Biking – Running with Neal

Failure and Training

July 23, 2018 runningwithnealLeave a comment

I haven’t written in awhile because I was dreading having to admit this to everyone. I mentioned in the last post that I was the swimmer on a triathlon relay team.

Mountain Man

It didn’t go well. Let me start at the beginning.

The morning started well. I maybe a little more nervous than I normally am before a race, but as I usually am quick to tell people. Nervous is good. Nervous means that you care. Nervous can help us focus and perform better. I am more concerned when I’m not nervous going into things.

We left Coach V’s grandmother’s place in Flagstaff and went to Upper Lake Mary. we got to the staging area. Got Coach V’s bike squared away, found Andrea, the runner, and got our timing chip.

The traditional method for a tri is swim, bike, and finally run. So, I was up first. I got into the wetsuit. I was told I needed due to the water temperature and it would give me some extra bouncy. Surprisingly it wasn’t to bad to get on. I noticed right away that it was pretty tight to my neck but dismissed it as just the way these things are.

I walked to the start area with the whole Embrace Your Pace gang that came up for the event and waited for the relay start.

When it was our turn I got in the water. submerged myself and thought this isn’t so bad. water temp was mid to upper 60s and I was able to get off to one side so it wasn’t as crowded. A horn was blown and we where off.

I started off in with a freestyle stroke breathing on the third stroke until I ran into someone. That wasn’t a big deal. I put my head up, looked around and switched to my back more floating than swimming at that point. But I was fine and actually thought it was kind of relaxing.

I flipped back over to swim for a little bit again and that’s when the trouble started. On one of my breaths I took in some water and choked a little. My lungs upon receiving the unexpected water decided. “Nope, we are going to freak out and start an asthma attack immediately.”

Between the asthma attack, the wetsuit at my neck, and the thin air at 7000 ft I panicked. Suddenly I couldn’t keep my head above the water, or at least that’s how it felt. I seriously wasn’t sure I was going to make it out of that lake at point. But one of the race volunteers in a kayak noticed my struggling and came over to let me grab ahold of the kayak and rest.

The asthma attack wasn’t letting up and without my inhaler with me I was afraid that continuing would be a bad idea, so I asked to get pulled out by the boat. My race day was over. I made it maybe 50 meters of the 750 meter swim. Once on the boat I was able to get my breathing under control even before we got back to shore. The folks on the boat where very understanding and supportive and I am grateful that they where there.. They had to take my chip so officially my team was no longer competing but they did tell me that the rest of the team should still do there events.

I was, and to an extent still am, extremely mad at myself. I’ve NEVER not finished a race before. Even when my back gave out at the beginning of a 200M dash in high school I got back up and finished the race, before passing out briefly from the pain. And not only did I fail and not finish but I let the rest of my team down. They where counting on me to do my part and I didn’t. And its completely my fault. I hadn’t swam seriously since high school, I’d never swan in open water, I wasn’t ready for the altitude, I hadn’t worn a wetsuit before, and I blew off training thinking that athleticism could carry me through. My arrogance cost my team an official finish in the race and nearly cost me even more.

I’m still upset and a little pissed at myself. But for me it seems to have come with some new determination. Coach V and I are signing up at a pool so that I can start swimming laps and get used to being in the water. I’m signed up for a reverse tri at the end of August. Which means that the swim is last and its only 400M in a pool. I’m looking into a couple of Tri sprints this fall. A sprint basically means all the distances are shorter. The only issue there is that I need to make sure it fits in with the marathon training.

The rest of the weekend in Flagstaff was really fun. Went on a couple of hikes, both of which where cut short by rain. And it was really fun seeing everyone up there and cheering the others on during the bike and run.

OK, enough about that. Rio Run 7-17

I’ve been taking training easy the past several weeks knowing that marathon training is coming. But I’ve still been trying to make the Tuesday and Thursday morning group runs. I got my donut key chain, which means that I made 4 weeks in a row. 20180712_072538

I ran my 5th in the AZ Sunrise series this past Saturday. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as well as I hoped. I started having a lot of calf pain and then knee pain during the second mile and had to walk. Every time I would test out running and get back to full stride the pain started again. I ended running the 3.1 miles in 30:03 which is a 9:41 minute per mile pace. Not horrible but no where near the 25 minute 5K I did in Seattle a few weeks ago.

AZ Gilbert

Once I got home and took my shoe off my fourth toe on my right foot was extremely sore and very painful if it got touched. On further inspection I found a good sized blister had formed UNDER the toe nail. I felt relief almost the instant I popped it and now its fine. So, I’m blaming that for the issues on the run Saturday. That being said Coach V, and I agree, that I should get my calf looked at. Its been causing problems off and on all summer.

