Eagleman 70.3 Race Report (Part 2) -- June 10, 2007

I just finished reading Holly's race report. This woman is so inspiring. For those of you who raced Eagleman with me you may have heard me cheering for her. You may have seen her barrel roll over the finish line (not too long after I finished). I had checked out her blog months ago, via Nancy Toby and I introduced myself to her at Eagleman. Holly is being treated for Malignant Melanoma....It is also her dream to one day complete an Ironman --which I'm sure she will.

I won't tell you any more....just go read it. It's the kind of report that will make you cry, so grab the tissue. Her story makes my journey seem insignificant...but most of it is already written.... so for the sake of not deleting it....here it is.

Bike 56 miles.

I saw TRIgirls Melissa, Margo, and Sandee at one intersection leaving the out on the bike... and TRIgirls Shawn and Karen at the next intersection. Man do these girls rock or what? They drove 8 hours in one day with insane traffic on the way back just to cheer for us. I think Melissa got up at something like 3:30 so she could be there for our first transition....and Margo drove in all that traffic!

Me and my TRIgirls after the race.....Mwwaahhh! LOVE you guys!

Starting out on the bike....

At the very next turn, my asthma meds flew out of my back pocket onto the street! Damn.

My main concern for the bike was not getting a flat (which maybe it should have been)....but getting lost if the support crew got distracted and wasn't pointing the way. I took Coach Grandison's advice and took the first 20 minutes easy, allowing my body to adjust, just drinking. After about 20 minutes I ate something and cranked it up a notch. I'm really not sure what when wrong next but I was having extreme back pain....not sure if it was due to the pull out couch or what but I was very uncomforatble. I tried many different things to stretch it out and actually I wish that I'd pushed it on the first 20 minutes because little did I know that that was the only part of the ride that was easy. As soon as we got out to the Blackwater wildlife refuge, the winds picked up hugely. And as many folks had warned me, it was head winds the entire time -- how is that possible? My heart sank as I was passed by more and more people. (I expected this on the run, but not the bike). Even people I knew I was faster than back at home passed me at a high rate of speed. And all I could think was "what is wrong with me?"

The conclusion I came to is simple, It comes down to this: I didn't train on flats. And with my body type it made much more of a difference.

I noticed that more than anything, I was distracted by the beauty of the nature preserve and the scenery. I had trouble focusing on my race due to the sheer longness of it. It seemed to go on forever.

The texture of the ride came only in fragments. When I was being passed by someone super fast. Or when I passed road kill with the most intense smell that I just chose not to breath. By a guy who passed me going over a small bridge that seemed to be a small favorite fishing spot. A 400-some pound woman in a bikini was sunburned beyond what could possibly be healthy. And the cyclist says to me, "That woman in the bikini -- she won Eagleman last year!" You know she thought she was going fishing in the lonesome, remote Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, not fishing in front of over 2,000 extremely health concious and body concious athletes.

The the texture of me wondering what the hell that pile of little yellow sponges in the middle of the road was BAM!!!!-- "S*@#!" I just figured it out. The biggest F-ing pot hole you've ever seen in your life. No wait, two of them in a row. And all those little yellow things in the road with some GU's and some water bottles to boot are the little spill-proof plastic spongy things that fell out of the triathletes Profile Design Aero bottles. Some eagle is going to try to make a nest of those things!

I drank my Accelerade, which was in my bottle cages but mostly preferred my water because I love my Aero bottle so much and it is so easy to drink from. I picked up a water bottle at every water stop but one (and yes, I slowed down a little to grab it). Each time I squirted it directly into my aerobottle. And tossed it back to the aid station. The volunteers (especially on the bike) were really nice. I made sure that I thanked as many as I could.

All this water was making me need to pee! Yet another dilemea. Even though everyone says, don't try anything new on race day. I had a plan. I was planning to try something new (peeing while on my bike) on race day. Mr. Preschool said it was OK to pee in his/our shoes. Again, just like the race it was way more challenging than I had imagined it would be. I don't want to get too graphic here but let's just say I peed 4 times on the bike. And each time I did it, It slowed me down quite a bit. In fact, I wonder if I should have just gotten off the damn bike.

Changing my wet socks before the run!

Run 13. 1 Miles.

Back in transition, I could smell people grilling and the feel the celebration starting. But I still had a long way to go. Nancy Toby caught up with me. After trying to leave out the wrong exit and thinking I somehow lost my race number (which I didn't) I was running in circles off to a rough start again. Nancy quickly passed me looking really strong on the run.

