Run Like a Whore

Here's the before shot. Notice where my keys are. Or not. Your choice. Thanks, Jamie!











After running. I managed a little over 7.5 miles. My legs let me know that I did an Ironman 2 weeks ago, but it was such a gorgeous day, I didn't care that I walked a little here and there. Yeah, I got some looks running around like this, but I have to say, I was totally comfortable. The only problem is that I took off like a jack rabbit, which cost me, but still, I really enjoyed the run. I have to change the rules--the temperature only needs to be 70F or above to run like this.




Here's the backside. Geez, do you think I could have bigger legs???











Right after taking the after pics, I headed to the outdoor pool and knocked out 2800 meters in glorious sunshine--it was maybe 83 out, and several other folks swimming laps commented how this was the BEST day of the summer. I sure thought it was! I did a drill workout, and when I was on my back, I took time to contemplate the puffy clouds overhead.

When I finished swimming, I went and took a shower and washed my hair, and then returned to a chaise lounge to dry off a bit before heading back home. I was packing up my swim bag when a man came over with hand extended and asked me what my name is. His name is Kevin, and he told me that I "rock." I figure I was blushing, because that's just not a common thing, but he told me he'd seen me swimming and noticed my physique and figured I did more than just swim. What a nice thing to say! I bet some people think I make up these stories, but I do not. I am just out there doing my thing. I told Kevin how to find my blog and gave him the usual warning :)

Back at the ranch, I made a good lunch from some of the things I got at the farmer's market, then mowed the lawn, and felt tired so I laid down for a nap. Only thing is, I wasn't so much tired as in need of stretching, so I just got on that in bed and then on the floor and then I felt a lot better, got up and motivated to get things ready for tomorrow's riding (100+ miles, baby!) and grilling, got the grilling done, and here I am about to cash it in because I need to get up at 4AM!

The weather forecast for tomorrow is not as oppressive as predicted a few days ago, but it will still be H-O-T! I haven't picked out my more-or-less-nothing riding outfit--I'll do that in the wee hours tomorrow--but I did fix bottles which was a little weird. I hope to be riding at 6AM since it's going to be so hot, so I'll need to put something over my nothing to start, but no worries--the Hydrotail is good for wrapping stuff around it meaning I can go nearly naked as it warms up!

Hope everyone's having as great a weekend as I am!

Today's Ride

Before. Wow, I look kind of excited. The outfit is a combo--the top is something I got in Hawaii years ago but hardly ever wear because of the fabric, but it seemed like just the thing to wear with the bottoms, which are Zoot. They are actually a tad too big, oh well, my booty hung out and I don't think anyone cared. I sure didn't.







After. It was H-O-T. 90 with a heat index of 96. Did I say it was hot? It was hot. I rode for 2 hours on Bitchie, drinking really warm Gatorade. Yum. I stopped once to pee at a church (hey God doesn't mind if I water the grass, right?). I didn't feel tired, but I didn't feel great, either. Did I say it was hot? It was hot. REALLY hot. Thankfully it wasn't too humid. But it was HOT.

The forecast calls for even hotter on Sunday, but it could change...most likely to EVEN HOTTER.

Oh well, tomorrow will be a fun day. Farmer's Market to restock the fruits and veggies, a nice run in some sort of swimsuit, a nice swim to keep the tan going, grilling, maybe mow the lawn, fix some bottles, keep working on the house...all good.

About one hour to beer and groceries, a little stretching and some din din. I think I'm going to treat myself to a little pasta tonight. For some reason I'm wanting a bit more carbs. Not like I'm underfed or anything.

I was thinking of this song while riding. One of my favorite Clash tunes. I saw them live years ago back when I was into the "punk" thing. I still feel like a punk. Only a Crackhead punk.

NothingMan Swimsuit Throw Down

I hereby declare that between now and NothingMan 2008, on the 13th of September (or the 14th if it's crappy on the 13th), that I will wear nothing but swimsuits to bike and run, if it's at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Furthermore, said swimsuits shall be 2-piece unless the supply of 2-piece becomes so disgusting that they can no longer be worn. Included in 2-piece is a selection of tri suits whose bottoms may be mixed and matched with various tops, so as long as my legs are uncovered, it qualifies.

