Monday, October 14, 2013

Taper Time and Scenes From The Weekend

Last night I fell asleep on the couch at 6:30 p.m., woke up at 7:00 p.m. to watch the season premier of Walking Dead, then went to bed for real at 8:30 and slept until 7:00 a.m. (dreaming about zombies being decapitated). That is 10.5 hours of sleep. I don’t know if I’ve slept that much at one time since I was an infant suckling at my mom’s breast (that’s a lie, I was formula fed).

I don’t know why I’m so tired. Possible reasons:

  • Flying across country on flights packed with screaming babies and grumpy/coughing  passengers (did you know Frontier now charges you for that half glass of soda or weak coffee that used to be free? Yep, now it’s $1.99. What is this world coming to? I swear next thing they will be charging you to take a dump at 35,000 feet. Yes, I do poop on the plane)

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  • Eating and drinking like I am in college again (I don’t think a bottle of wine a night and Lays potato chips are part of my fueling plan, but oh well)
  • Getting no sleep like I am in college again.
  • Putting in my last higher volume training week for IMFL (about 14 hours)

With only 20 days to go until Mike Reilly says “Beth Risdon You are an Ironman!” (and he WILL say that), I am officially in taper mode, although this still means 10+ hours of training this week.

Last week was decent for training, but I had to kick ass to fit in my long rides before leaving for Virginia on Thursday. Here’s how it shook out:

Monday: Swim 4,000 yards
Tuesday: Bike 35 miles, run 6 miles
Wednesday: Bike 100 miles (~ 6 hours). My jacket was stolen on this ride. I’ll tell you more later.
Thursday: Travel/rest
Friday: Swim 3,000 yards, run 7 miles (Virginia)
Saturday: Run 7 miles (Virginia)
Sunday: Travel/rest

Totals Hours: 13 hours, 39 minutes

Total Miles: 161

Swim: 7,000 yards (~4 miles)
Bike: 135 miles
Run: 20 miles

Total workouts: 7

In my most humblest of opinions, there is really no excuse to not train/workout when you are traveling. You have to stretch out of your comfort zone a bit and figure things out, but it is not that much of an obstacle unless you make it that way.

This weekend we went to our alma mater, James Madison University, for a little reunion of sorts. I found a Wellness Center in Harrisonburg and did my swimming there. It ended up being amazing because it was a saltwater pool, which I had never swam in before. It was exactly like swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, only without waves, jellyfish, sharks and 2,000 other people kicking, scratching and punching you.

RMH Wellness Center Aquatics Area

As for my runs, Ken and I just asked around and explored a bit. The runs were in the rain and on some busier roads than we would have liked, but they were still gorgeous and let us see some areas we wouldn't have otherwise.

I have been out of college for 24 years (gasp). When I go back, I look at the students and think they don’t know how lucky they are – what an amazing time in life! Here are some fun pictures from the weekend:

Here is the girl I LOVE to pieces and don’t get to see near enough. She lives in Richmond, kind of far from Colorado. We do, however, talk almost everyday on the phone. AND, she will be at IMFL to cheer me on.

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Here are me and Clair making a Glenn sandwich. Glenn is a dear friend and a superstar at JMU. He built the stadium and lots of other buildings on campus.

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I wanted to show you my freshman year dorm room. When I first got to college they put in my study lounge for three weeks due to overcrowding. Sucked. I then moved to the top floor of this building in the right hand corner.

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It’s so funny how Ken and I both went to JMU (he’s a year older), but we did not meet until after college. We were destined to meet.

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Marching Royal Dukes! They will be in the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving.

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And, I found my favorite running shirt of all time:

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you went to college, where did you go and when's the last time you’ve been back to visit?  Before this weekend, we hadn’t been back in five years.

Do you like flying or hate it? I hate it, but it gets me where I want to go and I’ll never let my fear of it keep me from traveling.

Where’d you meet your spouse? We met in Richmond in 1992. To be specific, it was in the backseat of a car.

SUAR

50 comments:

  1. Met my spouse at a tri of all things...
    If I swim 4000 meters, bike 112 and run 26.2 in one day am I an Ironman or is it only when Mike says it's true?

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    1. Duh of course not. But I am excited to hear those words from him even if you could care less.

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    2. Well that's good-'cause my first IM Mike was nowhere to be found (1996)-and really it was a joke. Lighten up.

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    3. You're right, I am very uptight, so maybe you should take your hilarious humor somewhere else where they can handle it.

