Today Randy and I went on a road bike ride. I forgot how enjoyable it is to ride on the road. I'm so used to riding the trainer at home and have not taken the time in a long time to ride the Queen K. We rode almost 24 miles out to the veterans cemetery and back. I thought I would do terrible on the hills since I don't ride those on my trainer, but I thought I did pretty well. I even passed a man on a hill. Whoo Hoo. I usually don't pass anyone on hills.
We bought our airline tickets today for San Diego. Our son, Daniel, is graduating from boot camp on Sept. 5th, so we are spending a week there. I'm getting excited. Our motel even has a pool so we can get in plenty of swimming while we're there. One of our other sons who lives in Oregon may also fly down for the graduation and it will be so nice to see him. It's hard having him live so far away. We don't get to see him too often.
I decided I'm going to start riding on the road every Saturday so maybe I'll see some of you out there.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
TEAM WRIGHTHOUSE - THE BIKE
Today the Wrighthouse family did the Pea/Mango Trash Can Triathlon. Randy did a 1/2 mile swim, I did a 10 mile bike and Rebecca did a 2 mile run.
Randy did great on the swim. I was so impressed with how fast he swam. The end of his race was exciting as he was swimming neck and neck with a man at top speed. They kept knocking into each other trying to beat each other. I enjoyed video taping his swim. For Randy's swim story and video click here: The Kona Life.
Randy told me last night that in the worst case scenario it could take me up to an hour on the bike so I was determined to do it in 30 minutes. That would mean a 20 MPH average. I usually average 15 to 16 MPH so I knew I would need to pick up my speed a notch or two.
The first mile I couldn't get one of my shoes clipped in. I kept slowing way down every time I tried to clip it in. Finally near the end of mile one I got my shoe clipped in and took off on my ride. That's when I realized that in the excitement of video taping Randy at his swim finish, I forgot my helmet. Great. I called Randy, yes I had my cell with me, and told him I forgot it so he brought it to me on the course. Right after I called him a bug or something got in my eye and I realized I forgot my sunglasses also. I guess that transition day I did last week didn't help. I NEED another one.
I passed a racer between mile one and two which made me ride harder so that she wouldn't pass me on the hills (my weakness). At about mile 4 I was passed by a man. Bummer! He's the one who came out of the water the same time as Randy but Randy said the man took awhile in the transition. I sped up hoping to at least keep him in my sight which I did most of the race. I didn't pass anyone else, nor did anyone else pass me.
If anybody knows about horses, they should know what a barn sour horse is. It's a horse that can't wait to get back to the barn when you take them out for a ride. We had a horse like that. On the start of the ride he would plod along so slow. You had to constantly fight with him to get him to speed up, but as soon as you turned around to come home from the ride, watch out. That guy could book. Our daughter, Rachael, had the pleasure of such a ride. Coming home, the horse came tearing down the trail at neck-breaking speed, poor Rachael with a panicked look on her face was holding on for dear life. Anyway, I'm barn sour. I hate the first half of the ride, but as soon as I turn around I book. That's the part of the ride that I enjoy. Only 4miles left. I can do it. 3 miles, almost back to the barn. 2 miles, I still have some energy, I better pick up my speed. Down to the last mile and I really fly. I love it. I'm like that every time I ride, whether racing or training or riding for pleasure. I always enjoy and do better on the way back.
Sometime on the ride back, I think around mile 6 or 7, I was climbing a hill. It was probably the steepest hill on the ride but it really isn't that hard of a hill. I just really need to do hill work. There were no riders around me so I was just peddeling along, wondering if Rebecca was getting impatient waiting for me to get back so she could start her race, and I realized I was only going 12 MPH. That was terrible. I sped up but I think my top speed on the hill was only 15 MPH. Bummer! I was sure that I messed up on my 30 minute goal on that hill.
At about the 9 mile mark, just after I started my fastest speed I could do, a car turned the corner right into my path. He didn't even have his turning blinker on. What an idiot. I had to stop fast or I would have crashed into him. I can't believe the drivers on Alii Drive! Randy said that happened to him one time on a race too.
The race ended up taking me 35 minutes so I didn't beat my goal but I still feel like I had a good ride. I had a lot of fun anyway, and that's what counts.
Sometime during the ride I realized that I didn't even bring my running shoes. Randy and I had planned on running with Rebecca as she pushed herself in her wheelchair. Oh well, there was nothing I could do about it at this point. As soon as I rode up, Rebecca started her race. I loaded my bike in the car, grabbed my slippers (flip flops for you guys on the mainland, excluding LeAnn since she lived here and knows what slippers are) and started running, trying to catch up with Rebecca and Randy. It's hard to run in slippers but I FINALLY caught up with them and enjoyed the rest of the run with them. For Pictures and video of Rebecca's race click here: Rebecca's Page.
