Okay, I should have waited 30 minutes. Here are the results:
Total Time: 1:34:40
158th out of 332 total participants
35th out of 156 women 10th out of 27 in my division (women 35 - 40)
Run 1: 24:54 (8:18/mile)
T1: 1:04
Bike: 42:55 (18.9 mph — based on what I think was actually a 13.5 mile course and included a 2 minute pause)
T2: 0:56
Run 2: 24:54 (8:18/mile)
Notes:
- WEIRD that my run times were exactly the same (although, Run 2 would have been slower had it not been for my angel)
- Also, you should probably take 2 minutes of my bike time because of the train. Although, looking at results, Michelle (ironically, the chick I was chatting with at the start) was in 9th place in my division and finished 2 minutes 40 seconds in front of me — meaning, I still would have placed 10th in my division after all.
- I’m happy with 10th in my division even if it only contained 27 peeps total. I still think I did pretty well and I LOVE a top ten finish.
- I’m only slightly bummed that my 2 minute delay on the bike might have likely kept me out of the top 15 female bike times. :(
The results aren’t online yet and I wasn’t in the mood to stick around and wait for them after the race today. I really just wanted a cup of coffee and nap so I headed home.
That said, I think I had a pretty decent race.
As I’ve repeated everywhere, I wasn’t in the mood to race this morning. Not that I’m ever “in the mood” — racing kind of sucks because it hurts, but I do love the thrill of it. And going into this morning, I just didn’t feel a sense of thrill. I didn’t have teammates to participate with. I hadn’t trained in my aerobars. I’ve been uber-marathon focused so multisport has taken a bit of a back seat and, of course, there is the weather thing.
This morning? I really wanted to stay in bed and watch movies with my dog. (I’d say dogs plural, but Tryna really doesn’t like to watch movies. ;)
But, I knew I had to do it. James had a time-trial this morning, too, so I wasn’t about to be a wimp if he was racing today. I got my gear together last night. I got up early for some pre-race granola and soy milk. I loaded up my car and I was off.
The race was nice and close. It was relaxing to know I didn’t have to be at transition at the crack-ass of dawn. In fact, packet pick-up started after 7:30 am and race time was 9am. I didn’t even leave the house until around 7:30 and I was at the site by 7:45ish.
Parking was starting to get tight. But I’m glad I took my time this morning. The extra sleep and relaxed morning was worth a less than optimal parking spot and less than optimal transition spot. As I unloaded and prepped my bike, I did encounter a problem with my back wheel’s tube. When I unscrewed the valve to check the air pressure, air started just streaming out. I’d replaced my tires a few nights ago but kept my old tubes. This back one had officially had it. So, I needed to swap it out. By this time, it was around 8am and I was thankful I had a full hour before the race start because I did want time to test out my aerobar riding skills. I proceeded to change my tire and I got more than a couple of “do you need help?”s from the men that would pass. Given the early hour and my independent spirit, this annoyed me. I couldn’t see they were being kind. All I could see was, “what??!! you don’t think a girl can change her tire?”
Of course, it was the back wheel which is always a bit of a struggle for me to get both on and off. AND my new tires are super-stiff so getting those on and off are a challenge, too. But I was fine. I could do it. In fact, I DID it. But not without this older man and his son, who were hanging out in the truck next to me, watching me the entire time. I was getting paranoid. They continued to watch and ask me (a few times) if I was okay. The older guy even told me my lights were on (yes, I know — my car radio was on, too — I was listening to it. But he also gave me a mini-lecture on a dead battery after that. Ugh.) It was about the third inquiry when they asked (again) if I was having problems while I was attempting to put my back wheel on. “I’m fine,” I said in what I knew was an exasperated voice. But then I went a step further, “But I feel like you are staring at me.” (I know, I’m not nice.)
I pulled my bike around to the side of the car where I could have more privacy. I got my back wheel on and when I came back out, the guys were gone.
