Tuesday Tidbits

Just a random mish mash of things on my mind or happening lately.

1. Getting an online order delivered is like getting presents, even though you are the one that bought it. I love that there was absolutely no packaging but the goods in the box, I hate those peanuts and air bags! I got a pull buoy and paddles to help me perfect my stroke and another suit since a little variety is nice.

2. I can't wait until my hammock gets here on Wednesday, it has been too long since I have been able to relax in the back yard reading a book. I broke the last one 2 years ago and I miss it soo much.

3. My husband finally has come around with hummus, he now loves it!! And now I need to start stocking up on the grocery store because one container now only lasts a few days. Darn him for eating me out of my favorite snack.

4. Eastbay cracks me up, this is about the fifth month in the row I have received two catalogs delivered. Apparently they can't figure out I'm the same person because the only thing different is my last name. I think it's about time to let them in on the little secret!

5. Tonight is the Fleet Feet Pub Run and I'm looking forward to a low-key run and some beers afterward with my running peeps.

6. Starting to think about what I need to pack for this weekend's race and a race outfit, but I'm sure the weather will change it's mind a few times between now and then! Only 3 more days until I am getting ready to leave. Can't wait to get this medal and then pop open a bruski with it.

7. I officially signed up for the Fox Cities Marathon in September so there is no turning back now. Training starts in a mere 4 weeks. EEEEKKK!!!

8. I can't decide if I want to cut my hair. It's finally at a length long enough that I can do alot with it, but it's so gosh darn heavy and full. I need to get layers put in or just cut it off again for the summer, which is probably the likeliest option. I guess I will see if I have enough to donate it for the fourth time. I mean so many people want my hair so why not?

9. Blogger meetup at the WI Marathon this weekend, meet in the Food Tent before the race if you want to meet some crazy amazing bloggers.

10. I need to get my ass back to yoga. I need the relaxation as I feel like stress is creeping into my life more than it needs to be and my muscles could use the hot sweatfest to stretch them out. I creeped my husband out the other day for having man calves!

11. I try to do some yardwork and I got attacked, that bush came out of nowhere!

I'm going to end it here since I like to be an oddball :) :)

Sunday Sweatdown

This week was all about getting in my 3 runs, bikes and swims and get myself into that habit. I did manage to do everything altough the mileage on a few could have been a little higher but that will come with time.

Monday
3.7mile Memorial Run for Boston - I toughed this out with tired legs after my incredible PR the day before. So inspirational to see the turnout and those wearing their jackets. This was followed with a few beers and good friends!

Tuesday
1200m swim - Completed in two 600m sets, trying to build up a bit of endurance and yet maintain a good speed.

Wednesday
Rest day. I met up with a good friend for dinner and drinks and ran into some family as well. Hung out with my favorite bartender until we managed to empty out the place, nobody wanted to come visit!

Thursday
3.2 mile test ride on my new bike (aka the black stallion) and managed the clip in pedals decent enough, no falls at least!

walking with clip-in shoes is ridiculous

and so is my mushroom head.

1.8mile run - went off for my run after hopping off the bike, felt slight pain in my right shin and decided not to push it.

Friday
1600m swim - no breaks other than swimming on my side for a small chunk to fix my swim cap and flip turned it the whole time. I am still figuring those out so half the time I don't think I am doing it correctly.

13mile bike - there was some serious wind going on but I didn't let it deter me, but I failed and the route I planned I thought would be a crosswind but instead was at my back the way out and facing a 20mph headwind the whole way home. UGH!!

Saturday
6.1mile run - my legs were feeling dead so at 2,4 & 6 I stopped to walk for a bit and my right shin seems to have a minor shin splint going on now so I didn't do the planned 8. The day was absolutely gorgeous in the mid 60s here today but I am just not used to since we haven't seen anything higher than about 45 here so far.

Sunday
14.5mi bike - Rode over to babysit my nephews for a few hours and then headed out for farther before turning around and heading home. I need to plan my routes a little better as I keep ending up with wind in my face the whole way back. Can't complain about the near 70 degree weather though!

2 hr swim clinic- Put on by the Tri City foxes (local triathlon club) so I can help improve my swimming technique and gain a little ground there. It's always nice having someone else watch and point out what you are missing. We even did a drill for swimming with people cramming you on both sides and a mass start which was great!

This week's goal is to maintain the workload of 3 workouts each and add in my strength as I know I need to keep on it. It's also Wisconsin Half Marathon on Saturday and a getaway weekend!

What are your goals this week?

Race Recap: Oshkosh Half Marathon

My first distance race of the year was Sunday for the Oshkosh Half Marathon. I was really looking forward to this race as I had done the relay last year and I only knew the second half of the course. It's a really flat course and my first shot this year to get a sub 2 half. I was hoping that today would be the day, but I didn't really have any nerves and I was going into this race knowing I would be able to PR.

The one thing I liked about the packets for this year was you got to choose your Spring Bag color for the race, but they had no purple so this what I chose. I hate that MSE use Zorrel as the fabric on the tech shirts just feels really weird, and the shirt design leaves alot to be desired!

I traveled it alone for the 15 minutes it took to get to the race and I just pulled into a parking lot nearby as I was later than I wanted to be. I left my phone in the car so I was hoping I would be able to find my peeps. I headed straight for the porta potties and as I got close Kim popped out from one. I wished her good luck and hoped I would be able to find the rest of the group later. I also spotted my aunt and her twin that were walking the race and talked to them for awhile and I spied the rest of the group. Matt & Brian were running the relay and Kim & Rachel were supposed to run the relay but instead just ran the race together.

I lined up right behind the 2:00 hr pacer so I would keep myslef back at the start. Someone asked if she was going to walk the aid stations and she said every other they would walk through. So at the second aid station I eased ahead of the group right before the trail section. You had to stop to get onto the trail as there was a bridge only 2 people wide for the access point from the cemetary. Once we got onto it I was happy to see it was not flooded, which I was expecting due to all the rain we have had. I then spied Kim & Rachel ahead and was hoping at some point I could catch up to them. Once I did I spooked Rachie with an ass grab she will not soon forget!!

I stalked them for most of the race and it helped me keep the pace even. I could feel it catching up to me at about 7.5 miles and the thoughts started creeping into my head to take a quick walk break, but I did not want to lose sight of my goal. I managed to talk myself out of it and by that time I had 4 miles left so I just kept chugging. Finally the turn for mile 12 came and the wind was at our back for the straightaway heading back to the finish.

I crossed the finish line with a time of
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1:57:53     BOOOOMM!

Overall:                           487/1119
Gender:                           190/630
Division (30-34):             38 /118

This is the only photo of myself I can grace with you since I ran like the wind and the photographers could not get me!!

So far, 3 races this year......and 3 PR's. I am loving it! Although I am looking forward to having a couple fun races now that I have hit some of those tough goals.

Hard work does pay off, just keep workin!!
And writin that shit down makes you push for it even more!