Let the training begin!

http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/ironman-workouts/weekp04.htm

Finished Munich Marathon in 4:10

Munich Here I COME!

I can't believe

My posts have been so infrequent. I miss them and writing. Less than a week from my marathon and it all seems so unreal which is nothing new to me. The thought the I'll be running in Munich as I make my way running through my neighbor excites me to the point of really?! So amazing to think that I'll be there shortly.

Been too long

Was sick last week and now I find myself trudging through my workouts. Today I did five and felt the best I've felt in awhile, but I'll take any progress I can get. One month 'til Munich seems so close.

Staying Alive

Vineman was one year ago today!

Everybody Loves the Sunshine

What can I say? "Just bees and things and flowers" M and I saw a huge walking stick at McKinney Falls on our bike ride and then bombed down Congress. Mark said he clocked us going 30 mph. I was going WHEEEE!

not even the fish

were moving as I ran down shoal creek. I could see them in the water not moving. I wonder if it was because the water was hot as well? There they were just drifting along. They made me smile and their non-energy gave me energy to keep going, perhaps I would come across some other moments and I did like the kids running up to their grandparents that had just pulled up from out of town. These are some of the reasons I like being outside versus in a gym.

the better to smell you with

I've always said that when I run I feel like my sense of smell is heightened as if a wolf hunting down my prey. Those smells are not always pleasant most of which come from me, yuck. But lately lavender has been in bloom and there is a bush on one of my running routes so lately as I running by I've been grazing it with my hand and smelling the wonderful clean soothing aroma-mmm.

IRONMAN Coeur D'Alene June 26, 2011

Buffalo Springs Lake 2010 rides into the sunset

R finished an incredibly hard race with a smile on his face. I gave away a bike lever and the Scott exchanged the front wheel for a ZIPP 808 speed weaponry.

16 sweaty miles

Ran 16 humid miles this morning. The first half was with one of my good friends and made it that much more fun. What I'm already at 8 miles?! The run back by myself made me realize what a difference running with someone can be. This past week has been great with a bike ride to work and a 5 mile hike that turned into a 9 mile hike from a bit of misdirection. The bonus-we saw an owl! Amazing sunsets along town lake with a friend and her dog. It's Austin, it's June, and it's hot, but I like it just the same.

running is music to the ears

Bike envy in Denver I just want to ride and any bike will work

Barracuda

I found out from my neighbor that the son of the original owner of my house used to work on Plymouth Barracudas all the time. Apparently he had one in pristine condition in the back and would work on another one in front of the house. I love learning the history of things e.g. what the original owners were like, it helps open a window to me of something shared. I don't believe in spirits, but perhaps I do because I can almost feel them swirling about in a way. I'm tempted to hang a Barracuda poster in my garage as an homage. We can't forget what was here before us. I myself haven't been feeling very Barracuda lately and training has been rough with the heat and humidity but I press on not worrying about speed. I had one hot 11 mile run on Saturday, road 30 on Sunday, 24 on Monday, Ran 4.5 today and my muscles felt really tight. R says I need to stretch and he is absolutely right, now it just takes doing.

CapTexTri 2010

Another hot and humid race as is tradition for this one, glad I was
only spectating.

Real Ale Ride - 80 miles

That's not very far is it?

Is what my Mom said when I told her I ran 9 miles on Saturday - oh the mother of an ironman : )

Pool Time

I need to make sure I hit the pool more often, my arms are tired!

Bike Rides, Window Sills, Spiders, and Fireflies

Well

thought is was time I posted and usually like to post pics as well, but sometimes it is hard. I've been running mostly and don't have a camera with me when I run, but... My hamstrings have been tight lately so I've been trying to be good and stretch more. Last Sunday the group of girls I coach for Girls on the Run had their 5K and it was lovely. I wish more of them could have gone, but I think a majority didn't have rides and since the race was in Williamson county the city van couldn't bring them. Three of them made it and it was fabulous to see their faces as they finished as well as the faces of their loved ones cheering them on. It is so worth it. The weather has been gorgeous and I've been enjoying the outside as I hope you are as well.