In transition, I found a nice wide spot. Not optimal because it was closer to the run in and out, but space is nice. And transition does seem so much easier when you don’t have to deal with the whole swimming thing. One pair of shoes, your helmet and bike. That’s it. I took the bike out for a little warm-up. I felt fine in position. I dropped the bike off, got my chip, got body marked and then headed to a ginormous port-a-potty line that took about 20 minutes to get through.
By that time, it was about race time start. There was a big group walk to the start line. The air was crisp. I wasn’t sure if I was dressed approriately. I settled on my biking jersey, arm warmers and tri shorts. I took my knee warmers and wind vest off at last minute. I was certainly chilly during the walk to the start and as I waited for my wave (Women age 35+ were dead last) to start.
I met a sweet woman while waiting. She asked me about the bike team and racing. We talked about multisport, too. And then it was race time and we were off.
Right off the bat, I knew I was aiming for staying in the upper 150s as far as my heart rate was concerned. I was curious how fast this would give me in terms of pace on the course. The first 3 mile run was a challenge, but I felt good. I ran averaging my heart rate between 154 and 158. Some women did pass me. I know I’m not the strongest runner. But I also knew this was a C race for me, too. It’s important for me to test and learn in this environment for future races. Not only that, this was also the first leg. I still had to both ride and run again.
There was one woman in particular that passed me and I kept trying to catch her on the course. She had an Ironman Bike Ride bike jersey on and she was my rabbit. I never did catch her on the run course, though.
The 3 miles went pretty fast. It was hillier than I’d expected. We were already at bike transition and I felt I transitioned fast although I did have to trade my ball cap for my helmet. Probably faster if I wouldn’t have worn a hat at all. Oh, well.
On the bike, I had to immediately get around a lot of slower people on slow bikes. It was then that I spotted Ironman Bike Ride chick riding right in front of me and I passed her on the first hill out of the park reserve. The rest of the bike ride was like that. Lots of back and forth between me and the Ironman Bike Ride chick. I’d pass on hills, she’d pass on straights. This did have me lamenting my bike just a tad because I wonder if I’d be faster on a TT bike. Ms. Ironman Bike Ride chick had a TT bike. I felt stronger than her, but I just couldn’t kick up that same speed on the flats (note: this is an often occurance on the bike leg — those bikes do pass me quite a bit. Although, that said, my favorite is passing peeps WITH this equip and still being faster. Hah.)
Ironman Bike Ride chick did eventually pass me strong enough to make it stick. I used this opportunity to suck down some water. I noticed that I was averaging a 157 to 162 heart rate on the bike leg (weird, I always thought my heart rate was higher on the run). But I just powered as much as I could because I know this is my strong suit.
Then we hit the train. Yes, the train. The race was intersected by a train and there we were, backed up and I was right next to Ms. Ironman Bike Ride again. We joked a bit. By this time, we were talking. She noted that she just couldn’t shake me.
We were stopped at the train for about 2 minutes. Wouldn’t be great for my overall time, but it was a nice opportunity to drink and recover. Although, when we got to go again, damn if my calves didn’t scream a little.
It was a lot of the same back and forth with my new friend. She did catch me on one hill and said, “Yay! I made my goal. I caught you on at least one hill.” It was funny and motivating.
The bike leg of 12 miles took a little longer than I’d estimated. The hills on the course in addition to the wind slowed things down a bit. Although, I don’t know my speed yet and didn’t set my computer. I did manage to take my feet out of my shoes on my bike as I approached transition and it was fun to run to my spot in my bare feet — and it was certainly faster than running in bike shoes. I transitioned fast again and was out for the final 3 mile run.
Right away, I noticed it was hard to get my heart rate back up to where I wanted it. It seemed to want to stay around 151 - 152 even though the effort felt more intense than that. I didn’t take in any nutrition except for a Gu prior to the start and I wonder if that had anything to do with it. I kept telling myself, “Only three miles, push it.” I felt my pace was strong. But again, it was hard to get myself up past 154 or 155.
