Around the Bay

Yesterday myself and a few of the other Gu Eaters travelled out to Hamilton to take part in the Around the Bay 30km. I had run this race 3 years ago and it was an ok sized crowd at that point (probably about 3000 people). Yesterday there were about 7000 runners! Apparently that was a record turnout. It was a GORGEOUS day and I was TOTALLY overdressed. I think by about 10 km in I was also VERY dehydrated. But I chugged along. I felt pretty strong especially since I had done a 3 hour bike, 30 minute run the day before. I couldn't seem to get my heart rate down now matter how hard I tried. So, I just kept running at my goal pace (5:15 km's) and hoped that I wouldn't blow up (I didn't). My legs felt good until about 20 km and then they started to hurt. I ran strong up the hills so I was really happy about that (passing a lot of people). I chugged my way up the last nasy hill and almost barfed up a lung as I got to the top. So I slowed down a bit to get my legs back (they felt a little jello-y) and then settled back in to my pace. I could feel something was not right with my left foot but I motored on. At the 28km aid station I had to stop. My toenail felt like it had caught on my sock and was pulling up. GROSS!!!!! So I had to stop and tape up my toenail so it didn't come off. That was a 3-4 minute ordeal. After that, I had this insane burst of energy that had me running 4:35 km's for the last 2km. I felt strong, my legs felt tired but still pretty strong so I decided to give 'er. Plus I really wanted to make it under 2h 40 min. I didn't--I came in at 2:40:51. But, I know I would have had I not stopped to fix my toe. So, I am still pretty pleased with the effort. And, I'm feeling it today. My quads are tight and my toenail, well, let's just say, it's seen better days. I really wish it was warmer so I didn't have to wear socks--putting socks and shoes on this morning was a tad bit uncomfortable. The things we put ourselves through to reach our goals!

There and back...

I just looked at my year to date summary of the distance I have covered since October 1st. I have swam 115200 m, biked 2085 km, and ran 684 km. That is insane. I could have ridden to Ottawa and back twice! I could have run to Montreal! And I could have swam to work and back 9.6 times! Wow. And to think once the weather gets nicer, it's only going to climb higher! It will be nothing for me to ride 500 km in a month in May / June! I think by the time I come back from South Carolina in mid April, I will have ridden about 3500 km--maybe even more! HOLY!!!!

Tired

I was having such a nice sleep when my alarm so rudely awoke me at 4:15 am. arg. I had absolutely no desire to get out of bed this morning. I am finding it increasingly difficult to find the motivation to get up and get to the gym. Thank God Gary is doing this with me or I'd be sleeping in a little more often! He's a bit of a drill sargeant sometimes but at least he makes sure I get going when I'm having a hard time. 4.5 months more of this and then I can sleep in! Wow, 4.5 months! That's IT?!?!?!? Actually it's a bit less than 4.5 months. Yikes.

I think I'm going to go and hyperventilate now....

Good Day Sunshine!

At least that's what I was singing when I woke up Saturday morning to see the sun and the thermometer above zero! Nice enough to ride outside! So that's what we did. Myself, Gary, Rick, Sue, Jamie, Theresa & Mike, all drove up to our regular meeting place at Keele & MacNaughton and did our first outside ride of the season. It was AWESOME! I took the new wheels for a spin along with my new shoes. What a difference! My new bike is a nice climber. I had no problem getting up Strawberry Hill (ok, my heart rate was stupidly high but it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be). It was a beautiful day! I actually got a little sunburnt as well--although it was probably a combination of windburn as well since it was pretty windy on the way back. We rode for just over 3 hours. My legs were done by the time we got back. The last few hills were a bit of a struggle, but I didn't care, I was happy to be outside!!

Sunday I had a 2.5 hour Ironman pace run. Now THAT was hard. MY legs were fried from the day before so this run was a sufferfest. I was doing ok until about 1h 40 min and then the meltdown began. I literally shuffled the rest of the way. My legs were done. Gary ran with me for the last half of the run. That never happens (he's too fast) but he paced me and kept me company which helped immensely. I was SOOOOOO happy to have that run over and done with. Now hopefully it won't take me 2 days to recover like it did last time!!

blah blah blah

"Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping....."
"I'm Only Sleeping" - The Beatles, Revolver

That's what was going through my head when I woke up this morning. I was SOOOOOOOOOO incredibly unmotivated to get out of bed this morning. I was dreading going to the pool, especially since I had a 2000m continuous swim. I'm so sick and tired of waking up when it's dark. It's depressing. I was seriously thinking about how to switch my workouts around so I wouldn't have to get up so early. Sleeping in for another hour would make all the difference in the world! At least there are only 32 days until South Carolina! Woo Hoo! A whole week of not having to get up at 4:30 am! YAY! That is the only thing that is keeping me sane right now.

You Say It's Your Birthday?!

Well, it's my birthday too, yeah!!

yes it is. Happy 35th to me. I have had a super crappy week, and a super crappy start to my birthday by having to come in to work when I was supposed to be off. Oh well. At least I get to go home early so that counts for something! And my hubby gave me the BEST card ever this morning. It made me cry. He's so awesome. 8)

I did my 2 hour and 20 minute ride this morning so I won't have to get up to do it tomorrow because something tells me I'm not going to be in the best shape.....hehehehe. Oh well, that's what birthday's are for!

I might have pictures to post here as well--we'll see. The last time we brought the digital camera out and there were drinks involved, the camera got left in a cab......very sad.

Lookin' forward to letting my hair down--oh wait, it is down....how about just looking foward to hanging out with some good friends!

Giddy up!