Overall, we had a great day. It was a lot of fun and it felt really good doing a race as a family.
Randy did great on the swim. I was so impressed with how fast he swam. The end of his race was exciting as he was swimming neck and neck with a man at top speed. They kept knocking into each other trying to beat each other. I enjoyed video taping his swim. For Randy's swim story and video click here: The Kona Life.
Randy told me last night that in the worst case scenario it could take me up to an hour on the bike so I was determined to do it in 30 minutes. That would mean a 20 MPH average. I usually average 15 to 16 MPH so I knew I would need to pick up my speed a notch or two.
The first mile I couldn't get one of my shoes clipped in. I kept slowing way down every time I tried to clip it in. Finally near the end of mile one I got my shoe clipped in and took off on my ride. That's when I realized that in the excitement of video taping Randy at his swim finish, I forgot my helmet. Great. I called Randy, yes I had my cell with me, and told him I forgot it so he brought it to me on the course. Right after I called him a bug or something got in my eye and I realized I forgot my sunglasses also. I guess that transition day I did last week didn't help. I NEED another one.
I passed a racer between mile one and two which made me ride harder so that she wouldn't pass me on the hills (my weakness). At about mile 4 I was passed by a man. Bummer! He's the one who came out of the water the same time as Randy but Randy said the man took awhile in the transition. I sped up hoping to at least keep him in my sight which I did most of the race. I didn't pass anyone else, nor did anyone else pass me.
If anybody knows about horses, they should know what a barn sour horse is. It's a horse that can't wait to get back to the barn when you take them out for a ride. We had a horse like that. On the start of the ride he would plod along so slow. You had to constantly fight with him to get him to speed up, but as soon as you turned around to come home from the ride, watch out. That guy could book. Our daughter, Rachael, had the pleasure of such a ride. Coming home, the horse came tearing down the trail at neck-breaking speed, poor Rachael with a panicked look on her face was holding on for dear life. Anyway, I'm barn sour. I hate the first half of the ride, but as soon as I turn around I book. That's the part of the ride that I enjoy. Only 4miles left. I can do it. 3 miles, almost back to the barn. 2 miles, I still have some energy, I better pick up my speed. Down to the last mile and I really fly. I love it. I'm like that every time I ride, whether racing or training or riding for pleasure. I always enjoy and do better on the way back.
Sometime on the ride back, I think around mile 6 or 7, I was climbing a hill. It was probably the steepest hill on the ride but it really isn't that hard of a hill. I just really need to do hill work. There were no riders around me so I was just peddeling along, wondering if Rebecca was getting impatient waiting for me to get back so she could start her race, and I realized I was only going 12 MPH. That was terrible. I sped up but I think my top speed on the hill was only 15 MPH. Bummer! I was sure that I messed up on my 30 minute goal on that hill.
At about the 9 mile mark, just after I started my fastest speed I could do, a car turned the corner right into my path. He didn't even have his turning blinker on. What an idiot. I had to stop fast or I would have crashed into him. I can't believe the drivers on Alii Drive! Randy said that happened to him one time on a race too.
The race ended up taking me 35 minutes so I didn't beat my goal but I still feel like I had a good ride. I had a lot of fun anyway, and that's what counts.
Sometime during the ride I realized that I didn't even bring my running shoes. Randy and I had planned on running with Rebecca as she pushed herself in her wheelchair. Oh well, there was nothing I could do about it at this point. As soon as I rode up, Rebecca started her race. I loaded my bike in the car, grabbed my slippers (flip flops for you guys on the mainland, excluding LeAnn since she lived here and knows what slippers are) and started running, trying to catch up with Rebecca and Randy. It's hard to run in slippers but I FINALLY caught up with them and enjoyed the rest of the run with them. For Pictures and video of Rebecca's race click here: Rebecca's Page.
Overall, we had a great day. It was a lot of fun and it felt really good doing a race as a family.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
TRANSITION PRACTICE
Today we had our transition day. We swam for 5 minutes, rode trainers for 5 minutes, ran 5 minutes, then back for another two rounds.Dawn Henry brought a couple of trainers for people that didn't bring one, Gatorade, sunblock and stayed with the bikes while we trained. She even put flowers on our bikes while we were swimming.
Thank you so much Dawn.
I had a great time. I learned that I need to do a LOT of transition practice. It takes me way to long to transition from the swim to the bike.
My bike shoes need to be traded in for something that are easier to put on. Going from the bike to the run was so easy.
