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| CALL IT A TRAINING BUT WE ARE REALLY PLAYING! |
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| by Phillip Kriss |
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| April 4, 2010 |
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It is full blown ironman training season now for us going to Ironman Coeur d’Alene. It’s now about finding time pulling out all the mental, physical, and emotional roadblocks and get serious about training.
We (myself, Heidi, Chris Blair, and now Cody Hill) are busily paying the price necessary for high performance. Lately, the routine goes something like this…get up super early, eat 6-8 times a day, train, work and sleep (even though it’s not enough sleep)! Anything else we get to do is extra credit!
Good thing we like to do what we like to do, which some may think is a little insane. Good thing it is a free country and there are no laws against insanity that I know of!
But Tuesday, March 23 was a particularly memorable day for several reasons.
First, I got up super early again to get life’s duties done before it was light enough to ride. I was checking my e-mail, stuffing my pie hole with more food, reading books and writing in others; enjoying the upcoming day. I even had time to eat a nice breakfast of egg and cheese burritos. Then it was time to ride.
I met Heidi and we were stroking along Sumner Buckley Highway, when the phone rings. It is Cody. “Where are you guys, I have been out here for an hour!?” I looked at my watch and figured it must have not calculated for daylight savings time; since it was 8:50, and we were suppose to be in Enumclaw at 8:05. Hmm…thing must be broken. Later I realize I left an hour late! Goofy. Better make things right with Cody and ride to make for lost time.
So that shoots my theory of what takes for high performance…
We had the fortunate opportunity to meet up with Chris, Jakester, and Jeff. Jeff is a pure roadie who can put the hurt on anybody he chooses.
Chris and I made the decision to go to the Carbon River Ranger station for something different to do. The excitement of a field trip is an experience we love, so…off we go as a group into Mt Rainier National Park…an opportunity many never take advantage of, especially on a sunny Tuesday when the rest of the world is at work.
We had a great ride. Chatting… yakking…testing theories on who had the best grip on how to train and the best strategies for how to climb hills.
The photo opp came up on the bride at the ranger station. There was snow on the ground just above where we were riding.
In the picture, I look like an unhappy chipmunk because I was stuffing even more food down my pie hole, which seems to be tops on my list of things to do lately.
We split up the rest of the food we had, and took up the race downhill.
We all got back to Carbonado and each went their own way to get home. I ended up with an 80 mile day, 3100 feet of climbing, with a average heart rate of 121, and MPH of 18.5. I think I am right where I need to be for a kick butt ironman performance in 10 weeks.
On the ride up Cody, Heidi and I were simply talking about the possibility of running the Yakima River Marathon and then riding the canyon as a brick. Silly me! I need to work on not thinking with my mouth open. I did not know Heidi and Cody were taking notes and making plans as I was rambling on about this and that.
Now I know this: don’t bring up crazy ideas in front of crazy people or you will end up doing crazy things. So, off to the Yakima River Canyon Marathon with bikes in tow we go…
Read the race report to find out about our adventure on the marathon. |
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| PRE-DAWN AT BONNEY LAKE |
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| by Phillip Kriss |
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| December 6, 2009 |
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Once again most of the KBA team members gathered up for a brisk, pre-dawn jaunt up and down the roads of Bonney Lake.
Present were Phil, Heidi, Chris, Karen, and Julie G who is back running with us. Also, we had a special guest, Rich Jones, who accompanied Chris and Phil up to the Desert Half in July 2009.
Rich and Julie are both entered into the St. George IM May 1, so time for them to get going.
It was dark and 27 degrees at the start of the run. Our spirits were high; the sun was coming up into a gorgeous day, and running right at the base of Mt. Rainier in all its glory made the cold to be of no factor.
The purpose of the workout was a low heart rate run of about 60 to 80 minutes.
Mission accomplished!
