Finally! A race report!!!!!

I've been training for a half-marathon, sort of... What that means is that I've done some of the workouts, but I've sat on my butt for a fair share of them, too. I just haven't been able to get motivated! I've done some of my speedwork sessions, with the hope that this was the year for speed. Like I said, I did "some" of them...

So I was completely wishy-washy on whether to spend the money to do the Cherry Creek Sneak. In the end, paying the race day registration fee ($5 more!) I ended up doing it. And... I set a PR!!!!!!!!!!!! I felt really, really good running today. Constantly checking myself and wondering if I should try to push a little harder. I do wish I had kicked it in the end a bit more, but we rounded the corner and the finish line was right there. Had I known, I would have kicked it in sooner. I still felt pretty good at the finish line.

Nonetheless, this is what I'm most proud of:

Cherry Creek Sneak 5 mile runs:
2004 - 10:52/mile
2005 - 10:36/mile
2006 - 10:19/mile
2008 - 9:49/mile!!!!!!!!

While to many it's nothing to brag about, it's a Personal Record in my book. And that makes me very happy today! Good race. Great weather. And great swag too! I'm thinking that if I can do under 10 minute miles for today's five mile race, there's no reason I shouldn't be able to do sub 10:00 miles at the Bolder Boulder 10K in a month! Here's to another PR soon! (I may actually be motivated to run the next couple of weeks, too!)

Joke Day

Q - How do you know it's spring time in Moab, Utah?

A - All the license plates start turning green!

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Q - How do you know the two teachers on your team are total morons?

A - They tell everybody at a baby shower Friday night that you're taking a three day weekend to go to Moab to go biking... Including the Assistant Principal...

I worked really hard to wear enough sunscreen to be sure to hide any tan lines from that trip!!!!!!! Grrr....

The White Rim Trail

So a co-worker scored two campsites along the White Rim Trail in Moab. (You have to book those at least six months in advance.) Her nephew is planning to rent a Hummer to help sag water and camping supplies. (Cars can't get in there.) It will take three days to cover the 100 miles on bike. She's looking for fun people that might enjoy a trip like this. She knew that I went to Moab for Spring Break and liked the place. Can you really turn an opportunity like this down?????????

The quick synopsis...

Pre-trip: How fun! I can't wait to do this!
The initial ride down: Um, wait a second... I thought this wasn't supposed to be very technical... OhhHhh MyyYyyY...... bump... bump... What did I get myself into?

25 miles in: Fun, beautiful scenery, good, but the wind sure is blowing.
50 miles in: Will the wind ever stop blowing? Ugh, I'm getting really tired!
60 miles in: My butt hurts. Why does no one else have as many scrapes and bruises as I do??? After this trip, I never want to ride my mountain bike again! ARGH!!!!!!
75 miles in: The wind has stopped. The trail isn't as technical. I've rubbed a couple of spots on my bum completely raw. Not cool. My bruises really hurt. I'm pretty tired, but this sure beats being at work. Overall, I guess this is kind of nice.
Post-trip: It's over? Really? Aw, man. I don't want it to end. I can't wait to do this again next year. :) Who else can we invite?



The trail


The love of my life.


Linda, our lovely host and mountain biker extraordinaire.


The group- Don't you just love it when you get a group together that can't shower or use a real toilet for three days... Everybody smells. Everybody is tired... and you still absolutely love the entire group!? I love trips like that!


I can think of worse things.



Gotta love Moab.





We did it. I must admit that I didn't end up pedaling the entire 100 miles. That's the beauty of a sag vehicle on days with relentless wind and hills that you just aren't trained for. I was a little upset that I have too much fear to really be able to handle a mountain bike well. Nonetheless, I can't wait to give it a shot next year. Maybe I'll even practice up on the mountain bike a little bit more before I go! Thanks for organizing Linda! It was a great trip!

Congrats dad!

Spent the day on and off the computer all day Sunday as I tracked the father of two of my students. He completed Ironman Arizona!!! Apparently the mom and kids didn't attend because it was too expensive. I made the kids PROMISE me that they would make huge banner for dad when he got home. I sure hope they understand what their dad did. I could tell that they didn't really comprehend it when I talked to the kids last week. I talked to one of the kids yesterday and he said that his dad was crying when they talked to him Sunday night. Pretty powerful stuff. I hope they get it now.

Not much else going on in post-ironman life here. Keep up that training Tea!!!