Quick Update

The beach was fun.  I shan't go into details at the moment, but I ate, I drank too much, I went on two long bike rides and managed not to get lost but do have finger print marks from trying to apply sunscreen on my own back.  I kissed no boys and I didn't swim.  Swimming and kissing were assumed to be part of the beach scenario but, alas, the water was too cold and I needed to get my bearings and boundaries before breaking the spell.

For triathlon, this is a build week.  Or something.  I didn't get home until 12:30 tonight and the pool was obviously closed.  We'll see.  Even though I'm a horrific biker, I have some confidence that I will get the race done ... its hard to balance triathlon and the beach and work and the beach and the potential kissing;) but as long as I stay focused on staying healthy and having fun and not drowning and finishing the race and having fun it'll be fine.

Thursday, which is only two sleeps away (not something I would normally say but its technically Wednesday even though I haven't gone to bed on Tuesday yet), I head to Chicago where I will hopefully have dinner or at least a drink with my good friend Dave (who is getting no more links on this blog.  for now.) and his gf/better-half/bff/roommate who I've never met but heard is lovely and then I might crash a bachelorette party to see some of my other friends and/or just hang out with my chicago friend and her awesome hubby.

Friday I'll run by the lake, get a pedicure and then HEAD TO MY TEN YEAR COLLEGE REUNION.  I'm excited and nervous and hope it is fun almost as much as I hope that I get through the mountain of crap that I have to get through between now and then!

Oooh, I also got a new camera with which I will hopefully post some pics soon.

Ok.  Bye.

Reason No. 846 Why Everyone Should Have a Coach

aka, Harriman More-or-Less Olympic Distance Race Report

I was nervously anticipating this race because it was the first race that I had both planned to do (well, I planned to do Bassman, but only a few days ahead, this race had been on the calendar for awhile) and I had trained for it (unlike last year when most of my races were hope for the best type affairs). The anticipation was nervous because the water was expected to be VERY COLD and the bike was VERY HILLY (I rode the course last weekend, so knew this to be true - the statement that there would by 2800 feet of elevation gain over the 28 mile course was not a lie). We were in the first wave and were not slated to go off until 10:30 ... the ability to sleep in, and sleep in at home, was nice. Perhaps nice enough to make me forget the cold water and the insane course if I'm still in triathlon mode come next season. We'll see.

There were some logistical issues race morning but we arrived to the site with plenty of time to spare and were greeted by some pretty strong winds and not very warm temperatures. We registered and read, in awe, that the water was FIFTY-FOUR DEGREES (that's Fahrenheit, and that's cold!). Wetsuited up, I made my way into the lake with very little complaining and swam around for a bit. My face, hands and feet were quickly numb ... but it wasn't that bad.

The 'warm-up' should have served to 'cool us down' so that we were used to functioning in the cold water. Unfortunately, warm up/cool down ended and we were left to stand around in the sun, in our wetsuits and get warm before the swim started from the beach ... the beach start was a first for me but the gun went off and we were into the water ...