With about a mile left, Ms. Ironman Bike Chick was upon me. “Hah! I finally caught you!” she said. I told her I had thought she was way ahead (I had). She mentioned that she couldn’t catch me on all the hills (even on the run). We started running together and she told me to push it with her the final leg. I could feel how much stronger than me she was, but she wouldn’t let me back off. Soon, I noticed my heart rate was 158 - 159. So, THIS is what it takes to get back up there??
It was super hard, but my little nemesis / angel was dragging my ass that final mile of the course and not letting me back down. Each time I’d even consider slowing, she’d tell me to pick it up. She’d tell me to bring it in. She’d tell me to let my strong legs pull me up the hill. Sooooo super hard. I wanted to quit, but I didn’t and she even got me to sprint towards the finish. Gahhh…
Andrea is her name. She’s 46 and damn strong and I thanked her for coaching me through. There is no way I would have run that strong at the end if it weren’t for her.
At the finish, we ran into a few more girls (including the woman I met at the start). A number of us were all together on the bike and it was fun to chat about how much we all pushed each other. It’s also satisfying to know other notice you in the same way you notice them in terms of competition on the course.
So, it ended up being a very good race. I’m beat. I’m tired. But, thanks to Andrea, I left it all on the course.
Not sure how I finished. My watch says 1:35:14 but I didn’t turn it off right away when we cross. Then there is the 2 minute stop for the train that I don’t know if we’ll get credited for or not. I guess we’ll just see when results are up.
The race itself was fun. The Lake Elmo Park reserve is a lovely place for a race. There were wetlands and wildlife and hills. So, it was both scenic and challenging. It also didn’t rain on us, so while the temps were cool, the weather was just fine. In fact, I run faster when it’s cool and it turned out that I dressed perfect for the temps.
So, there you go. My first duathlon is complete. It was a great experience and I’m so glad I didn’t actually stay in bed instead to watch movies with the dog. Especially since I can do that now — and have a strong race under my belt.
Friday May 09th 2008, 8:07 pm
Filed under: triathlon
I have a duathlon tomorrow morning.
I’ve never done a duathlon before. Kind of weird after all the years of multisport now (is this my 5th season?). I’m not actually sure how hard to go out on the run for the first leg. It’s 3 mile run / 12 mile bike / 3 mile run. Not a 5k effort, but I feel like I should go hard.
I also haven’t ridden in my aerobars all season. How bad is that? James just put them on for me tonight and I was too lazy to go out and try them. So, after all the amazing base I have from Texas and the recent riding, I feel like I’m going into tomorrow a little green. Hopefully, I can ride around a little prior to the race and warm up.
And — it’s only a C race. Just a season warm-up. I still have 13 miles to run on Sunday. I need to squeeze in a swim as well as some Yoga. Then there is all the real-life stuff to mix in.
The truth also is, I’m not really motivated for tomorrow. I think the weather has me a little lethargic. It’s cold. It certainly doesn’t feel like the start of the tri season and I can’t believe I’m seriously considering race in a bike jersey and shorts tomorrow, but even that might be a little chilly.
One final note, I pulled out my race belt to pack it up and I found my Turtleman number from last August’s race still attached. The Turtleman number that I DIDN’T use because my gear was locked in my garage from that crazy storm and I had to squander up used gear and race all ghetto. Ahhh, memories…
Man, it’s about friggin’ time. Of course, I’m sitting inside watching America’s Funniest Home Videos and on my laptop. Slightly pathetic. But I did get out for a lovely 2-1/2 hour coffee ride with the club today. Honestly, it’s been at least 3 years since I’ve been on the Sunday Coffee Ride. Not sure why we stopped going. It was one of my first entrances into group riding. I still remember that first one. It WAS my first group ride. I fell on the way there at a stop sign because I couldn’t clip out of my pedals and I was all scraped up and embarrassed and didn’t want to ride because I was scared. It’s amazing to think of it now and how mornings like today ARE my zen time. Something that scared me so much 6 years ago is such a relaxing pleasure now — just goes to show you.
