Tag Archives: Bike

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Ironman 70.3 Eagleman

On Sunday, Colby and I drove to Cambridge, MD for his half Ironman called the Eagleman.  Colby loves triathlons and has done a full Ironman (Lake Placid 2010).  The Eagleman 70.3 consists of: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 run.  He started training around January for this race and has been consistent with his training.  Good thing I like to workout and trained for a half-marathon this past spring, because he was always working out in the morning and evening.

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We checked into our hotel Saturday morning, and drove to the expo in the afternoon.  We didn’t know, but Andy Potts was there for a meet and greet!  He is a pro triathlete and won the race on Sunday.

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After the expo, the boys had to get their bikes into the transition area.  Amy‘s husband Matt raced too so I was super lucky to have Amy with me all weekend to walk around and worry with while the guys raced!

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There was a lot of rain leading up to the race, so it was crazy muddy!  I got a ride around so I didn’t have to mess up my TOMS :)

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On Sunday, we got to the race very early.  Matt’s swim wave was at 8:00 and Colby’s was at 8:30.  Colby was worried that he was the second to last swim wave because we knew it was going to get hot later in the day.

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At the finish line!  You can see Amy cheering Colby on in the Tiffany blue/green shirt… she bought it for the Nike Half and thought it was too green! :)  I wanted to make sure to get a good picture of him at the finish, so he didn’t really see me until I took the picture.

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As you can see, he had a GREAT race!! His goal was 5 hours and he was thrilled to go under 5!  I checked my phone compulsively during the race, but some of the half way marks didn’t show up.  He was so fast on his bike, I missed him at transition 2!  The weather did get really hot and sunny later in the day.  He said the run was really difficult because of the heat.  He was a little sore after the race, but was able to run 3 miles with me yesterday morning.  I can’t believe how his legs are in such great shape!  He was curious as to why his swim time was a few minutes slower than expected, but after looking up the pro’s times, they were slower too.  He thought it must have been a little longer than 1.2. Oh well, he still went under 5 hours!

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At dinner that night… he has given up drinking soda since January so he was very happy to have cherry coke Sunday night!  He deserved it :)

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Swimming?

So, I got sick this week.  I almost expected it from crashing after the wedding/honeymoon high.  Fever and cold this week, nothing too horrible but I tried to catch up on sleep.  I started feeling sick last Sunday when I had planned to do a 5 mile run, skipped it and I haven’t run for a week.  I’m okay with it. Maybe this week!

So a few months ago, I found this indoor triathlon that is near me this February.  The idea of an indoor triathlon was kinda interesting… 10 minute swim in a lap pool, 30 minutes on a stationary bike and 20 minutes on a treadmill.  I’ve been to spin classes and road my mountain bike before, so I’m not “scared” of a stationary bike, I’m just not used to biking very often.  The swimming is what is completely foreign to me… No, I wouldn’t drown in a pool, and I could swim a few laps with bad form while keeping my head above the water.  Swimming intimidates me.  That one piece?!? Students possibly seeing me at the high school pool? The goggles? The swim cap? My hair turning green from chlorine?!?!?!?! It’s scary to me.

So what did I do?

 

I bought this last week. (Along with swimmer shampoo, swim cap and goggles)  It is actually not that bad because of the skinny straps and the pink.  I decided a few months ago that I wanted Colby to teach me how to formally swim so I could attempt this February indoor triathlon.  It is totally crazy to me because it makes me so uncomfortable, but I kinda want a new challenge.  I love running, but it hasn’t been loving me for the past few months.  I’ve taken a break from it and started to really explore group classes like CXWORX, BodyFlow and BodyPump more seriously.  I’ve also been into yoga and working out at home.  I’m still running, but just not on a formal training plan like before.  I got sick of it.

So, this afternoon Colby is taking me to the high school pool for my first lesson.  I’m terrified.

 

Also, my hair is driving me crazy.

(from the honeymoon)

I always have long hair. Even when I was little, it was always long.  I cut it once to my collar bone my freshman year of college and hated it.  It was too thick and almost all one length.  I didn’t know what to do with it, so I let it grow back out.  That was before I had my fabulous hairdresser Rachel, and she is also a great friend from high school.  She’s amazing and I let her do whatever she wants to my hair.  Luckily, that isn’t ever anything crazy.  For the past year, I’ve been just doing slight trims and letting my hair get really long for the wedding.  I knew I wanted it up, and wanted her to have as much as possible to work with.  That isn’t hard, because I have really thick hair!

