Friday, December 10, 2010

Jill's offically a DUer, Chilly Cheeks DU #1

First, let me start off this post by letting everyone know that the gift exchange emails have gone out to each and every 81 of ya.  If you haven't received an email with your gift exchange buddy, please let me know.  Here's Tara (famous for searching the internet for anus plates and sperm necklaces - man, some people get all the good labels!) and I painstakingly picking names.  Don't let those beers, Fritos and bowls of chili fool you (NO enlargement of this photo for a closer view of that white piece of paper  *ahem*) - it was pure business as we totally worked those names, reworked those names again (and again, and again) when we realized we ( I ) obviously are totally stupid (just ask Kovas!) until I finally was able to get each one of us a name.  Yah, me needs to learn a little more Excel I think.  

 

Second, Jillian (http://onelittletrigirl.wordpress.com/) is doing a holiday card swap - please pop on over and sign up, Please!  What a great way to meet some fellow bloggers :). 

Ok, with official business finished, let's move on to my little race last weekend.


Chilly Cheeks Duathlon #1 (Yes, this is a series, #1 of 3, unfortunately) RR:
As one who loves to learn a little more about myself in every race (you now - things like strength, willpower, perseverance, mental fortitude - things like that) these are the two things I learned about myself during this little race:
1) I have lost tons of conditioning babysitting this s#&!! heel for 9 months.
2) I totally suck on a bike!

With that prep work in place, on to the race we go:

Jim, my neighbor, and one who twisted my arm into doing this so-called duathlon thing, picks me up.  It's 28 degrees.  Drive over to the baseball parking lot adjacent to the race start.  Ride our bikes from parking lot to start line and I have one prevailing thought, "This bike seat is not very comfortable."  Get to start line, check in, get race packet and as I grab safety pins, the check-in guy tells me they're not needed, no race number on your shirt, it goes on your bike (well, what are there safety pins sitting out for?).  I look at Jim with total confusion.  "Where?  How?"  We go and find a place to park the bikes - mind you, we're just watching what everyone else is doing - he's never done this Du thing either so enter the dumb leading the dumber.  At least Jim knew to turn my bike around when I placed the front wheel in the bike rack. 

Jim and I pretending we knew what we were doing
As we  spend waaaaay too much time trying to figure out how to attach race number to bike, I turn to Jim and said, "Holy Sh!t, there's some serious bike/tri people here."  Evident by some serious skin-tight tri suits painted on bodies with 2% body fat sporting bikes which cost well over my annual income!  I curse Jim for telling me this was a "fun" race and very low-key when one of those said tri chicks turns to me and tells me "Oh believe it or not, you'll find one or two newbies in this race."  When I tell her that'd be me, she gave me some "no sh!t" obvious look.  I'm seriously thinking Jim's entered me in some preliminary time trial race for some big tri event later next year.  Holy crap, I feel very out of place. 

Soon Tara shows up (YAY) - I love me a good cheerleader.  Thank God she showed up, too - apparently the bike helmet I stole from my son was not a good fit (Imagine!) so she made some adjustments and I was good to go in that department.

Tara and I before the start
Debate what to wear for run and bike.  I have probably run close to 350 races in my life, maybe more (I'm going to count that up one day - I've been running competitively for 35 years now) but I just feel all out of whack here and just can't quit get my groove down.  That damn bike part is just throwing me all off.
Look at me all focused and serious (at least I'm passing two dudes)
Walk down to the start; guys get a 3 minute advantage so I watch my friend Jim go off.  Jim's fast so he's eating up the competition - adios bike dudes!!!  Then the chicks line up, there's maybe 100 of us, very small race, no one pushing and shoving for a front-line position, we're just all kinda in front.

Gun goes off and I'm running - woohoo.  This is my first race since that little 2-miler charity race I did in August (which was very low-key so not sure it counts)!  Oh how I've missed you, Racing!!!!!!!

My goal is not to look at my pace.  Of all the pre-race anxiety I was having, my run pace ranked high at the top.  I know this mega month hiatus from running has really turned up the leg paceometer, I know this - I do - but it's not easy to swallow, and I didn't want it to get me frustrated.  But mile one came and though I didn't hit the "lap" button on my watch, I peeked.  7:48.  I was hoping I could run this thing in the 8:00 range - ahhhh, so good to know my going-out-too-fast bad habits never truly left me!  But I'm feeling good, though I am realizing that my stride is really choppy and everything with my legs just feel "off." Pre-Boston glute and hamstring tightness has returned the past month and I am truly feeling it right now.  Err.

