So many races…

We are so busy racing and living life that I am falling behind on getting the race recaps up.  So…here are the last two races we did.  But, actually it is 4 races.  we like to race.

The third weekend in July is our local town festival.  It includes a race on Saturday morning, the Jamison Kampmeyer Memorial Run-named after a fallen firefighter and local hero.  I have been involved in this race every year for the past 6 years.  In fact, this year’s race fell on the exact day of my very first race ever, when I ran the 5K six years ago.

This year, Jaden decided not to run the 5K and instead to run the 1 mile kids run with Logan.

They got to see their cousins at the race.

The starting line is a little chaotic.  Lots of kids and quite a few parent running along with them.

I let them take off and then hurried off to see them further on down the course.  They are having so much fun.

Jaden ran most of the course with his brother and then took off to finish on his own (Logan wanted to finish with me….a mile is a long way for a 4 year old).  Jaden got a great high five from Fish as he was finishing.

It took some convincing, but I managed to get Logan to run to the finish line.

This may be my favorite photo ever.

The kids love their trophies.

5K/10K start.  Tim and I ran together for the first 2 miles and then I ran ahead. 

I ended up with third in my age group.

Tim finished with his fastest 5K time of the year.

Pros:

*Local Race, great cause, great people, etc.

*Kids all get trophies

*Loved that the kids race was before the 5K/10K this year.

Cons:

*It was hot

*Most people didn’t know about the switch to moving the kids race earlier.  Caused a little confusion.

Overall: A-

I love the switch to doing the kids race earlier.  I think the communication needs to be a little clearer.  I’m sure it was on the flyer, but when people are used to doing things a certain way for so many years, change is hard.  I love my local race and I plan on doing it for as many years as I can.

 

The next weekend, was the Hub Cities Duathlon.  This is another favorite race.  I have been involved in some way since it started.  Last year I volunteered because I was injured and couldn’t participate.

This year, they added a kid’s duathlon.  It consisted of a 1/4 mile run, 1 1/2 mile bike, and 1/4 mile run.  Jaden was very excited to participate.

All the kids taking off at the start.

I love his focus and determination.

Here is his run into the transition area after the first run.

He took a while to get his helmet on and his bike ready. 

 

He was really looking forward to the bike portion.  He thought he would do really well here, but a lot of the kids have road bikes or bikes with gears and he just has his mountain bike.  His spirit was in it, but I think his bike might have slowed him down.

Running toward the finish line after the 2nd run.

He worked hard because he didn’t have much left in the tank at the finish.

Duathlons are exhausting.

Check out those run splits.  Talk about consistency.  He lost time on the bike.  Might be time to get him a bike with gears.

He finished third in his age group.  Way to go, buddy.

It is only appropriate to have a massive ice cream cone after your first duathlon!

Jaden had such a good time that he said he wanted all of his races to be duathlons!

The next morning, it was back for the adult’s turn.  The course is a little over a 2 mile run, about a 14 mile bike, and a little over a 2 mile run.  They changed the run courses a little bit last year, but because I was volunteering, I didn’t notice. 

Strong start.  Women start 2 minutes after the men and two minutes before the relays.  The first relay runners caught me at just over half a mile.  Super fast!

It is hard to see from this picture, but my back tire is really low.  I noticed it about 3 miles into the bike portion and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.  I know that it slowed me down.  Grrr!

I look like I am struggling….because I am!  It was hot.  And I was having a hard time getting my legs to do what my mind wanted them to do.

Thumbs up.  I’m almost done.  The second run leg is almost entirely on the trails.  This would be great for a lot of people, but not for me.  I am really clumsy.  Really.  My dad still calls me ‘Grace.”  I was so worried that I was going to fall or trip over a root or hurt myself.  I was very preoccupied with keeping my footing.

How I managed to snag 4th in my age group is a complete mystery to me.  Everyone else must have struggled with the heat too.  The competitive part of me wonders how I would have done with a properly inflated back tire.

