out. Hmmmm, better start running again. Then it hits me again, yowza, this hurts, stop and walk it out. I did, hit the next hydration station did the Accelerade and cup of water over the head. I continued this pattern for the whole 6.2 miles. Up and down the hills of Central Park. The mean, little man that lives in my head is yelling at me, you lived through jelly fish fields, the mean streets and potholes of NY, you can do this, finish this. Then I heard another noise, the noise of a finish line in the distance. It energized me, my legs started moving me. Not fast, not lightning like, but faster then the walk that I had to do at certain points. The end was mine my friend. I started running hard, I had legs left and flew through that end like I was an elite finishing in 2 hours. It was a wonderful feeling, I was done, met up with my husband, life was good, very good and that's all I have to say about that...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I'll take it light and sweet like me
At 3:30 this morning my husband woke me up to let me know he'd be running to that fabulous diner across the street to get us coffee. I gave my stock answer, I'll take it light and sweet like me making a feeble attempt at humor. The Birdcage was on TV, so I watched that while I gave myself my talking to. I talk to myself a lot. I told myself I would be fine today. It was going to be hard, but I would make it. I would have to set my mind to it. But that never ending swim...It just stretched on. Last night at dinner people were joking we could just float and still get it done in 45 minutes. I suppose that's true. I took comfort from a fellow Tri Club member saying he gets all loopy after the swim. I do too. I feel light headed and goofy. I can soothe myself with the thought of a 1/2 mile run, barefoot, through a park in NY. How exciting!! I doubt my transition will be less then 2 minutes this time.
So now I need to get ready. My transition bag is packed, and I will grab Delilah and go. I am off. Wish me luck...
So now I need to get ready. My transition bag is packed, and I will grab Delilah and go. I am off. Wish me luck...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
New York, New York It's a Helluva Town
I know you are all wondering where I have been this past week or so. Let's see, throw in a stomach ailment on Monday night, having to get payroll and accounting stuff done on Tuesday and Wednesday, then getting to NY on Thursday by 11 o'clock at night and well you get the idea. I had no time to think really. Now I do and I am getting a huge case of the jitters so I thought I would blog it all out.
Let's start with getting to NY and invading my poor mother's house. We come in like an infestation of ants. We all got to sleep late and woke up on the earlier side. It was a pug-a-licious wake up. My mom's dog is too excited to greet us all in the morning. I told Mom all she needed to do was pull the dogs tail like a grenade pin, toss her into the bed with the girls and let her explode with all the puggy love goodness that she gives. Sorry, I got a little off track there.
Friday Brad and I had to take the train into the city. That part wasn't so bad, it was taking the subway to our hotel that got a bit dicey. My husband almost decked the guy who decided to push past him and blocked his way out of the subway. There I am, standing on the platform waiting for Brad to get off of the subway, and the doors were closing on his bike. Ahhhhhh! Thankfully it all worked out after a well placed set of handlebars and threat on my husband's behalf, he got off. We carry our bikes up the stairs, walk two blocks and there we were at the Hotel BelleClaire. It's a quirky kind of place, sort of like a youth hostel with a nice staff to hold the door open for you. Thankfully we got a room with our own bathroom. We come to find not all of the rooms do. I have missed the entrance of the hotel every time we leave and come back. It definitely has charm, and by no means is a high end locale. It suits our purposes just fine, although the elevators fit three to four people max...Try it with two bikes, two people, two back packs and two small suitcases.
We got settled in, and decided to grab some lunch at the diner across the street. Great groceries I might add. Your typical Greek establishment, but there is one thing that Greeks do right besides coming up with nifty gods and that is the diner biz. I wish there were one on every street corner near us, but there isn't so this was a treat for sure. We ordered two sandwiches and split them. I got a prosciutto pannini with grilled eggplant, mozzarella and spinach. Brad got the chicken souvlaki. My mouth and stomach were duly impressed with each. What a great lunch. Then we we went down to the Hilton for packet pick up and the race briefing. I don't remember much of anything other then the current in the Hudson is so swift that I will have a personal best swim time, there is a steep hill right out of the bike transition and to have my bike in a low gear in transition and to not take my yellow bracelet off or I won't be able to retrieve my bike after the race. The rest of what he was saying was coming through like the adults on a Peanuts special. Waa, waaa, waa, waaa.... Done with that we hop the subway back to the hotel and relax for about 45 minutes before we have the Underwear Run in Central Park.
