Weekly updates now? Perhaps!

This week has been semi-productive. Monday night I hit the road to run 4 miles. Tuesday I met the BFC for the tuesday night weekly ride. I completed 19.5 miles! It felt so awesome. The trail was less than awesome. For anyone from St. Louis, I left from the landing heading north. Yes, north. I was seriously frightened for the first 2 mile that some one would kidnap me. I'm still in shock that there is actualy a "bike path" here and that it gets used! The next couple of miles had a great view of the river to the east and a number of junk yards to the west. About 7 miles into it, I started to enjoy the scenery on both sides but still not a high comfort level. I think that I will try to drive north and start from there if I decide to ride this path again!

Wednesday I took the day off (there are more and more of these lately) because I had plans for happy hour with the girls from work. Thursday my husband and I ran FOUR MILES!! It was the longest he'd run yet since he started training a month ago. We didn't run till after 10 pm so it was nice.

Tonight I came home from work and my husband offered me some home brew, how can I pass that up?!? So no work out again besides the fact that it is about 100 degrees out (literly) so who can get motivated to work out in that? Tomorrow it's a pool work out. I'm excited for it, it's been almost a week, and then next week, I'm working a reduced schedule because of interviews so I will get back on schedule of 5-6 work outs a week. I think I've actualy only done that once since I made the new rule.

more resting? Not possible

Last week, carry into this weekend, I was very busy. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I swam 3 days last week. Followed by 3 more days of rest, Thursday, driving to Munci, Friday, in Indianapolis/Muncie for an interveiw, Saturday running errands, a bridal shower, getting caught up on my rest which brings me to Sunday

Activity: Swimming
Time: 1 hour
Distance approx 1500M

MUCH better this time. I guess all I needed was some concentrated effort last week as well as a few days off. I read some articles which boosted my spirits, mostly about how difficult it is for runner and bikers to make the transition to swimming, and why, so I felt sorta normal, and the best ways to improve in the process. I found these tips helpful and as such, had a much better experience. I was less tired and more willing to keep going. I met a scary boy who I'm now convinced is stalking me (it's only been a day, I'm sure I'm over reacting). He wants to be my training partner. I politly declined saying I'm not good at holding to a commitment and vary my workouts so much I would be no good at meeting him at set times. He just rubbed me the wrong way and made me feel uncomfortable.

Today:
Activity: Running
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 34 minutes
I'm pretty pleased with the run today. I felt tired and like I was barely moving but am pleased with my time. I literaly ran into scary man when I was leaving to run. He told me he'd see me tomorrow at the pool, so I will be swimming in the morning to avoid him. Augh, i hope this doesn't continue!

I have a bad problem, I "rest" too much. I took Saturday off because I was busy with the dogs and got quite a work out at the park doing yard work.

Sunday:
Activity: Bike
Time: over and hour
Distance :17 miles

Monday:
Off
Evan returned from his trip and I wanted to spend some time with him. We went to dinner together

Tuesday and Wednesday:
Activity: Swimming
Distance: 1000 Meter
Time: 45 minutes

Swimming is definately my weakness. I have a new plan which involves swimming in the mornings at least 4 days a week until I feel comfortable in the pool. I haven't even done any drills the last 2 days, I've just been swimming, and not quickly at all. I've been sharing a lane and it's rather discouraging. So....I will keep working till I get better. I've not run since Friday and I've been craving it. Weird I know since prior to that I had no desire to run.

Tomorrow I take off to Indy for a second interview at OneAmerica. I want the Account Rep position in St. Louis but they are interviewing me for 2 positions, one in Indy Retirement Plan Consultant, and the Account Rep position. None of my interview suits fit so I had to borrow from Shelley. Remarkable, they fit!

That's it from me. More when I have a job (hopefully) after the weekend.

It's Finaly Friday

Activity: Running
Time: 34 min
Distance:3.9 miles

I just started out running to run. I wanted to get some hills in so started out the 1.5 out that gives me a 3 mile hill run and then instead of turning around, I turned right. Since running, and then biking I have learned most of the streets in a 5 mile radius of our house. It's a nice feeling! I did not get lost although would have 2 months ago on this same journey.

I had no idea how fast I was going because I did not know mile markers past 1.5, but am satisified with my sub 9 minute miles for almost 4 miles. My goal in the next 2 weeks is to get up to 4.5 sub 9 minute miles, so that I can finish the Bix in under an hour. Pipe dream? Most likely but it's good to have a goal. I started out intending to swim tonight but got all the way to the pool (2 miles away, I know hardly can complain) and forgot my pass. I was only swimming because it was supposed to rain but when I got home to get my pass, the big dark cloud seemed to have passed along with the 95 degree temps so I decided to run instead. Although considerabl cooler at 81 degrees, the humidity is killer. I was dretchen in sweat and didn't even realize it.

