"Everyone knows it's Windy" Sing-a-long!

Saturday, March 28 - Rosedale Ride

Marc & Dianne were already planning to do 40. Sarah and I had dropped down from 63 to 40 after realizing we are very busy moms with other things going on that day that we not only had to do but also wanted to do. 40 is nothing to be ashamed of, but we had a bit of a time convincing ourselves of that.

Was anyone outside on March 28? Well, if not, I'll tell ya. A cold front blew in overnight. It was in the low 40s with a wind chill in the 30s. I can deal with cold. It's not as fun to ride your bike when it's cold as it is to run when it's cold. It's doable though, and your body does eventually warm up (if not your toes). The real issue this morning was the wind. Not a little wind either.

A few photos for your viewing pleasure.

I have never ridden in such wind before. It was not fun the way this ride is supposed to be. At the first stop (which we hadn't planned on stopping at), Marc tells us they are doing the 20-mile route now. Sarah and I look at it each other. This is supposed to be fun, right? Are we having fun? No. Why do we need to kill ourselves and do 40?

We chose the 20 (22.9 actually), and it was (in the wise words of Sarah) one of the best decisions we've made in a long time. The back stretch of that ride was slow and so windy.

I made up new lyrics to a bunch of songs to make us laugh while we struggled to pedal. Sarah joined in and came up with some goodies. Enjoy, and I hope you sing along.

Bob Seger - Against the Wind

"Against the wind...I'm colder now but still riding against the wind."

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Christopher Cross - Ride like the Wind

"I've got such a long way to go...
to make it to Samsung parking lot.
So I ride...ride in the wind."

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Patrick Swayze - She's like the Wind

"She hates wind in her face.
She's pedaling but going no place."

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Bette Midler - Wind Beneath my Wings

"Did you ever know that I can pedal
and not get anywhere at all?
I can ride faster than a snail
when the wind blows like a gale."

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The Village People - YMCA

"We are riding in the W-I-N-D (insert hand movements)
Oh yes, we're riding into the W-I-N-D.
It blows from the front.
And it blows from the side.
No matter which way we go, it blows.
Because we're riding in the W-I-N-D
Oh yes, we're riding in the W-I-N-D."

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The Association - Everyone knows it's Windy

"Who's blowing me back while I fiercely pedal?
Who's tipping my bike over sideways?
Who's bending down to knock me clean off?
Everyone knows it's Windy!"

So, in honor of the Wind, we stopped at Wendy's for my usual half-n-half soda (half coke, half diet coke). Well, I had to get a picture for the ol' blog. Sarah snapped this brilliant photo...

You are the Wendy's beneath my wings.

San Marcos 50

Sunday, March 22 - 50 mile ride to San Marcos with Sarah, Dianne & Michelle. There were some very slow-going spots due to a combo of wind and inclines. We finally got to San Marcos about 45 minutes later than planned.

Dianne's hubby Marc was waiting with their son, Alex. See, I'm not the only family who has to swap out workouts and take turns and do all sorts of somersaults just so both parents have a turn to train.

Dianne and Michelle had only planned to ride to SM, so they were blissfully loading up their bikes while Sarah and I stretched and braced ourselves for the ride back with Marc. The ride back was much more pleasant and much less windy, and we finished that same distance 30 minutes faster.

Goals

This must be the race meant for me!

Fat Ass Trail Run


I don't miss the long runs.
There's no time in my day to miss them.
Sarah and I have been cycling toward Rosedale on March 28.
It's hard to get back in gear.
All of our long rides,
I've wondered how I rode 25 miles in the middle of a triathlon.
Man, I was in shape then.

So, dv laid out his goals for the world to read (whoever might the world be?).
I shall do the same, but I warn you. If you are here to read about running goals, you might need to hop off the track.

1. Complete 3 projects that have been looming over me for months and months. Complete them by May 15.

2. Rosedale Ride on March 28 - 65 miles

3. Rogue Trail Series:
May 3 - The Maze 10K Trail Run
May 31 - The Loop 10K Trail Run (they scheduled this early this year just for me, I'm sure!)
June 21 - The Bluff 10K Trail Run (um, sounds scary for clumsy folk)

And now, the Pièce de résistance:

4. Clean up my poems and write this summer. I won't be working. I'll have hours to compose while my kids swim and play. I am always writing in my head, so my big goal is to put pen to paper. Even if no one ever reads them. Yup. Maybe one day, I'll go to a writing workshop. Or a bunch of workshops. I think they call that an MFA.

Snippets

"Long" run on Friday evening - 60 mins.
Left knee hurt within 15 minutes.
Unbearable.
Switched to a fartlek with 2 mins fast/1 min walking to keep my knee from hurting.
Ran hard though (had to in order for me knee not to hurt).

No cycling this weekend.
Resting my IT bands.
Exercises to strengthen muscles near IT band aren't easy.
Foam roller, aka Torture roller.

65-mile Rosedale Ride this Saturday.
Gulp.
Easy running this week, if any.
Really up to the knees.

Ice pain. Heat IT band.
Ah, that is the answer.

MS150 in less than 3 weeks. Yikes.

Elijah's Title: Running, Trekkies

I'm going to do the MS150 next April. Sarah (aka, Holmes) did it last April and really enjoyed it. I can't even really imagine riding all day (literally) and then getting on the bike again the next morning and riding again all day. I better start imagining it though because that will be me next April. David said it can be my anniversary and birthday present. Nice. I have to fund raise at least $400, so don't be surprised if I hit you up in a few months.

Saturday long run: 9 miles. I did it. It was fine. Staley ran with me and Gayatri. He brought a pleasant change from the usual girl chatter, and he made sure to point out at least two dead animals on the road (thanks, Staley!). He was also a good cheerleader for us and kept us going a few times. This was a "short" run for him, so it didn't seem to phase him at all. It really didn't phase us either though, except the hills on Enfield. He left us with about 1.5 miles to go, which I'm happy about. I think we held him back most of the way.

We did succeed in starting out slow. I'm happy overall with the run. My legs were aching the last couple of miles, and my feet were really not comfortable. After the run, I simply had to take my run shirt and bra off. Some t-back bras are so uncomfortable and cause pain in my shoulders and back. I won't get started on my bra rant. (I know, save your applause)

After stretching Gayatri and I went to Runtex for new shoes. It's been a few weeks that I've needed new shoes, and I felt it on this run. Gayatri ended up with no shoes. :-( She'll get 'em though when Gilbert or Benard can help her choose between a couple of pairs.

My boys are healthy again. David's been biking, swimming and aqua-jogging. He's tight-lipped about the status of his leg/shin. My hand still hurts, but it's feeling better (I can actually type without wincing). We are going to have Family Movie Night, and I hope my kids will sit through Trekkies. David and I saw that documentary years ago, and we laughed and laughed. I do love Star Trek so much, but not nearly as much as those folks featured in the movie.