This felt rough-ish today. Might have been faster, but I was very pre-occupied with work. Didn't leave the office until 6:15 tonight... got to the forest preserve and started running. Luckily, I avoided the rain.

HR seems high. Knees were creaky. Muscled through it, and got it done. :)

That really big spike and slow down was when I stopped to pet a miniature dachshund. The cutest, tiniest, little tail wagger you've ever seen!

Running tonight. 1:10.

On an unrelated note, I have no food in my refrigerator, and will probably wind up having an onion with a side of orange juice and some parmesan cheese for dinner. There may be ketchup involved, as well. Time will tell. Depends on how adventuresome I feel.

Garmin had a hell of a time finding satellites tonight. Didn't pick up until over 2 miles into my ride.

Couldn't help myself. Felt fast tonight and pushed it with the new wheel and the new cassette. I'm much faster with this stuff. Who knew? I have done some serious work on the engine, methinks. With a lighter bike and TWO lighter race wheels, I just might be unstoppable!

Misc Corework

Was supposed to do this last night. AARRGGGHHHHH.

7:12 AM: Yesterday was certainly a nutritional nadir if there ever was one. After having my onion laden chili-dog for lunch, I proceeded to feed the machine a sloppy Harry (basically a sloppy Joe at a place called Harry's) and some coleslaw. And 3 glasses of Pinot Noir. The mayonnaise mixed cabbage is the closest thing to a vegetable I had all day. This is depressing to even me. And I'm pretty liberal when it comes to fuel for the engine. Today ((will have to be)) better. I'm not sure how it could be worse.

Rachael and I did take one cute photo, though, amidst the heartburn, calories and alcohol.  Compare it to our Sweet 16 picture from last Friday. I think we look better now! 22 years later. Fierce!

200 easy free
100 backstroke
200 closed fist and buoy
50 OK/50 Index/50 Pinky/50 scull
4 X 100 IM, (:30)
6 X 150 light pace free, (:10)
200 backstroke
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2200

No stopwatch today. I loaned it to dumpster for the race this weekend and I can't find my other one... I didn't look that hard, actually...

I guess I'm really taking this NO ELECTRONICS thing seriously... I didn't even set my alarm last night. Whoops. I do have to work this morning, so I'd best get my ass in the shower and get going!

Here, let me fix that for you:

And Chris shows us his ((other)) good side:

So, the objective for today's race was to have fun. No pressure. No expectations, just have fun. I think sometimes I succeed mostly in sucking the enjoyment straight out of racing.

No watches. No HRM. No speedometer. No Garmin. Nothing. No wetsuit either. The water was 74 degrees! 

Swim went fairly well, I think... I didn't lose track of any of the buoys while sighting, so that was good. I was trying to channel my inner Phelps, so I kicked a bit, and focused on having a long strong stroke. (I don't usually kick at all...) 

Bike felt fast. Or, let me say it felt EASIER. I am utterly convinced there is something wrong with my rear hub and whatever bearings are in that thing. I don't know much about bikes but I do know this regular Easton wheel was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY smoother and seemingly faster than anything I've ever ridden. I suspect my wheels are cheap and crappy. They look cool, though. Who knew? 

Run was alright. Since I was concentrating on having FUN, I didn't push myself too hard... My knees were weary from the week's activities already. I ran, I finished, and there you go. I have no idea what my final time was. I've checked online, but results are not posted yet. I'll update once I know for sure... right now I need a shower and a nap.

Missed seeing Laura (StartingToTri)... and I also missed jschmitchicago. I did manage to meet up with Jessica (jniekrasz) Dave (Davewithzerosand1s), Crowny, Goggs, Maggyruth, Amyjo, and jowisc... as well as some others. A nice race. A nice short race. 

#9 swim split in my AG

I'd rather not discuss my run ranking.

 234  1236 Laura Waringo  241058  38 F3539 F  167   15:15   77    1:45   64   36:20  216    1:59  516   33:37  5:25 1:28:54 1:28:54   

So I had my first roadside assistance issue of the year. Not bad, since it's already more than half way through August.

Was feeling great, averaging about 17.5 in Z2 getting ready to turn around and get myself a sweet tailwind, when I heard... "ping ka-lunk" and it became hard to pedal.

But I kept going... thinking I could somehow make it home... and I had to stop around 1/2 mile into my effort. I had two broken spokes on the back wheel.

Called Chris. (The resident SAG wagon) and he brought me a spare wheel. Put the spare wheel on.... and took off like lightening. Had a GREAT return trip. I think there is something wrong with my bearings too. Chris is running an 11 x 23 cassette, which I've been wanting to try... and I think I really like it. I really like this wheel, too. It's just a normal wheel... but it just seems so much smoother than mine!

Hauled ass the rest of the way home. Stopped at Katie's house to say hi cuz I saw her in the yard...
-----------
I rode the full 1:15 today, but I didn't hit "restart" after I pulled out of Katie's house... so I'm missing about 12-13 minutes and however many miles that is.

Wow! I just slept for 10.5 hours.

Had a great day yesterday. The weather was perfect... Chris and I went out for a VERY YUMMY dinner at our favorite local restaurant...(we have some history there...) and shared a bottle of Al-legader. (Heh) He gave me a certificate redeemable for a Mac computer. So now I will be able to sit on my couch, watch TV and chat with you all. Rather than cloistering myself up in the "office". 

Today I must move on with the business of being 38, and that includes a 1:15 Z1-2 bike ride... Then I have to get all my crap together to race tomorrow. It's just a sprint, so if I forget something... it's not the end of the world...(as long as it's not my shorts, I suppose...) and there's not all that nutrition to fret about.

The plan for tomorrow is... there is no plan. Just get out there and swim like a freak, bike like my pants are on fire and keep the legs moving at a good pace on the run. And see what happens. No watches. No speedometers. No wetsuit if I can avoid it. Nothing. Red-lining by RPE the whole time. If I don't feel like hell at the finish line, then I haven't done my job. We'll see how it goes.

Happy Birthday to me.

This hurt. For as good as the joints and such were feeling yesterday, they hurt today with running. It's OK, though. I need to remember how to run on tired/achy legs.

This was an exercise in will power and leg fatigue.

38 years ago I was born...and then shortly thereafter I was adopted by my parents. For that reason, I don't have any newborn photos of myself... but I do have this, which was taken about 37.5 years ago:

And I give you THIS from my 16th birthday:

Rachael and me drinking Lambrusco and having an ice cream cake, 8/15/1986. My shirt smacks of TGIFridays and is killing my eyes.  And we were about 5 years too young to be drinking... (!!!)

5:07 PM: WOW! I got 55 inspires today. And the day is not even over! What a cool birthday gift. I feel very trixie-esque.  You all are awesome. Thanks.