Sunday, March 30, 2014

Last brick of March 2014 & bucket decorating

Today's TIFL training session including buckets and tutu's and swimming and run and cold winds. I opted to sleep in and get some well needed rest and skip church. I know I am being such a bad PK :-(

TIFL started at 1pm at TAC. I went shopping at AC Moore yesterday. Apparently I was taking too long because my first born called and said "Jo we are waiting on you"  I was actually walking out the door when he called. I asked my BFF was I in there that long. She said "Jo it was 15 minutes" I asked Naish AKA my 1st born "why you call me and tell me you all were waiting" Naish "Jo you were in there like 30 minutes" Kids have no patience lol

Sunday is here and as I am getting some gas i realize that i did not dress properly because it is cold as ice outside and i'm in my yoga pants and jacket and flip flops like it's warmer outside. I'm thinking i might not have brought the right running clothes for after the swim. Oh well, it's after 12:30 and I have to drive to east cary from north east raleigh. I get to TAC and ladies are there with the buckets and starting to get started. The over zelous part of me bought way too much stuff at AC moore as i am pulling it out and laying it on the table. I watch one lady use the duct tape as wallpaper on her bucket. I think that's pretty good let me do the same. Now I'm starting to get into this decorating thing. Let me not forget to shoutout to my very good friend Julie Reed who surprised with my very own roll of minion duct tape. In case you don't know I LOVE the minions. They are happy creatures. We have all gotten caught up with the decorating and realize we need to start getting ready for swimming because it's almost 2. We find out we have to take our buckets to the car. Julie and I carry our buckets to the care. We both agree that was workout #1

We head back in and change for swimming. I love to swim. Swimming in a race is totally different than what i do during the summer at the pool and the beach. We run through various drills. one of the mentors shows me proper kicking form. OMG it's like i just learned the secret to life. I moved so much faster after that. We continue on with the drills. The TIFL mentor who's name just came to me, Barb, she shows me about how the proper form of a full rotation of strokes with leaning on my side to breath. Every training is a learning experience. Then they announce that we are going to do a few laps like we would do in the race. Everyone needs to get out the pool and line up. Getting myself out of the pool is fun all by itself. I actually did much better today than the first time. Progress, progress!!

We line up based on speed. One lady told me "why are you in the back, you are fast". I keep getting told that it just cracks me up because I don't think that I am. We are off to do up and back and cross over 3 lanes for a total of 150 yards. I'm doing ok but i am working on my breathing under water and every now and then i start to freak out and start coughing. I almost think i might have had a panic attack but i get it under control and continue to the next lane. I love when you get to the end of the lane and the mentors are there giving you words of encouragement. I'm on the last lane and one of the mentors tells me "last lap" She had no idea how happy i was to hear that. I swim down for my last lap and the mentors on the other end are clapping and cheering. It was so great to hear. I felt like i just won gold at the Olympics. then we are done with swimming and changing for running. Yeah that's the fun part. Putting on dry clothes on top of wet skin. Of course I have to go potty again. I tell you i have the bladder of a kid. I am so glad i brought my other City of Oaks hat. Shoutout to Ron Wahula COO Race director for those hats.

We meet up by the picnic tables and break up into groups for the run. At this point, i'm still wet, cold and my heart has not calmed down from the transition. I opt for the walkers. We head out to the back of TAC like the bike route. My lower back is screaming back to me like i have done it wrong. I can't wait to see Dr. Jessica on Wednesday, she's my Chiropractor and she ROCKS! Slow leisurely walk with Julie and mentor Karen. We head back and see Valerie at the turn back to TAC. We literally get run over by the runners. Did they forget to say runner back? lol

I have survived another brick training. I am so tired that it doesn't make sense but i'm glad i got it. It's about T minus 10 minutes until Sunday night TV, OUAT and TWD season finale. Woo hoo!!