Mile 2 brings you to the back side of the park, where you hit the trails - and the hills.  Oh good lord, I've run these hills probably 5000 times in my life (this park is practically in my backyard, these trails are a staple in my life!) - yet they have never felt as tough as they did in this race.  Which shouldn't be alarming considering all, still....

Mile 3 I'm slowing.  Going up one hill, I peeked again at the watch - 9:06.  This is ridiculous.

Mile 4 we're back on the road again and I can get the pace going a bit better but this NOT easy. Way more difficult than I thought.  Run finish time: 33:21.  8:21 pace.  UGH!!! (my last half marathon was a 7:58 pace  :(  )

Transition area.  I think Tara was yelling at met to hurry up.
First time into a transition area (aside from some short triathlons I did back in the 80's.  Yeah, that's right - the 80's.  Before most of you were born!) so I'm just taking my sweet time, when I hear Tara yell at me to "hurry up."  :)

First lesson learned: Put on gloves BEFORE you start peddling; I was seriously wasting precious time (I use that term loosely) trying to get my hands into my gloves.  Good thing I learned to ride bare-handed as a kid...I'm certain all you bike junkies are appalled right now, I definitely wasn't very aerodynamic in vertical position on le bike.  But we're talking mountain bike here, them things aren't meant for your body to be very aerodynamic - are they?


See anyone behind me?  No, me either.
Let me just sum up these 10 miles from hell on the bike: OUCH!  Every single microscopic crack in the road plain and simply hurt the girl parts!  Leave it to me to think that I could endure 10 measly miles just fine on a bike without padding.  I could not.  I prayed for salvation.  I was never so relieved to come to an uphill, because it meant I could get off that damn seat and pedal upright.  Crack, ouch.  3 seconds later - crack, ouch.  Repeat x 4 million.  My nose was a constant dripping faucet which caused my right gloved to become soaked (no need to apologize - we've all been there if we've played the cold weather running long enough) which caused my right hand to freeze.  My left knee was killing me - I'm guessing my bike seat is too tall for me.  Or I torn my ACL.  Knowing my luck, it's the latter.  And the arch in my right foot was screaming - I'm guessing because my of what I can only presume is Plantar Faciitis in that foot.

The last few miles on the bike I was out there on the road, looking up at the the mountains, pretty much alone, and I actually smiled - I suddenly just released all the tension and the frustration of how poorly I was doing and I was actually enjoying this stupid thing.  Yea, the girl parts were screaming and yea I was passed by 8469 bikers (considering there were about 200 in the race, this is pretty incredible) and I passed exactly ZERO, but ya know what....I had fun.  I truly did.
Jim, having finished a good 20 minutes before me, holding his
hot chocolate.  Me, looking totally dork-o in my helmet,
relived to be DONE!
I finished something like 1:24, including the transition area.  But reflecting on this race - yes, my running pace sucks.  Yes, it's evident I never will be a cyclist (and I'm ok with that!) ... but I got out there and I did it.  I pushed myself hard for the first time in many, many months, and I felt alive and fresh again - ready to get this heel fixed and move forward.  I miss racing, I miss the thrill of the start line and the high of crossing that finish line - I want it back and I'm ready to fight to do so!

We have two more of these duathlons left in this series.  I am not sure what to do about the butt padding - do I slip my bike shorts on over my tights?  Or do I invest in some tri shorts, knowing my limited time with them will never form any sort of bonding experience?  Maybe my gift exchange buddy is reading and wants to get me some, perhaps (my favorite color is pink, exchange buddy!).

Duathlon #2 is January 15th - 1.5 mile run, 3.6-mile bike loop, 2.5 mile run, then mount your bikes for 2 laps of the 3.6 mile loop.  Then, you will rack your bike and run 50 meters to the finish line.
Ok, how convoluted is THAT race going to be?  
Duathlon #3 is February 26th - ride 10 first, run 4 last.


Jim seems to think we have an advantage in the 3rd race, beings the bike is first and we can therefore run past all those sorry cycling asses at the end.  My guess is he's already implementing a plan to take down as many as he can.  Me?  I'm thinking it's not really going to matter much for me, all those 10 grand bike dudes and dudettes will be done well before I even start the run (can't wait to see those killer bikes sliding all over the road in Jan when it's covered in ice and snow while I'm safely riding my 300 lb mt bike)....but perhaps I'll get on my bike and train TWO days for this next race, as painful as that damn bike seat will be.  

And I'm looking forward to it!

I thank EVERYONE who gave me some great advice for this race about the transition and the attire and everything else - I thought about you guys, many times - even when I could barely sit on my seat!!!

