This week in training

Belated Graciasgiving wishes to you, my 7 readers. I just got back home from a GTS, our first at The River. It was a chilly start, but standing in the sun (and then running) made all the difference. I ran with P, who I first met on Wednesday. He's a friend of D and is new to TNT, if not running and cycling. It's been a pretty good week in terms of excercise: I ran on Sunday (because I totally bailed on the ride to Duluth with the KSR folks) as well as on Tuesday (with some sweet PRs and my first sub-10-minute mile!) and, of course Wednesday. On Thursday I opted for a ride out to Stone Mountain and back, partly to make up for the lack of a ride on Sunday and partly to stretch my legs differently. I hadn't been on the bike since last week and it had been too long. I was pretty tight and sore, but it was still an enjoyable ride with good company.

Post-post-run-cooldown. Sunny and cool and awesome.

Yesterday, of course, was a rest day. I am very good at rest days.

I'm feeling pretty good about these runs, and I think that when the time comes (next week?) I'll be good to go for increased mileage. That's been an option the last few weeks, too, but you know me.

Stats:

Average pace: 11.07 (11.19)
Distance: 3.18
Time: 0.35.20 (0.35.57)
Average Heart Rate: 193

These heart rates have seemed off lately, I'm not sure what to make of it. I feel good during the run, and not like my heart is trying to beat its way out of my chest, so I'm going to assume I'm OK and that it's the technology.

Running... and walking a little, too

This week I rode on Sunday (a really good day with A and M) on the usual KSR route. It's nice to be able to just enjoy that ride and ride with whom I want without having to worry about making up for training.

I also ran on Tuesday and Wednesday and, of course, this morning. I did not run on Thursday (again), and this week I didn't have much of an excuse besides time's getting away from me and then having to make (tasty) mushroom soup. I know that if I want to get the most out of this season and training I have to get out there each day, and as I'm already cycling instead of running on Sundays I don't think I can afford to miss another run day.

Don't worry: as far as rest days go, I am very honest about sticking to them.

This morning was D's first GTS with the team, and it was nice to have someone to run with. She woke up dehydrated (probably from having the heat on, it's finally getting cool here) and didn't feel fantastic while on the course. So, I was happy for the excuse to walk a little bit and, all told, we still ended up running the bulk of it.

Not bad for  a cool and sunny Saturday.

I forgot to start the GPS until about 3/4 of a mile in, so these stats are from Diane's Strava:

Stats:
Average pace: 11.20 min/mi
Distance: 3.6 mi (including warm up)
Time: 0.40.45 (including warm up)
Average Heart Rate (this one's mine): 134

First GTS: Look Ma, I'm a runner!

Last week I started unofficially officially training for the Publix marathon. The event itself isn't until March 17, but I sort of wonder whether I didn't start early enough. Remember: I'm not really a runner.

Anyway, the GT team started doing unofficial group runs last Tuesday and Thursday of about a mile each, so I thought I could do that. I did not want to stay on campus after dark, however, so I went home and ran a mile and a half on Tuesday and felt pret-ty good.

On Wednesday I had already planned on joining the unofficial Team group run out of Brookhaven (it's nice to just expect to be there once a week) with D. Neither of the coaches were able to make it, but K (my excellent mentor) did, and so we ran a 3.6 mile out-and-back.

On Thursday I had every intention of running a mile "recovery", but then the nerves started acting up (not in the anxiety sense but in the neurological sense) and I felt weird and didn't think even a mile-long run was a good idea.

I felt better by Friday morning, but that is a scheduled rest day so I did absolutely nothing besides school work. Let me tell you, that was a great plan, because I was able to submit a draft of my prelims to my extraordinary (6th-grade advanced-group spelling word) adviser. Until I get feedback from her, I'm operating on Megan time. Listen: it feels pretty damn good.

Saturday morning was the first official OFFICIAL GTS (session, not ride) and kickoff. The tri team was there and there was a little coaches' meeting before we got started. D was on a kayaking adventure in Florida, so I was on my own (though I saw a number of people I knew. Yea! friends!) for the run itself. We had three options: 2, 3, or 4 miles for the first run. Not wanting to overdo it, I chose the safe 3-mile option, which was also an out-and-back. It ended up being only about 2.75 miles, however, which I would have known if I had checked the GPS watch C graciously lent to me for at least the duration of the season. I turned back when I was supposed to according to the cue, but not according to the distance. I'm a little disappointed, but during the meeting beforehand they warned us that distances were approximate.

