When Is Too Much, Too Much?

28 Jan 2011 1 Comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in cycling, Running Tags: , , , ,

I think there is a fine line between when you do something because you love it, and when it becomes a (healthy) addiction. And, I crossed that fine line last night at work (however, some would argue I crossed that line months ago).

I’ve joked about it before–my quote-en-quote “fascination” with races–which really only started in 2004 when I ran my first 5k and got third for my age group, although thinking about it, growing up I was always doing something competitive.

So, when is too much, too much? Is it,

  • When you schedule all your weekends off work around races for the next year, including running races, triathlons, and duathlons–not only in the state you live in, but other states? “Oh, I know I cannot work the third weekend of September 2011 because there’s a tri Sunday morning at 0830”
  • When in the middle of writing a nursing note at the end of a shift, after coding patients, physical and mental exhaustion, feet killing you after being on them for thirteen hours, you begin to wonder how long a certain run will take you when you get home from work?
  • When you kindly decline people’s offers for incredibly delicious looking cookies at 0500 because you are getting back to your “peak racing weight”–and you actually have no idea what your racing weight should be, but know it’s just less than what the scale says.
  • When co-workers at the hospital have nicknamed you “the TKH’s very own little ICU racer”?
  • …And they cannot believe you spent two hours on a trainer before coming on to your third night in a row, or wonder how you can devour 5 hour old stale coffee black with no sugar or milk, or exist on three hours of sleep.
  • …And they know not to mess with you if you only got a 3 miler in before work?
  • …And when your fellow cycling buddy/ colleague talks about Graeme Brown after handing off report, you know exactly who he’s talking about?
  • When you spend non-working hours studying past race results, and figure out how fast you need to be this year to beat other people in your age group–just incase they decide to partake in that particular race this year as well.
  • …And, if your body can tolerate it, when you can visit family members (but really, are traveling to those places because there’s a certain race going on at that time…and it just so happens you have a family member who lives in that city)?
  • …And are glad you are still young, because the majority of people racing in tri’s are ten or more years older than you, so you still have time to do well…And wonder, “Woah, what will I be like in ten years?” Now, that is a scary thought.
  • When your doctor tells you it’s okay for you to exercise again, in hopes you will stop pestering him about when it’s okay for you to train?
  • You see someone with an IM tattoo on the back of their calf at the gym, and wonder how his swimming skills are, and which IM he has completed (and you feel a pang of jealousy that he has such a tattoo, and even know what the IM stands for, when the majority of people at the gym probably have no idea)…And then wonder if he will marry you.
  • You regret getting that tetanus shot in your deltoid the day before because it really messes up your stroke when swimming the next day.
  • You know three weeks in advance you cannot do anything on a certain Friday night because you have a brick workout scheduled the next day?
  • The majority of your clothes are either cycle wear or exercise attire, could cause blindness to people in the sunlight, and have special “sweat-wicking” properties?
  • …And other than scrubs, that’s basically the only thing you ever wear?
  • …But just found two boxes of high heeled boots and drop-dead gorgeous shoes this complete ex-shoe addict completely forgot existed, thinking, “Man, how did I ever walk in four inch heels?”
  • …Then look down at your really pathetic looking feet, thinking purple/back toe nails falling off is really a turn-off–even to podiatrists.
  • The only thing left in your kitchen is zero-calorie gatorade, powerbars, sports recovery drink powder, your newly discovered and favorite Honeystinger products, and decaf coffee (that you refuse to make, because it is decaffeinated)

Completely normal, right?

Here, More Amusing Videos for Triathletes

24 Jan 2011 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in cycling, Running Tags: , ,

Some funny running/swimming/cycling videos.

It’s like watching myself in the pool…

Clip on, clip off…

No no, grab me a Latte…


Eleven Mile Route

24 Jan 2011 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in Running Tags:

Note: if you decide to go for a ten mile run with me, it might end up being more like eleven and a half. And, you might need to be awake at 0300 to do it with me. A positive about running that early, no cars on Route 9. Literally. No cars. Not on any other part of the run, either.

