Best ride ever!

I had the opportunity to ride with one of my very favorite people, my Dad.  He was an avid runner until he injured his ankle pretty badly in a race when he hit a pot hole with his foot.  He gave up running after that and bought a bike, and hasn't looked back.  He loves it and is dang good!  He was visiting from Denver for my cousin's wedding and since I now I have a bike, he figured he could bring his over with him and we would go on a ride.  We selected to do the 50 mile route for the Wildflower Pedalfest that I am signed up for in August.  I was initially nervous about this since I thought it was going to be way too hard for me and I thought that I would have all summer to train.  Well, he said that he would get me through it.  I took the day off from work, and it turned out to be a GORGEOUS day.  Below is the view from the start, where we parked our car and started our ride.

Here are our sweet rides.  His is the red one. I have read that you need to be scared of the guys with red bikes.  They were right, my Dad is a beast on that thing!

 We rode from Mountain Green up Morgan Canyon to the top of East Canyon Reservoir.  It was a awesome ride, with the steepest climbs that I have done so far.   My Dad was great though, he taught me a lot about my bike that day, and shared some tricks with me.  And I must admit, though climbs are tough, I have started to enjoy the challenge, and the downhill is a very sweet trade off!  Here we are at the top before we headed back down.  This is my Pa, he will be 60 this year, and he is awesome!  I know that he held back for my sake on this ride, and I appreciated that.  It was so nice to have the time with him.

The total ride was just under 50 miles.  We didn't go quite as far around the reservoir as the route for the organized ride calls for, and we had to get back for family stuff that night.  I can't express how fun it was to spend the time with my Dad, I am a self proclaimed Daddy's Girl, and this one on one time with him is rare.  I learned a lot from him, and it was a great day.  I handled the ride and the climbs better than I thought I would, so much so that I changed my registration to the 75 miler for the same ride that will continue past the reservoir and go to the top of Big Mountain. 

Happy Training!



New favorite riding spot

I have heard tons of people who live in my neighborhood and ride tell me that I needed to buy an annual bike pass to Antelope Island State Park.  They had many reasons, other than one of the obvious being it is literally 1.8 miles from my front door, and it is safer because of less traffic, and you can really make the ride as hard or as long as you want depending on how far into the park you go.  Well, I took them up on their advice and bought a pass last weekend.  I loved it!  You really feel like you are far away exploring some new place, but at the same time, it is so close to home!  Well, this guy above is one of the reasons why I love going out there, they are everywhere and it is fun to ride around them.  You have beautiful views of the Wasatch Front, and though there is traffic, it isn't bad at all, and their are wide shoulders, so I really do feel safer.

I found a new part of the Island yesterday.  I saw a sign that pointed to Buffalo Point and I could see that it involved a significant climb up to this look out point.  Well, I was feeling quite happy with my ride and myself yesterday, so I did it!  It was hard, but in playing with the gears on my bike and going to one with very little resistance and maintaining a high cadence, I found that it was easier than a smaller climb I did last Saturday on the Island, and I was going 2-3 mph faster as well.  I keep having these little breakthroughs on my bike, and I must say, I am warming up to it more and more.  It was hard, but not as hard as I thought it was going to be and I must say, the downhill was SWEET!  Got up to 30 mph!

Like I hinted at before, I am warming up to my bike more with each ride.  It is really a whole new beast to learn about.  I feel that I am still have so much more to learn, and am excited when I make little breakthroughs or have Aha! moments on rides.  I am starting to feel more comfortable with my bike, and on it!  My shoulders are hurting less, though I am not sure I have quite figured out an ideal saddle for me, I guess I have learned to tolerate it.  I love the areas and how MUCH area you can cover on a bike as compared to a run.  I am taking a long ride with my Dad who is in town this week and bringing his bike.  I can't wait for him to show me more stuff, and we are attempting a 52 mile ride with some significant climbs, but it is in gorgeous country, so I can hardly wait.  Hopefully the old man is patient with me!

Another thing I am way excited about it that my classes for this semester are over and I am done until after Labor Day.  I am so excited to dive into some good quality training!  The weather is supposed to be spectacular this week anyhow, so even better!

To top it all off, I am only 13 days from my first tri, Women of Steel.  So excited I can't stand it!

Happy training!

Salt Lake Running Co 5k

So, I guess Hell is freezing over, because I got Ken to do a race with me.  We did the annual Salt Lake Running Company 5k on Saturday.  It was a ton of fun, and really neat to do a race with my honey!  He ran a "very short, yet distinguished" running career in high school, and once had an 18 minute 5k time.  I totally drug him into this one, but he did it, and he even had fun!  He said that he would do it again, so I consider that a success.  I had a good race, not quite a PR, but I did manage to beat him, and went back to cross the finish line with him as he went through.  Here are some pics for that day.  The one above was clearly before the race, and the others below are from the photographer for SLRC.  I took them off of their FB Page :)  Is that considered stealing?

