Harvest Half Marathon

This weekend was a new race, the Brentwood YMCA Harvest Half Marathon, and I HAD to do it. This is one of my four home Ys, and I run and ride on the trails (paths) behind it all.the.time. How could I not race on those trails?!?

Start of the race
(source)

It was a perfect day for running. Great sunrise, not too cold, not too hot, not too many leaves but just the right amount of color, and good competition. We started in self-seeded "waves": The starter said, about 5 minutes to 8, "OK, if you think you're going to win, line up in the front now and we'll start you in 3 minutes." He also clarified that these should be those runners expecting to run ~7min/mile. I didn't line up with this group--not that I didn't want to win, but that I definitely don't run at 7 minutes per mile. I did, however, notice that only one lady went out with that group of 8 or so.

About 1 minute later, my little group started (we were labeled as ~8min/mile runners, and that's what I was going for). My plan had been to run easy for 2 miles and then run a tempo pace (consistently running slightly faster every mile) for the remainder of the race. However, that changed at 0.1 miles into the race when I realized I was in the group that contained the second place female. Since that was the case, I wanted to race right from the start to see how I could do!

Route map and elevatino

My first mile was 7:18. Not the easy (9-min) pace I was hoping for, but I was staying with the 2 ladies I was with. Eventually (shortly hah) I slowed my pace but still pushed myself to run faster than what I thought I could. I had two 9-minute miles (miles 6 and 7) when we went up and down and back on a hill on Raintree Parkway, but the rest of the miles were pretty much right around 8:20/8:25.

Finished!

I finished feeling good but like I had pushed myself. My overall time was 1:50:15, a pace of 8:25/mile. Not quite the 8 I was hoping for, but I'll definitely take it because I pushed myself and ran hard. This was enough for first in my age group and 9th overall female.

Morning sunrise, race bib, post-race snack

Results: 1/14 in AG (30-34), 9/118 females, 38/226 overall.
Total time: 1:50:15, pace 8:25/mile

Shelly, Cath, and Val

Team ride on Sunday was perfect. Not too fast, not too slow, lots of chit chat. The best kind of ride!

Monday morning sunrise. AMAZING beauty from an amazing CREATOR

Taste test: Brachs vs. Kroger

In this photo, it's obvious to me which is which. One looks like plastic, about as hard as the bag! I threw one bag away after completing the taste test (I only ate half of the plastic-looking ones in my test). Can you tell which is the Kroger brand and which is the Brachs brand? What's your guess on which one I threw away? :-)

Being Busy Is Fun...

...but it's hard to find a time to blog daily when I'm always doing things. Won't complain! Here's a recap of the last week or so.

Deals at Publix

Publix receipt

Deals and Kohl's...and good reading material!

I wanted to get something for my niece, and I had bonus $$ to spend, so I found some much-needed shoes and a super cute vest. Then I read my favorite magazine :-)

Kohl's receipt

Wednesday's hard run. This hurt!

After this run, I met Anna and Kiki for dinner. Love those girls!

Thursday's ride with Val and Jeremy

We went exploring. They showed me a way to Percy Warner Park I hadn't known about. Might have to try this route on my own sometime soon! Also we climbed up Otter Creek to Radnor from Franklin Road. J was taking it easy on us and I still recorded my best time yet. Thank you, Strava, for the motivation (and all the screen caps).

Friday's ride with Parri and Anna

I definitely needed time with these awesome ladies. This ride was super fun.

Saturday's long run

This run didn't hurt nearly as much as Wednesday's. Amazing how much more comfortable 34 seconds per mile can be, even when the distance is nearly doubled.

Saturday's recovery ice bath. I got only a few confused
stares....and saw a few EMTs who were concerned that it
might be too cold...I said that's why I'm here!

I had plans for the evening and wanted to recover well. Pace, who I'd been babysitting for the last couple weeks, and his dad were baptized, and I got to enjoy the celebration of them both proclaiming Jesus as Lord of their lives. Amazing way to spend a night at church. We had dinner after, and I got to chat with a friend who was on the playground with his daughter. Great day.