Eleven Mile Run

If I can do that, half marathon in March’ll be a piece of cake…If I’m allowed to run at that point.

I’m Not Allowed to What?

24 Jan 2011 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in Nursing/Medicine, Running Tags: , ,

There comes a time in every athlete’s life–hell, in everybody’s life–where they get injured. And no matter what the injury, there is usually some annoyance associated with it. The injury may be a paper cut. Small little slice, but you are always aware it’s on the top of the finger because there is a slight burning sensation whenever you wash your hands. Forget attempting to clean tools in any type of paint thinner or putting your hands in corrosive liquids–not that you might attempt such a task. (I have no idea where the cleaning of tools came from, either. I don’t clean power tools.) The injury might be a broken arm, or torn ACL. Most injuries though, happen as accidents. And, boy, can they really mess up your planned schedule.

I’m someone who plans. I enjoy spontaneity–it brings excitement to life–but I also feel more comfortable being able to look at a week and know what will (or should) happen everyday. I’m someone of a nut and have this fascination (that’s a more sane word for obsession) with calendars. I think I have four for 2011. All calendars have very similar tasks/ events marked in the boxes. Next to the events are smaller boxes, where I can tick off that I finished the task/event (you really need to read my friend’s blog–she shares some of my compulsive attributes–it’s like reading my own thoughts). My need for structure and somewhat overly detailed daily lists could be a post of their own.

I do not like when my schedule is disrupted and changes are made. Although, I am much better at dealing with changes now. I’ve learned to be adaptable to most situations and not freak out when something different happens. I guess that’s what happens when you work in a controlled chaotic work environment and things are constantly changing. And, as long as I am the one doing the modifications to my schedule, everything is a-okay.

This past week’s schedule, on the other hand, was modified by external factors, which I don’t like. On that note, the rest of the month’s schedule has had some changes made to it as well due to an accident. No, I was not biking, running, or swimming when this happened either. I was shoveling my stairs. S-h-o-v-e-l-i-n-g.  The act of moving snow from one place to another to get it out of your way. Due to the act of shoveling, I had an insult to my head causing some mild degree of loss of consciousness. In lay person terms, it means I slipped on the f-ing ice, hit my head against the stairs, and passed out.

Might I add, this happened the day after my scheduled yearly physical (which I strongly suggest everyone have–most insurances cover a free physical a year–definitely take advantage of that) where my doctor, who might be one of the rare physicians I can tolerate and admire, told me I was in fantastic shape, and wished his other patients could be more like me (come on, who does not want to be me?!?).

Less than twenty-four hours later, I had my non-scheduled visit to Northern Dutchess’ Emergency Department, all because of a little knock to the head.

This story does have a point, and I am getting to it slowly but surely.

I’m not a fan of hospitals. Scratch that. I’m not a fan of being a patient in a hospital. Furthermore, I’m not a fan of people telling me what I am and am not allowed to do. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer having people tell me what to do in work/ follow directions. But not when people tell me what to do with my life.

After hours in a painful neck brace (as the medical professionals were unsure of if I did any damage to my cervical spine when I fell, and I have no recollection of the first couple minutes after I hit my head), CT scans, an MRI, unexperienced nurses trying to start multiple IV’s (I prefer to keep my blood to myself, so make it hard for nurses/phlebolomists to access it…In the healthcare  field, I’m known as a “hard stick”), I found myself waiting anxiously behind a closed curtain in a cold emergency room, staring at the normal saline running into my AC. There was some disbelief in the fact that I was (1) it took three different nurses to start the IV after five attempts, even when I kept telling them to just go for my left arm because that’s where the veins are (they didn’t listen), (2) I was spending a day off work in a hospital and (3) that I had an injury while not training.

Finally, the ohsoverykind ED doctor decided to return and say hello and let me out of the incredibly uncomfortable C/S collar. Have I mentioned I worked in an ER and know what happens “behind the scenes,” making me somewhat impatient as a patient?

