Kayak, Bike, and That Other Thing You Do in the Water

Kayak:
Last night I went kayaking for the first time ever. It cost $5. Since I don't have the kid's camera anymore, and strangely, other people don't feel the need to photograph every single thing they do, you'll just have to imagine the scene: The C & O canal, dusk, sun slowly setting, mosquitoes slowly eating me alive. It was blissful, and peaceful, and I got told by the instructor that I need to "put more force into it." A familiar rejoinder, sadly.

It kind of looked like this.

The instructors taught us a few strokes and then had us play tag with the kayaks. A lovely way to spend a hot summer night.

Bike:
Saturday I went on a 33-mile bike ride on the very very hilly Eat-a-Peach charity ride, out in the hinterlands of Westminster, Maryland. I was grouchy and grumpy and not feeling it, but I just got in the car and put it in drive, bitching to myself the entire way. I should have manned up and gone for 40 miles, but I gave into my worse self. I rode alone most of the time, and what do you know: My mood actually lifted. It really IS all about the bike!!!

The ride went through bucolic (and hilly) Carrol County, out in some real country, with no cars, lots of corn, cows and horses. Also geese. The first rest stop was at 9 miles. Are they kidding?? I was barely warmed up. The second was at 20 miles, at a cute little country nursery. There were a ton of people stopped, including a bike team that was helping some chick change a flat. I flew right on by. 33 miles took me 2.5 hours which, if you're keeping track, is slow. But whatever. I passed people like they were standing still. The ride organizers saved their worst for last, of course: the longest and steepest hill at about 31 miles out. It went straight up. God knows how I didn't fall ass over teakettle. Instead, I passed one teenager pushing his bike up a hill. I felt smug (and what the heck, why not?) even though he was riding a banana bike that was about 6 sizes too small. I take what I can get.

At the end I forced myself to run, and got in 2 good miles in the hot sun. (I've been following 21st Century Mom's admonitions to always run after biking, no matter how short or long. Listen to the mother!) So that was my longest brick yet.

While out on the run I heard my name called (is there anywhere where I am not known??? The fame thing--so hard!) It was none other than the overachieving Adam, who rode 67 hilly miles, fast (read his excellent ride report). We met up after my run to gossip while I stuffed my mouth full of bagel and he of pizza. After that, I stuffed my pockets full of peaches, came home, and in a fit of "Julie/Julia" madness (the link is to the blog that inspired the book that inspired the movie), made this:



And finally, the sport Whose Name We Dare Not Speak:
I have a triathlon coming up, the Northeast Olympic Tri, this coming Sunday, located in the unimaginatively named town of Northeast ("The Land of Pleasant Living"), Maryland. I'm considering this my "G" race, cuz that's how far down in importance it is to my "A" race. (What is my "A" race, you ask? Lemme get back to you ...)

I'm considering it a long training day. I'm considering it a time for FUN in the water, a FUN bike ride, and then some FUN running. And while I'm busy lying to myself, my brain is busy freaking out over the s***. And the run. Yeah, everything but the bike. So to calm myself down, and re-convince me that I can indeed go 1500 meters in open water, I hied myself down to the Hain's Point 50-meter outdoor pool on Sunday after church, all ready to do 10x100, and 10x50.

Which I did. And immediately got depressed because it took me 45 minutes. In a pool. After all those lessons, and all that practice.

I want a refund.

Anyway, my plan is to magically become faster on Sunday. If I could get a s*** time that starts with a "3" I'll be deliriously happy.

There's loads more to report, but I know how you like me to keep things short, so I'll leave everyone with this inspiring video of Captain Kirk explaining Why He Is Climbing a Mountain, inspiration which I plan to use on my next hilly ride, run, or s***:

Training From the Other Side

Last Saturday was the first training tri of the summer, hosted by DC Tri. I volunteered (you know me—always thinking of others! You know me—procrastinated until it was sold out!)

It was Great Fun being on the other side of things for once. The volunteers met at 6:00 a.m., which meant getting up at 4:30 a.m., but for once I didn't have to worry about um, digestive issues, since there was no stress, to um, bollocks up the works, so to speak, so I didn't mind the early wakeup in the least. That, plus we were promised free coffee and doughnuts! All I had to do was show up.

So 4:30 wakeup was NOT a problem. What WAS a problem was the pool party that started outside my window just as I was drifting off to sleep at 9:30 p.m., forcing me to listen to WHAM, YMCA and other '80s horrors.

Out of bed I popped, got dressed, walked down 3 flights to the pool to yell at people, music got turned down, I came back upstairs, back to bed, up again at 11:30. Rinse. repeat.

Yes, sadly, I am That Woman.

I swear, my neighbors must have some kind of phone tree set up to sound the alarm (literally) if I have to wake up early. "Hey Jeanne needs to be up at 4:30—paaartaaay!"

Grrr.

But I digress.

I bopped down to Hain's Point, and mingled with many new and some old triathletes. It is so much fun being a veteran. I remembered distinctly how freaked out I was last year at my first training tri, so I tried to sound all knowledgeable and reassuring. I think I pulled it off. Soon enough 7 a.m. rolled around and we moved up to Hain's Point 50-meter pool.

The training tri is limited to 120 people. And it's only $5! Great training for everyone.

Race director Hugh showing us how it's done.

The racers had all estimated their swim times and got in at the center of the pool one at at time according to their times, swimming 400 yards in a zig-zag across the pool to the outer lanes. I got to write down the times, while my partner in crime #1, Becky, timed people. It was fun! Plus? It really helps to watch how other people swim. So much easier to see what other people are doing wrong.

(Becky had to handle the timer cuz it would have stressed me out too much to push buttons. Becky also has a large pole growing out of her head.)

