I did at least manage to run 2 miles prior to class, and then I did a spin to Pandora out on the janky spin bikes. It wasn't too bad, and I'm happy that adding a 2 mile run prior to some spinning didn't wipe me out.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Booted from Class
I did at least manage to run 2 miles prior to class, and then I did a spin to Pandora out on the janky spin bikes. It wasn't too bad, and I'm happy that adding a 2 mile run prior to some spinning didn't wipe me out.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Mason Half Marathon Race Report
Sunday I ran my 6th half marathon, which I have nominated as "worst prepared for" in the Half Marathon category :)
Overall, I'm happy with the day. I had no expectations, except a little bit of a worry going into the distance so ill prepared. But I looked at it as a long training run only, that I just happened to pay money for so I could do it with a bunch of people. That it was!
My first 7 miles I averaged between 10:15 and 10:30 pace. At mile 7, the wheels fell off and I had to walk hills and just take it easy the rest of the way. So my end average was 11:28. Meh. It really is OK. I didn't expect any more given my horrible training and am still glad I got a 13.1 mile run in.
Next up: TRAINING, eating better, losing some weight, and making running fun again. Lucky number 7 is next, and I'm determined to break my 2:09:49 PR. Maybe even smash it.
Overall, I'm happy with the day. I had no expectations, except a little bit of a worry going into the distance so ill prepared. But I looked at it as a long training run only, that I just happened to pay money for so I could do it with a bunch of people. That it was!
My first 7 miles I averaged between 10:15 and 10:30 pace. At mile 7, the wheels fell off and I had to walk hills and just take it easy the rest of the way. So my end average was 11:28. Meh. It really is OK. I didn't expect any more given my horrible training and am still glad I got a 13.1 mile run in.
Next up: TRAINING, eating better, losing some weight, and making running fun again. Lucky number 7 is next, and I'm determined to break my 2:09:49 PR. Maybe even smash it.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
And work trumps all...
Well, it's the same story. I feel like I should just have an * that comes up that means see this footer/disclaimer:
*Work has taken over. Clients are hilariously out of control. Steph is busy, dizzy and in need of extra loving care.
I feel like I've begun to surface though. I'm trying very hard to not have to work this weekend. I am planning a small vacation at the end of October. I am counting down the days. It seems really far away!
Sadly, I haven't drawn in weeks. I just haven't been able to fit it into the work-sleep-work-occasional run cycle. But soon. I have a few very fun projects lined up that I can't wait to start.
So, this is the update, just for the sake of me updating a blog to feel normal. :)
*Work has taken over. Clients are hilariously out of control. Steph is busy, dizzy and in need of extra loving care.
I feel like I've begun to surface though. I'm trying very hard to not have to work this weekend. I am planning a small vacation at the end of October. I am counting down the days. It seems really far away!
Sadly, I haven't drawn in weeks. I just haven't been able to fit it into the work-sleep-work-occasional run cycle. But soon. I have a few very fun projects lined up that I can't wait to start.
So, this is the update, just for the sake of me updating a blog to feel normal. :)
Friday, September 23, 2011
8/16/11: Thriller Spinning
Spinning was all Michael Jackson music one day. It was pretty fun. When Thriller came on, I couldn't help but imagine how awesome it would be if everyone could do a form of the dance on their bikes :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
8/10/11: Pain
It's been a while! Work has been getting in the way of drawing...but I hope to have remedied that with the purchase of a scanner! So now I don't have to try to cram things in early in the morning. Let the catchup begin!!
This describes too many runs for me lately. Odd lower leg pain that is sooo painful!
This describes too many runs for me lately. Odd lower leg pain that is sooo painful!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
8/7/11: Ultimate Frisbee Tournament
Well, Ultimate Frisbee is over. Our tourney was on the 7th and it was all day fun running around playing some short games. We didn't get into the brackets for the finals, so we played the other team that didn't get into the brackets. It was our closest game yet. In the end, they won.