I ran when I could, but right off the bike, it wasn't for more than a few minutes at a time. I started to feel overwhelmed for the first time at what lay ahead for me. And each time I ran, I started to have an asthma attack. After using my inhaler, I felt slightly better but not great since it takes about 15 minutes to work. I walked a few more minutes. Then came Som and Mark and Rick and Amy, all passing me at my 1.5 mile point and they were coming down to the last mile in their race. Each one cheered for me but instead of feeling happy or feeling more motivated to run, I felt this overwhelming emotion and it would trigger another attack. I was a wreck! I think I was so moved that these incredible athletes (Mark, Michael, Jeff, Rick, Amy, Blake and Som) had so much left in them to chear for me even in their homestrech. I had nothing for them. I wanted to encourage them but I couldn't. I think that's why I got so emotional. It didn't cross my mind that this senario made sense. Eagleman was a taper for them. They were supposed to have plenty left at the end. They've been training for Ironman Cor d'Alene which is next week.

Wild turkeys that we saw on the run.

I was starting to see some of the faster TRIgirls - Liz and Suzie. I can tell I was out of my "fight or flight" mode that was triggering my asthma attack because I was actully able to cheer for them. By the time I saw Suzie she had just a 5 K left. Go Suzie! And then I stared to see my other girls... Cyndi, Deanna B., Lynn, Kate, MaryJo, Anna, Carmen, Molly, Sharon, and Deanna L. Still, they started the race before me (except for Molly and Anna) and they were faster than me. You put the two together and you get a long wait for them at the finish line before I will cross. I found a group of walkers to hang with...Some very cool girls Kristen Mylotte from Baltimore and Angie Yohey from Bloomsburg, PA. I tried my best to keep up with them.

Here's my walker gang...that's Angie on my right...I was so glad when I crossed the finish line and looked back I saw that the TRIgirls were kissing and hugging on her too!

And through it all Mr. Preschool rode his bike keeping tabs on me. Mostly he'd ride from water stop to water stop, making sure I was doing OK. He is the greatest!

When it got hot, I put ice cubes in all my pockets, down my bra, in my back and in my hat. When I ran, It sounded like I was mixing drinks!

Here's a photo Melissa took of me coming down the home stretch. It's a little out of focus, but I look happy don't I?

I think I'm happy that I can see the finish!

Eagleman 70.3 Race Report (Part I) -- June 10, 2007

Well the race is done. I've been procrastinating writing my Eagleman race report for many reasons -- I guess mostly because the race didn't really rock my world...like I had hoped it would. ...Like so many races before have rocked my world for me.


I'm not sure why but I suppose I thought since I was attempting something so difficult (something that many days I doubted I could actually accomplish) something so big, that surely it would have a bigger impact on my life than smaller less important races. I guess I don't want to dwell on it too much...but I supose it is a combination of not performing as well as I had hoped and realizing that I'm not as strong as I thought I was. Pretty ironic for a race that is supposed to test your limits (and it did) and when you complete it (which was your goal) you actually feel weeker.

I guess I will tell my story. Perhaps when I am done, I'll have a better understanding of it all and my feelings. (And yes, this is a long one, so for your sake and mine I'm gonna break it up a bit).

Leaving the kids.


The anxiety gods were kind....I didn't worry about leaving my kids....even though I had only slept without them both once before, for only one night (when I was doing IronGirl). They didn't seem to mind to much that I was leaving (since Gramma and PopPop where here) and actually Redfish didn't even want to talk to me on the phone when I called on Saturday night. I guess maybe he was secretly mad at me for leaving.



Race morning, I was surprisingly calm. Our homestay rocked and was only about half a mile from transition and on the run course. I could have walked, but Mr. Preschool didn't want me to carry all of my stuff. Got to meet Nancy Toby again (we met the afternoon before at the expo when I recognized Buttercup, her bike with Nancinator written on the top tube). She was very nice and tried to alleviate any last minute fears I might have had. That was pretty cool, since she's kind of a mentor for me in a strange sort of way. And Mr. Preschool took this photo of us before the race.




Swim 1.2 Miles.
The weather gods were kind. On race morning it was actully cold enough to want pants and a sweat shirt. The Choptank river was not as choppy as it had been the night before and white caps were few and far between. Despite many jellyfish tales, they were just tales, as not one was in sight. After watching several waves I picked the spot I wanted to start in, just in front of the left bouy -- surprisingly I didn't really have any company! Everyone seemed to bunch in the center, and I had no trouble with anyone kicking, pushing, or swimming over me. Unlike the IronGirl start, where we had to tread water for 5 minutes before the race in a holding pen-- the in water start was so shallow that we could just stand and wait for the count down. Endorphin's Michael Harlow had taught us at a recent open water clinic to basically go after hearing the count of 2 (instead of 1 and then going) and that seemed to be what everyone was doing. I had planned on "dolphining" until I could no longer stand, since it was so shallow, and since I saw the leader in several of the waves was either the person dolphining or running in the water. This worked well until I realized that my wetsuit was biting me in the neck. I sure felt like the velcro teeth were digging in deeper with each stroke and with each turn of my head...but after several times of standing up and refastening the back of my wetsuit I realized that it couldn't be the velcro teeth digging into my neck but the wetsuit itself. I could tell I was drawing blood, but what was I going to do? Stop? No.

