Rest Days are essential...

Wednesday I ran 5 miles before work.... I really wanted to use this day as a rest day, but I had knew I had a dentist appointment that afternoon and really didn't wanna take the risk of feeling less than enthused to workout on Thursday if I used my rest day on Wednesday. So, in order to avoid potential 2 days of rest, I went ahead and did my run and opted for Thursday being rest. Until Lana convinced me to ride at lunch. Ugh... I just wanted to do nothing, but I suppose I could actually do nothing on Friday instead. So, Thursday put 24 miles on the books for me and Friday was a well deserved day for nothing. Saturday morning I planned to run with Lana. Until Friday night just kept me out way too late. There were so many things to get done in a small amount of time over the weekend! So, Saturday morning's run was slept right over the top of!!! That means either just skip it and feel the guilt all day, or bite the bullet and battle the heat. I started my run around 1:30pm. It was 81 degrees. When I completed my run less than an hour later, the temp read 92 degrees. Ouch... it was so hot and the humidity was off the freakin charts! I only went for 6 miles and really did not even feel like doing 1 since I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before. I felt great on this run... for the first time in a couple of weeks my legs felt flexible and I felt light on my feet. I was clocking a pretty good pace and just had the feeling of floating. FINALLY! It musta been that reset day on Friday. Guess I didn't realize how much I needed it? Now we know. Rest days are just as important as training days. Mile 2 and I felt like death though.... it was so hot and I just felt dehydrated. Mile 3 I can't take it another step so I dash into the post office praying for a water fountain. NOTHING. Geez.... that didn't give me a good feeling about USPS. So I had no choice but to keep forging ahead. I saw the public library up ahead. It's been years since I've darkened that door, but I do remember the used to have a water fountain. I was right - it was a God-send. I guzled it. Couldn't get enough. So I stepped in the womens bathroom and soaked my face and everything from the waist up with cold water from the sink. Then back to the fountain for more H20. Off I go - I had 2 miles left and that should get me to the end. Thank goodness it was OVER!!!!

So, Saturday night was interesting and FUN! K and I threw down with all of our friends -- plus others who were unknown, but cool! What a party!!! Wow. Sweet!!!! :-) Good times! Bedtime didn't come until 4:30am!!!!! So, today has been a recovery day for both of us! I feel like a zombie I'm so tired! Check out some of the pics!

Too Many Late Nights....

Since Saturday I feel like I have gotten very little sleep. And my body feels it when I'm working out!!! Saturday after our bike ride, K & I & a host of other friends met up and we ended up staying out entirely too late!!!! It was good times though!! We planned to go to church Sunday morning, but that didn't happen! We went out for lunch & the rest of the day consisted of naps. And more naps! haha! :-) But still, not enough sleep!!!

Monday morning I was dragging, but I did get out and run 5 miles before work. Then last night we fixed spaghetti for dinner & watched a movie. It felt good to just chill out since we have been on the go nonstop lately!!! However, I still don't think I'm getting enough rest because I did a brick this morning. I rode 20 and ran 3 and my legs were fatigued. My times weren't as good as I had hoped, but that's alright.

We have a fun & exciting weekend ahead of us, so catching up on sleep this week is going to be essential!!

"Pain is Only Weakness Leaving the Body" Tom Muccia

I have fallen behind on my blog, once again. I have been sick with a nasty cold and at the same time, I have been able to get my workouts in. I've been doing bricks on the Staggerwing course, I've been doing all the runs I'm planning to do and trying to keep up the streak of working out 5 days per week. My favorite day of the last couple of weeks has got to be yesterday - Saturday. For 2 years I have heard of the infamous "Alto" climb, which no one who I've talked to yet happens to know the exact gain in elevation or the exact altitude. For 2 years I have shy'd away from the invitations to go "climb the mountain." I've heard about the suffering that goes on out there.... and to be honest, it just scared me. There is no other climbing like the Alto climb. And then some of these peeps are strong enough to ride on over to Sherwood and climb it as well. Which equates to approximately a 35 mile ride with somwhere between 8-9 miles of steep climbs. I just never saw that I could do it. I've wondered for 2 years what it must feel like. I've asked "So, how does 'such and such' compare to climbing Alto?" The answer has always been "Nothing compares to Alto."

