Well I guess the initial excitement is over since neither Sarah or I have made a blog posting in the past few weeks. We have tried to keet active though. I ran the Virgina Beach Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon on Labor Day weekend. Very fun. There were 22,000+ people, so it was pretty crowded, but it ended on the beach with a beer tent set up, so that made up for all the zig-zagging to move ahead during the race. Sarah and I went on our first bike ride last weekend. We did about 20 miles and had a really nice time. Multiply that by 6 and we will have done 1/3 of the Ironman. Ugh. I also did a spinning class, which I really enjoyed, but Sarah was quick to point out that "spinning is not real cycling". Bike snob.
I am in Copenhagen today for work. I just got back from an 8 mile run around one of the canals. It is overcast and cool, so the running was good! Here is a map of the run. I did two laps.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1330233
More to come as we start to get in shape (which I am definately NOT in right now). I need to start swimming!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Zippy Longstocking
Oh... and if you get Zipp wheels, I'll be super jealous and steal them from you. They are way cool and oh-so-expensive therefore I do not have them
The Tricycle...
Second mortgage, for a bike? Well, I already have two mortgages, so luckily that won't be an option for me.
If Andy does the Ironman on a tricycle, I'd pay double. Of course, maybe he could just ride a giraffe through the whole thing...
Personally, I have a road bike and I'm quite happy with it. I now a tri-bike is made for triathlons, obviously. However for me, I wanted a bike that I could do just that on... BIKE. I wanted to be able to do hilly mountainous rides and rock out on some steep stuff. A road bike is better equipped to do that than a tri-bike. However, a tri-bike will ease the work of the quads during a long, say, 112 mile bike ride. So for Andy's purposes, it will just have to be a choice that he makes, which is to say I'm being thoroughly unhelpful.
As far as I'm doing, I'm just been working on the swimmin' bikin' and runnin' and trying to keep myself in check at this point. It is so early in the training that I want to be sure not to do too much and injure myself. I'm coming back from a fairly long hiatus from tri, so I need to take it slow. I'm heading off for a nice ride this afternoon, so that should be great. Then to dinner at Andy's tonight, so if you don't hear from me in a few days, it is because he came to his senses and strangled me!
Very excited for tomorrow... two books that I ordered from Amazon about endurance tri training should be arriving. Yippee!
"There is something in every human being that seeks testing. A yearning to discover just how far one can go, how much one is capable of achieving. From this desire was born the most demanding athletic endurance test ever- the triathlon."
If Andy does the Ironman on a tricycle, I'd pay double. Of course, maybe he could just ride a giraffe through the whole thing...
Personally, I have a road bike and I'm quite happy with it. I now a tri-bike is made for triathlons, obviously. However for me, I wanted a bike that I could do just that on... BIKE. I wanted to be able to do hilly mountainous rides and rock out on some steep stuff. A road bike is better equipped to do that than a tri-bike. However, a tri-bike will ease the work of the quads during a long, say, 112 mile bike ride. So for Andy's purposes, it will just have to be a choice that he makes, which is to say I'm being thoroughly unhelpful.
As far as I'm doing, I'm just been working on the swimmin' bikin' and runnin' and trying to keep myself in check at this point. It is so early in the training that I want to be sure not to do too much and injure myself. I'm coming back from a fairly long hiatus from tri, so I need to take it slow. I'm heading off for a nice ride this afternoon, so that should be great. Then to dinner at Andy's tonight, so if you don't hear from me in a few days, it is because he came to his senses and strangled me!
Very excited for tomorrow... two books that I ordered from Amazon about endurance tri training should be arriving. Yippee!
"There is something in every human being that seeks testing. A yearning to discover just how far one can go, how much one is capable of achieving. From this desire was born the most demanding athletic endurance test ever- the triathlon."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I need a bike!
Today I came to the realization that I cannot compete in an Ironman with a mountain bike that has knobby tires. My first unforseen expense! Many more to come I'm sure. So...off to the bike shop.
The big debate is tri-bike vs. road bike. There are supposedly a lot of differences, and countless hours have already been spent googling them, so finally it is time to ask some experts at Wheelworks in Belmont.
The first woman that I spoke with was incredibly helpful. Definately a road bike is the way to go. We picked out several that were in my general price range, and looked at some other ones that would perhaps need a second mortage to afford. Finally it was narrowed down to 2-3 models. Then along came Gary, who has actually competed in several Ironmans. Definately a tri-bike is the way to go. Don't bother with a road bike if the purpose is an Ironman. Again we picked out several more of the tri-variety. Did I want a double or triple (am I suddenly at Starbucks?), aluminum or carbon, aero bars, what kind of cassette (I prefer an ipod these days), custom paint job, and so on. And look! Since it is an Ironman you should "treat yourself" to these special Zipp wheels that are $1,950 a pair. As in 2 wheels....for $1,950. Are you serious? I was competely confused and finally had to leave. I now have no idea what to do. Back to Google.
I wish I still had my red tricycle, except that Aunt Kathy backed over it with her car when I was 5 years old. That was a good bike.
The big debate is tri-bike vs. road bike. There are supposedly a lot of differences, and countless hours have already been spent googling them, so finally it is time to ask some experts at Wheelworks in Belmont.
