Well, apparently I'm into these 100K tours now. Did another one today. This one was relatively flat down in Las Cruces. It's about an hour from here and I went with some other folks from base. Two of them were the on the Tour de Ruidoso a few weeks ago. Shockingly, though, this one was harder. I think because it was relatively flat, I went way harder and there was only one stop. Let me just say that when a ride is 62 miles long, 47 miles is way too late to put a dang rest stop. My quads were killing me by then! A there wasn't even a porta potty. Thank goodness I had taken a break in the weeds about 10 miles before. Actually, we all did! I did discover later that some thorny weeds had gotten stuck in my shorts! I have no idea why it didn;t bther me when I was riding, but after I got off, they were stabbing me a LOT!
The last 20 miles were soooo painful. My quads were in agony. Basically all I could do was put my head down and push on. I got on the wheel of my buddy and just let him pull and I followed. That is the most painful ride I have ever been on. Even the mountains of Ruidoso didn't hurt that much! Garmin says it was actually 63 miles and I did it in 4 hours at an average of 16 miles per hour. That's a good sustained pace for me over that long. But I'd like to get it up to 20.
My friend KJ talked me into starting spinning on Tues and Thurs with him a few other people I know. That should help with my speed. My endurance is good, but I can't hold a fast pace for more than an hour. I'll fix that!!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Tour de Ruidoso
Had a great ride today in the mountains about an hour from here. My colleague picked me up at 0600 and we drove up into the mountains. There were four of us and we pretty much stuck together. It took us about 4.5 hours of riding and 45 minor rest stops. The hills were hard, but I did a lot better than I thought I would. I didn't embarrass myself! And one of the guys I was with seemed to be surprised by how well I did. I think he was thinking I'd be slow, but I know I wasn't. It was 5200 feet of climbing. One hill was several miles long. Thanks goodness the first hill was actually the steepest and worst. The last two were small, but they were only bad because they were at the end. The post race party was good. Had a delicious green chile burger and I won a carved bear. When they called my name, I had no idea what I won, but I screamed and acted all crazy anyway. The. I thanks the aAcademy and all my supporters who had gotten me there. It was kind of funny. And that was BEFORE two beers! Then a while later my buddy won two entries to a race the following weekend in El Paso. We screamed like idiots again. People were laughing and having more fun anyway. The DJ was pretty awesome, playing some old music and of course I had to get up and sat. And sit in my chair and dance. And walk and dance. A guy came over to dance with me..that was pretty funny. He was a white guy in his 50s who didn't really dance too well, but he was having a lot of fun!
We drove home and then I had to change and go to Oktoberfest. It was put on by the Germans here and could have been a lot of fun if I wasn't exhausted! They had good music and food and I got a free beer with my free VIP entry ticket. Talked to some people and then came home and packed. Can wait to go home tomorrow and see the family!!!
We drove home and then I had to change and go to Oktoberfest. It was put on by the Germans here and could have been a lot of fun if I wasn't exhausted! They had good music and food and I got a free beer with my free VIP entry ticket. Talked to some people and then came home and packed. Can wait to go home tomorrow and see the family!!!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Labor day weekend activites
What an awesome weekend! Started out on Friday with a day off. I went for a short run in the morning and then did some work around the house. I had a lot of errands to run, so I went to the box, went to Walmart, went to the gun store. I had planned to go camping that night, but I felt like it was getting sick. My joints had started to hurt and it was getting worse all day. Then my skin started to hurt. That's the sign that I have a fever. I came home and checked and my temp was normal, but I took some Motrin. Then I laid down for awhile. At about 4:00, I got up and decided to pack and see how I felt. I somehow miraculously felt better! So I got loaded up nd set off for Dog Canyon. I had trouble figuring out how to set up the tent, even though I had set it up in the garage. Well, in that garage I didn't try to stake it down. I just stuck the poles in. It was a whole different story when I put it up in real life! I couldn't get the dang poles to stick into the ground. Well, after about an hour, I realized the tents don't go in the ground, they go in the grommets of the tent. Good Lord. I hope no one was looking! How embarrassing! It was pretty quick once I figured that out. By then the sun had just set, so it was too late to go bike riding like I had planned. So I settled in to read by lantern and watch the rest of the sunset. There was a full moon and it was so bright! Turns out it was also a blue moon. That's the second full moon in a month. Had to explain that to someone at church who said the moon didn't look blue to her. And to a guy who said the same thing. And to another woman. They also didn't know that Smurfs are only born during blue moons. Guess you learn something new every day, now don't you! Oh yeah...back to camping. I slept terrible! The wind was howling around my tent all night. My Motrin wore off at about 2am. And I could figure out how to blow up my air mattress. I was tired and didn't try too hard, but nevertheless. I was awake about every hour all night.