“Well, Molly. Good and bad news.Good news, scans are negative. No bleeding. Just a bump on the side of your head. With any head injury, it’s always more concerning when there is loss of some memory around the event, loss of consciousness, and vomiting–all which you had.”

I knew what news was coming before he continued to speak.

“Bad news is, you said you are training for a couple big races.”

“Yes.”

“That would explain why you have a resting heart rate of 52, which is good. Means your heart is in great shape.” Somehow I think he was veering off topic. This non-scheduled visit was because of my head, not my resting heart rate. I was annoyed.

“My medical advice is that you abstain from any physical activity for a while. We don’t know the extent of the damage, but after I what i just said, you did have some sort of brain injury, even if there was no evidence on the scans. Which means, no swimming, no biking. No running.”

“You’re telling me I’m not allowed to do those things? For how long?”

“I cannot stop you from doing what you do, but my advice is just to take it easy for a couple of weeks. You are a nurse, what would you tell your patients to do?”

Sigh, I hate when people say that, because I’m great at giving great advice that I never do myself. “You know, this really messes up my schedule.”

“I’m sorry.”

You get the point. He continued for another couple of minutes with discharge instructions and then finally stopped talking.

So, for four days, I’ve refrained from any physical activity, besides work. And, it’s driving me mad.

If you are an athlete who has been injured, you know how painful it is not to be able to do something you love. I’m antsy to get out and go for a run in this beautiful weather. Yes, I know it is freezing out. My bike misses me, I know it. I’m beginning to miss the taste of chlorinated water.

Long long story short (well, somewhat short), all will be well. But my training schedule must be modified. And  we’ll just have to see if I’ll be able to tolerate this lack of activity for much longer. Come visit my house, and you’ll notice it’s unusually clean, that all my clothes are now color coordinated (I noticed the majority of my jackets are orange, a blinding reflective color, or green–not weird at all), and I’ve baked more food than the inhabitants of Luxembourg could consume.

Running in the Cold and Snow

15 Jan 2011 1 Comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in Running Tags: ,

I’m not a fan of cold weather riding, or running, or doing anything which takes up lots of time in the frigid outdoors. Although, I do not mind activities such as snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, or mountaineering.Here is a little side story which does not really have anything to do with running, but I will get to the parallels between the two activities later, trust me.

A couple years ago I thought it would be fun to climb the Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc over summer break. If you aren’t familiar with those two mountains, the Gran Paradiso is the highest peak in Italy, and Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Europe. The climbs were very physically demanding–I even tried preparing myself for them throughout the summer. Have you ever seen those mountain climbing videos where the climbers just take one step at a time, slowly, taking seemingly forever to move two feet? I experienced that first hand. There is less oxygen the higher you go, which the body is not used to, and each footstep feels like you are moving a brick. (Many professional athletes train at higher altitudes which help the oxygen capacity in their blood. I did not have the foresight to do that).

Despite the layers of modified soft shell, then top jacket (Gore-Tex™), gaiters covering my climbing pants, and  awesome, heavy mountaineering boots, when we reached the top of the mountains (both times), I had no feeling whatsoever in my hands–even with three layers of mountaineering gloves on. I have poor circulation– and having Reynaud’s syndrome does not help me with my efforts to keep my fingers and toes from turning numb and useless phalanges.

My guide and I climbing on la Mer de Glace in '05, photo thanks to R. Geuss

Now, that was a useless story of my mountaineering adventures in Chamonix, France, and Italy. Incredibly challenging, both emotionally and physically. I did have a guide, and met great people along the way. Might I say perhaps some of the best times, and most challenging times of my life. However, the one issue that put a damper on the climbing experience was the fact I my hands were so cold they felt like someone was piercing them with knives (not helpful for tying knots, putting crampons on your boots, gripping an ice ax, or using rope at high altitudes, either).

How does climbing to an ascent of 13976 feet relate to running in Rhinebeck, NY, in -1 degree weather? The painful, numbing feeling I get in my hands.

