These are the people

Normally when I'm out and about training, I feel like I'm in an isolated bubble and nobody can see me. Time and again this proves to be untrue. Yesterday, my coworker came up to me and asked me if I was running by Town Lake on Sunday, "Yes" I said thinking back at what I must have seemed like to her, sweaty, wet scraggly hair, beet-red, salt-caked face, mouth agape as if water would just happen to bounce in if I left it that way. I just blushed back at her. "Well it was very inspiring," she responded. "What?" I thought to myself. "Seeing me look like a rag doll pulled from the river after a hard rain inspired someone?" I thought back to that day and though I felt beaten, I was having a blast and that must have been what came through. Knowing that I inspired someone is the best compliment I could have been given. And although the shy-side of my personality cringed at being recognized the other part of me felt proud.

This morning as I ran up around my neighborhood, I had a similar experience as I ran by all the usual places. You tend to make up stories for the houses you run past and what the people who live there must be like. I was running by this one house that has a vegetable garden that is just next to the sidewalk and is fun to watch the vegetables change with the seasons, and there was the owner standing in the driveway with a cup of coffee in his hands and a big grin on his face. He smiled as I ran by and extended a "Good Morning" to me. Yes, it is a good morning. It is amazing to me that energy that a smile can shoot out.

New Arrival

It is here! I now have in my anxious little fingers the excel training plan for Operation IM Switzerland and trying to decipher it. A big thank you to Don for putting this together! I'm hoping to post the mileage expected for each week as we go.
Last night in Austin it was 92 degrees, did you hear that DC, 92 in February! I went for a short run/walk of about 4 miles and then it was off for another Monday night of spiritual exercise, guest singer Pinetop Perkins was the icing on the cake.

Zippity Doo Dah

This weekend in Austin we were gifted with fabulous weather and I happily hopped on my bike for a chilly start on Saturday morning. Jeff, who organized the ride, and I rode up 360 and Bee Caves for a total of 45 miles. The weather quickly warmed up after we started out and I felt pretty good the whole ride, my right foot was a bit twitchy at the end of the ride, but otherwise nothing but smiles. Jeff gave me the tip to loose pedal going down hills before the uphill to keep lactic acid from building in my legs and it seemed to help.

Sunday, was a mini tri day for me, bike, run, swim, run, bike. The run over to the pool from Robby's was uphill and hot, but the reward of jumping into the pool at the end of the run helped keep my legs churning. Running and biking with a destination really adds to the excitement for me and Sunday was a perfect day.

Rooster goes to the day spa

Rooster (my tri bike) received star treatment yesterday and looks fabulous after a day of pampering at J&A's. Nothing like walking in the door and being greeted by an old friend. It went something like this: "Zane?", "MK?", "It's been a long time, how are you doing? I can't believe it" Years disappeared and it was lovely to see such a kind-hearted soul again. That is the way it goes here in Austin. Needless to say, I left knowing Rooster was in good hands and when I picked Rooster up, all looked great. The arrow bars were moved up from their position where I was pointing straight at the ground (sometimes you just don't know any different), tires trued, Rooster was fresh and clean, and as a bonus Zane fixed the cleats on my shoes, which numerous other stores tried to no avail. Zane said his other occupation is magician and that he is. This morning was a bit chilly, but I took the ol' legs out for a 4 mile run around the 'hood this morning and although a bit tight, all is well. Tonight, I went for a 3500 swim in a nice quiet pool. Apparently most other people would rather be doing something other than swimming on Friday nights - silly them.

long and slow is the way to go

Coach Matt invited me to run with him last night and shared some advice. He extolled the virtues of riding in the small ring and learning to spin and that ,yes, it is something learned that you have to practice. He also said that I really need to get on the bike and get used to being on the seat for an extended period of time. Looks like Rooster and I need to spend a lot more time together. Matt and I ended up doing a 9 mile run with four laps around the Hancock golf course. It was an enjoyable run with priceless knowledge and inspiration.

sippy pool

Big Stacy seemed slightly warmer than normal last night, which made it a bit easier to get in. I met Sara at the pool and we swam in the portion of the pool that didn't have lane ropes. Apparently I need the lane ropes to focus, because I swam a few lengths then talked to Sara and then swam a couple more and we spotted a squirrel sipping water from the pool. How can you train when there are so many interesting distractions? After about 800, Sara had to leave, I found an opening in a roped lane, found my focus, and I set about completing 3400.

