MS150 . . .

. . . Day 1!

What a great day to ride 75 miles!

Early start to the day with an alarm set at 4! Got up quickly, coffee and smoothie consumed and then off to the pick up location for the bus ride to Pewaukee.

Bus ride was uneventful - it was a beautiful sunrise, but no photo. Arrived in Pewaukee, and quickly located our bikes. The bikes arrived in a semi and were then spread out on the lawn.

Some years you find it right away and some years it is like finding a needle in a hay stack!

Here is our team, not the biggest, we had two people drop out last week. But we did raise over $5,000 for MS!

We flew (that is relative) finishing 75 miles in 4 hrs and 13 minutes. Fastest finish ever for me!

Here is Scott (co-worker and friend) coming into lunch!

My riding buddy Tricia and co-worker and friend Ken! 

We made it to Whitewater and are staying in the dorms. Whenever someone wants to relive their younger years, have them stay in a college dorm! No air, hard beds . . . Oh the memories. 

Tonight there will be a program in a big (huge) tent, celebrating all the funds raised and explaining some of the awesome research being done for MS. Beer will be available. Tomorrow will be another 75 miles . . . but that is tomorrow. 

Enjoy the moments!

I'm Back

It has been almost a year since I last posted.
Why was I gone: I was busy, and felt unmotivated and really felt like I had nothing to write. Being a person that doesn't like quitting - I didn't officially stop blogging, instead I simply dropped out.
Why do I want to start blogging again: I am still busy and actually have a huge work project going on right now, but I do feel more motivated and I recognize the benefits of putting thoughts on paper and/or screen. As I have always said, I blog for myself.
What have I been doing: Running, Biking, fishing vacation, skiing vacation, sailing vacation, working - simply put - I have been living.
Running Races I have completed
WI Marathon - 1/2 version
Komen Race for the Cure - 5k
Ragnar Madison to Chicago - 200 miles (with the absolutely best group of women - EVER!)
Full Moon Run - 5k (one of my favorite runs)
Tyranena 1/2 Barrel - 1/2 marathon
Crazy Legs - 8k
2012 distance run was 870.
Bike Rides I have completed
Boys and Girls Club Ride - 50 miles
MS 150 bike ride - 150 miles
Biked to work 49 days from May - August last year for a total commute distance of 685 miles
Biked for sport for 959 miles
Biked to New Glarus Brewery 4 times, Minhas Brewery in Monroe and Tyranena Brewery in Lake Mills
Total biked milage of 1644
Vacations taken:
Fishing in Canada
Ski trip to Colorado
Sailing in the BVI's
Cancer status:
I still see my Oncologist every 6 months
August, 2013 will be 9 years since my diagnosis
I am still taking Arimidex
Lymphedema - still present in my right arm - probably a little worse now that earlier and this is probably due to my lack of care.
Family status:
#1 son - has been out of college for 3 years, loves his job and just bought his first house (just down the street from us!!!)
#2 son - transferred to UW Eau Claire last fall and is majoring in Information Systems and loving it.
Hubbie continues to work at UW Space Science and has announced he will be retiring next March!
Invisalign
Still wearing my trays - completed my first round in November and reinlisted for another set of 8 trays
I feel different and hope that this is a result of growth. I know there are certain aspects of myself that I would like to change - and will try to weave that into my blog.

Biking to New Glarus

We have organized a bike ride to New Glarus today with the New Glarus Brewery being the final destination.  There are 8 of us and I am hoping that the sun starts doing its primary purpose . . .  warm things up.  It is currently 30 and I have to say that is a little to chilly for biking!  But we are leaving at 10 and by then it is suppose to be 45 - which is still chilly - but doesn't compare to 30.  I will be updating my post later today with some photo's and story.

The last time I biked to New Glarus my husband and son were along and about 10 miles from Madison, my husband clipped my rear tire and flew off his bike - breaking his collar bone!  Hopefully nothing that exciting will be happening today.  Biking - drinking some good beer at the New Glarus Brewery and eating!

To be continued . . . .

We had a great bike ride.  44 miles round trip.  beer, subs and a little more beer!  

We made it to New Glarus and stopped at the local Subway before we road up to the brewery.  

Enjoying the food and beer at the New Glarus Brewery!

The gang!

Beautiful copper kettles . . . full of beer . . . just waitng and waiting!

Exiting the tunnel!  

This was the first 40+ mile ride this year and it felt great!  Hoping that this is a good sign - and many more bike rides will be coming!  

DANG Hamstring!

My right hamstring has been making itself felt for the last month or so. Nothing major - just a constant irritant.


I finally listened and took 9 days off from running.

I had signed up for the June 14th - Movin Shoes 5k Full Moon run and decided that I would still run that race - just take it easy. No running for 9 days - as I mentioned in my last post the hamstring felt OK until mile 3, at which time it said "hey - don't forget me!" so I listened and slowed down.