I was proud of myself that it only took a couple of seconds to switch shoes. I had just taken off for the run when I heard Randy call me. I looked back and he told me I was still wearing my bike helmet. My face must have turned 10 shades of red. Oh well, that's what today is all about. Practicing transitions. So the next time around, I went from the swim to the bike okay. It still took too long. Then from the bike to the run, I pulled off one of my socks. Embarrassed, I put my sock back on but it gave me time to remember to take off the helmet. Dawn had me leave my bike shorts on for the last swim. It did save a few seconds in transition. From bike to run I did it again. Why do I have to pull off those darn socks. Maybe I should bike/run without them. My feet get so sweaty though when I train without them.
Overall, I learned that I still need A LOT of training before I do any real triathlons!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
TRANSITION DAY
Tomorrow, Sunday July 13, there is a transition day at the pool. We will swim 5 minutes, ride (on trainers) for 5 minutes then run for 5 minutes. Then back to the pool for another round or more. I think it's a great way to practice the transition for triathlons.
Janet Miller from Bike Works, and Dawn Henry, massage therapist, planned this for women triathletes of all levels.
Janet and Dawn are encouraging women triathletes to participate in the Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon on Sept. 14, 2008, on Oahu but you don't have to do the Triathlon to participate in the transition day.
Coming up later, there will be a women's bike time trial.
If you live on the Big Island or are just visiting, and want to join us, we are meeting at the Kona Aquatics pool at 8:30 am. Bring your bike, your swim gear and your bike and running shoes, and any other gear you would need for a triathlon. Also, if you have a bike trainer, bring it.
I hope to see you there.
More tomorrow on how the transition practice went.
Janet Miller from Bike Works, and Dawn Henry, massage therapist, planned this for women triathletes of all levels.
Janet and Dawn are encouraging women triathletes to participate in the Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon on Sept. 14, 2008, on Oahu but you don't have to do the Triathlon to participate in the transition day.
Coming up later, there will be a women's bike time trial.
If you live on the Big Island or are just visiting, and want to join us, we are meeting at the Kona Aquatics pool at 8:30 am. Bring your bike, your swim gear and your bike and running shoes, and any other gear you would need for a triathlon. Also, if you have a bike trainer, bring it.
I hope to see you there.
More tomorrow on how the transition practice went.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
SUNDAY RUN
"It's never too late to become what you might have been".
George Elliot
I discovered today that I am a morning runner. I love running in the morning.
We decided to go kayaking this morning so I didn't run until late afternoon. My HR was much higher this afternoon than during the early morning runs. I did beat my best time on the Hualalai loop by 32 seconds (not by much, but hey, it was better) but I just didn't enjoy the run as much as my morning runs.
Almost home from my Sunday afternoon run.
There's hardly any traffic during the early morning, and the Queen K part of my run is usually in the dark where people won't see me. There were so many cars on the Queen K this afternoon and I'm sure I heard people laughing as they drove by, at the overweight lady attempting to run.
Mornings are cooler, more invigorating, a good waker upper and I have so much more energy afterward. It's the BEST way to start the day.
Anyway, no matter what time I run, or bike, or swim, I'm just glad I'm doing it. One year ago, I would have never thought that I would get into triathlons or try to compete in any kind of race, but here I am, actually enjoying the training, and if I never compete in any tri's, (I hope I do) I will still enjoy the early morning run.
George Elliot
I discovered today that I am a morning runner. I love running in the morning.
We decided to go kayaking this morning so I didn't run until late afternoon. My HR was much higher this afternoon than during the early morning runs. I did beat my best time on the Hualalai loop by 32 seconds (not by much, but hey, it was better) but I just didn't enjoy the run as much as my morning runs.
Almost home from my Sunday afternoon run.
There's hardly any traffic during the early morning, and the Queen K part of my run is usually in the dark where people won't see me. There were so many cars on the Queen K this afternoon and I'm sure I heard people laughing as they drove by, at the overweight lady attempting to run.
Mornings are cooler, more invigorating, a good waker upper and I have so much more energy afterward. It's the BEST way to start the day.
Anyway, no matter what time I run, or bike, or swim, I'm just glad I'm doing it. One year ago, I would have never thought that I would get into triathlons or try to compete in any kind of race, but here I am, actually enjoying the training, and if I never compete in any tri's, (I hope I do) I will still enjoy the early morning run.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
ENJOYING THE RUN
If what you did yesterday still looks big to you today, then you must not have done anything today.
Author unknown
I'm actually beginning to enjoy running. Yay! I've been hating the run part of the tri but Wednesday morning I had swimming 101 so I got to sleep in for an extra 45 minutes. I woke up before the alarm went off, saw it was light out, and my first thought was disappointment that I woke up too late to go running, before realizing that it was a swim day and not a run day.
I ran Thursday and Friday mornings and REALLY enjoyed it. Hualalai is actually fun now instead of an impossible hill. My HR is getting lower each time I run up it. The first time it was 181 the whole way up the hill. The last few times I ran it, my max HR was 164 and that was only on the steepest parts of the hill.
