Team Aquaphor 2011!

I just received my confirmation that I will be on Team Aquaphor for the 2011 racing season!!  Woo Hoo!  Nothing like having a national sponsor.  I was contacted back in February by them to fill out an application, so I did and low and behold, they want me! 

I am sure you are wondering what all this entails...well, one thing is for sure, I am now, and finally part of a VERY supportive team.  No matter what race I do, I know that my teammates are behind me 100%.  I will be wearing Aquaphor gear and promoting their product, an anti chafing healing product.  I am a regular user of this and have been for over a year now.  Pete is also a user of this and call it is butt cream.

More to follow as I learn more.  I will also be posting my race report from Shamrock Marathon last weekend!!

Holy Monsoon Batman/Aqua Jogging...

As I sat in school all day yesterday, I knew it was not raining, but that it was on its way.  I headed home right after school in hopes that my carpet was all done being installed, but it was not.  The guys did not leave until 4:00, which set me back nearly an hour.  The weather was warm, 56 degrees, so I only put on a t-shirt and shorts.  I also had a hat on because I always wear one, but it was going to rain and it protects my face.  I did not grab my ipod because I knew it would get wet.  I checked the radar and knew the rain was south of us, but I did not know when it was going to hit.  I had to get in 12 miles in about 1:35:00, 7:49 pace.  I was bummed that I did not get to start on time, but was enjoying the fact that I was getting to run in nice weather, regardless if it was going to rain.  I set out on my regular route for my long runs.  But wait, when did 12 miles become a 'short' day??  I took a water bottle and 7 honey stingers with me to get me through.

The weather was nice and I started sweating.  I was feeling good.  Not quite at pace, but lately it has been taking me about 3 mils to get into my run.  At mile 3.5, the drops starting falling from the sky!  No heavy, but enough that I was noticing it.  It continued to pick up as I rounded Brickkilne Rd. and was a steady rain as I crossed the tracks and headed south on Loudoun St.  Mr. Whipkey passed me in his drivers edu car, but they never stopped.  I wanted to keep running anyway, but I am sure that the Davis twins were laughing at me.  I then turned up Peyton St. and 522.  When I hit mile 6, it was pouring.  I had to jump in the grass becasue some guy was right on the curb driving and I stepped in a puddle.  Great, now my foot is soaking wet.  No sooner did that happen than I swear, a monsoon hit.  I looked up and the sheets of rain were coming in my face.  I was running north, directly into the wind and rain.  The flags were straight out heading towards me.  I put my head down and prayed that I would stay alive.  I made it to Sheetz as a drowned rat.  I filled my water bottle as people just stared at me.  Not a single one of them offered me a ride home!  I then headed back into town on Fox Dr, otherwise known as "A River Runs Through It."  Fox Dr. is always cold and I started to shiver as I ran down it.  There were parts where the water was up over my shoes.  I knew that there were no pot holes, so I was okay to run through the streams.  I was wearing a Brooks Night Life shirt, so I was still very visible by the drivers.  When I got to the end of the road, I had warmed back up, but not any drier.

I turned left onto Amherst St, but I had to run on the sidewalk.  I HATE sidewalk running, it makes my feet hurt so badly, but I did not have a choice.  The water was flowing down the street.  At one point, I thought to myself, what is moving faster, the water or me??  There was one point, near that big yellow house that as the cars went through the puddles, I had to cover my right ear so that when they splashed the water on me that it would not go into my ear!  I thought of turning up Stewart to a friends to have them take me home, but what was the point now?  I was starting to prune and only had 2 miles to go.  Just keep running!!  I ran past Runners Retreat, waved at Lorenzo and headed home.

The rain had let up, but never stopped.  As I was running over 81, I saw lightening to the south, but had to keep running.  I hit 12 miles, but why walk when there was rain and lightening, just get home.  I stopped at 12.5 miles and 1:40:00.  What a run!!  As I as doing my foot drills, I could not wipe the smile off my face.  Did I really just run in that weather?  Wow, that was crazy!  As soon as I got in the door, I stripped down naked.  I had put 3 towels next to my door when I headed out, but had not even dreamed about what I went through.  When I put the clothes in the washer, they were more wet going in than when they came out!!