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Soak to the bone

Soaked to the bone wet

Saturdays represent Galloway training runs. I kept am eye on the forecast and it keep calling for rain. I don't like to run in rain. Myrtle was my first experience of running in cold, wind and rain. The worst weather you can ever imagine to do a race in. I laid my gear out the night before. It truly makes a difference when you are up in the morning and looking like a chicken with its head chopped off trying to find your gear. When the alarm clock went of at 6, I hit the snooze button twice. I finally dragged out of bed. I was not feeling like doing anything. I got on up and dressed and noticed my left eye was puffy like pink eye. I think it was because I was tired. I go through my pre-run routine and get my fuel ready, peanut nutter and bagel. I can hear the rain. I'm even thinking why am I up? It's a mental game. I was really trying to talk myself out of it. I got up and got ready. I knew I needed to get the workout in since rock n roll is in 2 weeks. I needed to take my new camelbak our for a test drive. I put on my city of oaks hat and rain jacket and headed out to meet my fellow Galloway peeps. We were meeting at the new fleet feet location I'm north Raleigh off six forks. As I get closer to the store, I see other crazies running to the store. As I pull into the parking lot I see a friendly face, Cheryl who I knew from Fit-Tastic. I tuck my keys and phone in my camelback and head to the store where most folks are inside staying dry until the start. I see one of the pace leaders with a ziploc bag and I remember I was going to put my phone in one and totally forgot. I go up to the cash register and ask the fleet feet cashier is they have ziploc bag. She goes and checks, no bag but she gives me a trash bag which wrap my phone in like a precise meat at the butchers counter. Thanks Fleet Feet lady who's name I don't remember.

7:30 is here and we roll out my pace groups. My group is the honey badgers. We run 14-15 minute mile. I should say that's the goal but I've never gotten that fast. It's coming. We are small in #. I think where 1 or 2 are gathered. That's the PK coming out. We start out our on 8 mile journey. It's raining but the temp is in the 60s which is very bearable. Our group breaks out in men who are doing 30/30 intervals and us girls who are just out here to move and we make a mutual decision to just walk. I'm thinking the race jacket was a good choice until a about a mile 1.  I'm sweating like a hot yoga class. We go up and down the hills on six forks road. I'm starting to feel the hills. You should know that me and hills are not friends. We hit the greenway on Longstreet and I'm starting to start to feel real sluggish and tired and ready to be done with this foolishness that is running. We met the male honey badgers after we cross the 2nd bridge. I decide to turn back with them, they continue with their 30/30 and I confine to put one foot in front of the other. I have just passed sawmill drive. There is a puddle that looks like lake Crabtree. I walk around it I'm the grass and wouldn't you know it my left food goes right into a hole. The entire foot is submerged and completely wet. I be damn it must be time for me to get the H-E-double hockey sticks out this weather. A few of the fast pace groups pass me and yell out "good job Johanna". One lady smacks me on my back. I thought that was hilarious. I make it to six forks and it's up hill to 1 get about a mile from colonnade drive and it flattens out. I'm so excited when I can see the intersection. I wait patiently and cross over and I hobble over to my car and sir and recoup for a minute. I know there is a dry shirt waiting for me and panera with my fellow Galloway peeps. The Garmin read 4.58 miles. I'll take it. Tomorrow is TIFL brick of swimming & running. Lord give me strength.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Another TIFL bike ride is in the books

I haven't done any form of exercise since the 8 mile with Galloway on Saturday. That was 5 days ago. OMG I can tell it. I was in recovery mode ever since Saturday. I needed the rest. My body needed the rest. I also had some thigh chaffing that results in bruises that have been very irritating and painful. Because they are in a place that does not see air, the healing will take forever.

Let's go on to tonight's bike ride. There was 2 options for the ride. Those who wants to do 2-3.8 mile loops, those who wanted to do 1 3.8 mile loop and those who wanted to do 1.8 mile loop. I opted for the 1 3.8 mile loop. I had done the same route last week and made it. I know I need the hill training. I'm  told ramblin rose is hilly so I need all the hill training I can get in before may 18.

Every time I'm out with TIFL I see some new gadget on someone's bike. Last week it was a cool as ice iPhone bike holder. That's exactly what I need to let runkeeper run without any issue. I got a text message from amazon that mine had been delivered today. Now I need to get it mounted and take the bike for a spin.