So, what did I do Saturday? K & I loaded up our road bikes and drove straight over to just outside of the foot of Alto. He has climbed this many times over the years so he knew what to expect. There was another group who went earlier that morning and many of those guys got to experience it for the first time like I did. Lana, Justin, Ben, Mike, Nathan, Nate & Tim. K & I were battling with the mid-day heat.... so that made it a little more uncomfortable than climbing a mountain on a road bike should be. We took off about 1.5 miles from where the climbing begins and I told K I was scared 2 times during that mile. I was afraid of failing.... not making it. He assured me that I would make it. I had big question marks flashing in my head everywhere.

So, the climbing begins. One pedal stroke at a time. Then we approached the horse shoe curve where the REAL stuff begins - it feels like it's almost straight up. Here's where the men are seperated from the boys - for the next 2 miles there's no break. I'm out of gears - and I've got a good ways to go. Suck it up, Holly. You're here to climb the mountain. And those pedal strokes got slower... and a little slower and I continued to push, with one goal in mind. Seeing the top. I tried to keep my breathing in a rhythym as much as possible. I dropped my head several times and counted my breathing - I'd promise not to look up for at least 10 breaths. Then do it again, and again. Finally, I realize I'm at the top. My legs felt a bit shaky and my body was swarmed with chill bumps as I realized I have once again conquered a fear. I timed myself. It took approximately 19 minutes. Believe it or not, that 19 minutes felt more like 10 minutes to me, even with all the pain. I was so excited!!!! K rocked this climb as well!!!

I guess that wasn't enough, because we rode on over to Sherwood which was about an 11 mile ride to the bottom. I knew when we were descending down this beast, it would be extremely tough. The thing that is so special about Sherwood is that my grandmother lives there. And I've driven this mountain for a long time now. Never did I EVER think climbing it on a bicycle was an option. So after we stopped in to see my grandma for a few minutes, she gave me a piece of cantaloupe and we filled our bottles up and off we go! To climb Sherwood! Geez, it was so hot. This is a continuous 5+ miles of climbing right off the bat! There is no break and it is grueling. For me, it's a toss-up as to which is harder - Sherwood or Alto. Sherwood is obviously longer, but Alto could be a bit higher in grade. I had to talk myself up this one! To say that I suffered is an understatement. Because at this point my legs were toast from the Alto climb. Give those toasty legs some credit though -- because they pushed me to the top of Sherwood. To say that I felt like a million bucks when this ride was over is putting it lightly. :-) I never dreamed I could do either of these, much less on the same ride. And it was fun! Am I crazy? :-) I love the year 2008. I have done things in this calendar year that I never imagined were possible. If I can do it, anyone can. The body is so amazing. I ran a marathon! I rode a 100 mile century ride. And I've climbed Alto and Sherwood! I have to say how thankful I am for my body and mind that God has blessed me with that has allowed me to push to another level. I am also thankful for training partners and special people like Lana and K - who inspire me to give all of these excessive challenges a try.

"Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." Martin Luther King Jr.

In Memory of Bozo the Clown....

This morning as I was on my way to the rec center to run I heard some sad news on the radio. Larry Harmon (aka Bozo the Clown) has passed away at age 83 with congestive heart failure being the cause of death. I sure did love to watch the Bozo show when I was little. I wanted SO badly to someday aim and toss that ping pong ball into bucket #6! This show would sell out for 10 years at a time! Unbelievable! Guess I’m a little late……. :-/ My hat’s off to Bozo!