Sunday's ride with Val and Cali

This is becoming one of my favorite routes. Not easy (includes climbs on Old Hillbsoro, Parker Branch, and Big East Fork), but with such good company, the time goes fast and I might have even had a couple good sprints in my legs, even after Saturday's run. Woot! Cali got all the QOMs, though, not so exciting :-(

Sunday dinner with the fam!

We made pizza with the cheese I got on super sale, then I played softball. Then I crashed for the night, ready to do it all again this week!

Percy Warner and Softball Season

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. It made me so thankful for God the Creator and for my healthy legs :-)

I spent the morning at church (the parable of the wicked vinedressers from Luke 20), Kroger (needed the newspaper and free donuts!), the Y (had to write a blog and use their Wi-Fi), and Percy Warner (hello, hiking).

PW was great. There were so many more people than normal (I usually go around 1pm on Fridays when everyone else is at work), and most were happy. The only thing I hated were the number of dogs off-leash. I had just read an article from Runner's World about the Garritson family being attacked by dogs while out running on a trail (an article is here; I couldn't find the RW article online), and at least one dog who was well ahead of its owner freaked me out a little. I wasn't too nice to the girls whose dog it was, but when I encountered them again I stopped and talked to them to apologize and explain why I'd asked (told) them to put their dog on a leash.

My run/walk/jog ended up being 10.5 miles and just over 2 hours. I walked the first mile on the Candy Cane Connector Trail from Edwin Warner to Percy Warner and then turned to the left on the Red Trail. I stashed water at that turn and carried some gu with me. I mostly ran that loop, which is 4.25 miles. When I returned to my water, I still felt good so I turned around and went back the way I'd come to repeat the loop a second time, in the opposite direction. This loop I mostly walked, just to enjoy being out there. Back to the water, back to the CCC Trail, and back to my car 2:10 later.

Then it was off to McDonald's for some lunch (not the best choice, and I was going to stop at Kroger for a salad but didn't have time to go inside, get my salad, and eat it) and Granny White Park for our first softball games of the season. Sadly, we lost both games and I did not hit well (1 for 4 with a ground out and two fly balls), but there's always next week!

Hell of the South Race Report, Early Easter

Coming into the gravel section...in control!
Source (James Weeks)

Today's race was the Hell of the South, the first TBRA race of the year, in Lewisberg, TN. It is so called because the roads are rough. Very rough. In fact, as I write this I am looking at a bruise on my forearm that I got from my handlebars; while I was holding onto the drops, my forearm was hitting the top part of the bars. Oh, well, that will heal. But it is a reminder that the roads were rough and I was working hard. Parri and I ended up with the lead group of 9, she finished in 4th and I was 7th. Twenty-six women finished; 5 Cat 1/2s, 10 Cat 3s, and 11 Cat 4s. I was 7th overall and 4th Cat 3.

Chillin' – This was the second time
through the gravel section, and I
knew the camera was there

The course was lollipop-shaped, with a very short stem and a pop that we did twice: each loop for us 9 (then 8) in the lead was almost the same. I obviously didn't split at the same place every time, but I came pretty close considering I was more focused on racing then keeping track of mileage. I really didn't look at my watch at all during the race.

HoS 2012 course

Stem 1: 9:03, 2.44 miles
Loop 1: 1:04:45, 21.75 miles, 20.2 mph
Loop 2: 1:05:02, 21.92 miles, 20.2 mph
Stem 2: 6:09, 2.18 miles

Coming into the finish, we had about 2 miles to set up. I was set to lead out Parri, and when we saw the 1KM TO GO sign, Shannon (next to me, and she and I were at the front of the group) started picking up the pace. I couldn't just let her go, so I had to start my leadout too. It was sooner than I'd wanted to start, and I didn't leave Parri in the best position. She still put up a good fight and ended up 4th. Somehow I didn't even make it into this picture (but I could see them finishing), and I finished 7th.

Parri (in yellow), with Liz, Amy, and AJ (from L to R)

Considering that last year I wasn't even close to Parri (who TT-ed nearly the whole race) and the first chase group, I am pleased with how this year's race went.