We are off for our 1 loop. The loop is come until we get to Globe and we make a left and head down the hill. Downhill is awesome. I kept thinking about toy story 2 "ride like the wind bullseye" that's exactly what I was doing. I get scared that I'm going to fast so I am quick to hit my brakes. We make it to the dead end. You know what's next. What goes down must go back up. I make my way one pedal after another up "that hill". Karen, the TIFL mentor, who was riding with me talked to me about gears. I experimented with my gears being in 3 and using that to pedal and then going to 1 or 2 for the inclines and hills. I still get the adjustments backwards. I'm still learning.  We make our way back around back to the parking lot. Karen tells me I have the option of going out for another loop or not. I chose not. I hung out with my other TIFL chicks who were doing loops in the parking lot. That was fine with me. I have survived another TIFL bike run. According to runkeeper it was over 4 miles. 5 more miles and I will be at the ramblin rose distance. Slow and steady I'm getting ready for Ramblin. I need to knock out rock on roll next month and then I can fully concentrate on ramblin all by itself.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

8 miles with Galloway winter training program

I've been MIA with Galloway since before myrtle beach. With 4 weeks left to rock n roll I know I need to get out there and get some miles in before race day. I signed up for rock n roll about a year out before the race. I was committed to the race way back in 2013. I mentioned to my partner in crime that we need to go out Saturday and get 8 miles in. She agreed. I would like to give a special shoutout to my partner in crime, Sharon "I don't take pictures and don't tag me on Facebook" Mincey.

We started out with the 14-15 minute pace group, the honey badgers. I love them to pieces. Of course I do what my body tells me and we started to fall behind them about a mile into the route. We ran the house creek trail from Fleet Feet on wade avenue. I tend to get in my head when it comes to races and training runs. I tend to stress over the distances and the hills. I knew from experience that this run was hilly. Last year another partner in crime and I took the same trail from Crabtree. When there's a sign that steep slope ahead you better believe that the sign is not just there for show. It's the REEL deal. That sign is on the trail a few times. Sharon hadn't been on the trail before so she kept saying "Jo where are we". :-)

That's what I do like about all these groups I've done. They expose you to trails and greenways and parts of wake & Durham county that I probably wouldn't have never seen. It's truly a sign that I've been around the running community for awhile because I kept running into fellow runners I know. Sharon said "dang Jo who don't you know" lol. There was one lady who yelled out "Johanna. I see you everywhere" I recognized that chick but I can't tell you her name to save my life. She was in Fit-Tastic that I do remember.  We even ran into some TIFL mentors who were out doing their long run, 12 miles. Bless their hearts. I was so excited when we got to the crossed the street and you could see Mickey D's because I knew we were at CRABTREE baby, close to the turnaround. Sharon said "Jo I know where we are now" I told her we had been on this part of the greenway with Galloway by coming from the opposite side down from new balance. As we continues on the greenway, past Mickey D's we run into Meri Meri & the honey badgers. I told them "we must be going the right way since we found them". Sharon and I check our farming and we are close to 4 miles. We decide once we hit 4 miles, we are turning around.

Once we turn around, I tell Sharon we have to make a pit stop at Mickey D's because I have to GO GO :-)

After our pit stop, we head back. We are walking through the drive thru and Mickey D's employee who's out taking orders in the drive thru tell us "I need to join y'all" we tell her to come on but she is at work lol. We are back on house creek trail, slow and steady back to wade avenue. I'm beyond toast at this point. Just dragging through. Sharon says "Jo how we are going to celebrate when we get done" I replay "pancakes" she talks about what will go with them. She tells me to use that as my motivation to get through. I keep thinking about hot pancakes, bacon, eggs and hash brown. After 3 and half hours out on the greenway, we make it back to the parking lot. I tells Sharon "why is my car parked so far away". The very first thing I do when I get to my car is I strip out of my shoes and socks and put on my slides and pop the water bottle that I brought with me because I am way past dehydrated at this point. 8 miles is done and I'm sore and tired all over. Like Sharon said "Jo you're going to be so glad you did it" deep down I really am.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The coldest bike ride EVER

The temperate was in the 40s I believe. I had on a total of 4 layers. My top half was fine. It was my lower half that was ice ice cold. Even with the cycling gloves, my hands were cold as ice. This was my first bike ride with TIFL in brier creek. The ride started off great leaving the neighborhood and then we went up a slight incline. We hit globe and go down a hill. Did I mention I love downhill. What goes down must come up. O-M-G going back up that hill was the hardest part of the entire ride. The TIFL mentor whose name I do not remember at this time said to me "You've done a half marathon right so you can make up this hill with no problem" I shall not say what I was thinking. Lord have mercy I made it up that hill and I swear I breathed the hardest I have ever done in my entire life.

