2010 was good to me!
* I ran, biked and swam a ton.
* I raced my first Half Ironman.
* I ran 2X65+ mile weeks.
* I got over my water phobia.
* I swam over 2+hours/time in open water by myself.
* I had my longest bike ride to date, 77 miles.
Total:
RUN: 2,278.17 miles
BIKE:2,929 miles
SWIM: 133.45
And now the month by month roll...
January 2010
RUN:199.1 miles
BIKE:0 miles
SWIM:10.25 miles
Highlights: I ran the Boston prep Derry 16 miler, one of the toughest races I have ever run (if not the toughest), and had a blast. I'll be back there this year.
February 2010
RUN:192.5 miles
BIKE:0 miles
SWIM:12 miles
March 2010
RUN:218 miles
BIKE: 50 miles
SWIM:9.75 miles
Highlights: I ran the Quincy Half Marathon, and finished 3rd woman overall with a 1:32:56, a 7+ minute PR.
April 2010
RUN: 119.57
BIKE:90
SWAM:15.5
Highlights: I ran Boston 2010 and had my first race that did not go as planned. I've learned a lot during this race, and I no longer take good races for granted.
May 2010
RUN:166.2
BIKE:545.5
SWAM:15.75
Highlights: I ran MOM's 5K, did not break 20:00, but managed to finish in 20:12 on a hilly course, good enough for 3rd woman overall. I tried again at Mystic 5K and finished with the same result on flat but long course.
June 2010
RUN: 182.1 miles
BIKE: 398.5 miles
SWIM:19.5 miles
Highlights: I raced in the Tri the Lake sprint triathlon and finished as 3rd woman overall with a 1:15: 23.
July 2010
RUN:234.5 miles
BIKE:465 miles
SWIM:16.7 miles
August 2010
RUN:181.25 miles
BIKE:520 miles
SWIM:20.50 miles
Highlights: I raced the Vermont Half Journey, my first 70.3, and finished in 5:35:30, good enough for 2nd place AG 30-39.
September 2010
RUN:222.35 miles
BIKE:0 miles
SWIM:3.25 miles
October 2010
RUN:152.1 miles
BIKE:65 miles
SWIM: 6 miles
Highlights: I raced the Baystate marathon and finished in 3:19:32, a 10+ minute PR, 5th woman AG 30-39.
November 2010
RUN:189.5 miles
BIKE: 350 miles
SWIM:13 miles
Highlights: I purchased my tri bike Cannondale Slice 4!
December 2010
RUN: 221 miles
BIKE: 445 miles
SWIM: 11.75 miles
Happy New Year! I'll be back in January with a race report!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas
We had a wonderful Christmas away from home, in good old North Carolina, with Chris's brother and his family. We did not really do much aside from hanging out, and playing games (from 5 y old games to preteen Xbox games). We even had a kareoke night - that was the only ab workout I did the entire vacation, all from laughter:)
We've had some amazing, simple meals, lots of desserts and chocolate (of course), and even a few presents. I mentioned this before, but we do a really small Christmas, mostly kid focused. I don't want a special occasion in order to get something that I want, and I don't want Christmas to be about presents. I also don't want Petru to be presents crazed:) We all slept in until 8am, had huge mugs of coffee and slices of Panettone and watched the kids get excited opening up their presents. Petru got the marble set he wanted and he was super excited. I feel a little funny about the Santa thing...he asks lots of questions over and above what a 5 y old should ask (e.g., does Santa have kids, what happens if Santa dies, how come Santa can be in so many places at once, etc, etc). I get the magic of it, but I dislike the deceit that comes with it. Anyway, we got away with it for the year.
As far as my workouts, there weren't that many. I did not bike at all. I only swam 1 mile with my niece. I ran every day and quite a lot. I felt rather slow and heavy during those runs, but I got them in and actually enjoyed them. I feel that my biking is making my stride too short (probably in my head!). I am super excited to get back on track this week. I missed my bike. I can't wait to get on it. Except schools are closed tomorrow and I work crazy hours Tuesday and Wednesday, so I doubt any biking will happen until Thursday! But I am excited for some sledding tomorrow and seeing some of Petru's little friends running around the house!
Hope you all had a great Christmas!