Unlike the kids, our run sections were slightly different lengths.  First run was 2.2 (8:05 pace).  Second run was 2.1 (8:52 pace).

This was not my fastest time on this course, but it was my hardest effort.  I really struggled.  I know it was hot, and I know I had a low tire, but I really thought I was in better shape.  I guess I’m not.  I think I will set a goal to work hard and come back next year ready to compete.  (Assuming my back injury cooperates.)

Pros:

*The kids race.  Loved it.  And I loved that they had the timing mats set up for the kids.  They didn’t do awards and everyone got a medal-which is exactly how it should be-but it was nice to be able to show Jaden how he did.

*Wonderful people.  I really love this event.  I see a lot of people I know.  The volunteers are wonderful. 

*The food.  THANK YOU for having veggie subs.  And the cheese is awesome.  And so is the granola.  It is some of the best post-race food.  Much better than just half a banana.

*Lots of transition area spectators.  The transition area is really well laid out.  Jaden was there and was hanging out with my friends’ kids and they were able to see us several times and easily stay out of the way of all the athletes.

Cons:

*I’m an idiot and didn’t triple check my tires.  Next year, my friend Bill has put himself in charge of my tires.

*The bike course just isn’t all that interesting.  Not much can be done about that.  Maybe I just remember more spectators along the bike course in previous years.

*I don’t like trails.  Everyone else would probably list the trails as a ‘pro.’

*Kids race transition area.  There were parents and adults all over.  They were lined up in the way of the kids who needed to rack their bikes.  I was afraid someone was going to get hurt.  I know that some of the kids needed help in the transition area, but I hope that next year we can find a better way to do that.  I’m sure they will.

Overall: A-

I will certainly do this race again.  (remind me to get vacation next year, so I’m not on call.)  I know Jaden will want to do the kids race too.

Hub City Duathlon race recap

Look—I figured out how to get my Garmin to record in multisport mode!  I’m a genius.  I’ve only had the thing for two and a half years.  And, truth be told, I had to post on facebook, and then someone commented with how I should do it.  I could have read the directions, but I’ve found that facebook is usually much more user-friendly than the instruction manual.

I got to the race a bit later than I wanted to because I forgot something at home and had to turn around and go back to get it.  But, once I got there, I got my transition area set up and all my stuff laid out.  I took the bike for a spin around the parking lot to be sure that I had it in the proper gear for when I hopped on after the run.

The race was set up a bit differently than it was last year.  The routes were changed a bit and the start/finish/transition areas were different.  Part of the change was so that the bike route would consist of mostly right turns instead of left turns. 

They started the race in waves.  The guys went first, followed two minutes later by the women, and then two minutes later, the relay teams.

I started out way too fast (I seem to sense a theme here).  My first mile was under 8:00.  The first run segment was about 2.2 miles and I finished in 17:55 (average 8:09/pace What?!)

I came into transition and quickly tried to get my shoes changed and my helmet on.  I ran my bike out of the transition area and as soon as I hopped on my bike, I noticed that the chain had come off!  Seriously!?  I was so frustrated.  It took me about a minute to get the chain back on.  I was covered in grease.  I then spent the next two miles shifting between all the gears to make sure that everything was working right.  It took a while for it to feel ‘right’ and I was really flustered.  Finally, I was able to get into a comfortable gear, and then the ride started to feel a little better.

The course is what I would consider ‘rolling hills.’  There aren’t a whole lot of flat parts.  It seems that you are always going up or coming down.  I don’t mind the downhill parts.  I was grateful that it wasn’t very windy.  The one negative about the bike course is that there is NO SHADE anywhere.  So, it started to get pretty warm.  There also weren’t very many fans.  There were a couple spots where people would be standing in their driveway drinking their coffee, or standing along the side of the road waiting for their family member or friend.  But the crowd support on the bike course (and, to a certain extent, on the run courses) was disappointing.

I finished the bike portion of 13.98 miles in 49:05 (17.1 mph pace).  I usually ride at just over 15 mph, so this was pretty fast for me.

