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RUN Week 7, Thursday 12/22 - Run December 23, 2005

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Running, Chico CA, Training Stats , add a comment

"Uhhhhh … it's still raining. (UNRELATED: And I'm still kinda' stupid.)"

Context

City, State: Chico, CA
Location: Mom's and Dad's House
Course: 6-mile Munjar North [map]
Terrain: Flat. Paved.
Distance and/or Time: 6.45 miles, 1 hour 6:13 minutes
Speed and/or RPE: 5.84 mph; 7 (hard-heavy)
HRR: 143-173 (Aerobic)
HR(avg.): 162 bpm

Thursday, December 22, 2005

The Run

Synopsis

Overall

Uhhhhh … it's still raining. When will it stop? It's been three days so far. My hair is doing crazy things. My outfits are all soaked. I'm tired of having to constantly wash and wear!

Anyway, it wasn't too bad of an exercise today. I started out strong and fast. At mile two, I suddenly felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Ahhhhh … the old and familiar feeling of smoking and heavy breathing. Crappy combo. No wonder athletes don't smoke. (I'm still kinda' stupid apparantly.) Oh, hell. Whatever. Live with the consequences and try to do better next time. Either way, last night's beer didn't help either as I started cramping at about mile four.

See, I've got this down so far. Anything that's fun and “bad” for you at night ruins the fun “good” for you during the day. I need a bad and good clone that share a collective brain. (Adding that to my list of things to do.) Or maybe I'll just have to pick one of these lives and actually start living it as one should. That sounds like a task better suited for me while in Virginia …

In the meantime, I'll note that for a day-after-party run, it wasn't terrible. It was pretty bad, but I ran for 20 minutes, recovered and then did it again. I was tired all day, but felt better than if I hadn't gone at all. Now, I'm getting amped up for Saturday's 9 mile trek!

RUN Week 7, Tuesday 12/20 - Bike December 21, 2005

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Cycling, Chico CA, Training Stats , add a comment

"Oh, what a heinous, miserable riding day it was."

Context

City, State: Chico, CA
Location: Mom's and Dad's House
Course: 16-mile Munjar North [map]
Terrain: Flat. Paved.
Distance and/or Time: 16 miles, 1 hour 8:39 minutes.
Speed and/or RPE: 13.9 mph; 7 (hard-heavy)
HRR: 143-173 (Aerobic)
HR(avg.): 161 bpm

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

The Cycling

Synopsis

Overall

Oh, what a heinous, miserable riding day it was. On my 29th birthday nonetheless! It started out kinda' pretty with a bit of sunshine poking through harmless gray clouds. I thought, screw the run! Time to ride! I was excited. It wasn't cold outside, so I wasn't worried about freezing to death on my bike. I suited and geared up and off I went. I passed a flower delivery truck on my way out, and wondered if it was for me (it was! Thank you, Hubby Josh!) I rode out past my 10 mile marker and wondered at which point I should consider turning back. By now, the wind had started to pick up and I was trying to gestimate the ratio of how much cycling to running. Mulling over whether twice or three times the distance cycled would be the (semi-)equivalent of that run. I finally figured on 15 miles and thought to add an extra mile for cooldown purposes. That seemed sound enough.

Right about 7.5 miles out, I heard the first drop of rain "pop" on my helmut. It was then followed by one, then two, and then a quick burst of them! Okay, I thought, No biggie. Just a little water. Nothing I can't handle that I haven't handled before. Then, it started raining. I figured I could make it another half mile before turning back. I did. Then, it started RAINING. Big, fat tadpoles of rain sheeted down. I literally thought I was trying to traverse a waterfall! WTF? Not only that, but the wind began to howl and now I was getting pelted with water from what felt like every direction! If there was an oriface open to the outside world, the water was trying to impregnate it! It was hideous! I tried to be the smallest ball of cyclist in the world, but it was useless.

I meandered in misery back home at a measly 9 mph in some parts because the wind and rain was so forceful that I couldn't muster the strength against it. It really didn't help that my quads were still suffering fatigue from running a 9 mile course last week. I thought about huddling under some barn awning and calling my mother to come rescue me (too embarrassed). I thought about ditching my bike and walking home to get the van (too far/cold). I finally settled on just telling myself, "Just another half mile" for the last six miles. It was the world's longest 6 miles I've ever lived through.

Finally, I was home. My mother was outside gardening (in the rain) and I still can't figure where I get my genes from. Sopping wet I pushed into the laundry room, stripped the soaking mess from my body, grabbed a towel and headed straight for the hottest (and greatest) shower I've ever experienced.

I'm really not so sure I'd like to go through that again. It was my birthday and all. I suddenly did know what to buy with my B-day money. Now, I'm just waiting for those gloves and glasses … maybe a (better) jacket is next.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Reflections, Chico CA , add a comment

Today is my birthday. I am 29 years old. This is my happiest and most enriching year-to-date! I am excited for what else awaits!
Last year was a party of all parties for my 28th. It was at "The Bear" and about 20 of us dominated the karaoke floor. Booze all around and a hell of a Monday that most people called in sick for on Tuesday!

This year, it was very low-key. I had lunch with my best friend at the local brewery. He and I did some Xmas shopping, and then I returned home to my parents where my mom had my childhood favorite dinner waiting: Lasagna with hard-boiled eggs (in place of ricotta). It was fantastic to sit, eat, and talk with my parents without the din of a noisy restaurant. The evening grew late and I headed out to Panama's (aka "our bar") for two stiff teas and a Woo Woo shot with Jon, Nick, and our friendly bartender, Colleen. Things wrapped up with greasy pizza and a trip back to Jon's where I watched "Fantastic 4" while Nick and Jon dozed off. At 4:30 AM, I hugged them goodnight, and headed back to my parents. It was quiet, but it was so nice.

So, this is what it's like for me to be 29? Hmmmm … I think I like it all right. Stranger still, I am excited to be nearly 30 years old. In fact, I almost can't wait until I'm 30 and then I'll really be "grown-up," ha, ha! Actually, I'm just really enjoying the life that I've been leading as of late, and I look forward to continuing it. I am excited for each turn my life takes nowadays and even more excited to see how it shapes my "adult" life. Will I have kids? A house? A Ph.D.? A teaching job? Will I be forever on the East Coast? Return to California? Will I place? Collegiate? Local? Third? First?

Who knows? All I do know is that I'll enjoy the ride as long as I'm riding.