With every turn of the head and breath it worsened. Sort of like a rubber rug burn. Despite the pain I was able to draft off of several Athena's shoulders....changing drafters only when they slowed down too much or swam off course. The chop in the water was unpredictable. I definatly swollowed way more water in Eagleman than I ever did in any other open water swim. At Sandman the ocean waves were huge and rough, but none-the-less predictable. At Eagleman there was no logic to the waves. I have a hunch that many were caused by the wave runners and rescue boats and the taste of diesel fuel filled much of the swim. Strangely, the water out in the river was warmer and it was cooler close to shore. I stayed close to the buoys and there always seemed to be a jam up of people at everyone I passed. At one point after the turn (day glow orange bouy) I started swimming back to the yellow buoy I had just passed, but a man on one of the rescue boats told a handfull of us that that was the wrong bouy and we turned again. I could see really well with my prescription goggles and they are the best $20 I have ever spent! Without them I would not have even been able to see any buoys!

Who cares if I look like a dork...or a fish for that matter.







The problem with the chop was that you were just sort of unable to see much in general because you always seemed to be lower than everything else. I got in a good rhythm several times during the swim but that was usually interuped by a back-up at the buoy. As I started to see people from one and 2 waves ahead of me, I realized I was actually doing pretty well. I looked up at one of the yellow caps from the wave ahead and realized it was TRIgirl MaryJo. MaryJo had been pretty nervous about the swim and I told her she looked great and that we were almost there. I couldn't believe I found her in the water in the middle of all that chaos and all of those people. As I came up on the boat landing, a blackness replaced the light brown water from before. I had checked out the slimy, rocky swim exit and knew I had to swim all the way up the ramp. Mr. Preschool was waiting out on the pier and as I took my last 5 breaths I could see him with each one, cheering for me and I even waved. One of my favorite memories of the race...and he got it on film!





I chose not to run in transition...something I had read on the IronStuck website. That worked for a while. And then I saw Laurie Mehler, our local race director...and in her excitement of her cheering me on (while she was racing the aquabike), It seemed like she was telling me I better run, and I did. Now I was going against 2 pieces of Ironstruck advice....1. don't run in transition on your first Half-Iron or Iron race and 2. Have a game plan, which I did....and stick with it -- which I didn't.




30 seconds later I was changing the game plan again -- grabbing my asthma medicine from my race hat...that I had planned to use on the run and sticking it in the back pocket of my tri suit. At the time I was worried that I would forget to grab it on the run (and I knew I would need it) but that was foolish, I wouldn't forget it if it was in my hat! Oh well. I grabbed my race belt, because they were requiring that we wear them on the bike. Mr. Preschool announced that I was in the top quarter of my heat....actually I was 4th out of the water for the athenas -- so that was great. I grabbed my bike and I was off.

I'll post more tommorow. Thanks for reading about my journey.

Eagleman Race Results and Finish Photo

Eagleman Race Results

(I will post a race report soon)

BIB : 2019
AGE 33

SWIM 39:20

BIKE 3:33:28

RUN 3:14:27

OVERALL 7:39:06
POSITION 1494

TOTAL SWIM 1.2 mi. (39:20)
2:04/100m
1229
TOTAL BIKE 56 mi. (3:33:28)
15.74 mph
1597
TOTAL RUN 13.1 mi. (3:14:27)
14:50/mile
1494

TRANSITION
TIME
T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE
6:54
T2: BIKE-TO-RUN
4:57

PENALTY
TIME
TOTAL PENALTIES
--:--

Last Post Before Eagleman

Well, this will be the last post before Eagleman....we are leaving early tomorrow morning.

The Ironman Live website will be tracking athletes live via their timing chip and will be covering the event on line. I don't yet know my race number, but you certainly can search for me by name if you want a real-time update on my progress. Thanks for all of your support in helping me get to the starting line....It is going to be a hot one....and with a little luck, I should be finishing sometime between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. Cross your fingers for me!


Here is the web address below

2 Days Until Eagleman -- Taper Hell

Nancy Toby is a local girl. So I hope she really knows what she's talking about when she says it is going to be 78 -82 degrees (depending on the source) during the Eagleman and only 3-5 MPH winds! Not that I'm counting on it...but just praying!

She did send me comment hinting at deer flies on the bike at Eagleman -- and guess what? The very next day at West Creek I was plagued by them on the bike and the run! I have NEVER seen any kind of flies out at West Creek until Tuesday, so go figure!

