THE FIRST DUATHLON

ROCKFORD : LAW DAY: RUN 2MILE/ BIKE 14.0 MILE/ RUN 2.0 MILE
TIME : 1:56(BREAKDOWN TO COME LATER)


This was it -the first one.

I got up at 5am and my eyes were swollen shut(allergies to something) . That's okay. Cor(my son) and I loaded up the bikes and packed everything-our goal to be out of the house at 6am. We pulled out of the drive at 6:10. That's okay. 90 min ride ahead of us. I had an egg and cheese sandwich, a banana, and my diet dew for breakfast.

We found Rock Cut stat park just fine. Cor and I got checked in while my husband unpacked the bikes. I am really nervous now- alot of serious people here and I'm just a waddler. Remember it's about getting to the start line-don't quit now.

Time to start. They changed the run to trails and grass-someone got hit by a bike last year. I HATE trails. Being a waddler -I sometimes shuffle alot. That's okay!My pace goal was 11:00. We're off! Off across a grass field with little flags.I look at my watch 10:30 pace. I look up everyone is gone. I'm into the woods with no runners in sight. I have to keep my pace or I won't finish. At one mile I'm in swampland.No one in sight. I finish the run about 24:00.

T1-I should have practiced. It was very easy to find my bike-the only one there. That's okay.

Out to the bike. I know I can make up time. 3 laps around Olsen Lake with some slight!! hills. (haha) I actually could begin to see people and catch up and found Cor by the side of the road. Oh well-I'm last anyway. So I stopped and helped him get his chain on. Back on the bike.On the last lap I started passing a few people. I knew this was my chance to maybe no be last.

T2- It went well. . The others who had finished were very supportive and made sure I had room to get through.

Out to that damn trail again. Did I mention I will never do a trail again? The lady I passed on the bikes is coming up behind me to pass me. There she goes. I don't have alot left. We're going up a hill and she walks. I run ppast her and know if I can run the rest of the way I can beat her. I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is my son and husband cheering for me. I hoped to break 2 hours-- 1:56.


A great day.... My first but not my last. Alot of lessons learned.

FRANTIC FRIDAY

ZERO

I am taking today off because of the duathlon tomorrow. My nerves are shot. It's hard to focus . Literally I have some allergy thing going on with my eyes. Tonight I make my list and we pack up. I don't even know what to wear yet. Temp at race time should be about 50. Question-do you dress for the bike or run??? What about gels or something since it is 2 hours?? Maybe twizzlers. Bad training.

Remember----- This is the first duathlon and you only have one first--ENJOY IT

TREAMILL ON THE OTHER SIDE

RUN/WALK: 40 MIN:TREADMILL

Tonight(thank heaven) was Lauren's last night of DE. So thus my last night at the other gym. So I did the treamill easy paced . I don't know exactly my ratio or how I felt because I was so pissed at these 2 ladies. I was in the middle of 2 open treadmills. They each took one and tried to have a conversation over me!!!! I know about the daughter's birthday party and the pinwheel sandwiches and the co-worker who lived but not really. It was too much. I will not go back there again.

CHANGE AGAIN

GRASSCUTTING: 60 MIN.

My husband is out of town and the grass is long so I thought I would cut it for him.It took me and hour and I filled 3 large bags with clipping. I was thinking about running but my legs were sort of pooped. I didn't and took the kids for chinese. I need to do alittle something tomorrow and rest friday(maybe a bike) . I really don't think I'm ready for this. I don't believe I have the training in. But I'll use this as training.

As always the week before a race -you have such doubts but there is nothing you can do now. I really have to pick it up next week. At least 1- 8miler and 2- 3 milers. Then 3 days of biking.

SPINNING AT A DIFFERENT PLACE

SPIN: 1HR 15 MIN / NO HR SEEMED HIGH

Tonight I went to a different facility to spin. New instructor and different bikes. I liked it a lot-not enough to go there all the time but a good workout. The instructor was really pumped up. I thought it was better to do my last hard workout tonight and then taper a little. Weds. - run. Thurs easy bike (road 30 min) Rest Friday.

I think one of the things I enjoy most about spin class is that I get such a good workout and I'm not left behind. It's the one time I can finish with everyone else. No one is faster or slower and there are a lot of real athletes there.

Working on my goals for the weekend:

1. Enjoy the experience- It's the first.
2. Get to the start uninjured
3. Finish with no time expectations.
4. No bike wrecks.

MONDAY MIX

RUN: 45 MIN/ 3.2 MILES /10:1

Weather was ugly today. So I went to the club and the treadmill. First 10 min 4.2/2nd 10min 4.5 with 1.0 incline/ 3rd 10 min. 4.8 with 1.0 incline/ 4th- 5.0 to 5.5 with 1.0 incline. My heart at times was 175. Alot of sweat but felt good. Remember get out of your comfort zone!!!! But more importantly remember why you do it and how it feels out there on your great days.

Enjoy!

SUNDAY INTERVAL SPIN

SPINNING: 1HR 10 MIN/ 138 AVE HR/ 163 MX HR


It had been raining since last night and due to rain all day. So cycling outside was not an option. So in to the gym to spin. It was Tony with glasses and an intervall workout. I felt really tired at the beginning but by the end comfortable. During the class I kept wondering if I am really ready for next Saturday . I may have taken the training too lightly. But I can't make it up in one week. Also Rockford is my learning experience -my first one.
The week ahead: I want to taper but continue working toward Galena.

• Monday: 3mile run
• Tuesday: easy 30 min bike
• Wednesday: spin 60 min
• Thursday: 3 mile run (Lauren's last DE class)
• Friday: rest
• Saturday: THE BIG DAY