After the race, it felt fine and Friday it felt fine.

Since biking never bothers my hamstring I road in the Boys and Girls Club 50 mile bike ride on Saturday and still no unusual hamstring pain. Since I am trying to train for the MS 150 bike ride, which is a Saturday and Sunday bike ride of 75 miles each day - it is important to get back on the bike the next day after a long ride.

So Sunday morning my husband and I hopped on our bikes and did a slow 7 mile ride. I then dropped him back off at home, adjusted my bike computer and hopped back on my bike for 10 more miles. Somewhere during the "hopping" onto my bike, I had to make a sudden jerky movement with my right leg and OUCH! there was that stupid hamstring laughing at me. "Ha Ha - I am still hanging around and if I want, I can make your life miserable". I continued on with the bike ride - because it doesn't hurt during biking.

Stretched afterwards, while watching the Women's World Cup :-(

This morning I got up with the hopes of running a slow 2 - 3 miles . . . but that was NOT going to happen.



The hamstring feels like it is right back where I started. DANG! So I will stay off of it for the rest of the week.



The bad news is that I have already signed up for the Madison Mini Marathon, August 20th. I am losing training and need to get some long runs in.

The good news is that we are expecting extreme heat and humidity this week, which makes running difficult for me. This morning at 6AM the temp was 81 with a dew point of 77 - which makes for 88% humidity.



So I will take this week off and work on biking and walking and icing my hamstring . . . in hopes that I can tackle a 3 mile run this weekend.



Peace

June is done and it is already July 8th - oh my!

I have had a great couple of weeks - but just no energy or time to post.  I must do better - I will do better - it tends to keep me motivated and I really enjoy tracking my thoughts and experiences.

Motto for the summer - short and sweet!

The last two weeks have been busy - here is a recap by the numbers:

5 - times I road my bike to work

75 - total miles biked to work

3 - training rides

72 - miles on training rides

6 - times I ran in the last 2 weeks

35 - miles run

1 - races run - Run to the Rhythm 5k

1 - 1st place in my age category - it wasn't fast - but it was fast enough!

1 - Favorite tree on the lake 

1 - Favorite dog - Sophie on the boat

 

            2 - times I jet skied

1 - times I water skied - this is a photo of my son - of course no one takes a picture of me, unless I request it!

200,000 - friends that watched Rhythm and Booms

818 - miles biked this year

520 - miles run this year

7 - days that I am going to take a break from running due to a pulled hamstring - I have been running in "pain" for about a month - I am going to take a week off and hope that it gets better!

1 - number of branches that broke off of our tree - the tree trimmer has been called and will be trimming the other branches on Tuesday!

Peace - have a great day!
Enjoy every moment!

Race plans for 2011

Here are my plans for 2011 - at least at this point.  

I liked Kerri's goal, of Running for (My) Life, HERE  -  (I couldn't find the post where she made this comment) of running a race every month of the year.  Thanks for the great idea Kerri - hope to see you at some of these.

Running Events

Freeze for Food 5k - January 22

Valentine's Day 5k - February 12

Shamrock Shuffle 10k - March 13

Black Earth Road Race 10 miler - April 2

Lake Monona 20k - May 7

     or 

Madison Marathon 1/2 marathon - May 29

Komen Race for the Cure 5k - June 4

Wannafest 10 miler - July 30

Madison Mini Marathon - August 20

Zoo Run Run 10k - September 25

Haunted Hustle 1/2 marathon - October 29

Turkey Trot 5k - November 6

Berbee Derby 10k - November 24

Jingle Bell run 10K - December 10

Biking Events

(I need to find a couple more biking events - but for now these are making my list.)  

Bike New York 42 miles - May 1  (a group of us are planning on driving to NY to bike in this event)

Boys and Girls Club Ride 50 miles - July 16

MS 150 bike ride 2 day 75 miles each day - August 6 & 7

Duathlon - FIRST TIME

This is the only one (at this time) that looks like it will fit into my schedule - but will keep my eyes open for others.  

Norski Duathlon - June 11

Scheduling Problems/Decisions -
APRIL:  I have run the Crazy Legs run - a local race supporting UW athletics - for a number of years.  Last year I couldn't run because I had the stress fracture - this year I won't be able to run it again because we will be in New York City, participating in the Ride New York event.  So I had to find another race.  Black Earth Road Race, I think Jamie at Running Diva Mom, HERE, ran this last year. So far it is really the only other April race that works for me.


MAY:  I can't decide whether to run the 20k around Lake Monona or the Madison Marathon 1/2.  I will leave both of them on the schedule - but doubt I will do both.  I will look to the advice of Chelsea, of Early Runner, HERE, because she did both of these last year.