Over the years, as I’ve “grown” and “learned” as a runner, I’ve found helpful hints, and have come across many interesting articles about this very issue of running in frigid weather. Ohh, if only it was in the 70’s, slight breeze, no humidity, then all would be perfect in the world. But that rarely happens in Upstate New York in the winter time. And  since running on a treadmill is simply not an option for me, I’ll have to grin and bear the cold and forecasted snow tomorrow for my 10 miler.  On the note of treadmills: they are fine for if one absolutely NEEDS to use one. But I despise them. They are boring, there are people are all around you, and as best I try, I always end up looking like a sweaty gross mess next to the neat, petite girl with the perfect pony tail and perfect body over on the elliptical trainer with barely a bead of sweat to be seen on her brow. I was blessed with the Geuss Genes…we sweat a lot an insane amount. Am I jealous of that petite gorgeous girl, who you can very tell takes all the attention of the guys over on the weight machines urging each other to get her number. Perhaps I might be, in that she does not look like she just took a shower and never bothered to towel off. Then again, I doubt that gorgeous nearly perfect girl is training for a half iron man in June. See my point? Too many distractions when running in a gym on a treadmill.

Yes, long run is scheduled for tomorrow. With my odd sleeping habits (damn you, night shifts), I fall asleep during the day and then am awake all night, even on my days off. Last night I decided to go for a run to make up for a run I had missed on Friday during the day. Only 5 miles. Sporting two layers of wicking long sleeve t-shirts, a hat, and thermal running pants. Oh, and then I had my head lamp and my reflective jacket. It was very chilly, -1° Fahrenheit, and, mind you, it was also midnight, so naturally, not the warmest part of the already cold day.

The run was fine, but it was chilly, and I forgot my balaclava (of course) which would have definitely given my face some shield from the bitter cold, and make breathing less painful.

I’m praying tomorrow will be slightly warmer,but am not losing my lack of sleep over it.

I’ve decided to include some helpful hints for those of you who just have an unbearable urge to run when it is in the negative degree digits.

  • Layer layer layer up. When you have more layers, you can shed them if you get hot, and then put them back on when you become sweaty and slightly cold.Each layer actually has a specific purpose, too (did you know that?)–similar to any cold weather activity. The top layer should be a waterproof shell of some sort which is breathable, like Gore-Tex™* especially if running in snow, because once the snow hits your warm body and melts, it turns into, basically, rain, so you want some sort of waterproof shield on your body. The base layer is your next-to-skin layer, and manages moisture produced by your body (aka sweat, for those of you who do produce it). Merino Wool is an option I prefer. Its soft and organic. The middle layer is the layer which is the insulating layer and is meant for trapping heat and warmth–such as a fleece.
  • Wear a hat, as up to 40% of body heat is lost through your head* (no, having hair does not mean you lose less heat that those who have no hair)
  • wear wool socks, not those super neat super cool technological socks. Wool has wonderful insulating properties, and helps wick sweat away and keeps your feet dry and warm. My preference is Merino wool (surprise!)- it’s soft and is not like wearing itchy wooly socks your grandmother  knit for you last christmas (or anything knit by your grandmother for christmas). Smartwool ™ actually has wool socks with compression capabilities! And we all know that compression socks feel so so insanely fantastic post recovery run…Even better than fantastic, they feel orgasmic on your legs–oops,did I just write that out loud?
  • A running scarf or balaclava are life savers for keeping your nose from falling off, and breathing less painful. Yes, you might look like a bank robber, but your body will thank you.
  • Running tights: wear special insulating/compression (or combination of both) running tights. If your knees have the tendency to get cold, you can also purchase knee warmers (no, not like the leg warmers seen by Jane Fonda in her aerobics videos). New Balance, CW-X, Craft and 2XU are brands that have great insulating running tights. (On a side note, I just purchased a pair of Craft pants for winter cycling, and they are a-m-a-z-i-n-g.)
  • Shoes! Very important! If your running in your shoes that you used to run in the summer, your feet are going to become soaked quickly, because summer running shoes are mostly mesh–very good for keeping your feet cool in hot weather–not so great for stopping slush, snow, and water from seeping in. Wear a shoe that is waterproof (Gore-Tex™ all the way!) and has good traction for the slushy roads. If need be, you can always get some Yaktrax (like everyday crampons) which fit on the bottom of the shoe. I knew someone who wanted to save money and duct-taped the mesh part of their running shoes to make them more waterproof. You could always go that route too, but the tape on the sole can be slippery (I tried it when saving money in college, ended up tripping on ice with a huge nasty bruise on my upper buttock…TMI?Let me just say it was painful to sit for a week).
  • One more item to add to the list (which I could write on and on about, and is a huge issue, especially when you have poor perfusion to your hands), you probably guessed it: gloves. If you do not have gloves, wear mittens. If you have nothing at all, wear socks (yes, I’ve sported socks on my hands when I could not find my gloves. They aren’t as fashion friendly,and probably a fashion faux-pas, but do a damn good job at keeping your fingers warm instead of nothing). There are oodles of gloves you can wear. Mittens are a better option for running, because having your fingers next to each other keeps them warmer than when they are separated (in gloves). I have a pair of gloves that have a shield like covering which you can flip over the fingers of the gloves, to act like mittens. However, let me warn you, they are not as warm as mittens.

