What a week! Week 2 of Muddy's Training

So, I guess if I'm going to have a blog, I should do something with it!  I've been so busy training I haven't done much else.

So here's the skinny:
Week One -

Ally, Lilly, Ron, Eric (behind), Lauren, Faye, Julie & Julia

The beginning of the year started out with a great ride starting at my house and heading north for the Crystals Springs loop - 32 miles with a few hills just to keep it interesting.

Week one ended with my trip to South Carolina, where though I missed the team ride, I did get in an 8 mile run through the "Low Country". 

My totals for the first weak of the year: Swam 1.5miles, Cycled 25 miles, ran 23 miles and at least 300 sit-ups!

Week two Muddy (the coach that makes our training schedule) had a lot in store for us....

The week included a few swims, some running, some core, some spinning and of course the weekend was capped off with a big ride and a long run!

Ron and I did most of the workouts together.  I learned some Chi running techniques - lean forward, mid-foot strike, something about my pelvic tilt ???.... there seems to be lots more to learn. 

Saturday Eric led the group on a 43 mile ride with 20% hills starting at Chain Reaction, heading south over Mt Eden, then up Pierce Rd, then up up up up 9 to Skyline, over to Page Mill for a long and well deserved decent, around Arastradero with its little, but significant-feeling short climb, back down Alpine and then the home stretch down Foothill.  I think I have some sort of "horse returning to barn reflex" - the closer I get to the end the faster I go!  Let's hope that holds up!  Today was an 80 minute run on tired legs - Heidi, Julie and I headed out.... Heidi (likely the sane one among us) headed home at about three miles and Julie and I finished 8 miles in under 80 minutes and called it a day... walking out the last of the 80 minutes. 

Totals for week two: swam 3.9 miles, cycled 59 miles, ran 13 miles and sat-up 500 times!

Ironman here I come!

To see more pictures from our first ride you can look at the picture album

First Ride of 2010

New Year - 2010!

2009 came to an end with a magnificent dinner... crisp salad with celery root, roasted brussel sprouts with pancetta and balsalmic reduction, mashed potatoes with leeks and pork tenderloin with enough garlic to guarantee zero kisses come midnight... and, of course, my favorite Portland dessert Baccone Dolce.  Pink Martini sang out the old and welcomed the new year at midnight.  Life is good.

Midnight also welcomed the beginning of 2010 - the year of Iron! 

I did not get going early, but I did get out for a run, once I managed to crawl out of bed.  There was one false start, when I made it to the window only discover that it was raining and blowing outside and that a snooze was in order.  The second attempt was successful.  I made it out the door and down the street to investigate Irvington - a great neighborhood in Portland with wonderful older, well-loved homes and yards.  Everyone seemed to out starting the new year off with a walk or run!  I ran east on Klickitat St. (Was that the street that Ramona Quimby lived on?  Seems like it might have been.)  I ran  through the Beaumont neighborhood to 57th and then back to 15th. 
6 miles.  Some hills.  Avg Pace 9:43 (9:31, 10:14, 9:51, 9:43, 9:28, 9:28) Calories: 821 Avg HR 174

A successful run that left me feeling ready to start the day and the year!