To think there was a mention of doing 1-3 laps of the route. I knew when we started and it was announced the route was 3.6 miles that I was only doing 1 loop. Yes I finished the entire route and survived. I even road around the parking lot one good time and then my tummy said "time to eat" and I wrapped it up.

Each training session is different. I just can't wait for spring when the weather will much more enjoyable.

Did I mention that I love cycling and I have fallen out of love with running. I'm already signed up for Rock 'N Roll next month. The bling looks so cool.

Galloway run on Saturday, 8 miles. Why do I get nervous like a first date when Galloway runs are coming up. When a bike ride is on the calendar, I'm all in. Go figure 😍😍😍

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

First run in 3 weeks

When you haven't ran in 3 weeks, your body feels it. Technically I haven't run in about 3 weeks. Tonight was a training run with TIFL. We met at Crabtree and hit the greenway. The groups are split up with runners 3:1 intervals yeah that's not me. Then there's 2:1 internal yeah that's not me either. Then there's 1:1. 3 weeks ago I started off with them and my heart beat so fast I thought it was going to jump out my chest. There's 30:1, that's 30 seconds. That's what I'm talking about. Then 1 of my fellow TIFL members asked could they make it 15:1. That sounds like the FUN group. I'm rolling with the 15:1. Who knew 15 seconds could be so long. When that 1 minute rolls around I'm so happy I could kiss the ground. During every race or training run, my shins/always start to ache. I call this my warm up time. I used to wear compression sleeves because I would get real bad shin splints. During OBX, those things rolled down to my ankles during the race. So I don't wear them anymore. I probably should just buy another pair. I'll add it to Jo's TIFL grocery list.

I would like to give a special shoutout to 1 of my fav TIFL mentors Sharon who lead us in a chant that I love: What are we? Triathletes What do we do? Finish Strong!!!

Sunday, March 9, 2014

TIFL bike clinic & ride March 9, 2014

Today was another brick training with TIFL. I opted out of the swim. Due to ....
I made it for the bike clinic by Performance Bike. They have a store near the house. Who knew? The 2 guys went through all kids of bike maintenance tips and stuff. Most of it went right over my head. I will have to YouTube it when I need it. I do know I need a bike pump, bag for the bike to hold my car keys and a small toolkit STAT. Downside to the clinic for me, is standing for 45 minutes which made my feet hurt and my backside started getting a nice suntan. One of the clinic guys was able to adjust my gears which apparently got out whack last week and was making some weird sound.

Then we were off to the ride. To get to the meetup spot, I had to get back up to the top of the parking lot. I made it up the hill, woo hoo. We headed out on the same route from last week. The loop was 1.98 according to RunKeeper. I'm still figuring out my gears. I keep hitting the up instead of down. I will get this together soon. Practice makes perfect. Since I had my gears straight I was ready for the hills baby, you still have to pedal your arse off. Downhill is still my FAV. I made it up all the hills without walking, progress baby. I even biked up the hill back to TAC. Yep that was me. Each week it gets better. I'm discovering I love cycling maybe even more than running 😍😍😍