I could go ahead and talk about cold weather cycling now, but will save you the pain of reading it–many concepts are the same. I hope I was able to provide some slightly useful information to the aspiring winter weather runner!

Happy Winter Running!

*courtesy of Runners World

Snow

17 Dec 2010 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in Running Tags: ,

Let me start by saying I’m not a huge fan of snow–the majority of my dislike towards the tiny frozen particulates stem from my inability to drive in it. When it snows, the roads get messy, making your car messy and more difficult to keep everything clean.

Tonight, however, I was reminded, how almost magical snow makes things.

Imagine this:

A clear, midnight blue dark sky, stars spattered across the sky, the moon out with no clouds to hide behind.

A farmers field, once the place of wheat or hay, now barren, except for a layer of crisp, white, snow, glittering from the moonlight.

A farmers road, never driven on or walked upon, with only the small traces of animal tracks criss-crossing all over the  fresh white layer of glistening layer of purity.

You don’t need your headlamp to run, because the snow reflects the sky.

You don’t need music. The whistling of the wind is enough to keep your mind at bay.

Your breathing is labored, but oddly that night, each breath comes without difficulty.

Everything is calm. You have no distractions. It’s only you, in a barren field, running, with the snow crunching under the force of each footstep.

You’re leaving your footprints; your mark in the world. No one may ever discover them. The snow may melt before they are seen. But you know they are there.

It is…Perfect.

Observations by a Land Mammal Turned Amphibian

08 Dec 2010 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in cycling, Running, swimming Tags: , , , ,

Yes, this land mammal is returning to her water roots, and finding amphibian life more complicated and difficult than she remembered. It seems like just yesterday I was starting my swim career at Pax River’s swimming pool. Boy, how times have changed.

Nowadays, between 3:30 and 4:30pm, you will likely find me spending time trying to grow gills at the pool. I was hoping my recent dates with chlorine would show some improvement in my swimming skills by now, but, I still seem to dread pool time, and continue to feel a need to gasp for air with every stroke and after each maneuver in the water. My attempts at flip turns are useless, and yet fifteen years ago, I could do them with my eyes closed.

I was discussing my swimming frustrations with my coach today who stated matter of factly, “You can’t be so hard on yourself, you just started swimming again.”

Dorothy was right, I can’t expect to be Nathalie Coughlin after a few sessions at Bard after a thirteen year swim hiatus. The only thing is, you cannot tell a perfectionist like myself perfection is hard to reach. “You have to give it time.”

Man, I really hate it when people tell me to “give it time,” even though I myself am guilty of telling others to do the same. Will I really be able to swim 1.4 miles by June without having a cardiac arrest?