After that, the organization had a grill out going, so we all sat down for some burgers and beer. It was a good time. Ultimate Frisbee has been fun.
After that, the organization had a grill out going, so we all sat down for some burgers and beer. It was a good time. Ultimate Frisbee has been fun.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
8/4/11: Spinning Jumps
Today's class had us doing jumps (also called lifts by some instructors) nearly the entire time. It was pretty rough. Out of the saddle, back into the saddle over and over and over again. By the end I was plopping a few times. It was good doing so many because it really made you think about form.
8/3/11: Final Ultimate Game
I'm trying to catch up here...it's August 15th, but I'm still putting stuff up from the first week of August. I figure these entries will be better if they're closer to the dates they actually occurred. A couple days behind, not a couple weeks.
Our final ultimate game was OK. The team was nice and we made some good plays. It is apparent to me how much our team has improved from the beginning of the season.
Our final ultimate game was OK. The team was nice and we made some good plays. It is apparent to me how much our team has improved from the beginning of the season.
8/2/11: Spinning Supplies
It's simple to pack my bag for spinning class. Need my shoes, a water bottle, and towel, along with whatever I'm wearing. As simple as it is, I've forgotten 2 of the below a few times. Without a towel, it's just a sweaty mess. Without a water bottle I couldn't take the class. I've stopped at a convenience store on the way when I've forgotten that item. Below are the essentials.
Friday, August 12, 2011
8/1/11: New Training!
It's been a busy couple of weeks, and I'm super behind on drawings!
Ultimate is now over, and training for the Cincinnati Half Marathon is officially underway. I'm really looking forward to running more again. This week has been kind of a recovery week of sorts I'll call it. Work has been crazy and taking up most of my time. But next week should be good again.
Ultimate is now over, and training for the Cincinnati Half Marathon is officially underway. I'm really looking forward to running more again. This week has been kind of a recovery week of sorts I'll call it. Work has been crazy and taking up most of my time. But next week should be good again.
Monday, August 8, 2011
7/29/11: Spinning
Just a public service announcement ;) It was really awful smelling perfume in a closed up, hot room while working hard trying to breathe!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
24 Hours of LeMons: American Irony
Day 1, Friday July 15th:
Casey, Jannelle, Greg, Neil (thanks for all the pictures, Neil!!) and I met Randy up in South Haven, Michigan at the GingerMan Raceway. This is the same event we went to in April...where 9 laps were completed and we blew a head gasket and the weather was 30 degrees with 50 mph winds and sleet. Despite heroic efforts, the engine swap didn't happen that weekend and we got the heck out of there. This time, things couldn't have been more opposite: a beautiful weekend, and Randy came with a spare engine already pulled and extra head gaskets among other things. The only thing missing was one of our drivers and co-conspirator to the idea of racing a diesel Chevette: Brian. We missed him terribly. I filled in for him so there was still 4 drivers.
We took the car through tech in the afternoon after arriving. It passed no problem. Then we each took our firesuits, helmets and other equipment though tech. After all approved, we were ready to race.
Casey, Randy, Greg and Me with our steed - Carbon Footprint.
Randy borrowed a trailer for the Chevette and we set up camp there at our paddock spot. We had a nice position, close to the LeMons HQ and track.
After tech and a trip to the grocery store, we were ready. The Chevette relaxed under the tarp. We grilled out, relaxed and did a few last minute prep things the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Saturday, July 16th. First Day of Racing: 10 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Some of us needed coffee for the morning, so a coffee maker and fresh ground coffee were brought along. We had to run the generator to brew it...good morning everyone!!!! Neil made us all some bacon and eggs on the grill - delicious!
Our paddock neighbors had an Amish theme for their car at a previous race. They decided our slow Chevette was more in need of the slow moving vehicle triangle. So they gave it to us and we drilled it on.