Last Friday we started going to a cross fit gym, EL JEFE. Coach V prefers that sort of thing to running and I really need to work on my upper body strength. Other than the class being at 5 am it was fun in that hard work kind of way. They also on staff have a running coach and a in house physical therapist. So, I’ll probably be talking to them soon.

This morning I went on a bike ride with Coach V. Its been well documented that I am not a biker. However, my friend Stephen loaned me a bike and after looking at the seat on it vs the seat on mine I came up with a theory. My seat SUCKED! so I switched them.

I wouldn’t say that I loved biking this morning but it wasn’t too bad. a good seat can make a huge difference, apparently. Who knew?!

Finished

So, that basically catches everyone up. The bike was day one of marathon training. I’ll post the whole plan later since this is getting a little long already.

Next up is an “easy” 40 minute run tomorrow. Until then…C-YA!

Camping and Triathlons

June 20, 2018 runningwithnealLeave a comment

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Time has a tendency to get away from us when we don’t pay attention. Its been a very busy couple of weeks and I have not been the best at sticking to my training plan.

Basically, I haven’t gotten to the plan I wrote about last time at all. But I still managed some runs.

I’ve got in 6 runs over the past two weeks including the second in the AZ Sunrise Series. Several hikes and a short trail run.

We all (Coach V, James, Amelia and I) did a short run for national running day. and then shared some Italian Ice afterward. It was a fun little run sponsored by Tortoise and Hare. They had 2 options, a one mile and a three mile out and back. Since we had the kids with us we just did the 1 mile. It was interesting seeing the different techniques the kids came up with for tackling the distance. James runs intervals. He would go about as fast as he could for a short distance then walk for a little bit. Then repeat the process again. In contrast, Amelia ran slower but didn’t stop, save for a couple of little breaks for water. Amelia also started the quiet determined chant of “we can do it” with about a quarter mile left. They ended up finishing together and neither have had any coaching which made it interesting to watch.

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The second AZ Sunrise Series race was at the Scottsdale Sports Complex. I was actually a little disappointed with my performance. It was a little slower than the race 2 weeks before by about a minute. 29:30 for the 5K. The main issue that I had was when I stopped at the first water station I choked on the water. Which flared up my asthma and my lungs never did recover. I was also not in the greatest place in my head for racing. Nothing bad just a lot going on and my head was in other places. We were getting ready for a camping trip the coming Monday and my daughter was in town so I was thinking about other things.

I also have been drinking a pre-workout drink, C-4, before the races and I think I’m going to stop doing that. Since I don’t train with it I’m not sure its a great idea. Mostly, I was drinking it because of the caffeine content and easier to drink quickly before the race instead of coffee.

Also, its getting hotter here and I think that its time to switch my race shirt to the sleeveless or tank top.

During the camping trip I went on several hikes with the whole crew. Including a 2.5 mile hike. That I went on a one mile trail run in the middle of. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot of distance, BUT, coach V and I had two 3 year-olds and a 5 year-old with us. That’s a pretty good distance for those little legs. But they were troopers and did it. Unfortunately, it was discovered that a camera was left on the trail when we took a small break. So, I ran back about .3 miles to get it and then turned around and ran to catch up. Overall it took me 14:28 to run a mile over some incredibly rough terrain.

Overall very good trip. I wish I could have gotten in a couple of early morning runs but that my fault for not getting up.

For Father’s Day my daughter got me some cool clip on reflector lights for when I run in the dark, some Gatorade chews (daddy candy), and a book on using my stick roller and trigger point ball. She also got me some gear to help when I use my smoker. I used the clips like night and they are very cool.

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And Coach V came with me! I always enjoy when she comes with. It was a slow run but we mostly were analyzing form and establishing a baseline for where she is running.

Tonight we are going to a Good Form running clinic at Tortoise and Hare. I’ll be really interested in what they have to save both for myself and Coach V.

We discussed a very rough training plan to get her going with running again. She is mostly a biker. And as she puts it “Really Hates Running”.

The main reason for her needing to get up to speed as it where is that we are both doing a sprint triathlon in August. It also means that I need to start biking more. Which means I need a better bike. I may have a lead on one I can borrow for a little bit before I buy one.

We are also two-thirds of a relay team for a tri in July. Coach V will be handling the biking duties and I’m going to take on the swimming. I really need to get in a pool and see if I still remember how to swim. I was a really strong swimmer back in high school and I know most of the mechanics of good swim form from my time as the manager of the girls swim team in high school. I’m not overly worried about it but a little practice would be a good thing.