We've had some amazing, simple meals, lots of desserts and chocolate (of course), and even a few presents. I mentioned this before, but we do a really small Christmas, mostly kid focused. I don't want a special occasion in order to get something that I want, and I don't want Christmas to be about presents. I also don't want Petru to be presents crazed:) We all slept in until 8am, had huge mugs of coffee and slices of Panettone and watched the kids get excited opening up their presents. Petru got the marble set he wanted and he was super excited. I feel a little funny about the Santa thing...he asks lots of questions over and above what a 5 y old should ask (e.g., does Santa have kids, what happens if Santa dies, how come Santa can be in so many places at once, etc, etc). I get the magic of it, but I dislike the deceit that comes with it. Anyway, we got away with it for the year.
As far as my workouts, there weren't that many. I did not bike at all. I only swam 1 mile with my niece. I ran every day and quite a lot. I felt rather slow and heavy during those runs, but I got them in and actually enjoyed them. I feel that my biking is making my stride too short (probably in my head!). I am super excited to get back on track this week. I missed my bike. I can't wait to get on it. Except schools are closed tomorrow and I work crazy hours Tuesday and Wednesday, so I doubt any biking will happen until Thursday! But I am excited for some sledding tomorrow and seeing some of Petru's little friends running around the house!
Hope you all had a great Christmas!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
NC workouts
I did the run today. In shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. No hat. In December. Yup, it's called Charlotte, North Carolina. Temps were in the low 40s this morning, but since I like to run cold, I was very comfortable during my run today. It was a bit funny because I got a few looks from other runners who were bundled up with hats, tights and jackets.
I took yesterday off from exercise due to work and then traveling, and I expected the legs to feel fresh. They did not. They took a lot to warm up. I ran 2 easy miles and then started my 6 miles @ planned HM pace. The first one was really hard, 6:57. The second was still hard but I managed to kick the pace down to 6:45, where it needed to be. The third almost killed me, HR was 189, and I decided to take a 1min rest (3rd mile 6:39). Fourth mile felt OK, 6:30, fifth mile OK, too, 6:44, and sixth mile was once again rough, 6:42. 2X3miles, average 6:46, HR 181. I am happy with my decision to take the break. I think it is more important for me right now to develop a feel for the pace, rather than run more miles at a slightly slower pace.
I finished the run with 2 easy miles (faster than my warm up miles but much easier effort-wise).
Not sure how to feel about the run. It was hard, much harder than I expected. My legs felt tired. My breathing was labored at times. Part of the reason, I think, was that the course was all rolling, no big hills, but constant climbs. The other part is that I obviously am in no shape right now to run a sub 1:30 half. There is still time, and I'll be working on it.
In the afternoon I went to the pool with my sister in law and my niece, who at 13 is a uber swimmer and runner (ran a sub 23 5K last summer). She kept giving us workouts and drills the entire time. We had a blast. The swim was much needed since I did not swim this Saturday, and boy did I feel slow and heavy in the water.
I am having a ball here celebrating a low stress Christmas holiday with family! Hope you are having a great one, too!
I took yesterday off from exercise due to work and then traveling, and I expected the legs to feel fresh. They did not. They took a lot to warm up. I ran 2 easy miles and then started my 6 miles @ planned HM pace. The first one was really hard, 6:57. The second was still hard but I managed to kick the pace down to 6:45, where it needed to be. The third almost killed me, HR was 189, and I decided to take a 1min rest (3rd mile 6:39). Fourth mile felt OK, 6:30, fifth mile OK, too, 6:44, and sixth mile was once again rough, 6:42. 2X3miles, average 6:46, HR 181. I am happy with my decision to take the break. I think it is more important for me right now to develop a feel for the pace, rather than run more miles at a slightly slower pace.
I finished the run with 2 easy miles (faster than my warm up miles but much easier effort-wise).
Not sure how to feel about the run. It was hard, much harder than I expected. My legs felt tired. My breathing was labored at times. Part of the reason, I think, was that the course was all rolling, no big hills, but constant climbs. The other part is that I obviously am in no shape right now to run a sub 1:30 half. There is still time, and I'll be working on it.
In the afternoon I went to the pool with my sister in law and my niece, who at 13 is a uber swimmer and runner (ran a sub 23 5K last summer). She kept giving us workouts and drills the entire time. We had a blast. The swim was much needed since I did not swim this Saturday, and boy did I feel slow and heavy in the water.