Curry in Hurry

Sometimes you need a day off. A day when you don't get upset that you didn't fit a workout in and that is okay, a day for recovery, a day to eat Indian, mmm, a day for some music therapy, a day for the little voice to have a loud voice.
At least the Indian place is called Curry in Hurry so my food was fast even if on Monday I was not. And does swaying my body to music at a crowded venue where I was shoulder-checked every two seconds count as open water training as happened to me last night? It does in my book. I told myself that if I went out I still had to get up early and run as I'd planned so that is what I did. This morning waking from what seemed like a two second nap, I went on a rather lovely run around my 'hood for about 4 miles, proving to myself it can be all fun and games, well at least for now.

att marathon on a beautiful day

Sunday I ran the last part of the marathon starting from my house around mile 20 with Robby, who chewed up the 4 hour mark, spit it out, and said um, I don’t need those two extra minutes, thank you. It was really fun and energizing to watch the runners and then jump into the stream myself. I saw the Malawian women Janie helped sponsor and they were shoeless at the twenty mile mark, amazing they can run on the asphalt that way. I ran home following the reverse route I had just run down back to my house and it was good to see all the people digging deep and reaching for their goals, very inspiring. So probably a total run of around 13 miles, I ran with one water bottle, refilled it once and felt good the whole run, of course running with others around does help. Later Sunday, Gretch and I went for a 4 ½ mile walk around Town Lake my legs felt great and my body rested. The weather here has been so beautiful you can’t help but soak it all up.

Saturday, the weather here was rainy so, a run was in order. Coach Sara, special guest, Janie Hayes (IM Switzerland finisher) from DC, and I went out for a run where I bombarded Janie with IM questions, she was very patient with her answers. Part of the way into the run, Sara and Janie needed to head back and Sara told me to run ahead so I did about an 8 mile route up into the neighborhood behind Pease Park and back. I actually really enjoy running on cloudy, misty days so this run felt great.

Congress Loop

I did the Congress to Mopac loop last night and felt fabulous. Running on the North side of the lake I looked up at the people in Mi Lago (a new condo developement) working out and peering out the window of the gym. I smiled at the woman I was passing, "Do you think they are jealous of us?" I asked. "They don't even know what they are missing." She smiled back. I took a deep breath and looked around thinking, this is right where I want to be right now.

According to my watch I did just over eight-minute miles for 6.9 miles (57 minutes), which for me is a good pace. I'm looking to hit Big Stacy Pool tonight.

Hill of Life

The hill of life run last night was really beautiful and as Matt has repeatedly stated the trail runners are all very nice. I'm not sure how far we went last night, but it felt more like 4 miles or so to me, but I think we were going for around 1 1/2 hours. Long and slow, long and slow, base build as coach Matt says.

Exactly Five Months Out

Well we are exactly five months out from IM Switzerland and I'm feeling pretty good. So far I've been enjoying the whole process and really look forward to each days training and feeling stronger. Tonight a run at the "Hill of Life" with the HCTR group for ~8-9 miles. Yesterday was a 3500 m swim at Big Stacy. I titled the swim "Voyage of the Beagle" for Darwin's birthday and then discovered a beagle won best in show. I wonder if that was a coincidence.

Thanks Coach Sara for coaching me on the workout even when the weather on deck was not ideal. The number one thing that will help me reach my goal - people like you.

Monday - Sara and I did the Rosedale loop and then after loosening up, I ran back into my 'hood and up to the IGA and the school loop. It's funny how little things get you going. Sara said "I'm going to stop here, but you should keep going." And it was like that was all I needed. And you know, I felt better for it.