Another great idea from our neighbors: dryer vent duct to pull in air. It was taped up and aimed at the driver. This worked beautifully and made a big difference for cooling while we were out there.
Hanging out in the morning shade of the back of the trailer before the Driver's Meeting.
Greg, Casey, me.
The driver order was Randy, Greg, Casey, Me. We first did 5 laps each to just all be able to get in the car and get a feel for it and make sure the car was good. After that we'd start our longer runs. Here Randy is mostly suited up and ready to start the race!
And Randy's off! The Chevette was running waaaay better than last time. The smoke was the right color, and while slow, it was a hell of a lot faster. Wooohooo!
Adding some oil between drivers. An oil line broke while Randy was out within a few laps. Oil was all over the front left tire. Luckily, he came in before we got a black flag. The trail of oil in the paddock was obvious though.
After Randy was Casey. After Greg was done with his laps, Casey was getting in the zone... While Casey was out, one of the left rear wheel's bolts broke and the wheel came loose. Luckily he felt it right away and came in. A fix was fashioned and he went back out.
After Casey, I was next! I suited up in Greg's way to big suit and climbed in. We had push-to-talk radio communication strapped in the car and a headset to wear in the helmet. It worked out pretty well. It was hard to hear when loud cars were around, but other than that, it was great. While I was out, Greg was timing me and let me know my lap times over the head set. That made it extra fun because I had immediate feedback for how I did on laps. Usually, we were the fastest under caution. The car was so slow we didn't need to slow down for caution...but with no one able to pass, that meant you could take your line without being in anyone's way! Cautions were great!
On the track... It took a bit to get comfortable with the car. When I went out for the second time, we adjusted the race mirror and that made all the difference for being able to see and not feel like I was driving in a tunnel.
If you got a black flag while racing, you had to do a ridiculous penalty conceived by the Supreme Judges. This guy passed under caution, twice I believe. So he had to walk the paddock wearing the sandwich board and Teletubbies helmet. The sandwich board said "How's My Driving?" on the front and "I Just Don't Get It" on the back. Attached to the helmet was an annoying car alarm...the kind that cycles through all of the different sounds. It was hilarious.
This is how you refuel, even if you're diesel. One person (Randy shown here) adds the fuel and another person (me, photo-bombing) stands ready with a fire extinguisher and keeps everyone 10 feet back. You have to be fully suited up.
At the end of the first day, we had climbed from 50-something place to 34th! And we made it to the first page with 144 laps! People got a kick out of our excitement. Everyone comes with different goals...ours was definitely to win the Index of Effluency, which is the real winner of the LeMons races. The first day put us in good position for that. We just had to run a bunch of laps the next day too.
Day 3: Sunday, July 17th. Second and Final Day of Racing: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The final day of racing started with the top 10 cars lining up in order. Then the rest could follow in whatever order. We weren't in a rush. That morning we had replaced the fuel filter. Randy came in early on his last stint the day before because of the car's hesitation. We also replaced a lug nut on the wheel that broke while Casey was out. Sunday, it was Greg's turn to start. The plan was to each do an hour. With all of the changing time and possible issues, we figured that would work well in 5 and a half hours. Greg's run was problem free, except the car needed some adjustment after he came back in. Randy made that adjustment before Casey went out. But disaster struck and Casey broke the car again ;) This time the transmission blew up. He came flying into the 10 mph pits in 4th gear. Randy calmly said "let's get it jacked up as high as it will go" and got to work. There was a spare transmission from the back up engine to exchange it with.
Around 2 hours later, the transmission was fully in and the car was going to go back out. I didn't expect I would get to race again because of the repair. But someone had to go out while the blackened-with-grease Randy showered before he put on his suit...so since I would have been next, I got to do a few more laps!! The transmission was a bit clunky and the clutch felt different. I had a hard time getting it into first and to catch. When I'm strapped down in the 5-point harness, I can't really reach first all the way...which is kind of funny. The car was way slower the second day, and definitely not as fun to drive as the first day. There was still a lot of hesitation and popping. Third gear felt really bogged down. But we were still getting laps, which was all we had to do! They radioed me in when Randy was ready and he ran the car to the checkers! He got to slap fives with the Judges while we all cheered.