I am having a ball here celebrating a low stress Christmas holiday with family! Hope you are having a great one, too!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Off to North Carolina
Tomorrow we are off to North Carolina to celebrate Christmas with Chris's brother and his family. I am really excited to see them, and to watch Petru play with his older cousins.
This trip came at such a good time. It's cold in Boston and we got snow yesterday. My easy 10 miler this evening was..hard. I am finally understanding the importance of having a stiff stride. I was sliding all over the place and an 8:40 pace seemed HARD. Also, my legs are trashed. I have been biking a lot lately. A lot for me. A lot on the big ring. Probably more than I should at this stage, but I have the time now and won't have it later, so I am banking some biking miles. I've been getting on my bike almost everyday lately, and have also banked a couple of 3h rides. I am really enjoying "Workouts in a binder" and am really never bored on the trainer. Trash TV helps too, of course. And Slice is becoming more and more comfortable:) But all this biking on top of running and swimming has left my legs sore and tired. So 4 forced days off of riding are going to be great for me. Unfortunately I will not be able to swim at all this week, but it's all good. I'll be refreshed by the end of the week.
Thursday is a big test for me. 10 miles with 6 at my overoptimistic half marathon pace. I am nervous. I'm never nervous about training runs, but I am this time. Silly, I know.
Happy Holiday! And my Secret Santa recipient, please let me know if you received my little gift!
This trip came at such a good time. It's cold in Boston and we got snow yesterday. My easy 10 miler this evening was..hard. I am finally understanding the importance of having a stiff stride. I was sliding all over the place and an 8:40 pace seemed HARD. Also, my legs are trashed. I have been biking a lot lately. A lot for me. A lot on the big ring. Probably more than I should at this stage, but I have the time now and won't have it later, so I am banking some biking miles. I've been getting on my bike almost everyday lately, and have also banked a couple of 3h rides. I am really enjoying "Workouts in a binder" and am really never bored on the trainer. Trash TV helps too, of course. And Slice is becoming more and more comfortable:) But all this biking on top of running and swimming has left my legs sore and tired. So 4 forced days off of riding are going to be great for me. Unfortunately I will not be able to swim at all this week, but it's all good. I'll be refreshed by the end of the week.
Thursday is a big test for me. 10 miles with 6 at my overoptimistic half marathon pace. I am nervous. I'm never nervous about training runs, but I am this time. Silly, I know.
Happy Holiday! And my Secret Santa recipient, please let me know if you received my little gift!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Heart rate and Thank you Jenn!
Last week I started using the heart monitor that came with my Garmin. I wore it on Thursday for my 10 miler with 2X15 @ 10k/HM pace run. It was very cold, the run seemed harder than it should have felt. My HR average was 184 and 186, with 188 peak! Wow! On Saturday I ran 13 with last 20 min hard, and HR average was 182. I did not push the hard, and I knew the HR would be lower. Now I know the idea of using a heart rate monitor is to make sure you don't blow up. But how about building tolerance to sustain a high HR? Would practicing to tolerate HR of 180-188 for extended periods of time be helpful? I am really excited about my upcoming 5K because I want to know what my HR will be. I am a nerd for numbers. Interestingly, when I did my testing in the pool this week (3X300m, average the time) my HR was only 144-150, even though I was working hard. Hmm...
___________
On Friday I came home to a big red box from Minnesota. Inside I found these presents from Jenn. Now, Jenn is one of my favorite bloggers. I admire her dedication, her no excuse type attitude, and her honesty. She knows who she is and does not try to be who she is not. She is super smart and a super fast marathoner. And did I mention she is hot, like really hot? She writes a funny blog and you should check it out!
OK...so Jenn hand wrote little funny notes on each of the presents. We always do this in my family, Jenn, how did you know that? I love, love, love the presents, Jenn. Thank you so much! The chocolate is gone (of course), and I wore the shirt today - love it! I've never tried Accelarade or Power gel, but I tried and love Pumpkin spice cliff bars. And the headphones...too funny!
And Jill, who organized this gift exchange for over 80 bloggers, double thank you for the best Secret Santa:)
___________
On Friday I came home to a big red box from Minnesota. Inside I found these presents from Jenn. Now, Jenn is one of my favorite bloggers. I admire her dedication, her no excuse type attitude, and her honesty. She knows who she is and does not try to be who she is not. She is super smart and a super fast marathoner. And did I mention she is hot, like really hot? She writes a funny blog and you should check it out!