Today was our official kick-off coffee ride for the season. Tracey, the owner of the Bwood, had scones and coffee for the group pre-ride. James and I got there early, for once. In time to enjoy some treats before heading out — at least until I realized I’d forgotten my helmet. How do I always do that?? Forget something?? Lucky, Tracey also had a helmet I could borrow. Thank goodness.
The coffee ride route isn’t my favorite ride through the cities. But the pace was good — a perfect recovery from yesterday’s long run. I got to chat with a lot of peeps and we had a few challenging hill thrown in there to keep us honest. I think we averaged around 17-something mph for the 2.5 hour ride. Although, to be honest, I never looked at my computer to see how far we were going. It’s nice to have a ride where you just don’t care — you’re just there.
After the ride, we hung out at the cafe and had lunch with teammates. We finally had to get our butts in gear at 1pm. We needed to grocery shop for the week and do chores around the house.
As for yesterday, my 18 mile progressive run was a challenge — but a good one. I was supposed to run at 10% below Marathon Pace for the bulk of the run and then increase pace the final 30 minutes and finish the final 10 at MP. The goal for this was 11-minute mile 10% below pace with MP @ 10-minute mile but I actually ran at an average 10:30-minute mile pace and finished the final 30 minutes at 9:30. I think I am going to finally rethink my MP goal. But I need to do the math.
I will say, I was SORE after this run. We went out for dinner at a wine bar with some peeps in the evening and after 3 hours of hanging out, eating and drinking wine, my legs were stiff and could barely make it to the bathroom — let alone to the car. Then, this morning, getting out of bed was it’s own challenge. Going downstairs really hurt. But the ride loosened me up and I feel much better now.
So, next week is my first multisport race of the season! It’s the Oakdale Duathlon: a 3 mile run, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run. I guess that means I should put my aerobars on my bike and practice TT position.
5 second summary of today’s race: a 51-minute 10k was not accomplished.
That said, it was a decent race. Finishing stats below:
Time: 53:03
Pace: 8:33/mile
Overplace place: 238 out of 1638 women
Division place: 34 out of 285 women age 35 - 39 (although, I guessing at the total by the last woman in that age group who finished her place).
Not bad. I finished within the top 15% of women overall and within the top 12% of women my age. I was shooting for a goal pace of 8:30/mile and I missed that by 3 seconds. 51 minutes was just a goal I threw out there — dummy me didn’t even realize that was a 8:12/mile pace until later today when I actually did the math. But I still think it’s a good goal. It’s a time I’d like to see myself hit for this distance and I think it’s possible. Especially given my 8:44/mile paced half marathon from last year.
That said, today wasn’t without its challenges. The weather was probably the first. Forget the spring-like temps we finally received last weekend, this morning I awoke to snow. SNOW. I had to scrape the friggin’ car. And it didn’t just snow. It was snow-ing. That’s active tense. The wind was blowing. The snow was falling. Weather.com was predicting mid 30 temps with mid 20 windchills. And while I run pretty strong in cooler weather, this was a little much. Where are my 50s and 60s????
So, the other “less than ideal” factor was that I hadn’t picked up my race packet yesterday. In fact, I didn’t even know I was supposed to until I was reading about parking late last night (and well past the pick-up hours). How did I not know this? I didn’t see anything when I registered. I looked at the race site earlier in the day to see start times and location and I didn’t see it there either. I’ve only done 2 other 10ks in my life and I figured it was like all the 5ks I usually run with race day pickup. Oops.
Luckily, there was same day packet pick-up (for out-of-towners). But the Web site said this was only from 7am until 8:15 am. Race time was 9:30!
But I took this as my punishment for not reading the site thorougly. I knew this was a big race (the biggest 10k in Minnesota, apparently, and the 15th largest in the country). So, I wasn’t opposed to getting an early start. I drove to the parking area with nary a problem (not many people were out yet). I hopped right on the shuttle to the park and I arrived at pick-up by 8am. There were no lines, no hassles. I had 90-minutes to wait.