I came into transition and had to change my shoes again to head out on the last run segment.  As I expected, my legs felt like lead after the bike portion.  But, as usually happens to me, my legs are used to the faster turn-over from the bike ride, and I end up being able to keep a pretty decent pace…at least for a short while.  And the run was pretty short…1.95 miles.  I ran it in 16.31 (8:29 pace).

The second run portion started out going through a wooded area, on a trail.  It was the only shaded portion of the course, and for that I was thankful.  However, since my legs felt so heavy, I kept worrying that I was going to trip over a rock or a root or something.  Crisis averted and I was shortly back on the road.  I didn’t get passed at all during the second run segment.  It felt pretty good to slowly catch up and pass people when my legs were so tired.  However, there was one lady at the end who I tried desperately to catch, but I couldn’t quite make it.  She crossed the finish line about 4 seconds before me.

I took about 10 minutes off my time from last year and I am pretty happy with that.  It could have been more if I hadn’t had to put the chain back on my bike!  I came in 12/42 in my age group (26 woman overall) and I am happy with that too.  Any time I can be in the top half of my age group, I’ll be happy.  Maybe I’m not as middle-of-the-pack as I thought.

This is definitely a race I will do again next year.  This is only the second year they have done it and I think they are still growing into it.  There are a few things that could be improved, but I have faith that as the event grows, they will figure out all the little details.  Hopefully next year, I can be even faster!

October workout recap

I remember last summer, when I was training for my marathon, I would run 100 miles a month, or more.  This year…not so much.  And that’s okay. 

My miles for October:

Running: 46 miles

Biking: 32 miles

One race: Green Bay Duathlon

I have three races lined up for November.  The first is a (relatively) local 5K this Saturday.  I ran the Hewitt Pumpkin run 2 years ago and I’m looking forward to beating my time on the course this year.  My time two years ago was 31:03, so something would have to go horribly wrong for me to NOT beat that time.  (I hope I didn’t just jinx myself.)  Tim is going to run with me and Jaden is going to do the kid’s race.  I love events that include a kid’s race.

We are also going to start out our Thanksgiving day with a Turkey Trot.  I’ve never done a Turkey Trot, so I’m really looking forward to it.  And, it is in Wausau, so it’s another (relatively) local race.  Yay! for not having to travel that far!

The third race is my beloved Noodleini.  This will be the third time I have run this race.  Last year, I was 6 months pregnant and I ran what amounted to my 2nd slowest 5K ever…36:54, and I hurt myself by slipping on a patch of ice.  In 2009, I ran it for the first time.  I finished in 31:19.  This year, I am not sure if I’m going to do the 5K or the 15K.  I’m leaning toward the 15K just because I haven’t done a ‘long’ race this year. 

What’s on your calendar for November?

Green Bay Duathlon

This was my first ever relay race.  Tim and I put fort h a joint effort on Sunday to tackle the run, bike, run Green Bay Duathlon.

Tim started with a 3 mile run, I took on a 32 mile bike course, and then Tim finished with a 1 mile run.  It was a blast.  Of course, I wasn’t the one who had to sit around for almost two hours and wait. 

the race started at 7:30 and they sent the runners off in waves.  There were about 50 people per wave and it really spread things out…to avoid congestion in the transition area.  Tim was in the 5th wave, so I had a little while to hang out and wait for him to finish his three miles.

During that time, I got to see the hard-core athletes of the first two waves come through.  These guys were crazy.  I was amazing just watching how fast they were in the transition.  Half of them already had their shoes clipped onto their pedals and they ran out of transition barefoot and then clipped in.  I could never do that.  I would most certainly fall.

I need to remind Tim to smile when he sees the photographer.

Once Tim came into transition, I grabbed the ankle strap and took off on my bike.  it was basically an out and back course from Lambeau Field through De Pere and into Wrightstown and back.  The course was beautiful.  There was a bit of a head wind on the way out.  I distinctly remember miles 10 and 12 being pretty tough.  At one point, we took this Rustic Road past some gorgeous homes.  The entire course was great.  We paralleled the river and the leaves were changing and if I hadn’t been so focused on my butt hurting and my quads burning, I certainly would have enjoyed the scenery more.