I got up about at about 6:30 am and then packed up all my stuff after eating my peanut butter and jelly and then set off for a hike. I met an older couple at the beginning of the trail and they told me a hit about it. My goal was to go about an hour and a half or so. Holy moly. The first half mile was steep and rocky! Thankfully, it got a bit easier after that, but it was still a pretty moderate hike. I had packed a large camelback with plenty of snacks and I drank plenty on the way up. I met a guy on the way down who is an orthopedic physician assistant and who lives in el paso. He works in the animal control and it's his job to get the brains out of animals so they can be tested for rabies. He was funny. I did my 90 minutes and made it two miles. Then I turned around and jogged back down. My legs were so wobbly by the time I finished! I got home and fell into bed without even a shower. I know that's gross, but I was too tired to care. I slept for a couple of hours. Even after that, instill felt like lead. I mosied around a bit and then I slowly got some life back into me. I eventually made it it to pick up a few more things at the store. I Skyped with my friend Mar who lives in Hawaii. That was pretty neat. We toured each others houses.
Sunday I planned to go to church in Las Cruces. I tried to sleep in, but woke up early. I decided to get up and do some organizing. Then I went to house church. Met a bunch of new people and heard a good lesson. Afterwards, we had lunch. I tried some kind of tortilla casserole and I also had menudo for the first time. That's a soup made with cow stomach. It sounds gross, but it was actually delicious. I think it was tomato based and there was hominy in it. The stomach bits had a weird texture, and not terribly pleasant, but not really bad either. It's kind of like tofu...it didn't have it's own flavor, but it absorbed the flavors it was cooked with. After church, I went to the famous Hatch Chili Festival in Hatch, NM. Hatch chili peppers are like Champaign or Kona coffee. They can only be called that if they are grown there. I tried the mild and it was kind of like a green bell pepper. The medium, called a Barker variety, was spicy and had a great flavor. The hot was pleasantly hot, not miserable (to me!), but once it had settled in my stomach, I got nauseated. That has never happened before. Crazy! They had a chili eating contest and I think I could have won it on the pure eating part, but then I would have puked. Not cool. A vendor gave me a sample of prickly pear ginger jelly that he said would help. In about 10 minutes after that, I felt better. not sure if was natural resolution or the jelly, but I didn't care. I was cured! I bought some prickly pear jelly. I also so d sme amazing pasta. I got four different kinds, including the one I sampled. Which was garlic spinach. It was so garlicky and flavorful with no sauce or anything. I can't wait to make some! I also bought two bags of medium chilis, pre-roasted. And I ate a funnel cake. Then I came home and chilled out for the evening. Oh yeah... I made some green chili chicken lasagna with my chilis. It's a dish I had at a restaurant. It turned out great and I'll eat it for lunches this week.I skyped with the family also. A great day!
Monday found me awake earlier than planned, which was good and bad. Bad because I only had about ours of sleep. Good because it was still cool out and if I was going to do a 40 mile ride, I needed to start early. So I did. Had a great ride down route 70. Came home and rested up. Emptied the rest of my boxes. Did some organizing. Vacuumed the car and the house. And discovered Turtleman. Turtleman is the redneck Crocodile Hunter. I love how he names all the creatures that he catches. I am now a fan.
