Hard, hard on the way out. Achey-knee, miserable hip. Then turn so the wind is behind you and oh, the sense of flowing with the universe. But then a contrary wind serves to put you in your place, until some kindly deity turns the wind again, so that you pass cyclists, and all the aches and pains disappear.
5 miles 22.37 mins.
With both sides of the drive closed for the real Triathlon today skating was wonderful. Road all the way, no sidewalk at all. 17 miles total in just less than 81 minutes! And it was in old blades with old wheels.
Yes I got new blades yesterday – but 17 miles first run, I don’t think so. They are really ugly, by the way!
The Philadelphia Tri is today – as I am writing this there are women swimming in the Schuylkill! Two days ago a storm went through Philadelphia bringing trees down and generally wreaking havoc! And now they’re swimming in the Schuylkill! My sister reckons my endeavour is mad – that’s really mad. Yes really.
Anyway, I did 12 today which makes up half of yesterdays 4 which couldn’t be done because of yesterdays debris strewn paths. West River is still a disaster from the amount of twigs, leaves and general mess on the path.
All being well this was the last roll on my existing wheels; I am off to collect the new blades this morning and to put new wheels on the existing ones, all being well.
Fingers crossed. Is 17 miles too long in new blades, I think so! But perhaps I could buy moleskin and give it a go!
Well mes amies, 7 hot steamy miles. Its already 82° with 65% humidity! If you’re going running do it now. For everyone in PVOP, I resisted all temptations to mention its… … … hot. Psss
I am really beginning to understand just how much your mind comes into this. Eight miles on West River means you have to do something twice. I finally decided to get the 8th mile from doing the section from 1.75 to 2.25 twice. As I made the turn Stevie Wonder suggested I Boogie On Reggae Woman, and of course the whole mile was done before the song finished. All that thinking about where was the turn and I really didn’t want to do anything twice. All in my head!
If you you think you can or if you think you can’t; you’re right!
That was the word for the last mile this morning. Thank goodness for Leigh who came along and did the repeat miles with me. I did the ten. 30 miles in 2 days. Last week was supposed to be 31 but ended being 41 as I did the 20 yesterday. This week is supposed to be 49 but will end up being 30. Tomorrow’s a well earned rest day so see you Tuesday! Oh new blades in sometime next week and new wheels on old ones. So excited!
Thanks to all who’re keeping the songs coming it’s such a help.
I think that I was about 5.5 minute miles on average so a bit slower, but these are old blades with really bad wheels. I think all things being equal still on track for three hours!
Ellie you rock! Thanks much.
Oh and incidentally having dropped me back at the car – she went off and did another 20 miles. Please check out her FB page for the Alzheimer ride page.
I blame the Cabaret committee myself. It’s their fault I didn’t meditate this morning; when the alarm went off I pressed snooze, three times. Finally fell out onto the drive at a little before 7! 6 very lazy miles later, I don’t really feel as if I have done any miles at all! Maybe that’s a good thing as there are 30 to be done over the weekend!
A really nice morning after the rain today, but its already 75 degrees with 68% humidity. The drive is very debris strewn and lots of puddles. Perhaps it was a good thing I was not wanting to really push it.
I do wish they’d do something about the geese! Geese are really stupid.
This morning the wind is strong. So strong that those of us who sometimes have trouble getting sufficient oxygen into our lungs are left sucking in any air we can get, like a fish out of water. The river drive did its usual trick though – that sneaky trick of turning round when you hit a corner and being in your face again. But as always its great to be out. And though the 5 miles felt like 10 it feels good to have done them. Tomorrow’s a rest day. Catch you on Thursday.
Why do cyclists feel slighted when you pass them on roller blades? And to the gentleman on an extended skateboard with a gondolier pole – really?
I was right on 5 minute miles this morning, even though its already 80 degrees with humidity at 78%, yeuch! 7 not so hard miles.
I did get to NJ yesterday and have ordered new roller blades. I have a choice of two coming and they are big, bad, bastards! Very exciting, if you like that kind of thing!
Eric and Erika – got your songs into the blade today… please keep the songs coming, today I was really happy to have new music. The wind by the river was way stronger than 7mph like the weather channel says! They know nothing.