Thanks to Jamie, I have ideas on what to do with the keys, and I am taking a cue from Blink in that I can also use duct tape when needed.

Oh and there will be pics. Here's the tan so far:


Actually, this won't be that difficult, since other than the Pirate Ride in Lake Placid and the actual race there, I haven't worn bike shorts in about 5 weeks. But other than brick runs where I was already shortless, I've been wearing running shorts. THIS HAS TO STOP!!!

Forecast for Chicago calls for HOT HOT HOT over the next 10 days.

It's not enough to know I can do NothingMan--hey--it's really nothing--a girl's got to have goals, right?

Pink Day

I decided today was Pink Day, and I've worn nothing but pink (or nothing). I rode CF to the outdoor pool and knocked out 3500 meters and rode home. Here's what I wore riding:













Here's what I swam in (taken after running):












Then a little after noon, I went for a run. It's really hot again, and so I decided to just throw on my cold and wet swimsuit top and a pair of shorts. I was so hot, I ended up rolling the shorts down and also tucking them in on my legs--I know, I should have just worn the swimsuit bottom, but it doesn't have a pocket to hold my keys (now what a great idea that would be!). I tossed a lot of water over myself in the last 1.5 miles, but I had a great, GREAT run! I feel really recovered now, but the proof will be my ability to knock out a 100-mile ride on Sunday. So far, so good!













I made some simple egg salad from 5 hardboiled eggs (eggs, mayo, salt and pepper), and fixed myself this sandwich with farmer's market romaine lettuce and Arkansas (they're actually pretty good) tomatoes (I used a little over half the egg salad):










Man, that sandwich was T-A-S-T-Y!!! I HEART eggs. And tomatoes. Lettuce not so much, but it's not bad when combined with other stuff. I started on my lettuce kick at Triple T, when I was being fed by a small troop of Canadian men.

I'm at about 10 1/3 hours for the week so far, and feeling really good. I have a little DOMS from my strength workout on Tuesday (plus just for shits and grins I did 50 "air squats" and tried out a couple other Crossfit moves yesterday), and I'm starting to have a little fatigue, but other than that, I'm doing great. This is what happens when your longest workout has only been 2 hours! This isn't "real" training until I knock out a 2-hour run and 6 hour ride. The ride should happen on Sunday, but it will be 2 more weeks before I'm up to a 2-hour run, then I'll have a couple more weeks at 2+ hours and then it's taper time again. Sigh...

First Run since IMLP

For some reason, I thought going for a run would feel bad, but it didn't, and maybe that means I am recovering well. Even better is the fact that I lifted yesterday (first time in 3 weeks), and earlier today I biked to the pool, swam 3,000 meters and biked home.

My quads felt, well, normal! I was sort of shocked. Running uphill didn't feel bad, and neither did running downhill. Plus it was near 90! I only ran 3.5 miles--I felt like I could have and wanted to go further--but I purposely didn't brink any Gatorade with me, which I would have wanted had I gone further.

The only downside is all the glares and scowls I got from women who saw me running. I can no longer stand wearing running shorts up near my waist when it's warm out. I don't think I look bad, but maybe I do?

Today was just a shorty run, and tomorrow I'll add on a bit, and then I'll see if I can knock out maybe 8 miles on Saturday.

I don't often say I like running, but today it felt really good. I'll take it!

Meanwhile, I'm keeping my diet to lean (mostly) protein supplemented with lots of fruit and vegetables.









grilled summer squash, Vidalia onions & garlic










grilled chicken breast, filet mignon and turkey sausage (I HEART meat!)










white flesh peaches and apricots

I'm laying off the starch mostly except maybe for the occasional sandwich. It's still summer, so I'm still very much in the mood for a beer or two in the evening! I'm getting lots of sleep, keeping up stretching, and generally feeling pretty good. Even though I'm allegedly "training," I'm not taking things too seriously at all. Mostly I just want to enjoy what's left of summer by garbaging up on swimming, biking and running outdoors--three of my favorite things! But I have to be honest that I am antsy to train more so I can eat some other goodies that are on my "allowed" list when I'm over 15 hours, like Cheetos, Twinkies and pasta! Oops--just checked what I'm doing, and I guess I might hit 20 hours this week, so my grocery list is going to have some additions!

