Cool new hobby...

Hey, so I found this cool new hobby today - mountainbiking!!!  You are probably saying, "what Jen?  You've lost your mind.  You already go mountainbiking." You would be correct, but I felt very new to it today!  I don't know what my deal is lately - every time I go out I feel like I have no cardio.  Maybe it's the pollen, maybe it's the weather, maybe I'm just getting fat and lazy?  No strike that, I'm neither fat nor lazy.  I guess I'm just too busy and cardio is suffering from the desk chair/schoolwork disease that I've been battling for what seems like too long. Entering Week 5 of Module 5 and it seems like Module 8 will never get here!  I know it will, but I'm frustrated because I want to be better at riding and better at running; but never seem to have enough time in the day.  I have to get over being frustrated!  I also have to get past the fear of having a migraine headache every time I ride.  I rode casually and cautiously today - not that I could have gone much harder in some places, but there were plenty of opportunities where I needed to be hammering.  I didn't though.

Two Sundays ago, I rode my road bike on a 30 mile ride, felt the headache coming on at the end.  By 830p that night I was violently ill.  I threw up at least 4 times in two hours.  MISERABLE!!!  This is what I fear now.  I really don't want to have to suffer after each bike ride.  I went to the MD back in October and that was a joke - he had every excuse in the book to explain it - everything from SportLegs, dehydration, TMJ, sinus, etc.  The stupid thing is all he could recommend was drink more, don't take SportLegs and relax.  Never offered a med to treat the headaches when they occur - I guess I'll try Excedrin Migraine next time.  I didn't take SportLegs two weeks ago and haven't for sometime.  I have a bottle of them sitting here for nothing.  I guess I could try them again or give them away.  Who knows.  Meanwhile, I want to get back to riding as I have bike races coming up over the summer.  I'm focused on trying to train for a 10k trail race on May 7th and when that's over, it's time to ramp up the riding.

Today though was cruiser day at the Cove.  I did get filthy and I did wind up keeping a 7mph pace which isn't too terrible.  It was fun and that's really all I was after today.  I look forward to getting back out there again soon.  =)

HAPPY EASTER!!!

It's all about me!

I found this over at Blue Country Magic and thought I'd play along. I'm bored after running/walking 4.27 miles on Mill Mountain.  I don't want to do schoolwork again...  So I'll do this alphabet meme.

A. Age: 37

B. Bed: Queen

C. Chore you dislike: ironing

D. Dogs: Sergei, my Jack Russell Terrier

E. Essential start of your day: Sweet tea and toast

F. Favorite color: orange

G. Gold or silver: either

H. Height: 5'10"

I. Instruments you play: the radio and the iPod

J. Job title: CT Technologist

K. Kids: None

L. Live: In Da'Noke

M. Mom's name: MOHMY!  Jill.

N. Nicknames: Jen

O. Overnight hospital stays: Unless you count the nights I've spent working or on call, none.

P. Pet peeves: Laziness

Q. Quote from a movie: Nobody puts Baby in the corner.  ??? 

R. Righty or lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: One brother

T. Time you wake up: Depends on the day of the week and work schedule anywhere from 430-930

U. Underwear: Yes unless in bike shorts...

V. Vegetables you don't like: tomatoes, brocolli, green beans, peas...there's prob more

W. What makes you run late: Oversleep.

X. X-rays you've had: All sorts - I dish them out too!

Y. Yummy food you make: mashed potatoes...  and fried chicken

Z. Zoo animal favorites: haven't been to zoo in a long time unless you count work...

Blue Ridge Marathon

Picture courtesy of Hank Ebert.  =)

I got up very early.  It rained.  The wind blew.  It rained.  I rode in a Mini Cooper with Warren.  It rained.  We drove up Mill Mtn and we drove down Mill Mtn.  It rained.  We drove up Roanoke Mtn and we drove down Roanoke Mtn.  It rained.  I got out of the Mini Cooper.  It rained.  I rode 7 miles of the 1/2 marathon course.  It rained.  I turned around near the finish line to ride back to the last marathoner.  It rained.  Hell broke loose.  It rained harder, thundered and lightning.  The race ended.  It rained.  Skippy picked me up.  It rained.  We drove around checking on vounteers and runners.  It rained.  We went back to the Start/Finish.  It stopped raining and the sun came out.  Repacked cases of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Water.  Had a great time.  Will definitely do it again - April 21, 2012. 

Did I mention it rained?

