and I am feeling kinda nervous. After my wonderful ride last Saturday . . . then a nice long swim Sunday morning, followed by a 60+ minute walk, I ended up getting a freakin' cold!
- which has turned into bronchitis & has caused me to miss an entire four days of training.
So, I feel like I am starting from scratch . . . it's a bitch getting sick & being old. OK, I am really not that old. But all the same, I have 5 weeks to just keep plugging along!
I am going to try to make a time prediction for my 70.3 (my 1st one ever!!):
1.2-mile swim: 40 mins.
56-mile bike ride: 3:35:00
13.1-mile run: 2:45:00
Well, that adds up to right about 7 hours!! YIKES . . . seems like a long time, but I want to be realistic. So, what the heck . . . at least I'm doing the sucker.
OK - that's it for now.
Peace & love,
TracerX
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Here are a couple of pictures for clarification.....
TracerX & her Trek Madone named Penelope Marshmallow Creampuff Pitstop
For my good friend Pendong...this is a picture of Penelope.
For my good friend Pendong...this is a picture of Penelope.
Hey kids - cover your ears, there may be some foul language . . .
F#$@ son offa B@#*% . . . . OK, got that out of my system! Why do I have to curse, you ask?
Well, as you may or may not know, the ToC (Tour of California) came rolling thru our wonderful state. And due to the fact that I love guys in tight shorts & shirts, I wanted to see the tour fly right by me. So Vit, H.R. Pufnstuf & I decided to ride the route, or at least Stage 7, from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. Well, actually just to the top of the climb at Angeles Crest Highway.
So Vit & I started out in Granada Hills & rode to Sierra Canyon & San Fernando Road to meet H.R. (he drove his car out there - thank GOD). We took off from there to Soledad Canyon to ride uphill and see the tour come by. (We were several hours ahead of the game, but I know Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer & the gang were much faster than me, so I needed a head start.) We got to Sand Canyon and Vit had us turn right.
What a beautiful ride up Sand Canyon - the homes are gorgeous, lots of space for horses to roam & it was a beautiful day. So we continued upward - we even rode past a sign that said, "Angeles National Forest." It was just a matter of 11-plus more miles of hill climbing to get to Mill Creek Summit.
Or so I thought.
We were supposed to be riding up to 4,900 feet, give or take a few. So, here we are riding along up a nice steep hill, then down a bit, then up some more. And I'm talking kinda steep here. I am only cruising at 5-something MPH on Penelope.
Slow enough to notice mile marker 12. And 12.34. And 12.75, And so on. Now I start thinking to myself, "Self - does this seem right to you?" But I ignored my Self & started another long downhill roll. Now I know something is wrong. Why the hell am I going down again? Where is all the snow??? Where are all the people who want to see the ToC?
Where the hell are Vit & H.R. Pufnstuf?
And, why the hell is it hot out here? Aren't we gaining elevation?
Well, I drop on down to my boys, who agree that something is wrong, given that we are back in the FRIGGIN' San Fernando Valley (basically) at the Wildlife Waystation!!
F@#$....F#@%...F$#@!!!!!
It is NOON. They start at NOON. But we can't make it back in time because we have to climb out of this hellhole!
It took me a good little while to adjust to the fact that now I was just on an average little training ride. That I would not have that thrill of the peloton speeding by me. To shout, "woooo hoooooo!" or to run alongside some rider clad in tight shorts & shirt. I was pissed!!! Dang it!
I had to get over it. I mean, there are times in a race where you feel frustrated, tired or that you just don't have it in you. You need to mentally pull it together & get your mind around what you are doing in that moment!
(Oh, I sound like I know what I'm talking about. I like it.)
Back to the ride . . . we basically went back the way we came. Made it back to Carl's Jr., where H.R. Pufnstuf's car was parked . . . ate lunch, discussed what the heck went wrong (yes, both Vit & H.R. had directions for the ride) & I hitched a ride back to Granada Hills. Vit was a stud & rode back the 7 miles. I was spent - my thighs were done - plus, we needed to get back to watch the ToC.