Mr. Preschool says that recently I've been exceptionally anxious (read bitchy)... and taking it all out on him. I don't know what he's talking about. I'm perfectly fine. Just flippin out at the thought of what have I gotten myself into! AND I just got a little upset when he said he was going to bring his bike and go on his own little adventure while I did my 1/2 IM.

He has supported me a hell of a lot by picking up the slack at home and watching the kids...and he'll be driving me home from the race....but still, that wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I asked him to come. I told him I was happy he was bringing a back up bike thought in case mine looses a major part or something! That is rational too, right?

The saga continues....Man, If I could just go run and bike for a couple hours, I think I'd be O.K.

Revised forecast

Yep, I knew the forecast for Eagleman was too good to be true. Maybe MSN weather wasn't the best place to find my weather info. The National Weather Service forecast is seeming much more realistic.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

But after yesterdays Monsoon-like tropical depression, that arrived just in time for the Powersprint...I guess a high near 85 isn't too bad. Yesterdays horizontal rain, cool temperatures and incredible wind brought out the best in the TRIgirls. With the worst race conditions I'd ever seen in my 5 years of racing, the baby pinks (girls doing their first race) provided there own sunshine. I didn't hear any whining and no one even talked of not doing the race. Amazing. I am so lucky to be part of this amazing group of women.

Photos will follow.

The Eagleman Forecast

Sunday Jun 10
AM Rain
Hi: 76° Lo: 69°
Mostly clear skies. High 76F and low 69F.
50% chance of rain

I know it is early....and it seems to good to be true, but Mr. Preschool usually comes through for me....and the forecast for Eagleman looks great! A high of 76! That is all I could ask for....now let's hope it doesn't change.

Eagleman 70.3 Homework

I've been trying to do my homework in preparation for Eagleman. I keep reading as many race reports as I can find from last year and years before with the hopes that I will garner some crucial piece of information that will make or brake my race. All the while trying also not to get freaked out by others mis-fortunes.
So far, I keep reading about wind, jellyfish and flat boring scenery. Jellyfish? What? I was told when I signed up for this thing that jellyfish weren't out yet. That it wouldn't be an issue...but then keep reading race reports of folks getting stung. God, I hope I don't get stung on the face.
Trigirl 40 is looking into buying some Sea Safe that we found out about from Nancy Toby...but there seems to be some discussion as to whether it would actually work.
So far I can say, I won't finish the race in 5:10 or 5:15 like these guys and maybe that is why the heat wasn't a problem for them. Plus they start a whole hour earlier than I will. I can also say that I'm happy that I won't have to drive and get stuck in traffic on race morning. And I'm REALLY happy that I'm not camping. It would suck to have folks packing up their car/gear while you were trying to sleep. And then sparking the race to the race, to see who can get set up first.
Entertaining stories aside, I will remember to rinse my feet well or at least try them and wipe them as best I can before putting my socks on. I keep thinking socks are the way to go for the bike and the run...but then that will mean no peeing on the bike (not necessarily a bad thing)...these final details and decisions are killing me!

IronStruck

There are quite a few TRIgirls, including myself who are IRONSTRUCK.

TRIgirl Jones recently posted a link to this site, and in preparation for Eagleman, I have been reading it every chance I get....even if it means shirking the dishes and the kids!

So far, I've been focusing on the top 10 first time Ironman mistakes sections...and seeing that I have NOT made these mistakes (so far in my preparation) has given me a slight (and well needed) confidence boost.

So far, I think the best advice I've learned from this site in preparation for my first HIM is NOT to run in the transitions. It really won't affect your time too much in a 6-7 hour (maybe more) race, and rushing in transition can lead to costly mistakes. I'm relieved to think that I can walk the transitions if I want. Running in bike shoes always sucks anyway!

Of course, it doesn't hurt to learn about men's leg shaving either. In the Shave or not to Shave section. I'm looking forward to reading more in preparation for my race. And of course, the RACEDAY section is a must

Now that we are in the homestretch, I'm starting to think about things like:

Confirming my Homestay

Directions to race (and dinner)

Racking my bike the day before and checking out the swim

Packing my bag ( and remembering all this STUFF!)

Visualizing my race

The pre-race meeting with VITO the race director

Maybe going to the The Spinvervals Pro Forum with Troy Jacobson and Q & A with Guest Panel of:Natascha Badmann - Chris Legh - Desiree Ficker - Luke Bell

Missing my kids the night before the race, and being worried about them all day while I'm racing

Getting my derailleur cable tightened after having had in changed out yesterday at 3Sports (they usually stretch out after 2 rides

Getting a final test in on the wetsuit

And....

Figuring out how I'm going to have the strength and endurance to pull this thing off.

