What is....?

The large plasma screens set up in front of the bikes at the gym help to pass the time. Last night I finished my workout while watching an episode of Jeopardy! Is it poor gym etiquette to blurt the answers out loud? Too bad. This gym isn't high class. I've only been twice but let me tell you these gym rats are low on work-out manners.

At the center of the gym there is a nautilus circuit where you move from machine to machine and do one minute on each. There is a sign explaining this. Each machine is numbered. So you should wait for machine "1" to be free work for 60 seconds then move to the next, until you complete the circuit. If you want to do your 5 reps at your own pace please move to the free weights room in the back. Don't jump from "1" to "4" to "8" Also, don't sit on the machine to cool down & catch your breath. Sheesh people.

But I got a good 1.5 hour workout in which was good because our team blew off the buddy run Tues. By the time I got home & showered I was starving. Funny that.

Tonight the plan is to take the doggies out on a hike since I'm leaving them unsupervised for the weekend. It's the least I can do to keep them happy.

Another post will arrive on Monday.

Pumping Up

I received a 45 day free pass to that little known gym that's open all night. Yesterday I was ready to activate the pass and get a little workout routine started. Unfortunately it was a holiday and the on-site manager wasn't authorized for passes longer than 14 days. I was allowed to utilize the gym for the day but must go back & meet with an official official, do the paperwork, listen to their spiel, blah blah blah before I get my limited time all access pass.

I found by way to the bike for a warm-up before heading to the nautilus circuit. Wow my arms are weak & my legs are strong. I could do between 20-30lb reps on the arm equipment but 150lb leg presses were no problem. I continue to be a lower body girl. My plan is to build up my core & arm strength by the end of the 45 days.

Following the weights I had my first experience with the eliptical machine. That is the weirdest most awkward sensation I've ever had in a gym. It felt so unnatural but I stuck with it for 30 minutes. I would do 2-5mins forward & 2-5mins in reverse. Going backwards felt so much easier & more natural. I really had to concentrate on that thing. But wow what a great sweat!

In addition to the weights & aerobics my goal is to be concientious about stretching. This will be the biggest challenge of them all.

The team season is winding down. We have the final two events in June and then Team "Because We Can" will disband. I hope the new participants found what they were looking for with TNT. I also hope some of them will continue to attend the Tuesday night buddy runs. It's a nice routine to have.

Hopefully this next 45 days will kick-start my weight loss.

Recovery

It's been ten days since The Ave and I still don't feel 100%. My muscles feel OK but the stupid cold refuses to leave me. I am up all night coughing so I'm short on sleep. I tried to join the buddy run around the lake on Tuesday and barely made it out one mile before turning back to the start.

I'm looking forward to feeling myself again - soon. Phlegm be gone!

The Third Time's The Charm

This is the happy face of a finisher! Last year I crossed the finish in 3:08:39, my goal was to beat that time, my dream was to finish under 3 hours. I wasn't sure my dream was possible since I spent the week before the race with a head and chest cold. I woke up on Saturday with what I feared might be the start of an ear infection.

I headed north with hopes that 5 hours in the car would scare the germs away. It seemed to work - by Saturday evening I was feeling pretty good & getting excited to return to The Ave.

With a year of running under my belt I was able to keep up with my teammates and have people to talk with through the course. Last year I ran most of the event alone. I felt good and strong. I was able to stop to take pictures, cheer on my friends and enjoy the course.

At about mile 5 I began to feel a blister forming on my left foot so I removed my Superfeet orothotic insert and ran "lopsided". It worked, no blisters!

Everything was going great. I estimated my time between 12-13 minute miles, if I kept that pace I'd kick this race in the rear. Then I got to mile 8 and realized I needed a potty break. Oh, no I broke the seal. From then to the finish I had to stop at EVERY porta-potty along the course. This will definately slow me down.

Mile 10 brought calf cramps - no! Must drink more electrolytes. Must take another Gu.

Mile 11 brought thoughts of my dad and tears. He won't be at the finish line to greet me with a jug of beer. I think I have a sense of what it feels like to have asthma. It's hard to run and breathe while crying.

Mile 12 brought Lolo! Thank God, I needed some support & distraction. She ran me to the finish line.

I completed The Ave 2008 and beat my goal and my dream came true. I crossed the finish line in 2:59:54. I beat my course record by 8 minutes 45 seconds, I beat my personal best (Nike 1/2 2007 3:00:04) and can now hang up my running shoes.

Up next... a few months of rest and then I take on the challenge of a century cycle: Solvang's Finest 100 Miles.

Albums:
My photos
Kieran's photos

The Ave 08

I'm home from The Ave 2008. I will post a wrap-up soon but here's a flashback to 2007 so when I finally post this years account you can do a compare & contrast: I did the damn thing!

Here's a teaser... I achieved two goals:
1) Beat 2007 finish time!
2) Finish sub 3!

The race was incredibly hard both physically & emotionally. More on that later. I need sleep.