Cue Music

Last night I dreamed that the half iron man took me over 9 hours to complete. 7 hours were on the bike. For 56 miles. It didn't even take me 7 hours to ride 100 miles but whatever. I am losing it. Good news is (in my dream at least) my swim and run totally rocked.

But you know, if you are finishing a half ironman in 9 hours it really doesn't matter how fast you swim or run because you just plain suck. Especially since the cut off time is 8 hours.

Sigh.

And the whole wetsuit thing admittedly has me totally freaked out. And I very very much appreciate all the people--even those who don't really know me--that have emailed me and offered to lend me their suits. Triathletes are way nice, is all I can say.

In my fit of panic yesterday, while Ryan and I were at REI getting stuff I found a wetsuit on the clearance rack in my size. It was the only wetsuit in the whole store. Knowing all that I know about wetsuits (uhm, nothing) I figured it might work. So I bought it and figured I would look online and ask around if it would work.

The opinions I got were a resounding no with some kindly optimistic "try it out and see and return it if not" suggestions.

Steph and Doug allowed me to come along and practice wetsuit fun in their neighborhood pool this morning.

You know, I am constantly finding myself in the position that I might be interrupting some some afternoon (or in this case morning) delight plans they might have.

But I guess until they blatantly tell me to get lost they are stuck with me.

I pretty much knew as soon as I had on my suit which took all of one minute and was 5 minutes after Doug had started putting on his suit and was still struggling with his--that mine wasn't going to work.

It was too easy to put on.

But that just gave me time to take pictures of them while they struggled into theirs.
Another difference I noted was that mine only took me to put on.
They needed each other to get theirs on.

See why I think I might be foiling some husband and wife plans?

Nevertheless I gamely hopped in the pool and swam a 50. I knew it wasn't going to work at all. I especially didn't like that it had water in it ( which Doug and Steph said was normal but it felt like too much). I am not certain it weighed me down so much but it definitely didn't make me feel buoyant. I felt slower. Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. But I didn't feel that I-am-wetsuit-I-am-faster-magic everyone keeps yammering on about. I could see the buoyant thing working for Doug and Steph. They floated. I had to use my arms and legs and body to, you know, get it through and on top of the water. I think that is the part they refer to as "swimming."

I stripped out of it and swam 2000 yds sans suit--wait, I did have my swim suit on. Good news is the water was much colder than any water I ever swim in and I was fine so I am a teeny tiny bit hopeful that I will be okay without a suit.

So what if I am last because I am not wearing a wetsuit.

Doug suggested I call everyone wearing one a cheater. And I thought I might even say here "kitty kitty kitty" too as well.

But the fun didn't end with the swim. So besides my swim and the trail run I did before meeting Steph and Doug I got in another cool workout today.

All I can say is please dear baby Jesus do not let me get a flat tire.

Okay, I lied. I totally have a lot more to say than that.

You bitches totally lied to me. It is not easy. It is totally worth it, not to mention faster, to drive over to Roswell bikes and pay them 12 dollars to do it.

But for your entertainment I had Ryan photograph the evidence that I learned how to change a bike tire.

Please note that there is no video. And that is because the amount of cussing and yelling that went into putting the tire and tube on the wheel would probably have my blog flagged for inappropriate material. But to my defense I only had one melt down where I came inside to consult and then cuss out while I watched this youtube video (which I had used as my guidance).

Here I am getting down to business:
Happy am I! Got wheel off. Ryan took it off for me and I made him put it back on so I could take it off all by myself.
I. Did. It!

Putting tube and tire back on the rim.
This is the beginning of where I start to lose my shit.

The kids got onto me to "keep it together". Oh, and they were running all around me while this was going on. Like clowns I tell you.
I figured it might sort of simulate race conditions to have pandemonium going on so I didn't tell them to get lost.
But boy. Was I pissed. Not easy. At all. Liars!
See this face? This is that look I give that scares the kids into acting good.
It is not a happy face.
But I got the tube and tire on the wheel and then the wheel back on my bike. I am thinking though I should take it to my friends at Roswell Bikes just to make sure I have it on right.

The real question now is if I get a flat will I have the energy to ride my bike after I change a tire?
No, probably not.
And that my friends, I am guessing, is how a 7 hour bike will go down.

Please baby Jesus do not let me get a flat tire.

Hey Lance, There's a New Yellow Jersey in Town

While Beau didn't get his adult bike for his birthday he did get a new outfit, complete with gloves, shorts, jersey, bike light and water bottle.
Last night at dinner I told the kids that today was going to be big bike day for them. At least 10 miles.

They've done 10 miles before but it took forever. My goal is to get them to where they are riding at least my marathon goal pace for 12-15 miles--around 8 minute miles-- without tons of superfluous stopping. They've got the pace, just not without lots of breaks.

So I put the kids to bed and Carmella went to sleep but Beau kept coming to ask me a bazillion questions.

Like what?

Well, he asked for bike shoes. He complained that he didn't have any and he knows I have special shoes for my bike. I explained they don't make bike shoes for kids, especially 5 year olds. His vans would work just fine. I've seen tons cyclists wear vans. Some prefer it, I said. It is what is done, I told him.