My goal was to make sure I averaged more than 15.5 mph.  That is my standard training speed.  During my last duathlon, I average 17.5 mph, but the course was less than half as long as this one.  I had a hope that I would be able to maintain 17.5 for this one, but with the longer course and the slight head wind, I just wasn’t sure that it would be do-able.

How beautiful is that picture?  I love the trees and the open road and my pink bike jersey.

And…I remembered to smile at the photographer!

Once, I turned the corner in Wrightstown (and rode up this nasty bridge), I knew that I would have a tail wind on the way back.  I tried to maintain a faster speed and hoped for a negative split.  When I got back to De Pere, I knew I was getting closer.  I also rode right past the spot where I fell while running last year’s Noodleini.

When I got back to the transition area, I hopped off my bike and had Tim take the ankle strap and head out for his final 1 mile run.  My legs felt like jello.  I changed my shoes and took off my helmet and made my way to the finish line to see Tim finish.

Oops…forgot to smile, honey!

Tim’s times were fantastic.  I don’t think he has ever run this fast.  There is a speed demon just trying to break out of him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think our overall time was pretty good.  I was happy with how we did and I would definitely do this race again.  I would probably have Jaden run it with us next yar.  He could certainly do the last mile.  There were actually quite a few kids running that last mile.  The course is designed that way specifically to get children involved.  It is a great idea!!

I was excited about averaging 17.1 mph during the ride.  I wanted to finish in under 1:55 (my ‘crazy’ goal was under 1:50).  Like I mentioned, miles 10 and 12 were particularly difficult and when I studied the data, those were my slowest miles.  Also, the HUGE hill at the turn around slowed me down a bit.  I think that I could do better if I actually trained for the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, what’s next…

November 5th is the Hewitt Pumpkin Run!  I ran this race two years ago (skipped it last year due to pregnancy).  It is a small, local run.  I love supporting the local events.  They are typically small, but enthusiastic.  And I think it is important to support them so that we can continue to have these local races.  And they usually support a good cause.  Also, they have a kid’s race, so it will be a family affair!  If the weather is nice, maybe I’ll shoot for a PR.  All I’d have to do is try to keep up with my husband!

Run, Bike, Unite Duathlon

On Saturday, I participated in my second-ever duathlon.  The Run, Bike, Unite was in Stevens Point and benefited the United Way.  This race has been going on for several years, and you could definitely see that they knew what they were doing.  They were very organized.  There were a lot of volunteers and I even took advantage of the free bike check prior to the race.  Good thing too…both tires were low in air.

The transition area was set up in a parking garage the second floor of the parking garage.  There was a ramp that you went up and down to get to the transition area. The start/finish line was at the bottom of the hill, next to a large, grassy area where the refreshment and registration tents were set up.

The race started in waves.  First the men started, followed two minutes later by the women, followed two minutes later by the relay teams.  I was at .40 mile when the first relay guy passed me!  He was really fast.

The first run leg was 2.2 miles.  My plan was to stay at about a 10:00/mile pace and just take it easy so that I’d have energy for the bike leg.  I ran the first leg in 22:12 9:44 pace.  I had a little bit of a side stitch early on.  I maybe should have warmed up a bit.  After the first mile or so, I felt fine.  The run itself wound through a very nice residential neighborhood.  There were a few people in their driveways, drinking their coffee and waving as we ran by.  I saw a little blond-haired boy standing with his parents.  His eyes were so big as he watched everyone.  I waved at him and he got this big grin on his face!

The approach to the transition area was tough because of the aforementioned hill to the parking ramp.  I got passed by quite a few people as I was approaching the transition.  I ran to my bike, sat down on the ground and changed my shoes, put on my helmet and my sunglasses and jogged my bike out of the transition area.  T-1 time: 1:37.  I was pretty happy with that.

