Sunday, September 7, 2008

Snorkels Optional

Tropical Storm Hanna came for a visit yesterday and dropped a lot of rain on Richmond. MarcoDiablo, in his wisdom, convinced us to slog through it and be glad to have our long weekend run over with so we could enjoy our Sunday morning. Well, he was right. We started off at 7am with one hour on our trainers, in my case trying hard to wake the hell up, and chatting about who was missing and why (Patty???) Before long, it was time to suit up and hit the road. Two 9 mile loops in the pouring rain. In her defense, Hanna did offer some brief respites from the rain--from mile 3 to 7 I almost dried out, only to get totally soaked again. At the mid way point, we all very uselessly changed our soaking socks, shirts, and in Sharons case, hat, downed a gu or two, loaded up the fuel belts and headed out for round 2. I felt pretty good until mile 15, then everything started to hurt. I keep telling myself to get used to the feeling, and to try to run through it or despite it. Ironman will hurt even more. After it was all done, Sharon, Karen, Shawn and I hit Kitchen 64 for brunch and a well-earned pitcher of mimosas. I came home and promptly fell back into bed for a 2 hour nap.

Last night the family headed over to my friend Rob's house to celebrate his liberation from Alcoa, and visit with many grad school friends I haven't seen since May. Man, do I miss those people. Unfortunately I was still wiped out from the run so we came home by 9:30, and I was out by 10. It was sheer bliss to sleep till 8 am, and not be rudely awakened by an alarm clock! Today I'm cheering my friends/coach from afar as they tackle Ironman Wisconsin. Go Blake, Aimee, and Rick!

9 comments:

rr said...

I know that I need some rest feeling, you know I was with you on that last week.. and then some.

Way to run your 18 in a tropical storm, crazy woman! Awesome.. it must have felt so great to just get out there and get er done.

Anonymous said...

Great job running in a storm!! That is IRON right there baby...

BreeWee said...

Whoa momma! So glad the hurricane didn't make too big of a mess for you all! I think you qualify as "having fun" when you run in a storm like that!

Anonymous said...

i say you deserved more than a pitcher of mimosas and a 2 hour nap! I wussed out. and I was only slated to do 10! man now I feel lazy! ha! good job!

Ma Monster said...

Girl, if you can train in those conditions, you are just as gutzy as a lil' Monster girl I know! consider yourself adopted! Can't wait to meet you at Worlds!

TriGirl Kate O said...

Ma Monster,
Thank you, but I'm no where near your daughter's caliber in racing--I'm just a middle- to back-of-the-pack age grouper. I'm not going to worlds, but am taking on my first full iron distance on Nov 1st at Ironman Florida. Will you still cheer me on from afar?

tri-ing races not cases said...

Way to go Kate and plug through the rainy and windy conditions! You are doing so well and your Ironman is going to be great! I took the other option of sleeping in and running my 15 Sunday and in many ways had wished I had slugged it out Saturday.

Steve Stenzel said...

You did a RUN in a hurricane?! NUTS-O!!

;)

Mel said...

Fantastic run..and great for not letting that storm get the best of you!!! I am excited to follow you in Ironman Fl..sounds like your training is right on schedule with no injuries..yippee!!!!