Finished...a little bit off the winner, but not too much

2012 race: 2:28:06, 48.78 miles, 19.8 mph (36.3 max), 138 bpm (189 max); 7/26 overall, 4/10 Cat 3
2011 race: 2:45:15, 50.03 miles, 18.2 mph (34.8 max), 173 bpm (196 max); 9/17 overall, 5/9 Cat 1/2/3

First time through the gravel section;
determined to get through in one piece

Catherine

Catherine ended up by herself in no-man's land, and Val and a couple people she was with ended up missing a turn (they were not the only ones who missed that same turn). It was so nice to have a lead vehicle--we didn't have to pay attention to where we were going. Since it is the racer's responsibility to know the course and I hadn't ridden this route, though, I did have a cue sheet in my pocket just in case I needed it. Thankfully I didn't!

Sunday was a beautiful day all day, and my cousin was home for the weekend from college. I went over to my aunt and uncle's house, where we hunted for (and found) our Easter baskets and all enjoyed some tasty brunch on the back porch. If I hadn't had to ride with my team, I might have just stayed out there all day.

Lotion, bunny-shaped Mac'n'Cheese, Clif bars, applesauce,
and post-its from my Easter basket; I also got dark-chocolate
eggs, but those were gone by the time I took this picture

Anna, Parri, Todd, Lee, Catherine, and I went out for a ride, but Todd and Anna ended up cutting their rides short. Parri, Lee, Catherine, and I rode the following route and enjoyed the sunshine. It took us about 2:05/2:10; I don't have the stats because I accidentally pressed the STOP button on my Garmin. 

I had very little time between my team ride and my softball game that evening. I am not really on the team because I won't be here for much of the season, but I was here today and they needed a girl. I was more than happy to play! It was with the same team I played with last year, but half of us hadn't picked up a bat or a ball since last October. I would've had an error in the field, but thankfully my right-center fielder was backing me up and caught the ball I tipped off my glove. After that, no issues for me in the field. And then I hit 2 in-the-park home runs. An over-the-fence HR would be nearly impossible, since the fences are at 281 on the sides and 285' in the center; there is only a line that fielders are required to stand behind when women are up to bat. But I will take HRs any way I can get them, and as much as I enjoy playing in a women's league, co-ed leagues are almost more fun because at least half the batters can hit (and it's not always the guys who can hit).

Team Belladium Post-Season Party

Lisa C, Lisa S, Jonell, Val, Shelly, Catherine, Parri (front row)

Me, Cali, Todd, Lee, Kat, Anna (back row)

My workouts this week went OK, but I was exhausted all week. So I wasn’t expecting much from today’s run. Surprisingly, it went better than I thought it would. I realized that it’s good for me to run with my HR monitor/GPS so that when I feel like I’m running super slow, I can just look down and see that I’m not running as slow as I think I am. Then I just tell myself that if I’m running at that speed when I feel terrible, I must be running really fast when I feel good! I did about 5 miles in about 40 minutes, just down and back (south) on Franklin Road.

Friday was a fantastic day. Amy and I got a lot done at work, and then I met Anna at Percy Warner for a hike on a beautiful day. The fall colors made the hike even more beautiful than normal, and the company made it amazing! Saturday, I got up early when it was still cold and met Kat for a nice 2-hour ride. I hadn’t ridden outside in a while and hadn’t seen Kat in longer, so it was wonderful. Saturday night after church, I met all my Team Belladium teammates (and their SOs) and Todd went out to Parri’s house for our post-season party and tables of Parri’s amazing cooking and baking. I got a sweet little gift from Todd (with help from Anna and Val), and here’s what the other ladies got:

• Anna: a memory-foam seat cover for whichever one of the saddles she decides works for her
• Cali:Bike Mechanics 101 book (or something similarly titled)
• Catherine: a Team Belladium redshirt
• Jonell: pom pons for her cheering role next year
• Kat: a Climbs Like a Mountain Goat shirt
• Lee: Pledge wipes for her new bike
• Lisa C: a homemade voodoo doll
• Lisa S: goggles and shoelaces for her tris
• Parri: a cougar
• Shelly: Icy-Hot to help her warm up for the week-night races she had trouble making it for
• Val: jump rope

Todd gave me a tiara (half of which really should go to Valerie!) 

We got Todd a few gift certificates (for a massage, for a car detailing, and for Mellow Mushroom) and a trophy for his pizza-eating contest win back at one of our races (can’t remember which one right now).