Anyway managed 15 miles and an ice bath afterwards as I need to be able to stand and sing tonight! There’s something a tad masochistic about tipping ice into your own bath. I wonder what a psychologist would think about that~
The implication of only 15, is that I really do need to repeat the week that just went and baby the knee a bit more. That means only 7 tomorrow which as I bet it’s a late night tonight is a good idea.
This morning was just a 5 miler, and it took 25 minutes and 28 seconds! There’s good news and bad there. So the bad, its supposed to be 25 or less. 5 minute miles = 12 miles an hour. But, the good, the first 2.5 took nearly 14 mins; into the wind you see. So the second half was considerably faster.
The new blades with their extra 10mm of wheel should make all the difference. 3.25 hours is not unreasonable. I hope I still feel that way after the long ride.
Oh ‘appy birsday Jaques Cousteau, me and ze men of the Calypso wish you an ‘appy birsday!
Went and took at look at the path from Conshohocken out to Valley Forge today! It’s going to be really handy for longer blades, but needs a back up team. Drive there, blade, drive home again. Hoping to give it a spin this weekend.
Oh biked about 15 miles… thanks to Ellie! Thanks Ellie!
Icing the knee now.
This morning was just five so no big deal. The wind is from the west, i.e. rolling into the wind on the way out. Nicely cool, its only 63/17 degrees so almost a chill in the air. You don’t really notice that its a bit harder going into the wind if that’s how you start out, it’s just that when you turn to go with the wind, then it all changes! Suddenly the rhythm hits and with it ease and grace – a great feeling.
I came to the big corner of the Schuylkill heading back into town, its a really nice vista; green, green trees at the water level on the far side, blue water, no buildings in view for that particular moment and the sun brightening it all. At that very moment, the music which is now known as the Theme from the London Marathon came on the iPod.
Oh well back to real life! Tomorrow’s a rest day – two each week on this new schedule!
Today is an officially, according to the schedule, no guilt here, rest day! The weekend was a bit of a surprise as through the day on Saturday my right knee had a little breakdown all of its own. Donc, yesterday I gave it a little break and cycled the miles rather than blading them.
Hopefully with another rest day today and a reasonably short roll on Tuesday all will be well. Shame though! The temperature is just lovely, the heat and humidity have broken. It would be lovely out there.
I have found an official training schedule which I have decided to follow. It seems as if it will work. It gets me up to 35 miles as the longest roll, but gives me two rest days a week. Generous I’d say, very generous.
PS. these were the worst knees I could find – and I am not the one with the underwear hanging below the shorts, in case you were wondering!
What a nice hot Saturday this morning is. For us Philadelphians, West River Drive is closed for all the cyclists today and Kelly Drive is partially closed for boat races. Its a mess round here avoid if you possibly can!
I was out early this morning, but not early enough as it turned out. Luckily tomorrow is relatively short, but I think ‘cause of the bike race I am going to need to be on the drive by 6:30. Its not right for a Sunday!
This morning was 11 miles bringing the total for the week to 47! I am really pleased and feel pretty good. Next week I drop back somewhat and then push forward again the week after.
I HAVE to get new roller blades, I HAVE to get new roller blades.
In complete contrast to yesterday this morning was not so fabulous! Why does it always happen like that? Yes, I did the miles, yes I did them at decent speed, (I think) but they made themselves felt every step of the way. I seemed to hit every little stone and twig – passed cyclists though. Thanks to Natasha Bedingfield for Unwritten this morning. I find that song an inspiration!
This morning was one of the ones where it all flowed. It was why I roller blade, it came easy and fast. And there’s the rub, it felt fast but I don’t actually know. I am not ready to know how slowly I am going – yet. But I am not going to have a choice on that from next week. Its time to get the stop watch out. Anyway my 7 miles were done and pretty easily too Total for the week so far 30 miles. Goal for the week 46.
Today is a rest day! That’s a relative term, I will cycle a couple of miles later (to dinner that is) and I will also weight and core strength train. But it really means I didn’t have to get up this morning. So of course, I was awake bright and early and have just got back from a walk. Just a couple of miles along Kelly Drive
Gorgeous morning, and already quite warm.
It’s true by the way, I am eating salad. Today will be the fourth consecutive day! I do so wish I could actually like it.
I have been back from rollerblading for about an hour… and I am just, just cool enough to consider a cup of tea!