The Swim - belatedly victorious

And it was quite the shock to the system. Almost immediately people succumbed to (double armed?) backstroke and breast stroke. I made it around the first buoy and took a 30 second breather at a kayak ... and it was here the I learned reason No. 846 why its good to have a coach: when its cold and you're lips are blue and you're hanging out with the kayaker and it would be much easier to swim in and call it a day alot of things go through your head. For me, I knew that if I pulled out of this swim, I would never do another triathlon. I can't explain why, I just know me, and know that it'd be over. That would have a lot of ramifications - I'd probably loose touch with my triathlon friends, I'd have to figure out a new way to stay in shape, I'd have to find a thing to fill up my time and I'd have to tell people why I wasn't training and racing. The last two ramifications were the hardest to swallow in my 30 seconds with the kayaker. I took up triathlon to fill a void, and without it, that void would be back. I often joke about becoming a yogi, but honestly, I don't know that I could do yoga for 7-14 hours a week. I'd also have to tell my friends (all of whom would understand - I think my triathlon friends would get that this is such a commitment and sometimes its hard and understand with maybe a small bit of jealousy and a fair bit of smugness at being able to solider on and my 'other' friends would think that FINALLY I had seen the light and decided to adopt a more normal lifestyle), my family (who would, for the most part, think that I'd finally now have time to find a husband), my co-workers (who would wonder what on earth they were going to talk to me about now, and would probably think it confirmed that girls are weak and they shouldn't have hired one) and my coach. And this was the hardest. What would I say to Liz? Would she keep 'coaching' me if I refused to race? If not, would I be firing her? She's awesome, so I wouldn't want to do that. And even if it all worked out, I figured she'd think I was a dork for being a quitter and it would sort of vaguely remind me of being the girl growing up in the sporty town and being *encouraged* to play sports with balls and eye hand coordination and being AWFUL at them, always making the last out and feeling like such an outcast. And I don't want to be an outcast - I'm happy being the slow one in the group but I want to be in the group, and the coach more than the triathlon friends somehow makes me feel like part of the group. So, while a summer of margarita drinking at the beach and casual bike rides sounded fun, I assumed it was the hypothermia setting in and decided there was only one way out of the water and into the warm parking lot and that was around the next 2 buoys and so I thanked the kayaker and went on my way*. I swam for the next 22 or so minutes stopping only to realize again and again how horribly off course I was. I swam a circle around the triangle of buoys and finally, finally got out of the water. And even though it took 30:xx minutes until I crossed into transition (only 28 minutes of swimming though, there was a long, sandy run/walk out of the water) and even though it took several more minutes before I realized that I did in fact still have feet, hands and lips, I consider that swim a victory.

T1

Why is it so hard to get your wetsuit over your chip? There should be a better way. I put on socks, and a long sleever (and gloves, glasses, shoes and helmet) and 3:xx later I was out of there hoping to get warm on the bike.

The Bike - mission accomplished

I had two goals for this race: to ride the course faster than I did in the test ride the weekend before and to go faster than 29.8 mph on the downhill. I made the first goal with :50 to spare (finishing the 28 mile course in 2:14:xx) and went 32MPH ON THE DOWNHILL. Other than that, things were pretty much as I thought they would be. Because I knew sort of where I was at all times, I kept the computer on time and cadence and didn't worry about speed or distance. One of the people I rode the course with warned of two things: if you didn't slow down heading into the hairpins you'd skid out and crash and if you didn't gear down in advance of the big hill you'd drop your chain. Both happened, in fact one guy in front of me, dropped his chain and just fell over. I can't really articulate how giving and friendly some of the people in my tri-club are.

There were a large number of people riding the course in the race shirt, to a certain extent this might have been because they were too cold for sleeveless coming out of the ice bucket but, if not, what would they have done if they ran out of shirts? Did they really like that shirt so much that they opted for it over the one they brought from home?

T2

Nothing to see here. Carry on. 1:xx.

The Run - icing

Homemade icing. Not the overly sugary kind in the can. Despite being thirsty and it being hot and my legs being trashed and there not being enough water stops, I ran and I ran strong (for me). I was breathing hard for the first mile but I put my head down (metaphorically) and ran. For awhile, I thought I was cruising toward a 10K PR (in which case my coach would have gotten a raise, or at least some sort of coffee gift) but alas, the mile markers were off. But I finished only walking the water stops (of which there were not many) and running even splits and given all I had been through that day it was really more than I could have asked for. 1:03:xx

Later

After a nap and a shower some of the tri/running girls met up for beers and burgers. A fun way to end a fun (albeit long) day. Sore, full and sleepy with a smile on my face.

The end.

*If you doubt that I had all those thoughts in 30 seconds, I assure you I did. Which means that every night before you go to bed, you should count not having to live with my brain in your head among your blessings.

The Teacher and The Lawyer

"So you avoided him, stalked him and then found out that he sneakily got married behind your back?"

That's not exactly how I would have phrased it, but yes.  He was/is a lawyer and its important to note that before I avoided him I befriended him in a flurry of emails and make outs right up until he avoided me, which he did until I relocated to the Big City and ran into him at a random neighborhood bar (because really, the Big City isn't that big) at which point we resumed our friendship and emails without the making out ... which was good because I was also sort of dating the teacher at that time.  I think that those few weeks might have been the most complicated my love life has ever gotten ... wanting to date the lawyer, or at least have him want to date me, but actually dating the teacher and liking him as well.  Eventually they both went away, first the lawyer, then the teacher, suddenly gone.  With the teacher it made sense, but with the lawyer I was confused.  It was an on/off switch that got flipped. Twice.  We just stopped talking and never ran into each other again until I found myself on the same corner as him this weekend and pretty much ran into on coming traffic to avoid an encounter. 