Sunday, I got up to run, went to Farkas’ for some football, and played softball. My first 2 at-bats, I hit right to Kristin and Tarah, but the rest of them were much better and I actually got on base the rest of the time.

Stats from the ride: 31.27 miles, 2:01:00, 15.5 mph (36.0 max), 160 HR (188 max), 1942’ ascent, 2043’ descent
Stats from the run: 4.93 miles, 41:24, 8:24 pace (5:51 best), 174 HR (190 max), 529’ ascent, 511’ descent

Long Run

My Sunday morning activity

I cannot believe that it is October already. Even without any races, September flew by with as much speed as the previous months. October started well, with a long run. I’ve been running around 3 or 4 miles at a time 2 to 4 times per week. After a great couple workouts and being at the half marathon for inspiration, I decided to run long on Saturday morning—11 miles, or basically triple what I’d been running. I did this on a treadmill at the MFY so that I could keep a fairly steady pace. It wasn’t fast by my normal half marathon time, but the second half was slightly faster than the first, so I did keep increasing the pace. If I could have kept up that pace, though, I would’ve PR-ed a marathon. I can’t remember much else of what I did, but I do know I rested a bit afterward!

Sunday morning, I met Anna S for a loosen-up/shake-out swim; she’d done body pump after a long hiatus, and I was feeling the long run. It felt great, and I always love seeing her. We also played (and won) a couple softball games today. I don’t know why, but it still takes me a couple at-bats to adjust to the slow-pitch pitches. Today was no different, but I did have a couple decent hits throughout the afternoon.

Friday was a quick swim that felt great and 6-6-6 EDI, of which I did only one set.

Busy Day

This morning, I got to sleep in before riding with Val, Anna M, Kat, and Jay. We made up the route as we were riding, made two stops, and generally just enjoyed the sunshine. It was great to be outside, and I really like my new bike! After a short chat with Anna, I headed to the Farkases’ to watch the Titans win and complete a few projects (for me on my computer and for ARenee with some craft stuff). Then it was off to softball. We played two games tonight and won them both, even though we were shorthanded. It’s a co-ed league, and sadly I think I got four balls hit out to me in center field, Sam and Ryan got one each in right field, and Jimmie got two in left field all afternoon—which means they either didn’t hit the ball out of the infield or didn’t hit the ball at all (the latter was mostly the case). We won by over 20 runs in both games, and we got so bored in the outfield that we started playing on the line for both girls and guys just so that we’d have to chase down the ball if it got hit any farther than 200ft (it didn’t). We did make the pitcher mad, though, because he wanted to pitch a shutout and didn’t want us to have fun.

Stats from the ride:

• 31.89 miles, 2:01:35, 15.7 mph (44.5 max), 115 HR (170 max), 2592’ ascent, 2281’ descent
• Climb up Lynnwood West to East: 1.17 miles, 7:14 (a new record), 9.7 mph

September 24, 2011. Lynnwood climb: 7:14, 1.17 miles, 9.7 mph, 104 HR (can't be right)
July 25, 2011. Lynnwood climb: 7:40, 1.17 miles, 9.1 mph, 173 HR
April 6, 2011. Lynnwood climb: 7:51, 1.16 mi, 8.9 avg, 173 HR
March 3, 2011. Lynnwood climb: 8:23

220 Pounds of Chicken

This weekend was unlike any other weekend, and it was a good one. Friday, I worked my normal half day and then went to MFY for a workout: 10×10sec, 2 times, lunge with RL, GHR with reps to top, pull up (1 time), altitude drop curl with 18lb, and crate crunch. It definitely went better than Wednesday’s workout. Thankfully.

Later I headed to my teammate Kat’s sister-in-law’s house to help her mother-in-law (Celia and Patty) cut chicken. We had at least 220 pounds to cut—4 huge boxes with lots of 6 double-breast packages in each one. Thankfully, the chicken was still frozen, so that made it easy to cut. However, after more than an hour, we had made it through only 1 box and decided we were probably going to be there all night! It was almost overwhelming. Kat and Jay showed up eventually, though, and with their help we finished in less than 4 hours. But what the chicken was for was the most exciting part of the weekend.