I suppose “time” will tell.

Some observations I’ve noticed about swimming thus far:

1. Goggle marks around your eyes, and cap marks on your forehead, are not very sexy. Nor is wearing your swimsuit inside out, for that matter.

2. The black line at the bottom of the pool does not extend all the way up the sides of the pool.

3. Swimming hurts your thighs just as much as hill work on a bike. Try swimming 800 yards with a kick board.

4. I have not felt upper body fatigue like after a swim workout since my rock climbing days.

5. I’m hungrier after a 45 minute swim session than two hour bike ride, and have weird cravings for Ritz crackers after my time in the water.

Non-swimming related observations:

1. Brick workouts are painful, but an important part of multisport race training programs. They remind me of a quote about running: “running is like mouthwash, if you can feel the burn, it’s working.” Need inspirational/motivational quotes?Just ask.

2. Tears freeze to your cheeks when riding in cold weather. So do the other liquids that might come from your face, like your nose. Note: checking your reflection before going into a store after a ride in cold weather is strongly advised by yours truly.

3. I could easily own a European club with all the dance/techno/trance music on my workout playlists.

4. If compression socks are God’s gift to the recovering calves, then imagine what compression pants and shirt are to the body.

Miscellaneous Music Notes

Great tune for getting you out the door

JBT, bringing back memories of mishaps with Australian friends, is good for sprinting

And for a steady incline

But, Baby, It’s Cold Outside…

03 Dec 2010 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in cycling, Running Tags: , ,

It really was cold outside. And is today. I don’t quite understand why banks in the U.S. tell you the time and temperature outside on those flashing boards, but it is handy in reaffirming the non-welcoming idea that it is becoming too cold to ride outside.

Then again, 35 isn’t freezing yet.

It’s almost the end of my first week of training, which was not too bad. As my trainer said, it won’t be too bad until the weeks in April when I’ll be spending 15hrs a week either bike/swim/or running when I’ll be re-thinking why I’m doing such a race. Thus far, I managed to STICK to the plan, and might I add, is the first week I’ve ever stuck to a training plan in my LIFE. Ok, well, I followed the swimming and running, but did a bit more on the bike rides, just because the inability to feel my extremities was so fun I needed to be on my bike more than 60 minutes. To be honest, I do not think I’ve ever gone for a 6o minute bike ride, unless under racing conditions. I simply don’t feel like that is a workout, same as I feel a 3mile run is nothing–except, again, under racing conditions. However, racing is different. You are pushing yourself beyond your natural limits, with your legs and body despising you throughout the whole race…If you compete in races, you know exactly what I mean. There is no other feeling like finishing a race exhausted, in pain, and feeling like you are going to puke your guts out.

 

"Mol, what are you doing?" "I lost a screw for the odometer." "I think you've lost screws in your head."

Swimming

My time at Bard has been getting better and better. Despite my watch breaking, so it’s harder to keep track of lap/lap time, and consuming too much chlorinated water, I think I’m improving. First two times in the pool I despised it. Now, I don’t mind heading to the pool, especially when the weather is horrible outside. I still suck at the sport, and while I’m gasping for air, the 70 year old lady in the lane next to me is (1)swimming faster than me and (2) makes it look so natural. I kick myself now for stopping swimming when I was thirteen years old. I’ve learned to completely shut off my brain (which, for me, who thinks 24/7, is pretty impressive) when I swim, and just concentrate on strokes…And not drowning, or swimming into the person next to me.

Biking

My rides this week have been going well, no change there.I went for a training ride yesterday and passed a sign declaring it was only 35 degrees out. For some odd reason, my frozen fingers and toes could have sworn it was more like 32. I guess if I want to spend as much time as possible off my trainer, the inability to feel your phalanges will be a phenomenon I’ll need to get used to. Unlike the running and swimming where I’ve followed my plan to the T, my rides have been a bit longer, simply because I hate my trainer. Despite my three layers of socks and two sets of gloves, I still get cold. Just a helpful hint, it’s a bit dangerous riding with your hands in fists to try to gain feeling back into your fingers, because when you need to break or shift….Just trust me on that one. Don’t do it.

