For blog
Monday rode back to the watershed in rainy, cool and cloudy conditions. The mountains were again obscured by clouds. I took the now nearly 40 lb Trek (aka the Silverado). I again saw the little salamander or newts on the road by the reservoir. This time they were alive I stopped to observe one closely. It barely moved. I flipped it around and then with two sticks was able to pick it up and look right at it. Brown with bright orange spots. I threw it and a few more off the road to save them. They were maybe "Gingrich Newts" because they were getting killed out there. I will try to find out more about them.
So anyway a slow kind of ride. I took Trammel Gap road and went around Lake Sheila. Went to the end of TG rd also. A nice little detour. That lake is so pretty. saw a snail crawling across the road as I crawled up a really steep grade at the lake.
Got to Saluda and got some water and ate some. The sun came out a bit. Back on the road and down the watershed. Saw a huge turtle in the middle of the road but I was going 30 mph and I left him alone. Met Keith (of the former Keiths triathlon shop) at the bottom of the watershed and we talked a bit. He needs a job this winter as the Black Bear Adventure tours business stops in October.
Went up old camp Indian way for a good 15-20 minute climb. When I got into Tigerville the sun was out again and it was warm. On to home. Got in about 66 miles and 4000 feet vertical.
Today I got a late start due to bill paying and some housekeeping. Ahhh. I rode my lighter Allez. Only 30lb. Ha. Anyway did my 22 mile Willis course which is a hilly loop I've done a thousand times it seems. Took 1hour and 9 minutes. After these LSD rides (long slow distance) on the heavy Silverado I was needing a confirmation on my speed.
Then I ran almost 3 miles. Decided to go to the Y and signup before Sept was over (no membership fees). I rode the Silverado bike there and swam 750 yards in 15 minutes. Back home and go pickup Kristen. Rode the rollers while we watched a couple"everybody loves Raymond" shows. Got in 23+6+17 miles on the bike today. Not enough.
I need a huge weekend volume coming up. We shall see. Almost 4 weeks to go.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Super swimmer; 5 weeks til B2B
Just got updated on the life of and recent news of Diana Nyad. She failed again to swim from Cuba to Florida. She got stung by jelly fish and portugese man of war. She had gone 2/3 of the 100 plus miles.
Lots of good background on her on wikipedia. she has been swimming a long time and has set records for distance and speed. I have heard her on NPR reporting on the business of sports.
When I think of my recent nearly 3 mile swim it seems so tiny and insignificant. Oh yea she is 63 years old too. Such harsh conditions. Such mental fortitude. I'm inspired. Maybe someday I will punch through my current distance record swim of just over 3 miles and do a much larger swim.
My last two nights have each had 6 mile runs after my shift was over. Was going to run 9 miles last night but lightning in the distance and the sprinkles felt scared me off. I didn't feel like getting pelted with rain and in a lightning storm. My B2B is in 5 weeks so I still need some major efforts this coming week.
Lots of good background on her on wikipedia. she has been swimming a long time and has set records for distance and speed. I have heard her on NPR reporting on the business of sports.
When I think of my recent nearly 3 mile swim it seems so tiny and insignificant. Oh yea she is 63 years old too. Such harsh conditions. Such mental fortitude. I'm inspired. Maybe someday I will punch through my current distance record swim of just over 3 miles and do a much larger swim.
My last two nights have each had 6 mile runs after my shift was over. Was going to run 9 miles last night but lightning in the distance and the sprinkles felt scared me off. I didn't feel like getting pelted with rain and in a lightning storm. My B2B is in 5 weeks so I still need some major efforts this coming week.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Is it only 6 weeks until B2B?
So for last week I got 21 hours of training with help from the 7 hours on the last day (Sunday). Monday I ran 6 miles at an easy pace.
With the outdoor pool temp getting so cool I bet they will close it soon. So i was thinking if I do use it again, I will use my wetsuit. Actually that would be good to try out before my race. Otherwise I will need to get back to "The Y".
So on Wednesday it was raining alot and I decided to see if the pool was unlocked. It was. I got my wetsuit on in a record 19 minutes. Headed back down and jumped in the probably 72 degree water. It was sprinkling a little. I wore a thick silicone swimcap also.
I started slowly but by 30 minutes into it I had done about 1650 yards (1 pool mile). I kept going and was really in the zone. At 1 hour and 14 minutes I had done 2.4 miles. This is my best effort ever. I knew the wetsuit really helps but wow. I kept going but not as purposefully. Easy swimming. At 4800 yards I finally stopped. I wonder if I surprised anyone in the apartment office with my effort.
