My Panasonic Sport

I got a new bike! Okay, I got an old bike. She's new to me. I think her name is "click"

Many of you know that since last summer I've been wanting a road bike. The problem is, that last June I bought Pip.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love Pip. But, soon after I bought her, I realized that I really wanted something much faster. I wanted a road bike, with drop bars. Like the red one I had as a teen. To complicate things more, I decided to train for a triathlon last summer. Which I did. On Pip. Did I mention she's not very fast or light. Did you notice she doesn't have drop bars?
So, I've been looking for a road bike. It's hard to find a used road bike, in a smaller size, for a reasonable price. I've been scouring Craigs List, and ebay. Checked out the Albany Bike Co-op. Spoke to a local bike shop that sells new and used. Heck, I've even scoped out some dumpsters. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Then, this past Saturday there was a CL posting for several bikes starting at $15. I went. I test rode. But,I had two kids with me, and just couldn't make a decision. I phoned http://doohickie.blogspot.com/ to get his opinion. He said "Buy it". When I asked for the price on the particular bike I was interested in, the seller said $40. Well now, that's more than double what was listed on CL for the starting price. So, I drove away. Then spent all weekend second guessing my decision. So, I did some research on the bike.. Again, thanks Doohickie! After much research, (and driving Kevin crazy with my obsesssing), I went back today and bought her.She's a Panasonic Sport. Here she is:


She needs some work. The seat needs to be raised, but there's no quick release. So I didn't do it today. The back gearing-sorry I don't know the technical term- has some rust.

I'm not sure what to do about the handle bars. They have that yucky foam grip that was fairly popular in the 80's.

I don't love her, yet. But within the next couple of weeks, I'll take her down to the bike co-op and the guys there will help me get her in better shape.
So, now I have a road bike! And I'm satisfied...for a little while!

Peace.

First Spring Day

Today was the first beautiful day we've had on the weekend in a long time. SPring was definately in the air. Jack woke up at 7AM and said, "I get dressed and go outside now!" Notice it wasn't a question, but a statement.

So, by 8AM the kids were outside. We took a ride to look at some bikes that were posted on CraigsList. While there, I phoned Doohickie of http://beginningcyclecommute.blogspot.com/ to get some advise. Ultimately, I walked away without the bike. I just don't know enough about older bikes to be sure I was going to make out okay. Thanks for the time and advise, Doohickie. I'm going to keep looking.

Then it was back home to play outside for the day.
Kenz played everywhere.

Jack continues to be just like his Grandfathers, working in the yard on a beautiful day!

Kelsey and Emma walked over from Emma's house to visit us! Then Grandma joined us for a few minutes.


Kevin grilled up some shrimp for our dinner!

Dexter was there, to be sure that everyone was safe and having fun.


Of course, Jack called Shayna, because she was with us in spirit, as always!

Getting Faster..Slowly

On February 22, 2009 I completed my "SUNY Albany Loop Route" for the first time. It's 3.8 miles. My time was 43:02. that gives me mile split times of 11:19.

Yesterday (exactly 4 weeks later), I ran the same loop again. My time.....40:53. That breaks down to splits of 10:46.

I think that's a pretty significant drop in a month. 47 seconds more per mile to go before I reach my first short tem goal.

Night at the Y

I finally tried my first Zumba class tonight. Shayna and I went to one at our Y. Let's just say I was a bit disappointed. With the whole event.

We got to the Y 5 minutes early and brought the kids into the Children's corner. I walked in the door and was approached, rather aggressively by one of the staff members. She put the sign up sheet under my nose and proceeded to tell me that I had signed my kids up wrong...yada yada blah yuck blah. I felt put on the defensive, in a room full of parents and kids. Essentially, she told me about all these rules they have for the sign up sheet, that I'm fairly certain she was making up as she went along. It wasn't pretty. Plus, if you're going to be mad at me because you "Tried to call me twice about it"...copy my number down correctly from the page I wrote it on!! Moron!

Okay-now Shayna and I were 5 minutes late for our class. I don't like being late. The room was packed when we open the door. We were stuck at the back of the room, where I could not see the instructor.

I am not a dancer. I've never taken a dance class in my life. My "freestyle" of dance developed solidly in 1984. Remember the Springsteen video with "Monica" from friends-before she was Monica? That's me. Bryan Adams? big haired BonJovi? Pat Benetar? Yep. That's my dance style!

Unfortunately for me, Zumba is based in "world rhythms and dances". So, Shayna and I spent much time laughing at me! Class goes left-Heidi goes right. Class goes back-Heidi goes forward. Latin based moves-Heidi looks ridiculous. Class wiggles hips- Heidi looks like C-3PO. We were cracking up!