Saturday morning, I got up early to stop at a produce stand in Nashville and then head out to Ashland City, TN, for the NashVegas Triathlon that Kat was organizing. I wasn’t racing; rather, I was feeding her almost 550 pre-registered (and possibly more with race-day registration) athletes who were competing in the sprint distance, Olympic distance, or half distance triathlon races that were going on that morning. Celia, Patty, and I were in charge, and we had a lot to do before the athletes finished and were hungry: steam rice, cut all the veggies (squash, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, and onions), cut the watermelon and peaches, marinade the chicken and veggies, grill the chicken and veggies, and set everything up in an organized way. We had one grill to work with and started grilling early with the hopes of having enough cooked all day. We didn’t quite succeed, but we didn’t have many complainers, either. They could see that the food was being cooked and that we had enough, so they were patient and that made it easier on us. When we finally cleaned up, I felt as tired as if I’d have done a marathon!

Sunday I slept and slept, getting up in just enough time to get to church. I am so glad I didn’t miss this weekend’s service. One of our pastors was previously a pastor in the DC area, and he planned a fantastic 9/11 memorial service and time of worship. It was a great reminder that God is good and powerful. I walked away praying this:

Psalm 91:1–16

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

The sun was out when church ended, so I went for a run, doing the same loop I’d done on Thursday. My goal was to run each mile around 11 seconds faster than last time, but I never looked at my watch while I was running—I was just trying to run faster by feel. I succeeded for the first mile, but not for the last 2.25 miles. Stats:

• 9-08-11 Totals: 3.25 miles, 25:19, 7:47 pace, 166 HR, 369’ ascent, 428’ descent
  9-11-11 Totals: 3.28 miles, 25:37, 7:49 pace, 168 HR, 384’ ascent, 564’ descent
• 9-08-11 Mile 1: 7:59, 137 HR
  9-11-11 Mile 1: 7:48, 166 HR
• 9-08-11 Mile 2: 7:38, 178 HR
  9-11-11 Mile 2: 7:44, 173 HR
• 9-08-11 Mile 3: 7:42, 179 HR
  9-11-11 Mile 3: 7:54, 169 HR
• 9-08-11 Mile 3.25: 1:58, 184 HR
  9-11-11 Mile 3.28: 2:08, 148 HR

The final event of the weekend was a softball double-header. I had to sit out the summer season because of cycling (so definitely sat out by choice!), and for this fall season I am on a new team. It was fun to play with Boo-Yahh tonight and to get to see my old Fellowship team. Sadly, I’ll miss the games we play against each other, but I’m sure I’ll see them all around the field during the weekends that I’m there! The games were great fun, and I fielded well. I played first base in the second game, one of very few, if not the first, times I’ve played there. I really do not like the infield, but the girl who had been there just wasn’t catching the throws to her, and they wanted someone who could catch. I much prefer the outfield and am much better out there, though. My hitting was OK, and I hit at least .333, which would be fantastic if I were in the majors. But this is a slowpitch fun league, and that is well below what I know I can do. I need to work on that for the next games!

Softball

Today's ride was a nice hot ride with Valerie this morning (2:14:21, 37.01 miles, 16.5 mph [32.4 max], 137 HR [180 max]). There were a lot of signs that we sprinted for (short sprints until the last one on Wilson Pike, which we both knew was coming), and the short little wake-ups and shake-outs felt really good. I was feeling yesterday's race, but it was a good feeling. I got to ride on a couple roads (or parts of roads) I'd never been on before, so that was fun. I definitely enjoyed the ride.

Then I got to play softball! I’ve played only one game so far this season, and this will probably be my last until fall ball starts. I don’t mind not being able to play all the games, though, since it means I am racing the other weekends. We ended the game in a tie, and I had 3 at-bats (and did not play in the field since I was basically a sub). All my hits went right where I wanted them to, but none of them went how I wanted them to—if I wanted it high, it went low; if I wanted a line drive, it was a pop-up. Bummer! But I did get to score one run, since we played a one-inning tiebreaker where the person who made the last out got to be on third base. I was that person, and I got hit in. Hooray! That put us in the lead, but we were the visiting team and the other team scored during their half of the inning, so the umpire called the game at a tie.

Home Run!

Yum—the perfect summer meal!