Later I ran a 5K. Then 30 minutes on the bike rollers. Not a big volume day but a happy result in the pool.
On Thursday I headed out in the rain on my heavy (35 lb) rain bike and did 50 to 55 miles in 3.5 hours. Went up to Tigerville. From there I could see the escarpment shrouded in very low clouds or fog. It looked like I was headed to shangra la or someplace mystical. Very cool. On the way up the watershed road I saw many dead red salamanders about 3 inches long. One I stopped to look at was not run over. I wondered what happened to them. We got almost 3 inches of rain in Greenville yesterday so the rain was a factor. I don't remember seeing them here ever. There were many of them over a several mile stretch. Saw a big dead copperhead. It was so humid but pleasant - very rare a car came by. Went up to the Hendersonville/Saluda split and turned back toward home. On the way back saw another copperhead in the middle of the road with it's head up. I circled it and noticed it's tail end had been run over and some internals exposed. I think it was nearly dead.
Got home and added a few more miles to get about 53 miles total then off to pickup daughter from school. After that I ran about an hour. Some upper body strength training to end the day.
With the outdoor pool temp getting so cool I bet they will close it soon. So i was thinking if I do use it again, I will use my wetsuit. Actually that would be good to try out before my race. Otherwise I will need to get back to "The Y".
So on Wednesday it was raining alot and I decided to see if the pool was unlocked. It was. I got my wetsuit on in a record 19 minutes. Headed back down and jumped in the probably 72 degree water. It was sprinkling a little. I wore a thick silicone swimcap also.
I started slowly but by 30 minutes into it I had done about 1650 yards (1 pool mile). I kept going and was really in the zone. At 1 hour and 14 minutes I had done 2.4 miles. This is my best effort ever. I knew the wetsuit really helps but wow. I kept going but not as purposefully. Easy swimming. At 4800 yards I finally stopped. I wonder if I surprised anyone in the apartment office with my effort.
Later I ran a 5K. Then 30 minutes on the bike rollers. Not a big volume day but a happy result in the pool.
On Thursday I headed out in the rain on my heavy (35 lb) rain bike and did 50 to 55 miles in 3.5 hours. Went up to Tigerville. From there I could see the escarpment shrouded in very low clouds or fog. It looked like I was headed to shangra la or someplace mystical. Very cool. On the way up the watershed road I saw many dead red salamanders about 3 inches long. One I stopped to look at was not run over. I wondered what happened to them. We got almost 3 inches of rain in Greenville yesterday so the rain was a factor. I don't remember seeing them here ever. There were many of them over a several mile stretch. Saw a big dead copperhead. It was so humid but pleasant - very rare a car came by. Went up to the Hendersonville/Saluda split and turned back toward home. On the way back saw another copperhead in the middle of the road with it's head up. I circled it and noticed it's tail end had been run over and some internals exposed. I think it was nearly dead.
Got home and added a few more miles to get about 53 miles total then off to pickup daughter from school. After that I ran about an hour. Some upper body strength training to end the day.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
6 weeks til B2B: big ride and big run
Update from last post: 155 coins. $8.20. Then today I went back and got $0.30. Took 20 min to get down hill. I realized I should have avoided this road so as not to go slow today.
After Altamont I went on the "Miracle Hill" route to Ceasars Head. Then onto North Carolina and the Dupont forest, along Crab Creek and into Flat Rock. Zirconia, Tuxedo and then down the watershed. Tigerville and home.
97 miles. 7900 feet climbing.
Swam later in the outdoor pool. Water temp is now 74 degrees but in I went for 1500 yards. At about 7:30 pm I was really getting cold and had to stop. Soon teeth were chattering.
Oh yea on Saturday I ran about 17 miles so legs sore/not strong today. No real flare up of pain other than heels a little so I was happy.
Time to get more pop tarts.
Dave
After Altamont I went on the "Miracle Hill" route to Ceasars Head. Then onto North Carolina and the Dupont forest, along Crab Creek and into Flat Rock. Zirconia, Tuxedo and then down the watershed. Tigerville and home.
97 miles. 7900 feet climbing.
Swam later in the outdoor pool. Water temp is now 74 degrees but in I went for 1500 yards. At about 7:30 pm I was really getting cold and had to stop. Soon teeth were chattering.