Then he brought me his bike shorts--apparently he likes to lay his outfit out just like his Mommy does--to pull the tags off. I pulled the tags off and shuffled him back to bed.

He was back a few minutes later--clearly after inspecting and contemplating bike shorts. He asked, "Uh, Mommy, do you wear underwear with bike shorts?"

Me: No. Now: Go.To.BED!

Beau, stock still with blank look and giant saucer eyes stares at me. Blinking twice. He is such a freaking cartoon. Not to self: Limit TV.

Me: Go to BED!!!!

Beau: (ignoring me) Do you wear underwear with your bike shorts?

Me: No. It is all commando.It is what all the serious cyclist do. Go to bed. NOW!!!!

And he shuffles back to bed to contemplate this no underwear thing.

Then this morning while he ate his breakfast he told me he needed the butt paste.

Butt paste?

Well, it is actually the chamois butter. The kids are fascinated by it. When I rode the Cartersville Century Dani gave me a tube of it. The kids found it in my car and asked about it.

The conversation went like this:

Beau: What's this? ( holding up tube of chamois butter)

Me: It is Chamois butter.

Carmella: Where did you get it?

Me: My friend Dani gave it to me.

Beau: What is (garbled) butter?

Me: It is creme you put on your bike shorts so you don't chafe.

Blank looks from kids.

Me: (trying to clarify) It is butt paste. Keeps your bottom feeling good when you ride the bike for a long time.

Carmella: You have friends that give you butt paste?

Me: Uh, yeah. She was looking out for my parts.

Beau: What parts? Your penis?

Me: Beau, girl's don't have penises. We've covered this. Never mind. Look! Over there. It's Sponge Bob Square Pants.

So anyway, Beau asked for the butt paste this morning. For his bike he said.

Oh, I said. You don't put the butt paste on your bike. You put it in your shorts or on your, uhm . . . butt.

Beau was quiet and then said, never mind. I don't want any.

He excitedly put his outfit on and we headed out to the trail.
And instead of 10 miles we did 12. Only 2 breaks! Time spent running (me) and biking(Carmella and Beau) was around 1:37. 8:10 minute mile pace, in 86 degree weather no less. My kids? They kicked ass.

Beau though did drive me batty with his bike questions and endless chatter:
Beau:Mommy, who's your bike partner?
Me:Ms. Stephanie.
Beau: She's faster than you? You're the slow poke?
Me: Ah, no, we are about the same. We are both equally slow.
Beau: Does she have a better bike?
Me: Uh, yeah, probably. It is a different bike.
Beau: A road bike?
Me: No a tri bike.
Beau: What's a tri bike? Is it a tricycle?
Me: No. Uh, it's a road bike that is different than mine.
Beau: Faster?
Me: Sometimes.
Beau: So she is faster.

Meanwhile, Carmella is riding about 100 feet in front of us pretending she doesn't know us and looks completely bored.


And later Beau catches back up to me after riding about 15 feet behind me for a mile or so:
Beau: I ran over an orange snake Mommy.
Me: What!? When?
Beau: Back there.
Me: OhMyGod! Did it bite you? Did it arch up at you?
Beau: No. It . . . and mimes snake tongue and hissing sound
Me: Uh, that is a copperhead and they are poisonous. Do NOT run over ANY snakes.
Beau: Why?
Me: Because they will bite you and you will die.

And even later:
Beau: Is Uncle Wes's bike faster than yours?
Me: Yes. Wes is A LOT faster than me.
Beau: And he rides on the road?
Me: Yes.
Beau: When I am an adult. Like when I am 8, I am going to ride on the road.
Me: Okay. Can we not talk? It is hard for Mommy to keep talking.
Beau: Is it because you are slow?
Me: Yes. ( but thinks, f-off)

And even though he is 5 I do think the Mainstay needs to be worried. Apparently Beau has us on his radar. Clearly, he has decided I am NOT competition but the Mainstay and Stephanie are.

I mean checkout the Mainstay with his game face:

And look here is Beau with his:



But most importantly Beau refuels with water, Gatorade and pbj sandwiches. Not PBR like the Mainstay:

Yeah, you're going down. But uh, good luck on Sunday!

Did not die

Almost bonked though. Had a rough patch around mile 80. Entertained some pretty negative thoughts which irritated me but I rallied and got past it to finish strong.

100.30 miles, 15.65 miles per hour (yes, I am slow poke. But I should note this was a tad faster than my previous longest ever ride of 63 miles. So there is potential that someday? I might, kick ass on the bike. Bwhahahaha) Time was 6 and half hours. Ouch for the boo-Tay. But thanks to Dani for the chamois creme. My girly bits thank you too.

Full report with pictures forth coming. Digital camera got dropped in the pool at swim meet Thursday so I bought a throw away for the ride to record for prosperity. And by prosperity I mean blog.

Thanks to the Mainstay for the advice. I take back about wishing you to be a bridesmaid and hope that it was your big day up in Rome this evening.

And HUGE thanks to Neal for offering and actually riding with me. I had a FABULOUS time. It was great meeting everyone and just was a beautiful ride!

Kindergarten Get Your Bad Self Ready

Beau is coming . . .

