Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Unthinkable

Amy and I did about 3 miles in some sort of blizzardy, icy, slushy crap on Monday. I don't believe we saw another soul that wasn't in their car with the defrosters and windshield wipers going. Man does that make you feel tough! :D Neither one of us would have done this had we not put it on the calendar. I can certainly see the benefits of having a regular work out partner to be accountable. Thanks for getting me out there, Amy!! Can we pick 'em or what?





She also gave me a polite nudge on the Dam to Dam training. Between that and reviewing my February numbers, I'm ready to kick it up a notch. Most of you know, my dumb body does not allow me to run every day. I have to rest feet and hips and rest can turn into inactivity if I'm not careful so I've been doing more cross. And more cross while training for a race should only have benefits. I've tried elliptical, and jerk stair master and even shimmied into a suit and got back into the pool for serious laps.

But Tuesday, I did the unthinkable cross training.

***You may want to sit down.***

Tuesday I rode a bike for 7.55 miles.

OMG!OUCH!!

I always think it's hilarious when trying a new form of cardio, it's just slightly different muscles, and bam! instant fatigue.

Even though I could go run 7.55 miles, this amount on the bike just about killed me dead. That's right, I'm scary pathetic, and I'm just fessing up lest you were getting jealous about the good news I've been having. I get jealous every time I see splits below 10 (yes, I realize I have a low bar) and 17 mile bike rides and 30, 50, 100 pound weight losses. :P You are truly the inspiring and amazing ones. So, just for you all, I kept going for 35 minutes. I am where I am and next time it will be easier. And, I finally got to use a new tab (BIKING) on my spreadsheet!

What's next?? Nordic Tracking?? wink wink.

34 comments:

Lily on the Road said...

Good for you and Amy to get and at'em.....sounds like a "regular day in Ottawa", hahahaha,

Try the Elliptical, I love it...keeping do'n what you're do'n....when is your race???

Wes said...

Cycling rocks :-) You are one tough cookie! WE already knew this!!

Tri+Umph said...

Nice job toughing it out on the bike! Even if its painful now, biking is pretty easy on everything running tears apart; with the exception of IT bands.

Stick with it, the progress comes by the bucket when you start something new!

Marcy said...

You ran in that?!?! OMG Nanc!! You ladies soooo rock!!! Keep at the bike, it gets easier on the ole "lady parts" after awhile LOL

RunToTheFinish said...

Maybe there is a benefit to a running partner! I can't believe you biked that far, I'm too much of a wuss..once the cross training pain starts in I run away.

J~Mom said...

That is crazy to go run in snow like that! You can get cold girl! LOL

Sounds like someone is on the way to a tri.......

Laura N said...

Man I can't believe you guys go out and run in that stuff. It scares the pee out of me to think of running on snow/ice. I just know I'd fall and bust my behind.

Great job on the cross training. I haven't been on a bike in over 10 years. They scare me a little. I'm afraid I'll crash.

I'm a big scardy cat, can you tell? =)

Gotta Run..... said...

The only way to become stronger, build endurance, reach new goals is to change things up every so often. Put in the hard work and before you know it your spreadsheet will be filled with all kinds of crazy numbers.

Man you are having some kind of cold weather!

Bill Carter said...

Hi Nancy


Glad you two got out for a run despite the weather. It must have been really nasty if you didn't see anybody else out there.

I totally get you on the bike thing. When people ask me why I don't do triathalons, my pat answer is that I would probably drown in the swimming part. I always fail to mention that I would probably wipe out on the bike and kill myself!

Warm thoughts on an approaching spring coming all the way from Michigan.

Shelley said...

Wow, what a difference from where I am. We have daffodils popping up and down our street. A rain storm last weekend, but sunny and warm (mid 60's) the last two days.

Good job on your run and your biking. I hate to bike - it hurts my booty too much.

Deene said...

you'll be ready for a tri as soon as the season starts!

chia said...

Cheers on you Nancy! So glad you had a load of fun and a little unnecessary chafing to go along with it ;-).

E said...

You and Amy are definitely dedicated, hard core runners. I wouldn't have run in that cold!

akshaye said...

Thats hardcore.. Tough as nails! I'd be the guy with the defrosters and the heat on high.

RunnerGirl said...

You'll get used to the bike, its so much fun and a whole lot easier on your body than running!

Viv said...

WTG on that cold brutal run with Amy! I have no idea how people run in the cold.
Awesome on picking up the bike. You will fall in love with cycling soon with me it was instant :-)
You are so awesome with all XT, I can't run consecutive day either.
So, Nanc when are we going to do a virtual realy tri??

Viv said...

The Dam to Dam looks like a funfantastic event!

L*I*S*A said...

I think you're prepping for a tri!!

Michelle said...

Hey Nancy, first i'd like to commend you on your snowy run! I had no idea your running partner is Amy. Thats pretty cool actually! I'm just about ready for a day off, probably friday!! Keep up the good work girl!!
Michelle

Unknown said...

Way to go! It's always painful when you use new muscle groups for the first few times. It will get easier!!

teacherwoman said...

Come run with me up in ND! It's fun in the snowy weather!

Nice job getting on the bike. Hell, I have been working my ass off on the treadmill and in the pool and was on the bike for the first time in probably weeks this monday. 30 minutes later, I could barely walk once I got off. It does a doozy on the thighs!

Lori said...

That is just insane to run in that kind of weather! You rock so much! That bike can definitely kick your booty (pun intended :P) You'll be tri-ing in no time!

Nat said...

Well done Amy and Nancy! And the cycling... well you definitely make my butt sore thinking of it.

(No snow here in Ottawa on Monday. Tell Lily.)

Nat

peter said...

This is why I run. B/c if my partner says he/she will be there, he/she will be there (or call), no questions. This is very valuable to me. Keep on keepin' on, Nancy.

P.O.M. said...

Of course you FEEL tough - um... becuase you ARE tough! DOY

I love cycling, but my crotchety hurts for days after. But after a while, I got used to it. I wish I could do cycling again - it's jsut not in my schedule right now.

Razz said...

As always, you rock the free world!

Mendy said...

I was gonna say the exact same thing as Lisa. She beat me to it...

Do I hear triathlon in your near future? :-)

I can't get over you running in that weather. I didn't run in our cold 30ish degrees yesterday and therefore succumbed to the dreadmill. You ROCK!!!

I love your honesty in your blog. I feel a lot of the same things you wrote.

jahowie said...

Good job getting on the bike!! You are a lot tougher than me getting out there in that weather. I hate the cold!! Keep up the good work. :-)

David said...

Stick with the cycling! It will help your running in new and exciting ways. And it's also one step closer to J~Mom and I getting you into triathlon! Mwa ha ha ha ha!!!

Sarah said...

That is so hardcore! I won't even think about going running outside if the temp falls into the 50s! (And I am originally from Michigan!)

Way to go!

Robert Barker said...

you are doing great!

My Life said...

Good.Freaking.Ness you & Amy are hardcore. I would have met you and convinced you to go grab coffee instead!

And sweet job on the 7.55 miles! What a great milestone!

Ali said...

I am so over the winter already .. enough ... bring me sunshine and heat.

My butt would be numb after 8 miles on the bike!

zanne said...

haha! i read this post & the title must have been in my subconscious when i wrote my own "unthinkable" post!

good for you to shake things up a bit!