Running

The running is fine. I’m actually getting better at that discipline, I feel the burning-of-thighs-and-lungs by doing hill work on my bike have definitely helped my tolerance for pain running up hills. My pace is actually quicker than it was before I had begun cycling again, as seen by the 5k race I did last week.

Random Thoughts

Food

I’ve heard hardcore endurance athletes concerned about what they eat–glycemic index of foods, people who watch their carbohydrate/fat/protein intake. At one point in my life, it was an obsession, I admit it. Everyone has that phase. Then I realized I love food too much to worry about what I eat.

Until work the other night, when I found myself looking at the carb content, fat, and protein of peanut butter (graham crackers and peanut butter seem to be my staple meal while working…we never had peanut butter at the Children’s Hospital where I used to work). A colleague of mine noticed me looking at the Nutrition label and stated, “You are one of those athletes who is concerned at the content of food, aren’t you?”

I jumped at first, not because of his comment, but because he scared me. Then, it dawned on me, “Holy crap, I’m looking at the nutrition content of food.”

Have I become a crazy, obsessed, nutritional freak?

No, not yet. I’ll start becoming concerned about my “peak racing weight” after the holidays.

I did notice that on little containers of peanut butter there is a warning that the “Product contains nuts.” So, for those of you who are allergic to nuts, please, do not eat PeaNUT Butter.

Men

Apparently, according to a friend, I intimidate men. Honestly, I do not understand how I am intimidating. I’m the most approachable, non-intimidating person on the existence of this planet. But my friend noticed a conversation I had with a male the other day, and brought it to my attention that some men do not find it attractive when your response to their answer is a long sigh with a frown on your face, or when you try to contain your laughter after they speak.

“Mol, your obsession with racing is just intimidating to men.”

“It’s not like I asked him what his PR for a mile is or anything.”

The conversation went like this:

Me: “Do you run at all?”

(Let’s call him B): “Ugh, please. I don’t understand how people find it appealing to run for no reason.”

Me: “Do you like to bike?”

B: “Mmm, no, not really.”

Me: “What’s not really mean?”

B: “I hate it.”

Me (feeling like someone just jabbed me in the heart with a knife and, according to my friend, had a “disgusted” look on my face): “Oh. How about hiking?”

B: “I did once this summer when it was warm.”

Me: “What do you do for fun then?”

B: “I whittle.”

Me (after trying to contain laughter and, I guess, too long of a pause, and deep inhale): “Oh…”

B: “What do you like to do?”

Me: “Everything you hate.”

How is that intimidating? Okay, in all honestly, he lost 175% of my attention when he said he hates biking. But, I was able to hold a straight face when he said he whittles for fun. Please, no offense to you whittlers out there. I give you lots of credit, because you are able to carve intricate items out of wood. I cannot slice tomatoes without somehow slicing my finger by accident. Just fair warning, my life revolves around running, cycling, and swimming. You’re digging yourself a bigger grave when you say you hate one of those activities.

More Randmoness

Below is a short video; I cannot help but laugh when I watch it. No, I’m not training for a full Ironman. I need to conquer the HIM, and just triathlons in general without dying, before that can happen. Although, I do know when next years Lake Placid race is…

Yes, I’m crazy.

Running for a Cure/ Turkey Trot

25 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in Running Tags: , ,

I just completed my first 5k since June- the Rhinebeck Turkey Trot to benefit Ferncliff Forest, and man, I miss running races. It was a small event, but my time was 24:33–slower than my PR of  20min for a 5k, but I was happy with my result.

Note: it is not advisable to sprint a mile to get to the starting line of the race from your house because you are running behind on time. I’m always early for races, except for this one. Even still, the time wasn’t too bad, and I came second in my age group.