That was just salt in the wound. So many signs, literally, that we missed . . . like: where was the writing on the ground that all the fans do in chalk? Of course - the snow!? And all the people who come out to watch??
F#$%.....F#$%.....F@#$
Sorry, that is it.
Now some stats, according to Vit's Garmin: we rode 53 miles (45 for me) & climbed 7,600 feet (approx.7,300 for me) . . . no wonder I was spent - major climbing!!
All in all, I had a nice day with my friends.
Peace & love,
TracerX
Well, as you may or may not know, the ToC (Tour of California) came rolling thru our wonderful state. And due to the fact that I love guys in tight shorts & shirts, I wanted to see the tour fly right by me. So Vit, H.R. Pufnstuf & I decided to ride the route, or at least Stage 7, from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. Well, actually just to the top of the climb at Angeles Crest Highway.
So Vit & I started out in Granada Hills & rode to Sierra Canyon & San Fernando Road to meet H.R. (he drove his car out there - thank GOD). We took off from there to Soledad Canyon to ride uphill and see the tour come by. (We were several hours ahead of the game, but I know Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer & the gang were much faster than me, so I needed a head start.) We got to Sand Canyon and Vit had us turn right.
What a beautiful ride up Sand Canyon - the homes are gorgeous, lots of space for horses to roam & it was a beautiful day. So we continued upward - we even rode past a sign that said, "Angeles National Forest." It was just a matter of 11-plus more miles of hill climbing to get to Mill Creek Summit.
Or so I thought.
We were supposed to be riding up to 4,900 feet, give or take a few. So, here we are riding along up a nice steep hill, then down a bit, then up some more. And I'm talking kinda steep here. I am only cruising at 5-something MPH on Penelope.
Slow enough to notice mile marker 12. And 12.34. And 12.75, And so on. Now I start thinking to myself, "Self - does this seem right to you?" But I ignored my Self & started another long downhill roll. Now I know something is wrong. Why the hell am I going down again? Where is all the snow??? Where are all the people who want to see the ToC?
Where the hell are Vit & H.R. Pufnstuf?
And, why the hell is it hot out here? Aren't we gaining elevation?
Well, I drop on down to my boys, who agree that something is wrong, given that we are back in the FRIGGIN' San Fernando Valley (basically) at the Wildlife Waystation!!
F@#$....F#@%...F$#@!!!!!
It is NOON. They start at NOON. But we can't make it back in time because we have to climb out of this hellhole!
It took me a good little while to adjust to the fact that now I was just on an average little training ride. That I would not have that thrill of the peloton speeding by me. To shout, "woooo hoooooo!" or to run alongside some rider clad in tight shorts & shirt. I was pissed!!! Dang it!
I had to get over it. I mean, there are times in a race where you feel frustrated, tired or that you just don't have it in you. You need to mentally pull it together & get your mind around what you are doing in that moment!
(Oh, I sound like I know what I'm talking about. I like it.)
Back to the ride . . . we basically went back the way we came. Made it back to Carl's Jr., where H.R. Pufnstuf's car was parked . . . ate lunch, discussed what the heck went wrong (yes, both Vit & H.R. had directions for the ride) & I hitched a ride back to Granada Hills. Vit was a stud & rode back the 7 miles. I was spent - my thighs were done - plus, we needed to get back to watch the ToC.
That was just salt in the wound. So many signs, literally, that we missed . . . like: where was the writing on the ground that all the fans do in chalk? Of course - the snow!? And all the people who come out to watch??
F#$%.....F#$%.....F@#$
Sorry, that is it.
Now some stats, according to Vit's Garmin: we rode 53 miles (45 for me) & climbed 7,600 feet (approx.7,300 for me) . . . no wonder I was spent - major climbing!!
All in all, I had a nice day with my friends.
Peace & love,
TracerX
Friday, February 13, 2009
It's been such a long time...no see
Hello all (all 4 or 5 of you)...I just wanted to say the The Surf City Half Marathon was a blast. No rain this year. It was the perfect temperature, sunny with beautiful ocean views!