I've always said I like hawks

and these fenders turn that like to love. Saw these fenders on a design sponge post about red tail. hmm, wonder how it would look on Clyde? Not that we get enough rain here to warrant it, but ... there is something about wood and metal together (earth meets industry)

24 miles of trails on the cruiser

One of my friends told me she would pay my entry fee if I did an
Olympic distance triathlon on that bike-watch out!!!

Back On Track

Had three days off in New Orleans. I really wish I knew the Crescent
City Classic was last weekend, but was in NOLA unexpectedly. Now I am
working on getting back on track amazing what three days off will do.
I'm glad to be back on track now.

A tiskit a tasket a brand new toppeak basket

Beautiful, beautiful, weekend

Aero on Bee Caves

Felt good to ride the Scott although the lightness took some getting
used to after riding my other bikes so much. Bruised up my ankle when
my cleat slipped but otherwise all smiles. Rode with someone who had
just been stung with the tri bug, nice to see the excitement fresh and
fun to share my passion.

Really-this is 10% chance of rain?

extensor tendinitis

The top of my foot hurt after my trail run on Sunday, but I've felt it before so just blew it off. Trail running really works different muscles so figured that I just twisted it weird on a rock. That probably is what happened, but had a great run yesterday on TL after which it hurt to walk. Strange it didn't hurt running just walking. Well it's not debilitating just annoying. I guess you just have to "take the good and take the bad, there you have the facts of life." I plan on swimming and biking the next two days to lay off of it some.

Taking the cake

It was a good weekend of biking and music. For almost all of it, I
took the Western Flyer (Nola). I absolutely ride slower on N, but that
is part of what I like. It's good to slow down, sit upright, wear
pants without having to roll them up, and have a fender in back. The
fact that the weather was gorgeous and I was biking to hear good music
and meet friends the icing on top.

You go girls!

Wrapped up sxsw with a greenbelt trail run, which got the mariposas
flapping in my heart and then went to see Chicas Vas-another beautiful
day.

The beat goes on ...

You never know what Austin will present to you

and that is what I love about this town. Rode around yesterday and enjoyed peeking into different musical venues. It's amazing when the whole city is grooving to different beats. The whole city is in rhythm. I ended up at an amazing play by a Baltimore artist thanks to KR for recommending and getting us in.

Bike + Music = Love

It does not equal good looking hair, worth the sacrifice. Saw a ton of hipsters at the bus stops last night - yes SXSW has begun. Saw HaHa Tonka and the Silos. Never noticed the ceiling lamps at Hole in the Wall, I like them.

Couldn't resist taking the Western Flyer to a late night bonfire

What a great way to end a beautiful weekend.

Couldn't resist a ride on the Bianchi to the bike festival

Am I an addict?

Had a beautiful run around TL with J this morning. The Garmin's
battery ran out so unfortunately not sure how far as we ran through
the neighborhood at the start and finish. Had a headache the rest of
the day was it my lack of caffeine? Yikes-I didn't realize I had been
drinking so much lately.

Hello my old friend

10-10-10

MUNICH MARATHON

There are more reasons why than why not.

Down Poydras and Magazine

Here comes the running queen. Activity Details for nola

On our way to the restaurant above, we got into a conversation with the cabbie who like I've found most people love to talk about food and what they like to eat. My two friends told him they couldn't keep eating like this and he said, "You just have to get used to it." Then they asked what he had to eat today. He was trimmer than most New Orleanians mind you and he said. "Eggs, coffee, and grits for breakfast, steak for lunch, some crawfish for a midafternoon snack and probably sushi for dinner and then he went off on where he could go for good sushi, "Ninja is really good ..." The fun part is the guys asked what I had done today and I said I went for a run and then Paul asked if I was a runner and I said well yeah, but mostly love doing tris and he asked what I did, so I mentioned a few races. Paul proceeded to say he did Ironman Florida and the New Orleans Halfiron. He talked about a bike shop he and his buddies opened called GNO cyclery with a connecting bar (What a fabulous idea) and I should really check it out. We continued our conversation on great places to swim in New Orleans, etc. until we arrived at Jacque Imos in a way disappointed the conversation had to end. Oh New Orleans you know I love you.