I have things to learn, certainly, about the run team.

I will have stats from each run, but they are going to be different from the bike (for example, no maximum speed). All stats posted will be moving averages (totals). When I've PRd for distances, I will note that, too.

GTS Stats:
Average pace: 10:51 min/mile (11.01)
Distance: 2.74 mi
Time: 0.29.45 (30.12)
Average Heart Rate: 170

I only stopped twice, both times for the water stop. The coaches were very specific about ALWAYS STOPPING AT WATER STOPS, and drinking 8oz of water while there. I know I will cramp if I drink that much that fast before running, so I only had about 4 oz each time (and almost cramped as it was). I should've only stopped on the way back.

Anyway, it was a very positive experience, and at the end the team captain took pictures of everyone so that we would have faces to go with the names (my name is Megan). I hope to do a "photographic essay" of the season, involving a picture from each GTS. Since D wasn't there, this mugshot will have to do.

I just ran 2.74 miles and already changed. I am so fast.

A Running Cyclist

I'm updating (twice!) today with the intention of getting back into the habit of journaling my training progress. As those of you with Facebook (who haven't hidden my constant requests for fundraising from their newsfeed) know, I registered for the Georgia Publix (insert large peach here) Marathon for March 17th next year. I'll be training with the Team in Training marathon team, because I have such low faith in my willpower that being accountable to others and a cause is the only way I'll be able to get through it. Some things to note:

1. I am not a runner, despite faking it (poorly) during ski season in high school
2. The longest distance I've run since high school is the 10K portion of two Olympic tris (and I didn't run the whole of either of them).
3. I have these short, stumpy legs.
4. I make excuses.

To the ends of successfully completing a marathon despite 1-4 and a 5-100 not listed here, I am also racing a 15K in the middle of January (also here in Atlanta) and possibly some 5Ks just to establish a baseline (slow).

Anyway, this process is going to require a lot of reflection and bookkeeping, just so I can see the progress I've made and show to myself that it is, in fact, something I can do. It's also to show you (my 5 readers) that this is something you can do, too. And, I'm holding myself accountable.

Be prepared for boring training run updates. They are going to consist of about 3 miles to start with, and will be boring. I'll be using Strava to track my progress as well, so there will be fun stats to follow.

A week of Very Bad Ideas.

You know me as An Urban Cyclist (or, more likely, as Megan, because that's who I am). For two years I have regaled you with stories of my exploits on the bike, both as a commuter around Atlanta and as a participant and mentor with the Team in Training cycling team. I have become less consistent with posting these stories because I lost the habit, and habits are hard things to rebuild.

Yesterday was Thursday, which meant it was a ripe day for riding in the neighborhoods of Brookhaven. I had ridden to school (8.5 miles) in a lot of traffic (long waits through multiple cycles at various lights). The ride in Brookhaven starts at 6:00p now because of the earlier sunset, so I knew I wanted to get up there around 5:30p or so. I could do this in one of two ways: ride my bike up there (about 8.5mi up Peachtree) or take MARTA (about half an hour). Rather than spend the two bucks required for a half hour train ride, I left the office at 4:30p and set off on my northward journey. I really like the route up W. Peachtree and Peachtree, it's neat to ride out of Midtown and up through Buckhead to Brookhaven; the only problem was the traffic (and one other cyclist). Most cars gave me plenty of room (three lanes in each direction on Ptree, one way traffic on W. Ptree), but some just couldn't be bothered and came within inches of my bars as they passed. I would totally ride up to the start again, but I would have to leave earlier in the day to avoid the worst of humanity (which is, of course, Atlanta drivers and entitled cyclists during the rush).

Stats
Commute:
Maximum speed: 28.1 mph
Average speed: 11.8 mph (because of slowly rolling up to lights)
Distance: 8.5 mi
Time: 0.42.58

Ride to Brookhaven:
Maximum speed: 30.8 mph
Average speed: 12.8 mph
Distance: 8.2 mi
Time: 0.38.16

Ride in Brookhaven (1 loop):
Maximum speed: 29.8 mph
Average speed: 13.1 mph
Distance: 10.3 mi
Time: 0.47.07

The loop around Brookhaven was nice, but even though I'd eaten well during the day, I felt weak and shaky toward the end and decided another 10 miles wasn't the best idea. L and V were riding with me and were also due for shorter rides, so they didn't mind calling it quits early with me. It was a great recovery-paced ride, and nice to ride with these ladies.

