So the results were finally posted and I was pleasantly surprised. I placed 10th out of 28 and was just one second away from 9th!
I feel really accomplished and validated that I did the right thing by trying bike racing.
I'm looking forward to the Icebreaker TT next week!
2.23.2009
2.22.2009
Frostbite Time Trial 2009 - First Bike Race Ever
So, I haven't really had anything eventful to say ... except for maybe that I picked up a really sweet new bike.
But then today I did my first legit bike race, the Frostbite Time Trial in Everett, WA.
And they, weren't kidding! It was raining and cold. I was so wet by the end of the race and muddy, I thought I'd finished a cyclocross race.
The race is 9 miles of flat out-and-back. The results haven't been posted yet so I don't have any official standings to report, but I do know that I didn't finish last! I don't know why I'm so terrified of finishing last, but I am. I passed one lady who started about 3 minutes before me. I got passed plenty by a bunch of guys myself, but I knew if I could pass just one girl, I'd be golden. Turns out the woman I passed was the slowest finisher from last year ... doesn't matter!
My other teammates were there to lend support which was great. It's nice to hear your name and some encouraging words when your legs are starting to ache and turn into jelly. The course out was harder than the ride back in. I really appreciated that and it helped my avg. mph stay above 20.
Now, I'm just anxiously awaiting the results. That is kind of the odd thing about racing the clock, there is no instant feedback on how you did against your peers. Well, maybe I'll update this post or make a new one once the results are posted.
But then today I did my first legit bike race, the Frostbite Time Trial in Everett, WA.
And they, weren't kidding! It was raining and cold. I was so wet by the end of the race and muddy, I thought I'd finished a cyclocross race.
The race is 9 miles of flat out-and-back. The results haven't been posted yet so I don't have any official standings to report, but I do know that I didn't finish last! I don't know why I'm so terrified of finishing last, but I am. I passed one lady who started about 3 minutes before me. I got passed plenty by a bunch of guys myself, but I knew if I could pass just one girl, I'd be golden. Turns out the woman I passed was the slowest finisher from last year ... doesn't matter!
My other teammates were there to lend support which was great. It's nice to hear your name and some encouraging words when your legs are starting to ache and turn into jelly. The course out was harder than the ride back in. I really appreciated that and it helped my avg. mph stay above 20.
Now, I'm just anxiously awaiting the results. That is kind of the odd thing about racing the clock, there is no instant feedback on how you did against your peers. Well, maybe I'll update this post or make a new one once the results are posted.
11.30.2008
I did it! Seattle Half Marathon
Well, today was the day I ran the Seattle Half Marathon, quite possibly the warmest one on record. It started at 7:30 am at 55 degrees. It was foggy and misting, but so warm!
Danielle and I started the race out at the back of the pack. This was intentional so I wouldn't run too fast at the beginning and it is always more fun to pass people than to be passed by others.
I started out strong, made it up the first hill reasonably well. I continued through the I-90 express tunnel with relative ease. As we headed out on Lake Washington Blvd, (Danielle pretty much left me at mile 3,) my right knee started to get a little sore. I kept thinking "My knee hurts but it doesn't matter." I slogged along until mile 6/7 pretty well. I was really happy to see the GU shot table and discovered the vanilla flavor goes down pretty well. I was more than happy to fuel up because I knew that the biggest hills were still to come.
Mile 7 was hard. It takes you up a large hill into Madison Park through Denny Blaine. Then, you get to go up this ridiculous hill called Galer Street. Then there is a crazy slow uphill until you FINALLY get to mile marker 8. Then, you get your last 'break', a slow descent into the arboretum.
Then, it is up, up, up to Capitol Hill through this magical wooded path that I had no idea that it even exsisted. It is so pretty, windy, woody and pretty. It eventually spits you out on Bolyston on Capitol Hill which made me really happy because I've ran the next section a bunch of times before.
Once we headed down the last major downhill, I really started to struggle. My pinky toe on my right foot started hurting at mile 10, so by mile 12, I was in so much pain. I was determined to keep going though. No walking!!
Once I finally reached the stadium, I was exhausted. I saw the finish line, but I got to tell you, I normally sprint the last 50 yards or so of each race but that was not the case today. I left it all out on the course.
I finished a little after half of the people in my age group, which is a pretty big improvement for me. My chip time? 2:16:35.
Danielle and I started the race out at the back of the pack. This was intentional so I wouldn't run too fast at the beginning and it is always more fun to pass people than to be passed by others.
