A Night Runner

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Whoa, a day off

I don't get too many days off at this point in life, so when I do it is nice. Well, it actually is sort of odd because I don't really know what to do. I putz around the house, go run, clean up, and then it is still only early afternoon. I was going to go to Gear West today and work, but I didn't!

On the other front I have been loving working for Three Rivers Park. The people that work with me are fantastic, very helpful, and kind. This past week we did paddle rescue training at the Minnetonka swim pond. It was a good experience. The water was nippy, but not terrible. The wind is what was really the worst part, for it was chilly. I did better with the canoe than the kayak. I flipped my own kayak attempting to flip over the other one. I leaned over and lost my center of balance. Lesson learned.

Now comes the training. I swam twice this week. The first was only about 500 yards. The next one was about 1500 and if felt really nice to be back in the water. I think I will get a pass for the gym because the pool is actually the right temperature for lap swimming. I loathe jumping into a pool that feels like bathtub water. I have also set a mini goal for myself-that I will keep to myself until I accomplish it. Once I do that then I will let you all know what my goal is.

Until next time. Stay classy.

Monday, May 20, 2013

I bailed on the Almonzo

I had hoped that this write-up would have been all about how I did the Almonzo. Alas, this did not occur. I decided to pull the plug the day before the race. After working multiple 10+hour days back to back I was quite worn out and needed a small break. I mentally wasn't ready and that is huge in a long race. I couldn't fathom a 2 hour drive, 7ish hour race, time hanging out after, and then driving home. It would have made for a very long day for me. I also realized how ill-prepared I was for that race. I haven't been biking a great deal and I am also lacking some essential gear for a race that would have taken me somewhere around 7 hours time. That being said, I feel like a gigantic slacker. I need to get some serious goals set up so I can become more motivated to get after it.
I had high hopes that I would get a mountain bike this spring in order to do some endurance mtn bike racing and that seems far off. Unless I can get a super awesome deal on a good bike. I have priorities over purchasing a bike at the current moment- fixing my car, dental work, and saving money for the sake of having a back-up fund. Not to mention paying my student loans! Those things are horrid.
I believe I shall sign up for Twin Cities Marathon. That would be a great goal race for me. I haven't ran a marathon since Grandma's Marathon in 2007. That race was a fantastic learning experience. The biggest thing for me would be to make sure that I commit to the training so that I may run the race as would make me happy with how I ran. Too often I do a race and after say to myself, "That went alright or if I would have trained more..." I don't want that. I want to finish and say, "I crushed it."
Either way- I need to step up my game.

Friday, May 10, 2013

What a week

Tons of training with Three Rivers and also was part of 2 programs. Canoeing at Hyland with students from Cottage Grove and then kayaking at Nokomis with 2 groups of students from Hiawatha Academy. It is a lot of fun and I am learning a lot of new skills. I am very happy to be with Three Rivers Park District. The staff is amazing and very helpful. I look forward to this summer.

The job application process has picked up quite a bit over the past couple weeks. I have already sent in close to a dozen within the last two weeks. Hopefully they produce some great results. I have high hopes for this fall.

In one week's time I will be heading down to "race" the Almonzo 100 mile gravel bike race. I have been running and biking, but I wish I could have ridden more. My longest ride so far has only been 3.5 hours. I am going to imagine this race will take me closer to 7 hours. I am going to bring my camera and lots of water. It will be a fun adventure. Be on the lookout for pictures and a recap of the event.

Otherwise I have just been working all the time. Seems as though I don't get much else done. Between subbing, Gear West, and Three Rivers I am busy everyday. Some days are long and others aren't too bad. Stressful, but rewarding.

I have also been obtaining parts for my car. I have the head gasket kit and new brake pads. I still need head gasket bolts and then a timing belt kit with a water pump. Once I have obtained all the requited equipment the work on my car will commence. The engine lift is at my house and I have friends who are willing to assist-even if they didn't quite say yes. Adam, Dusty, Zach, Sven, Justin, and others will be a part of this process. I am happy to have such a good group of people.

Friday, May 3, 2013

3 days of Three Rivers

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I had staff training for Three Rivers Park District. It has been very fun thus far and I am very much looking forward to a summer of great times. Monday we did a bunch of team building exercises and got to know one another. It was also a day of general information. Tuesday was a day of canoeing and kayaking. I learned many new skills. I was told that I will be doing a lot of kayaking this summer, so by the end I will be a kayaking champ. Perhaps an arctic adventure is in order? I could even do something like THIS. Wednesday we spend most of the time indoors because of the SNOW! Yes, snow in May.
I cannot control the weather, but it is disheartening. It is also snowing as I type this right now. Last Saturday I thought it was very warm and even did a 3.5 hour bike ride in just shorts and a jersey. I am still happy to have been out.

Saturday I will be doing climbing wall stuff at the fair grounds. Should be quite fun albeit a long day. 7:30 to 7:30. This boy will be tired.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Get in Gear 10k

Well, that sure helped dust out the system. It has been a few years since I have done just a 10k. It was a good gut-check for sure. I left the house around 7:35 this morning. When I got to where we park the cars I realized I forgot my race number. I felt so dang stupid for doing that. I turned around for home to go grab it. The race start line was at Minnehaha Falls, so the drive went quickly. Had I known before that there was a bike corral I would have biked there! Next year I will for sure. Driving sucks. Well, I got back, parked the car and then ran to the start line. Got in a good warm up.

The race started and I felt really good going through the first mile. I stayed at a comfortable pace when usually I go out way too hard. Not today! Instead I let my legs fall apart around mile 4! The last two miles were rough. I did my best to stay focused even though the negative thoughts started to brew. I pushed through and kept my heart rate up. I did have a good time even though my time wasn't what I wanted. I was hoping for around 37 minutes, but I finished at 38:05. Not the best in the world, but I still feel it in my legs as I type this.

It was about 60 degrees at the start line when i am used to 30's and maybe 40's, so when I got going I was wicked warm. My mouth had no moisture at all in it. I had some serious cotton-mouth.

TC 1 mile is the next race. I'm going to go sub 5 min! That is my goal.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

So much to do!

It appears as though my days fly by without getting anything accomplished. Part of this occurs because of an ever-changing schedule. When I do get a day off I am almost unsure as what I should be doing. I do my best to clean the house and go run with Journey, but that doesn't take all day.

I did get to go for a run with Mr. Michael Williams on Tuesday. That was a good time. We went running over at Hyland. I still need to run more and also need to get on the bike. The Almonzo is going to crush my legs if I don't get on the bike over these next few weeks. It will be a long day in the saddle.

It is also supposed to snow another 2-6 inches today. This weather is making me lazy.