Scatterbunn

@Raincloak Thanks for the Airbnb recommendation, i had looked there once before (just very brief general basic search) and everything i saw was at least as expensive as a hotel, i went back and looked (figured out how to sort by price) and found several possibilities for New Orleans. While i am very open to "backseat camping" unfortunately my current car is not easily compatible with this. The back seats don't fold down flat enough to sleep with my feet in the trunk and the middle seat in the back is a significant "hump" that would need to be leveled some how before i could sleep comfortably, even with an air matress (i speak from experience having tried to nap in the back once on a road trip.) I am also fairly tall at 5' 10'' so im not sure how well sleeping in the backseat would work even if i took the time to level things out. Sleep ability will definitely be something to look for in my next car, however i am at least 5 years from being able to justify a "new" vehicle. There is also the issue of leaving my bike exposed while i sleep, i would need some way of securing it so i don't wake up to find it gone (when hosteling, etc i can lock it in the back seat with a sheet over it for concealment.

Had to work yesterday so i only got in my one mile on the bike commuting to work. Got up this morning and squeezed in the run before it got too hot, only 3 minutes running, two sets of 15 with a one minute walk break. Humidity still ridiculous, I am probably going to have to just suck it up an start planning to take walk breaks if i want to increase my running distances with this heat. I had planned on working on my blog at work yesterday but got sucked in to research on camping. Several of the rides iv done this year have allowed riders to camp on school grounds either in tents or in the school gym. Since i pretty much just use my hotel to sleep before the ride, iv been looking into what it would take to start camping as a way to save money. Iv been comparing tent camping vs "stealth"/backseat camping as well as shopping for a tent and debating the pros and cons of sleeping pads vs cots. As a single woman usually traveling alone, im not sure how comfortable i would be with general tent camping, but maybe for an event with a group of other cyclists near? I also plan to eventually do RAGBRAI where camping will pretty much be required. Slowly assembling gear now and getting used to camping will help when that time comes. It could also save me ALOT of money in the log run allowing more travel that i would be able to afford otherwise. Hopefully i can find a fairly cheap tent either online or Craigslist and at least do a test camp in the back yard to test feasibility. I used to camp with my dad quite a bit when i was younger but its been 25+ years and just because i enjoyed it then doesn't mean i could do it now! The only thing i really NEED to get started is a tent (and maybe a battery/USB powered Fan!!). UGH, so much top think about before my next event in a month. But its been a huge distraction from things i need to get done now.

I should also add that staying in a "dorm" period is out of my comfort zone, i definitely would not want to stay in a mixed dorm. Its just kind of silly for me to keep paying 60-100/ night for a room where i basically sleep and change clothes (if its just an overnight for an event i may not even use the shower).

Its not so much i would be turned away specifically due to age, its more the way they word things. "Dorms only for foreign nationals and out of state students (passport/student ID required)" type wording. Two of the hostels i found in new orleans word their "requirements" this way, stating no age limit/ student id requirements on single rooms (and at $200/night, i can stay at a hotel WAY cheaper). So they will rent to "older people" just not the dorms (or they will allow in female only which are booked for the dates i will be there). So far I have only checked out San Antonio and New orleans since those are the two cities i will be traveling to this year. Neither city currently has an HI hostel, the one in San Antonio appears to have been shut down (reviews said it was pretty scuzzy) and there is one in New orleans but it wont open until spring of next year.

Sorry to hear about your friend. Man I don't miss office politics, I'm so glad my current crew gets along well. Hang in there, hopefully it will get better.

UGH!! Summer has definitely arrived this week. Between the heat and the humidity I have really struggled to get the workouts done this week and fallen a bit behind. Week 3 recap: goals: 1. Ride outside at least 1 mile every day weather permits, 3 "Training rides" 7/7 & 3/3 63 mile "Tour d'Italia" yesterday, really struggled once things warmed up, there was also a problem with rest stops running out of supplies, I managed to finish but wasn't too pleased with my time didn't get my tempo ride due to feeling "icky" because of the weather, substituted a one minute ride Only 89.5 miles 2. run 30 minutes 2x/week 2/2 Planned two 40 minute runs First ended up being 45 minutes non stop after I accidentally hit the lap button on my Garmin Second was only 30 minutes of running with a 4 minute walk break after 20 minutes, I really struggled, but it was pretty muggy 5.5 miles 3. 2 core workouts per week. 1/2 only did one core workout this week. Life: Nada on either goal Really struggled with the don't wanas this week as temperatures ramped up, we have had a fairly mild (for north Texas) early summer and it seems like that's just making things worse now that its hot, all the rain we got the last few weeks isn't helping either.