And now...I'm settled in and get back to work tomorrow.
I got up about at about 6:30 am and then packed up all my stuff after eating my peanut butter and jelly and then set off for a hike. I met an older couple at the beginning of the trail and they told me a hit about it. My goal was to go about an hour and a half or so. Holy moly. The first half mile was steep and rocky! Thankfully, it got a bit easier after that, but it was still a pretty moderate hike. I had packed a large camelback with plenty of snacks and I drank plenty on the way up. I met a guy on the way down who is an orthopedic physician assistant and who lives in el paso. He works in the animal control and it's his job to get the brains out of animals so they can be tested for rabies. He was funny. I did my 90 minutes and made it two miles. Then I turned around and jogged back down. My legs were so wobbly by the time I finished! I got home and fell into bed without even a shower. I know that's gross, but I was too tired to care. I slept for a couple of hours. Even after that, instill felt like lead. I mosied around a bit and then I slowly got some life back into me. I eventually made it it to pick up a few more things at the store. I Skyped with my friend Mar who lives in Hawaii. That was pretty neat. We toured each others houses.
Sunday I planned to go to church in Las Cruces. I tried to sleep in, but woke up early. I decided to get up and do some organizing. Then I went to house church. Met a bunch of new people and heard a good lesson. Afterwards, we had lunch. I tried some kind of tortilla casserole and I also had menudo for the first time. That's a soup made with cow stomach. It sounds gross, but it was actually delicious. I think it was tomato based and there was hominy in it. The stomach bits had a weird texture, and not terribly pleasant, but not really bad either. It's kind of like tofu...it didn't have it's own flavor, but it absorbed the flavors it was cooked with. After church, I went to the famous Hatch Chili Festival in Hatch, NM. Hatch chili peppers are like Champaign or Kona coffee. They can only be called that if they are grown there. I tried the mild and it was kind of like a green bell pepper. The medium, called a Barker variety, was spicy and had a great flavor. The hot was pleasantly hot, not miserable (to me!), but once it had settled in my stomach, I got nauseated. That has never happened before. Crazy! They had a chili eating contest and I think I could have won it on the pure eating part, but then I would have puked. Not cool. A vendor gave me a sample of prickly pear ginger jelly that he said would help. In about 10 minutes after that, I felt better. not sure if was natural resolution or the jelly, but I didn't care. I was cured! I bought some prickly pear jelly. I also so d sme amazing pasta. I got four different kinds, including the one I sampled. Which was garlic spinach. It was so garlicky and flavorful with no sauce or anything. I can't wait to make some! I also bought two bags of medium chilis, pre-roasted. And I ate a funnel cake. Then I came home and chilled out for the evening. Oh yeah... I made some green chili chicken lasagna with my chilis. It's a dish I had at a restaurant. It turned out great and I'll eat it for lunches this week.I skyped with the family also. A great day!
Monday found me awake earlier than planned, which was good and bad. Bad because I only had about ours of sleep. Good because it was still cool out and if I was going to do a 40 mile ride, I needed to start early. So I did. Had a great ride down route 70. Came home and rested up. Emptied the rest of my boxes. Did some organizing. Vacuumed the car and the house. And discovered Turtleman. Turtleman is the redneck Crocodile Hunter. I love how he names all the creatures that he catches. I am now a fan.
And now...I'm settled in and get back to work tomorrow.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Power- 2nd Order Effects
Written Wednesday, 29 Aug.
Well, I am three days into being a group commander and I am already
seeing how hard people will work to make me happy and just how dangerous
that could be. Case in point. We had a staff meeting on Monday and I
noticed there was no clock in the front of the room where I could see it. I
hate to check my watch in front of people. I like to be more subtle than
that. But I want to be efficient and respect people's time. There was a
digital clock on the wall behind me that everyone else could see, but I had
nothing. So, I simply asked the squadron commander responsible for that
function to have the clock moved from the back of the room to the front.