This weekend is the third in the AZ Sunrise series and, unfortunately, I won’t be able to be there. So, I’m taking their virtual option. I plan on doing that tomorrow morning during the Thursday morning Arrowhead Loop Group run. Still trying to decide if I’m going to run in the kilt for that or not.

Hopefully after this weekend my life calms down a little and I can get back to a more normal running schedule. I’ve been lacking motivation a little recently and hope that its just because its been so busy.

Until next time…C-YA!

Old Bikes and Speed Plan

June 4, 2018June 4, 2018 runningwithneal1 Comment

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Last Thursday I went on the 4 mile run with the group. And Coach V came and ran with me. And by ran with me I mean that we started at the same time and finished at the same time.

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Still, it was great to have her out there with me. I tried staying with a couple of the guys that are always near the front of the run. I stayed with them for the first mile and a half before I fell off a little. Still the first 2 mile where at a 8:54 pace. Which for me is pretty good and really consistent.

The third mile was horrible. My calf tried to cramp several times. My breathing got out of whack. Just not a good feeling mile. Still managed a 9:25 mile. The third mile was much better. Partially because I knew that the end was near. The last mile I ran a 8:34.

So……Here’s the plan.

I’m going to run 3 days during the week. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I’ve gotten word of a 4 mile group on Tuesday mornings. Wednesday I’ll do speed work. Either hills, fartlek’s, or pyramids. And then the Arrowhead Loop group run on Thursdays.

Saturdays will be a bit of a wildcard. Every other Saturday I am signed up for a 5K in the AZ Sunrise series.

The guys at breakfast are trying to get rid of my excuses for not doing a triathlon. As I’ve mentioned several times on here I’m not a biker. The guys on Thursday believe its because my bike is from the Carter administration (1970s for those who don’t know who that is). I have a mid 70’s Schwinn.

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Its not a bad bike. Technology has just past it by. One on the guys has offered to let me borrow one of his bikes that doesn’t fit him to get me started. Which is nice since they can cost a lot of money for something I’m still not sure about.

They also invited coach V and I to a weekly open water swim that they do to practice for tri’s and some rides that they go on.

The swim part doesn’t worry me that much. I’m a pretty strong swimmer and comfortable in a pool. Haven’t done much in the way of open water but how hard can it be?

When I was in high school I was the manager of the girls swim team. Which I know doesn’t sound like it would do much for my swimming ability. It was great for my social life though.

Anyhizzle…..

Once or twice a week the coach would let me swim the practices with them and I was always in the inter-squad meet that they would do a couple of times a season. I used it as off season training between cross country and track season.

I also plan on doing weight training on Monday, Friday and one of the days on the weekend. I need to get my upper body strength built up so that I can do better at the Spartans and Tough Mudders.

My goal is to get under an 8 minute mile average for 5ks and try to take as much of that speed into the marathon training as I can.

And all in the Arizonian heat. Should get interesting.

Until then….C-YA!

A donut and Bike Attempt 2

April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 runningwithneal1 Comment

So, its been an interesting week.

I felt really good after the long run last weekend. And then Tuesday I got sick. I could barely eat. I think I had a handful of fries Tuesday night and I had to force myself to do that.

Needless to say I didn’t run Tuesday.

Thursday I was feeling much better so I got up and went for the 4 mile run with the group.

That felt amazing. I was able to get into that same groove that I found on Sunday during the long run and just went. I was almost disappointed when I got to the end of the loop. I held a pretty consistent 9:10 mile. If I can hold that pace for the half I’ll finish in 1:59:59. So I rewarded myself with a blueberry donut!

I actually don’t think that I’m going to meet the under 2 hour goal. Skipping forward 4 weeks in the training plan was just too much. But I’m going to take a shot anyway.

I’m also a little concerned about the weather on race day. The high for Champaign, IL next Saturday is 65. They probably think that sounds amazing after the “spring” that the Midwest has had this year.

Today in Phoenix the low is 60 and I’ve heard people complaining about this recent “cold snap”.

Add in some humidity and it should be interesting.

So, Thursday night Coach V decided that we needed to go on a training ride for her tri on May 5. So we set off on a 12 mile training ride. I finally after having it for years attached a water bottle to the bike.

I’m still not a biker. And maybe I’m doing it wrong. Is it even possible to bike wrong? I know that its suppose to be easier on the joints due to the low impact as compared to running. But it hurts my knees. And my back. And my hands. And especially my butt. Seriously how do people sit on those hard, little seats?

Anyway…….

This weekend I’m flying to Indiana on Friday and back on Saturday. Then Sunday we will have a delayed Easter with my daughter and an easy 8 mile run. Until then….C-ya!