The Underwear Run is undoubtedly the most wacky thing I have every participated in. The atmosphere was circus like. A bunch of giggling adults, stripping to their skivvies, getting ready to run 1.7 miles. It was a hoot. I was in my Wonder Woman outfit, Brad was the Man of Steel. I believe I was one of the most prolifically photographed people because I was posing, albeit in a goofy, exaggerated manner, like a super hero. I was playing it up big time and was stopped by most of the professional photographers to pose for a few pics. I was having too much fun to stop myself. My favorite two were the guys in the teeny, tiny speedos with the word sexy across the behind and these huge, yellow and blue afro wigs. They were hilarious and such fun, good natured, not rude and obnoxious guys. Their attitude was absolutely infectious, Brad finally told me to stop egging them on with my stretch ideas, like Hey Yellow and Blue dude, you forgot to stretch your hamstrings! Which of course they would have to happily oblige with a string of almost nasty, totally hysterical, over exaggerated poses that got the crowd whooping and hollering their lusty approval. Finally the horn blows and off we go, a whole gaggle of people in various types of underwear, there was a bride and groom, there was a guy and his dog in matching boxers, there were men in ladies frilly things, girls in mens, it was a whole cross dressing, costume wearing, underwear sporting frenzy of sweaty runners.
During the course of our run we had a celebrity siting. There he was, P Diddy with his body guards. I screamed hello, he waved back. Brad said I should have asked for a picture with him, me, the underwear Wonder Woman and P Diddy, that would have been a hoot, but I didn't really want to stop running. It was so hot, I might not have started again!
The spectators were going wild, and the end was in sight. We hoofed it and finished, drenched in sweat because it was Rain Forest hot and muggy last night. Got our free boxers, free t-shirt, free Snapple water and if we wanted, free Chipotle Burrito. We went back to the clothing corral, got our bag of stuff and we were done. It was one of the most fun things I have done and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to run in their undies someday.
We took it easy for a few minutes after we got back to our room and Brad decided we needed some Thai food for dinner. We went and grabbed a bite at around 10:30 at night. It was hands down the best Thai I have had. Brad's grilled skirt steak was divine, my Chicken Pad Thai was perfection. We got these wonderful appetizers that we had no idea what they were before hand. Pretty, wonton like, steamed and fried packages of yumminess. The green steamed ones I would recommend the highest dipped in the first clear sauce with the chili peppers floating in it. I know you are so glad I let you know.
So here we are. The day before my biggest race of my season. My mind is a racing mess of worry, excitement, fear, determination. I know I can do this, right? It isn't too much farther then the I Love the Tavern Tri. I did those distances, I was swimming up current for much of the 750, this is all down current. The guy at the briefing said the fastest swim ever recorded for the course was 9 minutes and change. That's pretty frickin impressive. The best time at the Tavern was around there too if I am remembering right. This is 5 miles more on the bike. I can do five miles more on the bike right? Even if I avg. just 16 miles per hour, I will finish the bike leg in 1.5 hours. Then the run. That's scary. A whole 10K after the previous two legs. Like Brad said, what the absolute worst thing that happens Dee? You have to walk to catch your breath? So what? My goal is to finish this race in about 3 hours. It is doable. I think the bike course has me tweaked a bit. You can't preride it and formulate a strategy like with the other triathlons I have done. The hills will be surprise, save the first one out of transition that they warned us about. I keep trying to see myself doing the race, but I can't focus on any one discipline without freaking myself out. I am going to sit and quitely try to do this. To see myself out there, handling each stage as it comes. I know not feeling well this week didn't bode well for my training. I felt okay during the run last night, and I didn't have the adrenaline to count on. So here's hoping my next blog is a happy sunny place to visit. That I am gushing about my race and how great it felt to do. If not, I can always compete in the Underwear runs around the country. I can't imagine how many My Space pages and Facebooks I will be on today...
Let's start with getting to NY and invading my poor mother's house. We come in like an infestation of ants. We all got to sleep late and woke up on the earlier side. It was a pug-a-licious wake up. My mom's dog is too excited to greet us all in the morning. I told Mom all she needed to do was pull the dogs tail like a grenade pin, toss her into the bed with the girls and let her explode with all the puggy love goodness that she gives. Sorry, I got a little off track there.
Friday Brad and I had to take the train into the city. That part wasn't so bad, it was taking the subway to our hotel that got a bit dicey. My husband almost decked the guy who decided to push past him and blocked his way out of the subway. There I am, standing on the platform waiting for Brad to get off of the subway, and the doors were closing on his bike. Ahhhhhh! Thankfully it all worked out after a well placed set of handlebars and threat on my husband's behalf, he got off. We carry our bikes up the stairs, walk two blocks and there we were at the Hotel BelleClaire. It's a quirky kind of place, sort of like a youth hostel with a nice staff to hold the door open for you. Thankfully we got a room with our own bathroom. We come to find not all of the rooms do. I have missed the entrance of the hotel every time we leave and come back. It definitely has charm, and by no means is a high end locale. It suits our purposes just fine, although the elevators fit three to four people max...Try it with two bikes, two people, two back packs and two small suitcases.
