I've been a traveling fool lately.
Des Moines last week; Tempe this week; Charlotte next week. Hubby is manning the house and cats here in Minneapolis as I'm racking up the frequent flyer miles.
I don't typically mind the travel. It is kind of nice to have a change of work scenery; I enjoy seeing my co-workers in the different cities; nice to have a little change of pace.
Des Moines in February, though: not so nice. Especially during a blizzard. Snow, winds, freezing temps. I could get that just staying at home. TEMPE in February, on the other hand: quite very nice. Sunny, dry pavements, temperatures above 32 degrees. The temps were "chilly" for Tempe -- only getting in to the 60s, but considering air temps were in the single digits during the day in Minneapolis (and below zero during the night), I was quite happy to be in Arizona this week. Charlotte should be nice too -- not hot, but not freezing.
When I travel, I always find a health club or a "Y" or a natatorium so I can get workouts in. And usually, I'm pretty diligent. The last couple of weeks were more difficult to squeeze every thing in. Blizzards make it tough for the tiny rental car to mow through snow piles to get to the gym; meetings, dinner invitations from the boss are hard to turn down. So, although I did get some workouts in, I didn't get all my training in.
Yes, I feel guilty about it....
But, one more trip and then I'm done for a while. I can get back in to my routine. (On a sad note, once I settle back in at home, Hubby starts his three-week travelfest, so I'll be home, but he'll be on the road. I think we'll be in the same city again some time in late March...)
One very positive thing: I placed 3rd in my age group at this year's Tri U Mah indoor triathlon. I covered 12.224 miles in 90 minutes. (My best personal distance for this event.)
The first place woman is some one I know. She used to be part of a running club that I belonged to. She is a very speedy runner. I went further than she did during the swim; she slightly beat me on the bike; and then she kicked my a$$ on the run.
I was faster in the water AND on the bike than the woman who came in second. Again, I got my running shoe handed to me during the run.
My training plan hasn't focused much on running time or pace lately (obviously), but all that swimming and spinning paid off.
My coach reminded me that I'm right where I should be for February.
And tonight, that means I'm happily at home with Hubby and the cats.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, June 4, 2009
NY = No Go, Buddy Can You Spare a Dime???
So, lottery results are in for New York, but alas, I am not.
I have at least one friend who IS in, but I'll wait for Friend X to let the world know...
I'm bummed, but not totally hopeless.
I could potentially get in by being a Charity Runner. I'll be mulling over this option for a day or two and then decide.
There is a part of me that says "Okay, you didn't get in. Let the chips lie where they may".
Another part says "HEY! You are only getting older. You want to try to get in to NY next year AND potentially do IM WI? What are you, TWENTY? New York is already expensive, why not just buck up and run for a good cause???"
In the meantime:
I'm wrapping up my time here in Charlotte. I've been here on business the last few days. Nice city, polite people, interesting downtown. Loooove the weather. Hot, humid -- just my cup of tea.
Not so much back in Minneapolis, where the temps have been "reasonable" but the evenings still chilly.
My first outdoor tri is Saturday -- yes, THIS Saturday -- and I'm already preparing my list of "I won't do the event if..." list.
The first big IF is IF there is still ice on the lake.
Ha ha.
I have at least one friend who IS in, but I'll wait for Friend X to let the world know...
I'm bummed, but not totally hopeless.
I could potentially get in by being a Charity Runner. I'll be mulling over this option for a day or two and then decide.
There is a part of me that says "Okay, you didn't get in. Let the chips lie where they may".
Another part says "HEY! You are only getting older. You want to try to get in to NY next year AND potentially do IM WI? What are you, TWENTY? New York is already expensive, why not just buck up and run for a good cause???"
In the meantime:
I'm wrapping up my time here in Charlotte. I've been here on business the last few days. Nice city, polite people, interesting downtown. Loooove the weather. Hot, humid -- just my cup of tea.
Not so much back in Minneapolis, where the temps have been "reasonable" but the evenings still chilly.
