A few days ago I received an email with the headline, "37 Days Until the Race"! This is officially when I began to panic about my 1/2 IM training. That meant participants in the Tupper Lake Tinman triathlon had about 27 days to train and another 10 to rest/peak for the race. Suddenly time seemed precious.
Once in a while I check back in my training log and think, "okay, you swam more than the race distance, biked 50+ miles and ran 10 miles over a three-four day period, so the race should be doable."
But more often than not, I don't feel confident. I should run more, no-swim more, no-bike more... definitely bike more. Most of my time will be on the bike, on rolling hills, lots of hills. I need to bike more. Maybe swim too?
I really feel in good shape to race an Olympic Distance triathlon (.9m swim, 26 mile bike, 10k run). I'm not as confident about the 1.2m swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1m run. Knowing I have 20 days to train though is giving me added incentive to get up in the morning, run at night, swim in a lake and go further or faster than before. Last night was a speed track session, speed being relative. At 5:00am this morning was a fight with my inner-being and alarm clock before getting on the bike indoors and riding 20 miles before work. This was made easier knowing that Jan was going out to meet a friend and run 6 miles. Tonight should be a 5-6 mile run for me.
And so it goes. Thirty more days until we are looking at big orange buoys in Raquette Pond.
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Swimming with the Methodists
For unknown reasons the SUNY Brockport pool closed for the summer. The timing of this announcement couldn't have been worse as several of us are in the last stages of prepping for the Tupper Lake Tinman 1/2 Ironman race the end of June.
Now where do we swim? Braddock's Bay on Lake Ontario is still too cold, mid-fifties, and only a few nuts swim there in May. Canandaigua Lake opens soon, but is an hour away and we need more opportunities closer to home for practice.
Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili was our choice. Jan and I joined for $90/three months. RW is a religious school but has accepted Lou and Mike W as recreation members, so they must be open to diversification (not because of their Jewish/NYC/Long Island upbringing, but, well, run with the two of them on a few Saturday mornings and you'll begin to understand-they are unique individuals).
Ten Facts About Swimming at RW;
1. The water temperature is like bath water. They must hold baptisms at the pool on Sundays. It's the only local pool I climb into and feel warmer than the air. I sweat while swimming!
2. The showers, though warm, dribble water out like it's running through a sifter.
3. Why are all men's college lockers bent, don't close properly and rusted?
4. No distance markings on the pool. The length is a tightly held secret. We think it is 25 yards, but aren't sure. No one is. I think God wanted it this way.
5. Only three lanes for lap swimming. So far this hasn't been a major issue, even with the homeschool family that comes in with 8 children under the age of 10. They stick to the non-lap area.
6. The pool is open many more hours for lap swimming than any in our area.
7. RW is closer to our home, saving time and gasoline.
8. $90 covers the pool cost, locker area, we can run on the indoor track, play basketball, use weights, treadmills and more.
9. There is a deep end, no diving board, but a 10' deep section of the pool. Strange.
10. Senior Citizen water aerobics is held Monday-Friday for an hour+ each morning. Do not attempt to lap swim during this time. Those people are territorial and don't like waves.
Now where do we swim? Braddock's Bay on Lake Ontario is still too cold, mid-fifties, and only a few nuts swim there in May. Canandaigua Lake opens soon, but is an hour away and we need more opportunities closer to home for practice.
Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili was our choice. Jan and I joined for $90/three months. RW is a religious school but has accepted Lou and Mike W as recreation members, so they must be open to diversification (not because of their Jewish/NYC/Long Island upbringing, but, well, run with the two of them on a few Saturday mornings and you'll begin to understand-they are unique individuals).
Ten Facts About Swimming at RW;
1. The water temperature is like bath water. They must hold baptisms at the pool on Sundays. It's the only local pool I climb into and feel warmer than the air. I sweat while swimming!
2. The showers, though warm, dribble water out like it's running through a sifter.
3. Why are all men's college lockers bent, don't close properly and rusted?
4. No distance markings on the pool. The length is a tightly held secret. We think it is 25 yards, but aren't sure. No one is. I think God wanted it this way.
5. Only three lanes for lap swimming. So far this hasn't been a major issue, even with the homeschool family that comes in with 8 children under the age of 10. They stick to the non-lap area.
6. The pool is open many more hours for lap swimming than any in our area.
7. RW is closer to our home, saving time and gasoline.
8. $90 covers the pool cost, locker area, we can run on the indoor track, play basketball, use weights, treadmills and more.
9. There is a deep end, no diving board, but a 10' deep section of the pool. Strange.
10. Senior Citizen water aerobics is held Monday-Friday for an hour+ each morning. Do not attempt to lap swim during this time. Those people are territorial and don't like waves.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Alabama Running
My daughter Andrea lives near Birmingham, Alabama, a state where 50 degrees is cold, 70 you wear a sweatshirt and 85 you might feel comfortable in shorts.
Andrea has been an on-again/off-again runner for several years and an equestrian since the teen years. A friend of hers decided it would be great if they did a Ride and Tie together. These are relay races of varying distances, one person rides the horse, ties it in the woods on the race path, and begins running. The teammate, who has been running, reaches the horse, gets on and rides, tieing it up again for the current runner. This continues for up to 50 miles.