Oh yea on Saturday I ran about 17 miles so legs sore/not strong today. No real flare up of pain other than heels a little so I was happy.
Time to get more pop tarts.
Dave
Friday, September 16, 2011
Pennies from heaven
The temps yesterday was a high of 89. Today's high was 64 and cloudy and windy. I wore a jacket and no sunscreen. Such a welcome change.
I went out for a long ride and did not really know where I was headed. Tired of Saluda and Ceasars Head today. I wound around the base of Paris Mtn. and went on North, South and Old Parker Roads. Also some dead end roads just to explore. There was a road off Dreamland that doug said was steep. I got to a spot of 17 percent grade and then it got real steep and a hairpin turn. There was sand or dirt over the road and I was freaking out that I would loose traction and fall down the hill but I found a narrow spot of pavement and struggled on up. Fwew!
I ended up riding the Swamp Rabbit trail down to it's end and over to Parkers Mill Road before turning around. Back through Cleveland Park, downtown, and up to Furman. I headed for the old well worn trail of Paris mountain before going home.
Found a penny on Altamont just about 1/4 mile from old buncombe. Then I saw more coins up the road. A quarter. A dime. More pennies. This went on for an hour. I picked up maybe 120 coins. A mile or so stretch. On the road, on the white line, in the grass, in cracks in the road. I wished I had my running shoes. I can envision so many strange scenarios of how these coins spilled down the mountain.
So it took over an hour for me to climb the backside of Paris Mountain. I estimate it was $8 in coins. The quarters were $5 alone. As Doug Guth knows I will circle back for a penny on a group ride so this was a compelling situation for me.
Not a great day for training for my B2B event but time in the saddle and some interesting distractions. Time to increase the training!
Dave
I went out for a long ride and did not really know where I was headed. Tired of Saluda and Ceasars Head today. I wound around the base of Paris Mtn. and went on North, South and Old Parker Roads. Also some dead end roads just to explore. There was a road off Dreamland that doug said was steep. I got to a spot of 17 percent grade and then it got real steep and a hairpin turn. There was sand or dirt over the road and I was freaking out that I would loose traction and fall down the hill but I found a narrow spot of pavement and struggled on up. Fwew!
I ended up riding the Swamp Rabbit trail down to it's end and over to Parkers Mill Road before turning around. Back through Cleveland Park, downtown, and up to Furman. I headed for the old well worn trail of Paris mountain before going home.
Found a penny on Altamont just about 1/4 mile from old buncombe. Then I saw more coins up the road. A quarter. A dime. More pennies. This went on for an hour. I picked up maybe 120 coins. A mile or so stretch. On the road, on the white line, in the grass, in cracks in the road. I wished I had my running shoes. I can envision so many strange scenarios of how these coins spilled down the mountain.
So it took over an hour for me to climb the backside of Paris Mountain. I estimate it was $8 in coins. The quarters were $5 alone. As Doug Guth knows I will circle back for a penny on a group ride so this was a compelling situation for me.
Not a great day for training for my B2B event but time in the saddle and some interesting distractions. Time to increase the training!
Dave
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Aug 14 training update
Friday no training. Saturday did the 3.1 x 2 route similar to last Tuesday but a little slower. My 2nd 5K was 21.5 minutes.
Sunday night I ran easy 3.3 miles after work. Monday slept in and then went to the pool for a 3000 yard swim in just over an hour. Feeling good with my swim endurance, but need this length or longer for training. Should have done a bike ride too, but spent time on cleaning the chain and installing a new rear tire.
Tuesday rode to Ceasars Head and back for almost 70 miles then ran 2 miles right after that. About a 4.5 hour training session. Stopped a few times. Once to pick up a cell phone (again!). It worked but battery soon died. Will find owner someday. Later I stopped in Blythe Shoals to read about the big rocks they are putting in the south Saluda River and the property owners against it. Www.saludariverroots.com or dot org not sure. Of course I stayed at the CH ranger station a while to eat and get water. The 6 mile downhill was great as always.
Tonight Wednesday, I ran after work and did 3 laps of my 5K (3.1 mile) loop. Felt good on the first lap (no asthma) and had a good time of about 24 minutes. Did another lap at 23 minutes. So I thought: "can I push it and do it a minute faster again?". And I did. Well 22:04. So 9.3 miles in about 1hr 10 minutes was very good for me. Better than my 1:20 result this Spring in the Green Valley 10 mile race.