My first outdoor tri is Saturday -- yes, THIS Saturday -- and I'm already preparing my list of "I won't do the event if..." list.
The first big IF is IF there is still ice on the lake.
Ha ha.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Urban Wildland --
I got back from SFO, safe and sound. The trip was successful work-wise, Hubby-wise and training-wise.
I had that awesome hillwork out (see previous post) and also got a swim workout in. No, not in the bay, but in a pool at Club One. My hotel had discounted guest passes, so I took advantage of that.
The pool was small (only 3 lanes and 25 yards long), but I got in 2000 yards in a little less than an hour. I've been very, very spoiled by the 50 meter swims at Richfield this summer. Going back to 25 yards is "weird".
The shorter lengths also means I'll have to spend lots more time in the lake before Pigman, which is ONLY 14 days away. In fact, in two weeks, I'll be on the bike course of the event right about now....
Urban Wildland 1/2 Marathon was yesterday. It was my third time running the race.
Urban Wildland is a very well organized, pretty race. It starts at the Richfield Pool park (more officially known as Veterans Park), winds through a couple of nature preserves, through some nice neighborhoods, where the folks come out to cheer, and then finishes back at the park.
Last year I PRd at Urban (2:16:47 -- 10:24 per mile) This year, no PR.
Two of my friends, Cheryl and Carla, also ran the race yesterday. We all started together, but quickly started to do our own thing.
I ran really well to mile 11. I got there at 1:59 on my watch, which equates a 10:49 pace. I was doing my 7 minute run/1 minute walk thing and was feeling pretty darn good.
At mile 11, it was as if someone deflated the "feel good" balloon. It took me about 26 minutes to cover the last 2.1 miles. (Pitiful).
Finish time 2:25:02, or 11:04 per mile. Sigh.
The good news is this was my third best 1/2 marathon time....I also had a very FUN time, so that is good. I also have officially "covered the distance" for Pigman, so I know I can do it.
Cheryl and Carla also did really well yesterday, so it was a successful day for all.
So now, I move in to the last week of all out training for Pigman. Natalie and I were supposed to bike this morning, but it was raining so we decided to do our own workouts. We will hook up at some point this week to hammer out a swim or bike or run.
---
Cat Update: Thanks to Sabrina and Ginna for doing such a great job cat sitting. All the cats are doing well, although Gorby's status remains a mystery to me.
He seems a bit thinner and, although still eating, is not eating with the same voracity he was just last week. I'm supposed to get more information this week from the Vet -- so I'll have more info to make decisions and / or have a better understanding of what's to come.
I had that awesome hillwork out (see previous post) and also got a swim workout in. No, not in the bay, but in a pool at Club One. My hotel had discounted guest passes, so I took advantage of that.
The pool was small (only 3 lanes and 25 yards long), but I got in 2000 yards in a little less than an hour. I've been very, very spoiled by the 50 meter swims at Richfield this summer. Going back to 25 yards is "weird".
The shorter lengths also means I'll have to spend lots more time in the lake before Pigman, which is ONLY 14 days away. In fact, in two weeks, I'll be on the bike course of the event right about now....
Urban Wildland 1/2 Marathon was yesterday. It was my third time running the race.
Urban Wildland is a very well organized, pretty race. It starts at the Richfield Pool park (more officially known as Veterans Park), winds through a couple of nature preserves, through some nice neighborhoods, where the folks come out to cheer, and then finishes back at the park.
Last year I PRd at Urban (2:16:47 -- 10:24 per mile) This year, no PR.
Two of my friends, Cheryl and Carla, also ran the race yesterday. We all started together, but quickly started to do our own thing.
I ran really well to mile 11. I got there at 1:59 on my watch, which equates a 10:49 pace. I was doing my 7 minute run/1 minute walk thing and was feeling pretty darn good.
At mile 11, it was as if someone deflated the "feel good" balloon. It took me about 26 minutes to cover the last 2.1 miles. (Pitiful).
Finish time 2:25:02, or 11:04 per mile. Sigh.