My final time was: 2:59:06 Pace: 13:40. That is 6 mins. faster than my time last year.
Well, that is all for now. There are lots of updates & I will get to all that a bit later.
Peace & amp;love, TracerX
My final time was: 2:59:06 Pace: 13:40. That is 6 mins. faster than my time last year.
Well, that is all for now. There are lots of updates & I will get to all that a bit later.
Peace & amp;love, TracerX
Saturday, January 31, 2009
I'm gonna need a gallon of K-Y to ease into this . . .
. . . that was my response to Vit when he told me - like he always does - that I needed to "ease into it" when we were trying to run some hills.
I am sure y'all know what K-Y is - !!?
If not, go to your local proctologist for an exam. Or watch Deliverance and see what happens when you don't have any!
I digress . . .here are a bunch of workouts that I did. I threw in some new stuff like trying a spinning class! That was tough . . . I was shvitzing by the end of class.
I tried the class with a colleague . . .he is Fine. No, really - he is Fine!
Let's see what else . . . Oh! I did a nice bike ride in the RAIN. By choice, I must admit. Vit was not happy with me. He wanted to turn around - girlie man - but I was having fun, so we rode on. We were soaked to the bone & filthy dirty - and we hadn't even started the ride!! ha ha . . .just kidding, Lola.
Again, I digress. Here is the week (plus) of workouts:
1/19: Rest day
1/20: Took a nice hour-long ride outdoors to ride the hills around my house.
1/21: GULP . . . I did nothing - get off my ass, Pendong.
1/22: Ran 6.5 miles. O.K., ran 3.5 & walked the other 3 w/friends. BUT, we did a big ol' hill!!
1/23: Swam 2,100 yds. & lifted.
1/24: Rode 57.48 - this was the ride in the rain. It rained from Granada Hills to LAX. We did continue on to Huntington Beach. Just when the ride starts to look pretty & the ocean is off to the right, we had to be picked up. No injuries, flats, etc. It was just time to get down to Carlsbad so Vit could pick up his race packet. He & some of his family & friends were going to do the Carlsbad Half Marathon the next day; I had to take my PALS course. Bummer.
The ride around LAX is nasty & scary & just no fun. I don't recommend it.
Also, Wilmington is no pleasure cruise either. Too many potholes which equals a massive headache for me! AND, nuts & bolts in the street. I thought I was at Pep Boys. If you're gonna steal a freakin' car tire, take the damn nuts & bolts!
1/25: Ran 6.8 miles of trails near my house. I did this after my PALS course. I needed a tension release.
1/26: MONDAY!!!! My rest day . . . I love you, MONDAY.
1/27: Vit & I took a nice 5-mile brisk walk. It was very windy & we headed up a lovely long hill.
1/28: Swam 2,150 yds. & lifted.
1/29: 55 mins. of shvitzing spin class at The Ride.
1/30: Well, this was supposed to be a swim & lift day, but NOOOOO. Instead, I had to deal with some wonderfully idiotic jackasses at work. I ended up doing, basically, a 12-hour shift. It was not a horrible day, but I did, at one point, want to beat the crap outta someone. AND, I like the guy . . . but boy, was he a "male genitalia"
Again, again, I digress . . .
Finally, today, 1/31, the end of the month - Vit & I rode hills for a couple of hours. It turned out to be a nice day.
I do need to give a shout out to my Vit for his patience & friendship. He is a tolerant kinda guy.
Most days.
Seriously, THANKS VIT.
Also, to his wonderful wife, Lola, she is just as amazing! Thanks to you both.
Well that is all, folks.
I am off to do the Surf City Half Marathon tomorrow with Lola, Becky G, & G-Money.
Peace & love, TracerX
I am sure y'all know what K-Y is - !!?
If not, go to your local proctologist for an exam. Or watch Deliverance and see what happens when you don't have any!
I digress . . .here are a bunch of workouts that I did. I threw in some new stuff like trying a spinning class! That was tough . . . I was shvitzing by the end of class.
