I'm not crazy...I'm just bored!!

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS! (yes, it is long...but it will make you feel better about your day when you finish!)

So, I learned it takes a lot longer to get out of the house for a ride than a run...should be self-explanatory, but when I'm setting my alarm clock I always think I'm super woman and can get ready a lot faster than I EVER do!

I was going as fast as possible to get to the Queen of the Hill ride this morning, because as per above...I was late. They give you 10 min to get ready before roll-out time though, so that helped. Pumped up my tires (kind of ... more later), and I was off! I had talked to Danielle about how to get my speed better and I was working on it and feeling strong, but I kept feeling each rock I was rolling over more and more...crap, yup. First time for everything - lets just say I learned a LOT about changing a flat tire, the right kind of tubes to buy, how to PROPERLY use my CO2 gun for the tire, how to put a back wheel back on the bike and chain AND that when you fill up your tires it is always a good idea to CLOSE the valve that you have to open to pump them up, if you don't...you get a flat!

The sweet, wonderful, amazing and nice women that rode with me stopped and got a quick lesson on how to change a tire too. I was grateful that Kristie (Ironwoman!) was there to show me the ropes. I'm also glad running shoes don't get flats! But, then I felt like a pile of poo. Because yesterday I was asking if we could really get back in time, because I needed to be on my way home by 7:30 so hubby could go to work. Everyone was saying "you don't have to wait, just go ahead and you'll be fine...but it is a no drop, so we will all regroup." So, I was already feeling like a bum that I wouldn't be able to wait and regroup with everyone...but what happens?!? I get the flat and 6-8 people stopped and helped and waited for me and in turn sacrificed THEIR ride and miles so I could be helped...when I was the one that was going to ditch them last night. What a piece of poo I am and what wonderful women they are! SO giving and self-less, not me...I'm all about sticking to MY time schedule.

After the tire change got to the top of Camp Williams and enjoyed the ride down...I thought we'd still do the full ride, but when I got to 2100N I couldn't see anyone. They'd turned a lot earlier. Crap, now I was alone...with no tubes or cartridges left. So, I turned and finally caught them at the Maverick in Riverton. As we were crossing the street, I realized I'd forgotten to change gears and was in downhill beast gear...which is really hard to pedal from a stop, but I was powering through it, unclipped. Then..whamo! My foot slipped off the pedal and my crotch slammed into the seat (yes boys, it hurts us too!). Man, oh man...are we done yet? I should've stayed in bed.

Got back to the shop (where we start) at 7:25, perfect. But, with only 18.5 miles. Oh well...it is about the experience, right? Got off my bike and walked it the 5 feet to the car, then...whamo! the pedal scrapes across my leg...right over my battle wounds from Friday's trail run fall. REALLY?!? Man, oh man...I really should've stayed in bed. I thanked Kristie for her help (and now owe her at least one good tube) and set off for home. Ride. over. thank. you.

I got home feeling like crap! My emotions were on a high low (figure that one out!) and all I wanted to do was eat a dozen dunford donuts on the couch and watch tv. I did NOT want to go to the gym, face the ladies that hate me and baby in the gym, get on a TM for an hour and try to feel good. nope. no. way! But, I let routine take over and got in the car and just went. My 5 yr old started crying "I don't want to go to the gym!" I replied "I don't either! But, sometimes we just have to suck it up and do what we need to do. So, we're going to the gym." Positive reinforcement :)

I decided to break up the run - 3 miles on the TM, 1 track, 3 TM, 1 track. Give me a bit of a break from the monotony of the hamster run.

3 miles @ 1% TT: 23:45 AP: 7:54 splits: 8:34, 7:41, 7:41 (except sped up to 7:03 last 1/4 mile)

2 on track - no idea on pace, but I'd guess around an 8:00, because the 8:20 on the TM when I got back on felt slower. So, somewhere in there. I decided to do 2, because I was enjoying it and I didn't want to have to END my run on the track.

3 TM miles @1% TT: 23:25 AP: 7:48 splits: 8:20, 7:41, 7:41, except the last .35 I went progressive to 7:03 then 6:30 the last .10

Chatted with Wendy as I cooled down a .10 on a walk, then did my exercises (2 sets) and grabbed my kids before the nursery sent them to the orphanage for abandonment, because I was over my hour :)

I felt SO much better when I was done. I felt functional and happy and baby didn't even get reprimanded ONCE in the nursery! They said he even was having a conflict with another child and he came and got a teacher to help! WOW, he's learning! Running is my favorite. Biking and swimming are fun x-trainers and a break from the run, but running makes me happy and is my primary religion :)  I don't get those endorphins anywhere else...and I don't get flats and have to remember to pack 500 things for a run! I JUST RUN!

blah. well, that all said...I signed up for the Utah half tri (half ironman distance, but not an 'ironman' race) in August. I guess it is a good thing I now know how to change a tire...and how to pump one up and not be an idiot!!! There will be more rides in my future, until then anyway :)

Regular ol' loop with the Regular ol' crowd...but I love it. 

Carolyn (George's neighbor) came today as well. I ran most of the run with her and had fun talking about Jr High, HS and college. We went the same places! Small world, but I'm old so she only knows my little bro-in-law.

Last week, we did this loop at a sub 8mm pace, I FELT like I was giving the same energy today, but moving at a 10mm pace. I guess I should've eaten yesterday. I was busy and forgot until 7:30 when we had dinner...oops. So, lack of fuel and hydration I think played the greatest part of me feeling like crap today. Oh well, I got it done.

I'd forgotten to switch the garmin from bike mode after yesterday's comedy of errors. So, my garmin showed me in mph...nice. A 7.0 mph bike ride is pretty slow :) Oh, well. No splits - bike mode only has one total lap. BUT, it shows my AP at 8:36. Not too shabby for a craptastic run!