Riding with Nature

Last night I rode on the early side, I was trying to catch up with 'lil sis Ann, but by the time I got there, she was basically done. So, instead of riding with the Tgirls, I rode with a white tailed yearling dear (who almost got hit by a cyclist....now that would have been a mess!), a turtle, a hawk (or buzzard, not sure I was going to fast to spend too much time looking at the sky), a really cool electric blue-tailed lizzard. As I was packing up to go home, the rest of the team arrived. It was much cooler by then and I was happy for them...but also happy for me that I got a good heat acclimation workout in.
My biking felt really fast (17.3 mph average) but when I realized that I averaged 17.8 mph at the Crackhead open, I realized I wasn't as fast as I thought I was. I guess the heat really did affect me after all. The run was miserably slow -- a foreshadowing, i'm sure, of how i'll react to the heat while running on race day.
I was thankful for the taper -- a 90 minute workout instead of 2 hours was a nice break.

75 Mile Bike -- Saddle Sores Really are Real!

Yesterday was our last super long workout before Eagleman -- a 75 mile bike ride. Mr. Preschool had warned me that miles 60-75 would pretty much suck and well he was right. Particularly because for the last 15 miles I was confined to West Creek.
After a late start, Liz, Kate O., Lynn and I made our way out of West Creek. For me it was the for the first time this season. I had almost forgotten how great it is to ride early in the morning out in the country. The smell of honeysuckle was thick in the air. Everything had sort of the misty morning look -- It was so beautiful and it was all rolling hills.
From Patterson we turned on to 621 and then took Broad Street for about 1 mile and turned back on 623. After one 8 mile loop at West Creek, I was ready to leave and go out on the open road again. I grabbed my lil' sis Ann and we were off. We did another 18 mile loop on 621/623. Yes, it's true I told her, no hills, no traffic, smells like honeysuckle -- and it was true the last loop. This loop however, it smelt like manure and there were trucks pulling horse trailers and other traffic. I think her idea of a hill and mine are different -- but hey, at least we weren't in West Creek.
I was so proud of her. Until yesterday she had only ridden 18 miles. By the time we got back, she was at 45 miles! Ah, but the sad news was that she was done and now I had 30 more to go. I needed to find someone to ride with!
I hooked up with Lynn and Kate O. again and we rode and rode. Lynn gave me water becuase I'd run out and that was a true blessing, I dumped most of it on my head. A group of crit guys blew past me and I tried to hang on and let them pull me but I couldn't.
And then, before I knew it we were done. I checked my cooler for water and remembered I'd put a container of frozen pinapple in there. Man that was the best treat ever!
When I got home, I quickly learned -- saddle sores really are real and they suck -- especially when you pee. Hopefully they will be well healed by the time Eagleman gets here -- in 13 DAYS -- OMG!

The Final Countdown, Swim Waves etc.

Well, first off, I should say that I am addicted to the internet. It has been 6 days now that we have been without phone, or dial up. All, in an effort to get a larger needle -- upgrade to DSL.

Sixteen measly days left till the race...OMG! Eagleman swim starts are up, and as I predicted I am in the last group of triathletes, starting at 8:08 a.m. I know, get ready for HOT, HOT, HOT. What I would give to do the swim last, so I could cool down and enjoy it!

That's it for now. Off to pick some strawberries!

The Crackhead Open

It's not named the "Crackhead Open" because someone cracked their head open, but because we decided that our coaches were on crack when they elected to have us all race against each other for our final long BRICK workout.

I know I am not the only one who was terrified at the prospect of it. Certain "anonymous" blog commenters agreed with me that we really shouldn't have to do it...but I also know the coaches were right. You don't train 6 months for a race and then not try to simulate the conditions before the big day. They wanted any mistakes that we made to be made at a mock race, not on the real race day. The good news is that hardly any of us made any mistakes. Everyone looked very strong.

Believe it or not I actually and truly thought I was going to come in last on the bike. And I knew I was going to come in last on the run. I had been dreading this day for months -- as soon as I found out there was going to be a day when I had to run 16 miles. When I signed up for Eagleman half iron, i never intended to train for the run. I figured I'd just limp along as best i could on the run and walk most of it -- just trying to finish. But I'm also one of those people who just follows the rules. And there was so much guilt associated with not doing a workout, I decided it was easier just to try my best to get it done. And with very few exceptions, that is exactly what I have done. True, I haven't followed all the swim workouts -- mostly because I am a strong swimmer who enjoys open water and who doesn't have access to an indoor pool or health club -- I do all my workouts at Maramarc or with TRIgirls.

Anyway, I'm rambling... I never ever expected that I would do so well on the bike. Now I know it is for several reasons that I "appeared" to do better than I actually did.

