Hey Everybody! Trusting you had a good week and restful weekend. Here is a little something I took on for fun:
Saturday was the Hotter N Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, Texas. For the second year in a row, the weather was hot but not like one would imagine in the place opposite of heaven...okay, around mile 85 things began to get a little toasty.
This event is a great ride for all levels of athlete. Thing is, you have to train or you might end up joining the ranks in the SAG wagon or worse, the ambulance wagon. If you ever have the chance, try out the event. It is traditionally held nine days before Labor Day every year. Hotels sell out months in advance for the four day event. There are different mileage options so you don’t have to ride 100 miles but if you can, it is one event with some serious bragging rights!
After working the week away, I packed up Celeste (now you better know who she is by now) and an overnight bag and drove off to Wichita Falls. Arriving at the hotel I had to snicker as directly across the parking lot was a bike shop. This was definitely a good sign.
The expo was a cyclists dream. Anything you needed, the expo had it and if you were looking for mark downs on cycling gear, this was the place to be. Of course the important stuff such as picking up the packet was the first thing off my list then on to pick up the coveted HHH100 jersey. This year’s jersey was without a doubt the coolest one yet. I can’t wait to wear it at next year’s ride as tradition is to wear a previous years jersey the day of the ride.
After seeing many familiar faces, I decided to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for the ride. Unfortunately, that did not happen for unknown reasons so I did the best I could until the alarm went off at 5:00am.
Finding parking the morning of the ride is easy, as long as you get there early. I arrived to the start around 6:15am. Shortly thereafter, about 14,000+ cyclists jammed the street ready to take on the days event. Just after 7am, a beautiful live version of the National Anthem was sung followed by the Air Force fly over and a cannon start. I can’t help but to get choked up with the anthem and fly over. It gets me every single time.
The rest stops were awesome with plenty of hydration, snacks and of course the favored pickles and pickle juice. Last year, at the start of the ride I thought drinking pickle juice was ridiculous however by the end of the ride, I was ready to take stock in the product. It’s a great salt replenishment and with the heat and long distance miles, I along with many others were searching out the pickle juice volunteers the minute we rolled to a rest stop.
One of the many perks is the Mile 98 unofficial stop. This lovely stop however it is not part of the organized ride. I won’t go into too much detail but let’s just say, it was a welcomed beverage for the adult riders of the HHH100. You can even obtain a T-shirt signifying you were there. Of course, I am now a proud owner of the mile 98 stop t-shirt. ;)
Driving home after the 100 mile ride pretty much zapped out my energy until I arrived home checking FaceBook updates. K2 – you know who you are, reminded me of the push up and sit up challenge. As if the 100 mile ride with little sleep then a 1.5 hour drive home wasn’t enough, I had to complete the ongoing push up and sit up challenge. So, after 240 push ups then 240 sit ups(you add a push up each day beginning on January 1st then finish on December 31st with 365), I collapsed into bed and slept a good sleep.
The next morning, I was pleasantly surprised with no soreness, refreshed from a great night of sleep and filled with a feeling of excitement for those who finished. Oh and of course, I now have one cool cycling jersey to remember the day.
Talk to you next week!
Janet
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Journey to a Texas Ironman
Another week of training, another week of heat. I would suppose eventually there will be a blog from me not mentioning the weather however it’s August, I have to train and darn it…it’s hot outside!
This week was a lot of cycling and running. I decided to sign up pretty much last minute for the Hotter N Hell 100 miler to be held on Saturday, August 28th in Wichita Falls Texas. Yep, I guess if I have to train in this heat, why not pay to ride in an unshaded oven for six or so hours.
So I turn once again to the greatest running club around for some friendship during the long training ride before the 100 miler. I belong to the Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers and consider myself pretty lucky to be a member as we have it all from walkers to runners to cyclists to swimmers and at all levels. So a few emails exchanged and viola – a group forms to ride last Sunday for a lovely 62 mile jaunt of beautiful roads, annoying hills and of course, 100+ degree temperature.
I invited a friend along to join in on the ride. It was not his day. I am sure everyone has had an off day, and his was a picture perfect off day. First, we ride for 4 or so minutes from the start and his chain falls off. Chain back on and off we go. Next, we encounter hills…he rides flat roads and has not dealt with too many hills during his current training. The heat and hills zapped him for a bit. The cool part was watching him fight through the hills and do it! To top things off, he fell last week and this week, he fell again the course. Unfortunately he falls on the same scar and the blood was a flowing.
Brushing off all the days challenges, he finishes and I am glad to see him finish because you know what? He could have easily quit, turned around never to be seen again, but he didn’t. That’s my friend and I am proud of him. He is training to one day also be an IronMan and when he crosses the finish line, we will all smile that much more ‘cause we watched and knew he has what it takes. Good job Scott!
This week was a lot of cycling and running. I decided to sign up pretty much last minute for the Hotter N Hell 100 miler to be held on Saturday, August 28th in Wichita Falls Texas. Yep, I guess if I have to train in this heat, why not pay to ride in an unshaded oven for six or so hours.