I bought trees and flowers yesterday that I need to plant before it gets hot this morning, so now I'm done...except for the yard work.

Slept in...oh, how beautiful 9 hours of sleep is!!!

Spin class, good stuff...not a really rough class, but still good.

3 min transition

1 mile on the TM 8:34 @ 1%

2 miles on the track (11 laps/mile) - on/off for the full 2 miles. Fast miles were 30 seconds (some closer to 27, some closer to 32...so I'm going to say 30) and the slow 45-50. This was a great speed workout. I stole it from Kelli yesterday. I've always thought about doing this, but just went for the simplicity of the TM...well, Kelli gave me the courage to do it today and I was grateful for the break from the TM.

1 mile cool-down on the TM 8:27 @ 1%

exercises for running (3 sets) with 30:30:30 planks on the ball at the end of each set. I would've done more, but was running out of daycare time.

Finally got everything planted in the yard and can now take care of the tornado that has hit the inside the last couple days of outdoor work. Heavens, I don't know how y'all can keep this up!

Urban Trail loop with Chad, Paul and Ronnie aka Todd Newton.

besides not getting the message that we weren't meeting until 5:30 (I got there at 5:00 and slept in the car for 20 min), it was just a wonderful usual loop.

AP: 8:44

Lagoon...ALL day. Left home at 9AM, returned 11:30PM.

Got home late from Lagoon (11:30) then had an early morning appointment (7AM) and work from 9-3. So with packet pick up and a date with hubby...there was no time for anything but life today.

What a race! I didn't like the 2:45 AM wake up call, but the riding there with bye-wing (her 1st half!!) and then meeting some friends at the buses was a great time! Took the long ride up to the start and made our way to the pops. They quickly announced the bag truck was leaving in 15min. What the heck? The race didn't start for like 30-45 min! Oh well, time to get our cold on! After quickly getting bags on the trucks we lined up at the back and the gun went off. We were about 5 min behind start time...wonderful placement! Not much weaving.

Just before we started and after the crowd had cleared, a space blanket came floating by and Danielle grabbed it. I jumped in the warmth with her and then she was going to throw it away...oh no, not this one :) I decided I needed a cape. So, I tucked the extra long (seriously like 7+ feet long) cape in the shoulders of my tank. Plan was to drop it at the first aid station, but then I got attached and decided to keep it!

I ran with Robyn and Danielle for the first few miles and then Robyn dropped behind with a friend. I had told my friend Julie that I would pace her, but couldn't find her at the beginning, so I tried to just run with Danielle and keep her pushing. I was having a great time despite that fact that no one was talking to me. THIS is the big downfall of ipods if you ask me, but then again I'm a BIG talker...anyone that knows me knows that! :)

Saw Lowell around mile 3, he offered to carry my cape...nope, I still liked it! :) Mile 6 station they were handing out gu, but the water girls were WAY behind. I stopped and filled about 10-15 glasses to help out and told Danielle to go ahead and I'd catch up, but she stayed and helped for a while, then I caught up after grabbing one for myself. Then around mile 8 I spotted Smooth on the side with her boot cheering everyone on!! It warmed my heart like no other!! I gave her a big sweaty hug, posed for some pics and had to sprint to catch up with Danielle...again.

Shortly after that Julie's sister ran up next to me and after a few good looks at my face asked if I was Rachel. YES! She told me Julie wasn't too far ahead and what she was wearing. I was off. Since I had my cape on I ran up next to her and said "did someone order a superhero?!?" Julie is a sweet woman! I just love her to pieces and think the world of her. She has a 7 week old baby and just moved into a new house. Her little Ty is adopted and they didn't know until 2 days before he was born that they were getting him! She hadn't trained over 6 miles and has been working like crazy and not sleeping for the last 7 weeks, but she was doing great. You can read her blog HERE - that is how I got to know her, I was her blog stalker for about a year before I ever commented. I'm glad we are friends now! If you want a real tear jerker read Ty's adoption story posted!

Anyway, Danielle and Julie's sister caught back up to us and slowly pulled ahead. I helped/entertained/talked Julie's ear off the rest of the way and she finished in a 1:56!! Which for the amount of training and crazy last 7 weeks?!? amazing! I told her on the last stretch as she felt like she was fading "I may look like a super hero, but you are the REAL superhero!" I finished in 1:52:31, feeling GREAT. Well, except for the stomach that had been bugging me the whole time. Rumbly and sour...blech. But, whatever, I was having the time of my life! I waited a few min for Julie's family to show up and took some pics with her, then went back to run bye-wing in for a strong finish.

Just as a side note, I have to say how much I loved the little kids (especially girls) that would look and point at me, then get their mom's attention to show her super girl! :) Made my day!!! Then, as I was running back to get bye-wing if I saw someone struggling I'd say "you need some super power to get through this!" and offer them knuckles. They'd always just look at me with a smile and give me some knuckles. I loved it! Helping people get that last kick to the finish is always rewarding!

Bye-wing finished strong and under her estimated goal time! I will let her tell her story on her blog. I was SO proud of her and what an awesome job she'd done on her first half!! Now, she has another one in 2 weeks :) gotta love it baby!

After going and watching the marathon finishers for about another hour (I LOVE watching and cheering at a marathon finish, I seriously LOVE it! CONGRATS to you all!!), we grabbed our bags and headed back to the car. They'd had the halfers park at the Provo Towne Center and they had buses back, but we decided to walk the 1.5 miles back. I hope it helped bye-wing work out some of what will be some lingering soreness. Pain we enjoy!