I had a race today. A half marathon. I had strict orders to not treat it like a race due to my recent back issue (advice from Coach Sharpie and PT Bob), so I was not exactly in race mentality.
That is why I brought out my best chicken neck and crazy eyes just for you. I am not sure what Ken is doing in the back but he looks way too relaxed to be about to run 13.1 miles.
I had a headache and bad stomach before the race (blame it on Friday night festivities. Never again. Well, maybe). Let’s just say McDonald’s bathroom might never be the same (and Kathy’s flusher didn’t work, so that was double trouble).
Side note: At the start of the race it was 45 degrees. Perfection.
My plan for this race was to go out easy for the first half and pick it up if I felt good. When I hit mile 6.5, I was feeling much too comfortable running easier, so I stuck with that. No need to exert myself. Plus, I knew I had a huge training day coming up tomorrow and didn’t want to blast out my legs on this race. So, I cruised along cursing the awful Colorado scenery and being grateful for that McDonald’s pre race pit stop. I was 14 pounds lighter at least.
Finish time = 1:54 (8:42 average). This is at least 8 minutes slower than I have done this race in the past, but I am keeping my eye on that big Ironman prize and going with the plan. I am proud of myself. Really I am. And, just for the record – I don’t think any half marathon is “easy” even if you go slower. It’s still damn 13.1 miles of running.
I met some SUAR readers today: Jimi, Lindsey, Tammie, Michelle, and Julie to name a few. I love our community! And, I visited with Marshall Ulrich for a bit (remember when I did a review of his book Running on Empty awhile back? Great read).
So, let me tell you what is different about Ironman training (well there are a million things, but this is thing #654)– after you finish a half marathon race, you are not done for the day. You have to come home and go swim, which was the very last thing I wanted to do. The first thing I wanted to do was eat Chili Cheese Fritos and watch House Hunters. But, I swam even though this blog is not called Shut Up and Swim.
As for tomorrow…well – it seems I have a 5 ½ hour bike ride on tap. I have to be home by 10:00 a.m. for a brunch date, so it is with pure disgust (and a little intrigue) that I must get up at 4:00 a.m. to be on the bike trainer by 4:30 a.m. I’ll do the first two hours on the trainer, then head outdoors for the last 3 ½ hours once it gets light. By the way, I just got a new trainer for my bike (triathlons are a freaking money pit). Now all I need is a tri bike. Baby steps.
Some more pictures from today:
Me and my main man. I love him.
Kathy ran her 2nd half marathon today and had a 4 minute PR!
I was so proud of her that I made her pick me up
Oh, and one picture of Heidi and me from last night. Because I had to. She always wants to make out with me. I usually don’t let her get past first base.
Any recommendations on a triathlon bike? I’d like to spend less than $2,000 if possible and am open to used bikes too.
Did you race this weekend? Where and how did it go?
Do you watch HGTV? We have become obsessed. House Hunters is our family favorite right now.
SUAR
I was there - really nice run. Sorry I didn't see you.
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed you - I did see the rest of your clan.
DeleteI'm proud of you too...it's hard to know you can go faster but to choose not to. Also, THANK YOU for acknowledging that a half is a hard race! Too many people seem to scoff at 13.1 miles as challenging once they've gone above and beyond that!
ReplyDeleteI have a MUCH easier time holding back when I know I am "saving" myself for a bigger goal. Kind of like "saving" yourself for marriage. Although I guess I didn't really do that, TBH.
DeleteHuge House Hunter fan! Kudos to you in sticking with your game plan for not "racing" today. That definitely takes discipline.
ReplyDeleteRan my first 10K today. Very hilly, beautiful course. Great day!
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I are hooked on International House Hunters! Fortunately I didn't race today...I have raced 3 times in the last 4 weeks (that's a lot for me). Congrats on not racing...that's a tough thing to do!
ReplyDeleteOk, you made me laugh out loud with the Shut Up and Swim comment. Side note: why is it that LOL means laugh out loud, but when I actually DO lol I type "laugh out loud"?
ReplyDeleteHH and HHI fan here too. And I may or may not have a few snack size bags of Chili Cheese Fritos stashed around the house. Seriously, those things are like crack, (and about as good for you)!