I am a runner and a cyclist with a (lifetime) goal to complete at least one event in all 50 states, (kind of as an "excuse" to travel). Originally I was planning on depending on hotels, but changes in circumstances mean that I will need to board at least one of my dogs on my trips (LOOOOONG story but taking her with is not an option, even if pet friendly facilities were available). So I am looking at other places to trim costs including camping and hostels. I am a little leery of camping as a lone female and some places/times of year it wouldn't be practical. Has anyone over 30 stayed in hostels in the US? I was just kind of skimming different sites and it seems like a lot of them require student IDs or have other age limits. I am currently 33 and while I have started doing minor some traveling, the "serious" stuff will have to wait for at least a year until my house is paid off, most of the time when I travel I am only in the hotel to shower and change clothes so I don't need fancy. I'm Just looking for recommendations from the over 30s if there are any. Thank you

Week 1 recap: I worked days this week and my Grandmother and two aunts were in town from Wisconsin so many of my workouts were cut short to allow for a VERY hectic schedule. goals: 1. Ride outside at least 1 mile every day weather permits, 3 "Training rides" 7/7 & 3/3 did not get a good distance ride in due to scheduling conflicts did ride bike outside every day ranging from 2.75 miles to 26 miles/day Only 74 miles due to several rides being cut short 2. run 30 minutes 2x/week 2/2 2 runs, 35 minutes each, both non-stop 5.13 miles total did much better at keeping pace in check 3. 2 core workouts per week. 2/2 Life: 1. complete 6 pages of scrap booking by end of challenge 3 pages complete, ordered more pictures, waiting on them to arrive 2. 3 posts due by the end of the challenge. 1 blog post completed and posted This week I am back on nights with an event next weekend so hopefully things will be a bit less hectic and i can get my mileage back up.

Thursday plan was 25 mile tempo ride, ended up with 20 since i had family plans so had to cut the ride short, I also squeezed in a quick core workout. Friday easy day before planned long ride day on Saturday. Saturday, Plan was to get up and get as many miles in as possible before an 11:00 appointment then finish up "long" ride in the afternoon for total 60-65 miles. Unfortunately i just wasn't feeling it yesterday, I struggled to get in 26 miles before i had to get ready for my appointment, hoped after a good meal and afternoon nap i would feel up to getting more miles in but it just never happened. I decided to go ahead and take a break rather than push myself any more. Several saturdays the next month and a half I have apointments which will prevent me (combined with high summer temps) from getting in my long ride as a single ride so I had planned to do two a days but after yesterday I am rethinking and re working my schedule. I may have to settle for a truly long ride ever 1 1/2-2 weeks, fortunately i am far enough ahead of the training plan im using hopefully i will still be able to pull off the full 100 miles in august.

@CheshireCrab thanks for the link, It really seems odd that Strava wouldn't make that data easily available since obviously they are collecting/recording it.

Sunday was originally supposed to be a rest day, but i decided to run so i could have an extra day"off" later in the week. Rode 3.75, ran 2.58, I reset my fast alert on my garmin to 13/mile and started focusing on my HR. Still zone 3, but im managing to keep out of zones 4-5 so its a success. Monday 15 miles on the bike, hard (z4-5) random hills/intervals then core workout Yesterday i took advantage of the extra "rest"day to visit with my Grandmother after work insted of the planned 25 mile tempo ride which has been pushed to Thursday. Rode to work 1 mile Todaygot up SUPER EARLY to get my Global Running day run in before work. 3.25miles bike, 2.6 miles running. Not much progress on life goals but did get a VERY rough draft of one blog post done.

Welcome back, I'm just returning after my own POOF! Congrats on the new family member!