Yesterday Beau graduated from PreK. No he didn't sing any of the songs like he was suppose to and no he didn't shake Ms.Connie's hand when she gave him his diploma. Instead he picked his nose during the program and rolled his eyes and then told Ms.Connie that he was going to Parker's after school for a play date. If I wasn't already accustom to such antics I might have thought I should be mortified. But Beau? He is his own person.

Ms. Connie though assures me that Beau is ready for Kindergarten. And I am sure he will do fine so long as he does not have to take a nap (which he will but it will be 30 minutes instead of an hour) and sing songs (which he will once a week in music). Everything else he is cool with.

Obviously we are expecting great things next year from Beau. If nothing else it will be an entertaining year for all involved.

Word on the picture: Is that not the corniest most hysterical thing ever? I have been laughing about it since I saw the proof for it a month ago.

The day Beau got his picture made I had asked him if he smiled or did he make a silly face. He said he did great and explained they made him wear a silly hat and a dress and hold a piece of paper. I was like, what in the world? So I asked his teacher and she explained and then told me he did the best for the photographer. But of course, it was a costume.

Generally, I never buy the school pictures-- they are always terrible and cheap looking. But as soon as I saw the proof I knew I was ordering a package. Not the regular one in his polo shirt though. I am glad it was only $25 for a package but it wouldn't have mattered if it was $100 because that picture is just too funny to pass up. It is a keepsake. You can betcha that I will be dragging this one out when he brings dates home and stuff.

Every time I look at it I giggle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other news I bid adieu today to the 3 hour run. I ran 22 miles at an 8:50 pace. It was more than a little steamy since I ran late morning/early afternoon but as much as I struggled with the heat my muscles and joints were very happy for it. No aches and pains and stiffness. I am sure the new shoes helped too--I have been way past due for some. The run was pretty good but I am happy to say I will not do a run longer than 16 miles again until the kids go back to school. And I am very proud of myself for squeezing one last one in. Now it is time to get fast.

Lastly, if anyone is interested in a group ride Sunday morning in Roswell let me know. Trying to get something arranged. Thinking about the 60 mile route but at least 50 miles. If you want to do less that is cool.

Derailed

I completely lose my focus in the taper. The cut back of the taper is a challenge for me because it messes with my ingrained running habit. I like to run between 40-50 miles a week. I don't like to run much over 65 miles in a week because the running becomes forced. At the same time I don't really like to go below 35 miles. I will accept a week of as low as 30 miles so long as I am doing lots of other stuff like cycling or swimming. Anything less than 30 miles a week is just uncomfortable for me as I have pretty much been a 30 miles a week runner since I started running 9 years ago.

But since I am balancing recovery, training and taper to gear up and perform well at Country Music Marathon next weekend I am trying to not worry so much about my numbers. I know I really have nothing to gain as far as fitness but do risk the potential of injury if I push too hard. My plan has been to balance the running with cycling and swimming. It is, or rather was, a good plan.

The problem?

Well, my bike exploded yesterday.

The other day I found it laying in the garage. One of the kids must have knocked it over. I checked it over--not really sure what I was looking for since my bike knowledge is negligible at best. I do know that my derailleur was already bent. James, the bike shop guy, asked me a while back if I had crashed or fallen. For the record I have never crashed or fallen (yet)--well, at least not on this particular bike. But the bike was once Lala's and when she clipped in she fell. A lot.

I explained all that to James and he said it would eventually need to be replaced but was fine for now.

And it has been fine.

Well, until yesterday.

I noticed immediately that it wasn't shifting great. I thought the chain might be misaligned. I even stopped and looked it over; poked at the chain, looked at the derailleur, touched the sprockets, got my hands a little dirty. . . But knowing all that I know about bikes I really couldn't see anything to adjust or that looked off. Just to be safe though I figured I would stick to the surrounding neighborhoods rather than hit the open road and risk running in to trouble in heavy traffic.

This proved a very wise decision on my part. I didn't really have trouble until I hit my first significant uphill--about 5 miles in. I was downshifting and all the sudden I heard cracks and popping and pings and knew that it couldn't be good.

The plastic shield (I guess that is what is) had shattered and some metal rings had popped off and were scattered all down the hill. I had to call Lala to come get me.

So . . . does anyone know how long and how much this is going to cost me to fix?

I am thinking the bike might be out until after the marathon. Sigh. Figures. Just when the weather was finally getting nice (read warm) enough to bike (read too hot to run). . .

Georgia Rides to the Capitol

FYI: The 3rd Annual Ride to the Capitol is next Tuesday, March 11th.

The intent of the ride is to raise awareness and support for cycling in Georgia.

The ride departs from Roswell at 9:45. 21 miles from Roswell to Capitol. If you ride back that's 42 miles (in case simple math isn't your thing). Pre -register and you get a lunch too.

Not a bad week day ride at all.

Skip work. Come join the fun!

I didn't do it last year but did the first year.

I am going to try and be there this year. You should too.