1. Cyndi didn't race with us (she would have rocked out!)

2. Liz and Susie got bumped up to the Ironman-Maramarc racing group and also rocked out!

3. Although there was no public acknowledgement of it, I'm sure there were several girls who could have performed better and raced faster but were silently protesting.

So, Anna Mac came in first. I came in about 10 seconds later...and actually everyone else was RIGHT behind me. There was really no big gap between all of us who finished. (unlike on the run when after that big gap would be me!) It turns out I like racing. It was fun being passed by Anna and Carmen and then passing them back and then being passed again by Anna.

Mark was sorta upset when I told him that I planned to run for an hour before the "race". Actually, he wasn't upset at all. Basically, he told me not to and I'm the one that got upset! Then he said, you know, you do what you gotta do. He wanted to see me race on fresh legs. I wanted to get a jump on the run so I didn't finish an hour (or more) after everyone else. I sort of compromised...running 4 miles before and running 12 miles after the bike race. For the 4 before, I took it really easy, it was difficult to shake Mark's advice not to run at all. I walked up each hill. The morning was cool. The sunrise over the lake was lovely and I really enjoyed my time. I allowed about 15 minutes when I got back to rest my legs before the race. Sharon was so cool and got everyone race "packets" with water, race numbers and a first aid kit, which I needed almost immediately -- I busted open my thumb right before the race while pumping up baby pink Kim's tires. Certainly, this is a fun group to train with. I love the spirit and the humor of this team.

Here are my times for the bike race:

26.40 1st 8 mile loop

28.16 2nd 8 mile loop

26.41 3rd 8 mile loop

Total time 1:20.41

average 17.8 mph

23.97 miles

Unfortunately, the run didn't go as well. Including breaks it took me almost 3 hours to run 12 miles. And, although it was about 75 degrees, windy and beautiful, I found that I was hot and didn't have enough water. I'm looking forward to water stops each mile during the race. Blake gave the great advice to ask for a cup of ice at each water stop put it in your hands and anywhere else it it'll fit to help keep cool. I counting on putting it in my bra and my hat. I know I'll need it. Mr. Preschool has promised me a nice day, not too hot for Eagleman (you didn't know he was a Shaman, did you)....but says that in the process it might have to rain. Anyway, I know I can't count on it. I'll be trying to find some hot afternoons to run. I was walking way more than I had anticipated on the 12 mile run and wasn't able to be as consistent with my run to walk ratio as I would have liked.

Running 6 miles before the bike and 6 miles after the bike, or breaking up my run in other ways on long run days, really has been much easier on my body and perhaps has not been the best way to train for a 13.1 mile run. Regardless, I feel optimistic that I will finish -- especially given the moonings, and cheering section that I'm anticipating at Eagleman.

Water Slide Triathlon Start -- Only in My Dreams!

Have mercy on me. The pre-race triathlon dreams continue. As do the 4:30 a.m. wakings. Please don't let this last through Eagleman...I'm not sure how much more I can take!

Last night, not only did my big race start inside of an office building...hmmmmm, I think it was on the 4th floor, but also, it was a water slide start. You know where they count down 5-4-3-2-1-GO and swwwwoosh down the water slide you go --headfirst. When you get to the pool at the end, then you start your swim. What? You've never done a water slide start in a triathlon? Well you should, It was fun!

And, it beats getting kicked in the face during a wave or mass start! I was so preoccupied, in fact, with the anxiety of the whole race that I forgot to actually to my "homework" when I got to the venue. You know things like checking out the swim start and exit, checking to see what the slope and the floor of the water are like. Visualizing each transition, and where I will be and how I will be racking (or un-racking my bike). Driving the bike an run courses...that sort of thing. Maybe this is my body telling me to make sure I arrive at the race site early on Saturday so I have plenty of time to check things out and worry! And wish that we were having a 4th story water slide start!

Triathlon Training Tips

By the way, check out Desiree Fickers Training Tips, she's got some great ones!

Eagleman Weighing on my Mind

Two things have been weighing on my mind. O.K., way more than 2 things! The triathlon race dreams have started. I think it is all being caused by the fact that our coaches are making us race each other this weekend on our 28 mile bike. After that, I don't think I'll have much left for the 16 mile run....so I'm planning on running 6 before the bike and 10 after.

My first response to the whole racing thing was "that's crazy!" why do they think they can pit us against each other like we are racing! I mean we are friends -- not competitors....that is SO taking it up a notch. But, I know how silly that is. The truth is that we are all in it to race -- even if some of us don't view it that way. Personally, I think -- well, I'm not going to win, so I'm not really in it to race. But the truth is we are all in a race. And Eagleman, more so than any other race I've ever done is a true race with serious competitors.

