As a runner, fall would signal the start of my most favorite season. The temperatures finally and mercifully cool, all the training though the heat and humidity of summer start to pay off and big goal races are only weeks away. Now, as I have morphed into a full-blown triathlete, the beginning of fall signifies something much different. Instead of relishing the changing weather, I’m dreading open water swims, searching for my bike gloves and lamenting my very last triathlon race of the season.
It’s not all doom and gloom since I have two half-marathons to look forward to and many indoor swims and cycles as I build toward 2017. For now, let’s take a look back at my last build-up to my final triathlon where I hoped to qualify for nationals.
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2016
RUNNING
Since this was a taper week I didn’t get to run as much as I have in the past several weeks. I did do one more indoor track session, this time with only 3 x 400 on 1:30 with a note from my coach warning “no faster!” No problem.
Tuesday: 4.5 mile run before swim with 3 x 400 on 1:30 | 36:17
Thursday: Easy 4 miler (ended up being 4.77 because it was gorgeous out!) 8:11 pace
Friday: Pre-race brick, including 15 minute easy run | 7:40 pace
Sunday: 5k race as part of triathlon
Total = 16.27 miles
CYCLING
I feel like I’m just really settling into a good place with my new bike and soon I will be banished to ride it exclusively on the indoor trainer. For now, I’m savoring the last of the bearable riding days and enjoying how my body warms up as the miles pass.
Wednesday: 15.2 miles with 4 x 5 minutes hard effort before swim
Friday: Pre-race brick including 30 minute ride | 9 miles
Sunday: 13 mile bike as part of triathlon
Total = 37.2 miles
SWIMMING
One day this week was a lot easier than the other when it came to diving into the lake! All of the buoy lines for beach swimming have been removed which is a sure sign that summer is officially over. Luckily, I still have my New Wave swim buoy and was out there sans wet suit per my coach’s instructions, getting it done while I still can.
Best day ever…just because it was warm.
Monday: Strength and speed | 2,000 yards
Tuesday: 2,200 yards after speed work on indoor track
Wednesday: Open water – no wet suit | 1,200 yards
Friday: Open water swim as part of brick session | 800 yards
Sunday: 1/2 mile swim as part of triathlon | 750 yards
Total = 6,950 yards
Thank you for not letting me drown out there.
FUEL
Now that I’m completely addicted to my dried pineapple slices for fuel, I’ve broadened my horizons and have since tried mango and papaya, per several reader’s recommendations. I seriously cannot believe I haven’t done this sooner! Although it’s harder to chew when you’re on the run, I think it’s worth it.
We also made a trip to Mystic last weekend to check out the food festival! It did not disappoint and I ate most all the food before I could capture it on film.
That’s Miles as a pirate getting his iconic Mystic Pizza because, of course.
GEAR
In my never ending search for a triathlon bag that fits all my gear, I discovered the Hermes of transition bags in Z3r0d. I have zero clue what that name means since the company is based in France. When I ordered it, all the shipping info was in French so it was just a magical surprise when it arrived on my front porch.
Check this bag out!
I wish my entire life could be as organized as this bag!
It literally has a place, with a label, for absolutely everything triathlon. And, see that card on the bottom right? It’s an extensive packing list! It has everything from your phone and plane tickets to food, wet suit, hotel information and race logistics. If you forget something, you may have a learning disability.
[Tweet “I wish my entire life could be as organized as the @Z3R0D #triathlon #transition bag!”]
RACING
If you follow me on Instagram then you already know what happened at the Women’s Triathlon race this past Sunday. If not, I think it’s obvious what you need to do.
If you’re too lazy to click the link and follow me then you will have to wait for my race recap on Wednesday. And, actually, even if you know my results, you definitely do not know the whole story. Due to a very poorly marked run course the race results ended up being a complete shit show. I’ll explain everything in the recap. For now, please enjoy the picture of my medal. It seems to be the only good thing about the race.
THINGS I LOVE
1, “Basket of deplorables” – because it so beautifully captures the essence of all that is Trump.
2. The iPhone updates – because of all the women emojis. Welcome to 1955 Apple, it’s so nice to see you. I just have one question. Why are the runners with all the people doing nothing and not under the “sports” category? Why do I know so much about emoji placement?
3. “Pinksourcing” a la Kristen Bell. Nailed it.
My favorite part is how everyone is “Kathy.”
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
While on a rare trip to Whole Foods I discovered two very disturbing things. They hate k-cups (which I totally get because they’re killing the world with litter) and they don’t have tampons. What the hell does Whole Foods have against tampons? I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong but I could not find them anywhere.
The truly weird thing was the article I saw in Greatist, right after I got home. It’s an entire text exchange between a mom and daughter about scouring a store in search of tampons. Part of it is below but I really encourage you to read the whole thing.
#VaginasAreSecret
[Tweet “The Rundown this week has everything except #tampons. Don’t ask, just read it. “]
READING
If you have never heard of Jessi Klein, let me introduce you. She is currently the head writer for Amy Schumer (who I now hate by the way, but that is another post) and is one of the funniest and smartest women I have come across. I just found out, though an equally funny and smart (ass) woman Dana from Kiss My List, that Ms. Klein wrote a book.