The first woman that I spoke with was incredibly helpful. Definately a road bike is the way to go. We picked out several that were in my general price range, and looked at some other ones that would perhaps need a second mortage to afford. Finally it was narrowed down to 2-3 models. Then along came Gary, who has actually competed in several Ironmans. Definately a tri-bike is the way to go. Don't bother with a road bike if the purpose is an Ironman. Again we picked out several more of the tri-variety. Did I want a double or triple (am I suddenly at Starbucks?), aluminum or carbon, aero bars, what kind of cassette (I prefer an ipod these days), custom paint job, and so on. And look! Since it is an Ironman you should "treat yourself" to these special Zipp wheels that are $1,950 a pair. As in 2 wheels....for $1,950. Are you serious? I was competely confused and finally had to leave. I now have no idea what to do. Back to Google.
I wish I still had my red tricycle, except that Aunt Kathy backed over it with her car when I was 5 years old. That was a good bike.
Monday, August 27, 2007
"The Cousin"
I am not quite sure how I ended up here. It began yesterday afternoon around 3pm when Sarah called my cell phone. I was in the grocery store parking lot and almost got into an accident backing into a space when Sarah told me about this crazy idea. The first thing I asked was what the temperate in Louisville is today, since it is exactly one year away. She mumbled something that began with "90" and then changed the subject. I also couldn't remember how long an Ironman is. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. WHAT?!? Are you sure those are miles not kilometers? I don't even like driving that far.
And so it began. Promptly at 11:00am this morning, as directed by my crazy cousin I went online and signed up for Ironman Loiusville 2008! I have never even done a sprint triathlon. What am I getting myself into? Either we will have a great time training and finishing, or we will never speak to each other again. We shall see! I need to take a nap. I am tired just thinking about it.
And so it began. Promptly at 11:00am this morning, as directed by my crazy cousin I went online and signed up for Ironman Loiusville 2008! I have never even done a sprint triathlon. What am I getting myself into? Either we will have a great time training and finishing, or we will never speak to each other again. We shall see! I need to take a nap. I am tired just thinking about it.
We're In!
I can't believe it.... Andrew and I are signed up for Ironman! My heart was beating a mile a minute as 11 am neared and I was setting myself up on the active.com website. Everything went through just fine and I am all ready to go!
Ran 6.5 miles last night and 4.5 this morning. Time to get serious with this training stuff!
Yippee!
"There is something in every human being that seeks testing. A yearning to discover just how far one can go, how much one is capable of achieving. From this desire was born the most demanding athletic endurance test ever- the triathlon."
Ran 6.5 miles last night and 4.5 this morning. Time to get serious with this training stuff!
Yippee!
"There is something in every human being that seeks testing. A yearning to discover just how far one can go, how much one is capable of achieving. From this desire was born the most demanding athletic endurance test ever- the triathlon."
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Preparing to Sign Up
Well, I've decided to go for it. Now or never, as they say. I'm signing up to do Ironman Louisville in Louisville, KY on August 31, 2008. Why IMKY? Primarily time of year - as a teacher, late summer is a good chance to get away (and exercise for 17 hours straight, yeah!), and it's closer than the other option of IM Canada. Why Ironman? Just one of those things that I have to do before I die. And as I have a year of teaching under my belt and none of my own children to look after, this seems to be a perfect time. I will have a year to train, both physically and mentally for this. I hope that by writing this blog, I will be able to share with myself, my friends and possibly others by triumphs, challenges, etc etc as I train for what is considered by many to be *the* test of endurance for an athlete.
Of course, as I write this, I'm not even registered for the race yet! Today (Sun the 26th) is the inaugural event down in KY. The registration for the '08 event starts at 11 am EST, which is in approximately 18 1/2 hours. I will have to be ready online to register for the race, with my USAT and active.com memberships, and of course my CREDIT CARD ready to go!
The best part about this race is that I am potentially not doing it alone. Although over 2000 other athletes will be competing, I believe I have convinced my cousin Andrew to race with me. He talked me into my first marathon 10 months ago, so it is time for me to return the favor. We'll see if in 18 hours, his resolve, and mine, are still strong.
"There is something in every human being that seeks testing. A yearning to discover just how far one can go, how much one is capable of achieving. From this desire was born the most demanding athletic endurance test ever- the triathlon."
Of course, as I write this, I'm not even registered for the race yet! Today (Sun the 26th) is the inaugural event down in KY. The registration for the '08 event starts at 11 am EST, which is in approximately 18 1/2 hours. I will have to be ready online to register for the race, with my USAT and active.com memberships, and of course my CREDIT CARD ready to go!
The best part about this race is that I am potentially not doing it alone. Although over 2000 other athletes will be competing, I believe I have convinced my cousin Andrew to race with me. He talked me into my first marathon 10 months ago, so it is time for me to return the favor. We'll see if in 18 hours, his resolve, and mine, are still strong.
"There is something in every human being that seeks testing. A yearning to discover just how far one can go, how much one is capable of achieving. From this desire was born the most demanding athletic endurance test ever- the triathlon."
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