The downside of the class was that: It didn't come close to providing me with a cardio workout. I think the 45 minute runs and hour long workouts on the trainer have put me way ahead of where this class was at. The other problem, is that many of the moves were lateral, which killed my knee and aggravated the heck out of my foot.

The positives about the class were that Shayna really enjoyed it. We rarely get to exercise together, because we have different tastes in what we like to do, so this was a great opportunity. Plus, she was really good at it. You would've thought she's done the class a bunch of times.

So, I think next time I'll convince Kevin to go with her to the class, and I'll hit the treadmill or pool for the hour. Maybe it's hard to teach an old triathlete new tricks?

How Great is this..

Made me think of Kath and Jess

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_tae_kwon_do_robbery

Some people just shouldn't be messed with.

Gearing up

This Sunday is the first day of the 20 week training program for my first ever Olympic Distance Triathlon. Now that the start date is 48 hours away, I'm asking myself: What the heck was I thinking?!

For those who might not know, an Oly Tri is usually comprised of the following distances: Swim- 1.5k (.93 miles). Bike 40k (24.8 miles). Run-10k (6.2 miles). I've chosen a small local tri.

It's only the third annual, and it's actually a benefit event, which is motivating to me. Here's the link:
http://www.fronhofertooltriathlon.com/index.htm
I'm looking forward to supporting programs that encourage reading and provide books to kids, who might not get to have any of their own, without the program.

But back to the training aspect. The swim will not be a problem. I won't be blazing fast, but I'll get it done. The bike will be a bit more problematic, but by race day, I'll be ready. Which leaves THE RUN.

The run. I have never run a 10k. Not even as a stand alone event, much less as the third leg of a 3 or 4 hour event. What's a girl to do? I know! I chose the training plan that has a focus on running.
Here's what my first week of training looks like:

Sunday 24 minute Swim and 48 min bike
Monday 24 minute Run
Tues 40 minute Swim
Weds 32 min Run
Thurs 80 min Bike
Fiday Off
Sat 40 min Run

Not so bad for the first week-I'm at those times or more already. It will be a matter of sticking to the schedule and not missing any of the workouts. Wish me luck!
Peace.

This past weekend

Starting on Thursday night, it was a busy weekend. Here are a few of the high-lights.


Shayna's 19th birthday celebration. We had Indian food and a Chocolate Chip cookie cake. This year, it was just the 5 of us, because her trip home last week was not planned in advance.


Saturday morning was the day of my first ever 4 mile run! It was also the first race I've entered in about 5 years. Too bad for me that I did not realize this was not some laid back little 5k charity run. The first 265 runners all finished in under 8 minute miles! I did not.
(Please note, that you may all call me "Medal Girl" now!)


Then it was off to Syracuse for the weekend!

The hotel had an indoor pool that the kids loved! I liked that it was warmer than the water at the "Y".


Mack was ready for bed!


Jack was NOT!

Sunday was a fantastic day. So great, in fact, that I neglected to take a single picture! Some of the highlights included our time in the pool. Jack swam with arm floaties for the first time ever. He loved it, and would not let me touch him, once he had them on! We went to hear the NYS Select High School Jazz band perform. One of Kevin's students was one of the 4 saxophonists, so it was great to hear her perform.
Then we went to the "Most Science Museum" for 3 hours. The kids loved it there. There was a 5 story climbing structure, a simulated cave to explore, and many interactive exhibits for them. It would be worth a return trip in the future. I love to see them running and learning and laughing.

As the weekend ends, I'll close by saying- Happy 19th birthday to my awesome daughter, Shayna! Although we couldn't spend the day with you, you are always in our hearts!

Please don't tell Kevin...

Okay, he probably already knows! And, I'm sure he knows that I'm proud of this result!

13 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Poor (Failure) Take the test!

http://nancytoby.blogspot.com/
gets credit for this one!

Oh NOO!

The Running of the Green (Island) 4 miler is 5 days away. 5 days. 4 days of training left. four.

I'm a bit panicked. Today is cold and snowing and windy. Tomorrow is going to be cold and windy. Weds is going to be COLD. Who would think that high temps for this week would be in the teens? Most likely, I will have to train on the treadmill this week, which is not ideal or my idea of fun.

I want to do well. Okay: I want to do well for my standards, which are pretty low compared to the rest of the running world. The course is flat (which is good). I haven't run in a race since 2004. I've never entered a 4 miler.
I'm trying to keep this in perspective-but it is not easy. 4 miles is more than most people my age could do. Many people my age could not walk 4 miles with out taking a break. two months ago I could not have run 4 miles. I certainly wouldn't have been committed enough to get on the treadmill for it.
So, just running it is a success.
Right?