It’s hysterical. I’m embarrassed at how much I’m busting out in laughter when I read it. If you’re currently having a bad life, read it and call me in the morning.
The below excerpt is from the chapter on Bar Method. During class, Klein is lusting over the gorgeous, sculpted bodies of the other women and instructor and hating every second of being there:
“I’d naively always thought that being on the elliptical meant I was exercising. It does not. Women who are in great shape, the women who really workout out, consider being on the elliptical something akin to a nap.”
Yep.
RANDOM PICTURE OF THE WEEK
After I posted this on Instagram it was immediately met with a landslide of understanding from women and men everywhere!
This is what I had to result to in order to keep my sacred stash of VEGA protein bars away from my husband who casually eats them as snacks. We are talking about 11 grams of fat, 260 calories and 15 grams of protein. Who snacks like that?
How was your week?
Do you love or hate the iPhone updates?
Do you need to guard or hide your food?
GURL I HATE THE UPDATES.
and everyone hates ME as I caint see any of the emojis they send because I NEVER FLIPPING UPDATE.
Im a luddite who works online.
An enigma wrapped in an OLDASSPHONE 🙂
and mystic pizza???
I NEED TO REWATCH THAT MOVIE and see if it is child friendly, risque or just damn antiquated now 🙂
LOL!!! Update your phone woman!!!
As for Mystic Pizza – I absolutely LOVE but cannot answer your question. Wish we could re-watch together 🙂
That sign – YES!!!!! I love seeing people “snacking” on recovery bars. WTF?!?! And I’m loving the new emoji’s but I never noticed the runner isn’t in the sports area. I guess we can’t ask for perfection…like why is her hair down. Who runs like that?!?! Can’t wait to hear the dirty details of your race!
Why does she even have long hair? LOL 🙂
The recap will be worth it, I promise you. #debacle
It sounds like you finished your year off with a bang. Oddly enough I haven’t updated my phone just yet. I keep meaning too but it never has enough power and I forget to charge it. Oh well, I’ll get around to it LOL.
Haha – do it now! You will love the updates.
I was thinking of you today because I purchased some new kicks!! I went with the Brooks Launch (of course) and I’m trying the Saucony Kinvara 7 for the first time. I tried on the HOKA Clifton’s but they just didn’t fit right 🙁
OMG #vaginasaresecret. I just died. And YAS to dried mango and papaya! I knew you’d love them! Congrats on the tri–what a way to finish up the season. #nailedit
My big thing is when people are snacking on Larabars… you know those are just sugar… right? Or clif bars… are you going backpacking currently?
Isn’t it hilarious? And thanks so much for the suggestions – love the dried fruit!!
I totally think people should be in motion or have just completed something vigorous to be eating bars. They must be earned!!
Thanks Susie 🙂
I actually liked this iPhone update! I like the new emojis and the new interface–it’s fresh looking! Who talks like this?
I want to talk with you about Amy Schumer. She makes me uncomfortable. I’m not a prude–far from it. But there’s something about her… I do want to read that book!
Looking forward to reading your recap!
Hahaha – “who talks like this?” – – hilarious.
She just rubs me the wrong way. We went to her show and it was just not funny. She also wouldn’t mention a product name on Howard Stern because they weren’t paying her. That was THE END for me. She can take her book and…
A big congrats again on your tri. I totally hide my protein bars and running snacks, and my husband gets to my protein bars, too, even though they are hidden.
Thank you so much!! And why is it that so many wives can relate to hiding protein bars? They should come inside a black box!! 🙂
I’m so curious to hear all the race day details!! Oh yes, I definitely have to guard some of my food too. Thankfully, some things I love the rest of my family won’t touch so most of the time it works out pretty well. 🙂
They are very interesting to say the least…
And yes, I have some foods like that too and it’s so great!
Congratulations on the amazing finish at the Tri!! You are amazing!!
I am very curious about hearing why you hate Amy Shummer…. I can honestly say that I don’t care at all for Dena Lunham.
Growing up my mom had a rule for never hiding food, but I recently caught myself hiding my bunny cheese cracker from my fiancé. It is just not cool that I buy this things to snack on, and because he works from home, he eats and has access to them all day long… so when I’m craving my bunny crackers, I always find an empty box in the recycling !
I can’t stand Lena Dunham either!! As for Schumer, we went to her show and it just wasn’t funny. Then, on Howard Stern she wouldn’t mention a product name because they weren’t paying her!? She was dead serious. And then there’s the whole thing with her weight. She gets upset if the media describes her as anything resembling overweight but most of her show is about how she’s fat or has body image issues. I don’t know. I feel like she needs to pick one and stand by it. If she thinks she’s overweight just own it and, who cares what the media says? UGH!! She just riles me up in all the wrong ways. I used to love her but I’m done. *rant over* sorry!
The absolute worst is craving something and finding an empty box!!! Not cool.