Week 1 recap: goals: My goals for this challenge and the next few are centered around preparing for the Hotter N Hell in August: 1. Ride outside at least 1 mile every day weather permits, 3 "Training rides" 6/6 &3/3 while i may tough out rain on occasion, the thunderstorms are another story. no ride Friday but all other days 100% 111.64 miles 2. run 30 minutes 2x/week 2/2 2 runs, 32 minutes and 39 minutes, both non-stop 5.72 miles total 3. 2 core workouts per week. 2/2 This was a tough one since i started late but i got it done Life: 1. complete 6 pages of scrap booking by end of challenge 3 pages 1/2 way done and bought stickers 2. 3 posts due by the end of the challenge. Completed two of the events I plan to blog about uploaded and sorted pictures outlined first post This week is going to be challenging since i have family visiting and i'm working days which seems to make working out SOOO much more difficult than my regular night shift. I am also trying to figure out where to add a speed workout to my schedule, I know the hills an t tempo workouts will both help with speed but I'm considering also doing a specific workout to also help increase speed, just don't want to end up overdoing.

not sure how much you run currently but the couch 2 5k app is great for getting started. I have been looking at doing a sprint tri next year and one piece of advice i see alot is to practice transitioning from the bike to running (called brick work) so your legs are used to the transition and "work like they are supposed to " I would think this would apply to swimming as well, i know it usually takes my legs a moment to adjust when getting out of the lake/pool. You may want to so atleast one workout a week as it gets closer where you swim then immediately get out of the pool/lake/ocean etc and run so your legs are used to the transition. unfortunately i dont have any advice about getting faster.

Yesterday it was STORMING so there was no outside riding for the NBC (National Bike Challenge). I stuck my bike up on the trainer and warmed up for 15 minutes then did my second core workout for the week. I think i am going to have to change up the plan a bit. The workout calls for "high" planks (pushup position) and iv only ever done forearm planks but figured the high planks would be even better and work my arms as well. Unfortunately my shoulder disapproved LOUDLY yesterday so time to adjust. Today was the Possum Pedal. Every ride I have registered for so far this year, they have called for rain and storms on ride day. So far Iv been lucky and its only been a very brief, very light drizzle. Today that luck ran out. nearly half of the 51 mile ride was pretty steady rain. Fortunately not thunder or lightning like yesterday (that would have put and IMMEDIATE end to the ride.) I had packed my rain gear so i was prepared but forgot my cap in the car so I kept having to stop to wipe my glasses so i could see. The rain lasted from mile 3 to about mile 28 then fortunately the skies cleared and the weather was nice. It was so tempting so many times to stop but i managed to keep going as others were turning around or flagging SAG vehicles. I finished and made pretty decent time though i still need to work on reducing my time at rest stops, unfortunately this ride some of the stops couldn't be helped. After the ride it was time for the Food Truck Championship of Texas, so i dropped my bike at the car, changed clothes and ATE. my motto for the day "ride all the miles, eat all the food." This is the first year i have done more than exchange my meal ticket for lunch and head home, it was nice to spend some time and check out the different trucks.

I know what you mean, the first time i actually referred to myself as a cyclist, it felt awkward. Unfortunately I think even more than with being a "runner" being a "cyclist" seems to have almost elitist connotations. I had ridden my bike on a regular basis for nearly 6 months, completed a 50 mile ride and was even upgrading from my hybrid to a roadbike but i still didnt feel "worthy" of being a cyclist. I still feel almost like a faker referring to myself as a runner and a cyclist, i am TEAM SLOTH (we get there when we get there) in both sports, I usually bring up the rear in events, but thats ok. One of the challenges I am doing this year is on Map My Run called You vs The Year and on the facebook group every so often some one posts something along the lines of "what makes a person a runner?" There are some who insist you must run an 8/6/5 minute mile to be a runner or you must complete half/full marathons but what ends up being the consensus every time is that if you are adding runs to your workout on a regular basis, even if its run walk intervals and you never choose to progress to running non stop you are runner. So dont feel bad calling yourself a cyclist if you want. I'm always very careful to explain to people when they ask when my next bike RACE is that I dont RACE, I RIDE. I have taken part in one "road race" (it did not go well.) And while one of my goals is to ride the race again, I only want to do so to improve on my previous performance. I do rides for fun and for motivation, if i know i have spent $35-100 on a ride/run, I may not WANT to workout that day but i remind myself that "EVENT" is in a few weeks and if i dont train i wont be ready and will loose my money. I also enjoy the change of scenery form my normal rides.

Congratulations! Sounds like you have a new running partner!

I got a totally unplanned PR on my 5k run this week, that counts as speed work right? Knocked off over a minute from my previous PR! So i guess I move around, really dont want to fight, i have pretty puny arms and would probably be on the loosing side.

1,000,000,000,000 BONUS POINTS!!!!!