Will this help me on October 29th? I hope so. I also hope my legs/feet don't get overuse injuries like plantar faciitis.
Sunday night I ran easy 3.3 miles after work. Monday slept in and then went to the pool for a 3000 yard swim in just over an hour. Feeling good with my swim endurance, but need this length or longer for training. Should have done a bike ride too, but spent time on cleaning the chain and installing a new rear tire.
Tuesday rode to Ceasars Head and back for almost 70 miles then ran 2 miles right after that. About a 4.5 hour training session. Stopped a few times. Once to pick up a cell phone (again!). It worked but battery soon died. Will find owner someday. Later I stopped in Blythe Shoals to read about the big rocks they are putting in the south Saluda River and the property owners against it. Www.saludariverroots.com or dot org not sure. Of course I stayed at the CH ranger station a while to eat and get water. The 6 mile downhill was great as always.
Tonight Wednesday, I ran after work and did 3 laps of my 5K (3.1 mile) loop. Felt good on the first lap (no asthma) and had a good time of about 24 minutes. Did another lap at 23 minutes. So I thought: "can I push it and do it a minute faster again?". And I did. Well 22:04. So 9.3 miles in about 1hr 10 minutes was very good for me. Better than my 1:20 result this Spring in the Green Valley 10 mile race.
Will this help me on October 29th? I hope so. I also hope my legs/feet don't get overuse injuries like plantar faciitis.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monsters and opossums : long run and a fast 5k
Last night I was busy after work helping Kristen with her Geometry homework. It took up my time and I got no workout (running) in. That was fine since my nearly 15 mile run on Sunday had me sore yet. Also the normal 10 miles of walking at work.
Tonight I stayed in Clinton and did a run before the trek home. But first a bathroom break and shopping at Bilo grocery store. I picked up some pretzels and a can of Monster Energy drink. I was feeling sluggish and needed something to pick me up. I have never had a Monster drink nor similar to but have had Starbucks bottled coffe drink. I can't justify the $2 a can for this stuff that is questionable nutrition. Ok several years ago I had a Red Bull that they gave out on the last part of Assault on Mount Mitchell bike challenge.
Anyway I was kind of anticipating a spike of energy from it (and a few handful of pretzel nuggets). As soon as I got out of the store I started drinking it. Then I changed into my running outfit. I drank probably 10 or 12 ounces of the 16 oz can. Then I was off for my 3.1 mile route. It was about 8:40 pm and a nice cool evening for a change. Great running conditions except for it was dark. I did the lap in 25 minutes which is good for me. Right as I ended the lap I spotted what I thought was a stray cat crossing my path. I yelled at it and it scampered back into the bushes. I almost ran over an oppossum!
I paused and texted this funny incident to my mom. Then I felt ambitious. I would run another lap as fast as I could. Have I mentioned I hate running 5K's? Actually I have never, not yet run an official 5K per say I have run them on my own and as part of a sprint triathlon. They are so hard and painful to me. Lungs gasp for air and legs burn. Even my arms hurt.
I started out in the normal way too fast mode going down a slight hill. As I went I began to sense my stomach, no lower down was active and warning me of something. Lots of gas was being passed. About halfway I was not sure I could make it. I started to wish for the Bilo bathroom ASAP. I slowed a bit but was making great time and was hoping for a great end result - if I could finish. I struggled on and kept the speed high to the end. I made it in 20:25. My personal best. Slow compared to many runners I am familiar with or know but my best. I was happy.
I ranon into the Bilo and took care of my urgent business. I guess the Monster energy can have several effects. One is that just psychologically the thought of taking a hyped up drink is enough to make you have energy. Second maybe and actually caffiene can improve performance. Not sure about the Taurine or carnitine and the other stuff in it. Third beware of the flushing effect on your system. At least mine. Coffee does that to me too.
So beware all you critters of the night. Don't play possum with me because I am a stark raving lunatic Monster running you down. And I will stink you up. All for now I gotta go.
Tonight I stayed in Clinton and did a run before the trek home. But first a bathroom break and shopping at Bilo grocery store. I picked up some pretzels and a can of Monster Energy drink. I was feeling sluggish and needed something to pick me up. I have never had a Monster drink nor similar to but have had Starbucks bottled coffe drink. I can't justify the $2 a can for this stuff that is questionable nutrition. Ok several years ago I had a Red Bull that they gave out on the last part of Assault on Mount Mitchell bike challenge.