Everyone met at the LeMons HQ and awards were announced. Here are some of the trophies, all hand made and awesome. And the top finisher of laps receives $1500 in nickels.
And then the real winner was announced... Zero Budget Racing with the Diesel Chevette!!! I can't believe how exciting it was! A check for $1501, which we told Randy to keep, and a very kick-ass trophy.
This was such a fantastic time. I can't wait to do it again!
There's been talk about another small unexpected car... Hmmmmm.....
Casey, Jannelle, Greg, Neil (thanks for all the pictures, Neil!!) and I met Randy up in South Haven, Michigan at the GingerMan Raceway. This is the same event we went to in April...where 9 laps were completed and we blew a head gasket and the weather was 30 degrees with 50 mph winds and sleet. Despite heroic efforts, the engine swap didn't happen that weekend and we got the heck out of there. This time, things couldn't have been more opposite: a beautiful weekend, and Randy came with a spare engine already pulled and extra head gaskets among other things. The only thing missing was one of our drivers and co-conspirator to the idea of racing a diesel Chevette: Brian. We missed him terribly. I filled in for him so there was still 4 drivers.
We took the car through tech in the afternoon after arriving. It passed no problem. Then we each took our firesuits, helmets and other equipment though tech. After all approved, we were ready to race.
Casey, Randy, Greg and Me with our steed - Carbon Footprint.
Randy borrowed a trailer for the Chevette and we set up camp there at our paddock spot. We had a nice position, close to the LeMons HQ and track.
After tech and a trip to the grocery store, we were ready. The Chevette relaxed under the tarp. We grilled out, relaxed and did a few last minute prep things the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Saturday, July 16th. First Day of Racing: 10 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Some of us needed coffee for the morning, so a coffee maker and fresh ground coffee were brought along. We had to run the generator to brew it...good morning everyone!!!! Neil made us all some bacon and eggs on the grill - delicious!
Our paddock neighbors had an Amish theme for their car at a previous race. They decided our slow Chevette was more in need of the slow moving vehicle triangle. So they gave it to us and we drilled it on.
Another great idea from our neighbors: dryer vent duct to pull in air. It was taped up and aimed at the driver. This worked beautifully and made a big difference for cooling while we were out there.
Hanging out in the morning shade of the back of the trailer before the Driver's Meeting.
Greg, Casey, me.
The driver order was Randy, Greg, Casey, Me. We first did 5 laps each to just all be able to get in the car and get a feel for it and make sure the car was good. After that we'd start our longer runs. Here Randy is mostly suited up and ready to start the race!
And Randy's off! The Chevette was running waaaay better than last time. The smoke was the right color, and while slow, it was a hell of a lot faster. Wooohooo!
Adding some oil between drivers. An oil line broke while Randy was out within a few laps. Oil was all over the front left tire. Luckily, he came in before we got a black flag. The trail of oil in the paddock was obvious though.
After Randy was Casey. After Greg was done with his laps, Casey was getting in the zone... While Casey was out, one of the left rear wheel's bolts broke and the wheel came loose. Luckily he felt it right away and came in. A fix was fashioned and he went back out.
After Casey, I was next! I suited up in Greg's way to big suit and climbed in. We had push-to-talk radio communication strapped in the car and a headset to wear in the helmet. It worked out pretty well. It was hard to hear when loud cars were around, but other than that, it was great. While I was out, Greg was timing me and let me know my lap times over the head set. That made it extra fun because I had immediate feedback for how I did on laps. Usually, we were the fastest under caution. The car was so slow we didn't need to slow down for caution...but with no one able to pass, that meant you could take your line without being in anyone's way! Cautions were great!