Today, two facilities guys come to my office and ask me where I want the
clocks. CLOCKS?? As in pleural? OMG. I walk with them and it turns out
that they had three new clocks, plus the old clock and they were
specifically told to make sure the clocks had sweeping second hands and not
ticking ones. REALLY? I couldn't care less about sweeping or ticking! I
just need a @&*^% clock in the front of the room!!!! We settled on two
analog clocks with sweeping second hands that matched- one in the front and
one in the back. Wow.
It reminds me of a story that I read several years ago told by a famous
woman- I want to say it was Hillary Clinton, but I could be wrong. Anyway,
she happened to mention that she liked Diet Dr Pepper. She said that from
then on, all of her fridges in every hotel around the world were stocked
with Diet Dr Pepper. She said, "What if I want a Coke?" It was a big
lesson for her in the power of her position and how much people paid
attention to her and tried so hard to please her. It's a lesson I've never
forgotten either since I read it.
And today that lesson hit home again. It pains me to think that people care
whether I want a clock to tick or to sweep. And that they actually spend
extra time making that happen.
Now, if I can just get them to make my picture on the web at least half the
size it is now. Good Lord, it's ginormous right now.
Friday Update- my photo was changed the next day- the Sergeant told me she thought I wanted it that big the first time, but couldn't tell me where on Earth she got that idea. Wow again.
flat tax
So I'm sitting in the DMV and I'm hearing a good argument for a flat tax. The guy in front of me tells the lady next to me that he only works three weeks per month so that he can stay below the income level that would trigger taxes. The lady beside me has a relative that drives a truck. He on works nine months a year so he doesn't trigger taxes. That amazes me. I truly believe that everyone should pay something. Maybe zero if you are below the poverty line pn aid, then 5%, then 10%: then 15% for the rest of us. We paid 17% last year. Is want very few deductions...maybe charity and home ownership. But this system of providing tax breaks for every little thing the government wants to subsidize has to stop. Apparently a flat tac would put these people to work all year, increase the national productivity, and broaden the tax base. And everyone would have skin in the game.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
First week of my new adventure
Three days ago I packed up 3500 pounds of stuff that I thought I might need for the next year on my own in New Mexico and two days ago the whole family set out from San Antonio to Holloman Air Force Base. Two days from now I will take over as the commander of the 49th medical group at Holloman. It was completely unexpected and at first was completely unwelcome. The oldest will be starting her senior year and we just didn't want to move her. So the husband and three kids will be staying in SanAntonio for the first year and I'll be here. In one way, it will be horrible to separated from the family. In another, I'll be able to focus on work and I'll be able to do whatever I want on the weekends. We've Already worked out some Skype plans and I'll be able to come home zbout once a month. There's also Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break. We'll be OK. Once we figured out how to handle the family situation, I was able to get excited about the job. Now I'm thrilled!
Today we went to the Lincoln National Forest and did some hiking in the mountains. We ate at a place called Big Daddy's Diner for dinner...my pulled pork sandwich was great! For dessert we had blackberry and peach cobbler. I told the waitress we wanted cobbler ala mode and she didn't know whether it meant with ice cream or without. Really?!
Anyway, tomorrow I have the change over which the guy I'm replacing and then we have practice in the afternoon. I guess I have to write a speech at some point as well.
Let the fun begin!!!!
Today we went to the Lincoln National Forest and did some hiking in the mountains. We ate at a place called Big Daddy's Diner for dinner...my pulled pork sandwich was great! For dessert we had blackberry and peach cobbler. I told the waitress we wanted cobbler ala mode and she didn't know whether it meant with ice cream or without. Really?!
Anyway, tomorrow I have the change over which the guy I'm replacing and then we have practice in the afternoon. I guess I have to write a speech at some point as well.
Let the fun begin!!!!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Hawaii Half Ironman
All right, here it is...
Let me first say that after the athlete brief and experiencing the conditions just chilling out and enjoying the days leading up to the race, my goals changed to "enjoy the day and bask in Hawaii". I quickly realized there was no way I was going to post good times. My Austin time in Oct was 6:49 and I was going all out and did not have much fun.