So, July 4th weekend involved a visit with Jerm & Bethany over some bud lime Thursday night. Friday morning I was able to make it to the group ride leaving from the rec center at 7am. Riders included me, Don (the pet ambulance service), Tim, Nathan C, Jay B, and Nate H. Great ride! Beautiful morning to be out!!! We did the Normandy loop and then after making a pit stop at the beautiful home of Jay and Tammy’s where they were so gracious to fill up our bottles with Gatorade and water, we headed back making the loop backwards! We ended up with 37 miles and it took right around 2 hours I believe. My knee is still giving me a little bit of trouble when I’m riding – mainly climbing.

Saturday morning around 10am, I was motivated for a long run. It was hot though so I strapped on my fuel belt with 3 bottles (2 gatorade, 1 water) and I managed to complete a 10 mile run. This is the first time I’ve used my fuel belt in temps over 40 degrees. Wow…. The stuff doesn’t stay cold. It’s up against my body, which is steaming with heat and sweat and even though my bottles were frozen when I started, by mile 3 they were already luke warm. Mile 7, and they were officially hot. This run took me a little longer so I’m blaming it on the heat. Completed, drenched and red-faced in 1:31.

So, I was treated to a day at the lake/cabin with my friends! Great times! You can always count on your cheeks (face cheeks I might add) to be sore from laughing nonstop after a day and night like Saturday! Especially when it involves a round of PARTINI! And Bethy…. What is your recipe for those margi’s and slides?????? REAL nice.




Somehow I made it to church Sunday morning. It was really very good to be there. The singing was so uplifting and it was worth getting up for!!! Sore legs and all! This morning I trekked my way around town for a 5 mile run before work. Tomorrow is either going to be a ride, or a brick!

Hanging Tough

Catching up….. Last Saturday K & I went for a 19 mile ride through Tullahoma, Moore County and back through Normandy. It was windy!!!! We had several things to attend that evening, so Sunday I found myself exhausted! I also found myself waking up from a 2 hour nap on my mom and dad’s couch with Hattie curled up at my feet. Wow – I think that is the first nap I’ve had in 6 months? It felt GREAT! Now I’m not so sure cutting out my naps was the best thing for me. I’ve always required a nap. Sounds silly, but it’s true. It makes me less grumpy :-) I ended up mowing my yard that evening. I love mowing the yard….. to me it is incredibly therapeutic. I wanted to mow every yard in my subdivision!!! Now that my lemon mower has successfully mowed my entire yard without pieces flying off! LOL. It hasn’t won me over just yet though. P.O.S.

Monday I was determined to get my week started off on the right track so I got up at 5:30am and ran a 5 mile loop through town – 8:49 pace. Monday night Briar’s all star team beat the Tullahoma all star team and I was there to see it! Tuesday the plan was to do a brick after work. The clown I was supposed to do a brick with, backed out. I went to Briar’s ballgame and watched them win 22-0. I made up for it today at lunch. I went longer and faster on this brick than I did last week’s. I rode the Staggerwing course plus a little extra for 19.5 miles & I slapped my running shoes on and finished out with a 3 mile run at an 8:25 overall pace. My legs aren’t killing me as bad this year on the bricks as they did last year. What is up with that? I have read that the aero position can help save the legs since that position uses some different muscles. I’m wondering if this is really making the difference or if I am just a little stronger this year. I’m starting to wish I had a harder gear on my bike. Now… Black Betty does happen to be a road bike. And I have a compact crank. I just noticed that most of my ride I stayed in my 2 hardest gears and there were a few times on some downhills that I couldn’t gain any speed by pedaling. I don’t think I race or compete enough to invest in a race or tri bike, especially since I do not swim. However, I do wish I could put some faster/harder gears on this bike for courses like the Staggerwing or other times when I may want to hammer.

Manchester American League All Stars play Tullahoma again tonight. Lana will be in the stands with her rock shakers and Heather will be against the fence getting her groove on & The Flash will be there with his camera :-)

Check out Hattie with her new toy that is a fake piece of chicken. LOL.