Luckily, I brought a book. And, although it was cold and snowing, I found a seat in the pavillion where I read for a bit. People began to arrive. The pavillion began to get more and more crowded. Finally, at about 8:45, I decided I needed to gear up and get ready to race. I put away my book, put on my tunes and hit the rest room. I then packed up my non-race clothing and handed over the belongings for storage. I headed out for a warm-up from about 8:50 - 9:10. My feet were cold. My fingers were cold. Luckily, the light running began to warm me up.
After my warm-up, I got in line for a port-a-potty for one last rest stop. I jogged around the area a bit more and was ready to line up for the start.
During the warm-up, my heart rate monitor was giving me grief. Lately, it’s been kind of wonky at unpredictable times. Two weeks ago, it wouldn’t register during a long run and drove me batty. In Texas, it started registering off the charts (between 175 - 200 bpm) during the final 20 miles of our 110-mile ride. And quickly into my warm-up today, it was registering 185 or nothing at all. I adjusted the strap. I restarted it numerous times. I began to get very aggitated and frustrated because I’d planned on using it to pace myself — especially now that I know 163 is my lactate threshold and not 158. I wanted to go out and aim for 160 bpm for the run and see where that got me.
But it wasn’t in the cards.
When the race started, I messed with it a bit. But I soon had to give up or my performance was going to suffer. My monitor was clearly not going to cooperate and I would have to go by pace.
Because this race is so large, the start was lots of dodging around and getting past the slower runners (and this was when I even lined myself up at the 8-minute mile pacers. I don’t know my first mile pace was (because I was fussing with my watch), but I think it was around 8:16. I have no idea what Mile #2 was. But, from then on, I clocked in the remaining miles as follows:
I felt like the pace was tough but manageable. There were some rolling hills. It certainly wasn’t a flat course. The wind on the Ford Bridge sucked ass with the snow and wind. I had a couple of women that I used to keep me going at the end. A woman in pink kept catching up and I’d speed up to match her. Finally, in the final .2 mile when I thought I was cooked, she started to pass and I just booked it with whatever I had left. I crossed the finish line feeling I’d left everything I had on that course.
Thank goodness for the lady in pink and her making me work at the end because I felt close to giving up a few times.
So, decent race even though snowy, cold and more challenging that I’d imagined. I’m a little dissappointed that an above 8:30/mile pace cooked me so much. I’m even more disappointed that I couldn’t record my heart rate during the effort.
But it is what it is. And I can’t complain. There was a point out there in the race today when I looked around and it was mostly men and a few women around me and I kind of admited to myself that maybe, yes, I’m actually an athlete.
So, I finally had it. After a few months of frustration with nutrition and weight, I finally signed up at Lifetime for a Resting Metabolic Rate test as well as an Active Metabolic Rate test. I haven’t hinted much at it on the blog lately. I don’t know if it was embarassment, frustration or denial, but I’ve been steadily gaining weight. Slightly gaining, but gaining nonetheless. I’m up 6 lbs. from where I was at the Racine Half Iron last summer. And while that is only 6 scant pounds, those pounds have been much more noticable than the other other 10-15 I’ve gained since hitting my goal weight at Weight Watchers in 2005.
The thing is, until recently, the extra poundage hasn’t really bothered me. I knew I was up 10 lbs. from goal, but my clothes were still fitting. I was still in that 8 to 10 size-frame. Then, after Christmas, my clothing started to get tight. Once that began to happen, I knew it was time to lay the law. I tried (multiple times) to jump back on the Weight Watcher’s bandwagon. Only, I’d get crazy-hungry and give up. I also started monitoring my calories on Training Peaks (where my tri training is logged), but I had no idea what I should be aiming for.