I’ve decided to sign up for the NYC 1/2 marathon in March, as good preparation for my race in June (since the end of Mooseman has a 1/2 marathon). My friend just completed the Philly Marathon for the American Cancer Society, and there are lots of different charities out there you can run for. When I did the Boston Marathon, I ran for the Boston College Campus School. After learning about a great aunt who passed away from a brain tumor which spread to her lungs and bone, I feel that the ACS is the charity I want to run for most. Plus, I’ve lost many loved ones and friends to cancer, know people who have beat it, and know people who are still struggling against it.

Below is a link to my personal page:

Molly’s Page

I’ve never run in New York before, so this will be a first. And there’s nothing better than running for something that’s close to your heart.

Training for a triathlon

28 Oct 2010 Leave a comment

by rendezvouswithsneakers in Running Tags: ,

Recently, someone gave me some information on Mooseman in June:

“Be prepared for a possible cold swim. Two and three years ago the water temp was in the high 50’s. This past year was a fluke with water in the high 60’s. I don’t expect it to be that warm next year.

Be ready for a huge climb on the bike (2-3 miles, gets steeper as it goes); in other words, if you can, preview the climb and adjust your gearing accordingly. I pushed a 39×25 up that hill and that was too hard of a gear to push, for me. They tried to make it a one loop bike course last year, but made it a modified two loop (due to bad roads). Hopefully they can make it a one loop this year, which will make the course climb up that hill once, instead of twice.”

and someone else replied:

“Did the 70.3 as my first HIM ever last year. It’s a beautiful course…. pretty tough too, since it was raining for a good part of it. A friend DNF’d because he’s a no-body-fat runner, got hypothermia on the bike — teeth chattering and hands shaking with wet slippery brake levers is no way to go down that one big hill on the course.

That hill is tough. You go up it twice. You kind of step-ladder up it, until the very sharp climb at the end. Doable, though I saw a lot of people walking their bikes too.”

After reading those two comments, I admit, I was somewhat nervous, since I am not a fan of biking hills.Nor becoming hypothermic. Alas, the time has come for me to prepare for the training program for the HIM. I consider this this time as a “warm up” for the actual training program, since the plan does not start for another couple of weeks.

This is the first time I’ve actually searched and studied training plans. I briefly touched upon the fact that I do not really train for races–for marathons I’ve done, something would come up and interfere with my training, so I’d end up saying, “oh, bag it!”For my “training” that I did do, for recent duathlons, I didn’t really follow a plan; I would just run and ride my bike on my days off, or quick run before work. My sleep habits were poor- my body did not seem to know which way was up, and which was down, which affected how I was able to train.

A triathlon training plan encorporates weekly scheduled  bike, runs, and swim sessions. There are days where you need to both swim and run, or days that you run and bike. There are workouts which are built on endurance, and on speed. There are also workouts where you work on transitions. The first couple weeks build on base endurance through tough work and periods of recovery.

Over time, the amount of hours you spend training increases- as the workouts get longer, they also get harder. This is going to be a challenge with a rotating schedule like I have.

The plan I’m following suggests doing activities outside if you can (fine by me!). But, a major fact is I miss most of the daylight from my job. (That’s why I run in the night, and just bought a Kurt Kinetic Road Bike trainer, so I can bike indoors). The cold, crappy weather, however, should not affect my ability to train at Bard.

For my training today (first training day, woohoo!), I went for a five mile run on the treadmill since it was pouring outside. I’m not a fan of treadills, but if there is a hard rainfall and dark outside, I’m taking it to the gym. Treadmills are not that bad-they help when you want to do speed intervals. But honestly I prefer to run outside as much as I can.

I also went to the pool this afternoon around noon, which was a time designated for lap swimmers. There are different workouts that can be done. I just swam for 50minutes.The swim actually went well, and tomorrow my workout will be a total of 1000yards. By the end of the training. your swim workout leads you to swill 2500 yards to prepare for the 1.4 mile swim at the race.

I could actually go on about this. There are numerous books out on the market for triathlon training, The Triathlete’s Training Bible by Joe Friel, is excellent….I’ll be sure and keep you updated!

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