Yasso's got nothing on Carmella

So here I find myself yet again in the taper madness. I know I say it every time but man, I hate the taper. I feel fat and out of sorts. You know, I happen to like my training regime-- okay, no, maybe not the peak training regime. Wait, you know what? Yeah, I do like that. I just don't feel like I've accomplished anything if I don't feel completely dead on my feet. I suppose that might be a tad masochist but I really do like that heavy leg-I-can't-make-quick-movements feeling I get after hardcore workouts. I also like the short but hard workouts that jazz you up. What I don't like is how I feel all sluggish and thick in the head during the taper.

So Chickamauga will be my 4th marathon and even though I've done a dozen half marathons and a triathlon I am still trying to figure out how to taper. I figure eventually I'll hit on the magic formula but until then I continue to struggle through this trial and error taper approach.

Regardless of all that I do know that during the taper-- wait, more specifically, a week out from your A race-- is not the time to try new workouts. But nonetheless I found one. Tried it, did it, whatever. I really can't take credit for it since it wasn't planned; it just sort of happened.

Yesterday I decided since I had 8 days until the marathon squeezing in one last 16 miler wouldn't hurt--might even help. I didn't run it hard, just took it easy and enjoyed myself with an 8:40ish pace.It was a nice run on a nice day.

The kids have been all about their bikes lately so I promised them I would take the to the Greenway trail for a ride after school. I debated riding or running along with them. I decided I should run since I just bought new shoes for the marathon and need to break them in a little. I coerced Lala to come with me despite her complaints of old lady back problems. We took puppy girl Lola too. I figured I could easy jog along with the kids. I was thinking it would be walking with a little running. Not even a workout.

Uhm,. Okay. How come no one told me that when you take the training wheels off your kids' bike they are really fast?

Holy Mother of God did Lala, Lola and I get a workout.

Carmella took off as soon as she hit the trail. I was like what! Wait! I was flat out sprinting to keep up with her. No kidding. Lucky for me Carmella stopped right around the half mile mark. I caught my breath while she graciously waited on Lala and Beau. When they caught up I told Lala that she was on Beau duty. Lala was breathing hard but nodded that she understood.

Then Carmella was off again. I sprinted after her, dragging puppy girl with me. Again Carmella stopped at the half mile mark and waited on me. Once she had Beau and Lala in her sight she was off again. By a mile and half I was dripping in sweat. Carmella in contrast wasn't even breathing heavy. Whose idea was it again to take her training wheels away? Oh right, mine. What the hell was I thinking?

By the time we reached the 2 mile mark Lola was about dead. Carmella waited until Lala and Beau caught up and I handed Lola off to Lala. Puppy girl was dead weight. I've got to get that Husky in shape. She is good for the long but she has no endurance speed.

At the 2 mile we turned back and Carmella continued on with her version of Yasso 800s and I just tried my best to keep up. I was not really planning another speed workout before the race--you know thinking I was good having raced a half marathon 14 days out-- but nevertheless I got one in. And maybe next time if I don't run 16 miles in the morning before Carmella 800's they won't seem so difficult.

So here is how last week worked out:
Sunday: No workout. I had planned a recovery run but decided I needed a full day rest.

Monday: I was really surprised to find myself sore and still tired from (I guess) the half on Saturday. My workout felt really hard. I did my usual 5 mile recovery. Maybe I ran it faster since I brought Lola for all 5 miles. Around the midpoint of the run I tripped and since I have Lola tethered to my waist I went superman like flying and then she drug me through the dirt for a few feet. I was surprised to find that only my pride was hurt. I was dirty and totally embarrassed. Thankfully I was only a spectacle to the cars driving by.
After my run Steph invited me to a swim. Her knee was bothering her so no bitches bike ride. Dissappointing but probably just as well. I did ride my bike to the Aquatic center--not quite 5 miles--to meet her. I am so stupid but I am still trying to figure out how to dress myself for the bike. It was pretty windy and I was hot, then cold, then hot, so I was glad that it was a short, albeit uphill ride. At least, I figured home would be downhill.

We hit the pool and did a 400m warm up and then we did my 10x100's in 2 minutes workout. On paper this workout doesn't seem so hard but it really kicks my ass. The goal is to do a 100 in a minute 30, rest 30 and repeat. Inevitably I blow my wad by doing the first 3-4 100's in a minute 20 and then drag through the next few. By the 6th or 7th 100 I am ready to quit but Steph is totally not a quitter so we got it done. I think all my 100's came in under a minute 30 but they were hard fought. We did a 500 cool down and then got cold and called it a day. Then I rode back home and was very cold. I swear I spent the rest of the day trying to get warm. Yes, I know it was in the 60's.

Tuesday: So sore in the arms and very tired. No workout. At least I don't remember one.

Wednesday: Only had time for a quick 6 miles.

Thursday: Another easy 6 miles after I dropped kids at school. Then Ryan made me go to work with him. I hacked away at shrubbery for a few hours with a machete. Not fun.

Friday: Arms totally sore from machete workout. 16 miles at an 8:40ish pace. 8 Carmella 800's at what felt like faster than 5k pace but admittedly may not have been since I am sure I was tired from the 16 I ran in the morning.