Then, after two “active” vacations of Dog Sledding and riding in Texas, I was still at this uncomfortable weight. I spent an evening scouring the evening looking for what my RMR should be – and the numbers were so mixed. Should I be shooting for 1500 calories/day? 1800? 1200? More? Less?
I just didn’t know.
About the same time as this, James went in and had his active metabolic rate tested. He told me about the test and I was curious. I signed up.
I had the test on Friday and it was kind of a freaky thing. The Personal Trainer gave me an oxygen mask and hooked me up to a computer and hose that would monitor my oxygen input. The first test was for my RMR. Prior to the test, I had to fast for 12 hours as well as refrain from hard exercise for 24 hours. I got hooked up and I had to lay on a massage table while the computer monitored my breaths. I tried to relax (although, it was kind of hard considering I’m hooked up and laying down in such an odd fashion). This lasted about 15 minutes. At the end of it, I got the magic number: 1320.
My RMR was 1320 calories/day.
At first, this number sent me into panic. Only 1320 calories a day to eat. And if I wanted to lose weight, what was that – 870 calories? 1170 calories? That’s nothing.
Of course, then my PT explained that the 1320 was if I laid in bed all day and did nothing. Adjusted to my lifestyle, I have a BMR of 1830. Sounds better, no?
After the RMR test, I went downstairs with the PT. We got hooked up at a treadmill where I had to wear the oxygen mask and it’s attached hose to the computer, but I had to run now for the test. I was instructed not to talk. And I was told we’d get to AT (aerobic threshold), and I should hang in there. He had me start walking at 3.0. Then 4.0. Then at 5.0, I went into a weak jog because it felt too weird to walk at that rate. Finally, we got to 6.0. I felt good. This is my comfortable pace. We stuck here for a while. We were approx. 6-8 minutes into the test and then he started to adjust my incline. First 4.0. Then 6.0. Then 8.0. The oxygen mask started feeling uncomfortable. I felt like I wasn’t getting my normal amount of air intake. I could see my heart rate. For 158 - 159 BPM, I felt way more uncomfortable than I normally do. Then we were at a 10% incline. This was hard. I saw my heart rate at 161. I felt like it was way higher. I felt uncomfortable, like I couldn’t hold on, like I couldn’t do it anymore. I knew I wasn’t supposed to talk, but I wanted to grunt, yell or scream. I finally made a noise, but then he asked me if I was okay and I had to admit, yes. I gave him the thumbs up — but I was suffering. “Just a few seconds more. You’re doing great. Use your arms. Hang in there,” he coached.
It was one of the longest 10 minutes of my life. But I got there. I reached AT and soon as I was allowed to rest my feet to the sides as he lowered the speed. I got back on at 3.0 mph. I started to recover. The oxygen mask was suddenly less claustrophobic.
“You okay?” asked the PT.
I have him the thumbs up.
We were now registering my recovery time.
At the end of the test, I found out my lactate threshold is 163 bpm. This is for running on the treadmill (so it could be lower for cycling). But that is a full 5 beats lower than I thought. I’d been training with 158 plugged-in based on my Joe Friel threshold tests. When it came down to plugging the numbers in and getting my HR zones, I can be working harder. Good news, because it means I have the capability for more. Tough news because it means I should be working harder.
My VO2 Peak number was 44.3 — almost in the 90th percentile for my age. My recovery times were strong, too. I have a strong aerobic base. I’m fit. Just a little overweight.
When we sat down to look at my numbers, we talked about caloric intake. I know what number to plug in. We also put my VO2 max number into my heart rate monitor and, along with my settings, I should know now exactly how many calories I burn in a workout. Using this, if I create a 3500/week calorie deficit, I should be able to lose 1 lb. a week.
We also chatted a bit about strength training. I admitted it’s something I slack on. Trying to swim, bike and run 2 - 3xs a week makes it tough to fit anything else him. He still stressed the need. Promised to chat with me at a later date (after this information sunk in) and follow-up with some routines. Perhaps I’ll listen. ;)
The greatest takeaway? I have a number to plug in. Since I’ve been using Training Peaks for coaching, I can use it for nutrition as well. I can plug in my daily caloric aim (1830) as well as my workout number (whatever it is) and aim for a 500 calorie deficit. Logging the food can be a pain, but at least I know it’s a target.
