How Did You Get Chain Grease on the OUTSIDE of Your Leg?!

A quote from our friend Jon, in the midst of a horribly long and painful bike ride this weekend in Des Moines. My answer: "It's me."

We visited our friends Jill and Jon in Des Moines last weekend, who showed us the world!

Ingrid Michealson Concert (Sooo Good!)
Iowa Cubs Game
Amazing Chinese Pizza Place: Fong's
Cool Bar With 1000s of Beers and Bikes Hanging on the Ceiling
Man V. Food Eating Challenge for Joel & Jon
Des Moines Farmer's Market
Gray's Lake
Laser Tag
Trampoline Basketball
Amazing Thai Food: Cool Beans
Overall Fantastic-ness

Des Moines has the wonderfully long, paved, looped trails that our town completely lacks, so of course, Joel and I knew we had to take advantage, since RAGBRAI is right around the corner. Friday morning, we woke up, didn't eat anything, and biked 48 miles with Jon. The original plan was to bike 20-30, but we underestimated a couple of things....Joel's idea (to bike a lot more), as well as the distance between their house and the 16 mile trail. Dumb.

I spent the majority of the ride staring at the back of the boys' shirts, occasionally screaming hateful things, sometimes wanting to cry because I lost sight of them 15 minutes ago, wondering if they were really hiding in the woods laughing at me, and questioning why my toes and hands were numb. Good times.

I think Jon and Joel found it amusing, particularly when I would get my second (or eighth) wind, and come zooming up by them, sometimes passing them, only to immediately drop waaaaay back as soon as we hit an incline. It got to the point where I knew it was coming, and just said "bye!" as they continued their pace and I fell way back.

I should note, I rode this whole ride without padded shorts, which I then bought the next day. I could barely sit on that bike by the end. I would stand up to ease the pain, and my bike would nearly come to a stop.

I don't think RAGBRAI is going to be pretty.

After about 40 miles, I was about ready to pass out, so we found a gas station and I bought a Snickers and a Gatorade. As I sat on the curb, happily eating my candy bar, and clicking my feet together (ala 3 year old), Jon said, "You are just like those Snickers commercials. You are a total diva til you get a Snickers!" True story, Jon. True story.
After that, I was semi-good-to-go. You know, other than the numb toes, hands, and sore-as-hell bum.

I really don't think RAGBRAI is going to be pretty.

Next morning...20 mile ride. Luckily, my friend Beth wanted to try out the Farmer's Market bike ride, so I hung with her, which gave my legs a break! She rocked that ride though, for someone who just started biking/running! My legs were so weak, I had to walk the bike up a steep hill, and she lasted longer than I did.
Needless to say, my legs were pretty tired. I didn't even want to look at my bike, or anything resembling a bicycle, so naturally, what did we do that afternoon??

Yup. Paddle Boats. More pedaling. Luckily, we had Jill in the back to do most of the work!

And here is the choice Jone made, after the same amount of biking.....

At least Joel was smart, and chose to use his upper body, instead of his biking legs.....


And he got in the car and immediately began looking for kayaks on Craigslist. Fantastic.


And, the event we had all been looking forward to.....watching Jon and Joel attempt to defeat the Adam Emmenecker sandwich at Jethro's BBQ.
In 15 minutes.
Sadly, in the battle of man v. food, food wins.
After about an hour.
In a very disgusting battle.
With a lot of BBQ sauce.

As you can see, it is very important to find balance in our lives. For every big bike ride, there is a disgustingly huge sandwich waiting for us. Or a LOT of Chinese pizza.
Balance is important. Make sure you find yours. And then finish it off with a chocolate shake.

Update

I have been lost in the world of party planning, cleaning, and biking, too busy to blog. So here is a quick update...

18 Days Until RAGBRAI!!!!

Up until the days before Fourth of Joel-y Party, I had been biking everyday. I took about a week off, and went for a decent 20 miler this week, which ended in Joel's tire popping, and me biking home to get the car. This is a sign we need a repair kit and extra tubes, as well as the ability to actually change a tire!

We went shopping last night for RAGBRAI necessities (or not so much necessities, according to Joel's uncle, but "crap you don't need," like chairs!). We got travel toiletries, granola bars, trail mix, ziploc bags, ponchos, detergent (since we can't afford 7 pairs of $60 bike shorts), quick-drying camp towels, and a tote for all of our junk. We have a lot more to buy yet, but at least we got a good start. Joel's uncle, who is hilarious, thinks we don't need any of this stuff, since he didn't use any of it when he last did RAGBRAI in 1993. But we're bringing it anyway! And we will sit on chairs with attached footstools, and NOT the ground!

