Season Opener: Hermes 10-Miler

Saturday, April 26, 2008
Hermes 10-Miler / Downtown
8:30 a.m. 69 degrees
1:41:15 (10:06 minute pace)

The Hermes 10-Miler is the kick-off for my 2008 race season.  I believe this year will be my best race season, thus far. It is my fifth and I feel as though I am going in much stronger than I did last year. 
The true test will be May 18, when I run the Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon. The goal: 1:58:00. This would be a PR for me. My best half-marathon time: 2:02, which I believe was in 2005.

Running the 10 Miler today, at a pace of 10:06 per minutes allowed me to burn 1,058 calories. I didn’t taper for this race — at all. I did an intense leg workout Wednesday and ran Thursday.

The 10 Miler also allowed me to celebrate with a few slices of thin crust pizza with grilled chicken and pineapple. YUMMY!

Today’s race was the first race I ever did by myself. I drove downtown by myself, ran by myself and while I feel like I made a huge “grown-up” step I must admit it felt kinda weird; like I was all alone. Well, I was but only in the physical state.

 

 

 

Off Days

Friday, April 25

I have not trained for two days. Finals week always takes priority over training.
The days I did train, were good training days.

I met Ann Tuesday at the Boston Store. We ran for one hour and 15 minutes. A little more than five miles.
The weather was sunny and beautiful.

Wednesday I lifted. I was sore on Thursday, hence the day off. Plus I was up at 4:30 a.m., I couldn’t sleep.My mind is going 100 miles per hour. So much to do the last two weeks of class, and magazine deadline is right around the corner.

 

Saturday, April 26, I am running the Hermes 10 miler. I hope to have a small report after the race.

 

 

 

Kimmy Kim Kim; This Bike is For You!

You said you wanted to add some bling to your bike…

This all chrome (twisted chrome) beauty comes complete with a steering wheel, rear view mirrors, fenders,  a totally cool banana seat and white-wall tires. 

But the best bling – I am saving for last.

It’s hard to tell in this picture, but the this bike has “rolling rims.” Take a look at the rear wheel. The snowflake look-alike rims rotate when the bike stops.

At first I walked past this chrome beauty, then I thought of Kimmy Kim Kim and I just has to ask, “may I take a picture of your way cool bike – dude?”

As I took the picture I envisioned Kimmy Kim Kim mounting the bike after we (Kim and me) pass the timing chip at the Greater Cleveland Tri in August.

I thinking about buying an all silver wetsuit, and I will try my damnedest to convince Ann to run in silver spandex, but that will take a bit of bribing. I bet if we pay her enough, she’ll do it.

I think we should our team as “Bling This Babe!”

Bling, bling!

 

 

 

Daff-i-dill and me

 

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
1 hour run, Pine Lane / BT    
Sunny, 60 degrees 
Miles: ? Forgot my GPS                                                                                                                         

 

Today was absolutely beautiful. I hope to start several of my posts this spring and summer with those exact words.

I ran solo today. No Ann, she was extracting teeth and whatever else comes with saliva and bad breath. God bless you Dr. G. Teeth would rot if I had to do what you do.

My run today was rejuvenating, mentally and physically. I organized my plan of action and imagined what life will be like three weeks from now. Knowing me, just as crazy, but with a little less pressure.

During my run I stopped to enjoy the scenery.

The babbling water, chirping birds, combined with the sun and cool breeze made me think I was in … heaven, or some thing like that. 

On my return, I decided to stop and admire the daff-i-dills. Not my most flattering picture, but since it made me laugh, I thought y’all might get a good laugh too.

 

 

 

Bikes, Frogs and Ice Cream

Sunday, April 6, 2008                                                                       Chagrin Reservation                                                                             Cycled 18 miles – rolling course

 

As Kim and I rolled out of the parking lot, for our first bike ride of the season, we were serenaded by the mating frogs. There must have been 20 of them in this little swamp. Singing, swimming and dancing around. The various tones captured not only my attention, but many others too. 

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It would have been kinda funny to place a look-a-like in the water, and every time some nealt next to the water, have the frog spit on them - I am rott-in What can I say, I grew up with a father and brother who were pranksters.

Today was such a beautiful day. Kim and I smiled the entire ride. We live for these days. Sixty degress, sunny - perfect cycling weather.

Aftre a great ride we headed over to the Mustatrd Seed for a bite to eat. We sat in the black leather sofa and chit-chatted while we ate our healthy food.

Then I said those magical words: Mitchele’s Ice Cream. Yes, Kim and I endulged in a scoop of heavenly ice cream before we headed home to study.
 

Things you see during a long run

Saturday, April 5, 2008
12-mile run, Bike & Hike Trail
2:10 – slow steady run, I was not feeling 100 percent today

Somehow I managed to squeeze out a 12-mile run today. When I went to bed last night, I had a sore throat and I felt like, I am not sure, but I didn’t feel good. I slept from 12 p.m. to 9 a.m. No alarm clock — that was beautiful.

I took a few pictures while I was running today, but I guess I forgot to hit the save button, so I am going to revert to an idea I had while running today.

I rarely run on the Bike and Hike Trail, but in preparation for the Cleveland half marathon, May 18, I need to prepare my body for the hard surface.

While on the Bike & Hike Trail, I see a lot of people; running, cycling, walking their dog and or children and inevitably, they do some really stupid things. There was particular instance today, which is giving me the inspiration to write “The top five stupid things people do while on the Bike & Hike Trail.”
 
1. Smoke a cigar while riding a bike.
     I about gagged when Joe Schmoe rode past me. I mumbled, under my breath, ”idiot.”

2. Cycling in Levi’s = Ouch!

3. Cycling + no helmet = dumb

4. Children + no helmet = a really dumb parent

5. The squeaky horn. 
     Agh! One or two squeaks are enough. Three plus: overkill.
 

Blues skies and sunny trails

 

Wednesday, April 2, 2008
6-mile run, Bike & Hike
61 minutes

Today was one of those days were I could have run forever. The sun-lit sky and trails made the flat run enjoyable. Could life get any better?

I am looking forward to a great race season, which may start April 26. I have not decided if I wan to run the Hermes 10 Miler or NCN Buzzard Duathlon. I have done the Buzzard two times. It is probably one of the4 more challenging course, because of all the hills. This event challenges your mental strength, on and off the course. I have a few weeks to decide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mud pie on my thigh

Saturday, March 29, 2008        
7.75 miles – 1:55 minutes – Pine Lane           

Slippery-slimmy-gooshy-mud, it was caked on the right side of my body, and of coarse –both of my feet.

One-hour and 50 minutes into the run, I slipped and fell. I went down hard, but I wasn’t hurt. No scrapes or bruises.

Ann and I had a few good laughs today, mostly on my account. Earlier in the run I slipped and somehow managed to catch my balance, but only after I slipped a few inches on one foot. My flailing arms and contorted body looked like something out of a cartoon. I got a ten for the maneuver. Thanks Ann!  

In four months (July 12), it will be time to put our training to the test. Ann will be running her first ultra-marathon: the BT50K (Buckeye Trail -31 miles). She has been training hard, and her dedication shows it!

I owed you one!

Seriously, your dedication to training for this event has helped motivate me. I look forward to running the first 15 miles with you, that is if I can keep up with you.