And to be honest, I’ve been doing this since Friday and I think I already have a huge revelation: I’ve been eating too much on my days off and not enough on my hard workout days. It’s easy to go over 1800-2000 calories on any given day. But on days when I workout for 2 to 3 hours, I have to add another 1500+ calories. That’s more than it sounds — and I probably haven’t been doing it. So, essentially, I’ve probably been starving myself on hard workout days (and shutting my metabolism down) and then over-eating on non-workout days. Hence the weight gain.
Only $200+ dollars for testing to figure that out. ;)
All kidding aside, I’m glad I took the test. I feel good about the target. And I know what I have to do in order to make this season a good one.
That said, I had a strong 15 mile run yesterday as part of my marathon training. I averaged a 10:35 mile pace which has me, again, questioning my goal pace (with a goal pace of 10-minute mile, my slow runs should be at an 11-minute mile pace). But I felt pretty shot after the run. I was useless the rest of day.
Today, I had a late brick workout. I wanted to wait for the sunny weather. We did 22-miles of somewhat hilly biking (approx. 16 mph avg.) and I finished with a 5.13 mile run at just over a 10-minute mile pace.
Biggest takeaway from the weekend? Thank goodness, Spring is Here! Now go eat - and track it, girlie. We have a marathon to run in June and, Lord know, I don’t want to carry any excess baggage to that finish.
Friday April 18th 2008, 7:44 pm
Filed under: random, cooking
So, last night, James called me at work. He was leaving Cupcake, from a meeting, and on his way home.
“What did you get me?” I ask.
“What?” he answers.
“Cupcake. What cupcake are you me bringing home?”
“You’re always complaining that you’re fat. I didn’t want to do that to you,” was his answer.
Wrong answer. I don’t care if I think I’m fat.
It’s Cupcake. They make Red Velvet and S’more cupcake goodness. Who cares that I complain when he brings home anything calorie-laden and tempting — every time.
Cupcakes don’t count. Isn’t that the cardinal rule??
So, I arrive home. Cupcake is forgetten. I lay my laptop bag in the office. My gym bag goes in the hall. I remove my shoes and begin rummaging through the day’s mail. I wander into the kitchen as James prepares the Trader Joe’s artichoke tortellini and a nummy marinara sauce from the co-op for dinner. Asparagus is roasting in the oven.
And then I notice it.
A white bag on the counter.
The kind of waxy bag that only comes from a bakery.
“Is that a cupcake?? Did you get me a cupcake???”
Suddenly, I’m gleeful and ripping open the bag.
Yes. Two cupcakes. From Cupcake. And the pink one is mine. It’s called Betty Crocker. Very fitting since I work on the Web site, after all. Even more fitting because it’s super-sweet traditional pink frosting on a classic moist yellow cake. There was also a double vanilla cupcake in there for the boy. But the dense Buttercream frosting atop that cupcake was so not my bag. I like my frosting sweet, yes ma’am.
I took pictures first:
Then I rubbed my finger along the edge and put the sweet, pink sugar goodness to my lips and to savor the exquisite frosting-ness. Eventually, I dug into the exposed moist yellow cake.
Sooooooo
Gooooood.
I left half the cupcake. I needed dessert after dinner, after all.
But a Betty Crocker cupcake.
How perfect.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: the total irony of the situation is that I had to start fasting after 7pm for my resting metabolic rate and aerobic zone testing that was to follow in the morning. Knowing what I know now, the calories in that lovely cupcake were a good third of what I should be eating daily. Thank goodness ignorance is bliss. And there’s room for a little Betty Crocker cupcake in everyone’s life even if it’s only monthly.. or bimonthly. It’s about balance, right?]