So anyways, the last time I saw her right before the wedding, she barely trimmed it and now it is thick and long and does nothing. I’ve been curling it everyday just to give it a little something, but it needs cut.  Also, my CHI (straightener that I use also to curl) is dying!!! I’m in a panic and hate to spend the $$$ for another but I’m going to have to do it soon.

Part of me wants to do something daring (for me) and I’ve been looking at these pictures a lot…

Love Carrie Underwoods hair. This wouldn’t be too crazy for me.

But I’m pretty obsessed with Julianne Hough’s new hair.

I LOVE it but I would hate to go that drastic right away. Oh well, I guess I will see how I am feeling Tuesday afternoon when I have my cut appointment! Speaking of Julianne Hough, she cut her hair for a new movie she is in – Safe Haven.  This is a Nicholas Sparks book that will be a movie in February.

 After watching the trailer and loving her hair, I decided to get the book on my iPad. I NEVER read Nicholas Sparks books because I think they are usually too “sappy” but this one is great! I started last night, and I am over half way through it.  It is more of a mystery-romance and I’m really liking it.

Safe Haven

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Weekend Bike Ride

Saturday: 16 mile bike ride (1:56:03) 

Sunday: 45 minute yoga (YogaDownload – HardCORE workout)

Since my calf injury and running in pain last Tuesday, I took the rest of the week off and skipped my long run of 16 yesterday.  Kinda freaks me out that I skipped my 4, 8 and 16 mile runs for week 11 of my marathon plan, but I know it’s all for the best.  I decided to ride my bike next to Colby for his 16 mile run on the rail trail yesterday.  Our marathon is on our local “rail trail”, which is a 21 mile long trail along old railroad tracks that starts in PA and crosses over the boarder to MD.  Our marathon will be 13.1 out and back that finishes up at one of our college’s tracks.  It is nice that there is no traffic, it is completely flat and you can train on the race course.  The only downside is the gravel surface that Colby and I think slows us down a bit.

Remember my little girl bike?? It is a “Specialized Hard Rock” with adult sized wheels and a youth sized frame I’ve had since I was about 13 years old.  I know, I could probably upgrade.

Ready to go ride… and it was COLD!  We left the house early and I quick grabbed my running gloves and extra zip jacket.  Good choice because I was freezing the whole time.  I ended up wearing both zip jackets and gloves and wish I had my winter headband.

Cute views from the road.

I almost completely wiped out trying to take a picture of Colby running while riding my bike and holding my iPhone.  I actually laughed out loud and was happy nobody was around me.

YogaDownload is having a Spring sale (30% off everything) that ends tonight.  Download yourself a new video or podcast.  I downloaded a few new free 20 minute videos/podcasts and bought a new 45 minute “HardCORE” workout that had me sweating this morning.  I used to stay away from the workouts that are “audio only” because I thought I wouldn’t know what I was doing.  There is always a PDF “pose guide” that goes along with the workout.  I think I prefer this now because it is less distracting than watching a video.  I like having the pose guide up on my computer as the audio plays.  I also like looking at the pose guides before I download a workout to get an idea of what it will be like.

(pose guide)

Also, check this lady out:

LOVE her blog and thought this video on a post about her awesome abs was really great! I can’t wait to try out some new poses for core strength!

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Bike Ride and Fitness Friday!

Friday Workout: Bike ride: 21.75 miles/ 1 hr 52 min

 

 

You remember my little girl purple mountain bike, don’t you?? My legs feel great after the long ride with Daddy, but my hinney is a little sore! We road on a “rail trail” which is a gravel path that is along old railroad tracks.  It’s really beautiful and the weather was great!

 

 

Fitness Friday!!

Workouts I am currently lovingggg…

YogaDownload: Yoga Sculpt #1 45 minute class

I did the full 45 minute class last night and it was so tough. It uses hand weights and really had me sweating!

I’m glad I purchased the 45 minute class as a “download” so I can keep it on my computer forever and use it again!

Planks!!

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* I am loving planks and can do them for 2 minutes now!! Woo hoo! I love how many variations there are to the standard plank and maybe that will be my next friday post!

* I am loving my favorite ab track from BodyPump! I love the song and the planks at the end! Give it a try with this video and see how you do!