So I turn once again to the greatest running club around for some friendship during the long training ride before the 100 miler. I belong to the Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers and consider myself pretty lucky to be a member as we have it all from walkers to runners to cyclists to swimmers and at all levels. So a few emails exchanged and viola – a group forms to ride last Sunday for a lovely 62 mile jaunt of beautiful roads, annoying hills and of course, 100+ degree temperature.
I invited a friend along to join in on the ride. It was not his day. I am sure everyone has had an off day, and his was a picture perfect off day. First, we ride for 4 or so minutes from the start and his chain falls off. Chain back on and off we go. Next, we encounter hills…he rides flat roads and has not dealt with too many hills during his current training. The heat and hills zapped him for a bit. The cool part was watching him fight through the hills and do it! To top things off, he fell last week and this week, he fell again the course. Unfortunately he falls on the same scar and the blood was a flowing.
Brushing off all the days challenges, he finishes and I am glad to see him finish because you know what? He could have easily quit, turned around never to be seen again, but he didn’t. That’s my friend and I am proud of him. He is training to one day also be an IronMan and when he crosses the finish line, we will all smile that much more ‘cause we watched and knew he has what it takes. Good job Scott!
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Journey to a Texas Ironman
It was a fun week of training as the theme turned into a song and dance of mechanical issues for my bike. The GPS kept shutting off on it’s own, the chain told me it was time to retire after a year of dealing with me learning how to gear correctly and a few noises appeared out of the norm. Guess it’s time for a bike tune up.
So for starters, it was off to the bike shop to purchase a new chain. I love visiting local bike shops and I always try to take one other person with me to make sure I don’t end up buying “one of each” from every shelf. It’s funny, many of my friends are into “that purse” or “that shoe”….me, it’s simply “that tri gear”. It’s truly a love hate relationship. The hate part grows from my pocketbook but hey, ya gotta take the bad with the good is my thought.
For instance, did you know you could buy a headlamp for your helmet which can change easily to your handlebar for only four hundred dollars? I mean come on, really? Oh sure it’s specially made for road cyclists with the clearest of clear vision into the night as you cycle the miles away. I snorted then moved on to pick up the necessary items on my list. Do realize, now that I have mentioned this cool contraption, it’s typically a sign that I will unfortunately succumb to a purchase in the future.
Another expenditure was made in regards to swim training and unfortunately it was not a new pair of goggles. This week I broke down and joined a health club. The natatorium where I swim is really limiting adult swim time during the week with all the hub-bub of classes on the schedule. Squeezing swim workouts in at this point proved difficult so I bit the bullet and did it. A couple of clicks online and I now have a membership where I can swim anytime day or night. So, if I did purchase that fancy light, I could realistically ride to the club in the middle of the night, swim as long as I wanted then ride back with the clearest of clear vision in the dark. See how this goes?
Go ahead and laugh but once you get into this sport, it can turn into a money pit if you let it. So shop smart and learn from fellow triathletes and their purchases. Oh, and let me know if you want to ride at night. I know a good light for your bike.
Talk to ya next week,
Janet
So for starters, it was off to the bike shop to purchase a new chain. I love visiting local bike shops and I always try to take one other person with me to make sure I don’t end up buying “one of each” from every shelf. It’s funny, many of my friends are into “that purse” or “that shoe”….me, it’s simply “that tri gear”. It’s truly a love hate relationship. The hate part grows from my pocketbook but hey, ya gotta take the bad with the good is my thought.
For instance, did you know you could buy a headlamp for your helmet which can change easily to your handlebar for only four hundred dollars? I mean come on, really? Oh sure it’s specially made for road cyclists with the clearest of clear vision into the night as you cycle the miles away. I snorted then moved on to pick up the necessary items on my list. Do realize, now that I have mentioned this cool contraption, it’s typically a sign that I will unfortunately succumb to a purchase in the future.
Another expenditure was made in regards to swim training and unfortunately it was not a new pair of goggles. This week I broke down and joined a health club. The natatorium where I swim is really limiting adult swim time during the week with all the hub-bub of classes on the schedule. Squeezing swim workouts in at this point proved difficult so I bit the bullet and did it. A couple of clicks online and I now have a membership where I can swim anytime day or night. So, if I did purchase that fancy light, I could realistically ride to the club in the middle of the night, swim as long as I wanted then ride back with the clearest of clear vision in the dark. See how this goes?
Go ahead and laugh but once you get into this sport, it can turn into a money pit if you let it. So shop smart and learn from fellow triathletes and their purchases. Oh, and let me know if you want to ride at night. I know a good light for your bike.
Talk to ya next week,
Janet
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The Journey to a Texas Ironman
The first week of August in Texas lived up to it’s weather reputation making training rather interesting. In a nutshell, there was nothing cool about the outdoor activities. Luckily, this week was a bit different than the norm due to traveling back from Chicago. I was spoiled by long pool swims coupled with short bike and run workouts.