Saturday: Took the kids to ride their bikes again at the Greenway. Carmella and I had a conversation how she was to take it slow. I ran behind her and in front of Beau. We got in just over 4 miles in around 34 minutes. It was nice and easy and I only had to sprint a few times. This jogging along while they ride might be just the ticket. However I feel like crazy mom yelling for my 4 year old to "Pedal Hard! Keep up!" Some people walking on the trail were giving me dirty looks. Whatever. They have no idea that I have spent the last 4 years chasing Beau around.

The Totals:
Run: 41 miles
Bike: 10 miles
Swim: 1900 meters.

It is only easy after you know how . .

Yesterday Ryan and I took the training wheels off the kids bikes. Beau was very excited about this. But, then again, Beau is pretty much excited about everything--at least until he learns more about it. Everything is awesome with Beau until he gets burned. Yeah, it's gonna be a tough life for him--you know, learning everything the hard way. And trust me, I speak from the perch of experience on this one. Been there done that and now I am chicken shit about everything and to which way from last Thursday.

So yeah, we took the training wheels off the kids bikes and Beau was excited and Carmella was most definitely not --and not just because she is, as general rule, suspicious of everything. I swear, she was either poisoned or was a spy in a past life because "trust no one" has pretty been her motto since birth. But you know that might be because I am her mom and really, who can blame her? Anyway, my point is that she was not excited specifically because she clearly recalls 2 years ago when I tried to take her training wheels off. It took all of 10 seconds on the bike and falling over to convince her that uhm, yeah. Mom? I'm not doing that and, by the way, I really don't like bikes and so long as those two little wheels are not attached to that big back wheel I will not be riding a bike. Ever.

Nevertheless, yesterday she did not argue or utter word as we took off her training wheels. I guess she had come to realize that maybe six was getting a bit old for training wheels and decided that she would suck it up. I did hear her trying to warn Beau of what was to come. He did not listen. At all.

Beau watched giddy with excitement as Ryan took his wheels off. He joyously asked if he could have the wheels to play with. Later, he would come to cling onto these in such a pathetic manner that we had to wrench them away and hide them.

Beau tried the bike first. And he fell right over.

We all laughed.

Beau laughed too. Because to Beau being funny pretty much trumps everything else. He may be the biggest pain in the ass ever but I gotta say the kid knows how to laugh at himself and that makes him completely charming. However Beau's ability to laugh at himself was pretty much shot after he found out that, seriously; we are not putting the training wheels back on. Then he didn't think that was so funny. At all.

And then instantly he was no longer so excited.

And that pretty much sucked for everyone because Beau is really good at throwing a tantrum. Apparently the same gene that allows him and the world to laugh with him also carries a similar trait of suffer and the world must suffer with you. So while the world may not stop or even give a rat's ass that Beau is upset; Beau does make it pretty damn miserable to be on the same planet when he is not the one laughing. So we did what we always do when we reach that point with Beau: lock him in his room.

Next it was Carmella's turn to try her bike. She had a little more success but was quickly frustrated and done trying. So when Carmella started melting Ryan lost his patience and sent her to her room too. And for the record we almost never have to punish Carmella but even on the rare occasions that we do she just sucks it up and sits there. Ryan told both kids they could stay in their rooms until they adjusted their attitudes.

After awhile I went in and we all had a discussion about how everything is hard the first time and then it does get easier. I explained to them that all we were asking is that they try. And if after a few days of trying to ride without training wheels and that if they still couldn't get it after giving it a try that Daddy would put the training wheels back on their bikes. I told them that I thought with just a little hard work they would get it and then it would be easy and they could be faster and riding a bike would be even more fun.

Carmella listened.

Beau did not and commenced the tantrum of the training wheels. This earned him more time in his room to adjust his attitude in the correct direction.

Carmella and I went out and worked on it.

Eventually Beau came out too.

All afternoon Ryan and I alternated between teaching them how to ride bikes and watching them lose their shit over not being able to do it. Carmella, on the few instances when we were trying to persuade Beau to give it another chance, went in the backyard and practiced in secret. She use to do this as a baby--not in the backyard but in her room when she was suppose to be taking a nap, which by the way she never did. With Carmella it went like this: we would be at playgroup and would reach the point in playgroup where all the mommies showed off their genius kid tricks. Whenever it was my turn Carmella would just blink and look at me like she had no idea what the hell I was talking about. I quit participating in the genius kid tricks until Beau came along--who was always willing to perform-- but then those were more in line with the stupid pet tricks. Anway, after playgroup and while she was suppose to be napping I would hear her in her room ordering her doll Bobby to do all the genius kid tricks I had wanted her to do at playgroup that day: Bobby say Daddy. Daddy! Okay, Bobby now clap your hands. Clap! See, even at a year old she thought I was an idiot. I may not be as smart as her but I can tell when I am being patronized.

Beau, on the other hand--who does absolutely nothing without an audience-- did not practice in secret. Instead he went and found his tricycle, saying he did not love his Bee bike anymore. But after a few spins on the "baby bike" he begged for his training wheels.

The rest of the afternoon we focused on Carmella and ignored Beau. A few times he did try the bike but would say he was scared and quit. But his quitting and failure only encouraged Carmella. After several hours in the driveway and cul-du-sac I suggested we drive up to the school and practice on the track. I also innocently suggested that we make a "movie" of the event. This quickly proved to be the absolutely most wrong idea ever to suggest to Carmella. Because the frustrated six year old learning to ride a bike instantly morphed into the frustrated diva actor/film maker.