I started out strong, made it up the first hill reasonably well. I continued through the I-90 express tunnel with relative ease. As we headed out on Lake Washington Blvd, (Danielle pretty much left me at mile 3,) my right knee started to get a little sore. I kept thinking "My knee hurts but it doesn't matter." I slogged along until mile 6/7 pretty well. I was really happy to see the GU shot table and discovered the vanilla flavor goes down pretty well. I was more than happy to fuel up because I knew that the biggest hills were still to come.
Mile 7 was hard. It takes you up a large hill into Madison Park through Denny Blaine. Then, you get to go up this ridiculous hill called Galer Street. Then there is a crazy slow uphill until you FINALLY get to mile marker 8. Then, you get your last 'break', a slow descent into the arboretum.
Then, it is up, up, up to Capitol Hill through this magical wooded path that I had no idea that it even exsisted. It is so pretty, windy, woody and pretty. It eventually spits you out on Bolyston on Capitol Hill which made me really happy because I've ran the next section a bunch of times before.
Once we headed down the last major downhill, I really started to struggle. My pinky toe on my right foot started hurting at mile 10, so by mile 12, I was in so much pain. I was determined to keep going though. No walking!!
Once I finally reached the stadium, I was exhausted. I saw the finish line, but I got to tell you, I normally sprint the last 50 yards or so of each race but that was not the case today. I left it all out on the course.
I finished a little after half of the people in my age group, which is a pretty big improvement for me. My chip time? 2:16:35.
11.29.2008
Pre-Race Update
Wow, time flies. So, I've put in the miles and put in the carbs, now I'm conserving energy until race time. I'm so excited and nervous. Tomorrow's Seattle Half Marathon will be the longest run of my life to date.
I'll be starting the race with my friend Danielle who is an amazing runner. I'm hoping she will stay with me for atleast 5 miles before she takes off for the finish line. I just hope I don't try to keep up with her because I'll be dead my mile 7 if I do.
My biggest concern today is the sudden heat wave. I know that 56 degrees may not seem warm, but when you are used to running in 40 degrees, it can throw you off. Long sleeves or short sleeves? What kind of layering? I'm really worrying about overheating.
Also, my dilemma today is ... to shop or not to shop? I'd like to do a little shopping since I had to work yesterday but I don't want to get too tired. Do you think it would be appropriate if I asked my husband to wheel me around in a wheelchair?
I'm excited to report back after the race! Wish me luck!
I'll be starting the race with my friend Danielle who is an amazing runner. I'm hoping she will stay with me for atleast 5 miles before she takes off for the finish line. I just hope I don't try to keep up with her because I'll be dead my mile 7 if I do.
My biggest concern today is the sudden heat wave. I know that 56 degrees may not seem warm, but when you are used to running in 40 degrees, it can throw you off. Long sleeves or short sleeves? What kind of layering? I'm really worrying about overheating.
Also, my dilemma today is ... to shop or not to shop? I'd like to do a little shopping since I had to work yesterday but I don't want to get too tired. Do you think it would be appropriate if I asked my husband to wheel me around in a wheelchair?
I'm excited to report back after the race! Wish me luck!
10.25.2008
Dropped
So, it happened today and I knew it would eventually happen ... I got dropped from a team ride. Today's bike ride was both successful and humiliating at the same time. The email I received with the details around the ride stated that we would be traveling at 18-21 miles per hour on the flats and going up the hills easy for a final pace of 15 miles per hour. I thought I'd be fine. It would be far, but I've held that pace before.
15 miles per hour my foot. When the rest of the riders pulled away from me I had held an average pace of 18 miles per hour. I wasn't going to be able to keep up. So embarrasing. My second ride with the team and I already can't keep up.
This very nice man Tim escorted me on the lonely journey back to the park n' ride from which we started. My final average miles per mile was 17 for 30 miles. So that 's the good news. That's the farthest I've gone holding that pace. So I guess I have something to be proud of today!
15 miles per hour my foot. When the rest of the riders pulled away from me I had held an average pace of 18 miles per hour. I wasn't going to be able to keep up. So embarrasing. My second ride with the team and I already can't keep up.
This very nice man Tim escorted me on the lonely journey back to the park n' ride from which we started. My final average miles per mile was 17 for 30 miles. So that 's the good news. That's the farthest I've gone holding that pace. So I guess I have something to be proud of today!
10.22.2008
Runner's Club for Non-Runners
Woo hoo! I finally have some people joining my running club at work. The only rule is that you can't be a fast runner. I'm talking sub-nine-minute miles for any lengthy period of time. I reserve the right to kick anyone out due to them maintaining an intimidating speed.
I'm pretty proud that I've inspired people at work to get into triathlons, run half-marathons, and dust off their biking skills. Now, if only I could convince my own husband ....
I'm pretty proud that I've inspired people at work to get into triathlons, run half-marathons, and dust off their biking skills. Now, if only I could convince my own husband ....
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