I'm starting to come out of the emotional fog that yesterday became.  And i'm almost walking normally again. B2V sure did a number on my legs.  Here's why: my partner (in the follow vehicle) sent me these splits (the first one is affected by the starting uphill and the fact that the follow vehicle wasn't behind me right away)

I was supposed to start training again yesterday. Maybe tomorrow, the run wasn't happening yesterday and a bike wasn't happening this AM.

A local run shop is doing a Boston Memorial run tomorrow evening. 2.62 mile loop. They (the LRS) will donate $5 to the Boston relief fund for every loop finished. Don't care how the legs feel tomorrow, i'm there.

Here's a "should I do it" question for the pod... There is a metric century ride on May 4 to honor NM fallen law enforcement. This hits me on many levels, probably accentuated by the events in Boston. It's on my birthday, it goes from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, I'm in law enforcement, I know LEO's who were killed in the line of duty. Cons: I have races on May 12 (sprint) and 19th (oly) and 27th (10k). I've never done a stand-alone bike event before... Thoughts?

Get out and walk.

DOOOO EEEEEET

Okay, how important is the sprint to you? Dang lady you've put some big T.I.T.S. on in training ... I think it could be a regular training ride if you wanted, just don't overdo it. Bike EVENT, not bike race.

TriAya - 2013-04-16 12:03 PM Awesome new avvie, Wondermoose.

Thanks, babe. Wondermoose might be the best nickname ever. 

The sprint is not important. Just one I enjoy doing. I'd figured on going easy anyway because the Oly is a HITS event. I'd like to do it but thought I'd better get the sage wisdom from the pod.

The past few pages have made me well up with tears numerous times, mainly for good reasons: all the love, caring and concern shown to each other, word that Salty and Brie are both OK, the pics of Erin's dear little kids. It's great to be part of such a wonderful group of people.

Salty - enjoy your chowda and lobstah rolls and whatever other good things you and J can squeeze out of Boston today.  I'm a big fan of the Union Oyster House from my visits to Beantown, but I'm sure there are abundant places to find good soup.  I also like how old and historic that part of the city is, and there are some fun bars in that area, too.  The Green Dragon is one, I think.  Can't recall some of the others right now.

Glad to see other manatees are having some training successes, too.  Keep on keepin' on, gang!

Back with lunch.  It's a mile round trip.  Nice to be outside!  I took some pictures:

my short sleeve shirt (run in lots of languages - seemed appropriate)

long sleeve marathon shirt

flowers outside the State Capitol building

Lots of kids playing outside during their field-trip lunch.  It was nice to hear.

And, the most important part, I got a bacon, egg, and cheese torta with fruit and an iced coffee with chai.  So good.  I'm going to have to run after work.

Usually 100k events are more like catered group rides than like races.  In other words, you should be able to mange your effort like a training ride.  With that in mind, here are some questions for you to think about:  How does the ride fit into your current training? How important is the sprint on the 12th?

Oh, nevermind, I googled and it said challenging course.  After a few weeks off the bike with some races coming up, maybe not a great plan.  What about the 30k option?

If the sprint is just for fun and you treat the 100k as a catered training ride...  Do you know anyone else who is doing it?

I'll have to ask the few bike-types that I know to see if anyone else is registered. As for challenging, I looked at the altitude map and it's nothing I'm not used to.

that is my deep thought for the day- actually I don't have them that often, so my head hurts a little now

Ride. The tri's are for you (which is cool and I am not downplaying the importance). The ride is much bigger than that.  

Keep in mind that this advice comes from a curently emotional marshmellow.

You are AWESOME!!!! Thanks.

Lyrics when I turned on Pandora this morning...

"We are the people that you'll never get the best of
Not forget the rest of, rest of (Ooohhh)
We've had our fill, we've had enough, we've had it up here"

Thought it appropriate today.

JJ- - 2013-04-16 4:23 PM Well on a positive note: I had a fantastic ride today. Galveston really built my confidence back that my IT Band is healed and I can go harder now. I rode harder this morning than I have in a while and averaged 19.2 on the bike for about 20 miles. That's a very nice speed PR for me!! I'm finally getting faster

Good job out there.

Keep getting pestered by certain members to provide an update on my bike testing over the weekend. Was going to provide you with the info yesterday but it suddenly wasn't important, but here is what i thought.

First bike i rode was the Specialised Allez Sport

 I really wanted to like it but it didn't do anything for me.

So i then hopped on a Giant Defy 3

Mine was in red. I did not like it in red and i didn't enjoy the ride.

I just got this email from Marathon Sports and it just touched me.  I wanted to share it with you guys:

OUR CITY IS STRONG

 #prayforboston

This took too long to write, and in part it’s because there really are no words to describe how we all feel right now.

On this surreal Tuesday, in the immediate wake of this incredible, tragic, senseless act of violence that took place quite literally at our doorstep, we are deeply saddened for the loss of life and the injuries sustained by the multitude of victims. We send our prayers, thoughts, and positive energy to all who have been affected by this act.

As a company at the epicenter of the running community in Boston, we feel it is our duty to respond. We will not respond with any commentary on those responsible for the attack; that would merely validate their actions. We will focus instead on the incredible sense of solidarity, of unity, and of love within the running community and Boston at large.

We are incredibly grateful that the members of our staff on site at the time of the attack are, miraculously, safe, and we are proud of the individual decisions our staff made in the face of inconceivable circumstances. And the outpouring of prayers, offers of help, and love from all corners of the running world is heartfelt and appreciated.

The decision to help one another through tragedy can be instinctive, and those very instincts are native to the running community, and part of what makes it such a special group of people in the first place. While running is very much an individual sport in many respects, we all strive to celebrate and triumph together, united by a common pursuit. Whether celebrating a first 5k, a PR, or a lifelong pursuit of crossing the finish line on Boylston Street, we all train, race, and celebrate together.

And because of this, we will persevere. As Bostonians – which we ALL are on Marathon Monday, native or not – we are strong, stubborn New Englanders to the core. As runners – we are unified through love for one another, love for our sport, love for the thrill of crossing finish lines, and for (sometimes) beating the clock.

Yesterday’s events will cause us to cherish those triumphs all the more, in honor of those who no longer can. Know this: Boston will not stop running. We will run again, and we owe it to those who can’t.

#PrayForBoston and donate to the Red Cross

Marathon Sports

FIND MISSING PEOPLE

Mayor's Hotline - Call (617) 635-4500

Google Person Finder - http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions/

American Red Cross "Safe And Well" - http://www.redcross.org/find-help/contact-family/register-safe-listing

TIPS

If you have any information about this attack, please use the TIPS hotline - 1-800-494-TIPS

DONATE

And we are imploring all those who have the means to donate to the American Red Cross. Give money, or wait a week and give blood, it all helps.

Very nice!  What did you think of it?

Yes.  Thank you for sharing this. 

See above. I was editing it when you posted

Ah, so the Specialized Allez is a no go.  And did the Giant Defy feel better to you?  (or was the Giant what was in red?)

Ok. Due to my techno gimpyness, i will be doing my in-depth cycle review one at a time.

Next i tried a Focus Culebro SL 2.0

Ultegra gearing  etc, made in Germany.

Light, fast and responsive. I liked this a lot.

My best friend Jack, who works at the bike store and gave up his Sunday off to humour me, also was impressed by this and he rides a Specialised S Works as his winter training bike!!!