Thursday, Aug. 24
Bike ride: Stow/Hudson Bike and Hike  

As I mounted my bike under beautiful blue skies and a light wind, I was feeling confident that this ride would be like all my others: rejuvenating.
After working all day, I love to get out on my bike and become one with the wind and nature. I feel invincible  – like Billie Jean – what was the name of that movie? Pat Benatar, my favorite rock singer produced the main song “Invincible”

Invincible I wasn’t. After five specific mishaps on the bike, about 12 miles in, I decided it was time to head home.

Mishap one: While riding on Stow road (headed toward 303) I hit a “small” bump in the road. My repair kit, which contains everything I need to repair a flat tire: spare tube, CO2 cartridge/dispenser and levers to help remove the tube slipped out the rear water bottle holder and landed in the middle of the road.

I dropped my bike, gently, very gently and ran like an unsteady child (cycling shoes have a metal plate on the bottom and are very slippery -small steps are vital, as the potential to fall is great) to were my repair kit landed, about 100 yards back.

I wasn’t quick enough to retrieve the kit before a semi and four cars ran it over. I am sure I looked quite silly standing there with my hands over my eyes. 

The casulties: The semi destoyed the kit, it  was ripped, torn and dirty, and the CO2 dispenser was in pieces. The CO2 cartridge was intact, but I was afraid it would explode at some point, so I pitched it – sorry, but I figured it was better in the woods than on my person. If it exploded on or near me, it would have been like a mini mine exploding …

Mishap two: As I approached the Bike & Hike, I hit another “small” bump and this time both of my water bottles fell to the ground. Fortunately there weren’t any cars behind me. I was a little annoyed …
I tightened the holders, shoved the bottles in and continued riding.

Mishap three: Not sure if this was a mishap or just one of the oddities of the day. A young boy, about the age of 17 was riding his bike. I didn’t pay much attention to him, even thought he was adjusting himself – aggressively. Guys do this from time to time – no, all the time. Sitting, standing, running, etc, it doesn’t matter, when the urge hits, they dig in.  Do guys realize how inappropriate that looks?

Mishap four: In aero position (tri bike) you look straight ahead and focus on the terrain. Gotta watch out for those “small” bumps. At this point in my ride, I was paying attention to every “small” bump in my path. At approximately 20 mph, a low flying, black- 747 with buzzing wings struck my sunglasses – smack! I wasn’t going fast enough for bug guts to be splattered across my lenses but fast enough that it slapped the bug into the vents of my helmet. Yes, the bug is now stuck in my hair. I can feel it squirming.

I sit upright, take off my helmet and pull the bug out of my hair. With the bug in hand I am now screaming -like a girl, because I am touching it and I don’t know exactly what it is; I just know it’s big and it is in my hand.

Riding without hands is OK if you are paying attention to the ground; I was not. I swerve and almost fall. Tha steep hill ahead of my is quickly approaching. The dare devil in me is trying to ride the hill, with no hands while adjusting my helmet. What was I thinking?

It is a this point I decided to turn around. As I am heading back, Mishap five takes place. What I thought was an oddity before, ya know the  the boy adjusting himself, turned out to be a young pervert, fondling and exposing himself. After I picked my jaw up, I turned around and began to follow the boy.

I was on a mission to stop him and his dis-GUST-ting game. He knew I was following him so he turned off the trail and headed up Norton Road. He darted behind the McD’s for a few minutes then darted out again, in hopes that I wouldn’t see him.

Long story short, I finally get in touch with the Stow dispatch, give them the details and head home.

I am not sure if any of my remaining rides, this summer,  will top this one, but then again, I am not interested in the “unique” rides, just the ones that rejuvenate.

Saturday, July 19, 2008
BT50K (Buckeye Trail 50K /31.64 miles)

The temperature was in the high 70s before the race started. Overcast skies shielded the runners from the direct sunlight, but not the humidity. By the end of the race the sun was out in full force. 

Throughout the race, our [Ann and Stacy] ponytails were drenched and sweat poured down our backs. Dirt and dust clung to our legs. We were a mess at the end, but I think I can speak for both us of when I say: we enjoyed sharing the experience.

Ann and I ran a 25K instead of the 50K. Our initial plan was to run the entire race, as I did last year, but life got in the way and we adopted the attitude: half is better than nothing.

Even at that we did not get in all the training necessary for a race that would take us more than three hours to complete.

We started strong and knew we could finish. Having a personal support group at each aid station helped fuel our desire to make it to the finish line.

By mile 12 we were tired, but we managed to stay focused and finish with a smile.

At a few points, throughout the race, we managed to tangle our feet with the roots. We did our usual foot shuffle to save our balance and avoided eating the dirt.

All-in-all it was a good race. I for one can see myself doing this race year-after-year. I’ll just have to find a new training partner, as Ann is moving to D.C July 25.

Ann: Thank you for all the fun training runs. I am going to miss our weekly runs and getting a bite to eat at Panera- while we were sweaty and semi-dirty.

Danielle, Gabby, Lori, Mom and Dad: Thank you for being there to support us. It means a great deal to have family and friends waiting for you at each aid station. Getting up at 5:30 a.m. is not what most people want to do on a Saturday, but you all did it and with huge smiles on your faces!

Saturday, May 10, 2008
Second in age group
31:53

I wasn’t setting the course on fire with my 9:54 pace, but I did have a good run at the Inaugural Emerald 5K Trail Race. 

Kyle Amsdel (Euphoria) and Mickey Ryzmek (North Coast Multisports) put on a real first-class race. From the organization, to T-shirts to awards ($100 saving bonds, fleece blankets, Montrail ball caps and Montrail water bottles) this race race was top notch.

I can see this race growing each year. The course is rugged, with some muddy spots, and offers a good hill challenge, which is somewhat shadowed by the beautiful scenery – - NOT!

Seriously, the hill is comparable to a few steep climbs on the BuckeyeTrail; very manageable.

Keep this race in mind for 2009.

Saturday, April 26: Hermes 10-Miler
Saturday, May 10: Inaugural Emerald 5K Trail Race
Sunday, May 18: Cleveland Marathon
Saturday, June 29:  Alum Creek OLY
Saturday, July 19: BT50K (half)
Saturday, Aug. 2: Steelhead half-Ironman
Saturday, Aug. 9: Greater Cleveland half-Ironman (relay)
Sunday, Sept. 7: River Run
Sunday, Oct 5: Towpath Marathon

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.

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.

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!

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.

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. 

.   

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.
 

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.