No performance was the right performance. A million "do-overs" were necessary. She pounded her fists, cursed her bike--yelling things like "my bike is controling me!" and this is "all too hard!" And that she "just wanted to make a movie!" And even after it was clear that she had the hang of riding her bike she would not be satisfied until she made a perfect loop around the track. And even when we thought the loop perfect she did not deem it so. We finally left her on the track and waited by the car until she got the hint.

So here a few of the 20 or so clips I took. There were more but she made me delete them on the spot.
Take 1:

Let's try this again:


Again:


And again:



Getting better--"I can't get back on the road! The bike is controling me!":



Success!






And, by the way, all her hard work did pay off. After only one afternoon she is totally proficient. She even rode her bike to school today. Of course this was the biggest we are never doing this again ever mistake. Between Beau and his training wheels, me pushing him up the hill and keeping him out of the street, Lola tangling herself in Beau's bike or around my legs and thus tripping me and all while I scream at Carmella to slow down and wait for us--well, let's just say that is a little more parenting that I care to do before 7:30 in the morning. Not to mention walking proves faster.

Bee Bike Break Through

Beau has had this bike since he was one and half. He has long wanted to ride the bike but gave up figuring out how pretty soon after he got it. Periodically we would revisit bike riding but he couldn't figure out the pedaling and steering. He was very frustrated by this so I haven't pushed it since I figured it had something to do with motor planning. His speech problem is a motor planning issue so it made sense that being able to pedal a bike wouldn't come easy for him since it--like speech--requires bilateral thinking--or something along those lines. Of course him knowing how to swim and swim well kinda throws a wrench in that theory.


But Beau has a history of not being able to do something at all and then in the span of an hour being able to do it and do it well. He went from not crawling at 7 months to crawling and crawling up the stairs in an afternoon. Same with walking. He waited until he could run to even bother with walking. And it was the same with swimming at the age of 2. He jumped in the pool and just started swimming. What I am saying is that there is never really a process that you see. It is like something clicks and he can do it. And yesterday the bike clicked for him. He and Parker spent the afternoon having races with the bike and the big wheels. And Beau was pissed that Parker beat him. Every time. He actually started crying and told me to tell Parker to let him win. I told him that wasn't how you win and that he needed to practice until he could win. So he practiced riding all day yesterday. Ryan was blown away when he came home from work and saw Beau flying down the sidewalk on his bike. This morning Beau woke up demanding to ride.

Pop and Lala took both kids to the Greenway and he rode a little over 4 miles. I finished up my bike ride and set out on a short brick. I caught up to them and ran back with them. Beau could totally keep up with me. I am so excited that I finally have 2 kids that can ride bikes. This means that they can ride their bikes and I can run along side them. This has long been my dream.
Now to get rid of both their training wheels. I am going to work on Beau first because he is the natural daredevil and Carmella will get rid of hers if her little brother rides without.

And, yes, they do both have helmets. We left them in Pop's truck. So they are resigned to riding in the driveway til I get them back.

And yes, I know they need new bikes. Santa's elves are working on that as I write this.

But enough about the kids. Let's talk about my workouts this week. I think, I had a great week. Maybe could have run a little more but I think the runs I got in were very good quality:

Sunday: 6 miles moderate pace. Rolling hills course.

Monday: Suppose to be a run bike swim day but the bike didn't workout. So I did my speed workout: 10k on the treadmill in 45 minutes flat--no incline. Then I swam a little over a mile.--35 minutes total. I typically turn out a mile in 26-30 minutes in the pool. I sprinted out the last 100. It felt fabulous. I love how efficient I feel in the water. The problem with the swim is convincing myself to get in the pool. The whole getting wet part bothers me. But once I get in the pool it is all good.

Tuesday: 10 miles--I don't know the pace. Rolling hills course. It was easy.

Wednesday: Sick kid day.

Thursday: 24 mile at 8:48 pace. Rolling hills course. Then I took Lola for a mile easy jog/walk cool down. And then Beau and walked to the school to get Carmella from Brownies. There and back it is a mile. It was very tired and kinda done with being on my feet but I think walking after a long run is important. It seems to help speed my recovery. I had also done an ice bath.

Friday: Little stiff in the leg and had a lot of work to do. Walked Carmella to school. Beau wanted to race. I couldn't run. At all. Decided a bike ride would be best. But as it worked out I only had time for a quick run before getting the kids from school. So I put in 3 miles in 26 minutes--flat out and back with 2 little hills course. Not enough of a workout. So later I went to the gym and turned out a 5k--no incline. I started out walking and then gradually increased. I hit the 1 mile at 9:13. Kept increasing and hit 2 miles at 15:58. Kept pressing I finished up at 22:28. A true negative split. Then I hit the weights for some upper body toning. Got in shoulders, triceps, biceps, upper and lower back. Finished up with stretching out the hips and legs.

Saturday: 24 miles on the bike at the Greenway. I don't know my time but it was pretty crowded so I couldn't really kick it up. I finished up with a 2 mile run--flat out and back.

