Tuesday, May 15, 2012

How long?

It's been almost 2 weeks since I've posted? Really? Well, that's not okay. Maybe I've been distracted by...

MY NEW BIKE!!!!!!!

I was waiting to post until I could get some good, maybe non-iphone pictures, but that may take a bit. I also wanted to take my phone out on a ride to take some pics, but I ran out of bike fund money (darn you beautiful shiny bike!). I ended up going with the Specialized Allez Comp Apex (SRAM double tap). I LOVE how the Allez Comp feels. I'm 5'4" so the extra-small (49) compact frame feels more like something I can control and less like an overly touchy, twitchy bike that some people experience. Don't get me wrong. I just have to feel nervous and I start to zig zag, but I'm getting better at heading that off. I certainly feel every crack in the pavement, but I like it like that.

In other news....weigh in: 152.8!  That's exciting, but just after I got a stomach bug and then the post-bug super-hunger. So, I'm betting that I'll stay the same this week if I'm lucky. I never lose weight when my stomach bothers me. I get too hungry after.

Also on tap for this week? Making a plan for my triathlon that combines more running since the tri is 3 months from this past Saturday (and I plan to run a half marathon 2 months after that)! I'm going to use somewhat of a combination of a beginner tri program and the FIRST intermediate (or whatever the equivalent is) half marathon plan.

Have a good rest of the week everyone! If the recipe I'm working on comes out well, I'll have that to share for you too.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Almost a bike owner!

I test rode bikes today. HOORAY! But first...my weigh in.

153.8! Down 1.2lbs. Whose's LOLing now, SCALE?

So after months and months of bike stalking online, I finally went to Landry's bicycles in Boston. I was really nervous, which I'm sure shocked you. Just like the first day I went to the pool, I was totally intimidated. That turned out to be really silly, because the guy that helped me was really friendly and super helpful. The rest of the people working there looked like they would be just a helpful too. He came over right away to see if we needed help. I told him I was looking for a bike for a triathlon and thought a road bike would be my best bet for now. It's my first bike since childhood and my first tri, so I don't need anything crazy (yet...heh, heh, heh). I also said that I wasn't too set on men's vs women's bikes or brands but that I'd like to at least try the Specialize Allez line since multiple people recommended it.

He fit me for frame size on a women's Trek and men's bike that I can't remember now. I also tried a few to get an idea of how different bikes within that size fit me. I ended up test riding the Dolce Sport. I can't remember if it was the Compact or the Triple in that line.




 He had me try it just to get an idea if I'd like that set up. It's supposed to feel more stable and comfortable than a typical road bike, although it may also be a bit slower. I really didn't like it! I was kind of sad because it's a nice bike. They have a parking garage behind the shop that you can ride around in, which was nice since it was raining (and has rained the last 4 days I've wanted to go get a bike). I felt like I was either going to tip over when cornering or not be able to turn the wheel enough to make the turn. I thought maybe it was me, but it was really bad! The guy helping me was pretty amused since I had the exact opposite reaction to the bike than most people. It's supposed to feel much easier to control. I felt like I was going to crash the entire time.

Next I tried the Trek Lexa SLX.




I liked this one a lot! BUT, I just wasn't sure. This one was $1,300, which is about the top of what I want to spend and only trying two bikes was making it hard to commit. I was limited somewhat by my price range and what I was looking for, as well as the fact that I'm short and they didn't have some of the ones I should try in stock. He spent another 20 minutes or so talking about the Specialized Allez options since they were out of those as well. So here's the plan. They're ordering the two from the Specialized Allez line for me to try. Since they carry them anyway, it's no big deal if I don't want either.  

The Comp Apex Mid Compact:






and the Elite Compact:




Yeah, yeah, they look pretty much the same. The top one has orange detail and the bottom one has red. The components are a lot different on each, but you cant exactly tell from the pictures. If I don't like either of these, then I will probably end up going with the Trek. Which I didn't put a deposit on to hold for the week while I wait for the other two to come in. Eeek! I am so excited, I can't wait!


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

run2012summer playlist!

Yup, that's the playlist title. I'm so creative! 


I used to edit my playlists as I went, but then I got nostalgic for my first running paylist, which didn't exist anymore. Now I just make new ones as I go, even if there's a lot of overlap. This is most of my current one, which is still in progress.

Let me digress a bit right here. I'm hearing the push back from the non-music purists. I hear ya. I don't run in races so I can experience EVERYTHING, good and bad, about the race. Some of my best memories are due to the spectators that I'd miss if I had an ipod on. I also run without music on 90% of my outdoor runs. This is especially true if I'm doing "quality work," ie speedwork or at pace long runs. I don't want to practice these with music, which generally makes my runs easier, when that won't be the reality on race day. Unfortunately, since triathlon training and half marathon training will overlap I won't have much time for extra fun runs. I'm probably going to be doing something along the line of the FIRST training plan that incorporates 3 quality running days (such as a day of track repeats, a tempo run and an at pace long run) with 2 cross training days (bike and swim for the tri), plus the 2 days of strength I do with my trainer. I do use music on the treadmill (yeah yeah...as a bribe) and when I just have the urge to go out for fun with a soundtrack. This past week, I was excited about my new Bad A** sunglasses and just wanted to get out with them, my hot pink compression socks and some music.

Here's 10 selections from my list:

#1 - If you're not totally sick of this song, but instead, obsessively channel hop while driving to catch this song as many times as you can (my record = 4 times in a row!) then you get it. If not, you're groaning right now and can skip this one. I'm telling you. Starting a run the way I did with this song was a highlight. Plus it was a crisp, clear, bright and sunny 60ยบ.






#2 "And it's hard to dance, with the devil on your back. So skake him off. Oh woah!"

I'm posting some of these with lyrics instead of the videos, because I prefer my memories and vision of the song more than the video. There are a few songs out there that I won't watch the video to so I don't mar a particularly special memory.







#3 Get this remix. The original song is good, but I like this version so much better. I LOVE this version, actually. If you haven't seen it, maybe wait a bit to watch the video. I'm not crazy about it at all.






#4 This is a nod to St Patrick's Day and Joshua Tree, who did and amazing job playing at The Burren.






#5 I know I mentioned this song before, but it's still a lot of fun to run to!




#6 IRONMAN KONA!!! I always thought I had to earn my way to the athletic clothing, neon compression socks and cool-guy sunglasses by learning to run fast first. Then I realized it's all mental. Wear what you want, put on your game face and go out and run. No one knows that you're running a 10 minute mile at the beginning. For all they know you've been out for hours. Take yourself seriously, show up dressed and ready for the role you want and RUN. No one's going to call you up later to fill in for the part. Claim it yourself.





#7 Yeah, I like Linkin Park. WHAT OF IT?






#8 I  love men in uniform, am obsessed with the ocean and anything maritime, rescue swimmers and the movie The Guardian. I just found out that my awesome swim coach just joined the Coast Guard Auxilliary to coach their swimmers and she is my new hero. I mentioned my favorite movie and she was like, "YES! I LOVE that movie!" You know...'cause she's awesome! When I'm having a particularly tough time in class I think of this song. Not the real video, but this version:






#9 This is just a good, head-down gut-it-out at the end of the run song:






#10 Another fun. song. I'm sorry. I just love them! This is a great celebratory end of run song. If my run is longer than this list, I just repeat this song or go back to We Are Young.




That's it! Have fun! (and listen to fun. SERIOUSLY)