Viva Bike Vegas -- A Quick Recap

Some of you may know that I get distracted easily. Throw in the requirements of grad school (RAing! Prelims! Managing other students!) and it's understandable (again, for those who know me) that I will get side-tracked.

I thought, rather than try to catch up on months' worth of cycling I would post some numbers. Anyone with any passing familiarity with me knows that numbers are among the things I love best.

Months since my last post: 3 (almost to the day)
Miles ridden since then: 1110.39 (total mileage on the year: 2880)
Elevation gained (lower bound): 44,618'
Bike rides since then: 39
Money raised: $761 (between June 28 and August 27, actually)
Maximum temperature ridden in: 105F (on event day. in the desert)

Between this season and last, I raised over $5,000 to help in the fight against blood cancers. I hate cancer. I really, really do hate it.

The ride in in Nevada was beautiful -- there isn't much to do out there, so you can't help but notice the beauty of Lake Mead and the surrounding mountains and canyons. I had intended to ride the 122 mile option with L, A, K, D, and B, but we got separated early on because I stayed back to sweep one of our riders who was, at that time, by herself. Despite the possibility of plans to work out getting on the 122 mi route later on, it was not to be. I had a wonderful time riding with my other little group, two of whom were my mentees--both cancer survivors--and two of whom were first-time TEAMmates riding their first ever century. Everyone looked good, despite the heat and lack of humidity (I had been barking for a week about hydration), and everyone finished under his own power. An incredible and inspiring day, and I am so proud of--and happy for--the team. This was a tough ride, mentally and physically, and everyone made it through, no worse for wear.

Two weekends of Training Rides - Saturday, 14 and 21 July

The last two weekends have been great. They've also been wet. For the second time in a week, I am putting on sopping wet shoes for a Sunday ride, after they've been (literally) chilling over a floor vent.

I am also OK with this.

Last weekend I rode with mentee and new participant A, who started the season guns a-blazin'. She is  strong and powerful and has great handling skills, and with a bike that fit who knows what she could do. We rode with anOTHer new participant, B, up in Cartersville, the flattish and fast BBC 48 route. We ended up doing 50, however, because in the rain we weren't able to see the road markings on the way back and just rode the route backward instead. The extra 2 miles weren't a big deal, but the buckets of rain we had for half the ride were. It was A's first time riding in a downpour, and besides the fact that our legs were getting tight from the chill (and that we were reading road markings backward), it was only the stinging of the rain hitting our eyeballs that dampened (ha!) our spirits. The ride was GREAT.

Thankfully, Strava recorded the whole thing, as my computer gave up the ghost (I killed it) when it started raining. Given that we were WAY slow on the way back in, the average speed of 15.0mph is impressive.

Details can be found here.

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This weekend the team found itself back in the Gaps, and I found myself riding with survivor and alum A and my trusty sidekick D. The day started out hot, humid, and sunny, so the shade of Wolfpen Gap was more than welcome (if the grade itself wasn't). I was feeling GREAT after warming up, but A had never ridden the route in the counter-clockwise direction before and D was coming off a couple weeks of not riding much. I took the opportunity to ride up ahead of them and then descend back to where they were a few times on Neel's and Wolfpen. They looked great, and steady paces prevailed. We made it across Neel's and Wolfpen without incident, when about a mile from Suches I looked ahead and saw a big cloud of fog. As I was saying "That doesn't look promising" the sky opened up and we were caught in a downpour. We hunkered down under shelter provided by the gas station at Suches, listening for thunder in the distance (we heard it).

I knew that my brakes were already soft from the water and that I was not interested in the descent from Woody's (my favorite part of the whole ride, dammit) in the torrents of rain we were experiencing, and convinced (in a manner) D and A to ride to the top of Woody's and assess the situation from there. Well, the sky continued to piss all over us, and we hitched a ride in the bed of the SAG truck (thanks, K!) back to the start. We saw A (see last week's summary) and R, both completing their first ever gaps experience) about four miles from the finish, meaning that they BOOKED it down the hill (we were at the top with them).

I think everyone, with the exception of M, had a great experience yesterday. So proud of our team!

Stats:
Maximum speed: 40.02 mph
Average speed: 9.78 mph
Distance: 30.81 mi
Time: 3.09.13
Climb: 3,954'

Details and map here.