I'm single this weekend as Evan is in the middle of no where listening to his favorite bands and catching up with Mike and Emily (Bales and Jesse are there too but he's not really catching up with them because we seem them once a week). On the job front, I had a phone interveiw on Wednesday that went very very well. I have a second interveiw for a position higher than that I interviewed for, here in St. Louis hopefully on the 20th. The company is based out of Indianapolis. Also, the positions RPS wanted me to interview for at Moneta have since been filled...bummer! Laura agreed to let me stay till mid July becuase "something else will open up there soon, I'm sure". It buys me more time, but I hope to be out of there before then. Being bored at a place you spend 8 hours of your day, 40 hours a week is miserable. I was enjoying it at first but after a day, I'm over it.

I'm off to hit the showers, clean and go to bed. I got literaly 3 hours of sleep last night. The 2 dogs were not happy. I think Tulley has speration anxiety and will not sleep for more than 10 minutes at a time. Not to mention (no exageration here) he was up at 11:30 (we went to bed at 11), 2:30, 4, 5, 6 and up for good at 6:45. I couldn't listen to him bark anymore so I took him outside at 2 and at 5 and 6. I didn't want him waking up the neighbors. I feel so bad for him, I wish he were happy here, but I have no idea what to do! Hopefully tonight goes better.

Pictures!

Happy Birthday Casey!


Happy 1 year anniversary 06-05-05

Fact or Fiction?

Activity: biking (wednesday night "BFC" ride)
Time: 73 minutes
Distance: 16.2 miles

I remember growing up being told 2 things: Don't eat before you swim and don't bike in the rain. I'm sure there is validity in both of these but how much? I've always wondered if the 1 hour, swimming rule applies only to swimming or to all sorts of physical activity. I seem to rememeber the not biking in the rain was due to a) rusting chain and/or gears and insufficient breaks. However, tonight my mother would have been dissapointed because I biked 15 miles, over an hour in a consistant rain.

On my way home from work I barely needed my wipers so I figured I could cut it on the bike. I've run in worse rain. Tonight I was to meet Anne of the Trailnet.org BFC (bicycle fun club). I emailed Anne this morning when the temp was already over 100 with the heat index to see if she was still planning on biking. She indicated yes but hoped it would rain to cool things off and she prefers biking in the rain anyway. At 6:05 I got to the designated meeting spot for the central coridore weekly group ride, and there were 2 cars there, neither were Anne. One was a guy (I wish I were better at names) who asked if I was Anne and when I said no I'm Sarah he said, well Anne called and she's not coming. (Why ask if I was Anne if he knew she wasn't coming??) He was to give me the message. So this guy gave me a map, explained the different routes and the pink arrows on the path and sent me on my way! I could have waited for others but decided to start on my own since I'm slow and I figured others would catch me. No such luck! Even when you circle back for the last 8 miles, not a soul in sight!

The ride was nice. However, it took me through some parts of town I would not drive by myself in day light before tonight, let alone ride on my bike, alone. Obviously I was completely safe and lived to tell about it I guess it just goes to show how things are not always what they seem! I rode the entire ride in the street which was not as bad as I assumed it to be. I stuck with the shortest loop, 15 miles but decided next time I will add on the shorter of the 3 add on loops. I also biked past a park I've been meaning to go to so now I know I can bike there next time I'm feeling adventerous. I ended back at the parking lot even though I rode past our house to get there, I wanted to see if there were any cars with bike racks in the lot. None! Not 1 car in the lot. I think that means I'm an idiot for finishing that ride but oh well, I'm glad I did it and I gave up Parties in the Park because of it. OK so I'm sure I would not have gone to P in the P with the rain but I gave it up before I knew of the rain.

I arrived home filthy dirty and wet but over all satisified with myself and my ride. I went faster than I thought I could, stayed on the road the whole time and made it home safely and not too incredibly tired! I had the worst foot cramps I've ever felt though! I have been working diligently on using the ball of my foot instead of the flat of my foot to pedal and overall I like it but I think that is the cause for the cramp. I need to stretch more and just get used to it I'm sure because I could barely walk until I had it stretched out, let alone run any type of distance.

I decided also to join the Center of Clayton and tomorrow I pay my first month's dues. I discoverd that they do in fact have a morning lap swim option which fits nicely into my schedule as the locker rooms are much MUCH nicer than at Heman so I can bring my things and get ready for work there and then only have a 2 minute commute. They have a coffee bar there too which I'm really looking forward too. There's that cart before the horse again!

I'm off to spend some quality time with my husband before he leaves us for 5 days. Haircut and laundry, here I come!

another marathon??

Activity: Running
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 42 minutes (4 stop lights though, does that count?)
Tempature: 89 degrees F

I just ran 4.6 miles and it felt like a marathon....How pathetic is that. I used to be able to run 15 at a time with out stopping. I'm drentched in sweat.

Also on the plate for this evening, trying to decide which pool to join. Here are the options:

Center of Clayton: If I can get someone to say I work at Moneta (which I might in the future, who knows?) I can join there for $100 till the end of September. They have more than just a pool, I can also take spinning classes at a reduced cost, but I would still have to pay for them. I could not swim in the morning because they do not offer lap swim in the am. The pool is open from 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm. I could swim on my way home from work at night....it's in doors

The Heman park pool: Because I live in U City I could join that pool for $75 and swim (not just laps) when ever I want. In all reality, how often am I going to go to the pool by myself? I could only swim before work because they only have lap swim from 6:00 am to 8:30 am and for 3 hours on the weekend. No other fitness activities.