I know Jeff Galloway's book has a "program"/recomendations for returning from injury. its been a while since i read it but if i remember correctly, he actually came up with his walk run method when recovering from a serious injury himself. I believe its something like start out alking for 5-10 minutes then if no pain, start 15s/45s run walk intervals, stopping and walking the scheduled distance if you feel pain. Like i said its been a while since i read his book so you might check it out and double check my information but i hope this helps.

I love that Strava shows me when i hit PRs for running various distances, but is there anywhere that I can see what my previous PR is? Or maybe a page that i can go to to find my 1st-3rd place times for each of the distances? Is it a premium feature? While its nice to hit a PR, I also want to know "how much" of a PR it is. Thanks

Love your goals. I saw something on Facebook that I thought you might be able to adapt to use with your students at school. https://www.yahoo.com/style/mom-apos-apos-rubber-band-130000143.html its geared mainly towards parents but I may start using a similar method when dealing with my nieces and nephews (who are spoiled monsters). if nothing else, this trick should help with mindfulness. Good luck on your challenge and remember: Summers almost here!

I was here after the Half Marathon I did with my sister in Raleigh. I was totally shocked to wake up so sore because we ended up walking 95% of the course (her schedule hadn't allowed her to train as much as planned). Have you taken your new watch for a run yet? I love my Garmins but im a data nerd.

@Primeval Thanks. This will (hopefully) be my 3rd year attending the food truck competition. I probably woundt go on my own since its too hot and WAY too many people. But its held in conjunction with the ride I am (hopfully) doing on Saturday and part of my ride fee is a ticket for a free meal at one of the trucks. Unfortunately right now they are calling for storms today through Saturday and possible flooding in areas so hopefully I will still be able to attend both. Wednesday: 15 miles of "hills" on the bike, really wish I had some real hills to ride so the elevation of my ride would match my effort, instead of just faking/enhancing hills. Felt good but it was difficult attempting the workout without the feed back of my Garmin. My Edge decided to magically have a dead battery (despite being charged two days earlier) so I mapped the ride with my Vivoactive but because its on my wrist its not easily accessible for feed back into my effort (HR/Cadence). Today: BRB day (Bike-Run-Bike) Total of 6 miles on the bike, ran 3.18. Confession time: I WAS BAD TODAY! The plan was to add one lap of the park after I ran 30 minutes. When I completed my extra lap I noticed that one more lap would give me 5k and at today's pace it would be a PR (Mr, Garmin yelled at me a lot today) so I went for it, going all out from the 3 mile mark. I got my PR, I really wish Strava would let you see your 1st-3rd efforts so I would know just how much my PR was. My best record gives me almost 2 minutes (38:38) over the only other "true" 5k effort I have from back in November (40:33), but not sure how accurate that is due to nothing to compare it to on strava. Not only did I PR, but today is also the longest distance I have run without stopping. I finished that lap of the park but various body parts made it very clear they were not amused by my bright idea. I added an extra mile to my cool down to try to lossen things up before stretching at home. Today was significantly cooler and cloudy which may have helped the faster pace, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY need to focus on not exceeding 12:30/mile (today was 12:26) which is the upper limit I set on my Garmin. My runs have been creeping up in speed lately which would be ok if I wasn't running high Zone 3, low Zone 4 for HR. My goal for the next few months is to focus on endurance and very slowly build distance. I really need to learn to pace myself better now so that its not a problem come September. I know speed will come to an extent, but I don't want to be pushing so hard running that it starts hurting my cycling. EDIT: core workout wednesday

So far week 1 Monday: 21 mile Z3 ride Tuesday: 5 miles riding, 2.5 running, 32 minutes non stop. I have started riding my bike to and from the park where I run as warmup/cool down. I think a big part of the knee problems i was having are related to the poor quality of the roads in town so I go to the park and run laps, kind of boring, but so far hasn't ticked my knee off again. I also managed to start on 3 scrapbook pages, i need to print out maps and get some stickers before i can complete them. I also discovered a page from earlier in the year that I didnt finish so that has been added to the to do list. I started "research" for one of the blog posts "due" this challenge. It will center around the Food Truck festival taking place this weekend. Several of the food trucks are local and one was in town today so I stopped by for lunch. I'm planning to try out another local food truck tomorrow. I usually refuse to eat at local trucks at the festival figuring i can eat there any time, but i never do. I probably wont eat at more than 2 trucks the day of the event so this just adds to what i can post about. (excuses excuses). EDIT: rode bike to work and back sunday, 1 mile