I later found out that there were tornado warnings in Leesburg and Sterling.  Not sure about Winchester, but I can tell you that it was pretty crazy out there!

Called On The Carpet

For nearly ten years, I have had some great friends.  Our friendship grew through training and racing and has also temporairly fallen apart through the same.  Last year, I was so focused on my Ironman that I  neglected to pay attention to my friend.  I had written training plans for him and even given him a book on training, but that was all.  I never checked how he was doing, or even trained with him.  Granted, or schedules were WAY different, but that is only an excuse.  Since the New Year, I have only seen my friends one time and I emailed to find out why.  At that point, I learned why.

It is very heartbreaking when you friend tells she feels that I did not help her husband when he asked for it and treated him shitty.  I have also learned that some people need more prodding than others when it comes to fitness.  Some want it, some do not.  What is your balance?  I had figured that I had asked him to enough events; races, rides, etc and when I was not taken up on it, I just quit asking.  A local 5K here and there is a great training tool, if you let it be.

Now that I have re-read this, it is kind of rambling, but I now know what my friend needs and if I want to stay friends, I need to look outside my box.  Races come and go, but you need to hang onto real friends.

Still Running...

As you read, last weekend was rough.  Needless to say, I had to contact my coach and we made it an even easier week.  I did get up and swim on Monday, but did not run and it was nice.  I was still trying to figure out what happened on Sunday.  I was now eating fine, but relieved not to run.  On Tuesday, I slept in and skipped Pilates.  As much as I should have stretched, I needed to sleep and recover from whatever was going on.  After school, Brian had me run 3 miles at 7:27 and I did it at a 7:05 pace!  My legs thanked me for a short run, but my belly was still rumbling.  Why cannot I now run 3 miles without stopping twice!  Yuck.

Wednesday was my scheduled off day.  I love Wednesdays.  Just a day to let all my hard work pay off.  I usually babysit on Wednesdays, which means I get to hang out with a 5th and 7th grader who are really good.  We sit and talk and solve all the world's problems.

Thursday was back to a "longer" run, 8 miles at a 9:01 pace.  I headed out on the 3rd Battle Trail and onto Red Bud Rd.  I like that road, but traffic is quick and there is not much of a shoulder.  There is also a little white dog that scares the crap out of me.  It has chased me on the bike and one time running.  If I want to run there again, I will have to call animal control for my safety.  After I hit my 6 mile mark, I headed back to top off at 8 miles.  I felt really good and did not have to stop to answer "natures' calling."  Why do I have to stop 2x in a 3 mile run and 0 in an 8 mile run.  I guess I was feeling better!

My legs have been feeling better.  My shins are almost back to normal and as long as I get a good stretch in with my R knee, I am usually feeling pretty good.  Friday was my first day in nearly 2 months for hill repeats.  I have to do these in front of Greenwood Mill from Senseny Rd to the school.  It is about a 2% decline and .5 miles long, just what the coach ordered.  I had to do 5 miles on this road, and I was kind of nervous in the beginning, but as I got going, I was feeling good.  I managed to arrive just before school got out and the safety of the Fred. Co. Sherifs' Dept arrived and convientely parked his cruiser on the bike bath that I was running on.  If he had moved 5' forward, he could still have been off the road and off the path that I was running on.  I am not sure if he got tired of me running by, or the school speed limit went off, but if he had been there 10 more min, I would have stopped to talk to him.  Just a friendly, "I am using this bike path and it is very inconvient to have to slow down to fit between your cruise and the guardrail and since you are blocking the crosswalk, I noticed that a group of boys had to crosss in an unmarked area."

Saturday was going to be just my recovery run, then my big run on Sunday.  Too bad I like to pay attention to the weather and saw that I was to rain all day on Sunday.  Brad and I headed to the last Winter Series race in Front Royal.  The weather was spectacular, overcast and about 50.  Shorts and t-shirts were all that was needed.  I did a 2 mile warm-up, followed by the very hilly 5K.  I did not start in the front and just kind of ran the race, but did not race it.  I felt good and was happy with my finish.  I knew that my spot for the series finale was locked in, so why push it and ruin my legs.  After the race, I did a 2 mile cool down.  Brad did not join me, as he was still sick from Thursday and Friday.  He managed to get what I had last weekend.  It was a bug that got me and I felt the need to share with other:)  He was in BAD shape.