I like the idea of swimming before work because it's done and if something comes up in the evening I don't have to make bad decisions (like watching the Cards beat the Red Sox tonight although I chose to work out instead for a change!). However, I don't like limiting myself to only one time to swim. It is cheaper to join Heman park although only $25.00 but that's still enough for a night out! If I join Center of Clayton and like it I can work out there in the winter too!

I have to decied toinght. Anyone wanna throw in a suggestion?

Long time, no see

Let me start by explaining the lapse in time from my last enty till now....I've got nothing to report!

Since my last update, I took 1 week off. I did NOTHING in terms of exercise for 5 days, broke the streak for a 3 mile run on Saturday May 28th, only to take off another 2 days in the name of graduation and just plain relaxing with family. The 3 mile run went better than planned, I came in just under 24 minutes, I was pleased. However if I continue with 3 mile runs 3 times a week, I'm falling WAY short of my 20 mile/week goal. I'm caught somewhere between racking up the miles and increasing my speed. I'm working out a plan to combine the 2.

We left Bettendorf after a nice long busy weekend and got back to ST. Louis on Tuesday afternoon. I broke the streak and FINALY hit the road for a test to see if I even could run anymore. Wanted to do more than 3 miles, which I successfuly did....barely. I stratagicly planned out my course so that I knew where my mile markers were. Mile 1 came in just under 8 mins. Painful but good. Mile 2....6 minutes??? Are you kidding me? Must be something wrong with my plan. Mile 3; 8 min 12 sec (OK if I really ran a 6 min mile before that, I'm OK with that) and then the last .8 or a mile was just under 6:30. So I re-worked my carefully thought out course to discover mile 2 was just shy of 1 mile. About .2 shy, so by my math, that would have put me still under 8 minutes if I continued my pace for the remaining .2 mile. Why do I obsess over these things? Why can't I just go out an run and not have to obsess about time? That should be my new goal.

Wednesday I bought a bike helmet and tried it out with my new pedometer, or is it an Odometer? The thing that tracks your miles and all that cool stuff. (thanks to a great anniversary gift from Conrad and Abbie) A nice bike ride. I met a woman who is part of Trailnet.org, a biking club in St. Louis. They do weekly rides on Tues, Wed, and Thurs nights. The Wednesday night ride is in my neighborhood so I gave her my name and said I'd be there next week. They all look like pretty intense riders so we'll see how I do. The path is anywhere from 8 to 27 miles. I think I'll start somewhere around 8, and work my way up through the summer. The loop is 8 miles and then you keep adding different loops to get to a certain point. The best part? They had oranges and capri sun in the parking lot after the ride. Just like Y soccer games! Plus it will be nice to be involved in something.

Thursday and Friday were both runs, didn't even look at my watch until the end! I did the same small loop around Heman park. Twice on Thursday but only once on Friday (wanted to finish in under 15 minutes for 2 miles, ended up at 17:30 for 2.4 miles),to allow myself time to get geared up for the weekend long First Anniversary Celebration.

Yesterday I took to the bike trails again in 95 degree heat. I couldn't figure out why I was so beat after only 13 miles, till I looked at the temp on my odometer. Welcome to summer in St. Louis. I'm sure I'll get used to it!

This morning I hit the pool for the first time in TWO WEEKS!! It felt like my first time ever. It hurt so bad! Aside from the difficulty I had learning the "rules" at this pool, I did not enjoy this experience. The pool is a standard swimming pool, used primarily for the enjoyment of children in the summer to cool off from the heat. So, it's large and odd shaped. There were lines to mark the lanes (or so I thought), but the walls were further apart at each line as you progressed towards the deep end. (the lines were all the same length fortunately) Weird. There were lots of people there which meant the water wasn't as smooth as I'm used to and it made it more challenging to swim. All in all, not a good swim. I still have not figured out how long the pool is. I imagined it was 50M but the 2 people I spoke to said different things, although the consensus was that "We just don't worry about those things here". Well then how do you know how far you've swum? Just guess? I liked swimming in the am and being outside but I don't know if I'll go back to that pool. I suppose I will learn the "rules" especially since they have no problem telling me when I'm doing things incorrectly (you take the first open lane, not just anyone you want, and actualy it's a line on the pool floor, not a lane. You only get 1 line. Even if there are 100 open, you have to swim on the line, not between them. Only when the pool fills up can people swim in between the lines.) I'm not sure who made up the "rules" but they all seem to know them and I stuck out like a sore thumb for not following them. Someone actualy told me "we don't bring our towels out here because they will get wet". You mean there is water in the pool? Go figure! I should be allowed to have my towel on the pool deck if I choose. I don't feel comfortable walking around in just a swim suit with all of the dirty old men there. Jeez!

So that is long painful recap of the last 2 weeks. Not sure what I'll do in terms of swimming this week. I should keep going back to the Heman park pool if for no other reason than to show them that they don't intemidate me (OK so they do a little) and it's way more convenient.