July N2U CT Challenge - Laurel Lake Paddlepalooza

My original plan for this months N2U CT Challenge was TRX but that didn't happen.  I will save it for another month. Instead, we spent the better part of a couple afternoons paddling Laurel Lake.  

Part 1

We started off with the plan to paddle to the end of one of the fingers of Laurel Lake, about a 6 mile one way trip.  There are some cool rock formations out this way.  The paddle out to the start of Craig's Creek was easy.  On the way out I was paddling an average of 19 minute / miles.  Not fast by any means but it was a easy & enjoyable pace.  

It was about 3 miles to the turn for Craig's Creek.  For some reason when we made the turn we felt we were going the wrong way.  We paddled about a 1/2 mile more before turning around. It was a good thing too.  The wind was pretty strong on the way back.  It was a constant paddle to keep a forward motion.  If we paused the wind & waves would push us backwards.  

Around mile 4 we found a sandy bit to beach our kayaks & took a break for lunch & a swim.  Refueled & refreshed we hopped back in our kayaks to paddle back to our campground.

As mentioned before the paddle out was easy.  This was not true for our return trip.  On the way back my pace dropped to 26 minute / miles.  That was paddling non-stop for the entire 2+ miles back to the marina.  It was far from easy & enjoyable.  By the time we made the turn at Holly Bay marina my arms, back & shoulders were screaming.  My arms felt like they were about to fall off.  

After passing the Marina the wind was blocked & the water was nice & calm.  Back to an easy paddle for the remaining 1/2 mile to camp.  We pulled our kayaks out of the water then went back in for a float to cool off & soothe our tired muscles before heading back up to camp. 

Holly Bay Marina

Total trip 6.65 miles, 2 hours 22 minutes

Part 2

On Friday we were trying to decide whether or not to go for a ride or paddle.  We decided to paddle since we can ride our bikes pretty much any time.  

After taking a look at the Laurel Lake map we determined we were on the right path on the previous trip.  So we headed out again.  We figured the paddle would be another tough one but we were prepared.  

Again the paddle out to Craig's Creek was an easy one.  There were more clouds than sun so it didn't feel so hot.  In about an hour we go to the Craig's Creek turn.  We paddled on & about 15 minutes later we saw the first signs of rocks and knew we were on the right track.  We continued paddling for another 45 minutes or so before we got to the end of the lake…or was it the beginning?  Not sure what you call it but the water was flowing into the lake so maybe it was the beginning. 

The end or the beginning?

We paddled back to a nice spot for lunch.  After eating we played in the water for awhile.

Lunch Spot

Best picture of trip!

Surprisingly the wind wasn't as strong as the other day so that paddle back wasn't nearly as difficult.  Since it was mid-afternoon on Friday the boat traffic was heavier though so we did have some waves to content with. 

All in all it was a great day on the water.  

Total trip 11.22 miles, 4 hours 10 minutes.  

Happy paddling y'all

Run with All Your Hart - Lexington Satellite Run

Please join us on August 11th at 9:30AM at the Arboretum in Lexington, KY for a 4 mile run to honor the life of Sarah Hart, wife/mother, who was killed during an early morning run in June.  

The main race will be held at the same time in Russell Springs, KY but for those that are not able to make it to Russell Springs they are offering a 'Virtual Runner' option when you register.   If you register as a virtual runner they will mail you a t-shirt.  Since so many virtual runners are from Lexington there will be a T-shirt pickup announced soon to help save on shipping costs.

A portion of the race proceeds from the "Run with all your Hart" 4 Miler and Fun Run/Walk will be donated to the Sarah Roberts Hart Fund.

For more information & to register go HERE

For more information on the Lexington Satellite run go HERE

As of Friday, they had 145 virtual runners from all 50 states & 5 countries!!  