Andrea and her teammate are new to the sport and will attempt an 8 mile race. Thus, Andrea needs to train for running again. This is the story (in her words) of her first time out;
I finally dragged myself out of the house yesterday evening for my first run since the fall. I decided to run the loop around the church and back since I knew that was one mile and I was curious how far I could go. I left the big, bad, black dog at home, worried I’d be chased by the little ankle biters down the street and not in the mood to break up a potential dog fight. Off I go, starting with a two minute walk for a warm-up, then the alarm went off for the start of my five min run. This isn’t too bad, wonder if five minutes is up yet…nope, only 40 seconds. Ok, keep going…and walk. In the middle of the second run, I reached the mile point, turned back from my house and down the loop again. This five minutes went by quickly. Walk, start my third run on the “main” road. About halfway down, I see a mean, nasty horse-fly circling my knees. Screaming and arms flailing did not phase this vicious creature. I ran faster for ten seconds, thinking I could out run it. He was persistent! Off I went in a full-blown sprint, long strides, grateful to be heading downhill. The two young boys ahead of me looked shocked when I went blowing by them, 100 mph. Oh no, now it’s uphill! As I started to slow, I glanced down. It appeared I was safe. I’m sure the boys looked like a slower, easier target. Thank you for kids! Two miles completed on my first run.
I decided to cool down with a ten minute yoga clip from yogamazing. Of course, I lay on the ground and, the dogs came running over to help (Andrea has 4 dogs). They quickly learned they were to be ignored and went back to sleep in their corners. However, unknown to me, the cat had her eye on me. As I lay in crocodile pose, she took the opportunity to run over and jump on my back. After making sure I was “comfortable”, she laid down, adding extra weight as I moved between the crocodile pose and the boat pose. I’m sure she enjoyed the rocking back and forth. As I came up off the floor to sitting poses, she climbed up to my shoulders, then leapt off as the dogs came over, thinking I must be ready to play with them. As two fight over who gets my attention first, one licking the sweat off my face, I continue to hunt for calmness, quiet and peace thru my breathing. I finally found it as the video ended and I collapsed with a sigh of relief. Day one done.
Andrea has been an on-again/off-again runner for several years and an equestrian since the teen years. A friend of hers decided it would be great if they did a Ride and Tie together. These are relay races of varying distances, one person rides the horse, ties it in the woods on the race path, and begins running. The teammate, who has been running, reaches the horse, gets on and rides, tieing it up again for the current runner. This continues for up to 50 miles.
Andrea and her teammate are new to the sport and will attempt an 8 mile race. Thus, Andrea needs to train for running again. This is the story (in her words) of her first time out;
I finally dragged myself out of the house yesterday evening for my first run since the fall. I decided to run the loop around the church and back since I knew that was one mile and I was curious how far I could go. I left the big, bad, black dog at home, worried I’d be chased by the little ankle biters down the street and not in the mood to break up a potential dog fight. Off I go, starting with a two minute walk for a warm-up, then the alarm went off for the start of my five min run. This isn’t too bad, wonder if five minutes is up yet…nope, only 40 seconds. Ok, keep going…and walk. In the middle of the second run, I reached the mile point, turned back from my house and down the loop again. This five minutes went by quickly. Walk, start my third run on the “main” road. About halfway down, I see a mean, nasty horse-fly circling my knees. Screaming and arms flailing did not phase this vicious creature. I ran faster for ten seconds, thinking I could out run it. He was persistent! Off I went in a full-blown sprint, long strides, grateful to be heading downhill. The two young boys ahead of me looked shocked when I went blowing by them, 100 mph. Oh no, now it’s uphill! As I started to slow, I glanced down. It appeared I was safe. I’m sure the boys looked like a slower, easier target. Thank you for kids! Two miles completed on my first run.
I decided to cool down with a ten minute yoga clip from yogamazing. Of course, I lay on the ground and, the dogs came running over to help (Andrea has 4 dogs). They quickly learned they were to be ignored and went back to sleep in their corners. However, unknown to me, the cat had her eye on me. As I lay in crocodile pose, she took the opportunity to run over and jump on my back. After making sure I was “comfortable”, she laid down, adding extra weight as I moved between the crocodile pose and the boat pose. I’m sure she enjoyed the rocking back and forth. As I came up off the floor to sitting poses, she climbed up to my shoulders, then leapt off as the dogs came over, thinking I must be ready to play with them. As two fight over who gets my attention first, one licking the sweat off my face, I continue to hunt for calmness, quiet and peace thru my breathing. I finally found it as the video ended and I collapsed with a sigh of relief. Day one done.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Top 10 Things About Riding with McCulloughs
Submitted by Mike Weinpress.
1. If you take the number of miles they say they are going to ride and multiply by pi you get actual miles.
2. With me and Mike you are guaranteed at least 3 rest stops.
3. Mike and Jan like to pack a Heed picnic basket. Watch out for Yogi Bear.
4. Mike will always let you know 1 second in advance if there is a road hazard.
5. He does not wear a mirror. Apparently he only cares about cars ahead.
6. He made us stop 2 times to remind me about his free shoes.
7. Mike’s digestive system has a built in anti-drafting mechanism.
8. Jan will mention that she needs to get in better shape as she blows by you up the hills.
9. Mike can develop a circular course and manage to keep the wind in your face the whole time.
10. Something is wrong with Jan. On the down hills she pedals to go even faster. Mike and I coast, put our head downs and sing the theme song for Speed Racer.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Exercise & Older Adults
Researchers at the University of British Columbia studied the effects of resistence training on older adults and found great benefits physically as well as mentally. It's never too late to begin!
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