After the last person got out of the pool, I headed for my next assignment, which was manning the water station with partner in crime #2, Lindsey.

Out state-of-the-art water stop, on Haine's point. Potomac River in the background.

We had a lot of fun, and people were SOOOOO thankful to see us! If you have self-esteem issues, go volunteer at a water stop. Someone said, "You're the best thing that's happened to me all day!," which, if true, is kinda sad! But still! Props to us!

I took loads of really bad photos (So not my fault. Number One Daughter took her camera back, so I had to use my ancient one.)

There was the traditional 9:30 a.m. barbeque, at which I stood around whining about how I needed to go run. So finally, I shut the eff up, and ran 3.1 miles around the peninsula. That was my Long Run for the week. Sigh.

It was a great day again. D.C. Tri makes it look effortless, though I imagine it's not so much. I'm glad I had a little part in it. I could get very used to this side of racing. Very, very used to it.

Du, or Du Not

What have I done?!?!?

I've done gone and registered for a duathlon:

When: Sunday, April 20, 7:30 a.m.
Where: Haine's Point, D.C.
Course: Run 3.0 miles (1 short loop)
Bike 16.8 miles (3 long loops)
Run 3.2 miles (1 short loop)
Cost: $5
Experience: Priceless

My stomach hurts.

I blame A.J.

Running With Drugs

I am still sick.

My head hurts. I think I have a wee touch of bronchitis.

I was going to drag myself to the doctors today, but I didn't feel good enough. Seriously, doesn't that just kill you that when you're so sick, you can't bear the thought of getting to the doctors? Oh for the days of the home visit.

In running news:

I ran on a treadmill at the YMCA Thursday night, sick. I've been a member of my local Y on and off for several years and had NEVER set foot in the Room of Machines.

Do you people realize that there are now TREADMILLS WITH TELEVISIONS ATTACHED???? Who knew??



Talk about your headphone debate. I ran five fast miles watching "Father of the Bride," (this one is better) and I didn't want to get off. It's only a matter of time until someone invents a TV that fits on a watch...



Oh.

I guess it's OK if you watch TV while you run, as long as YOU DON'T WEAR HEADPHONES.

Friday I worked from home to avoid spreading my germs. This morning I had 12 miles on the schedule. Since I had skipped last week's run, I felt pressure to get out there. So I did. It was 30F, and we met at Haine's Point, for a run through Rock Creek Park. I cleverly took an antihistamine beforehand. (I know. Don't even bother telling me.) But in case you ever think about taking cold medicine and then running? Don't.

Do you ever go out for a run and immediately just KNOW it's going to suck? So, after the first step, I knew this was not going to be fun. My legs felt like cement. There were six of us, and by mile 3, the other five were but dots in the far, far distance. I got slower and slower. Thank God I had my iPod with me. Cuz no amount of nature was going to distract me from the fact that my nose was running faster than I was. My hands were so cold, I couldn't get my tissues out of my pocket. It was GROSS!

But I wasn't coughing too much.

I got to about mile 5, and had totally lost my group. So I turned back.

Ten miles in the bank, and the rest of the day on the couch, coughing.

I really need to read more.

I Know a Secret

So, when last we left out heroines they were planning on visiting Hain's Point early Saturday morning for a 4.8 mile run. Turns out that NOD's idea of early is a little different from my idea of early, so we got there at 8:45, or in other words, practically the middle of the day.

We had planned on parking next to the Awakening, but were thwarted by heavy duty plywood gates blocking our way. No admittance for us! Seriously, I could have breached these defenses with, well, with nothing!

NOD marched right up to a park ranger and asked "what up?" He said, "Oh, we store the fireworks for the 4th of July back here." Um, thanks. Speak up, cuz I don't think the the terrorists caught that. (P.S. This is the secret to which the title alludes. However, as of tonight, it's now OK to tell secrets in this town!)

This town. It make-a me crazy!

I figured I would just run the other way, around the tidal basin for 25 minutes and back, since my instructions were to run 4.8 miles in around 55 min. Close enough.

So out I trudged, NOD trudging behind me. Her goal was 15 min out and back. I started circling the basin when an old familiar urge starting making itself known.

Yes, again.

But no problem, there were about 10,000 portapotties set up in preparation for the fourth of July festivities. I dashed to the first set. Locked. Second set. Locked.

WHAT IS IT WITH THIS TOWN?!? Tell any yahoo who asks where the explosives are stored, but lock all the portapotties. That'll teach 'em. Teach us. Teach somebody.

I had no choice, found a clump of bushes and some very large leaves and ... etc.

NOD later remarked that she thought it was a bit odd that I think everyone should wear gloves and I hate touching the escalator railing in Metro for fear of germs, but have no problem dropping trou and using leaves in the middle of busy Ohio Drive in downtown D.C.

I don't see any inconsistency, do you??

Anywho, I ran some distance equalling 50 minutes but it felt slow and sluggish. NOD and I topped off the morning people watching from our favorite Capitol Hill coffeeshop, and wandering around the remains of Eastern Market.

All in all, a fine fine day.

Sunday was a rest day and I managed to go out and overeat with some friends Sunday night, including drinking a real drink and having insomnia all night because I slept all day because I didn't sleep Saturday night because the new tenant who lives below me threw an animal house party until 3 a.m. Complete with live barfing over the balcony railing.

My life is very complicated.

So this morning, Monday, I "awoke" (can you awake if you never slept?) at 5:40 in a deep dark black mood.

But, as Ms. Susie taught me waaay back at the start of this running odyssey, if it wasn't for the bad runs we'd never appreciate the good ones, right?

I went into automrunmode and did this:
10:30
10:40
10:22

I don't pretend to understand. I just hope I haven't peaked too soon. Cuz I got me a race to run!