I tried the class with a colleague . . .he is Fine. No, really - he is Fine!
Let's see what else . . . Oh! I did a nice bike ride in the RAIN. By choice, I must admit. Vit was not happy with me. He wanted to turn around - girlie man - but I was having fun, so we rode on. We were soaked to the bone & filthy dirty - and we hadn't even started the ride!! ha ha . . .just kidding, Lola.
Again, I digress. Here is the week (plus) of workouts:
1/19: Rest day
1/20: Took a nice hour-long ride outdoors to ride the hills around my house.
1/21: GULP . . . I did nothing - get off my ass, Pendong.
1/22: Ran 6.5 miles. O.K., ran 3.5 & walked the other 3 w/friends. BUT, we did a big ol' hill!!
1/23: Swam 2,100 yds. & lifted.
1/24: Rode 57.48 - this was the ride in the rain. It rained from Granada Hills to LAX. We did continue on to Huntington Beach. Just when the ride starts to look pretty & the ocean is off to the right, we had to be picked up. No injuries, flats, etc. It was just time to get down to Carlsbad so Vit could pick up his race packet. He & some of his family & friends were going to do the Carlsbad Half Marathon the next day; I had to take my PALS course. Bummer.
The ride around LAX is nasty & scary & just no fun. I don't recommend it.
Also, Wilmington is no pleasure cruise either. Too many potholes which equals a massive headache for me! AND, nuts & bolts in the street. I thought I was at Pep Boys. If you're gonna steal a freakin' car tire, take the damn nuts & bolts!
1/25: Ran 6.8 miles of trails near my house. I did this after my PALS course. I needed a tension release.
1/26: MONDAY!!!! My rest day . . . I love you, MONDAY.
1/27: Vit & I took a nice 5-mile brisk walk. It was very windy & we headed up a lovely long hill.
1/28: Swam 2,150 yds. & lifted.
1/29: 55 mins. of shvitzing spin class at The Ride.
1/30: Well, this was supposed to be a swim & lift day, but NOOOOO. Instead, I had to deal with some wonderfully idiotic jackasses at work. I ended up doing, basically, a 12-hour shift. It was not a horrible day, but I did, at one point, want to beat the crap outta someone. AND, I like the guy . . . but boy, was he a "male genitalia"
Again, again, I digress . . .
Finally, today, 1/31, the end of the month - Vit & I rode hills for a couple of hours. It turned out to be a nice day.
I do need to give a shout out to my Vit for his patience & friendship. He is a tolerant kinda guy.
Most days.
Seriously, THANKS VIT.
Also, to his wonderful wife, Lola, she is just as amazing! Thanks to you both.
Well that is all, folks.
I am off to do the Surf City Half Marathon tomorrow with Lola, Becky G, & G-Money.
Peace & love, TracerX
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Just another manic Monday, followed by a bunch of other stuff . . .
Mon. 1/12: As usual, Monday was my rest day.
Tues. 1/13: SICK
Wed. 1/14: SICK
At this point, I am not a happy camper! I do not like missing out on training - let alone "just laying around doing nothing." I feel so helpless & pissed off all at the same time. (Yes, it is possible!)
Back to the training . . .
Thurs. 1/15: 51 mins. with the wonderful Coach Troy doing my Spinerval session, then lifted for 1/2 hour.
Fri. 1/16: Ran 1.25 miles on the treadmill, then swam 2,050 yds.
Sat. 1/17: Got to go on a great bike ride with two of my favorite guys - Vit, of course, and my buddy G-Money! G-Money is the best! He is such a talented athlete - the guy was a golf pro. He kicks booty in a triathlon and runs ultramarathons - well, you get the picture. He is a stud. Much like Vit & Pendong & Big Daddy. AND, G Money is an all-around nice guy. Much like Vit, Pendong & Big Daddy.
So, back to the ride: we rode 47 miles in just under 4 hrs. We did some hills, Woolsey Cyn. & Mulholland & got some flats & some rollers.