A Few Corrections and Thanks

NothingMan is 9/13. A few days ago I said it was 42 days until, but even though I studied higher mathematics, sometimes mundane addition and subtraction escape me. 46 days from today! Phew...I get another week to train...

The vid below was sent to me by Kim right after IMLP. She reminded me that it belonged in the 100% Fuckage post, so it has a permanent home there, but I am also including it here together with a list of people I'd like to thank for...well...just for being upstanding human beings, putting up with my shit, encouraging me and all that blather. Turn it up! Apparently I know a lot of Mikes. If you're not in there, apologies, I just typed this off the top of my head!

Mike
Rob
Cindy
Mark
Steve
Shelley
Brian
Mike
Mike
Mike
Mark
Patricia
Susan
David
Mike
Lou
Deb
D
Kim
Kim
Karen
Ino
Al
Karen
Michelle
Laurie
Nick
Louis
Joe
Kevin
Russ
Chuck
Brett
Marty
Darren
Greg
Julie
Rob
Dave
Ian
Cindy
Jen
Jen
Matt
Jay
Rich
Rich
Sol
Brent
AJ
Analisa
Wolfgang
Julie
Anthony
Tyler
Jamie
Jamey
Patty
Ed
Lori
Kurt
Mike
Mike
Mike
Dino
Mike
Sarah
Stephanie
Hazel
Liana
Courtney
Fred
Pierre
Harlan
Cheryl
Pat
David
William
Harold
Judi
Jim
Peter
Vicky
Verne
Calvin
Gene
Oswaldo

IMLP in Pics

I look totally hot in rubber, don't I?

My swim sucked. But the people behind me sucked even more.


















At least the aero helmet kept the rain off the TOP of my head, but going downhill or riding up on someone else pretty much sucked--spray-o-rama.

I should win an award for biggest dork!















I felt pretty much like ass most of the day, especially with the constant peeing, but I tried to smile when I noticed a photographer and also at the volunteers, because, hey, they don't need to be part of my misery!















See? I saw the photographer and managed a big smile even though I was cold (notice my hands inside my jacket), wet, smelly and my legs hurt pretty much. Oh well, when everything sucks, you can always still smile!

















Do I look like I'm glad it's over?


















No that's not a pizza in the bag I'm holding. It's my Special Needs bags.

I want to black out the time clock. Ugh...Oh well, you can guarantee I'll be faster at NothingMan!

On the plus side, those black shorts are slimming, don't you think?














The typical "deer in headlights" photo. At first, I was going to take off the rain jacket, but the thing went 138.2 miles with me so it earned a place in this photo.














I didn't write in my brief race report that I spent the better part of the bike and run trying not to cry--I was successful much of the time. Not because I was in physical pain--it was because this was my second Ironman following the death of a parent. It's not easy. I thought that because it had been 8 months that I wouldn't feel so sad. But hey, a ton of rain, being cold and wet, not being as well trained as I wanted to be (in fact I'll be where I should have been by NothingMan), and I had a lot of time in which to think over the last 8 months. IMLP became the punctuation on the experience, and I got through it. I think I worked out a lot of things that day, but there are more to come. The best part of all is that Dad got to do it with me. Nobody else in my family will ever be able to say "I did an Ironman with Dad." And it was a PR for him!

Meanwhile, I don't see anything in my way right now. My legs are starting to feel good on the bike (no running yet), and I'm still digging on swimming outdoors. I'm getting a lot of sleep and eating well. I just don't have the desire for junk food. I've got maybe 2-3 more lbs. to come off and I'm good to go. I'm actually looking forward to my first run in a few days!

100% Fuckage

Sometimes I just can't get enough. Results of my poll have said that I should not curb it, so even though it's Sunday, here's a good bit of it. This is not meant to imply anything to anyone. If you don't like it, get the fuck off my blog! Enjoy!