After the race, we headed to JMU to watch the girls basketball team DEMOLISH  the South Hampton team, 96-23.  After we got home, I did another 7 to cap off my 14 for the weekend.  It felt good and I was very greatful I did that!  It rained all day on Sunday.  Brad came with me to the gym to knock out 7 on the TM.

I am so glad that that week is over.  On to bigger and better things this week!  6 weeks til Boston!

Bucket Run

Ugh.  As soon as I woke up today, I felt sick, then it passed and I felt great.  I had cereal and coffee for breakfast and headed to church. Mentally, I was ready for this run.  I had had a blah week, so I was not sure how I would feel about today.  I was really excited that it was going to be about 60 and sunny.  I waited to do my run this afternoon so that I could run when it was nice and warm.  That may have been a mistake.

I set out at 1:00 for this run.  I was contemplating switching my route, but I know where everything is on this route.  I was feeling good, right on pace at 8:25 miles.  I had heated my leg and stretched well before going out, so there were no issues there.  I stopped at Ed and Robert's to get water at mile 5.4.  I was already half way through the water and only 5/20 were done.  I headed up Fairmont and it turns into 522.  I was at mile 6.5 and started feeling queezy.  Next thing I know, I am puking on the side of 522.  I kept going and struggled to keep my pace, but did it.  As I got down Fox Dr., my pace started to drop and I was at about 8:34.  I made it to Dunkin Donuts at mile 9.8 and lost it there as well.  I was not sure what to do.  I called Brad and he was really worried and I had to keep him posted.  I ran up Stewart St. and ran into David Black.  He was willing to take me home, but I wanted to keep pushing.  I then came down Washington St. and struggled to make an 8:39 pace.  WHAT IS GOING ON???  I got to Runners Retreat at mile 11.22.  I spoke to Jordan and then Matt and Rebekah walked by.  I filled them in, and they offered to take me home.  I declined, but agreed to head home. 

I made it as far as the bridge on 81, mile 13 and I had to walk.  I was at a 9:25 pace and dying.  I started dry heaving near Packs and in front of Dowell J.  After I got home, I lost it again.  I stretched and then headed to the store to get Gatorade, Ginger Ale, and english muffins.  I had soup for dinner.  I am sure I need more, but am scared to eat.

Brad and I are trying to figure out what is going on?  Do I have a bug?  Am I not eating enough?  Over training?  I guess time will tell.  I am going to bed.

Winchester Wheelmen Race Team

Some of you have wondered why I did not apply for the Winchester Wheelmen Race Team for the 2011 season.  I have several reasons and we will start at the beginning.

 

In June 2010, I competed at the Eagleman triathlon in Cambridge, MD with several of my teammates.  Prior to the race, the team tent was set up along the race course and there were several teammates and their families hanging out in the tent.  My mom had driven over 300 miles to my house and then to the race to be my biggest fan.  I introduced her to my teammates and told her she could stay in the shade of the tent with the others while I raced.  After I took off in the swim, and then the bike, my mom went to the WWRT tent.  Not a single person spoke to her or made her feel welcome.  She stayed for nearly 20 min before just walking out and sitting alone.  We all knew it was going to be a long day, and I had faith in my teammates and their families to make all feel welcome.  This did not happen.  After the race, my mom and I returned to the tent to find the same un-welcoming feeling.

 

Throughout the summer, there were several WWRT members who were all training for IMLOU.  Steve LaDrew had a ride/picnic for the Wheelmen which I attend with several club members.  After we returned from our ride, I went for a run, as I had a brick planned for the day.  Several race team members decided to do their own ride that morning and come for the picnic, passing me as I was running.  Upon returning to the picnic, I felt like I never existed.  Here I am training for IMLOU, and so were they, but I was never asked about my training or the race.  I am not looking for personal satisfaction, but a sense of belonging from my "team."

