The universe swallowed it :-)
So, although I will show you this gross picture of wee girl's knee to give you just one example of what's going on in this house of sickies...
...I'll leave the rest unsaid.
Dear Universe ~ you can have it!
I had a great group ride yesterday. We started out in Bethany Village with the threat of rain.
The dilemma was what to wear. It was warm enough that if it stayed dry, my regular biking gear would be more than fine. However, if it became rainy as I was expecting, then having my coat would be ideal and I would be able to stay happy through to the completion of all 34 miles.
Prior to the ride, I had decided to remind myself to stay in my L1-L2 zone throughout this ride. Not being one to usually track such things other than in a perceived exertion (ie: how well I can gab with people during my workout), I went against the norm and wore my old HR monitor. It is not fancy enough to have the bells and whistles of so many of you, so it does not beep at me when I've gone out of one zone and into another...so I had to improvise...
...with some random table I found on the interwebs. Unfortunately (for many reasons) I bundled up like the Michelin Man and could not get to my handy HR table under all my clothing and had to guess at my exertion. I do believe I managed to kill the little hills we had (about 1750ft in elevation gain) with very little effort. First hilly ride over and done!!
I did regret the coat for every mile after the first one and it, of course, did not rain. However, if I had chosen to not take the coat, I am positive it would have hailed. So... I'll call it a win!
On top of my coat, I got to wear our mission vest which is neon green with purple ribbons flying off of it - each with the name of someone our team is racing to honor or in memory of. Yesterday, we rode in memory of Michael, so I had the privilege of wearing it during our ride. This thrilled me! Everytime I come across someone on our rides or runs who is wearing the vest, I get all choked up and reminded of why we do this. I got to be that person for everyone else this Saturday.
Today called for a 5-6 mile easy run, so since my table was still on my arm in permanent marker, it was easily available for further unknown truths about my exertion level. I thought that I should keep my HR below 150 for this run. The first mile had me at 136, the second mile I snuck up into the low 140s and the 3rd mile into the high 140s. Occasionally a song would come on that would immediately rocket me to 158-159 but I was able to will myself back down to the 140s. I stopped at 5 miles and took Ki for a 4 mile dog walk (shhhh...the doctor says she's getting fat). I'm SO looking forward to Spring and more "Kiara Tackles The Trails" series. The doctor is also giving us a pain/anti-inflammatory medicine so she can start doing longer hikes again. It does not look like her shoulder is ever going to let her do long runs again, but at least with the meds we can ramp up the hiking distance without her being totally crippled afterwards.
So with 9 miles on these old legs for today, I'm getting ready to foam roll the heck out of my calves, stretch that hidden psoas and then get to the laundry. OH MY! Yes, excitement is where I live :D
17 comments:
Nice job! Cracks me up that you were bundled too much to read your times. Um, I've done that before...
Good run! I wish I could keep my heart rate so low during my runs. Most times I have an average heart rate of 180 or something, and I shoot 190s for no apparent reason. Who knows? It's a nice thing that you don't neglect the foam rolling part! :-)
OMG, what is up with that child's knee???
That's a great heart rate. You're in awesome shape. Mine is always much higher than that. Even on my easy runs when I don't feel like I'm really exerting myself.
The mission vest sounds wonderful! It would choke me up too.
You know the whole HR thing just drives me crazy. :) Maybe because I just don't know how to get the right zones. My long run today I averaged 140 and that's seems to be zone 3 but it felt pretty easy most of the time. I think I'm just not going to worry about it that much.
Pam - I have NO idea...
guess we'll find out at the doctor's office tomorrow. It started on her knees yesterday and today it's her whole legs and a spot on her face. Her fever broke Friday and now it's back up to 102 :-(
Julie - I've thought about going somewhere and having myself tested to find out what my true levels are. I've had friends do it and they liked having the #s to work with.
My main goal this season is to train appropriately to get me to the run leg in good shape. I've typically gone too hard in the swim and the bike and I need to change that this year.
Very nice job on the ride AND the run! Super weekend training - seems like it is all coming together very nicely. Thank you for your kind words on my blog. I was just feeling really stressed out and a bit out of it. Looking forward to your happy Monday post.
34 miles on the road...that's good! It made me happy to read that it was in honor of Michael. :)
Good running too!
Not sure about the knee...but i understand the whiney post bit. Feeling that way too. GOod for you to conquer it!
I love that you wrote your times on your arm--but too bundled? :)
And, you keep your HR low, low--wow.
Get those sickies out of the house! boo!
Have a fabulous evening with your foam roller!
Foam rolling.....ouch, ouch, ouch.
Geez, you HR is weird to me. I can't believe it is affected by music. Normally, my HR spikes at the beginning of a run, then really settles down.
Chris - I think maybe my leg turnover became faster with certain songs? I'm not sure, but I wasn't increasing the speed.
I thought the same thing, that my HR would settle in as my run went on, but it gradually increased. Usually after two miles I'm in my groove, so it doesn't make sense it would keep rising.
I'm definitely going to start wearing the monitor from now on and see where it leads me...
Aww...I hope your little one gets better soon!
Great job with your bike ride and run! I was cracking up when I saw that you wrote a HR chart on your arm..ha ha!
Your poor sick family...hope everyone is finally feeling all better soon. Sounds like a great weekend of training. Great job!
I always overdress for rides. It's like selective amnesia when I'm getting dressed that morning. Not sure I'll ever learn.
You are so lucky to have a group to ride with! I wish I had a team like that- more motivating:)
SO much better, Dawn. I can handle running by myself, but biking with friends = MUCH more fun!
Love the notes on your arm. Too funny. Your ride sounds great! I always struggle with what to wear, most of all when the weather is all in-between.
Hope your daughter is feeling better soon!
I like the idea of training according to heart rate. That seems like a very smart idea. Maybe I'll get the old HRM out and give it a go sometime. Thanks for the inspiration!
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