I sincerely apologize for my absence reading blogs this week, the exchange really took up a great deal of my time (not complaining, just stating).  I will catch up this weekend.

Good luck to Andrew, running his Santa 5K tomorrow - in full Santa suit attire.  Have to admit it's the first Santa wearing suit guy I've ever had the privilege to work with!  Best of luck to Ginny and Jennifer traveling to the Rocket City for the marathon - a place I once lived so special memories there.  And best of luck to Emz and Slomo running Tucson Marathon - a race dear to my heart since it's my current marathon PR race.  Praying the wind's at your back this year, guys!!!

Run strong, friends!

71 comments:

C2Iowa said...

Great post. You did it/had fun and that is all that matters. Well done and great pics.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you let go and just started enjoying it. This is HARD!! I have yet to do a tri and I know I have lots to learn. They are certainly some really die hards out there and it's intimidating! I think you did awesome!!!

Anonymous said...

That is what I call a well fought victory. Good for you!

Marlene said...

Duathlons in the winter???? That spells H-A-R-D-C-O-R-E to me!

Anonymous said...

I think you are pretty frickin amazing for doing a DU in the winter!!!!!

and thanks for the plug :)

juanitagf said...

Wow! It sounds super cold! I did a couple of DUs--back when they were called biathlons--and they were okay. I much prefer running! The second DU looks weird! Guess you won't get bored...

Andrew Opala said...

Better to pass two dudes than to pass gas ... although - both must be quite satisfying.

- on / off / on / off ... dualthons. ... confusing ... that means training for transitions could be the edge in the game (sssshhhh - you heard it hear first)

Thanks for the luck wishes - but we both know your training has got me to the point were I can mail in a PR! I know the other side of the contract is my ability to move out of my comfort zone. Bring it on! - I won't let you down.

Emz said...

you
freaking
rock.

Passing the dudes and all.

YAY Tara too. That anus plate --- holy crap about anused my pants reading it.

YOU ROCK.

Amanda@runninghood said...

Great recap Jill. I enjoyed every bit of it and glad I squeezed in some blog reading time. I'm not sure if you make me want to do one of these or not. :) I know what you mean about the girl parts...the very little amount of time I've spent on a bike (dreaming of one day doing a DU or a Tri) has been being frustrated by that area hurting or falling asleep. ;) Love that you tried your son's helmet! Awesome that you had so much support. I recognize your location...made me miss home in Colorado. I know what you mean by those tough trail hills. Congrats to you Jill! You're awesome and inspirational. Again, glad I took time to really sit my butt down and read this. Thanks again for doing the gift exchange thingy. I hope you get those expensive tights! :)

bobbi said...

I'm so impressed!! You did great! I am way chicken of the bike - I don't see any 'athlons in my future...

funderson said...

My butt advice is to not ride bikes... :)
I'm just sayin'...

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

You at look! I think your running pace was awesome. I have NO clue about riding. I haven't even been on a mountain bike since..??? It's been years. And I never seriously did the roads so you totally have impressed me. Congrats Jilly!!

I am jazzed about the exchange! Thanks for pulling it together.

No said...

Wow all of this in the winter? Hats off to ya! COngrats :)

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Awesome, that is what racing is all about, FUN!! And I am glad you had it.

Yes you can wear bike shorts over or under your tights, I dont like running in bike shorts, thats why i didnt mention it.

misszippy said...

That is a hilarious race recap--thank you for that! I'm glad that in spite of it all, you had a good time! On the shorts thing...wear bike shorts under the tights. Or, they even make padded tights if you want to invest in a pair. They also make leg warmers just like arm warmers, which you can add to bike shorts. So many options!

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Wil Travel said...

You had me laughing out loud in my office on this one. It actually sounds like a great first effort, despite your frustrations. And who knows? One race does not a biker make - you may have some biking in you yet :)

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Wil Travel said...

By the way - I'm not sure if I just haven't clicked over here in awhile or if it's new, but I love your photo header!

Teamarcia said...

Ok the pic of you all by yourself on the bike comforts me immensely as my biggest DU fear is hooking wheels, or pedals or God knows what with another cyclist. Great job! Plus I wouldn't even know what a good DU time is anyway. But I'm sure you're quite awesome!

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

congrats jill! you are back on the trail to being super jock and jill again! :)

Jason said...

My favorite part (besides all the irony) is when you said you had FUN. That is great.

I have pants that have a bike pad built into them. You can run in them as well and that will help your transition time too.

Tara said...

Hahahaha! Great recap girl! You did great on that bike! And yes, I WAS yelling at you to hurry up in transition; there's no time to lolly gag in there.