Then there is this little lady…

I can’t wait to try Cassey @ Blogilates 18 minute POP Pilates video: Abominable Abdominals! I watched most of this and it looks tough! I hope I can try all of her videos because she is so gorgeous and so fit! Remember, I’m bringing pilates back into my life!

What was your workout today??

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Friday Bike Ride

Friday Workout: 2 mile walk, 6 mile bike ride

So… instead of running I walked 2 miles this morning. I was tired and haven’t been feelin early morning running lately.  However, my legs and arms feel FANTASTIC after drinking a recovery shake last night after my BodyPump class! I pushed myself just as hard at this class as the previous one, but my legs feel fine today! My body definitely needs the extra protein after those classes and I’m so happy I’m not crazy sore today.

Last night, the parents, Colby and I went for Mexican food at one of my favorite restaurants.  It is SO GOOD there and so affordable! The restaurant was having their 2nd year anniversary this week and last night was buy one dinner entree, get one free! YESSSSSSS

Vegetarian Quesadilla! Seriously the best thing ever!

This morning on our 2 mile walk:

Colby reluctantly posing on our walk. Come on boy, gotta smile for the blog :)

Now THAT is how you pose for your walking picture!

When it was time for lunch, I was very excited to try an “Oh She Glows” recipe: Vegetable and Endamame Pasta with Basil Cream Sauce Angela always has the best recipes and food pictures on her blog, so I was happy to try out this Basil/Avocado sauce she used for this recipe!

I ended up keeping the grilled veggies separate from the pasta with basil/avocado sauce.  I ate SO much of this and it was very goooood! It was so nice having a “cream” like sauce without any dairy.

After lunch, I went for a bike ride with my Dad. Remember my little girl purple Specialized bike that has a youth sized frame and kick stand???

You know you love it.

The park we went to this afternoon for our bike ride. I love this park and used to run here all the time.  There is a trail that goes from this parking lot that is great for running, but only totals at 3 miles when you get back to the car. I used to run this all the time when I was new to running.  Now it seems crazy to do that out and back a few times.

My little girl bike stats.  I wore my heart rate monitor, but I think 268 calories seems high for the short ride.  I’m thinking it was more like 200 calories.

I was starving when I got back and cut up a peach and put raspberries, blueberries and a strawberry together with dark chocolate balsamic. I was craving something sweet so I thought this was better than the Tastykake I really wanted…

But then I came upstairs and finished these off while typing this post…

Ammmmazing Sunny Seed Drops! These are seriously addictive.

Believe it or not, this pink princess is going fishing tomorrow with the boyfriend’s family.  That’s right. Fishing. Not sure if I will even touch a live fish, but I can hold the fishing rod and pose for pictures. Oh, and wear a bathing suit and work on the tan. Poor Colby.

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TGIF

Wooo woooo! Long weekend and I couldn’t be happier! I had a really nice day at school and later went for a bike ride with my Dad! First of all, I am not a cyclist and my legs feel super weak from not running after the marathon.  I’m pretty sure my quad muscles ate themselves around mile 23 at Pittsburgh…

Now for a picture of my bike… this bike is crazy.  I think I got it when I was about 12 years old, it is a “mountain bike” if you can call it that and it has a youth sized frame with adult size wheels.  Oh yeah, and it is purple.  I don’t really ride too much except for the occasional bike around the neighborhood or on a rail trail so I don’t think I should upgrade. It was about 87 degrees when we rode today and I have been in air conditioning all week and it was a shock.

Yes, my little girl bike even has a kick stand

 

After our 40-minute ride, I got cleaned up and had to re-do the hair for dinner with Colby.  I was incredibly hungry, so doing my hair always calms me :)

I re-curled my hair using my pink leopard print CHI.  I love this thing and have two of them.  It straightens my hair well, but curling with this thing is AWESOME!

While I was bored and posing with photo booth I found my old camera!  This camera takes decent pictures outside in sunlight, but is horrible inside with a flash.  I think I might try to make this my “running” camera and hold it on runs.  I think it would be so cool to hold a camera at a race.  I will have to practice!

Running camera!!

I am SO HUNGRY!!! I hope Colby gets here soon so we can eat dinner! I’m pretty sure we are going to our favorite Mexican restaurant again.  There is this dish with beans and rice and all kinds of goodness with two dippy eggs on top. Aaamazinggg :)