We got settled in, and decided to grab some lunch at the diner across the street. Great groceries I might add. Your typical Greek establishment, but there is one thing that Greeks do right besides coming up with nifty gods and that is the diner biz. I wish there were one on every street corner near us, but there isn't so this was a treat for sure. We ordered two sandwiches and split them. I got a prosciutto pannini with grilled eggplant, mozzarella and spinach. Brad got the chicken souvlaki. My mouth and stomach were duly impressed with each. What a great lunch. Then we we went down to the Hilton for packet pick up and the race briefing. I don't remember much of anything other then the current in the Hudson is so swift that I will have a personal best swim time, there is a steep hill right out of the bike transition and to have my bike in a low gear in transition and to not take my yellow bracelet off or I won't be able to retrieve my bike after the race. The rest of what he was saying was coming through like the adults on a Peanuts special. Waa, waaa, waa, waaa.... Done with that we hop the subway back to the hotel and relax for about 45 minutes before we have the Underwear Run in Central Park.
The Underwear Run is undoubtedly the most wacky thing I have every participated in. The atmosphere was circus like. A bunch of giggling adults, stripping to their skivvies, getting ready to run 1.7 miles. It was a hoot. I was in my Wonder Woman outfit, Brad was the Man of Steel. I believe I was one of the most prolifically photographed people because I was posing, albeit in a goofy, exaggerated manner, like a super hero. I was playing it up big time and was stopped by most of the professional photographers to pose for a few pics. I was having too much fun to stop myself. My favorite two were the guys in the teeny, tiny speedos with the word sexy across the behind and these huge, yellow and blue afro wigs. They were hilarious and such fun, good natured, not rude and obnoxious guys. Their attitude was absolutely infectious, Brad finally told me to stop egging them on with my stretch ideas, like Hey Yellow and Blue dude, you forgot to stretch your hamstrings! Which of course they would have to happily oblige with a string of almost nasty, totally hysterical, over exaggerated poses that got the crowd whooping and hollering their lusty approval. Finally the horn blows and off we go, a whole gaggle of people in various types of underwear, there was a bride and groom, there was a guy and his dog in matching boxers, there were men in ladies frilly things, girls in mens, it was a whole cross dressing, costume wearing, underwear sporting frenzy of sweaty runners.
During the course of our run we had a celebrity siting. There he was, P Diddy with his body guards. I screamed hello, he waved back. Brad said I should have asked for a picture with him, me, the underwear Wonder Woman and P Diddy, that would have been a hoot, but I didn't really want to stop running. It was so hot, I might not have started again!
The spectators were going wild, and the end was in sight. We hoofed it and finished, drenched in sweat because it was Rain Forest hot and muggy last night. Got our free boxers, free t-shirt, free Snapple water and if we wanted, free Chipotle Burrito. We went back to the clothing corral, got our bag of stuff and we were done. It was one of the most fun things I have done and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to run in their undies someday.
We took it easy for a few minutes after we got back to our room and Brad decided we needed some Thai food for dinner. We went and grabbed a bite at around 10:30 at night. It was hands down the best Thai I have had. Brad's grilled skirt steak was divine, my Chicken Pad Thai was perfection. We got these wonderful appetizers that we had no idea what they were before hand. Pretty, wonton like, steamed and fried packages of yumminess. The green steamed ones I would recommend the highest dipped in the first clear sauce with the chili peppers floating in it. I know you are so glad I let you know.
So here we are. The day before my biggest race of my season. My mind is a racing mess of worry, excitement, fear, determination. I know I can do this, right? It isn't too much farther then the I Love the Tavern Tri. I did those distances, I was swimming up current for much of the 750, this is all down current. The guy at the briefing said the fastest swim ever recorded for the course was 9 minutes and change. That's pretty frickin impressive. The best time at the Tavern was around there too if I am remembering right. This is 5 miles more on the bike. I can do five miles more on the bike right? Even if I avg. just 16 miles per hour, I will finish the bike leg in 1.5 hours. Then the run. That's scary. A whole 10K after the previous two legs. Like Brad said, what the absolute worst thing that happens Dee? You have to walk to catch your breath? So what? My goal is to finish this race in about 3 hours. It is doable. I think the bike course has me tweaked a bit. You can't preride it and formulate a strategy like with the other triathlons I have done. The hills will be surprise, save the first one out of transition that they warned us about. I keep trying to see myself doing the race, but I can't focus on any one discipline without freaking myself out. I am going to sit and quitely try to do this. To see myself out there, handling each stage as it comes. I know not feeling well this week didn't bode well for my training. I felt okay during the run last night, and I didn't have the adrenaline to count on. So here's hoping my next blog is a happy sunny place to visit. That I am gushing about my race and how great it felt to do. If not, I can always compete in the Underwear runs around the country. I can't imagine how many My Space pages and Facebooks I will be on today...
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