25 juneathon

so with the two sprint's done, I'm in count-down-til vacation and international travel mode.  Making lists, thinking of things that should be on the list, adding them. doing them. adding more. suddenly changing directions to go put something on my list.

 I use Astrid on my phone. She talks back and praises me for completing stuff, nags me until I Snooze it and acts all disappointed when I slack. This takes the pressure off me to react to myself in these ways.

going away for a couple weeks makes me begin to miss the dunes when I walk with Odie in the evening.  (Juneathon score - dog walk & bike commute = 60 minutes).

these are unfortunately quite washed out examples of the flowers. washed out because of the fading light at 10:15 PM.

Now that the races are done, I am turning my sites on the climb (wyoming) and the climbs (limburg). for both, I will have an easier time if there is less of my hind quarters to haul up and over. So that means watching what i eat.

So back to SCD.  Fat or fit? My choice.  So here's to the Wednesday Challenge. My next cheat day will be in the US.

2004

2012

23 juneathon Stein Sprint Tri (and 24 catchup)

Billed as the Dutch mountain challenge, I expected a little more elevation change in the course.

However, it was "false flat", meaning some small climbs. More important were bike handling skills like cornering and staying upright on cobblestone. I had a lot of fun, as usual.  One thing about using the TACX is I don't improve my cornering skills, which are rudimentary at best.

My swim time (19:52) was better than last week's race, as was my run (30:43). Although the Groningen race didn't time transitions. So it's a little difficult to compare times. And of course, with the mountains, you can't really compare the courses anyway.

Swim 00:19:52

52

(T1) 00:03:07

53

(bike) 00:54:33

52

(after bike) 01:17:31

52

(T2) 00:04:00

51

(run) 00:30:43

50

(total) 01:52:13

(dif) 39:11

(total 1:52) (39 min after the winner)

I found my stroke rhythm in the water faster than last week. And I wasn't last out of the water. I tried drafting on my teammate's feet, but I kept bumping them and it was a little strange to have to slow down. But I couldn't swim fast enough to pass her.  My transitions could be a lot faster.  I rather like the leisurely break though.

I rode and ran last, but there were two DNF's so I wasn't last. Which pleases me.  It's the doing that counts, not the winning.

Riding last with my motorcycle escort gave me a mental choice. Rather than busting myself for riding last, I revelled in the experience. I pretended I was in first place, riding alone. I was so happy to be riding in the sunshine in the countryside around this beautiful Dutch village, near the Belgian border. Life is good.

The event was well-staffed. The course was marked and volunteers were at every turn point. Well, except for the part of the path that went into what was marked as a dead-end, then past the church with a no-entry sign. I doubled back on the first lap since I thought I had missed a turn. But I saw a sponge on the ground from the aid table, and then another runner approached. So I knew which way to go.

I stuck to a nice even pace and banished the thoughts of quitting. I got a lot of energy from the crowds.

Sprint distance is too short and doesn't serve my lack-of-speed-diesel engine. At the end of the race I felt like I still could ride another 100 km. I will have to think about how to get faster on the bike.  I averaged about 28 km/hr. Not bad, but I got lapped by really fast girls.

Today the half-distance tri was held. In the rain. Respect. Twitter reports a lot of sliding on the bike. I can only imagine.  Thankfully.

Today, Odie and I slogged through 5.5 km in the rain, then I saw the message from my friend who wanted to run later than our usual start. So we went out again for a short 3 km interrupted by apple cake and bacon ginger pancakes.

22 juneathon. mountaineering

I am beginning to wrap my head around the bid to summit the Grand Teton in August. I have confidence in my physical conditioning. But geez the gear list is long.  And I need to whip my teenage son's lazy butt into shape.

today - bike ride. Resting up for tomorrow's sprint triathlon. Second in a week!

21 juneathon

A long days night needs a party. So party we did. Singing and eating and playing musical instruments. Lucky we are. Very lucky. Having friends makes me rich.

Exercise -dog walk.

20 Juneathon - nearly there

Today, I tried the stair stepper, thinking about the trip I just booked to summit Grand Teton in August. I will need more than 20 intense minutes to get ready.  I also lifted weight, which I really enjoy.

Juneathon has only 10 more sleeps. I can make it. Can you? Never mind that whole exploding-head thing.  Carry on.

19 Juneathon A real day.

Running. There is nothing simpler. Today I took my lunch break and went for a 50 min run around the beautiful woods and park near my office.  I ran 500 meter intervals and managed to carry a 5 min/km pace, which pleased me. Then I sucked wind for two minutes, recovered and did it again.

Swimming. There is nothing more complicated. I went to practice tonight and had moments of glide and many more moments of sink, off balance, torqued, snorting water. I forgot my swim cap so ate hair all night.  There were two "open water" exercises in the line up tonight. A 12 min continuous swim, followed by 100 m laps, then a 10 min continuous swim. Hanging on the wall between laps covers most of my sins.  I suffered through some wicked foot cramps but kept going.  I even picked up a hair band from the bottom of the pool to tie my hair back. (gross I know).

Climbing. There is nothing more frightening.  After swimming I booked a trip in August to summit the Grand Teton for me and my older son. Quads, the gal said, you'll need quads. Got 'em.  And a wee bit of courage.

18 juneathon R E P E A T

Next Saturday I am racing again, this time in Stein.  Also a sprint distance. My miserable aptitude for following Sunday's course has made me read the course instructions and study the maps today - in advance. Go me!

Today was another visit to the PT - not as painful as last week. My foot/calf hurt before the race yesterday, but not during it.

I need to decide whether to put my aerobars back on. I like riding with them. I will need to pour over the race instructions in Dutch.  That probably counts for my Dutch homework, but I'm pretty sure all this nifty vocabulary won't be on Wednesday's exam.

Today's Juneathon was a dog walk. Plus getting my teeth cleaned and enduring the fluoride treatment. I know, it's not exactly running. But having that awful stuff in my mouth counts as an Endurance Event.

life in the hague. mind your step.