The bike leg started with the downhill I had just run up.  At the bottom of the hill was a sharp right turn.  There were a lot of volunteers yelling “Hold your line!”  I squeezed my brakes.  I’m not comfortable enough to try taking a corner at that speed.  The bike course was relatively flat.  There was one hill about 2 or 3 miles in and it slowed me down a little bit.  My goal on the bike was to work at about 90% to see how fast I could do it.  I typically bike at about a 15.5 mph pace.  I actually wasn’t worried about the second run leg, I just really wanted to see what I could do on the bike.  I passed a lot of people on the bike leg.  It felt great.  I just kept my head down pedaled.  Actually, I didn’t really keep my head down much, because the scenery was gorgeous.  Lots of family farms, orchards, sheep pastures.  It was great.  It was a 12.5 mile bike leg that I completed in 43:42.  17.58 MPH!!  I was so thrilled with that.

Loved passing these guys on the bike!  They were having so much fun.

Then I got back to the transition area (up the hill again) and changed back to my running shoes for the second run leg.  T-2 time:  1:37 pretty consistent.

The second run was through the Schmeeckle Reserve.  It was a small wilderness area where we ran on trails gravel, dirt, even some wooden bridges.  It was very nice.  There were volunteers at all the trail intersections helping to direct traffic and cheer us on.  I was really impressed with the volunteers throughout the course. They were very encouraging and helpful, but the guys in the Reserve were particularly awesome.  They were blasting music and giving out high fives and dancing on the side of the trail!  The second run leg was 2.3 miles and I completed it in 22:25!  I couldn’t believe that I had that much left after pushing it on the bike. (Makes me wonder if I should have worked even harder on the bike?)

I finished the course in 1:31:25.  I was so much happier with this duathlon than I was with my first.  I worked harder and felt better with the results.  I think part of it was the weather.  My first duathlon was the end of July and it was a very hot and humid day.  This race had perfect weather.  There was a slight breeze and temps rose to the low 70’s.

I feel like I need to find another duathlon to do before the weather turns cold.  I just don’t want to travel too far.

Results:
221/365 overall
72/175  Females
32/64  Females 30-39
(can’t get much more middle-of-the-pack than that!)

Hub City Duathlon

Today was my first ever duathlon.  It was held in Marshfield, which made it very convenient for me…although I did have to borrow my mom’s truck to transport my bike.  I learned an awful lot today.  Since I had never done a duathlon before, I just tried to watch some of the people who were (obviously) more experienced with this than I was.

I found a spot in the transition area for my bike and my gear.  I was very glad that I got there early, so that I got a spot in the first couple rows.  The people who got there later ended up having to work their way through a lot more of the bike staging area.  There were more people there than I anticipated, especially because this was the inaugural year of the event.

There were a few people I knew who were doing the race, some individually and others as a relay team.  Honestly, I was a little jealous of the relay teams…they got to rest!!

I wasn’t really nervous before the race…basically because I had absolutely NO IDEA what to expect.  The course was a 2 mile run, a 15 mile bike and another 2 mile run.  Since I typically average about a 10 minute mile when I’m running and about 15.5 mph on the bike, I was hoping to finish in about an hour and 45 minutes.  I didn’t know how long the transitions would take…changing shoes, helmet, water, getting in and out of transition, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, the course was a little short.  Actually, the first run section was 2.1 miles, the bike section was about 2/3 of a mile short and the last run section was 1/2 a mile short.  I tried to keep my pace a little slower for the first run section, but I averaged a 9:37 pace.  That is pretty good for me!!

On the bike, I just wanted to stay steady.  I was hoping for between a 15.5-16.0 average mph.  I ended up with 15.3.  I learned, by watching the other cyclists, that I don’t pedal fast.  I pedal hard…I keep my bike in the higher gears, so my legs are working pretty hard, but my turnover isn’t very fast.  That is something I need to work on if I want to get faster.

