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still movin’

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

I’m alive, I just haven’t posted lately. I was thinking about it as I drove to work today, and I average ~9 hours of work a day, 2 of driving, ~2-3 of working out and showering after all the workouts, ~6-7 of sleeping (gotta get better there), and about 2 of sitting on the couch (working, interneting, eating, chatting with friends online/phone, etc.). And then I realized I have no idea what I do with the other 1-3. Really… I have no idea. That’s really all I have done lately. And yes, I’m very happy I’m lucky that a run or a bike counts as “time together” even if I only see Mike at the start and finish.

Actually, I’m very very happy with how things are right now. I have better self-image than in a long time. I have a wonderful boy, and I feel very loved. I think if all goes well I have a good chance at PRs in my B (Vineman 70.3) and A (IM KY) races this year. I’m enjoying all the training. I’m not feeling stressed. I am in the middle of figuring out details on applying for a Masters in GIS program that I’m interested in. I do miss some people I used to see more of, or talk to more, but we still talk some and we are not losing touch (and it’s not just my life that has caused the change).

(oh, and I had a wonderful birthday — the wonderful boy gave me something shiny and important and that I’ve been dreaming of… dura ace brakes for the PX! wooo!)

And now the stats part for a few “fun” workouts:

last 2 long bike rides: 117mi @ 16.7mph, 103 mi @ 17.9mph
last 2 long runs: 20.1 mi @ 10:06/mi (in the heat of day on the 4th), 20.2 @ 9:18/mi (this am!)
Swam a 1:35/100yds (pulling) last night! Super fast for me, and it felt pretty relaxed and easy!
Ran over 8mi at a 8:49 pace!

And since I mentioned it, why do I think I can PR? Well, for IM KY I just feel stronger than ever, I’m running and biking faster, and swimming faster and easier. I’d never really done 100+ mile training rides, and since May of this year I’ve done 7, and 6 were over 112 (and one over 120!). I’d never been this smart and consistent with running — I’ve got a number of smartly built up to 16, 18, and 20 milers under my belt. So here’s hoping for a sub-13:49 (for a PR) and hopefully it will be a good amt sub that!

For Vineman it’s mostly because all the IM mileage, and another little factor: I’ve only ever done one half IM! And I was definitely in different shape then, as it was my 4th tri ever. My half PR? 7:18. Yes, you are reading right. More than half of my IM PR time

Yup, life is good. And my lunch today is packed in a bag I often use for all my swimgear. ‘Cause I was hungry. And I’m eating pita chips and humus and it’s good, too!

Posted in biking, Life Outside of Tris, mike, Planet X, running, swiming, Training Thoughts | 6 Comments »

April 7th Derby Day 5k

Monday, April 16th, 2007

I just realized I never posted here about my PR race!

So here it is… straight from my other blog

I ran the Derby Day 5k April 7th. I mainly signed up because it went through the Arboreum, which is pretty, and the Santa Anita race track, which I’ve wanted to go to for a while. And race entry fee included parking and spending the day at the track and seeing the Santa Anita Derby and entry to the microbrew festival in the infield! So it was a fun day of pounding pavement and ponies!

The race course was great, although I had a goal of 24:59 (breaking 25 as I believe my previous 5k PR was about 25:13) so I didn’t get to enjoy much of the scenery. The downhills made my sore shin, well, more sore. But I kept telling me to suck it up and keep going hard, that it would be over soon. And so I listened to me. And finished in 24:20!! And by my watch the course was long at 3.18 miles, so it came to a 7:37 pace!! Yup, happy Kylie

Another fun bit was that I always pick “goal people”. You know, people I want to pass, or at least stay in sight of, etc. One guy in a russel shirt (the R was on the back of the neck) and gloves was one of those people for me. And then at one point I passed him, and he said “there you are!” and I wasn’t sure if I heard right, and I was hurting, so I kept going. Shortly after the finish I saw him, and yup, I was one of his goal people. I got away though and finished before him, but he was friendly, and both of us being there alone (his wife and daughter were still asleep) we walked around the expo together until he had to leave.

Then I ran into Dan (from Foothill Cyclery) and who I haven’t seen in a while, and talked with him for a bit, and it was good to catch up. And then later Mike showed up, and watched ponies with me, and drank beer. Wooo! It was a fun day, and the Santa Anita Derby was one by one of the least favorite horses, which I like seeing… if it wasn’t for surprises and ponies showing they are that good, it would get boring.

Posted in Life Outside of Tris, Race Tales, running | 1 Comment »

Oceanside half IM

Friday, March 30th, 2007

Off to Oceanside this afternoon for Ralph’s half IM*! I’ll be cheering and Mike will be speedy! Wish good thoughts for him!

* yes, I know it has a new name. no, I don’t really care.