Some athletes consider long pool swims tedious and boring. Luckily, my coach keeps it interesting. During one of the 3000 yard swim workouts this week, it startled me how far the level of endurance has progressed since the first triathlon that occurred over two years ago. I thought I was uber cool back then swimming 500 yards straight..oooh….ahhh….way cool.
During this weeks cycling, it occurred to me what heat and dehydration can do to the brain. As I rode in the elements, I started to envision the road buckling beneath the wheels. I then thought hey, wouldn’t it be wild if my tires just melted and left all the rubber on the street? Would you think the ants would be ticked off getting stuck in the melted goop of rubber? And if the birds swooped down to eat the ants, would they think they were dipped in chocolate? At that point I pulled over and drank water as the brain was heading in a pretty odd direction. The ride was finished with the reward of feeling tired yet refreshed along with being handed a lovely dose of that post workout scent. Fabulous but not so cool.
For the upcoming weekend, I get to head out on the bike and tackle hills. The weather is not breaking anytime soon so I guess I have to deal with it. In any event,no matter how exhausting the day’s events, the payoff is the workout and even better, to finish with enough stamina to throw in a few extra laps. How cool is that?
Talk to ya next week and of course….stay cool!
Janet
Some athletes consider long pool swims tedious and boring. Luckily, my coach keeps it interesting. During one of the 3000 yard swim workouts this week, it startled me how far the level of endurance has progressed since the first triathlon that occurred over two years ago. I thought I was uber cool back then swimming 500 yards straight..oooh….ahhh….way cool.
During this weeks cycling, it occurred to me what heat and dehydration can do to the brain. As I rode in the elements, I started to envision the road buckling beneath the wheels. I then thought hey, wouldn’t it be wild if my tires just melted and left all the rubber on the street? Would you think the ants would be ticked off getting stuck in the melted goop of rubber? And if the birds swooped down to eat the ants, would they think they were dipped in chocolate? At that point I pulled over and drank water as the brain was heading in a pretty odd direction. The ride was finished with the reward of feeling tired yet refreshed along with being handed a lovely dose of that post workout scent. Fabulous but not so cool.
For the upcoming weekend, I get to head out on the bike and tackle hills. The weather is not breaking anytime soon so I guess I have to deal with it. In any event,no matter how exhausting the day’s events, the payoff is the workout and even better, to finish with enough stamina to throw in a few extra laps. How cool is that?
Talk to ya next week and of course….stay cool!
Janet
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Journey to a Texas Ironman
The past week was a strong training session. Each swim was consistent, the bike was just plain fun and the run was refreshing. I know every athlete wonders why can't every workout week be as strong as one of "those weeks". At this point in life, I will take "those weeks" as much as I can.
Saturday was a travel day on up to Chicago for RNR. It was actually rest and relaxation with a half marathon thrown into the mix. We were all looking to return back up north and take a deep breath of cool air.
During the run, I realized how much I miss the swim and bike portions of a triathlon. The race was very well organized and crowd support was great however in a way, just running the half was well...a bit boring. A triathlon no matter what distance, you have to use your thinking cap a bit to smoothly move from one discipline to the next and plot out every mile. I have dear friends whom affectionately refer to themselves as running snobs....could I have stepped over to a triathlon snob? ;)
For entertainment, I decided to have fun and just observe folks. The conversations between runners ranged from every weather comment one could imagine to various training techniques. I particularly thought the two girls who "trained" for their race by running the longest distance of four miles funny and yes...stupid. I checked later that evening and yep, they both crossed the line. I bet they are rethinking their training strategy. Chalk up the travels with another half marathon medal and a great weekend with the family - not a bad combination.
We are heading back to Texas today and I am looking forward to training yet not so much the 100+ degree weather. This too shall pass....
Talk to ya next week!
Janet
Saturday was a travel day on up to Chicago for RNR. It was actually rest and relaxation with a half marathon thrown into the mix. We were all looking to return back up north and take a deep breath of cool air.
During the run, I realized how much I miss the swim and bike portions of a triathlon. The race was very well organized and crowd support was great however in a way, just running the half was well...a bit boring. A triathlon no matter what distance, you have to use your thinking cap a bit to smoothly move from one discipline to the next and plot out every mile. I have dear friends whom affectionately refer to themselves as running snobs....could I have stepped over to a triathlon snob? ;)
For entertainment, I decided to have fun and just observe folks. The conversations between runners ranged from every weather comment one could imagine to various training techniques. I particularly thought the two girls who "trained" for their race by running the longest distance of four miles funny and yes...stupid. I checked later that evening and yep, they both crossed the line. I bet they are rethinking their training strategy. Chalk up the travels with another half marathon medal and a great weekend with the family - not a bad combination.
We are heading back to Texas today and I am looking forward to training yet not so much the 100+ degree weather. This too shall pass....
Talk to ya next week!
Janet
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