News reports say these were the worst conditions ever in the history of the race. OTOH, Lance and Lindsay both set course records, so.........
Temps were mid-80s and winds were 35mph with gusts much higher than that! Swim was gorgeous! Clear all the way to the bottom. Not too many fish- I think they all scattered. My practice times were about 2:19/100 in the open water- slightly slower than in the pool. In the race, I could not see the buoys due to the chop and just followed the crowd. One group got blown way off course and had to circle back- I only got blown off a little! But my effort was not too strong- I could deasily have cut 5 min off, but I was having so much fun! It felt like a 1/4 mile run up the giant hill to T1. My gear bag flew away and I spent a few minutes trying to find it. Grr. And.... I had cut my foot in three places on the lava a few days before and had to make sure band aids were strategically placed. Hence, an 8 minute transition! BAHAHAHA!!!!
Then the bike. They say this is the hardest Half Iron on the circuit. The bike was the last half of the championship course- from Hapuna Park up to Hawi. Very hilly, the last 10 is pretty much straight uphill through the lava fields. Wind comes down off the mountain on the one side blowing out to sea on the other side. I literally almost got blown off at least 4 times. No joke. I cussed more on that ride than in a typical week! I was talking to God out loud, too! There were lots of punctures. No wrecks that I heard of. My goal was to stay safe and not break down. And save the legs- strategy last race was to go all out on the bike and then survive the run. Well, that's just stupid and I don;t recommend it! The second best part of the race (after the swim) was the turn around at Hawi- straight downhill!!! I went as fast as I could without getting blown off. I was singing out loud and having a grand time! Every now and then the island would try to blow me off, and then the hills came again. But I felt good at the end.
Next came the run. I felt great for the first 3 miles or so. Then we turned into the wind. Oh Lord. About 3 miles on the golf course grass and paths, then 6 miles on lava roads and though Hell's Kitchen, which was 3 miles into the wind (thankfully downhill!), then 3 miles uphill with a tailwind, then 3-ish miles on the golf course again. I discovered cold Coke is awesome. I also tried holding the ice in my hands while I ran for cooling effect- that works great! But it was really not that hot- a 30mph wind feels pretty cool.
I finished happy, drank three beers (oh yes!!!), bought some shirts, then retired with my friend to her gorgeous hotel to watch the sunset over the ocean while drinking free mai tai and watching the hula dancer and listening to the Hawaiian singer. A perfect end to a hard, but not not agonzing day. My goal was to stay just under the misery threshold and to enjoy Hawaii and all her glory- and I did!
Oh yeah- And Jack built me two boxes to carry Ruby in (my bike) and I managed to get her to Hawaii for FREE on the airplane!!!!! No extra baggage fees! And now I know how to take my bike apart all the way down to bare bones and build her back up again.
Oh yeah- and I got to stalk Lance and listen to him talk. And met a bunch of folks and spread the USAF love.
Results: (don't laugh!!) (Age Group 40-44 years old)
Swim: 52:15 66/99 2:37/100 m
Bike: 3:55:47 80/99 14.25 mph
Run: 2:54:30 76/99 13:19/mi
Overall: 7:55:51 76/99
News reports say these were the worst conditions ever in the history of the race. OTOH, Lance and Lindsay both set course records, so.........
Temps were mid-80s and winds were 35mph with gusts much higher than that! Swim was gorgeous! Clear all the way to the bottom. Not too many fish- I think they all scattered. My practice times were about 2:19/100 in the open water- slightly slower than in the pool. In the race, I could not see the buoys due to the chop and just followed the crowd. One group got blown way off course and had to circle back- I only got blown off a little! But my effort was not too strong- I could deasily have cut 5 min off, but I was having so much fun! It felt like a 1/4 mile run up the giant hill to T1. My gear bag flew away and I spent a few minutes trying to find it. Grr. And.... I had cut my foot in three places on the lava a few days before and had to make sure band aids were strategically placed. Hence, an 8 minute transition! BAHAHAHA!!!!