PS, my Maxwell thinks Heidi is a hottie...
ReplyDeleteI haven't raced yet and I don't have cable - but great job in your race! Wish 8:42 was my "easy" pace
ReplyDeleteYou noticed that too? I'll be stoked when 8:42 is my relaxed half marathon pace.
DeleteOK, 8:42 would NOT always be my easy pace, but this course is FAST - it is predominantly all downhill. I have always had my PRs on this course.
DeleteThis was my first half marathon ever! Maybe in 1999 or 1998 or something. I had no idea what a half marathon was but after I finished (1:45ish??) , I realized I LOVED it!! What a great half marathon! Good to "see" you Beth! xo
ReplyDeleteGo check the forums at Slowtwitch.com for a used tri bike. That or eBay are the most reliable. Craigslist is so so.
ReplyDeleteHUGE House Hunters (domestic & international) fans over here. I'm also counting down to Hood to Coast. I freaked a bit when I just found out my 2nd leg is now 7mi when it was originally 4mi (and I'm runner #1 which means I start w 5.6mi straight downhill...only runner w 2 rated Very Hard legs in a row now) but I also know I can do it. I would feel weak for being stoked to have run 6mi in nasty heat on pace today in comparision to your beastly Ironman training SUAR, but I don't think you'd appreciate that thinking. It was an awesome time for me and I think after H2C it'll time to sign up for my first half marathon...little by little, I know I'll get there, just gotta keep on trucking!
ReplyDeleteOk, have you lost weight??? Tri training seems bruuuuuutal
ReplyDeleteNot that I've noticed...I am really good about eating enough calories while on the bike especially (like today I had a long ride and I ate 1,200 calories). I also just eat more in general while training because I am way heavier. I don't weigh myself often, but I did this morning and I was what I always am...
DeleteAlso: Go Kathy!! 4min PR Woah!!
ReplyDeleteDo you recommend the compression socks? And, socks or calf sleeves?
ReplyDeleteI love how they feel, but to tell you the truth, I am not sure if they work or not. I like to think they do. I have been having some hamstring issues, so I wore them for greater circulation, etc and my legs felt really good yesterday - maybe the socks? Not sure.
DeleteLove house hunters. I want to be on that show when we move so they can show us a bunch of cool Victorian homes way over budget and then we get stuck buying the practical home in the burbs. I love the international one, but I think some people are nuts for just deciding they are going to pick up and move with no real job!!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the money pit of triathlon. Don't forget to budget for all that extra training food you will need! I was spending about $25-$50/month on just the food I was eating on my bike on my weekend long rides! Crud!!! I really like my trek speed concept. Not sure if you can get one under $2000 or not. Mine was not, and that was a source of contention in our household. My husband is in denial that my bike really is very close in value to his, before he got his zipp wheels.
Georgetown is my all time fav to run. Missed out this year because of injury. It looked like a beautiful and fun day! Love House Hunters!
ReplyDeleteI love my Cervelo. Depending what size you need they have some great ones currently posted on Craigslist in the Denver area. I won't do my first Ironman until 2014, Boulder!! I have done three half Iron distance races and love this bike. I spent around $2,000 brand new back in 2005 and she still is everything I need, except maybe a new cassette. I haven't really checked the stores in Denver because I love my bike. I know there is quite a few shops around Denver/Boulder to ponder. Good luck with the bike hunt. Once you find the right one you will need to make sure you have the right saddle, ubber important.
ReplyDeletethink about bike fit first, brand second. My friends and i just bought tri bikes in last fall and early spring. 2012's, entry level, full carbon and spent 2000ish. but we live in Michigan. think about shifters only being on aero bars? does that work for you in Colorado? maybe your road bike is okay? yet florida would be the place for total aero.
DeleteI am still new at this and working up to my first 5K (48 days and counting)! Once I get through this...I will look toward a half...but I have to accomplish this first! HH is fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your Half M!
ReplyDeleteQuick question about your new bike trainer. I have an older model and it burns through the rear wheel tread. I may need to upgrade or buy a separate rear wheel to switch out between road riding and bike training...
Does the new one also have this problem?
Best of luck with your Ironman training!!
