Training, Racing (?), Other Stuff

Today is a rest day. So for me, that means I swam an easy 2200 meters this a.m. As I sit here typing, it is pouring rain and thundering outside. Guess we're lucky it didn't rain Saturday or Sunday. Saturday started out kind of yukky, but of course as I was finishing my ride, it turned beautiful. Yesterday was great--I had an early, easy outside swim (the water was warm, but not unbearably so). In the afternoon I "practiced" transitions--which really turned into a bunch of run/bike/run bricks. 4 min. run, 10 min. bike, times 8, plus one final 5 minute run at the end just for fun. It was actually a lot of fun. The neighbors now know I'm completely crazy, watching me run and bike around the block like a crazy person.

It has been an interesting couple of weeks. The week before last was a "recovery" week, but I didn't do to good following the plan. I did fewer sessions, but still ended up training 16 hours. I just couldn't resist riding and running when the weather was nice.

I'm still not sure about the half iron race in WI on 6/20. I REALLY want to go, but don't know if I can justify spending the money on a race when things are so tight. We've talked about leaving the kids home with friends to cut down on the expense, but after paying bills yesterday, I just don't know. I've trained really hard, and I'm in good race shape (I think). I'm still too fat, but I feel really strong and would love to test out my fitness. We'll see. Maybe God will work a miracle and we'll find a way to make it work.

R-man had three of his six finals today. He already knows he aced his Biology exam, thus the course. That was the only test he was at all concerned about. I'm definitely more nervous about his exams than he is. He's a really good kid and a great student. I really wish I could find him a job for the summer. He's only 15, so he's even more limited than other kids in finding work. He will have bowling four mornings per week for a month, but then what?

Peanut starts her summer practice schedule next week. I'm pretty sure she'll move up to level 7, which means five days of four hour practices. Good for her, a little crazy for me, but it will give me tons of time to train. (Now, what I'm training for is still a mystery!) She finished her school work the Friday before Memorial Day and passed all her subjects with flying colors. She, too, is an excellent student.

Jerry found a part-time job at the Marriott in Burr Ridge. Because it's a "franchised" hotel and not run by the corporation, he looses the 15 years he had with the company--bottom line, a lot less money. BUT, we're very grateful he found the job. It's very close the the gym, and not a bad drive from home. He'll be doing the same thing he did at his previous job, so that's a good thing. It's an upscale area, so the tips should be good. All in all, good news!

Good news regarding R-man's cell phone. We have Verizon, and they just happened to be running an upgrade special. Bottom line, the kids will both get a new phone (nicer than what they have) and it only cost us $49.95. That is a really good deal. We're happy, and they're very excited.

As you may remember, I rode a lot of miles on my trainer this winter (over 2,500). Now, I LOVE riding my bike outside. However, I'm not crazy about fighting with cars/trucks on the road. I really try hard to be a good, courteous rider. I stop at signs whenever necessary, at lights (unless there is absolutely no traffic and I know I won't get a green light), and I follow the rules of the road. I ABSOLUTELY HATE when drivers honk at me just because they don't like the fact that I am riding my bike on the road. Heaven forbid a driver slow down to accommodate a cyclist on the road. It may cost them a total of 20-30 seconds of driving time at the most. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE!

When I was riding last weekend, there were at least three cars that honked at me JUST BECAUSE! I just don't understand these people. I really try to avoid traffic when I ride, but there are times when I must cross a busy intersection, or maybe ride on a busy street for a short distance. WOULD IT KILL THE DRIVERS TO GIVE US A LITTLE ROOM ON THE ROAD?

I just read on a fellow triathlete's blog that he was hit by a car while riding over the weekend. He wasn't seriously hurt, but enough so that he needed to go to the hospital. Thank God he will be OK. But, the crazy woman that hit him got out of her car and proceeded to scream and yell and swear at him when he was on the ground, still attached to his pedals, bleeding! WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE! She claimed she didn't even see him. Well, maybe she needs to open her eyes and pay attention to the road. I know accidents happen, but really.....

OK, so that's my soap box for the day. End of rant.

Lots of races starting up in the next several weeks. Hopefully, I'll be able to participate in 3 or 4 this year--that would be my goal. My training is going really well--I'm a little tired today, but that's OK. Last week of long hours, runs and rides. Then two weeks of tapering before the race (I hope). After that, I'm not sure how I'll train. I'd like to do a couple sprints and olympic races.

Hope everyone is enjoying their training, racing and finally the warmer weather.

Until next time--God bless!