I can't believe you put that pic of me with my head cut off on here!! Oh shit....cracks me up still thinking about that night.

Johann said...

Fantastic! Well done Jill, you are great! That was a great race and you toughed it out. I love swimming and I'm a really strong swimmer, but the bike...not for me. Have a great weekend!

Tim Wilson said...

Congrats on completing it, even with all the obstacles. Thanks for scaring me away from anything bike related even more..... and I thought I may actually try a tri in 2011 :)

ShutUpandRun said...

My favorite part was when you looked around you and smiled, giving up all the negative thoughts and enjoying the race. With care and time you'll be back where you want to be, but for now, be glad you can MOVE and not hurt.

Thanks for doing the exchange. I know it was probably a royal pain in the ass. But all 81 of us appreciate it!

KovasP said...

So you're du now? ?This whole time I thought you were bi.

Aimee said...

Hooray for doing your first DU! It sounds like it was kindof tough out there, but I think it's awesome that you started to enjoy yourself, smiled, and finished it up!! Yay!

And...10miles without some padding is just OUCH! For the next ones, if you didn't want to get tri shorts, you could definitely just pull on bike shorts over your tights. Or, you can get a padded seat cushion that fits over the top on your seat. It would definitely beat riding without any padding at all.

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

Nice recap! If riding the bike hurt your girl parts, wonder how it would've felt on boy parts. I'll stick to running for now.

Laura said...

AWESOME job...THe bike scares the hell out of me. I am clutzy enough on 2 legs let alone 2 wheels...

Anonymous said...

yay i got my email :)

great post. regarding bike gloves: really? i would never have thought of that hahahh.

AWESOME JOB. congrats :)

Christi said...

Great job on the duatlon! FYI, I am initimdated every time I show up to a triathlon. Triathletes are a crazy skinny bunch!

Kate Geisen said...

Way to go, Jill! Great report. Every time I'm at any kind of race I feel like I don't belong there. You aren't really living until you're out of your comfort zone, and you hit that mark in multiple ways this race! :)

chris mcpeake said...

well done, love the pics.

All Things Jaime said...

Great job, great post!!!

Karen R said...

Good luck on your upcoming duathlons! :)

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

I wanna try doing a duathlon. I just need to get a bike soon! I've done an aquathlon though =)

Can i just say I love your blog header. It makes me happy =)

ajh said...

Oh I would have loved to have done this with you. Even slow you would be way ahead of me running and the bike who knows? I am pretty darn slow on that and I have a very old mountain bike! I have no speed on the bike but I would love to try a duathon. My fear would be that there would be no newbies. And believe me I would stick out as one! You are so great to get out there and do it. I was glad to hear about the smile and the enjoying of the experience! And you get to do two more! Woo Hoo!

Julie said...

You just wait, I will see a freaking Tri race report soon:) Awesome job on the du there Lady!! Great race report and fun pictures! Go Jill!!!!

DRog said...

You got out there and you DID IT! Who gives a rip about pace...you were out there! nice!
whats up with the winter Du's in CO!

D

Char said...

Get one of those gel covers for your bike seat. Your girly parts will thank you for it. And BTW - awesome!

Katie A. said...

I have no help with the bike part, but you did great for the running! Your first race back in forever and you held a pace to be proud of! So proud of you for finishing! Sounds sooo hard!
Congrats!
Thanks for the holiday exchange, you are just so awesome. Love you!

Unknown said...

SUPER Jill, you rock! I love it that you're doing other things to keep yourself healthy and moving forward. Very inspirational.
How's the heel?
xoxo

Quinton J said...

Oh this was a wicked awesome post! Congrats on not only "Doing the DU" but on shining the whole way through!

Still...I have no idea how you and crazy Tara hang out together and not get arrested for your crazy antics.

Anne said...

I loved reading this...the best part is your smile while riding :) I smiled along with you.

Great recap and congrats on getting out there and doing this!

I plan on giving a local duathlon a try in May :) it's a 5K run - 20K bike - 5K run. We'll see!

Matthew Bradford said...

This sounds like an awesome good time, a great write-up and reminds me that I'd love to do a racing adventure with my wifey even though she definitely doesn't like competitions.

And your banner images (always gorgeous) rawk. So, so pretty. Did you take that? Is that 6th street? Miss me some Denver.

Sorry for being so scattered in not being a regular visitor over the past two weeks. Have a great weekend, Jill!

Anonymous said...

Way to go Jilly Beans. I am impressed! I can't ride a bike unless it has training wheels, come to think of it I can't run real well right now either.

Nice run/bike summary. Super Glue Boy

Unknown said...