All in all the day was beautiful & I had two handsome men to ride with!
Sun. 1/18: Swam 2,750 & r/w 4 miles.
Well, that's all, folks.
Peace & love, TracerX
Tues. 1/13: SICK
Wed. 1/14: SICK
At this point, I am not a happy camper! I do not like missing out on training - let alone "just laying around doing nothing." I feel so helpless & pissed off all at the same time. (Yes, it is possible!)
Back to the training . . .
Thurs. 1/15: 51 mins. with the wonderful Coach Troy doing my Spinerval session, then lifted for 1/2 hour.
Fri. 1/16: Ran 1.25 miles on the treadmill, then swam 2,050 yds.
Sat. 1/17: Got to go on a great bike ride with two of my favorite guys - Vit, of course, and my buddy G-Money! G-Money is the best! He is such a talented athlete - the guy was a golf pro. He kicks booty in a triathlon and runs ultramarathons - well, you get the picture. He is a stud. Much like Vit & Pendong & Big Daddy. AND, G Money is an all-around nice guy. Much like Vit, Pendong & Big Daddy.
So, back to the ride: we rode 47 miles in just under 4 hrs. We did some hills, Woolsey Cyn. & Mulholland & got some flats & some rollers.
All in all the day was beautiful & I had two handsome men to ride with!
Sun. 1/18: Swam 2,750 & r/w 4 miles.
Well, that's all, folks.
Peace & love, TracerX
Friday, January 16, 2009
Tonight after swimming, I was standing in the shower with water running down my body....
Sorry, no picture attached!! But it hit me that I am signed up to do an IRONMAN this year!! WTF did I do? Seriously? And, I paid for it!!!
I had a bit of an anxiety attack, which I'm sure I will have plenty more of in the future.
So back to the shower (still no picture).....I just sorta stood there thinking, "Can I do this? Can I sustain 14, 15, 16 hours of a triathlon?" YES, of course I can! I mean, "I think I can"? Right? And, I was not really sure what part was freaking me out: the swim with a couple thousand of my closest friends - who, by the way, are punching & kicking me? Or is it the 112-mile bike ride, where I get to pee on myself & my sweet Penelope? Or is it the 26.2 miles of running/walking/crawling? (Yes, you are allowed to crawl; it's in the official "Ironman rules"!! Tanks God for that.)
I think it is the run/walk/crawl-that is causing my high anxiety. OH - and the nutrition aspect of it all. * * * note here: I am definitely experimenting with different sources of nutrition. Right now I am trying Hammer Sustained Energy. I will let you know how it goes.
Well, I just decided not to dwell on it & move forward & take it one day at a time!
Wish me luck.
So, that's it for now.
P.S.: I was wearing my swimsuit in the shower, as I had just finished a 2,050-yd. swim workout!
ha ha
Peace & love, TracerX
I had a bit of an anxiety attack, which I'm sure I will have plenty more of in the future.
So back to the shower (still no picture).....I just sorta stood there thinking, "Can I do this? Can I sustain 14, 15, 16 hours of a triathlon?" YES, of course I can! I mean, "I think I can"? Right? And, I was not really sure what part was freaking me out: the swim with a couple thousand of my closest friends - who, by the way, are punching & kicking me? Or is it the 112-mile bike ride, where I get to pee on myself & my sweet Penelope? Or is it the 26.2 miles of running/walking/crawling? (Yes, you are allowed to crawl; it's in the official "Ironman rules"!! Tanks God for that.)
I think it is the run/walk/crawl-that is causing my high anxiety. OH - and the nutrition aspect of it all. * * * note here: I am definitely experimenting with different sources of nutrition. Right now I am trying Hammer Sustained Energy. I will let you know how it goes.
Well, I just decided not to dwell on it & move forward & take it one day at a time!
Wish me luck.
So, that's it for now.
P.S.: I was wearing my swimsuit in the shower, as I had just finished a 2,050-yd. swim workout!
ha ha
Peace & love, TracerX
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