Sunday, March 2, 2014

First weekend of March is very active

March 1, 2014. I was going to meet a friend who wants to get back on track with being active. They ended up not meeting me Saturday morning. I opted to take a different route instead of doing laps at Spring Forest Park. I hit spring forest road and turned right on Capital. I love walking around my neighborhood especially when there are sidewalks. I can tell you exactly where there are none. There is a sidewalk that ends right in front of NTB. I discovered this in 2012 when i was training for City of Oaks. When there is no sidewalk, you are forced to walk on the grass. I continue on Capital until I get to Old Wake Forest Road/Fox Road. Of course I am smelling breakfast from Mickey D's. Good thing i didn't have any cash. Then again I would still have to walk home afterwards. I also notice the K-Mart has store closing signs posted. I noticed earlier in the week someone standing on a corner holding a similar sign. Sad that another store bites the dust. This particular K-Mart i remember well as i found it in 1998 when i first moved to Raleigh and bought a 19' tv from them. I remember carrying it up the 3 flights to my 3rd floor apartment. Well i've digressed enough.
I head up fox and pass triangle towne center. I cross triangle towne blvd and head towards Poyner Place. The road that leads besides Super Target is a straight incline. I take it slow and steady. I turn right on Fox road and i think home is almost there. There is small length of sidewalk on Fox and then it ends. It's a 2 lane road. I stick to the grass. Can you believe some asshole honked at me like i was in the road?? Trust me i was not. I make it to the corner of Spring Forest and Fox. I'm thinking there needs to be a crosswalk here because trying to cross that intersection is really playing with your life. I walk down Spring Forest across the entrance to my subdivision which is much more SAFER to cross. I check RunKeeper and I'm at 3.85 miles. The goal was 4 miles. I walk and back forth down my street. I'm at 3.95. I walk up and down my driveway to make it up. Can you same DETERMINATION!!! 4 miles is done.

I love supporting local races. I have signed up for St Paddy's RunGreen kilt run. Race starts at 2pm. Since it's downtown, I know to head there EARLY around 12. I must not have been the only who had that same idea. Because traffic was heavy. I was able to get into the parking deck on Blount right across from Marbles, SCORE. I had no idea that deck went to 7 levels. I was on level 5. I run into a few NCRC peeps, Galloway peeps and TIFL peeps. We really do all run in the same places. We line up for the kilt run around 1:30pm. The line was HUMUNGOUS. They are checking kilts, belts and buckles and taking the release form. Then we line up in the starting corral. People are still coming in. I am thinking they have a good chance of beating the record. I heard today they had 1455 kilts runners short of the record of 1700. Race starts about 2:15. It's 200 meters which is 2 turns around Moore Square and we're done. People are running like they have $$ on this race. I take my time as it just 2 blocks. We make the final turn towards the finish line and i love my time it's about 3 minutes. I shall call it a PR :-)

March 2, 2014 Sundays are swim days with TIFL. Today is a brick day. Today's brick is swim/bike. I am the new proud owner of a bike. I was very excited to get out and ride today. In my haste yesterday at the bike shop i forgot to buy a lock. I'm nervous about leaving it unlocked while we're swimming. I bring it inside TAC. I'm told by the mentors to leave it in the locker room. Swimming was another great workout. My favorite drill is 3 strokes and come up on 1 side for air. LOVE it! 3pm shows up fast. We are out of the pool. Changing clothes and headed out for a bike. I am a straight up bag lady because i have napsack that i plan on riding with, backpack with change of clothes. Friend of mine is not riding, i get her to watch my bike. I make a quick drop off the bags at the car. Then get all i need for the bike ride and head back over. I get on my bike and oh my goodness it feels totally different than it did yesterday. I get on and start pedaling. I need to wait on the next group. I'm told to go in a circle. I don't really see that happeing so i ride around the entire parking lot and then come back. I crack myself. Our group takes off, there's a path that runs the side of TAC and into a neighborhood. That's downhill mind you. the bike takes off so fast i'm hitting the brakes like crazy. We head out into the neighborhood. the flat roads are great. then we hit a hill and we're told to move into the low gears. i'm still learning my gears and i'm in the high gear and end up walking my bike up the hill. once we get to the top i  hop back on and get my gears right. i'm feeling soreness and pain i have never felt in my life. we continue through the neighborhood. more hills. this time they are much more easier to handle. they are still rough. we head back to the beginning and it's downhill i am FLYING. i'm going so fast it's scaring the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me. We make it back to the entrance to the path. wouldn't you know it's uphill. I opt to walk my bike up to flat ground. Then I get back on and pedal to the starting point and see the rest of TIFL. I think to myself I SURVIVED and why is my car parked so far away and what's for dinner because I'm STARVING like marvin.