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  2. Haven't gone to college yet (14!) but I am looking at Stanford ... :) I love flying, as long as I have music. I'm always nervous someone is going to barf on the plane though - ew.
    I can't believe someone stole your jacket!

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    1. I am the same way...I hate flying mostly because I'm afraid someone will barf (not myself).

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  3. University of Missouri Class of '95; have lived and/or worked in the area since, but only go actually on campus once in a blue moon. Don't mind flying as long as it is under 2-3 hours. Haven't gotten the nerve up for a really long flight yet. Longest was St. Louis to Jamaica. I don't like using airplane bathrooms so I usually try to hold it. Met my husband 8/3/91 at a wedding (one of his friends to one of mine - though I worked with his sister that summer and dated the guy she eventually married/divorced).

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  4. Sadly I am still in school - never did I think my bachelors would take 8 years to complete! At GMU, another Virginian here :)

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  5. I went to Eastern Illinois University, same as Mike Shanahan and Tony Romo. I graduated in '91 and haven't set foot on campus since! Which I hadn't thought about until you asked.

    I met my husband the summer before our senior year in college at an internship with an oil company (he went to a different school but we are the same age). He's an engineer and I'm an accountant. You can imagine what our house is like with that combo.

    I don't mind flying that much but take-offs and landings do make me a little nervous... like gripping-the-armrest-with-white-knuckles nervous. As an aside, I've thrown up on a plane and it sucks just as much for the person throwing up as it does for everyone else on the plane. Its so humiliating! But I was sitting next to the sweetest old lady that asked me if I'd like a mint. Hellz ya, I'd like a mint! Can I have two?

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    1. Sean Payton, coach of the New Orleans Saints, is another notable former Eastern Illinois quarterback. Tony Romo will soon be the second-best quarterback to ever play for Eastern Illinois. Jimmy Garoppolo, at 6-foot-3, 222 pounds, has already thrown for 2,359 yards this year, with an astonishing 28 touchdown passes, including six in a narrow 43-39 loss to undefeated and #23-ranked Northern Illinois. NFL scouts think that Garoppolo is one of the best QB prospects in college football history.

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  6. Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison alum here...I live in Milwaukee which is only about an hour and half away, so I get back there 1-2 times a year.

    I am terrified of flying ever since being in an emergency landing situation on my 14th birthday. I actually took a class for fearful flyers that Milwaukee's airport offers, and realized that even though my fear is pretty strong, there are others out there who have it worse...like the man in my class who took our graduation flight to Chicago wearing a Green Bay Packers football helmet. I didn't have the heart to tell him that a football helmet probably wouldn't be of much help if we did go down (this of course was pre-9/11. I'm wondering how is gets through flights now...).

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    1. Wahoo! Go Badgers. I graduated from Madison as well, and met my husband there freshman year!

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  7. Love that you find a way to get your workouts in when you travel. Usually I'm only running so it's not that big of a deal. I went to Boston University and I go back all the time since we live pretty close. I HATE flying and wrote a post about exactly how much I hate it and I met my husband at a gym. I know, I know but that's where I spent most of my time.

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  8. I love love love this blog! I made people from a running club I am follow you. I asked last week about running sleeves and now drum roll please, this week....Compression socks. Which brand do you prefer?

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    1. These are pro compression. I love them. They usually have good sales too.

      http://www.procompression.com/

      In fact I think if you use code PCBLG you can get 40% off and free shipping. I also like SKINS.

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  9. Glad to see that the Dukes pulled out a football win for you. Hope they don't do that in two weeks when I head to the College of William and Mary for my 30th reunion. Haven't been back since the 25th (unless you count the two unsuccessful attempts to get my children to make W&M their college choice).

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  10. i met my husband at a potluck dinner here in washington dc! and i went to college at johns hopkins in baltimore. not too far from you!

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  11. I went to CU-Boulder because I was all about the Boulder party vibe....wait, what?!

    Not married, but I met Will at our Columbia #OmniTen press trip in the Grand Canyon. Talk about random! When/if we get married one day, we're convinced we'll need to use Columbia's colors just to pay sufficient homage :)

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  12. If you went to college, where did you go and when's the last time you’ve been back to visit? Ohio Northern University. I am campus once or twice a month running on the 2.5 mile outdoor path (AKA green monster) but have only been back for an actual function about 3 times in the 20 years since I graduated.