 

As we got closer to IMLOU, I never heard from my teammates.  Here we all are, training for the same event with no team feeling.  I hear of other teams doing rides, runs, swims, dinners and even breakfasts together.  I do not sense that team feeling on the WWRT.  I spoke to Jerry Brown about driving to Louisville so I did not have to drive alone, but he was going with his family to Blacksburg on his way to LOU.  He had not heard from his "teammates" either about going down, or getting together down there, etc.  So now I have to drive to Louisville, 9 hours alone, even though I am on a 'team' and several of my teammates were going.  When we got to IMLOU, it was a struggle for my teammates to speak to me.  I was in the elevator at one point with several WWRT members and it was the most awkward feeling, even though we were teammates.  The stress that I felt was unbleviable.  There was no further communication while we were there, dinners, swims, rides, etc.  Was I REALLY on a team??

 

I was not expecting anything in the way communication from my teammates for the rest of the season, and that is what happened.  At the Christmas banquet, I spoke to very few teammates, as I could tell that many were avoiding me.  I really enjoyed the ones that I spent time with and was glad when it was over.

 

As we moved into 2011, I continued to feel neglected by the WWRT.  Pictures were posted about WWRT parties, but only select individuals were invited.  I could care less, have your parties with your friends, but please don't list them as race team parties when the entire race team is not invited.  When an individual is on a team, generally you share ideas about training and other races that you will be racing.  While at the Christmas party, it was shared with certain individuals as to what races they were doing, but would not let me know.  I have not signed up for those races, as I have others to race, but it is still fun to talk about them.

 

I was called several weeks ago by a fellow teammate who had gone into Blue Ridge Bicycles to purchase a new bicycle after fulfilling her quota of races.  She was told that she had not done enough races, and that the "rinky dink tris" should not count.  She was also told that the rules of the race team were not written down and never will be.  I know that they are now in progress, but how can anything be done on a regular and fair basis for all on the team if it is not in writing?  She did end up being able to order her bike, but it was a fellow teammate who told her that she only did 'rinky dink tris."  Who is he to judge?  After this incident, I did post a question on facebook about the bylaws of a group, but never mentioned the group.  I was told by a friend that they were told that the WWRT was receiving calls from several people and sponsors about my post.  Seriously?  Why was I not informed of this and the questions that I was asked about my post was if it was my HOA!

 

Because of the stress that was brought onto me by my fellow teammates and lack of team feeling, I have chosen not to be a member of the Winchester Wheelmen Race Team.  Teammates do not do what was done to me and I do not need to support those who do not support others.

 

Thank you,

Katie Steadman

Tempo?? Run

For the last couple of days, I have been feeling...well...blah.  I had a grilled chicken salad for dinner on Tuesday night after some really tough intervals.  It was enough food at that time, but not nearly enough calories.  Yesterday in first period, I nearly got sick and my stomach was also queezy.  Just not a fun day.  No workouts on Wednesdays - I really look forward to Wednesdays.


This morning I happened to wake up at 4:50, 7 min after my alarm was to go off.  It was set, but I later found out after walking into my room this afternoon, that it was set for 4:43 PM!  Oops, it is now fixed.  I still made it to Pilates class on time.  I have been doing this for about a month now instead of lifting.  I think my body is really appreciating the down/stretching time.  I really enjoy the change of pace.  I was still feeling a bit out of it after class and was not sure why.  Because I am not really burning the calories in class, I drank cranberry juice after class and it really hit the spot.  I knew that after school I had a 5 mile tempo run that I was kind of dreading.  Seriously 37 min of running and I just did not want to do it.

At 2:30 the bell rang and I could not wait to get home to take a nap.  I am sure I was out within about 30 seconds.  I woke up and noticed it was drizzling, but not enough to make me run on the treadmill.  I laced up and headed out the door.  I did not get satellite signal for about 2 min and that had me all screwed up.  After about 1 mile, I realized that I had forgotten to eat and drink before I headed out.  Now, I am physically TRYING to get into my run at a 7:27 pace and realizing that I am truly running on empty did not help.  I completed the run in about 38:14, which was a 7:38 pace.  I am okay with that.

I feel like running is still a chore.  With not feeling well this week, and I can also tell by what I am not wanting to eat (salad everyday for lunch) that I am off.  Lets hope the sun can shine soon and I can get back in my groove.

Tomorrow my Winchester Wheelman Race Team application is due.  Stay tuned for that one!!  I am also getting a massage by the massage therapist for the Dallas Mavericks NBA team.  Yes, it is all in who you know:)