The picture at the top of your blog is amazing!!!

Terri said...

Well, I'm trying a triathlon this spring, and cycling is my weak point, so thanks for an informative post!

Chris K said...

I think you could have a shaved a couple of seconds if you had a Nike limish-green long sleeve cold weather top. I hear that those make people run super fast. I guess I will never know now will I?

Sherri said...

You are one tough cookie..great post!

HappyTrails said...

Jill - you are awesome. Don't worry about the times right now - just be glad you can get out and freeze your cheeks off!!! K needs to know what your super-cushy looking running shoe model is???

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

You are amazing!! Way to go...I don't know how you do that in the cold. Love all the pictures!

The Boring Runner said...

That is so awesome!!! Who cares about the time, you did it! Next stop: Swanky tri clothes

Jenn said...

Oh Jill! Thanks for the laughs. I hope your girl parts are healing....

I read this whole post and instead of wanting to hop on my bike and challenge myself in a duathalon, I want to sit in my recliner with chili, beer, and Fritos!

Proud of you for getting out there! Love to see you challenging yourself and I love reading ANYTHING you recap! I've said it before but you really are a GREAT writer! I don't doubt you're ready to fight!!! I would just love to see you again in Boston or anywhere for that matter!

Irene said...

So cool that you "chicked" a couple of guys!

You're one up on me. I still haven't gone near a bike.

PS
I actually set foot in a store to buy something for the bloggie exchange. :) That's a major feat for me!

Tortuga_Runner said...

Thanks for this, I am going to try and schedule a duathlon this coming year, they sound fun.

Black Knight said...

Duathlon, an unknown world for me! You did it, congrats.
I am scared to bike again after the motor-bike incident.
I like a lot the picture where you are "smoking" with a big smile that couple of guys.

Caratunk Girl said...

Nice work Jill! I have done 1 du and find them harder than tris! Great RR!

elaine said...

Love the report!

Molly said...

That looked like a blast, love that you already have two more Du's on your schedule. Next thing you know, it will be full Triathlon mode!!

Mark said...

Wow, that bike ride sounds...miserable. I love me some du action, but a cold weather du? that doesn't sound all that appealing! Congrats on DUing it, though! (guh...shaking my head at myself for that one)

Tim F said...

Great job! Way to go out there and do it!

The Green Girl said...

That name freakin' rocks.

You know, the bike seat pain is the #2 thing that keeps me from buying a bike. #1 is fear of getting seriously injured.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I mailed my secret santa gift today, so proud of myself!!!!!!

Velma said...

It is HARD to run off the bike!!! Nice work - what a fun series!!

chris mcpeake said...

thanks for the encouragement. 1600 applications for less then 230 spots this year. Used to be 2 time loser rule but not anymore due to # of apps. My understanding is that they keep you previous years ticket in until you are picked to up your chances. May take a few years but will get there.

Katie said...

Hey great job in your first DU. Biking is not for me either...I'm all about the running. ;)

Amanda@runninghood said...

You post the best comments Jill. Thanks for your thoughtful feedback on my post. So nice. Yes, you're right, time to get this polish off and move on! You should totally check out the Newport...I hear great things. Some say it is an easy one but really? is a marathon really easy? :)

I did order that brain book you told me about. excited to read it. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me. And yes, I saw your mirror when I was reading up on you when I first found your blog. :) funny though, I look at that mirror every day and eventually that inspirational stuff just blends in and I have to move it again so that I notice it again. :)

Hope you're having a great day Jill!

RunToTheFinish said...

i really ahve my fingers crossed for that anus plate.

I've thought about a DU before and you definitely make it look fun and it seems that maybe I could just do it with my mountain bike!

Keeley said...

Congratulations Duathloner!!! Wow, you make it sound fun. Seriously. =)

And I do see people behind you!

IMHO - and I really know practically nothing about it - tri shorts have hardly any padding at all. I vote for the slipping bike shorts on over your tights.

Good luck on your next two Duathlons! I'm so excited for you.

Tim said...

Great job on the duathlon. Very cool. I love duathlons (even though I suck in them). Great workouts.

And definitely get tri shorts. So what if you don't use them a lot. You'll use them enough and having them will encourage you to enter more duathlons.

DRog said...

I came back to commment instead of send you an email

OMG 70 comments HOlySHT! wow between you and EMZ I dont know how you guys do it

anyhoo THANK YOU for setting up the secret santa deal that was awesome
I enjoyed sending the gift
but also it was SUPER Special to get one from Aimee as she included a really nice note and also their family Christmas Card.
THANK YOU

also I got your card today:)
Merry Christmas to you Jill

DR