footbeats: November 2011

11/6/11

Versatile Blogger Award

So I got this award the other day and am finally getting around to playing along. The rules are:

1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 blogs you enjoy reading.

I'd like to thank XLMIC at Taking It On for being nice enough to chose me AND for following my sad little blog. She is awesome and kinda famous so it really made my day to have her follow me :D

About me:

1. When I'm not running, researching about running, reading blogs and books about running or searching for a new race, I have another hobby to occupy my time. I am learning how to make jewelry. It's been a long time dream of mine and after stalking a high-school friend in her jewelry making, I decided to give it a go. I'm not very good at it since I don't have a lot of free time or money to dedicate to it, but each time I make a piece I get better (or at least learn something).

I made this!

2. As I get older I have become a big cry baby. I used to watch Last of the Mohicans every friday afternoon after cleaning house (for the better part of a year) and cried every time. I cry at cartoons. I recently started reading The Long Run (at work on my kindle app for iphone) and had to stop because I kept tearing up.

3. I have two birthdays! My brother and I are both adopted. Our parents got him three days after he was born, and got me two months after I was born. There was never any clear reason for the delay other than I was a church adoption and his was private. Anyway, every year on the day I was adopted I got a present, sometimes a cake! It had downgraded to a phone call now that I am an adult, but it was pretty cool while it lasted!

4. Even though I am a pretty slow runner, I have a habit of driving really fast. I once got tickets on back to back days at the same location by the same cop. Now I have a fast car to go with my lead foot. So far only one ticket, but I have been pulled over several times and it seems like the reason is they wanted a better look at the car.

She does 11s in the quarter mile.

5. I hate the TV. Not completely just for day to day entertainment. I actually canceled the cable after it was unplugged for 6 months and no one complained. It's hooked up again thanks to my new in-law squatter and I remember why I hated it in the first place.

6. On the other hand, I love computers. I can spend the better part of a 10 hour work day on a computer and come home to go straight to my computer. Throw in my iphone and laptop and I am pretty much always online unless I am sleeping.

7. I totally suck at cooking, I'm not being harsh on myself, everyone agrees. I once made a box of brownies and couldn't figure out why the batter was so thick. I forgot the water. I can boil a noodle or rice like no other tho!

As it turns out I have 16 followers for my blog, so I tag all of you with the award! If you'd like to play along please do so, I'd love to know more about you!

My First Du is Done

And it's only taken me a week to write about it, that's how fast I am!

As a part of Fleet Feet Baton Rouge Halloween runs

They had a 2 mile, 5k, Little VooDu, Big VooDu and Dirty VooDu. I chose the Little VooDu which was a 2mile run / 10 mile bike / 2 mile run. I wanted to do the Big one but since this was my first I decided to play it smart. Good thinking on my part.

We had a rough night the night before and didn't get enough sleep. I drug #4 along even though he didn't get to bed until 3 am. I'm that thoughtful.

The event was at a Super Walmart and the route was kind of plain and simple. But in the defense of the race crew, they lost their permit to have it somewhere wonderful due to the city actually do work and start early. It definitely took away fear of getting lost on the route.

I had planned to wear a costume.

Pipi Longstocking

However my sewing machine decided not to cooperate. Probably due to be stored in a plastic box for about 15 years :(. I was determined not to let that get me down. Turned out only about 3 people had on costumes. I guess everyone around here is just too serious about racing (*rolling eyes).

We got there in plenty of time. I put my bike and gear with a couple of ladies from my half class that were also racing. Only to find out it need to go somewhere else. #4 tried to help place things in a way that would be most efficient but this was new to him as well.

All the races started together. We had chips strapped to our ankles so it didn't matter where we were in the line up, timing didn't start until we crossed the mat. This was probably a good thing since I tend to linger in the back.

My plan was to run the first run slow (10:50ish), ride about medium effort (15mph) and book it on the last run (10:30ish - don't hurt yourself laughing). First run felt good and slow. I was afraid I started out too fast. I don't like to be in a group so I usually have to run faster than I want to get to a spot that is all for me. My right shoe came untied on the way in, I didn't bother to stop and tie it since I would be taking it off anyway.

I got on all my bike gear and hoofed out the back like I was told to do. I have a love/hate relationship with my bike shoes. They are great on the bike but walking in them is such a pain. I hit what I thought was head wind on the way out and I pedaled hard thinking I would coast on the way in. Turns out the head wind was on the way back. I managed 16.5-16.7 out, but only 13s on the way in. Until the last mile when I the wind was finally at my back and I was cruising at 18 (I never ride that fast!).

For the second run, my legs were like jelly. I knew this would happen but I was still surprised. I felt like I was walking I was running so slow. I guess it worked out since when I came to point where it was time to kick I was able to do it.

I was thinking it would take close to 2 hours to finish. I was not disappointed when they posted my time.