    Do you like flying or hate it? It is a necessary evil.

    Where’d you meet your spouse? At college at a frat party. Had no idea he had bonged 10 beers that night before I met him.

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  13. Went to Colgate University. I get back about every 2 years to watch hockey games. I met my spouse at the gym. Flying is a necessary evil.

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  14. I just got back from Florida on Tuesday and ran while on vacation in the keys. It's hot.. hot and humid at 7am! My running was slower then ever.. just a heads up on your Iron-Woman! It also sucks to drink ocean water.. so don't do it.. I did and almost vomited.. and that was just snorkeling around. Your brave.. very brave to do this race and go all the distance required.. Good luck.can't wait to hear how well you did! Have fun on your trip!

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  15. I am currently a student in Arizona State University, ironically, studying Aviation Management. I've flown at least twice a year since I was 3 so I'm not really afraid at all, and now that I'm studying aviation I know just how safe it is. You're way more likely to die in a car crash so I find it funny that people are terrified of flying but are perfectly fine with driving every day. And Frontier is the butt of every joke when Professors and students are insulting an airline. Not just because of how ridiculous their charges are, but they are just a terrible airline.

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    1. Yes, it's weird, I know rationally it is safe, but I think people's fears are not rationally based...something about being 35,000 feet up...

      Being from Denver, I've flown Frontier for at least 15 years and have loved them..until now.

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  16. My husband and I met at a bar on Spring Break in South Padre Island in 1990. Who would have thought we'd make it? But we've been married 18 years!

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  17. I went to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia from from 1965 to 1969. That sounds like a long time ago, but considering how long Penn has been around (it was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740), you might say that I am a "recent graduate". Although I did not start running until seven years after I graduated, running has always been an important part of the institution. The Penn Relays, which have taken place during the last week of April every year since 1895, is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States. Last year, there were more than 15,000 participants in 116 events. Spectator attendance can exceed more than 50,000 on a single day. I have not been back to the Penn campus in almost eight years, but I always spend a full day wandering around the campus, soaking up all the great memories, whenever I am in Philadelphia.

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  18. I went to Utah State University. The last time I was there was to drop my daughter off to go to college there in August. It was surreal... I swear, I was going to school in beautiful Logan, Utah, just yesterday!!

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  19. I can't believe the time is almost here - I can't wait for you to share your experience about the entire race!!

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  20. Yay! Congrats on making it to taper! Your training has been amazing--I'm excited to hear about your race!

    I looooove flying (as long as there are no screaming children near me), and my partner and I fly often! Living in Australia, we're thousands of miles from everywhere though, so we kind of have to. :) My partner and I met in Atlanta in 2008. I'm pretty sure it was at a bar. We're classy like that.

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  21. I'm tapering for the Denver Rock & Roll on Sunday. I'm so excited! It's my 4th marathon and I'm ready!

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    1. Best of luck, hopefully the weather will be decent for you!

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  22. Went to UVA for undergrad and JMU for grad school. My husband and I met in Gainesville, Florida, he's a Gator. We'll be cheering for you from the east side of Florida come Ironman time : )

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  23. I was on a Frontier flight over the weekend and couldn't believe it when they said they were charging for drinks. Not just $1.99, but it had to be on a credit card. Nothing better than warm Diet Coke with interest charges.

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  24. Went to Virginia Tech, graduated in 1996. Moved to Seattle right after graduation and haven't been back to Blacksburg since 1998. :-/

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  25. I cannot WAIT to hear the recap of your adventure.. :)

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  26. I used to love flying, back when it was civilized. Metal cutlery and almost real food. No pajamas or flip flops. And no "Safety Agencies" "protecting" you from "terrorism" through elaborate security theatre designed to humiliate the traveling public. Now, flying is an ordeal, and I simply won't visit the Constitution free zones that airports have become.

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  27. I went to CU. Does daily bike communting through campus count as visiting?

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  28. I'm excited to hear how your taper goes!!! Good luck in the Ironman. You will rock it

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  29. I love this post - I love reminiscing about the university days!

    I went to Warwick University, in England. And that's where I met my hubby. He was the second person I met! But I didn't go out with him until 6 weeks in because I'm classy ;) It's 10 years since my final year, but we haven't been back in the meantime.

    I personally love to fly long haul. Coming from Australia, I'm used to it! But short haul sucks: the seats aren't as big, and I HATE how they charge you for everything! You are trapped in a metal shoe box in the air, with no other options than what they offer.