So I avoided.  And then looked him up on our mutual alumni site and realized that he's married.  I immediately wished that I had noticed the girl he was with and wondered how he managed to get married without me knowing.  I mean I googled him at least once a year ... it seems it should have come up.

But it didn't.  And I'm certainly not upset to learn he's married, just a bit surprised.  And kind of I wonder why we couldn't have remained at least casual friends - the first time I ever rode the subway I was with him and he introduced me to one of my favorite burger joints ... but I guess the friend to friends that make out transition is easier than the friends that make out to casual friends transition.  Which is troubling.  Even though it makes sense.

Blah, blah, blah

It was a long week preceded by a long weekend.  Work was stressful ... for no real reason, just because it wasn't cake.  And because I was expected to be the one to know things, and I do know them, but because I'm the only one to know them, there was no there to confirm that I know what I know I know.  And all my fears and insecurities came to the surface (well, that might be a bit extreme ... let's just say I was tense).  Got it?

Yeah.  Me either.

All I know is that the tension made me nauseous and tired and working out, well, other than one good swim, it was crappy (when it was anything at all).

And then my mother picked a fight with me, because she was mad at my brother!  And of the three of us, my brother, my sister and I, I'm the sensitive one.  I'm the one that takes it all to heart and winds up crying hysterically at work  And while I have an office all lined up as soon as someone is ready to kick off the domino effect, right now I'm in a cube.  Which is not conducive to hysterics, so I had to hide in the conference room until I could breath.  And when I finally had it out of my mind, she called to apologize which got me upset all over again because WHY would you do that to ME when you know that you could it to the other two and they'd say "ok" and hang up the phone?

Anyway.

I needed to eat without puking and sleep for my road trip tomorrow (more on that later) but I wanted to run a little bit ... to make up for this week's crappiness.  But its pouring.  And once I start running outside I hate the t.mill.  So ... I needed new music.  Right?  Right.

I'm not a huge music affectionado (although, this blog is named after a cowboy mouth song), which is to say, that I'm not all adventurous and going to shows and out there finding the next great thing.  But if someone tells me about a band, I'll listen.  As long as it has words, that I can understand, that make sense, that tell a story*.  At my old job, a coworker would lend me cds (which is how i came to like the hold steady), I'd listen to them on the t.mill and decide if I liked them.

But, alas, I'm not at my old job.  So here I am, at the end of a crappy week, forced to go for a quick t.mill run and no one to ask for some new tunes (I suppose I could have asked the old co-worker but, except for this blog, I try not to advertise my Friday night lameness).  And then I remembered reading good things about the raconteurs.  I was hesitant, because I'm not sure if the guy that wrote the good things, determines if he likes a song based on its lyrics (does anyone do that?).  But I listened to some of the itunes clips and it seemed okay and it was Friday night and I was desperate for something, anything sort of good to happen ... so  I bought an album (yeah, I know.  a bit all or nothing. but how would i choose?) and I listened to it on the t.mill right up until my run began to suck (given the little I ate today, I can't complain) and then in the kitchen while I ate and ... that shit is awesome!  I'll need more time before I come up with a favorite line, but I can go to bed knowing that there was one good thing in a week of bile producing insecurity.  And that gives me hope that tomorrow's field trip might not be a complete failure.  And that I can use my knowledge of this band to counteract my previously professed obsession with James Blunt;)

*Seriously.  I have favorite lines, more than songs.  Like EVERY word of So Much Fun or, for the Hold Steady: "I've had kisses that made Judas look sincere."  Wouldn't you love to spit that at someone?  You make Judas seem sincere!  Followed by the slam of a door and the flip of some hair. 

Priceless

From the New York Times:

"James Carville helpfully told Eleanor Clift of Newsweek that if Hillary gave Obama one of her vehicles of testicular fortitude, 'they’d both have two.'"