Today we took a little time to recon the State TT course, and I am so glad we did. I do best when I know what a race course looks like before I have to race on it, and today was the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the course. It is going to be fun to race on next weekend! We rode out to the turnaround, chatted a bit there, and turned around to return to the finish. We spent a little time riding at the turnaround and at the finish.

• Totals: 1:35:31, 29.21 miles, 18.3 mph (35.7 max), 138 HR (177 max)
• Out: 34:00, 12.52 miles, 22.1 mph, 155 HR
• In: 39:50, 12.32 miles, 18.6 mph, 142 HR

Can you tell which way the wind was blowing? This gives me a good idea of what to expect next weekend. I am looking forward to being able to see far ahead of me so that I’ll know how far until I catch the next person in front of me!

After a couple hours of relaxing, I headed to Granny White Park for a Fellowship Team softball game. I’m sort of on the team and sort of not, since I really won’t be able to play that often because of racing. But today it worked out so that I could play, and I had a blast. There were a couple new players from last season but a lot of returning players, and we knew how to play together—that always helps make playing with others easier. I had to focus a lot on remembering that this was slow pitch and thus required a slower swim, and that focus paid off. My first at-bat was a single with 2 RBIs; my second at-bat was an in-the-park grand slam (that’s a first for me in this league); my third at-bat was a single that advanced but didn’t score the runner. I wasn’t quite as perfect in the field and need to work on that next time (if there is a next time before the fall season).

I’m not sure what all I was focused on, definitely on swinging right, knowing where to throw the ball, and knowing how many outs there were, and maybe that’s it. I didn’t pay attention to the final score (we might have won by runs, or we might have won by time limit, but we definitely won). I never know what inning it was. And I definitely didn’t notice until one of the last innings that we had 4 umpires. Oh, well, it didn’t really matter during the game, so I didn’t really let it bother me for the rest of the game. It did make me realize, though, why when I did umpire I had no idea what to do or where to stand.

Weekend Rides

I did get outside this weekend to ride and play some softball. It was beautiful and I enjoyed it. Though you can tell by the stats below that I was not on my best game. I am so over being sick!

Friday: 1:59, 33.35 mi, 16.8 avg (36.9 max), 1,965 cal, 159 HR (177 max)
Saturday: 1:23, 22.5 mi, 16.2 avg (30.1 max), 1,296 cal, 146 HR (172 max)
Sunday: 1:20, 19.15 mi, 14.9 avg (27.7 max), 1,298 cal, 147 HR (171 max)

Sunday we rode as a team and did some drills and skills—my favorite! We warmed up for about 45, then did 20 minutes of a crit simulation/cornering, and 15 minutes of cooldown. City riding is always fun and exciting.

Softball Tournament

Back Row: Brandon, Jeff, Terrah, Rebekah, Brad, Jim, Kristen, Brian

Middle Row: me, Lindsey, Lyndsay, Michelle, Kelly, Melissa

Front Row: Kevin, Herb

Today marked the end of the softball season. I had a blast playing this year and remembered how much I enjoy the game. Even after having taken 2 or 3 years off, I jumped right back into it and surprised myself by still being pretty good. We ended up taking second in the league, and placing we hope to build on for next year.

Fielding--I had a pretty sweet diving catch today, too :-)

That was all I did today as far as training since I decided to use today as a rest day. I'd intended to run yesterday and didn't and wanted to today, but I also need a rest day/Sabbath ever week, and today was the day. I know I won't regret it tomorrow. I still got in over 20 miles in just 3 days of running this week, so it's been a successful week as far as mileage and as far as attitude since I've nailed all my other workouts too. The better my attitude, the better I do, and I've focused on having a great attitude this week. Success!

Sunday Run + Softball

Today I ran starting from a different location than normal, and it was super nice not to have to start with a big uphill like the one getting out of my apartment complex. It was a shorty but it felt good to get back out on the road. Before the run I got to play a little softball. I'd missed last week, so I was really looking forward to it. We ended up splitting (won the first, lost the second), but I had fun, threw well, hit well, scored lots, and loved the sunshine.

Softball Split

We split our softball games again today, winning the first 12–11 and losing the second 6–11. They were a couple great, fun games. I finally got a couple hits, had some great catches (and turned a double play), and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon. We would have liked two wins, but we just couldn't get anything going in the second game. Next week!