I just got it, so I am not sure. I did read some reviews and did not see anyone mention that, but I will keep you posted.
DeleteI was there, too, and also sorry I missed you. For the record, that course isn't easy, IMHO. Downhill at 7800+ feet really isn't all that easy.
ReplyDeleteI ran 1:34ish and I've been eating like a horse all morning. You'd think I ran a full mary yesterday.
DeleteI was there too! I looked for you, but you run quite a bit faster than me. I liked the run, but got terrible blisters. I was lazy the rest of the day, but I knew you'd be biking or swimming!
ReplyDeleteOh - and I'm glad you did not get horrible chaffing this time, like you have in the past!
DeleteYou have a great memory. Two years ago I chafed the hell out of myself.
Deleteas a 3 time IM finisher...within 12 months (crazy!), i would definitely recommend that you get a bike soon, otherwise you are better to just use your road bike since that is what you have trained on/are used to. otherwise, i second that bike fit is way more important then the bike brand. for less then $2000 though you likely aren't going to be able to get carbon, so not sure it will be super helpful for you...maybe consider just adding aero bars?
ReplyDeletei just found this site and i love it!
Thanks Heather, and welcome! I do have aerobars on my current road bike...I'm hoping to get a tri bike in the next couple of weeks if I can find one. I know I can get one for less than $2K that is carbon, but it might be "gently" used...or I have found the Felt B16, Kestrel Talon and Cervelo P1 all carbon for under 2K. Just have to shop around. I might get it fitted in the store, then troll around online.
DeleteI just found this site! Needed inspiration to get out there and run, and I think this blog will help :) I'm a college student trying to stay an active runner after realizing that varsity college athletics aren't necessarily the best match for my running needs. Anyways I love your blog, and keep it going girl! And, HGTV is awesome. I watch it too much to even be properly ashamed.
ReplyDeleteI would be orgasmic if I finished a half mary under 2 hours.
ReplyDeleteIt's too late to warn you, and I'm sorry about that. By now you are in deep into bike porn, and you might never be the same. While you're at the fantasy stage, check out the Cervelo P5. No real suggestions about a bike because I don't know pricing. But I did IMC on a nice road bike, so don't get hung up on having a tri bike. You need to find out first if your back will let you ride in that position. Or if your brain will, some people get panicy about being so low, and so far forward. See if you can borrow one from a buddy that's the same size as you and go for a test ride. Go to the bathroom first, so there are no unintended consequences if you scare yourself.
That is still a great time plus you had lots of fun, well done!
ReplyDeleteGood job Saturday! You looked strong, I saw you at the finish as I was waiting for Steve. He PR'd making his goal of under 2 hours (1:59:11)! That would NOT have happened if he had run with me, but I sure hope to be running it with him next year. I find out next week if I need surgery on my shoulder, almost hope so so I can get to healing and back to running. P.S. Hope Ken is OK. I saw you did not mention anything about his race.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can be out there racing next year too. Let me know about the surgery. Ken is fine, nice of you to ask!! He had a really strong race until mile 10, and was set to PR on the course, but then had some foot issues and had to slow a bit. I think he finished around 1:51.
DeleteGreat job! And well done you for listening to your body. It's hard.
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with House Hunters International.
Well done on your race. As for tri bikes, I really like Felt for that price range. But I know Tri Bella will hook you up with something great. My Kestrel has taken me through 5 half Ironmans, one full Ironman and most of the way to my second (just 6 weeks away!) and has worked well for me. I would like to upgrade though going into 2014.
ReplyDeleteHey Beth! It was great meeting you in person! And at the Porta-Potties no less! haa haa!
ReplyDeleteI had a GREAT race. Broke 2 hrs for the first time ever (1:55)! When I tell people I make sure I tell them that it was a downhill race though :-)
Hey Beth! It was great to meet you in person at the race. Thanks for the shout out
ReplyDeleteI've been reading this blog for at least half of forever- and that photo of you with your arms stretched out wide is my favorite of you. EVER! If everyone had gratitude and zest for life like that.... Wow!
ReplyDeleteRock on with your training! Thanks for the repetitive kick in the butt!
Sarah
www.thinfluenced.com
This post is exciting.
ReplyDelete