Nancy Toby, tells me that last year, the Athena's (150 lbs. +) had a primo spot in the transition area, racking next to Natascha Badmann (Six-time Ironman Kona Champion) and Desiree Ficker (last years 2nd place winner at Kona). They are slated to compete again this year at Eagleman and the thought of that is quite intimidating for an age-grouper like myself who is quite in awe of their accomplishments. I've heard that Badmann rides with ONLY aerobars on her bike....I'd kinda like to see that!

The other thing that is weighing heavily on my mind is that yesterday at our 2 hour brick workout I injured myself -- for the first time this season. It is really no big deal....basically I was just trying to catch TRIgirl Cyndi (impossible) and pushed myself a little too hard. I turned my ankle kinda' funny and although I knew I could certainly finish the brick, I chose to cut it short and go home and ice it because it was hurting with each pedal stroke. At this point in the season, I know it would be devastating (to my confidence) to miss a major workout like Saturday and if I did, it would make me doubt whether I was fully prepared for Eagleman.

The good news is that 2 hours of icing seems to have done some good. It was quite stiff this morning but is feeling only a little sensitive now, later in the day. At the same time, I can't believe how much not being 100 percent for a workout and how much cutting out an hour early affected me mentally. I guess it is a good thing that I'm pretty much a go by the rules girl. Because when I don't go by the rules and do a prescribed workout I feel like crap! Even if I have a good excuse.

On another note, we went to the pool yesterday, the first day of the outdoor season. The water was perfect for a wetsuit -- I'd say maybe 65 degrees. So, I'll be testing one out later this week. Too bad Daisy didn't have one for her swim. But, I guess she didn't mind too much because she was swimming around like a fish!

60.28 Miles

Yes, I did feel a bit like a gerbil going around and around in circles for my 60 mile ride at West Creek. But I got it done anyway. A new distance PR for me. It took me about 3 hours and 40 minutes of riding time....so I guess I know what kind I've time I'll be going for at Eagleman.

Fun? hmmm I'm not sure if I'd call it that. But 1. I was glad I was not doing 60 in the blue ridge mountains like many of my teamates and 2. I really enjoyed riding with half Iron hopefuls Mary Jo and Becky.

Eagleman Half Ironman Forum

My stomach is now starting to knot. It always does when I look at the swim wave start times for
my next big race. Don't go rushing to see them....they are NOT up yet for this year...I was looking at last years swim starts. But, a little birdy told me they will be up VERY shortly!

I was curious because I found the official Eagleman Forum where someone asked about the current. A very knowledgeable forum member provided the low tide time: 7:22 a.m. and said that the current shouldn't start picking up and be bad until about 8 a.m.
Well, when am I swimming? I thought. I hate being last to go. Not only do I have to finish later because I started the journey later, but also it is hotter! And I hate standing around with early morning jitters -- the worst hurry up and wait of my life.

If they do it the same as last year, I will start with the Athena's at 8:08 a.m. in the third to last heat. My goal is to swim fast because the longer I take, the worse the current will be after the turn around especially. My only consolation is that if I was not an Athena, I'd only get to start 5 minutes earlier at 8:03.

So, for now, I'll take a deep breath and worry more about that 16 miles I have to run in 8 days.

The Worst News....

I have the worst news....for me that is, not for you. This is life alterning. Things will never be the same again kind of news.
Redfish has given up his nap. No more blogging about workouts during naptime. No more talking to friends on the back porch or checking up on the news. No more sneaking out to the garage and getting a little cardio on the trainer in.....O.K. wait...I never got around to doing that, anyway.
Naptime is officially out the window....so forgive me if I shed a little tear.
It was bound to happen eventually....But my little boy is growing up so fast.

Brick Sandwich (Bike + Run = ick)

7 Miles Running (8 minutes running, 1 minute walking)
Plus 28 Miles Biking (in the rain)
Plus 7 Miles Running (5-7 minutes running, 1 minute walking -- in the rain)
Equals a BRICK SANDWICH!

That is all I have to say about that.....Workout DONE!

Triathlon Training Tip No. 1

Eagleman Triathlon Training Tip No. 1.

You know it's OK to skip a workout (or half a workout in this case) when you ......only have 3 running bras and they are all in the wash. Not because you slack at doing laundry....but becuase you worked out that morning, you worked out the night before...and the night before that! And besides, it's raining out there.

Hmmm.... I guess if I was hard core I'd just put a wet bra on and bike in the rain anyway.....maybe someday, but not tonight. OK, How many of you were out there biking last night in the rain? YOU are hard core!

When You Think You Can't -- You Trick Yourself

First of all, I should say that being a stay-at-home mom, I often get confused about the date.
I was rushing to post this yesterday, thinking that Tuesday was April 30th --the day set aside for One Day Blog Silence. Anyway, to make a long story short, I posted this entry yesterday, but took it off line as soon as I realized yesterday was April 30th.