Posted in General, Life Outside of Tris, mike | 1 Comment »

weekend tri-lights

Monday, March 19th, 2007

The bad:

shortened the Saturday ride due to time constraints
missed the Sunday ride completely with getting the new bikes (mine and Mike’s) more ready and doing tons of new house errands

The good:

Got into a karate class (although I don’t find I’m missing it much any more) and got movies on DVD of a bunch of my forms, so I can use them to refresh my memory.
Got in about 20 miles ON THE NEW BIKE! It rides beautifully! It doesn’t feel like anything is attached to the pedals it is so light, and I flew on it! Even with a headwind for the slight downhill direction and being on a slight uphill the return trip I held a good pace. And Mike was beside me on his bike, and time with him is also good
Saw a hockey game Saturday night (tri related since it was with the tri club ) and called a friend I haven’t talked to in a while just to learn HE IS ALSO AT THE GAME. So we met up at a break. Amuzing since my first hockey game ever, and about the 3rd time I’ve ever called the friend.
Got many errands done — including a bike rack for the kitchen! Man it looks hott with Mike’s Cervelo and PX and my PX on it! I’ll have to post a pic once I have one. Oh, and also got some new biking gear, which is always fun
My swim felt nice and comfortable this morning, and I was holding a better pace than lately!

Posted in biking, Life Outside of Tris, Planet X, swiming | No Comments »

moving AGAIN

Thursday, March 1st, 2007

At some point I will live in one place for a long time again…

First out of college I lived in the same place for a year. Then Irvine was the longest at about a year and a half. With Holly has been about 15 months, but that was in 2 different locations. And now for another new one. Yet again increasing my travel time to and from work. But I drive the longer version half the time now anyways… and it will mean not spliting where I am all the time, which does get old. Yes, Mike and I will be moving in together. We’ve been talking about it, and have found the perfect place and have been approved! He moves in THIS WEEKEND (we think) and I will slowly be joining him, finally really living there Aprilish. Crazy… and scary!!!! My first time living with a boy that I’m dating… It feels sorta like before an Ironman — I’m nervous and worried and wonder if I’m ready or not. And part of me is thrilled and excited and wants it to be here now, knowing that I’ve prepared as I need to and really shouldn’t be so scared. Yet the scared hangs around

On a training note, I’ll be farther from the mtn biking areas I know and love, so will have to find some new ones. And I’ll get to find some new running and biking areas, although much of the long rides will be unchanged as our usual loops went sorta near both houses, and all the “near work” routes will still be the same.

And I biked this morning… but not long since I had to get in and work. Thursday is often my easy training day each week since it’s my crazy-busy life day.

Posted in biking, Life Outside of Tris, Training Thoughts | 4 Comments »

a good week so far

Thursday, February 8th, 2007

So far this week is going great. I worked from home Monday to order the bikes, which means I didn’t swim (since the good pool is by work). But for once I didn’t then blow it off! Tuesday morning found me in the water being all fishlike (or at least attempting to be).

I also got in a great brick on Monday — about 20 miles on the bike and then 3 on foot. Threw in a bit of climbing on the bike just for fun, and pushed a comfortable pace on the run to see what kind of 3 mile pace I can hold after a good ride. Managed about 9:17 miles, which is good for me

The long run on Wednesday also felt pretty good. Last week was off to give my knee some healing time as it was sore, but it only bothered me for a second during the run and not at all after it.

And this morning brought out the bike (although with leg warmers again as it was a bit colder here today) for a quick ride chasing Mike. And I tried to use him during the section with a strong headwind, but it was coming from mostly everywhere so it didn’t do too much good.

I think I’m more rested this week. I feel much less sleepy just in general, and like I have more energy. I think I’ve been eating better as well, and it’s paying off.

Tonight will not have a workout. And will have indulgence in bad food and good company. After I teach I need to scurry home and head out to watch the Premier of Survivor! Cheer for Anthony with me!

Posted in biking, Life Outside of Tris, running, swiming | 3 Comments »

a good morning

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007

Some mornings just feel good. After leaving the cuddly boy in my bed (he was leaving to run anyways) I drove to work and climbed on the bike. It was pretty cold out (jacket and long sleeves and tights w/ leg warmers over them cold), but I started with a 5 or 6 mile climb. Not so speedy, but some gorgeous views as the sun was rising over the valley! After some fun downhills, and some stretches of great road (and some not so great road) I think I’ve found a 15ish mile loop around work that I’ll keep — good amt of climbing, good traffic level, etc.

Oh, and I forgot originally to mention the small herd of deer… yes, 6 of them! 4 watched me pass, one hid, and one ran off. It was awesome. Reminded me of seeing the hawk a few days ago while biking along a bike path. He was soooo close, and didn’t move as Mike and I went by.

Got back to work, slid the bike into the car, peeled off the jacket and a legwarmer and started a run. Umm… a leg warmer? Yup. My transition was so fast I left one on! Heh. Didn’t matter too much since the work gym was about .2 miles away from the car, and I was going to leave my car keys in my locker, so I left the other leg warmer as well. During the run there I also noticed it was colder than I thought… I couldn’t really feel my toes. Oh well… off on a loop — and I hit my fastest mile that I know of right now Ok, that doesn’t say much, but a 7:45 min mile is good for me, especially right off the bike, and with my heart rate low for most of it (until I noticed how fast I was going), and to keep going for another 3 miles after it, hitting another 8:30ish mile to end with. So good times, good times.