Blue Ridge Marathon.... the night before

Tomorrow is the 2nd Blue Ridge Marathon and just as usual, it's going to pour down rain!  What in the world is it about events that I want to go to?  I helped last year at the Inaugural race and had a blast.  Opportunity knocked and I volunteered to ride "sweep" for the 1/2 Marathon which means I ride my bike behind the last 1/2 marathon participant.  I might just need a mop or squeegee for this duty tomorrow.

I went to Gander Mtn this afternoon in search of waterproof gloves and came up empty handed for those, however I did find a rain suit that is "100% waterproof, 100% windproof, super breathable, ultra lightweight."  It's called froggtoggs Pro Action rainsuit.  I plan to put this on over my biking gear.  I'll have to add some velcro straps around the legs to keep the pants legs out of my chain ring, but I hope to stay fairly dry and warm.  I'll be sure to report back!  I have all sorts of extra goodies crammed away in my camelback.  JOY!

The wind has picked up and ended what was a fairly nice Friday - we'll see when the rain begins to fall.  The prediction for Roanoke includes a flash flood watch and this:

Overnight: Showers, mainly after 2am. Low around 53. East wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 5pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 66. South wind between 13 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind between 14 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

Oh well, I'm going to have as much fun as possible because I want to go to the Starlight Criterium Races that begin at 5pm...  Busy day for sure!!!

Hilarious!!!! Love Angry Birds!

April Fool???

So yesterday I felt like an April Fool.  I know that I haven't been riding all that much, and running has been semi-successful.  Yesterday proved that my cardio is way off base.  I drove to Lynchburg after being invited to ride with a group from Blackwater Bike Shop.  The destination was Candlers Mountain which has never been an easy place to ride.  It has always been full of various adventures for me: playing EMT, getting lost and crashing for example.  It does however pose a challenge.  The trails are not as smooth as what I'm used to.  It is full of roots, rocks and bridges (yikes).  I sincerely believe the entire place is uphill, but that's not possible huh?

I'm making it sound like I was miserable, this is far from the truth.  I had an absolute blast, albeit painful at times.  I enjoyed the company of Kelly H, Tim D, Jacob, Cliff and Mary.  Cliff unfortunately injured his knee during the ride and had to walk out; Mary being an outstanding friend made sure he got out ok.  By reports, he is better today!  (PHEW!!!  I'd feel bad if the Jen Jinx bit him).  I can't remember the trail names, but we started off on a fun, downhill/flat trail where I felt like I did ok.  I had to walk up an incline after it freaked me out seeing Kelly walking it.  We arrived at a trail that I remembered as it is one switchback after another with uphill trail in between them (I've hated it everytime.)  I did manage to ride a few of them before having a slight heart attack (kidding!)  Let's see, I remember getting to a creek crossing that I should have tried, but I chickened out.  I know that I rode most of the constructed bridges.  The one in the 90degree turn - NOT.  I rode across the timbers that cross over some creekbeds - worried each time that my front wheel was going to get stuck in the gap between them.  We rode up a trail called Psychopathe - been here before but maybe a different part of it.  I rode a good ways up before losing my oomph and balance.  Walked a short ways then finished it!  I was happy with that.  I did manage to ride fairly well although slow.  I hated feeling like I was holding people up.  Of course the others were nice and didn't seem to be upset.  I was so happy that I went.  I'd like to go back again if schoolwork will allow.  I think it's going to take me many more trips to feel like I can ride Candlers Mountain without being totally whipped.

View from 4-mile loop overlooking Roanoke.  Mill Mountain is the right.

Today (Sunday) is absolutely beautiful.  I got this pitiful look from Sergei when I was leaving yesterday, so I made sure to plan to spend time with him.  We went exploring on some trails near the parkway - I think the one we were on for the most part is part of the Roanoke Horse Trail.  It is wide, gravel and fairly decent.  I like taking Sergei to non-busy trails because it allows him to explore.  I'm always worried he will be hateful to another dog because he is NOT very sociable when I have him on a leash.  I guess he's protecting me, but it does make for awkward interactions.  After we walked about 2 miles there, we drove up Roanoke Mountain to see the view which was outstanding today.  You could see for miles!!!  I took a few pictures.  We then walked the summit trail there which is about 3/10 mile.  More pictures.  It was just an awesome day and I'm glad I spent it with my little buddy!  He seemed very happy!

View from the top of Roanoke Moutain

Not sure why this rock is so sad to be in such a pretty place!

Sergei getting it done on the steps!

Great day with my "son."