Anyway I was kind of anticipating a spike of energy from it (and a few handful of pretzel nuggets). As soon as I got out of the store I started drinking it. Then I changed into my running outfit. I drank probably 10 or 12 ounces of the 16 oz can. Then I was off for my 3.1 mile route. It was about 8:40 pm and a nice cool evening for a change. Great running conditions except for it was dark. I did the lap in 25 minutes which is good for me. Right as I ended the lap I spotted what I thought was a stray cat crossing my path. I yelled at it and it scampered back into the bushes. I almost ran over an oppossum!
I paused and texted this funny incident to my mom. Then I felt ambitious. I would run another lap as fast as I could. Have I mentioned I hate running 5K's? Actually I have never, not yet run an official 5K per say I have run them on my own and as part of a sprint triathlon. They are so hard and painful to me. Lungs gasp for air and legs burn. Even my arms hurt.
I started out in the normal way too fast mode going down a slight hill. As I went I began to sense my stomach, no lower down was active and warning me of something. Lots of gas was being passed. About halfway I was not sure I could make it. I started to wish for the Bilo bathroom ASAP. I slowed a bit but was making great time and was hoping for a great end result - if I could finish. I struggled on and kept the speed high to the end. I made it in 20:25. My personal best. Slow compared to many runners I am familiar with or know but my best. I was happy.
I ranon into the Bilo and took care of my urgent business. I guess the Monster energy can have several effects. One is that just psychologically the thought of taking a hyped up drink is enough to make you have energy. Second maybe and actually caffiene can improve performance. Not sure about the Taurine or carnitine and the other stuff in it. Third beware of the flushing effect on your system. At least mine. Coffee does that to me too.
So beware all you critters of the night. Don't play possum with me because I am a stark raving lunatic Monster running you down. And I will stink you up. All for now I gotta go.
Monday, September 5, 2011
B2B training ramps up; high heat continues
On Friday i had to work the phone some and wait for a call It is what i I'll only call the B-project for now. I did .5 hour of pushups, pullups, sit-ups. Then went for a 1.5 hour ride then .5 hour run. It got to 98. degrees so I was worn out. So on Saturday I slept in till 11 am and that was good for recovery and health but no group ride. Bummer.
I did a hard fast ride to Saluda and back in 3.5 hours. Only the low 90's this day. I weighed in at my lowest weight in a year or two maybe of 135.5 lb Sunday: skip church and ran 14.5 miles and it was maybe 90 degrees. Cooldown ha ha. Then went with Kristen to the Steppes pool. Last nice hot day maybe for the year. Tropical storm Lee would affect us Monday thru Thursday it seems. Anyway got in 2000 yards. That night after making a chicken broccoli cheddar braid , I rode the rollers for half an hour.
For the week I got about 18.5 hours of training. That was the goal.
I did a hard fast ride to Saluda and back in 3.5 hours. Only the low 90's this day. I weighed in at my lowest weight in a year or two maybe of 135.5 lb Sunday: skip church and ran 14.5 miles and it was maybe 90 degrees. Cooldown ha ha. Then went with Kristen to the Steppes pool. Last nice hot day maybe for the year. Tropical storm Lee would affect us Monday thru Thursday it seems. Anyway got in 2000 yards. That night after making a chicken broccoli cheddar braid , I rode the rollers for half an hour.
For the week I got about 18.5 hours of training. That was the goal.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September arrives
Tonight after I got home from Clinton I went to the apartment pool. It is supposed to close at 9 pm. I got started at about 8:55. Waste of time? Well the caretaker never came and so I swam until 9:50. Got in 2000 yards. Had moderate asthma the whole time. I just dealt with it as I do alot. Could have run to the truck and used the inhailer but just coped. Part of the pain training I guess to prepare me for Oct 29 pain.
I viewed the B2B website and saw that there is only 5 slots left of the 750 for the full distance triathlon. The half distance I think filled up months ago and has 1000 slots. They are participants from all across the US and one from P.R. One from Toronto and so on.
Last night did a way too late 3.1 mile run Again I had asthma. Before races I take a special asthma medicine and some regulars and I am fine. Training can suffer some.
I viewed the B2B website and saw that there is only 5 slots left of the 750 for the full distance triathlon. The half distance I think filled up months ago and has 1000 slots. They are participants from all across the US and one from P.R. One from Toronto and so on.
Last night did a way too late 3.1 mile run Again I had asthma. Before races I take a special asthma medicine and some regulars and I am fine. Training can suffer some.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