Ken and I are in the back in this one, he is behind the lady in the hot pink shirt.

SLC Half Marathon 2012

Today was so much fun!  I loved this race again this year, and it was a good one!

First off, I will be the first to admit that my training for this was less than ideal and I went into the race with an attitude of "just finish and have fun".  I got up at 4:00 this morning, got my race outfit on, gathered my things and left to drive into the Gateway where I would park and hop on tracks.  The whole way down I was like a little kid awaiting Santa, I was just giddy with excitement and so ready to just RACE!  I really wasn't caring about how I did, I have been craving the race atmosphere, the music, the company of other runners, the adrenaline, the kids at the end of their drive ways wanting high fives as you go by.  I could barely contain myself as I hopped on Trax and rode up to the starting line at the University.

There was a 25 mile bike tour that started an hour before the marathons did.  So, most of the people on the train were cyclists.  There was a group of runners that flagged me over to sit with them and we became instant friends.  One of the things I LOVE about the running community, is they are so inclusive and friendly, and these people were a family all running the half, except for one of their daughters that was signed up for the full.  We joked on the way up, compared running stories, injuries, and goals for the day.  They were a hoot.  It definitely made the hour and half till the race more enjoyable to hang out with these folks.

At the start line I made my couple trips to the bathroom, downed my water and banana, and then started looking for the 2 hour pacer for the half.  I knew that it was advantageous at best to try to keep up with him for the whole thing, but with my ultimate goal being a 2 hour race, but my other goal of a PR (which would mean beating 2:10:42 from last year's TOU Half) I figured I would keep up with him for as long as I could, and at least keep him in sight without letting the 2:10 guy pass me.  This strategy would serve me well!

The first 6 miles FLEW by.  I was able to hold my own with the 2:00 hour guy, and had him within 50 feet the first six.  I was probably around an 8:45-9:15 mm (um, HELLO, any of you follow my on Dailymile, you know that on a GOOD day, I have been lucky to pull a 10 minute mile, so this was well beyond my expectations), and it was awesome!  That portion of the race runs down from the U, which is down hill, through Sugarhouse Park, and then through the neighborhoods.  The crowds were out, and tons of people cheering and holding signs.  I loved that.  I saw Team Bart from last year, the father/son team, where the son is seriously handicapped and the father pushes him in a wheelchair.  So neat to see them again!

Then at about mile 7-8, I had to slow down.  My sides were cramping, and I was feeling the speed and  downhill that my body isn't used too.  I was uncomfortable until I settled into a new pace and just kept going.  The miles continued to fly by, and though I don't know what my pace was, it was faster than my practice runs, but slower than I did the first half of the race in.  I enjoyed the portion that ran through Liberty Park, and then I knew I had to start preparing myself for the hill that is at mile 12.5 on State Street.  I kept looking at my watch and not believing the time I was seeing on it.  I noticed at several mile markers some INCREDIBLE (for me anyway) times. 

At mile 3 - 24:30

At mile 5 - 44:12

At mile 7 - 1:03

I started to realize that if I played my cards right, I could PR this one!  The hill made me nervous, but I decided to run the whole thing, start skipping aid stations, and hope that I wouldn't suddenly need a bathroom break :)

Well, it all paid off.  I ran the hill.  I kept a good pace.  At the top of the hill, I only had a half mile, at the most, left.  I could see the finish line.  I didn't really let myself recover from the hill, and kept reminding myself that it was okay to arrive on empty at the finish line, because then you know you really did give it all you had.  I did the same thing in St. George and it is a tremendous feeling.  So, I put the pedal to the metal, and just went for it.  I pulled it out of somewhere and had an almost sprint for the next quarter mile, then a full on sprint after that towards the finish line.  I just about collapsed when I got there, but the time on the clock said 2:09:15, which was clock time, not my chip time, and it was a PR even going on that!

I was exhausted, completely out of breath, but so, so grateful (and I must admit, in total shock) of what I had just pulled off.  A PR?!?  Really?  This from someone who is working full time, going to school full time, and still a wife and mom to boot?   I really didn't see this coming, and have no idea how it happened, because like I said, my training has been less than stellar.  My long run last Saturday was an 11:15 pace (and I wanted to die afterward), and I just did a 9:45 average pace?   WTH !?!