Transitions are Tough

I am not referring to T1 & T2 but job transitions.  Even when they are perceived as good they are tough.  Yesterday ended my 3 week transition from old job to new job which pretty much wreaked havoc on my training.  For the past 3 weeks I have been working with my back-fill, finishing up 2 projects while getting to know my new team, manager & what the heck my new department does.  Fortunately for  me, the transition was short and although the timing was great to leave my old role many have told me the timing couldn't be worse to walk into my new role.

To those folks, I say 'Challenge Accepted.'

To those that gave me this opportunity, I say 'thank you!'  The next 6 months are going to be tough but I am more than ready for the challenge.

This past week I finished a 3 month leadership development project at work.  I learned a lot but my biggest revelation was that when you are uncomfortable, you are growing as an individual.  Normally I avoid being uncomfortable. I think most of us do.   One of my favorite images lately is this one:

Source

Fortunately, I learned to embrace the uncomfortable just in time because I have a feeling I am going to spend the next few months outside my comfy zone.

In other news, I got a fun new toy yesterday.  Of course I had to take it to the pool this morning to try it out!

Also, I want to give a HUGE shout-out to Bia & the over 2100 backers that chose to believe in this amazing new product!  Below is the schedule to production.  I am so excited to sport one of the field test units in September!

Source

June Stats / July Goals

June FLEW by!!  Like most of the country, Lexington is experiencing some crazy hot temperatures.   The only outdoor activity that is enjoyable to me is swimming.  Although if these crazy hot temperatures keep up the pools will be too darn hot as well.  

Cave Run Lake - Me, Coy, Courtney

June Stats:

• Swim (Goal/Actual) - 12 miles / 12 miles  11 pool swims + 1 OWS - all but 2 swims were at the outdoor pools.
• Spin / Road (Goal/Actual) - 8 / 5  (89 miles)
• Run (Goal/Actual) - 12 / 9 (27 miles)
• Pilates Reformer(Goal/Actual) - 4 / 4
• Yoga (Goal/Actual) - 4 / 1
• June N2U CT Challenge - Jump & Pump
• Races (Goal/Actual) - 1 / 1 - Markey Race for Women's Cancer
• Rest Days - 4

Total Miles = 122

Total Time = 28 hours

2012 Nike Go the Distance Challenge (Goal / Actual) - 200 miles / 70 miles

I received my award for hitting the first distance milestone - 50 Miles.

I finally managed to hit my monthly swim goal but most other goals fell off a bit in June.  I am having a really hard time getting on my bike 2x a week.  I think part of that is my worry about getting re-injured.   I also had a couple high stress work weeks in June which when that happens I tend to drop some of my evening workouts.  That is why yoga took such a big hit last month.  


Speaking of injury, my butt is doing great but now my right knee is giving me some grief.  I looked up the symptoms in my trusty Runners Doc Guide & it looks like Runner's Knee.  What killed me was one of the causes listed in the book is having a bike seat too low.  $hit!  I had the seat dropped because it was killing my butt.  Although my knee started hurting the day after I did the Jump & Pump class so I think that was the cause & not my seat height.   Hopefully a couple of rest days will fix it up.  



Starting July 2nd I am starting a new position at work.  I will be stepping into a manager role for the first time ever.  I have been in product development for the past 9 years & this new role is in current products.  Basically, we will be working with manufacturing issues, customers issues, cost issues - see a theme?  I am excited about this new role for the growth opportunity but know it will be really crazy for the next few months which is why I am dialing down my July goals a bit.


Here are my July workout goals:

• Swim - 10 miles
• Spin / Road - 4 (60 miles)
• Run - 8 (24 miles)
• Pilates Reformer - 4
• Yoga - 4
• July N2U CT Challenge - TRX
• Rest Days - 4-6

I have no races planned for July.  I am contemplating a 5K this month but if the weather stays crazy hot I will bag that idea.  


I should receive my next shipment of Clif bars at the end of July which is good since I am completely out! 


Stay cool y'all!