On the second run, my legs actually felt pretty good right out of the transition.  I was keeping a pretty good pace and my only goal was to finish without having to walk.  I didn’t quite make that goal.  About 3/4 of a mile in, my legs starting feeling like I was dragging concrete.  I tried to keep running, but I ended up taking a few 10-20 second walking breaks.  I was glad that the course was short, because I was tired!!  I was able to keep a 9:52 pace, even with the walking breaks.

Transitions were something I had never had to deal with before.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  The course officials were very clear that everyone had to walk their bikes out of transition and you couldn’t get on until you had cleared the grassy area.  When I came in from the first run, I got to my bike, sat down and changed my shoes, put my helmet on and downed some water.  As I was leaving the transition, they handed out some more water.  Then I was off.  I wish there had been some more water on the bike course.  I really need to get a water bottle holder on my bike.  I was thirsty.

During the second transition, I hopped off my bike and walked it to the rack, changed shoes, tossed my helmet and grabbed some more water.  I was very consistent in that each transition took me two and a half minutes. 

For an inaugural event, they did a decent job.  They need to remeasure the course to make sure the distances are accurate.  That was probably the biggest problem.  They also need to better monitor the transition area.  When I came in off my bike, there were all sorts of people milling around and I had to weave through everyone to get to my spot to do my transition.  Also, they need to let the people who live on the course know that water hoses and sprinklers are AWESOME!!!  There was one person on the bike course who had set out a sprinkler, and another house had someone at the end of the driveway with a hose.  I appreciated both of them very much…even though I had to finish my ride with water-spotted sunglasses.  And, maybe next year’s race can start at 8:00 or 9:00 instead of 10:00.  It was really warm out there.

Overall, I had a fantastic time.  I will definitely do another duathlon.  And I learned a lot that I can benefit from for future races.

Breakfast

Coffee and oatmeal. 

The perfect way to start a day.  Way better than driving an hour to report to jury duty like I had to yesterday.  Fortunately, I was dismissed.  Although, there is a chance that I will have to report again next week.

Yesterday, I went for a bike ride.  Just over 20 miles.  My longest ride so far.  And I have rather unattractive tan lines on my legs from my bike shorts.  I guess I should have been more diligent with the sunscreen.  But, I didn’t fall off my bike.  Stellar!

I’m hoping to get a run in today.  I should be doing it now because Logan is sleeping and Jaden is enthralled with Pokémon.  But, instead, I’m enjoying coffee and oatmeal.

Logan is now rolling over.

He is also starting his Jedi training.

The force is strong in him.

Brick

Today I did my first brick workout.  If I have any hope of doing a duathlon at the end of the month, I should at least try doing a back-to-back workout.  The duathlon consists of a 2 mile run, a 15 mile bike and a 2 mile run.  Today’s plan was to do a 12 mile bike ride followed by a 2 mile run.

I was nervous going into it because I have heard stories of people doing bricks and just falling apart on the run.  But, I got on my bike and started out.  The biggest problem was that I finally got going about 1:15 and it was quite warm out.  There was a little bit of wind that gave me just enough breeze to be mildly annoying on the uphills, but mostly served to keep me a little cooler.

I did an out-and-back route.  I just rode for 6 miles and then turned around and came back.  My splits during the 12 miles ranged from 3:13-4:29.  There were a couple of pretty decent hills, but I managed the 12 miles in 45:52.  That is about a 15.8 mph average…slightly more that my usual pace. 

When I got back to the house, I rode into the garage and failed to get my left foot out of my pedals before I fell over.  Just call me Grace.  Bike riding is pretty dangerous for me. 

I came into the house to change shoes and fill my water bottles, then I was off on the run portion.  My legs were NOT happy with me when I started.  But, the weirdest thing happened.  I figured that my pace would be really slow, but I was moving considerably faster than my normal pace.  I’m a pretty consistent 10:00 minute miler.  Sometimes faster when I run intervals on the treadmill, but usually slower when I run outside. 