Then the bike. They say this is the hardest Half Iron on the circuit. The bike was the last half of the championship course- from Hapuna Park up to Hawi. Very hilly, the last 10 is pretty much straight uphill through the lava fields. Wind comes down off the mountain on the one side blowing out to sea on the other side. I literally almost got blown off at least 4 times. No joke. I cussed more on that ride than in a typical week! I was talking to God out loud, too! There were lots of punctures. No wrecks that I heard of. My goal was to stay safe and not break down. And save the legs- strategy last race was to go all out on the bike and then survive the run. Well, that's just stupid and I don;t recommend it! The second best part of the race (after the swim) was the turn around at Hawi- straight downhill!!! I went as fast as I could without getting blown off. I was singing out loud and having a grand time! Every now and then the island would try to blow me off, and then the hills came again. But I felt good at the end.
Next came the run. I felt great for the first 3 miles or so. Then we turned into the wind. Oh Lord. About 3 miles on the golf course grass and paths, then 6 miles on lava roads and though Hell's Kitchen, which was 3 miles into the wind (thankfully downhill!), then 3 miles uphill with a tailwind, then 3-ish miles on the golf course again. I discovered cold Coke is awesome. I also tried holding the ice in my hands while I ran for cooling effect- that works great! But it was really not that hot- a 30mph wind feels pretty cool.
I finished happy, drank three beers (oh yes!!!), bought some shirts, then retired with my friend to her gorgeous hotel to watch the sunset over the ocean while drinking free mai tai and watching the hula dancer and listening to the Hawaiian singer. A perfect end to a hard, but not not agonzing day. My goal was to stay just under the misery threshold and to enjoy Hawaii and all her glory- and I did!
Oh yeah- And Jack built me two boxes to carry Ruby in (my bike) and I managed to get her to Hawaii for FREE on the airplane!!!!! No extra baggage fees! And now I know how to take my bike apart all the way down to bare bones and build her back up again.
Oh yeah- and I got to stalk Lance and listen to him talk. And met a bunch of folks and spread the USAF love.
Results: (don't laugh!!) (Age Group 40-44 years old)
Swim: 52:15 66/99 2:37/100 m
Bike: 3:55:47 80/99 14.25 mph
Run: 2:54:30 76/99 13:19/mi
Overall: 7:55:51 76/99
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
quarter pounder
Remember when a quarter plunder was a huge burger that only the hungriest eaters put away? Well, i've noticed now that the half pounder seems to be in vogue. Went to a restaurant today and wanted a mushroom Swiss burger. Size option? Half pound. A half pound! No one needs 8 oz of hamburger piled high with stuff. Jack and I split it and im glad we did. Last night we ate Mexican. I.ordered pork loin with mole sauce. My.ate was pilwd so high there was no way I could eat if. At least 8-10 oz of meat. Plus all the sides. As a cheapskate who doesn't want to weigh a ton, I'd much prefer to pay half the price and get half as much.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Corpus Christi Triathlon
Mom says that people (her anyway) are still reading this, so I guess I better keep writing! I have plenty to say, but seems I have little time to say it. And now my computer is dying, so I guess I better say this one fast!!
I did my first triathlon of the season this weekend. It was a last minute sign up. I am on an actual Triathlon team now for the Air Force- we get free uniforms and free entrance to races!! but I have to pay for one to get the other ones paid for and this was one of the ones I could do. I have been swimming all winter, but in sets (25-400 meters at a time with rests of 10 sec to a minute or so in between. The last time I swam a long way without stopping was my last race in October!! I have been on my bike exactly 4 times since Thanksgiving. abut I HAVE been running! So that's something.
I was a bit scared of this one because I was in Corpus Christi last weekend because of Heather's swim meet (regional finals- she did great and is going to State next weekend). I went for a bike ride in the morning and the wind was 15 mph. The waves in the ocean were huge! Like 2 feet high! OK- that's huge to me. And the wind was terrible. I did an out and back next to the ocean and I was doing about 18mph on the way out quite easily and then only 12-13mph on the way back. So needless to say, with my lack of training and the prospect of giant waves and terrible wind, I was a bit nervous.
