Tag Archives: triathlon

I’m So Excited!

(And I just can’t hide it…)

You guys, Jess is awesome. She saw one of my posts about feeling like a dumb girl in the weight room and offered to help.

This morning, after I ran six miles, she came over and helped me through one of the workouts from Marc. I really didn’t feel confident enough doing the exercises in the gym, but she assured me I knew what I was doing and helped me where my form was off. We also talked about how when you’re following a strict training plan, like, you know, a marathon plan?, it sometimes feels like it makes more sense to just scrap a workout rather than do a workout other than your scheduled workout. Obviously, you should stick to your planned workouts as closely as possible, but if it’s between a class or no lifting because you are nervous to lift alone, take the class!

I’m now one strength training workout closer to my goal of two for the week, and I’m feeling more confident about hitting the weight room myself later in the week for the second one.

I’ve also made a killing on my to-do list these past few days, knocking out interview follow-ups and freelance proposals like it’s my job. (Oh, wait…)

DSC_0764.JPG

This may be the lamest lunch ever, but I’m also proud of myself for hitting my [nearly bare] fridge and improvising rather than finding a place to grab a sandwich.

But what I’m most excited about? I just chatted with Coach Marc, and we talked VDOT, a performance-based VO2 calculator that helps you predict race times based on past race times.

Screen shot 2011-08-02 at 4.08.20 PM.png

Based on my sprint tri performance, I can apparently bust out a 1:48:40 half-marathon next weekend. While I’m a little doubtful of that, it gives me hope of shattering my sub-2:00 goal pretty handily.

Speaking of the sprint tri, that’s another thing I’m excited about today. NYRR finally updated the results, and mine are up.

Swim: 11:47 (241/424)

T1: 4:24 (340/424)

Bike: 1:09:26 (stupid, stupid flat) (421/424)

T2: 2:36 (317/424)

Run: 23:33 (I was wrong! So much faster than I originally thought.) (82/424!)

Overall: 1:51:45

So obviously there’s a ton of room for improvement, but I estimate the bike dilemma cost me at least 15 minutes.

Go play with that VDOT calculator. What kind of races can you achieve based on your past race times? Do you think I can really shatter a sub-2:00 half based on all this? (Either way it’s a win–you say something nice and I feel confident; you say something mean, and I get pissed and run fast.)

Running With Boys + Sprint Tri Photos

This morning, I had plans to run six miles with a friend who lives in my building. I was freaking out about an interview and all ready to cancel on him, but he wouldn’t let me.

Fine. I’ll run.

Per usual, I’m glad I did. I was WIPED OUT when I came back, but I also had some serious runners’ high.

photo 2.JPG

Running with boys is tough. He seriously kicked my ass. So much so that we ran into my friend Tiffany while out, and she thought he was my coach. (Marc, watch out!) I was supposed to do six miles, but I misjudged and we ended up back at our building at 5.5. But in just under 50 minutes, or a 8:59 pace (which is fast for me for over 5 miles), so I was okay with that.

It took me a really long time to pull myself off the floor.

Sprint Tri Photos

I finally got them back. They’re um, interesting, to say the least. I’m disappointed, also, that they only caught bike photos and no running photos (and I guess they don’t catch swim photos.) Honestly, this race left a terrible taste in my mouth, and I do really want to find a good redemption one that won’t interfere with marathon training too much. If not, I know of a tri I’m definitely doing next year–the Franklin Lakes/Wyckoff tri! (Hometown tri.)

Screen shot 2011-07-28 at 4.21.00 PM.png

Life is great! I finished the swim! I love my bike! I’m doing my first triathlon!

Screen shot 2011-07-28 at 4.21.11 PM.png

How can I smile for the camera and not fall? (Please don’t fall. Please don’t fall.)

Screen shot 2011-07-28 at 4.21.22 PM.png

I have HOW MANY MORE miles? On a bike? When can I run??

Screen shot 2011-07-28 at 4.21.45 PM.png

I hate this picture. I was so angry. If you don’t ever want to see this face again, then don’t mess with me.

Screen shot 2011-07-28 at 4.22.13 PM.png

Hello? What’s that? Oh. Right. I just finished my first triathlon!!!

Internet Domination

I am now two guest posts closer to total internet domination.

Check ’em out:

Marathons + Moderation on Healthy, Happier Bear (or, how to train for a marathon without giving up alcohol)

How to Keep Your Next Run from Ending in the Port-a-Potty on Carrots ‘n’ Cake (or, how to not poop your pants while running)

You can keep drinking and you won’t poop your pants. See? No reason to not run a marathon.

Questions: Do you ever run with dudes? Are you faster than them? (While it’s awesome to be faster than a guy, I actually prefer running with a guy who’s faster than me. It means he’s more hardcore.) Do you smile for race photos or am I the only cheeseball? What do you do to keep your stomach calm while running? Have you ever been in a hot air balloon? Did you freak the hell out? Because that’s what I’m doing right now.