Run and Bike

I had a 10 mile run planned for this weekend.  When I woke up I checked the weather and went Oh My.  While the temp was 73 - the humidity was something like 95% with a dew point of 70.  Arggggggggg

I shouldn't have checked the weather- I was pretty much defeated before I started.  I ran 8 instead of the planned 10.  Although I am happy with the 8 - it just means I will be doing 10 again next weekend.

I just could not convince myself to run the last 2 miles.  Came home and stretched and then watched some of the Tour.  Wow they can bike. 

I then convinced my son to bike with me.  I took advantage of having a good pacer with me and we did a 35 miler.  It was hot and humid and I swear the wind was ALWAYS in our face.  That always seems to happen - I am always heading into the wind.  ?????

I am using my hybrid bike.  Maybe I am crazy.  I am going to go try out a road bike tomorrow????  I have been trying to figure out if a road bike will make that much difference.  We will see what I think.  Any opinions from other bikers?  Am I crazy to try and ride a hybrid that is pretty heavy for 150 miles - especially when I am the oldest person on the team????

Tomorrow I am biking with a friend.  We will either do 15 or add another 12 to make 27.  She hasn't biked this year - so I am thinking that the 15 will be plenty for her.  But we will have to see. 

I will let you know how my ride went and how I liked the road bike.

PEACE - stay cool out there and make sure to drink lots of water. 

New Super comfy shoes

I had purchased another pair of biking shorts at REI over the weekend and purchased the wrong size.  If I would have tried them on there - I would have figured that out - but I HATE to try on clothes at the store.  I generally can tell by the cut if something will fit and if it doesn't I am fine with returning it for the correct size.  This was simply the wrong size - I thought I had picked up a medium - but had a small instead.

Anyway I took them back today to exchange them for a medium and also to look for a wind / rain jacket for my bike.  I found a really super bright florescent jacket with zippered sleeves - so that it would become a vest.  Love it.

And I found these shoes.

First pair of dansko's

Super comfy / a little heal / and plenty of room for tootsies

wow this photo makes my right calf look huge!!!

I saw these shoes this weekend - but didn't try them on . . . OK I always try on shoes - just not clothes.
These are super comfy and "sort of" stylist.  I can't wait to wear them to work tomorrow.

Does everyone have too many shoes?  I know that I do.

On the running / biking front:
Ran a short 2 miles on Sunday, July 4th
Biked 35 miles on Tuesday
Ran 40 minutes tempo this morning - I was going to bike - but my legs were too tired.
Tomorrow I am back to work and am planning on starting the morning with a 4 mile run and then bike to work.  I am hoping that the rain stays away or gets over with by the time I leave for work.  

Time for bed - tomorrow will be my first morning up at 5:30 in a week.

Peace

Good weekend of exercise

great weekend of working out.


Biked 15 miles on Thursday
Ran 4 miles on Friday
Biked 33 miles on Saturday
Ran 7.5 miles this morning 


Very Happy and tired.  ;-)

Week 1 of MS 150 and 1/2 Marathon training

So this was my first week of training for the MS 150 bike ride and 1/2 marathon.  Yikes - I can honestly say that I was tired.  As I look back on the week, not only was it busy with biking and running, but additionally there were a couple of other things going on that attributed to my being tired.

On Wednesday evening I slept overnight at my church on a portable cot.  My church is part of a program called "A Road Home".  Four times during the year, my church houses 5-6 homeless families for a week.  As a host church, members cook dinner, play with the children during the evening and sleep over night at the church.  I will only say that the cot's are not very comfy . . . and I only sleep on them for 1 evening at a time, the guests sleep on them for months at a time.  The families move from church to church - until they can find permanent housing, which usually takes 10-12 weeks.

Additionally, my son graduated from high school on Friday.

My bike training:
Saturday:  32 miles - included here, even though I previously blogged about it - it contributed to my being tired.
Monday:  15 miles - biked to work
Wednesday:  15 miles - biked to work
Thursday:  15 miles - biked to work

total bike miles:  77

My running schedule:
Saturday:  3.1 miles - Komen Race for the Cure
Sunday:  4 miles
Wednesday:  3 miles
Saturday:  3 miles
Sunday 5 miles

total run miles:  18

Last week was Bike to Work week - I biked to work 3 times for a total of 45 miles.  Best part was that the city had set up various tents along the cities bike paths and they were serving donuts and coffee.  So I indulged in a donut three mornings last week.  YIKES!!!!  I don't usually eat donuts - but they were so good.


My workout this week:

		Bike	Run
Monday		0	0
Tuesday		15	3.5
Wednesday		15	6 X 400
Thursday		0	3
Friday		0	rest
Saturday		38	rest
Sunday		11	5

I will be anxious to see if I can do it.  I think I can . . . I think I can . . . I know I can.  ;-)

I have to admit that my foot is bothering me a bit.  My stress fracture issues, seem to be irritated.  Top of my foot is slightly swollen - and the discomfort is more of an irritant vs pain.  I am going to take some ibuprofen and ice it for a little bit.