Photo Shoot at the Steelcase Duathlon

Today is a gloomy rainy day, not a good day to compete in a duathlon, ha! Today was the Steelcase Dutahlon in Grand Rapids at Steelcase headquarters between 52nd and 60th off East Paris- The event is Run 5k, Bike 30k, Run 5k. I kept this date open just in case I wanted to do this if it was nice. But did not.

Instead, thought I would park my car on the bike route and practice taking some action shots with my Canon Rebel and Sigma telephoto lens. Conditions were gloomy, light sprinkles here and there. I started shooting with iso 100 on shutter mode at about shutter speed of 120, but noticed my pictures were still dark when shooting, so went down to 60 and had a good pics in the viewfinder (or so I thought). I then changed the mode to P (program mode) and started experimenting with more speeds and f stop. I also increased my iso to 200 and think my pictures came out better being the lighting was so low outside. Well, I probably took about 300 pictures using burst mode. I also started iusing manual focus, but can't zoom out as bikers come towards me and focus at the same time, so switched to auto focus. My pictures didn't come out tack sharp, but with practice I think I will get better. I am happy with some of the pictures I got, but need a lot more shooting practice. Actually the best picture that came out is this one above, and what do you know, I think this is Dave Horne, one of our tri coaches for Team Sync, he is wearing hot pink.

Below are more pics that I was satisfied with. Eventually I would like help volunteer to take photos at race events, I think I am on to a good start.

A Cold 6.6 mile run in Bay City

This past weekend I went to visit my parents in Bay City. Sandi was having her annual garage sale and I sold a bunch of my junk and made $84. The whole sale did really well considering April 17 was a COLD day with even some snowflakes falling! I was actually sore from standing all day in the cold.

I knew I had to get a long run in, a 7 mile, the longest distance that my 10k training plan calls for. Saturday was just too cold and heard that the weather was going to be a bit warmer on Sunday, so saved the run until Sunday.

I decided to run from my parents house to Sandi's house, about 5.4 miles, but I thought I would run more once I got to her house around her neighborhood to get the 7 miles in. Well, I didn't have to do that because I got a little confused on my route, so ended up running more by the time I got to Sandi's house, all in all it was 6.6 miles, I thought I went 7, but until I mapped it out later, it was 6.6, oh well.

My route:



My time was 73 minutes, but that included stops at the Riverwalk area (map here) to take some pics from my camera phone.



I run with a race belt that includes a small pint of water, phone and iPod in the belt. Here are some pics I took of the Riverwalk area in Bay City. My camera phone sucks, (well, my camera is from the 2006, so I need an upgrade). I felt good during and after the run, I will be so excited when I don't have to wear 2 pairs or pants, 2 long sleeve shirts and a fleece, the extra clothes bogs me down and makes me feel heavy. But 60s this week, so hopefully shorts on my runs this week!

I have also inlcuded a picture of a bar, the Rathskellar, that my mom and dad first met in 1974. She was on the pole, ha, just kidding.

I joined a Triathlon Team!

Today was the first meeting of the season for me for Team Sync, a triathlon training group/team that I just joined. I am really excited to train with this great group of people. They are people of all levels, from beginner to seasoned Iron Man competitors. I still consider myself a beginner with doing my first 2 tris last year.



Today we did a swim for 20 minutes or so and then biked about 8 miles. The rest went out for a run, but since I ran 6 miles yesterday and started something crazy this week, my legs are a bit sore. The craziness that I started was Insanity workout. Yes, the DVDs are insane, and I am probably more insane for integrating these workouts into my tri training plans. Yes - I have increased my caloric intake. Anyway, more on Insanity later.

So basically our team meets every Sunday for a couple hours of training, Thursday evenings and maybe a floater (announcement on our facebook group). I have also been swimming in a Masters class twice a week in the morning. I like that its called "Masters," but Keith tells me that means old people...lol. He's probably right, I am no master at swimming.


I hope to do about 3-4 tris this year. So far my plan:

5/8 5/3 Riverbank Run 10k (Keith is running the 5k)

5/30 Seahorse Challenge - sprint tri

7/17 Tri Del Sol

8/7 Millennium Park Triathlon

9/11 Reed’s Lake Triathlon 2010

Spring is here!!

We had gorgeous weather this past weekend, Friday actually hit 80 here, with record highs! I am currently training for the Fifth Third River Bank Run 10k that takes place on May 8 here in Grand Rapids. Speaking of that, need to register soon. Keith is going the 5k. He hast lost about 23 pounds since Feb, and me, well I have just stayed the same. I have lost the same 2-5 pounds over and over again!!! Anyway, I ran about 5.5 miles yesterday around the Reeds Lake Area, my favorite place to run. Today I am going to go out for another 5 miles, not sure where yet. I am just waiting a couple hours to it reached mid 60s so I can run in shorts and a t-shirt.

I just updated my running playlist, because that keeps my running fresh and not boring, sometimes I find myself constantly pushing next on my iPod. I have over 5500 songs on my iPod, and you think I could just find 20-30 that I love to run to, its hard!!!

Some songs I chose for my April Run playlist:
Running Down a Dream - Tom Petty
Hot N Cold - Kate Perry
Empire State of Mind - Jay Z and Alicia Keys
Alive - Black Eyed Peas
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Two Step - Dave Matthews Band
Ray of Light - Madonna
Forever - Chris Brown
Harder to Breathe - Maroon 5
Just Dance - Lady Gaga
Better Life - Keith Urban
Happy - Natashia Bedingfield
Speed of Sound - Coldplay
Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Bad Influence - Pink
You Spin me Round - Dead or Alive
If it Makes you Happy - Sheryl Crow
Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

I am hoping to get on my bike this week too, pumped up the tires on both the road bike and mountain bike. I also installed my digital Trek Incite 8i computer on the bike, although its not working properly so will have to take it to the bike shop to make sure I have the wheel magnet and sensor lined up. This computer will track miles, speed, time, history etc...More on the later as I play.

Well, gonna eat something lite before the run. Oh- Happy Easter! I didn't go home for Easter because the parents had to work on Saturday and I have decided to come up in a couple weeks for a garage sale to sell my junk to strangers. Oh - and I am bummed that Michigan State lost to Butler in the Final Four game. Go Duke!