Life's Sweet Reward

As if a run up St. Charles wasn't enough. I found a Farmer's market with
fresh Satsumas : ) Garmin Connect - Activity Details forLife's Sweet Reward

Be still my beating heart!!!

What a beautiful day for a ride.

Happy Mardi Gras

Had a really good run on Mardi Gras and looking forward to more good runs in NOLA this coming week. I'll try and post.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Mardi Gras Mambo


The hill run behind my work I did Monday - good to shake it up. Usually bike around here so different to run it.


Garmin Connect - Monday's Hill Run

BIKE

Loving Hot Rats' cover of Pink Floyd's Bike.

via Sartorialist

Sunday's Spiritual Cleansing

Dam Loop

Had a great Sunday morning run with R. It started out cold, but I quickly pulled the gloves R lent me off and the weather was perfect, my legs feeling good. I wore my trail shoes for the second time this week and have noticed faster runs those days-hmm. Could be just a coincidence, but you never know.

Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future

I had an intense work week punctuated with great runs the highlight of which was a midday run Wednesday in the mist and rain. I knew it would be cold at first, but for some reason I really like running in overcast weather. It is invigorating. Wednesday I did my ten mile run to the end of Pease park and back. I had a good timed run close to race pace although not quite where I want to be. There were a lot less people out running but I did see one or two others and we gave each other that knowing glance of the secret we each knew-it was a great day to run. 

I've been looking at my races for the year and should have a decision on some soon which is always nice to have a goal in hand. In the meantime, I continue to fly like an eagle loving every minute of running and biking for the joy of it all.

The Great Bean Run to Larry Lane

Garmin Connect - The Great Bean Run to Larry Lane

Extraordinary Cheerleader

Bandera 25K

Activity Details for Bandera 25K according to the Garmin

mii - running fast

One of the things I've always known that I need to work on is running faster for an extended period of time-getting out of my comfort zone. Which brings me to my birthday gift from my ultimate fans and support crew otherwise known as my parents. They got me what a lot of other people have been telling me is awesome, the Garmin 310xt. I've always been a minimalist when it comes to gadgets just because I sort of get lost in my surroundings and don't really pay much attention to my heart rate, mileage, nutritional intake, etc. Perhaps that is what got to me in California? So, in an effort to up the stakes I received the Garmin. I like to run random routes so it did seem rather nice to see how far certain runs take me and how fast I'm going. This baby, gives me pace as well as, mileage among a plethora of other things that I'm still discovering. Last night I decided to give it a whirl and try and run faster on my normal neighborhood route. Since, I know my pace per mile, it really helps me to up my game and know when I'm slacking and need to step it up again. I felt like I was in a computer game against myself, trying to beat my own time-I had a blast and kept my pace at closer to race pace for 5 miles when I normally would be a bit slower.

Bandera 25K

Brr it's cold outside, running there would be suicide!

Tomorrow morning is going to crucify me. It is supposed to be in the teens for the Bandera run, yikes. I knew when I signed up for Bandera that with this race anything can happen, hopefully I can stop my knees from banging and teeth from chattering long enough to put one foot in front of the other. Life can be so unpredictable and I guess I'll just have to face it head, wrapped in as many layers as possible, on.

Mariposas

Birthdaytastic - Had a fabulous birthday run with my new Garmin (more on that later) and R. We traipsed around town lake and downtown for a lovely midday romp. And then the treat of all treats a ride on a butterfly bicycle built for two with one of my favorite most spirited fans who is an amazing butterfly bike copilot.

Orion

Tonight was a beautiful night to run, cold at first but I had my hat and gloves on and was fine. I love running and looking at the lights this time of year and not just those on the houses which I do enjoy, but up in the sky as Orion brightly led my way. Nothing like a good run in the cold followed by a warm meal, hot cup of tea and a blanket, ah.