So much to say. Okay so I tried those Vega bars and they are the ONLY protein bar I have ever tasted that I liked/loved. OMG. And if anyone reading this comment knows me at all, they’ll know that this is a huge deal because my taste buds are accustomed to nothing but yummy junk food all day every day.
Also, that’s hilarious about the tampons. Vaginas are getting so mistreated lately with all the leggings and body suits out there. Poor things. I think I’ll give mine some extra love today.
And I can’t STAND Amy Schumer. I’m going to look up that book recommendation on audio books.
YAYAYAYA!!!! I’m so excited you tried the VEGA bars and love them!! I can now take credit for some of your PR’s, right? Thank you.
Definitely give your vagina some extra love. We all should.
I’m so glad so many people agree with me about Schumer! I should maybe write an entire bitchy post about it 🙂
Can’t wait to hear if you like the book as much as I do…
Congrats on the last tri of the season! I can’t wait to read the recap, but in the meanwhile I LOVE that medal. Rosie the triathlete should be our era’s Rosie the Riveter.
The Pink-Sourcing video made me cry and laugh at the same time. So true.
I never understand when people eat high calorie bars as snacks! People at my college/grad school at them all the time for study snacks. They’re for backpacking up a mountains, not carrying a backpack of books from the library to class.
Totally agree about the medal. They nailed it. Too bad they didn’t do as well with the race course markings.
I’m not sure how bars got so out of control. I remember when Clif was basically the only bar and, it tasted so odd that ONLY athletes and mountain climbers ate it! Those were the days…:-)
Thanks Laura.
Best thing I’ve read today – the warning note on your protein bars and that text msg exchange is priceless. Thanks for the giggles!
Best comment I’ve read today! Thanks so much 🙂 My main goal is laughter…
So I raced on Sunday this past weekend too and I had an unfortunate time with volunteers. They told me and the woman racing next to me (for 2nd and 3rd respectively) to go the wrong way. We ended up running 2 miles on the marathon course (not the half marathon which we were doing) until a biker told us we were going the wrong way. There went my $400 pay day 🙁 It was the worst feeling! Then we had to run the 2 miles back and the final 3 miles to the end. The day ended up being a 21 mile day for me. I woke up the this morning, stood up, yelled OW! and got back into bed.
Overall, a solid effort because I am not feeling injured, just sore and it was a good experience to average 6:58 pace for 21 miles. (obviously the half marathon miles were really like 6:10 pace and the final miles were slower, but a good average hahaha)
WHAT??? Now that is bad! I’m always so leery of the volunteers since they really usually do not know the course…which is crazy but, unfortunately, often true. I’m SO SORRY that happened. You seem to have a much better attitude about the whole thing that I would so good for you. And that pace? Wowza!!!I can imagine how much recovery those legs will need to take it and try to enjoy it.
My husband will eat anything in the fridge, mine or not lol! That bag is the coolest!!! I’m not even a triathlete and I want one. Whole foods doesn’t have tampons? Weirdos. I never update. I was forced to update my phone when I took it to the Mac store. They wouldn’t even look at it without upgrading. I begrudgingly let them do it and I was not happy. I am curious but certainly not that curious! I am looking forward to your race recap on Wednesday!!
LOL! I’m always stunned at how many people refuse to update their phones!! I would not have guessed one of them to be you??? What?? You know you can text animated gifs now, right?? You can also write out texts on the screen and there is a whole new world of female emojis…shall I keep going? :-))))
Seriously you should start doing triathlons just for the bag!
Congrats again on such a great race, I can’t wait to read the recap! Biting my non existent fingernails 🙂
I had no idea WF didn’t carry tampons but not surprised. However I wouldn’t buy them from there anyway because they’d be $10 more expensive and make my vagina smell of patchouli. Yuck.
I’m always having to explain the food situation at home. It’s an ongoing thing. Whenever I buy something I make sure I get extra of stuff I like because for whatever reason my hubby will decide he wants that same thing. Even bananas. The only thng he leaves alone are my lemons. Lol.
I love the only thing he leaves alone are the lemons!! Classic.
And you’re so right about WF tampons!! LOL!
Yay – glad you love Jessi Klein as much as I do! Thanks for the shout-out – although if I were half as funny as she is I’d have better pageviews on my lil ol’ blog…
I took a barre class this morning and was remembering that chapter as I soldiered through. I had to work myself hard today because yesterday I did the elliptical (sshh – don’t hate me). It is a bit nap-like, even for me.
I was hysterical at the whole Barre class chapter – OMG!! And, at least you already know the elliptical is basically a nap 🙂
I want the full recap NOW!!!
But I shall forgive you because that tampon exchange was hilarious. And so true… I wandered Walgreens for an extra 10 mins today looking for the fucking things!
Why do they hide them???? So frustrating!!
Recap is UP!! And here is an update – the results STAND and I have a nationals qualification!!! 🙂
OMG, I just watched that Pinksourcing and I was on the floor. That is hilarious! I’m totally with you about the bars. I have to hide mine so they aren’t gone in less than a week!! Must be a guy thing….