I left work and drove the 2.5 hours to Corpus. Checked into the hotel and then went to the race site to pick up my packet and eat the free pasta dinner. It was raining. A lot. And it was pretty cool. But guess who was there?! Dave Scott. He is one of the legends in the sport - he won the Ironman Championships 6 times and he battled in one of the most famous races of all time. He gave a talk and stuck around to answer questions and then was around to hand out awards after the race. And it was a little tiny race- only about 600 people there. I had some dinner, listened to him talk, and then went to Walgreens to pick up some stuff for the race. One was an ace wrap. You see, I forgot my jog bra. It was even on the packing list and somehow I left it hanging on the back of my door. But I figured an ACE wrap might make a good substitute,
I packed up my stuff and went to bed. Up at the crack of dawn, packed all my stuff, went to the race site. We started at 0730- the ocean we swam in was more like a bay- just a mile or so down from the big waves, but it was a bit protected, so the waves were not big. It was cold- about 60 degrees. But I survived the 1500 meters. The bike (25 miles) was awesome on the way out. The route went along the ocean and there were giant houses and beautiful ocean to look at. The way back was horrible with the bad wind again. The run (6 miles) was fine- great on the way out and windy on the way back. My goal was to finish unhurt and in a respectable time- and I met both goals.
The hotel gave me a late checkout so I was able to go back and have an awesome shower and then drive home. It was a good day!
Oh...and the ACE wrap worked.
I did my first triathlon of the season this weekend. It was a last minute sign up. I am on an actual Triathlon team now for the Air Force- we get free uniforms and free entrance to races!! but I have to pay for one to get the other ones paid for and this was one of the ones I could do. I have been swimming all winter, but in sets (25-400 meters at a time with rests of 10 sec to a minute or so in between. The last time I swam a long way without stopping was my last race in October!! I have been on my bike exactly 4 times since Thanksgiving. abut I HAVE been running! So that's something.
I was a bit scared of this one because I was in Corpus Christi last weekend because of Heather's swim meet (regional finals- she did great and is going to State next weekend). I went for a bike ride in the morning and the wind was 15 mph. The waves in the ocean were huge! Like 2 feet high! OK- that's huge to me. And the wind was terrible. I did an out and back next to the ocean and I was doing about 18mph on the way out quite easily and then only 12-13mph on the way back. So needless to say, with my lack of training and the prospect of giant waves and terrible wind, I was a bit nervous.
I left work and drove the 2.5 hours to Corpus. Checked into the hotel and then went to the race site to pick up my packet and eat the free pasta dinner. It was raining. A lot. And it was pretty cool. But guess who was there?! Dave Scott. He is one of the legends in the sport - he won the Ironman Championships 6 times and he battled in one of the most famous races of all time. He gave a talk and stuck around to answer questions and then was around to hand out awards after the race. And it was a little tiny race- only about 600 people there. I had some dinner, listened to him talk, and then went to Walgreens to pick up some stuff for the race. One was an ace wrap. You see, I forgot my jog bra. It was even on the packing list and somehow I left it hanging on the back of my door. But I figured an ACE wrap might make a good substitute,
I packed up my stuff and went to bed. Up at the crack of dawn, packed all my stuff, went to the race site. We started at 0730- the ocean we swam in was more like a bay- just a mile or so down from the big waves, but it was a bit protected, so the waves were not big. It was cold- about 60 degrees. But I survived the 1500 meters. The bike (25 miles) was awesome on the way out. The route went along the ocean and there were giant houses and beautiful ocean to look at. The way back was horrible with the bad wind again. The run (6 miles) was fine- great on the way out and windy on the way back. My goal was to finish unhurt and in a respectable time- and I met both goals.
The hotel gave me a late checkout so I was able to go back and have an awesome shower and then drive home. It was a good day!
Oh...and the ACE wrap worked.
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