Big news (for me).....
Joel and I have decided to do a duathlon ! I discovered this duathlon on Facebook. They put those ads on your page, based on your interests, and this duathlon popped up on mine. Facebook must think I'm an athlete too. Weird. So I looked into it, and since we know people in that area, it seems like the perfect place to start. Also, this is a mini duathlon, because we all know I could never do the full distance, which is 5K run, 18 mile bike, and 5K run. No way. I will start with the Duathlon Fun Course, which is an entry-level distance of 1.5 mile run, 11 mile bike, 1.5 run.
I told Joel about it, and he said he would like to do it too. He hates to run, so this will be interesting! God help us!

We have a busy, long weekend ahead of us, full of visiting friends, biking, Ingrid Michaelson, and eating! I will post pictures of the parties and other summer adventures next week.
Have a great week everyone out there!

Defeated

Joel and I went on a doozie of a ride tonight! It started off pretty nice and flat, and then all of a sudden I was in hell! There were a few bad hills, and then we reached The Defeater. Yup, she defeated me. I climbed and climbed, in my lowest gear with high RPMs, since that's the advice of trainers. This particular hill was over a mile long, on a country road, with curves preventing you from seeing the hell ahead, and very bumpy. I had to stop just to catch my breath. Sweat was running (not dripping, running) into my eyes. My sunglasses instantly fogged up when I stopped. So I eventually caught my breath. At this point, I can't even see Joel anymore. He defeated my Defeater. (My Hero!)
I start back up again, mid-hill.

**I should mention here, I also just started using cages on my pedals tonight. This is my first step before moving to the terrifying clip pedals. They are tricky getting my feet into while moving.

After beginning again, I couldn't get my left foot back in my cage. I was going so slow, I knew I would just topple over. So there I am, barely moving, with one foot in the cage. I am defeated. Joel appears at the top and I yell "I can't do it!" He thinks I'm just complaining, I think. So I shout again. He's laughing, I think. So I scream, "I CAN'T DO IT!!!"
Back down we go. I intend on defeating The Defeater soon. I'll get her. Joel says it's really pretty at the top. We'll see. He could tell me the top of the hill houses the world's cheapest shoe store and they are giving out free ice cream and pizza. And for now, I have to take his word for it. It's probably just more hills though.

I Think My Feet Are Swollen.....Or Maybe They're Just Fat

Yup. I said that. Out loud.
Joel and I were driving home after dinner and I was hanging my bare feet out the truck window. I have a tendency to say the things I am thinking aloud, usually without thinking. (I like to think that this is what Joel and my friends love about me! I provide hours of amusement with the stupid things I say.) Anyway, out it came! Joel thought it was hilarious. Which made me think maybe it wasn't!
Hmmm....I guess I should keep exercising! Fat feet, swollen feet...either way, that can't be good!

In other news......
I am doing great on my RAGBRAI training this week! My goals are to bike at least 10 miles every morning and do the crappy, soul-crushing, hilly rides with Joel on the weekends. RAGBRAI is only 32 days away! I really like my Daily Mile Training Widget, so I can keep track of my mileage. Although, it is also slightly depressing when I look at other "active people" who log 5-10 miles of running a day. I tend to be right on that fine line between depressed and motivated when I see other people rocking their workouts.

I have not been biking much until this week because I was busy planning Joel's surprise 30th birthday last weekend! It was a huge success. He had no idea, since it was a month before his actual birthday! I decorated in a golf theme, and we all dressed up ala Caddyshack (plaid and argyle galore). After the party at the park, we actually went golfing in our amazing outfits!

***Side note about golfing: You would think someone like me (lazy) would love a sport that requires very little movement. Not so. I get bored by about Hole 4. Surprisingly, I need something with more activity to keep me engaged! I know. Weird. But, I did manage to bruise my ankle by barely touching it with a golf club. Golf....not for me. Joel can keep this hobby all to himself!

Anyway, all the stressful party preparations were totally worth it! You can tell we are all getting old, though because by 11:00, we all just wanted to go home! Old age is coming for all of us! I will post pictures soon. Now, to start planning our annual Fourth of Joel-y Bash!

I plan on keeping up with my biking this week and keeping those fat feet at bay! Wish me luck!

A Beautiful Day for a Run

It's 6:45 am. I'm washing my face, getting ready for the 4 mile Grandview Gallop this morning.

Thunder strikes outside. Crap. Downpour begins.
Joel and I load up Annie, and go, hoping the rain lets up soon. (Annie likes to watch me run in races! Well, she probably has no idea what's going on. She just loves all the people!)