Totals:
Swim: mile+
Bike: 24 miles
Run: 54 miles

Good, strong week.

On riding Lance and eating humble pie. . .

So I rode Lance today. And I know that just sounds all sorts of inappropriate. I brought Lala with me too. And yes it was because I was scared to go by myself.
She ran and I rode. So technically I was alone but it helped knowing that there was someone else out there with me. See, I'll go on 20+ mile runs all by my lonesome but I am chicken shit about a little old bike ride on the Greenway Trail.

For those not from this area the Greenway is a relatively flat concrete trail in Alpharetta. It is 6 miles long probably 12 feet wide. Most importantly there are no cars but I did have to tango with the stroller brigades that for some reason must walk 3-4 a breast and take up the whole trail. And even though I called out loudly and gave plenty of warning that I was "on the left" one mommy was a little slow on getting out of the way and I had to off-road it and barely caught myself before I face planted into the trail. I heard them snickering as I got back on the bike and rode away but I was all kinds of pissed off and hoped that they were not laughing at me because of their complete lack of understanding of trail etiquette. Bitches. In the not too distance past I too have been part of the stroller brigade and ran with both Carmella and Beau in the jogger yet never once have I had an incident with a cyclist. But that is because I understand the etiquette and know how to share the trail and can read the posted signs clearly stating the specifics. Bitches.

Okay, so I am still little mad. But moving on. I think I am going to stick to the Silver Comet Trail and the Greenway until I get more confident on the bike. I am definitely not road ready as I did not once change gears today. I was just too nervous. But it was pretty flat and the resistance was fine where it was. I did 12 miles in 45 minutes. Not sure how that averages out but Garmin reported for the most part a 15-16mph pace (the posted speed limit is 10mph so I was going too fast, not paying attention to the signs but in my defense there were others that were going much faster than me out there today). I guess this means that I will have lots to make up for on the run.

Speaking of runs I wanted to see how it felt after the bike so I logged a 5k immediately after the bike.

Oh.My.God.

My legs.

They were broken.

I mean I knew that this happened-- as I have heard others mention it but I guess I didn't believe it or didn't think it would happen to me after only a 12 mile bike ride that I really didn't push that hard on. I wasn't even the slightest bit tired after the bike but when I started running I wasn't even sure my legs were moving. I felt like I was going soooooo slow. Not to mention that about a quarter mile into the run my calves started cramping. That has never happened before. The first mile came in just over 9 minutes and I was pushing hard but just could not make my legs go. After the first mile I could feel them coming back to me and I kept pushing the pace. I finished the 5k just shy of 24 minutes. I was not happy with that. I had expected to be faster. It was very humbling.

I have lots to work on. I guess it is good that the tri I am looking at is in August or I'd be asking for extra helpings of humble pie for certain.

In other news Pop bought Lala a new bike. After he found out she gave me hers on Monday he stopped by the bike shop that night and they decided on this bike. They didn't have her size so they got one in and I went with her after our bike/run so she could test drive it. She bought it and is picking it up tonight. So I guess Pop will sleep better tonight knowing his bike fleet is no longer diminished, its number restored.

Introducing. . .

Lance . . .
Lance is not my name pick. Lance is, er was, Lala's bike. She is a Lance fan.

Lala called this morning and told me to come pick him up. Pop bought Lala Lance a few years ago. Lala has osteoarthritis in her neck. Apparently this makes Lance painful for her to ride. While we were at the beach she told me I could have Lance. I didn't take her too seriously as I didn't think Pop would at all go for that. Pop is pretty possessive about his things and while he bought Lance for Lala it still falls under the category of Pop's things.

See, Pop is a man who firmly believes in the adage of whoever has the most toys when he dies wins. He has a tool museum (cement mixer anyone? double edge miter saw? framing nail gun? pressure washer?), a couple of cars ( okay just 3 now but when I was selling my Jeep he considered buying it from me because he hated to see it go but I said no. Just seemed wrong to sell a man a car he bought in the first place. As it ended up I sold it to my cousin and the fact that it remained in the family was good enough for Pop).

Pop likes to own things and lots of things he does have: boats, computers, camping and fishing gear etc etc. In our family there is a saying and it goes like this:

Why buy what you can borrow from Beau?

But lest you get any ideas about stealing from Pop I should warn you that not only is he a black belt in karate but he also takes very seriously his right to bear arms. I've only seen them a few times and only one time all at once when he had them laid on the kitchen table admiring? cleaning? I don't know, but I do know that he has a safe taller and three times wider and deeper than me full of guns of all calibers and gauges.

When I began thinking about doing a triathlon I really wasn't too worried about the fact that I do not own a bike because I knew that Pop has at least 4 maybe as many as 6 Trek bikes--definitely 2 mountain bikes and 3 or so road bikes. (If nothing else Pop is brand loyal.) Pop does ride regularly and has for as long as I can remember; but does not ride as frequently as the number of bikes he has suggests. And I figured surely he can spare one of his bikes for his oldest and favorite child (Sorry Pookie, Justin.)

