No napping for the hare this year...

OK...so the times aren't official yet, but the "tortoise" finished the half in 2:23 +/- (we'll see what the web says tomorrow as the official time). It felt great...my knee was excellent and I actually had more in reserve at the end than I thought (although not much).  Thankfully, Alan walked back and met me with about a half kilometer to go...that helped.  However, the route changed so I thought I had more to go than I did so his words of encouragement weren't as well received at the time as they could've been.

Either way...no regrets.  I'm happy with my time and have something to work towards next year.

I'll let Alan tell you about his time...which was awesome!

Now, it serious tri-training time.  No more half marathon noise...

Cheers!

The tortoise and the hare...

Today's the day...3 months of running all in preparation for the big "race".  

Given Alan's goal time of sub two hours (or 1:45 according to Jen), I am reminded of the Tortoise and the Hare - as me and the girls are running solely to finish.  If Alan falls asleep beside a tree mid-way through, I'll be sure to pass him. 

Update to follow...

Did I mention he's stiff?

So I finally bought a bike...let me tell you about it.  He's big (50 cm), stiff, and made of ALUXX butted aluminum sprinkled over top of some carbon yumminess.

Wanna hear some more...you know you do.  He's versatile and spirited, has triple cranks for performance and his frame will deliver forgiving positions for all-day comfort and nimble handling. 

Now all I have to do it name him.  I'd like something clever...did I mention he's stiff?

I've got it...Dirk.

Let it snow, let it snow...

You all know the rest.  I haven't been inspired to update my blog for a couple of weeks and I can't quite figure out why.  I really enjoyed it at first, but it seems to have lost the appeal. I wonder if it's more of a "winter thing" - hence my update today.  With the weather so nice, I've moved a lot of my workouts outside - and I am loving it.  I have more color now than after the cruise, go figure.

I am keeping up to date with the triathlon training - and the half marathon is next Sunday (I sure hope the snow is gone by then).  So far, so good with the knee and weight.  I am 2 pounds away from my goal weight for the half - so we'll see what the week brings.  After this, it's pure triathlon training - lots of biking and swimming - and the dreaded brick workouts.  I am especially worried about the bike/run combination.

I was down another 2.6 lbs this week at WW - and am now 7 lbs from my goal weight.  I am confident I can achieve that before the summer is over.  Once the half marathon is over, I will be adding some strength training to my workouts - and that will help tone some of the "softer" parts.

All for now...

this treadmill must be broken...

Well last night was officially a rest night...and did I enjoy it.  I was in bed by 8:30 and asleep shortly after that.  In fact, the phone rang before 9 and I didn't even hear it. I felt like a million dollars this morning when I woke up.  However, that didn't last long.

Today was speed work again at the gym...the weather was supposed to be cold and miserable, so we decided to run inside.  I used the "new" treadmill - the one everyone says is the best.  I'm not so sure...I think there's something wrong with this "new" treadmill...my work outs are longer, harder and faster.  Did I mention that I broke through the 8 minute mile mark on the new tread mill - oh yeah!  That's right, after a good night's sleep and some serious leg work (skiing), I seem to have recovered and am ready to re-join the herd.

I had a dinner engagement tonight with work and missed my bike and swim, so I will do those tomorrow night to make up.  Then I will only be one workout behind...looks like Thursday and Friday will be double workouts.  What a way to end the week!

Cheers!

Culled from the herd...

They say you don't feel the pain until a couple of days later...and they're absolutely right.  After skiing on Friday and Saturday, the long slow run on Sunday (18K) was enough to push me over the edge.  As of this morning I thought I was going to lose all feelings in my legs. Oh wait, I'm confused...I meant to say, I wished I would lose all feeling in my legs.  And my hips...and the rest of my lower body for that matter.

The pain really started to kick in about supper time on Sunday.  The hot tub relieved the agony for a little while, but even it wasn't enough. I took some Motrin and that helped me fall asleep. Today, I hobbled around the office like some senior citizen who'd had both hips and knees replaced all at the same time.  Luckily, a quick noon run managed to flush the lactic acid from my legs and I managed to survive the rest of the day.

Tonight is officially a rest day - well not officially, as it's supposed to be a bike/swim.  However, with three days of intense leg work, I have decided I am taking it off.  So now, it's official.

I must be an old buffalo and have culled myself from the herd.  Bring on the coyotes...

wow that was fast...

Today was a 29 minute run, so I decided to do speed work.  Because my running buddy didn't bring her outdoor gear, we used the treadmills at work (which I am OK with).  We started off with the intention of two 10:1's...but then my iPod was on a fast song and I couldn't help but increase the speed.  First it was just over 6 (a fast pace for me on the treadmill normally), and then 6.4, then 6.8...I was really moving. Before I knew it, I was over 7 and on my way to 8.  This was unheard of for me (I was beginning to think the treadmill was broken because I can't normally run over 6.5 for more than a minute without exhausting myself).  Before I knew it I was done the first 10 minutes and was well over the mile mark.  My colleagues looked on from the cafeteria (which is just on the other side of the glass) and while they chowed down on fries, et al...I was gearing up for another set.  The second set was just as fast, even breaking the 8 minute mile pace for a minute or so...I was elated.  Perhaps all the LSR's are finally paying off.

Unfortunately, my running buddy wasn't fairing as well...Ave Maria on her iPod didn't contribute to a fast pace.  So I queued up a couple of songs for her on my iPod and she was able to finish at a decent pace.

I was glad I managed to get the run in at lunch...the rest of my day went off without a hitch and now I can enjoy the evening chilling on the couch and watching Cornation Street (I am behind a couple of episodes).

Cheers!

PS  I stepped on the scale after the run and was down the rest of the cruise weight.  Here's hoping the week stays on track and it's still gone come Friday (weighing in early as we're skiing on Saturday).