I let myself enjoy that moment.  The tears came. I was mad for doubting myself,  amazed at another race accomplishment.  THIS, my friends is what running is about.  It is about pushing your limits, learning to believe in yourself, and enjoying the process and the ups and downs that come with it.

So what was my final time?  I checked the website when I got home, final race chip time was 2:08:40.  An official PR by 2 minutes, and 2 seconds!

A friend told my earlier in the week that we are always more capable than we think, we can always dig deeper, and that sometimes our biggest obstacles are the ones that mentally we place on ourselves.  He told me he thought I could do this, and don't be so quick to count myself out, and sell myself short.  He was right.  I am so glad that I listened to him!

What a season opener!  I  am so grateful for this great start to a race season that is sure to be amazing.  My next event is just next week with Ken!  We are doing the Salt Lake Running Company 5k.  I am not sure what my goal/strategy is going to be for this race.  On one hand, I want another PR.  But then again, this is the first race I have ever been able to talk Ken into doing with me, so I don't know if I will just hang with him and enjoy crossing the finish line together.  I will keep you posted for when I decide.

Happy training!

Love me some new race bling!

Race week!

My season opener is this week!  My first race of the year is the Salt Lake City Half Marathon this Saturday.  I am way excited about it, and even though I have to be realistic about what my goals are, I am excited nonetheless.  I did this race last year.  I almost regretted signing up for it as what I had read online wasn't great, the expo was lame and the organizers were jerks about exchanging my race shirt that was like 4 sizes too big.  But, the next morning when I ran it, it quickly became my favorite half ever.  The route is all in the city, and hits the prettiest parts of it.  It is mostly downhill...free speed!  And, since it is an urban race, there is awesome crowd support the entire way, making it so much fun.  Then, there is the best finish line ever, running over the cobblestone streets through the Gateway for the last half mile with thousands of people barricaded off to the sides cheering you on.  It is like your own little feel-like-a-rockstar moment.

My initial goal was to make this a PR race.  But, being realistic with my training lately and the times I have seen, I know that probably won't happen.  I'm not beating myself up too bad about it, because even though a year ago my training was alot better than it is now, a year ago I also wasn't working full time and going to school full time.  I will simply do the best that I can, and simply have fun.  I did that in last year's St. George Marathon, and even though I didn't PR that race, it was one of my most favorite, and I had a blast, and was satisfied with my performance.  So, it will be with that same goal that I have this week with this half.  And the weather is supposed to be sunny and 80, who can argue with that?

God gave me a birthday present

Today is my birthday.  I turned 33.  So far my 30's have been the time of my life, I feel that I am completely ME, and loving my life!  I love who I am in my 30's!  Anyhow, I was scheduled for a run today, and last night the weather forecast said it was supposed to be cold and snowy this morning.  Many people would hit the treadmill under those circumstances, but not me!  For one, I hate treadmills with a passion.  I think I would give up running all together if that was my only option for running.  Second, my favorite runs ever have either been in snow or rain.  I went to bed last night thinking, "Could I possibly be lucky enough to get a long run on my birthday in the snow?"  Well, this is what the trail looked like this morning.  It was perfect.  About 30 degrees, steady snow, but not enough to stick to the trails, and I had them all to myself.  I left the music and watch at home and just enjoyed what God gave me to start my day with.  Days like today remind me of why I love running, and why I keep doing amid the injuries, the time demands, and everything else it can throw at you. 

Running is really my first love as well.  As much as I enjoy  my bike, enjoy a relaxing swim, and enjoy the burn of a strength work out, nothing compares to running.  There is just something about it that is good for the soul.  Maybe it is the time to myself, the time in nature, the runner's high, whatever, but I love my runs.

Happy training!

Small victory

I attended the 5:00 am Masters Swim this morning and I usually go to the 9 pm.  Anyhow, completely different group of people than what I usually see.  I got there early and was initially the first person in my lane.  Others started filtering in and then two girls, probably in there early 20's joined my lane. I could tell they were friends and they were very good swimmers.  I heard their conversation and they swim competitively on teams.  I still consider the swim my "weakest link" on the three tri sports, and though I can cover distance, I don't consider myself fast, and I am sure my form sucks.  But anyhow, they got to a part of the work out where we were supposed to do 50 meters hard.  They asked if I wanted to join them and race.  I initially thought, "Yeah right, so you can laugh at me?"  But, I didn't want to appear a wuss or pansy, so at the cost of potentially embarrassing myself I said I would.  I held my own with them, if not even leading for the first 25.  Because I am not proficient in the flip turn yet, I didn't bother, and I still managed to beat them both!  I so needed that pick  me up today!  I needed the confidence booster and it was awesome!  It's the little victories in training, right?