7:30 am
Joel drops me off in the rain. I warm up a little, run around the park a bit, go to the restroom. I come out of the equally soggy port-a-potty, and see everyone walking back into the park. We have to take cover under a pavillion until the storm subsides.
A lot of people leave at this point, and I'm thinking they might have the right idea.

8:50
After about an hour of lightning, rain, and thunder, they decide to start the race (50 minutes late). So out we go into the still-pretty-heavy rain.

Joel snapped these pictures of us....I couldn't keep my eyes open in the rain! That bothered me more than the wet clothes.

Me, Eric, and his brother, Aaron....already soaked and we haven't even begun yet!

Poor Annie...
She loves the people, but HATES rain! If she had her way, she would be hiding under the bed at home right now!
What a good girl though! Out in the storm, supporting her mommy!

Just took off....I'm next to the guy in red (Eric), waving at Joel. What a gorgeous day, huh?!

In the park, after the race. Man, I look gross after a big run!

Eric and I, almost to the finish line


Here is my quick play-by-play of the race:

Mile 1: Feeling good, the rain actually feels kind of good, especially on my gross sunburnt skin!
Mile 2: Yuck. Seems to take forever to get through this mile. I feel like I am carrying an extra 10 water-logged pounds. Squishy shoes. Annoyed by girls in way better shape than me, who keep walking/sprinting. In my head: "If I can (slowly) run this whole thing, so can you, in your matching sports bra and running skirt!" What can I say, I was bitter and soggy!
Miles 3-4: Feeling much better. Kind of down hill (for a pretty flat course). I pick up the pace here. Caught poor Eric and his bad knees. Finished strong. Seeing Joel and Annie rooting for me helps!

Goals I had set for myself prior to the race:
Run the whole thing.
Try to finish in around 45-50 minutes.
Check and Check.
(48:59 final time)

Despite the pouring rain and lack of preparation (ran twice in the last 2 weeks), it was actually kind of a cool race!

Pain

Sunday Bike Ride: 26.2 miles (a marathon on bicycle)

I conquered many hills that I have never been able to in the past! But....at a price.

The beast itself....I dominated that hill!

Of course, Joel did it with no problems!

After a day of climbing hills, my knees were feeling it. Thank you, frozen veggies. I knew you were good for something.

And the other pain I am feeling....horrible sunburn.
Very stupid mistake, I know. The Sunblock Nazi is now in extreme pain from this terrible sunburn.

And the best part....riding gloves...am I still wearing them, or is that my burn line??

Lessons Learned:
Never go for ANY ride without sunblock, even if I don't think we'll be gone long! It will hurt.
Don't try to tackle every hill in town on my first big ride! It will hurt.

Logging Some Miles (or Trying)

I wanted to add the Daily Mile training widget to my blog to make myself accountable for my biking and running miles. So I started a profile on the website.
They ask you to pick what you consider yourself:
1) Runner
2) Cyclist
3) Athlete
4) Triathlete
5) Walker

Ok, so I want to log my biking AND my running, so I couldn't choose just runner or cyclist. Walker is out. Triathlete is obviously out. So that leaves.....Athlete. HA!!! I seriously laughed. But there I am, on Daily Mile. An athlete. Weird.

I thought I should probably have some mileage to log, so I went for a run. Also, I have a race this weekend, that I have NOT prepared for! I set off, intending to run 3 miles, but only ended up running about 2. The side stitches were unbearable today. I had to stop to walk several times, despite the mini-Amanda on my shoulder telling me to just run/breathe through the side pain. I ended up running 31 minutes. I stopped the watch every time I walked, so I could tell how long I really ran.

The worst part was that during one of my pathetic walking stints, this really old guy runs by me. He had to be around 75, wearing cargo shorts, really high socks, no shirt, and very gray hair. And he ran past me! I let him get a little ahead of me, until my current side stitch subsided, and then I tried to catch him. Old Guy just kept truckin.' I tried to speed up, but he just kept going and going. I was determined to beat Old Guy. I mean, come on, I am 28, wearing decent running wear, and have zero gray hairs. Old Guy won. You have to hand it to him, though. Pretty impressive for an old guy running in cargo shorts! Bravo, Old Guy. Bravo.
Despite my difficult run today, I have to run a few more times this week. I am running 4 miles at the Grandview Gallop this Saturday. Yuck.

My motivation:
Pictures of Amanda and me during and after my first 8K

(Amanda didn't get the memo that it was St. Patrick's Day, not Halloween!)

Just started...feeling pretty good! I have no idea that by mile 2, I am going to want to pass out!

Almost to the finish line.....almost in tears, cannot believe I ran the whole thing!

We did it!

If I was able to run that beast of an 8K, I can run 4 miles this weekend....right?!?