I definitely did not have my eye on Lance since I thought no way would Pop be ready for Lance to go. And I can't say for certain that Pop actually knows that Lala said I could have Lance nor that she called me and told me to come and take him. See, while Pop is a toy hoarder-- Lala, on the other hand, is happy to let any of it go and actually tries to get rid of as much stuff as she can get away with. If you want something Pop has it is always best to ask Lala for it.

So the short of this long is that now I have a bike; well, yeah, sort of. It is a Trek and has the number 1200 on it. What this means? I have no idea and Lala didn't either as she was not at all helpful on instructions on how the gears work or anything else other than that there were extra brakes and it is silver, like a rocket. This means that I am going to have to ask Pop about Lance's specs and that is going to be a pretty painful experience where I get way more information that I ever will need. I will probably walk away from that conversation knowing how to build a Trek bike. This is what happens when half your relatives are engineers.

But in truth I could probably use the advice. So far my future with Lance is not too promising. First, after I went and fetched Lance, I came back in the front of my parent's house to find my children leaping over the sprinkler, fully clothed. Oh well. Lala bought me a box of Allen wrenches and I worked on lowering the seat (I'm shorter than Lala). I thought I had it about right and climbed on: only to immediately topple sideways over into the mud.

Told you I was an idiot on the bike. Ryan thinks I am sandbagging about my specialness on the bike because I occasionally do a spin class and one time I rode from Roswell to Atlanta on a mountain bike. But in spin class the bike is bolted to the floor and it is just a miracle I didn't get killed on that ride downtown.

After some further adjustments to the seat and my pride, I finally managed to get on the bike and took Lance for a test ride on the street--just 2 miles--2 miles during which I could not figure out the gears at all but otherwise it felt fine enough. With "fine" being based on nothing. I have no idea what I am talking about.Whatsoever.

When Lance and I returned from our spin I found my kids completely naked and leaping over the sprinkler. I thanked Lala for her generous gift and crammed Lance into the back of the Explorer and strapped wet naked kids in car seats and drove home thinking that I most certainly would get pulled over for something random and dumb--because usually that is how things work for me. But I didn't and I am grateful that I didn't have to explain to a police officer why I had naked kids in my car. Small favors.


I know I didn't post much last week. I have been running. Boring. Same old same old: Running. Little cross training, some walks, little weight lifting--nothing new. I think I did 45 or so miles last week. I am trying to organize some sort of training program for the summer. I think I am going to have to cut the mileage if I want to incorporate the biking and swimming. And it is hard for me to give up the running. It is my security blanket. I feel like nothing is as hard as running or keeps me in as good of shape. I know that this probably isn't true so I am trying to wrap my mind around that and trade a few running workouts for a swim and a bike workout. So far that hasn't happened. I just run before the other workout.

I ran 10 miles yesterday--easy. This afternoon I ran 4 miles on the treadmill in under 30 minutes and then hopped in the pool for a workout. And I learned some things.

First the pool at the gym isn't a 25yd pool like I thought but is a 25 meter pool this is per the gentlemen in the lane next to mine that I pestered. So that mile I swam 2 weeks ago in 30 minutes? It was actually more than a mile. Pats self on back. Second, I am pretty certain that I was a faster swimmer when I was 10 than I am now at 35. I can't remember my times for the 100 but I think it was faster than what I did today. I definitely remember it being much more effortless.

My original plan today after my run was to just do a 400yd swim and see how long that took--just to get an idea of where I was starting and what I needed to work towards. After a warm-up I changed my mind and decided to test out my speed at 100 meters--especially since the pool is meters not yards and I don't know how many laps I needed to do. I asked nice guy next to me but he didn't know. This whole meter/yard/mile/lap thing is confusing. I am having to do more figuring and math than I generally like to do.

I warmed up with an easy 100m.

Then I did 100m x 4 with about a minute rest between each 100m. Please note that I was not scientific with the rest whatsoever. Mostly, I spent the rest time asking the nice man in the lane next to me a bunch of questions and had him doing my math for me. Not sure what sort of workout he was doing but he was standing there every time I finished a 100.

I borrowed Beau's stop watch (my Beau, not Pop. I should also tell you that I am wearing his goggles too--again the 3 year old's not the 56 year old's. They are Nike though. And they totally suck.)

Here are my results--again not scientific since I had the watch sitting on the pool edge and to manually paw wet handed over the pool's edge to stop it:
The first 100m came in at 1:30
The second 100m came in at 1:25
The third was 1:28
The last was 1:29

Really this workout was harder than I thought it would be and brought back memories of the time clock and pyramid intervals and the chaos of diving swimmers and the muted echoes of coaches screaming go!go!go! I wished today I had had someone to yell at me when to go. It is hard to push yourself in the quiet and calmness of the gym pool. Especially with polite man in the next lane who patiently answers all of your annoying questions.

I cooled down for 200m and called it a workout.

So now I have a starting point and I think a reasonable goal is to get 100m below 1:25 and shoot for 6-7 minutes for the 400m. I don't know how lap swimming translates to the open water. I am assuming you are slower in the open water but then again you don't lose time for flip turns and you've got that race day magic going on. There is race day magic in triathlons too, right?

Okay, so I guess I am tri-ing. On to the bike. So nervous. . .