Sometime during the first quarter mile, I looked down and saw that I was running a sub-9:00 minute pace!!!  I had to keep telling myself to slow down so that I wouldn’t collapse.  But my legs kept going.  I’m not sure if I have been benefiting from the intervals I’ve been running on the treadmill…or if my legs were just used to the faster cadence of being on the bike so they were trying to keep the same rate going.

Anyway, the first mile was 9:12 (!) and the second mile was 9: 39.  Pretty happy with that.  I’ll have to do another brick (or two) prior to the race to see if I can get off the bike without falling!

Bike scare

Saturday afternoon I got to go for a bike ride.  It had been almost a month since I had last ridden.  I missed it a ton!  I really like my bike.  So, I did almost 19 miles in 1 hour 13 minutes.  And whoever says that Wisconsin is flat, obviously hasn’t ridden a bike along the county roads.  There were some hills!  At one point, I was going almost 30 miles an hour.

Unfortunately, there were also some dogs.  Two German Shepherds to be specific.  Don’t get me wrong.  I like dogs.  And I will give most unfamiliar dogs the benefit of the doubt.  I’m always cautious, but in my experience, most dogs are pretty nice.  These dogs were terrifying!  They came right up to my bike…I could actually feel them breathing on my legs.  At one point, I lost sight of one of them and he quickly showed up on my other side, even with my front tire.  My adrenaline kicked in and I was doing my best to get out of there as fast as possible, without making any movements that could be perceived as threatening.

I’m really bummed, because other than those two dogs, the route I took was perfect.  Very little traffic and a great workout.  I am at a loss for good biking routes because the main paved road near my house is being refinished right now, so it is all gravel-y.  And I don’t really want to ride along the main highway.

Jaden had his first swimming lesson tonight.  It was awesome!  He was experiencing pure bliss.  I’m convinced he is part fish…maybe a goldfish.  They are the ones with the 2 second attention span, right?  He really had a good time and I know that he is looking forward to going back on Wednesday.  Me?  Well, I was nursing Logan…and sitting on the bleachers by the pool is really hot and really humid.  I was sweaty.  Can I count that as my workout for the day? 

The plan for tomorrow is to get a good, solid run in the morning.  Maybe 5 or 6 miles of intervals.  I’m kinda liking the intervals on the treadmill.  And since I’ll have both boys home with me, the treadmill is my only option.  Then, I’m going to head down to Marshfield to see my friend Emily, and meet her new little girl, Kinsey.  Can’t wait!!

Any fun plans for the rest of the week?

My new toy

Isn’t he gorgeous??!!

And…new shoes to go with it!

A couple weeks ago (before Logan ended up in the hospital), I had gone over to the Trek store and put a down payment on a road bike.  They needed to order new handlebars for it, so I couldn’t bring it home then.  Today, Tim and I (and Logan) went over and brought it home.  I spent about an hour getting shoes and having the bike fit to my body.  I’m still waiting for him to order one more part that will adjust the handlebars a little and make it a bit more comfortable.  I’ll have to make one more trip to Wausau to have him put it on when it comes in.

After picking up the bike, we celebrated my birthday (tomorrow) by going to Noodles and Company for dinner.  Seriously, I love that place.  The food is great and I don’t see the need to spend three times as much any where else.

Once we got home, I quickly fed Logan and then hopped on my bike for a quick loop around the neighborhood.  I just did a bit over two miles, but it was amazing.  Here’s what I learned:

1.  My butt will get sore.  I will learn to deal with this.  And I will buy padded bike shorts.

2.  You can ride fast on a road bike.  At one point, I looked down at my Garmin and I was cruising along at less than a 3:00/mile. 

3.  It is a little freaky to clip your feet into the pedals.  I am convinced I will wipe out at some point.  I will end up with cool road rash.

4.  The tires are super thin and when I consciously think that there is only about 2 or 3 inches of tire in contact with the road at any time, I forget all about physics and laws of motion and convince myself that I will wipe out (see #3).

5.  I can’t wait for my first duathlon!  Marshfield Hub City Days.