I really wanted to run today, but Saturdays are my day off from running, so Randy and I went swimming and then I rode my indoor trainer. But watch out tomorrow. Hualalai, here I come.
Author unknown
I'm actually beginning to enjoy running. Yay! I've been hating the run part of the tri but Wednesday morning I had swimming 101 so I got to sleep in for an extra 45 minutes. I woke up before the alarm went off, saw it was light out, and my first thought was disappointment that I woke up too late to go running, before realizing that it was a swim day and not a run day.
I ran Thursday and Friday mornings and REALLY enjoyed it. Hualalai is actually fun now instead of an impossible hill. My HR is getting lower each time I run up it. The first time it was 181 the whole way up the hill. The last few times I ran it, my max HR was 164 and that was only on the steepest parts of the hill.
I really wanted to run today, but Saturdays are my day off from running, so Randy and I went swimming and then I rode my indoor trainer. But watch out tomorrow. Hualalai, here I come.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
You Know you're a triathlete when.....
You have a lifetime supply of water bottles, safety pins, and t-shirts.
You have trouble keeping lunch under 2000 calories.
You have a $4000 bike strapped on top of your $2000 car.
You're always wet .... sweat, pool, lake, sea water, shower, bath, or rain.
Your car has at least one energy bar wrapper and water bottle on the floor
Your kids idea of playing is a race and awards ceremony.
You have far more shoes than your wife.
Your kitchen cupboards are organized into "protein", "carbs" and "etc."
You bring bottled water to a party so that you're properly hydrated for the next morning's long run.
Everyone else at the party also brought their own bottled water because you don't have a social life outside of triathlon.
You ask your wife, girlfriend, or sister for leg shaving advice.
You mention a race and somebody responds "running or biking" and you are again forced to explain....
You wear your bathing suit under your work clothes to make a fast transition from work to swim on your lunch hour.
You show up at the neighbourhood pool on your bike in a Speedo and embarrass your teenage daughters.
You've spent more on bikes in the last 10 years than you have on clothes for the past 50.
You feel like you took the day off because all you did was swim 3000 yards.
Cars pass you on the road when you're driving and you either drop back to get out of draft zone or speed up to attack!
Your bed-time reading on your night stand consists of a pile of: DeSoto catalogs; InsideTri; Triathlete, VeloNews, USMA Swim, etc.
You know you could make a killing at Jeopardy if only the categories were: - Past winners of Hawaii Ironman - Legs shaving techniques - 40-30-30 diet - Aerodynamics racing wheels - Gastrointestinal problems and long runs - How to justify a $4000 bike.
When asked how old you are, you answer 35-39.
Nobody believes you when you say 'Never again'.
You clean your bike more often than your car.
When asked to mow the lawn in 90 degree heat, you say that its too hot to do that (and you mean it) and then an hour later you go on a century ride because its so nice out.
You are convinced that if you rest more than one day, your ultra-fit body will turn into a pile of goo and everyone in your age group will beat you.
You have trouble keeping lunch under 2000 calories.
You have a $4000 bike strapped on top of your $2000 car.
You're always wet .... sweat, pool, lake, sea water, shower, bath, or rain.
Your car has at least one energy bar wrapper and water bottle on the floor
Your kids idea of playing is a race and awards ceremony.
You have far more shoes than your wife.
Your kitchen cupboards are organized into "protein", "carbs" and "etc."
You bring bottled water to a party so that you're properly hydrated for the next morning's long run.
Everyone else at the party also brought their own bottled water because you don't have a social life outside of triathlon.
You ask your wife, girlfriend, or sister for leg shaving advice.
You mention a race and somebody responds "running or biking" and you are again forced to explain....
You wear your bathing suit under your work clothes to make a fast transition from work to swim on your lunch hour.
You show up at the neighbourhood pool on your bike in a Speedo and embarrass your teenage daughters.
You've spent more on bikes in the last 10 years than you have on clothes for the past 50.
You feel like you took the day off because all you did was swim 3000 yards.
Cars pass you on the road when you're driving and you either drop back to get out of draft zone or speed up to attack!
Your bed-time reading on your night stand consists of a pile of: DeSoto catalogs; InsideTri; Triathlete, VeloNews, USMA Swim, etc.
You know you could make a killing at Jeopardy if only the categories were: - Past winners of Hawaii Ironman - Legs shaving techniques - 40-30-30 diet - Aerodynamics racing wheels - Gastrointestinal problems and long runs - How to justify a $4000 bike.
When asked how old you are, you answer 35-39.
Nobody believes you when you say 'Never again'.
You clean your bike more often than your car.
When asked to mow the lawn in 90 degree heat, you say that its too hot to do that (and you mean it) and then an hour later you go on a century ride because its so nice out.
You are convinced that if you rest more than one day, your ultra-fit body will turn into a pile of goo and everyone in your age group will beat you.
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