A Random Thing Happened on the Way to Piermont

But first, before we get to that, a few things.  My single-ness is well documented on this website as are my efforts to not drown on July 13th (the date of the Big Race).  But with the summer and my summer house fast approaching, and my recent propensity to be hung over after two beers, I decided that I needed to focus and really fine tune my training ... so that come summer I can have more than 2 beers and stay out past 10 and STILL get up early to swim/bike/run.  So, Friday night (after a fun and productive trip to target), when I could have easily gone home, ordered in and gone to bed, I went out to dinner and then to the bar and STILL got up at 6 am to cycle the next day.  Go.Me.  And Saturday, after getting up at 6 am, biking 50 miles, running 1.5 miles and visiting grandma, I went out again until 12:30.  You can admit it, I know you're impressed.

Anyway, Saturday was chilly, but my friend Christine and I had vowed to ride to Piermont and the three boys that showed up for the group ride seemed to be on board, so we were off.  The boys usually take off on the these rides and we/I follow behind.  They wait for us at the obvious stopping points, we re-group and solider on.  We had regrouped for the last time before Piermont, our goal.  We had chosen the coffee shop at which we would meet when we got to our Goal (we were each in various stages of under-dressedness and none of us had full fingered gloves on, we needed to HOLD the coffee more than we needed to drink it at this point).  I admitted that I didn't know where to turn to get to our Goal, but Christine said she knew the way.

The first place we turned led us down a big hill to ... a dead end.  Where we saw 4 adults walking 8 dogs and I promptly FREAKED OUT on the inside but managed to hold it together on the outside and even TOUCHED one of the dogs (with the palm of my gloved hands, no skin touched the dog) in an effort to get accurate directions.  Because, not only did we now have to go UP the big hill, it was raining ... and the rain was coming down harder by the second.  We needed to get to the coffee shop and we needed to get there soon without anymore diversions.

We went up the hill and to the intersection where the dog walking people told us to turn but we weren't sure if it was right, we called the boys who should have been there by now, but they didn't answer.  We didn't want to waste more time so we asked a solo cyclist who was coming from where we thought Piermont was .... he shouted "its back that we, but I'm lost too."

Awesome.

We headed in the general direction from which he came, went the wrong way at one fork in the road, turned around and then, then saw signs for our Goal.  Just in time, because it was REALLY raining now.  And it was cold.  The guy we asked for directions passed us, reconfirming that we were going in the right direction (or were all hopelessly lost, I suppose) and as he passed I thought he looked familiar.  Like someone I went to college with maybe?  But I wasn't sure who, and it was a vague resemblance and its hard to know what someone REALLY looks like in cycling gear.  

But when we were almost there we passed him ... on the side of the road on the phone and it really did look like this guy, Brian.  Sort of.  Christine yelled out that she knew the way now, and potential guy from college, clipped in and followed us along.  Finally, finally in the warmth of the coffee shop, the direction/potential guy from college was behind us in line and I said, "Did you go to My College?"  And he said, "Yes.  K.Michele, right?"  I was floored that he knew my name.  Honestly, I would have been surprised that he knew my name in college - he was good friends with my roommate, but we shared very few words between us during those four years, so I really didn't think he'd recognize me now, ten years later.  We chatted.  He's training for IMLP (which is why I didn't recognize him right away, his body has totally changed), introduced me to his gf (who somehow got there first ... either she's speedy or he put in a bunch of miles and was meeting her for the end of his ride).

At any rate, what are the odds of getting lost in the rain on a bike 25 miles from home and asking some guy for directions and having it be someone you know (or knew 10 years ago)?

Random.

Finally, I know this isn't fast for the vast majority of people out there, but you know those 10 minute miles I lost after the marathon?  Lately, I've found them on occasion, but today, after my 50 miles of bike riding and 1.5 mile run off yesterday I ran 9 of them.  So, I think I can say that they are back.  Hopefully for good.  Or at least through July 13th.  

I'm scared.

Look at the little inset in the bottom left hand corner.

If I was more technically inclined, I'd know how to just show you the inset and to make it bigger, but, alas, I'm not technically inclined ... in fact I just learned how to link words like this, if I knew how to do this earlier I would have given the appropriate credit for my earlier idea about open water swimming.

Anyway, I digress. The point of this post, is that I'm scared. That looks like one big hill to me. The run doesn't look like a walk in the park either, but there is really no point being scared of the run until I convince myself I can finish the bike.

Sooooo, with that being said, I'm off to do my long run because that is what is on my schedule. And later, when I stop being scared, I'll tell you about the crazy thing that happened on my bike ride yesterday!