    What are your plans post Iron Man? Will you rest for a few months, or set your sights on something else?

    Ellie

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  30. I went to a community college, never graduated, got married instead.

    I am ok with flying. Not getting coughed on or recycled air though, take off and landing make me a little nervous too. My husband is getting his pilots license. I have not gone up with him yet and not sure how I feel about it. Somehow a small plane makes me a lot more nervous than a big plane.

    I met my husband on a blind date, wasn't sure I liked him but went out with him again when he called a few days later. We just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this summer.

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  31. First let me say that I LOVE your blog!!! I have been following you for a little over a month and you crack me up!! I am a beginner runner since April of this year; I have completed several 5Ks and a 10K. Many times when I don't feel like running (like today) I read your blog and get my BUTT into gear.

    To answer your questions: I went to Trinity Christian College and has visited once (with son giving him the unofficially tour). I hate flying and try not to do it often. It is not a fear, I hate the way my stomach feel when the plane ascend and descend. I am divorced so there is no need to discuss where I met that guy.

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  32. Haha, I love the way you write!
    I met my husband on november 1994 in a blind date! (I used to say I would never be set on one...)

    I enjoy flying, but depending where I'm seated is how much I enjoy it...the more to the back the less civilised it gets. :P

    BTW did you follow IM Kona last saturday? Wasn't Mirinda awesome on that run?!

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  33. Excited as hell to see IMFL approaching...rest assured we'll all be watching the progress in real-time!

    Drury University '89 (which was Drury College when I graduated...why would they feel the need to change?) It's here in Springfield where we live, so I cruise through campus on occasion just to throw my empties out so the kids can collect the cans. There are several 5K's that are sponsored on campus, so we're there several times a year.

    Flying is a necessary evil. Hate the flight, love the destination, always. The majority of direct flights out of Springfield are via Allegiant, which is, by far, the worst airline ever operated in the history of aviation. Although we don't have Frontier here (they do fly out of nearby Branson, MO, but have yet to use them...)

    Met my wife as a co-worker, who became a best friend, who became very beneficial (read into that what you will), who became my wife. Life is good....live happy!

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  34. Went to JMU from 92-96. Met my husband there in the School of Music. He was the slightly surly looking drummer that I was somewhat intimidated by. I got over that. Also, I lived in Eagle Hall my freshman year, is that the dorm you are pointing at? Husband and I are heading back to the burg in November for the first time in over 10 years. Pretty sure I won't know the place, and I've been informed that both Spanky's and Luigi's are defunct. (Tears.) However, Kline's Dairy Bar is still there, so there will be ice cream.

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    1. Yes, that is Eagle!

      I hate that Luigis and Spankys are gone, but we did go to the Little Grill, it's still there! Have fun.

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  35. Go Dukes! I'm a JMU grad...class of '96

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  36. My wife and I are both Earlham College graduates. Met 2 months before she moved on to get her graduate degree. I don't know if I've ever been in the backseat of a car with my wife. Sad.

    Next flight in a couple of weeks to NYC to run the marathon. I can't wait.

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  37. I love "how we met" stories. you and Ken are so cute!

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  38. My husband and I both went to the University of Central Florida, but we actually met at a poker game at my now-brother-in-law's parents' house. I've been back to UCF twice since I graduated almost *gasp* 10 years ago, once for a Nine Inch Nails concert and once to order my transcripts with my married name.

    Can't wait to hear all about your IM! You've trained like a star, so congratulations on that!

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  39. I met my wife at JMU! Actually, at the Valley Mall, but she was a JMU student at the time. Go Dukes, and enjoy the taper!

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  40. So, I have been reading SUAR for about 2 years now; sporadically obviously because it is May 2014 and I'm just now reading this October 2013 post ... I have retold some of your stories to my husband and friends and just call you "Beth, the girl who writes that running blog I talk about, who's like our age, married with kids, etc." My husband actually does a pretty good job of listening because he does at least like to hear stuff about sports, training, etc. but now he's really going to listen because ... We Love JMU!! I went there for grad school in 95-96 and we live only an hour away, but my husband went there at the same time you did I believe. I had no idea until now. He was there from Fall of 85 Spring of '89. I would never ever think that there was a chance you ever crossed paths except for that he did play baseball there all 4 years and was really quite good. He even made it MLB and therefore has a plaque in the new baseball stadium. Anyway, small world!

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