Wednesday April 16th 2008, 4:47 pm
Filed under: random
I’m stealing the link because it’s THAT good
My dear (and VERY SMART) friend just posted this link via Facebook. I adore it. She also works at a great digital content agency. Obviously they’re great if they hire peeps like her.
Since my job involves working on a cooking / recipe Web site, I spend a lot of time looking at other sites. I receive loads of foodie emails and I’m always wandering around looking at what is out there.
Long run Saturday turned into long run Sunday because of the inclement and COLD weather we’ve been dealing with here in MN. I normally consider myself a “winter” person. I don’t complain too much. I enjoy all seasons. But this cold and snowy Spring is becoming a little too much and is seriously depressing me a little. The snow storm on Thursday? So not fun. I can take it in March. April, not so much.
So, even yesterday was still residually cold. It was still cloudy, too, with spitting snow. The high for the day was in the lower 30s. It was kind of windy, too. I knew I didn’t want to do a long run in that so I posponed until today and instead went to the gym where James & I took in a horrible spin class (I didn’t know it would be horrible, but the chick’s music collection was from the 70s and she’d literally sing along to the music IN THE MICROPHONE. It was more than a little painful). After that, I continued my brick workout with a 6-mile run while James swam in the pool. We met afterwards in the Life Cafe, had our recovery drinks before showering and heading off to Trader Joes for the week’s grocery shopping. The club was busy, too. Crazy busy. Everyone must have been avoiding the outdoors like we were.
So, today was my long run and, I have to admit, I was still hesitant to head out. I checked weather.com and it didn’t looked like it would get above the 30s in the morning. I waited as long as I could and finally left the house at 11am.
I’m following this plan on RunnersWorld.com. The plan has more pace work than the typical beginner’s marathon plan in an effort to build some speed. Today’s long run was a progressive long run meaning I’d started and do the majority of the run at my 10% below goal pace effort. But, in the final 30 minutes, I’d increase my pace to Marathon Pace (MP) + 20 seconds; then MP + 10 seconds and then finally MP. It was a 16-miler, so I knew it would be long. I packed my iPod with podcasts of This American Life, Sound Opinions and Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me (I know, I’m a total public radio nerd) and I put some hardcore tunes on the back end for the pace increase portion of my run.
The cold temperatures weren’t horrible, but it certainly could have been warmer. At the last minute, I decided to leave my gloves at home and I wish I hadn’t. Even though I was wearing a shirt that has thumbholes, the constant presence of wind made it a chilly one. Luckily, other than my hands, the rest of my body stayed warm.
I felt good for pretty much the entire run. The 30 minute pace increase at the end was certainly challenging, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I also made sure I concentrated on nutrition. I went through 4 Gus, 1 water bottle and 1 bottle of sports drink (approx. 500 calories). At mile 10, I stopped at a gas station to use the restroom and purchase the aforementioned sports drink.
I do enjoy the long runs and their easier pace. They allow me to kind of zone out. It was nice to see the sun and geek out with podcasts that I adore.
Today’s This American Life (actually, the one that aired last week and is a repeat from 2000) was a really good one. There was a story of a sister and her born-again brother and their relationship. It is a fascinating story. Tacked on to that, the sisters in their 70s who still dress alike and do nothing without the other? Well, that was just plain weird.
Sound Opinions was also a good episode. I totally want the new Moby CD now and I was educated on the difference between vinyl and digital sound.
And the best part of Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me was probably the fact that it’s made me want to see Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (or whatever it is called). Isn’t that timely with the sequel just out.
I finished my run in 2:51:14. Under my 11-minute mile goal pace which has me re-thinking my original goal pace for the 10-minute mile marathon just a little bit. But, I’m going to hold off still a bit on any decisions there. I don’t want to get ahead of myself — especially since I’m feeling so good with how the training is going thus far. Injury-free is my numero uno priority.
Okay. Nap time now.
And, as a final note, Ariel @ Inside Voice is racing Ironman AZ today. Good luck, girl!!!
