Saturday, April 18, 2009

Headed for Boston

Yes, I'm heading for the Boston Marathon.

Did I forget to mention that?

I've been saying this all week at work, and some people actually thought I'd be running it. Oh, I crack myself up.

No, I'm going to watch D.C. Rainmaker and, from across the pond, Thomas from Diary of a Rubbish Marathoner, break the sound barriers. I hope to actually meet Thomas, cuz I have a few sweet presents for him from D.C. (sorry, Ray, don't be sad), and at least get good photos of both.

I'm staying with my college roommate and meeting a former work colleague, both of whom happen to be professional photographers. I will try to cajole them into taking photos for me, because mine will probably suck.

In other news, I failed to set any PRs this weekend. (I know, hard to believe, right?) Instead, I did a 6-mile preview run of next Sunday's Pike's Peek 10k, the target race for my speed development program. We met at 6:30 a.m. and ran down Rockville Pike, which has been described as "an asphalt jumble of car dealerships, strip shopping centers and fast-food restaurants," which is putting it kindly. It was gross.

I drove home, showered, changed, and raced up to Centennial Park, Columbia, MD, for D.C. Tri's annual brick-nic, which you may remember from last year.



I remember being on a hybrid bike last year and not being able to ride the full 17.5 miles. I remember walking up one hill. It was brutal.

This year I hung out with some New New triathletes and the memories came flooding back! All those worries about clipless pedals and flying downhill, riding in traffic, and falling over. Wait...that was just last week.

I could definitely see the difference in my fitness level. This year I did the full distance, managed all the uphills, and felt fine, even on not-so-fresh legs. Everything was perfect. Well, it would have been perfect if Henry Ford had never been born. I felt quite homicidal by the end of the ride because of the $#!@ cars that sped by every few seconds. I especially appreciated the pickups that drove close to me on purpose and then leaned on the horn. Helps to get the old heart rate up.

Since I had already run, I got to skip the Brick part of the Brick-nic, which is just as well, because I couldn't really stand up straight afterwards. All I can say is: Four months of spinning does not equal four months of cycling. Ah well.

The gang.


Modeling the latest in headbands.

Next: How Runner Susan singlehandedly changed my love life.

15 comments:

Petraruns said...

Hey! The crappiest commenter in the world is finally first! Sorry for my absence - I was finding my inner Hiawatha and it took a while to get back to my Princess self. You've been busy girl! Running, racing kids (and beating them - good going) and now this biking thing as well - in traffic? You crazy nut. SOunds like all is going your way fitness-wise - are you still swimming at 4am on a Monday?

Have a great time in Boston - keep us posted on events..

Runner Susan said...

Cool, I really expect that next post to turn into a novel.

Nancy Toby said...

You can run Boston, nothing laughable about that! There's lots of charity slots to be had! Qualifying may wait for 2011, but if you worked hard....

Jon (was) in Michigan said...

Ok, dumb naive question here: what's a hybrid bike?

Thomas said...

Jeanne, how do you want to meet up? I'm still in Boston on Tuesday, but I don't know if you are. Otherwise you might have to pick me out of the crowd tomorrow, not the easiest of tasks.

Kelly said...

I totally learned that spinning to cycling lesson yesterday. Although, I'd take the real thing ANY day.

Love life, eh? Sounds exciting!

David said...

This is your second Boston. as I recall. Did you not go see the amazing hip run?
You look racy in that jersey top. Rrrrrrr.
So what craziness did Runner Susan plant in your craw? Next? I am holding my breath.

LBTEPA said...

woo! Look at you in that firece outfit you tri-chica you!

gmgizmo9 said...

I hope you had a great time in Boston! Someone on my tri team was (I think) coordinating your bric-nic. Sounds like a lot of fun! And I totally enjoy reading your blogs.

Susan said...

Bos-ton! Bos-ton! Bos-ton!

Your are MISS Triathlete! Go Jeanne!

Vickie said...

Nice headband! I need to get me one of those. Have fun at Boston. Its an amazing experience.

ShirleyPerly said...

Hey, who's that bad @ss triathlete in the last photo!?

Seriously, great to hear how far you've come since last year. Hope you're having a great time in Boston. Can't wait to hear more about this love life change!

Rainmaker said...

Awesome that you made it up there - and even more awesome that I saw you. Woohoo!

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