Got into work just in time for a meeting, which is being moved to 2:30 on Tuesdays instead of 9. Wooooo! I can workout longer if I want!

Posted in biking, Life Outside of Tris, running | 3 Comments »

OMG snow is kewl

Friday, January 12th, 2007

This morning as I got off the freeway I saw what appeared to be white flakes hitting my windshield, and I smiled, knowning there was a chance of “rain/snow showers”. But I still didn’t expect that when I turned the corner onto the street with the gym I’d be greeted by tons of cars with a coating of snow! Or that I would be able to make a snowball as I walked to the gym (shhh… don’t tell… I’ve just never lived in snow and gotten to the point where it isn’t exciting). Or that I’d step into the pool from snow

Let me take this time to remind you I live in southern CA and it was in the 70s and 80s a few days ago. And that this was at 1160 feet of elevation and only about an hour from the beach.

[1800 yards done in a pool that felt sooooo warm compared to air]

Posted in Life Outside of Tris, swiming | 7 Comments »

leaving on a jet plane…

Tuesday, January 9th, 2007

This morning I dropped Mike off at the airport so that he could go to a USAT Coaching clinic. But that isn’t what this post is about (he’ll be back Thursday evening… I should be able to survive :p At least if all goes well).

Anyways… I have a southwest round trip voucher. From and to anywhere that they fly. The catch is that it expires Feb 06, 2007. So I have to use it by then. Where do I want to go???

I was thinking of NYC to visit my sis at her college, but am not sure if that’s a good thing to plan last minute or what days would be good for her (she’s a busy one).

Or to Arizona to see the nephews and deliver their presents, but that’s only like $80 in tickets anyways, so I don’t mind doing it anyways.

The boy works every day for 273 hours on each one, and since he’s out this week it would just be me for the trip. I can’t think of many places that I really would want to just go on my own.

Or I could transfer it to someone…

Ideas?

Posted in Life Outside of Tris | 4 Comments »

Home from the holidays

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007

Not that I was really gone that long, but I took a break from most things computer (other that minimal work) for a week as well. And now… I’m back!

Highlights of the holiday seasion included taking Mike home to my parents (he’d met my dad and stepmom before, but this was his first time meeting my mom and sister). It went well and they of course love him. While at my mom’s home we went for a few tough runs through China Camp State Park (here and here). Our legs were pretty shot, so we took xmas day off (it was also already pretty busy with switching to my dad’s house and flying home). In fact, Mike said he was more sore than after his not-great (to him) Kona race!

Home again we got in some great bike rides! We started off with a very slow and easy cruise around town looking at xmas lights to get our legs moving and cleared out from the runs. Later in the week I showed Mike a 35ish mile Rancho Cucamonga loop, and he loved it. We had cut my favorite loop a bit short due to a late start, so sometime I’ll have to take him on the whole ride. He wanted to ride it again later in the week We also got in a 50 miler on the Rio Hondo bike path right before we had flown up north.

And the tough rides of the weekend? Well… we ended the year with an 80 miler from the Anaheim train station to Solana Beach. A great, highly recommended ride! The train station is right by a bike path that goes all the way to PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and that goes all the way to Solana Beach! Much of the ride is along the coast, and there were some great views. Mike and I didn’t do much of it together, but spent most of it with me chasing him, or me passing him as he stopped and took a picture or bathroom break, and then him chasing me. And he also did some out and backs to make sure we’d stay on the same route. I will post pictures once I get them off his phone. As for the ride as a whole, I was definitely pleased with the 80 miles, 3400ish ft of climbing, and 5 hours!

However, there was some excitement with the ride as well. We ran over a nail right as we got to the Anaheim train station a bit later than we had hoped to be pedalling, and listening to the air rush out of my car’s tire we just left it to deal with later, knowing we’d then be rushing to get to a New Year’s party on time. We did manage to change it (thanks Mike! I just helped) and get to the party only a bit later than planned. Oh, and at another point after I had passed Mike saw him coming up behind me, and with a quick glance said “hey hot stu…. ooooh you’re not my boyfriend! *giggle* You’re just wearing the same vest… and also cute!” He laughed at me and said he’d tell his wife.

And then we had our first ride of the year: the Inland Inferno Tri Club Resolution Ride. With riding to and from the start it was 60 miles and 6500 ft of climbing! On tired legs and with the social bits, it took almost as long as the 80 miles had the day before! It was definitely a tough ride for me… my knee got pretty sore, and I almost needed my asthma inhaller which I’ve used about 2 times in the last 3 years. Oh and I cheated… Mike helped me a bit on the first and last climbs by placing a hand on my butt. For the rest of the ride he was way in front with a few fast guys. Lunch at my favorite all you can eat Mexican food place after was delicious and well-earned!

Of course we got in some runs as well, but nothing too exciting once we were home. And only one swim.

Ohh and some exciting bike total info… I will be posting it in a bit!