OK...so Jenn hand wrote little funny notes on each of the presents. We always do this in my family, Jenn, how did you know that? I love, love, love the presents, Jenn. Thank you so much! The chocolate is gone (of course), and I wore the shirt today - love it! I've never tried Accelarade or Power gel, but I tried and love Pumpkin spice cliff bars. And the headphones...too funny!And Jill, who organized this gift exchange for over 80 bloggers, double thank you for the best Secret Santa:)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
E21 triathlon team, update on saddle issues, chocolate & liqueur
E21 triathlon team rocks, and I am I part of it! How awesome! I am really excited about this for many reasons, some of which being:
* I believe in natural electrolytes and you can't get more natural than E21 pills (unless you want to carry with you bananas, salty pretzels, and a ton of other fruits and veggies).
* Although I get a lot of support from blogland, it will be special to be part of a triathlon team to share training stories and advice.
* I get free stuff, I love free stuff.
Saddle issues are much, much better already. I think I am passed the initial shock. Chris was a little concerned when I told him about my problems last night...lets just say he wondered how this will impact..."things" (he knows my priorities!). I was a little concerned myself given that the bike was rather expensive. But today I managed to spend 90min on Slice, relatively pain free, all but 10 min in aero. I like quick progress. Slice and I are all good now!
Chocolate & liqueur
Those who know me are aware that I rarely drink alcohol. I never drink wine or beer. I don't like the taste. So last Friday our good friends brought these for dessert and left them with us.
.. After trying Grand Marnier, cognac, rum, ..,(yes, one or two per day) I am convinced that I did not like alcohol in the past because it was not paired with chocolate. Alcohol + chocolate = divine! Happiness in a chocolate bottle! Unfortunately I am down to 2 bottles of wiskey....hm, I hope Santa brings some more!
* I believe in natural electrolytes and you can't get more natural than E21 pills (unless you want to carry with you bananas, salty pretzels, and a ton of other fruits and veggies).
* Although I get a lot of support from blogland, it will be special to be part of a triathlon team to share training stories and advice.
* I get free stuff, I love free stuff.
Saddle issues are much, much better already. I think I am passed the initial shock. Chris was a little concerned when I told him about my problems last night...lets just say he wondered how this will impact..."things" (he knows my priorities!). I was a little concerned myself given that the bike was rather expensive. But today I managed to spend 90min on Slice, relatively pain free, all but 10 min in aero. I like quick progress. Slice and I are all good now!
Chocolate & liqueur
Those who know me are aware that I rarely drink alcohol. I never drink wine or beer. I don't like the taste. So last Friday our good friends brought these for dessert and left them with us.
.. After trying Grand Marnier, cognac, rum, ..,(yes, one or two per day) I am convinced that I did not like alcohol in the past because it was not paired with chocolate. Alcohol + chocolate = divine! Happiness in a chocolate bottle! Unfortunately I am down to 2 bottles of wiskey....hm, I hope Santa brings some more!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Help, I think my tri bike is trying to kill me....
..in a slow, painful, piercing kinda way!
No joke!
So I've heard about such problems from other triathletes, but on my road bike I've experienced none. I could go for miles and miles on my Fuji, with no chaffing or other such traumas. But after 10 min on Slice, I was on fire....not the kind of fire you'd want, though. I managed the 45 min but had to get out of aero every 14 min for 1 min. So help me...are my shorts to blame, are there any bike shorts that you've discovered that help with this problem, is it just a matter of getting used to the bike, is this going to get better? The aero position is awkward and uncomfortable enough without the "downtown" trauma!
No joke!
So I've heard about such problems from other triathletes, but on my road bike I've experienced none. I could go for miles and miles on my Fuji, with no chaffing or other such traumas. But after 10 min on Slice, I was on fire....not the kind of fire you'd want, though. I managed the 45 min but had to get out of aero every 14 min for 1 min. So help me...are my shorts to blame, are there any bike shorts that you've discovered that help with this problem, is it just a matter of getting used to the bike, is this going to get better? The aero position is awkward and uncomfortable enough without the "downtown" trauma!
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