On the track... It took a bit to get comfortable with the car. When I went out for the second time, we adjusted the race mirror and that made all the difference for being able to see and not feel like I was driving in a tunnel.
If you got a black flag while racing, you had to do a ridiculous penalty conceived by the Supreme Judges. This guy passed under caution, twice I believe. So he had to walk the paddock wearing the sandwich board and Teletubbies helmet. The sandwich board said "How's My Driving?" on the front and "I Just Don't Get It" on the back. Attached to the helmet was an annoying car alarm...the kind that cycles through all of the different sounds. It was hilarious.
This is how you refuel, even if you're diesel. One person (Randy shown here) adds the fuel and another person (me, photo-bombing) stands ready with a fire extinguisher and keeps everyone 10 feet back. You have to be fully suited up.
At the end of the first day, we had climbed from 50-something place to 34th! And we made it to the first page with 144 laps! People got a kick out of our excitement. Everyone comes with different goals...ours was definitely to win the Index of Effluency, which is the real winner of the LeMons races. The first day put us in good position for that. We just had to run a bunch of laps the next day too.
Day 3: Sunday, July 17th. Second and Final Day of Racing: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The final day of racing started with the top 10 cars lining up in order. Then the rest could follow in whatever order. We weren't in a rush. That morning we had replaced the fuel filter. Randy came in early on his last stint the day before because of the car's hesitation. We also replaced a lug nut on the wheel that broke while Casey was out. Sunday, it was Greg's turn to start. The plan was to each do an hour. With all of the changing time and possible issues, we figured that would work well in 5 and a half hours. Greg's run was problem free, except the car needed some adjustment after he came back in. Randy made that adjustment before Casey went out. But disaster struck and Casey broke the car again ;) This time the transmission blew up. He came flying into the 10 mph pits in 4th gear. Randy calmly said "let's get it jacked up as high as it will go" and got to work. There was a spare transmission from the back up engine to exchange it with.
Around 2 hours later, the transmission was fully in and the car was going to go back out. I didn't expect I would get to race again because of the repair. But someone had to go out while the blackened-with-grease Randy showered before he put on his suit...so since I would have been next, I got to do a few more laps!! The transmission was a bit clunky and the clutch felt different. I had a hard time getting it into first and to catch. When I'm strapped down in the 5-point harness, I can't really reach first all the way...which is kind of funny. The car was way slower the second day, and definitely not as fun to drive as the first day. There was still a lot of hesitation and popping. Third gear felt really bogged down. But we were still getting laps, which was all we had to do! They radioed me in when Randy was ready and he ran the car to the checkers! He got to slap fives with the Judges while we all cheered.
Everyone met at the LeMons HQ and awards were announced. Here are some of the trophies, all hand made and awesome. And the top finisher of laps receives $1500 in nickels.
And then the real winner was announced... Zero Budget Racing with the Diesel Chevette!!! I can't believe how exciting it was! A check for $1501, which we told Randy to keep, and a very kick-ass trophy.
This was such a fantastic time. I can't wait to do it again!
There's been talk about another small unexpected car... Hmmmmm.....
Monday, July 18, 2011
Interruption from a Fantastic Weekend...
This past weekend, me and a bunch of my closest friends went to South Haven, Michigan to participate in the 24 Hours of LeMons race: American Irony. It was Take 2, after a disappointing try at GingerMan Raceway back in April with the same car (blown head gasket). This time, we finished 189 laps and were the real winners of the race, taking the Index of Effluency and winning $1501! :)
Here is a link to an article summing up some stuff.
Here's a pic of the car we drove (from above link). This is either Casey or Randy...black helmeted drivers, while Greg and I shared a white one. More later!!!
Here is a link to an article summing up some stuff.
Here's a pic of the car we drove (from above link). This is either Casey or Randy...black helmeted drivers, while Greg and I shared a white one. More later!!!
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