Thrust, Thrust...

• On: 08/23/2009 18:18:39

I was only kidding myself when I started back up August 1^st with my next block of training.  I knew what I was getting myself back into.  Coach Dave is a runner by trade and always rolls his eyes when I tell him I have to swim or bike more.  Just a gentle reminder that I am a Triathlete, not marathoner!  But, after some really tough weeks of tempo runs and fartleks, I begged Dave to let me run the track.  He thought about it because REALLY my next “A” (and last) is November 14^th.  Ok, that IS a far way off.  But, the thing with me is that I really need the track because I do a horrible job of picking up my knees when I race – I tend to straight leg my running and the track forces me to pick up my legs/hip flexors because I know the times I need to hit.  And, I do a good job pacing on the track…I ran track in HS and just feel comfortable on it.  I need to get out of the ½ IM shuffle…or that IM shuffle.  Ick.

So, on Wednesday morning I drove down to Dave’s track and we warmed up (what he thinks is easy – good lord) and then we did a very hard shifting pace workout and negative splitting 800s, 400s and all that lovely stuff.  I have not been on this particular track in 2 years.  He looked at me, his eyes hiding behind his polarized glasses and he quipped, “Do you want to know what you ran here the last time we ran here for the 800m?”  I responded – already knowing damn well what I ran last time, “Oh, I know Dave…don’t test me…how about you spot me 10” since I am 2 years older now.”  No such luck, Jennifer…you ran a 2.40.  How in the hell do you think you can repeat that task today?  And, clearly I am not in 2.40 shape…but that is why I am there.  It will take me 3 months + to get back to that and I am already in very good aerobic shape…but running that fast and transferring that to ½ Marathon pace is the catch.  But, I have lots of time, thank goodness.  I ran my first 800 and Dave just peered over his glasses and rolled his eyes at me.  He said, “THANK god you are here with me – you need WORK.”

So, today ( Sunday )on the docket was a 14 miler and here I was on the path this morning @ 7am…trying to thrust my hips forward to negate my pelvic tilt so much ….well, it just looked like I was trying to have sex for 14 miles really.  And, poorly too.  And, it was tiring!

Last week was a very tough training week and then I decided, at the last minute, to tag along with some of my friends/athletes as they went to Madison.  There was a 2.4 mile OW swim race and then 2 loops on the Madison IM course (80 miles).  AND, they were getting a hotel room at the Sheraton.  We don’t live that far from Madison but after a LONG week with the kids, I called Jerome and said, I am taking a night away in Madison!  So, we left about 4pm on Friday, headed up, had dinner out at a big grown up restaurant and then I fell asleep hard @ 9.30pm and woke up to my alarm at 5.30am.  NO need to have any nerves for a swim race!  So, we headed over to the swim race that did not start until 8am.  I mean, seriously!  Let’s get rolling!  LET me say this for the record:  2.4 miles of RACING swimming is a long way to go.  Because we only had 300 swimmers racing and not the normal 2,000 @ Ironman Wisconsin, the swim was lonely.  I drafted for the first 1.2 miles and then I passed the girl I was drafting off (thanks honey) and then, my LEFT hand always goes numb when I race long swim races – because I am a naughty athlete and only breathe on my right side, so OF course my neck and arm are pissed off…so I was doing the fist drill for a bit there.  Anyway, got out f the water- FINALLY END THIS SWIM!  And ended up 3^rd OA…1^st AG.  HA!  Almost broke 1 hour.  Close, but not bad considering we were all out there by ourselves…I was pleasantly surprised that I did so well considering these real swimmers do not mess around.  Nevermind the girls in front of me probably were not wearing  wetsuits, but who was looking?  My friend Karen got 4^th in her AG and Kim Hardy swam well too!

Then, we shoved food in our mouth & drove to Verona to start the 2 loops.  I worked so hard I was breathing so hard – since I am not training for an IM I get to ride hard and push it all – and that was the plan today.  So, I obliged, and I even negative split that 2^nd 40 mile loop.  The 2^nd loop was strong, solid and fast.   We all re-grouped and got some food and drove home.

Got home around 6pm and quickly showered – and headed down to South End Park – it was our Annual Neighborhood Camp out that includes 75 of your closest friends all cooking out, sleeping in tents and drinking all night.  THE kids love it!  Morgan’s tummy was off and, in fact, she had a little bug or something b/c I was up with her and her vomit and D for awhile.  So, Morgan did not sleep over but my lovelyohsonice Neighbor, Nancy, kept Graham overnight so we could be home with Morgan – and truth be told, Miss Daisy does not like to camp.