Noteworthy comments:
Dottie (Chris) shows up in a stocking cap that came down to his rear end. Funny thing to me, he wears a girl cap and sports the nickname of Dottie!
There was a little bickering and taunting going on by Chris and Phil, but once they realized it boosts the heart rates we quit that for a few minutes…
Next event: Santa Runs Tacoma 12/19/2009. It will be the first 5K Phil has run and the second for Heidi. Also, the Lake Tapps Crossfit girls, Cari Blair (Dottie’s better half) and Lori Palamino, are also running their first 5K. As we get closer to race day, more people are getting on the bandwagon. Come join the fun! |
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BICKER RUN |
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by Phillip Kriss and Heidi Hubler |
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November 22, 2009 |
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PHIL’S VERSION
We decided to go on a field trip to run with Chris from his work at Tacoma General for what should have been a casual run down Ruston way, around Point Defiance and back. I picked up Gunshow, Big Show and K-Girl and headed to Tacoma. We also met Steve there. He has been showing up more and more to run with us.
It was dark, cold, wet, raining and windy. Perfect conditions for slightly warped people to be running in and call it fun.
Why the Bicker Run? Chris and I once again got into it about pace, distance, heart rates and strategies. Round and round we go until I had a whiz bang thought: Once again, like the GC, Steve, the professional counselor, is stuck between Chris and I as we peck on each other! Who else would be better equipped to help settle the "family squabble?”
I am impressed with the chemistry of the whole group and how much fun we have considering the things we do. I wouldn't trade any of you knuckleheads for anything...
In my mind I am struggling with what was the best part. Running and yakking or Starbucks after?
Fun Rating...9.0
HEIDI’S VERSION
Don’t you get cold? Wasn’t it windy and raining outside? When did you get up?! How can you run in the dark? These are just a few of the common questions a hard-core runner experiences when others ask, “So what did you do today?” In the past I would almost cringe when I explained to others that yes, I did get up at 5:00 AM on Sunday. Yes, I did run in the rain, wind, and dark. Yes, I got wet and cold and my hands became numb and feet were sloshing in my shoes from the puddles I didn’t clear.
I have come to realize one important thing about being a Northwest runner…you have to put up with the elements and embrace the facts that living in the Northwest and running in the month of November you will experience an average rainfall of 5.90 inches, 18 rainy days, lows of 39.9 degrees and a high of 50. Doesn’t sound that appealing does it?
Well actually yes it does. It is appealing because of the camaraderie of the people that will brace the elements along with you. The people that will greet you in the dark with a smile on their face and ask, “What are you going to wear?” The people you can share your thoughts, feelings, dreams, challenges, and yes, bickering with. These are also the people that you can race against up the hills and have “heart rate” checks with. Lastly, these are the people that will sit with you at Starbucks, sipping coffee, and planning the next run (without even checking the forecast). |
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ORTING LOOP |
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by Phillip Kriss |
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November 15, 2009 |
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Today is Chris Blair's Birthday!
We meet at his house for our usual 6 AM start to the orting loop. Present were Phil Kriss, Dottie, Gunshow and Big Show. The plan was to meet up with Karen at South Prairie about 6 miles into the run.
It was moderately raining and 39 whole degrees and pitch black. Comments were made that normal people would not be doing what we were going to do.
The focus of the run was to run in zone 2, or conversational pace. For me that was a cue to tell lots of stories!
The opening pace with low heart rates after 4 rolling uphill miles was 9:21. The overall ending pace still with conversational tone ended up being 8:17, so our pace steadily increased through the run.
Spooner and Heidi lost interest in running in the zone, so with the hills in the last 3 miles they put the hammer down. What a suprise! Karen, Chris and I all finished up together
Other interesting facts were at the end of the run there was a flock of geese flying south squaking like crazy and drafting off each other. Chris found that impressive until I pointed out the squaking sounded like him repeatedly saying "I have no business doing a long run like this" But, he too turned in a great time.
Over all fun level for me..9.0 |
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