The good news is this was my third best 1/2 marathon time....I also had a very FUN time, so that is good. I also have officially "covered the distance" for Pigman, so I know I can do it.
Cheryl and Carla also did really well yesterday, so it was a successful day for all.
So now, I move in to the last week of all out training for Pigman. Natalie and I were supposed to bike this morning, but it was raining so we decided to do our own workouts. We will hook up at some point this week to hammer out a swim or bike or run.
---
Cat Update: Thanks to Sabrina and Ginna for doing such a great job cat sitting. All the cats are doing well, although Gorby's status remains a mystery to me.
He seems a bit thinner and, although still eating, is not eating with the same voracity he was just last week. I'm supposed to get more information this week from the Vet -- so I'll have more info to make decisions and / or have a better understanding of what's to come.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Hill Work in the Mecca of Hills
Fast and furious business trip this week to San Francisco.
The trip was planned long before Gorby was diagnosed with cancer. I feel a little guilty for leaving, but work is work, and Gorby is doing remarkably well. And, I've got some ACE cat sitters taking care of the house and the critters.
THANK YOU GINNA AND SABRINA!
One really nice thing is that Hubby had to be here too for work so, although we traveled separately and arrived and will depart on different days, we do get to hang out a bit here.
My training plan is "suffering" a bit here, as I don't have a bike here. (Yes, I know I could rent one, but....)
My coach, Greg, did write out my training plan to accommodate my travels: yesterday called for hill work.
I did a nice warm up going from the hotel down to the Ferry Building, over past Fisherman's Wharf to the beach where other triathletes do their open water swims.
I continued past the beach and went out on the breakwater. Turned around and started hill repeats at the entrance of Fort Mason.
The entrance is open to pedestrians and bikers only, so I didn't have to worry about anyone trying to recreate the "Karl-Malden-Michael-Douglas ARE the Streets of San Francisco" thing.
WOW. Talk about a hill for repeats! Zowie!
Up and down; up and down; upanddown; upanddown; updown. You get the drill.
After my run, Hubby and I went Circa for dinner. The head chef is one of the folks that was on Top Chef - Chicago last season. Food was very good (salmon and brown rice for me; sea bass and garlic mashed potatoes for Hubby). We split a slice of really SUPER DELICIOUS key lime cheesecake for dessert.
Hubby is on his way back home now; I leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
I have a swim workout planned for later today. No, not in the bay (call me "Weenie"), but a nice pool at a health club near the hotel.
The trip was planned long before Gorby was diagnosed with cancer. I feel a little guilty for leaving, but work is work, and Gorby is doing remarkably well. And, I've got some ACE cat sitters taking care of the house and the critters.
THANK YOU GINNA AND SABRINA!
One really nice thing is that Hubby had to be here too for work so, although we traveled separately and arrived and will depart on different days, we do get to hang out a bit here.
My training plan is "suffering" a bit here, as I don't have a bike here. (Yes, I know I could rent one, but....)
My coach, Greg, did write out my training plan to accommodate my travels: yesterday called for hill work.
I did a nice warm up going from the hotel down to the Ferry Building, over past Fisherman's Wharf to the beach where other triathletes do their open water swims.
I continued past the beach and went out on the breakwater. Turned around and started hill repeats at the entrance of Fort Mason.
The entrance is open to pedestrians and bikers only, so I didn't have to worry about anyone trying to recreate the "Karl-Malden-Michael-Douglas ARE the Streets of San Francisco" thing.
WOW. Talk about a hill for repeats! Zowie!
Up and down; up and down; upanddown; upanddown; updown. You get the drill.
After my run, Hubby and I went Circa for dinner. The head chef is one of the folks that was on Top Chef - Chicago last season. Food was very good (salmon and brown rice for me; sea bass and garlic mashed potatoes for Hubby). We split a slice of really SUPER DELICIOUS key lime cheesecake for dessert.
Hubby is on his way back home now; I leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
I have a swim workout planned for later today. No, not in the bay (call me "Weenie"), but a nice pool at a health club near the hotel.
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