Before that, I went to church and then headed out for a ride. Shelly, Anna, Valerie, Lisa, Jeremy, Parri, and I all started out together, but as soon as the first sprint came and went, we split up. The first 3 stayed together and we 4 stuck together, but Lisa split off from us to do a slightly shorter, flatter route. My legs felt so great and it was a fantastic ride. Not too fast, not too slow, nice and warm, 1:30 total, 26-ish miles, 18mph average, pretty much wonderful.

This might have been the route? I was having trouble following the map today.

Sprint #1 was contested by Shelly, Lisa, and me. I threw my bike across the line and just beat out Shelly. Lisa turned at the green arrow. Sprint #2 was contested by Jeremy and me. He snuck in and I didn't know he was there until he passed me, so he won that one.

Recovery Ride and Softball

This afternoon's ride ended up being only Lisa S, Leanna, and me; evidently everyone else was tired from yesterday or just didn't want to drive back into Franklin. It was fabulous having such a small group—it meant we could really recover, not push the pace at all, but still be outside enjoying the sunshine.

• 1:29:00, 26.32 miles, 17.7 avg (29.9 max), 1,534 cal, 155 HR (179 max)

Then it was off to play some softball! I missed the first couple games, which we ended up winning by forfeit because the other team didn't have enough girls. Today, we had plenty and Kairos, our competition, also had plenty (well, almost; they did have to take an automatic out at the end of their lineup). We have some very talented hitters and fielders on our team, but unfortunately we started out playing like we hadn't played together before (which we hadn't). That led to an 11-8 loss, but we came back and won the second game by 1 run in the bottom of the 7^th inning. Unfortunately I couldn't hit anything, but thankfully I could catch everything that came my way. Hopefully I'll improve my 0-6 (1 run scored on a fielder's choice on-base) during next week's game!

Busy Day!

Lauren at the toy shop

This will be a weekend of little sleep. Last night I didn't go to bed as early as I'd hoped, and today I got up super early to run with Janet and Sherri. We left from BFY at 6, and my destination was home. After driving my car to the Y, I left it there and ran the following route:

Saturday run

Then I had softball practice, to which I rode my bike (thankfully remembering to ride to the Y after so that I could pick up my car).

Fellowship Softball Co-Ed Team Back row: Herb, ?, ?, Lindsey, ?, ?; Front row: Kevin, Tara, Jeff, ?, ? (obviously I don't know everyone yet)

Saturday ride

Lauren and I then went out for ice cream and wandered around downtown Franklin. We found some fun finger puppets that she was enjoying. The best one was a 2-finger clown/acrobat thing. I wish I'd gotten a picture of that one! Church was later (where we talked about Genesis being the foundation of our belief in God and His word; the cake was because at the wedding of one of our pastors, when they cut the first piece, the 9-layer cake fell due to a broken foundation), home to read some, then off to bed too late for how early I have to get up for Ironman Louisville tomorrow!

Wedding cake at church

Softball!

Playing softball makes me happy. I played fastpitch in high school and college, and I played slowpitch during the summers of both and after. When I moved to TN, I pretty much retired from softball to focus on tris. But when the opportunity arose to play on Fellowship's team, I jumped on it. It's a great way to have fun and represent Christ.

Today was our first practice, and it did not disappoint. I loved being out there on the field, loved hitting, fielding, sweating, having fun. And I met a few new people (Jason, Chris, Derrick, Tara, Herb, Keith, Brian, Mark, Troy, Jeff, and Rob), some of whom will be on the co-ed team and others who will be on the men's team. It should be a fun season, and I can't wait for the games to start!

I decided to ride my bike to Granny White Park; I know now how hard it would be to race if I were 20 pounds heavier!

1:01:30, 14.74 miles, 14.4 average (29 max), 806 cal, 144 HR (191 max)

Sometimes what I learn or hear at church can be uplifting. Other times it can be convicting. Then it can also be both. Today was one of those days where I was completely encouraged by the following words from Jesus:

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:22–34

I was also reminded how much I could be like Michal from 2 Samuel/1 Chronicles. It was pretty much an encouraging, convicting day, and I hope I'll learn from these lessons that God's revealing to me and let Him change my heart!