I'd like to take a moment to remember the victims at Virginia Tech. Their lives were not lost in vain. We will remember them forever. We will remember to love others and to help lost souls when we encounter them. And keep those that we love nearer in our hearts. We never really no how long we will be here. So we struggle to make each day we live full and worthwhile. I often think of the Harvey's -- Stella and Ruby, Kathryn and Bryan....and they help me remember to have no regrets and to live each day the best that you can. Giving. Learning. Striving for more. And Thriving.

Here's the original post:

Almost all the Triathlon Blogs go silent on weekends. Especially beautiful weekends like this one. My Google Analytics readership plummets from a high of nearly 80 during the week to a measly 13 hits.

Everyone is out working out. No one is at home at their computer blogging about working out -- just as it should be.

Luckily, this weekends workouts were pretty unforgettable. So blogging about them 2 days later should be no problem. Saturday was a tough one. The second of 6 really intense workouts leading up to Eagleman. And with each one, I'm a little floored that I actually complete it. I'm never planning at the start of the workout to actually commit to doing the entire thing. It would be to devastating for me to commit to running each of the 12 miles -- for if I somehow failed, regardless of the reason, I'd have trouble looking at myself for the rest of the day. And regardless of how much I had done, I know I'd feel bad.

I figure if you are training for a race like Eagleman, you do it anyway you can. If that means playing tricks on your mind or your body to get it done -- then you do. Some people will need to use those tricks for the open water swim. I need to use my tricks to get through the long runs. And, on Saturday,that meant arriving early, and running a 6 mile loop before I started the transition clinic for the new TRIgirls at 8. Unfortunately, because I chose to spend a few extra minutes that morning with the kids, I only got in about 5 miles before the clinic -- but still, they went well enough that I had a huge head start mentally. Many of the Ironman Florida-Eagleman training group looked at me a little funny since I was running first, and that wasn't our workout....but you know, you do what you have to do. I also knew it wasn't really a head start since I stopped for about 50 minutes to do the transition clinic with Mark -- but I was hoping it would give me the feeling of an even start. I felt fresh after resting at the clinic, and that was my goal. To pretend that I was just doing your run-of-the-mill 28 bike and 6 run kinda' brick. Pretending like I hadn't run at all that day, but slept in later than usual.

The bike went OK. I drank my coffee and ate some low fat cheese during the clinic so I was feeling pretty good. But, I lost my riding partner when stopped to check on a newer TRIgirls bike that was malfunctioning, so I biked mostly alone. Seeing all the other girls (and boys) passing around the West Creek Circle made me smile. Although it wasn't very warm (maybe 60 degrees) it was sunny and it felt hot. I'd gotten sunburned on Thursday and this was the reminder I needed to pack sunscreen AND USE IT!

I was sweating alot. My new saddle was good and I was grateful for it. My new bike shorts worked fairly well, but absorbed all of the sweat that ran down my back. I was practicing my nutrition plan. I drank one bottle of Lemon-Lime Accelerade and half a bottle of water (should have been a full one). I unwrapped and ate a peanut butter Cliff bar while aero -- that was a feat in and of itself! Next time I'll unwrap it before the ride and cut it up (thanks for the tip Blake).

I know this sounds funny, but the whole time I was biking, I kept telling myself that I had run the 6 mile loop at West Creek that I had come to run in the morning. I'm not very good at lying to myself, but that is a lie that I needed to hear. I had skipped the "nub" as we call it -- the 1.3-some mile bit that reaches from the Xterra parking lot back out to Patterson and back. But I needed to think to myself...I've only got one loop to do -- only 6 more miles!

I finished the bike, changed shoes and grabbed my IPOD, my inhaler and drank some more water. I started the loop on the "nub." Something is not right. OUCH. This was not going to work. The new bike shorts SUCKED for running. The pad absorbed every bit of sweat from the previous run and the bike and I was running with a big diaper between my ample thighs. I couldn't run 6 more miles like this. What was I going to do? Well, yes I thought of giving up...but, well, not today and not that easy.

A huge smile crossed my race when I realized that I could change into the tri suit that I had brought to show the new girls what one was. I grabbed my transition towel and threw it around my waist. I convinced myself that really just a sports bra was not indecent -- it was really just a turbo top. I flung off my top and bottoms and slide the tri suit on. My legs were sticky and sweaty. It was not easy. The arms rolled up on themselves in a tangle of skin and sweat and then I was back out on the run. Slowly but surely. Mainly I was able to keep the 8:1 minute ratio of running and walking but sometimes I cut it short on the run if I needed to walk on the hill.

And I enjoyed that there was something more going on at West Creek than just the trees and the squirrels. I couldn't believe the number of fish people were pulling out of West Creek's lakes. There were almost as many fisherman there as triathletes. It must have been opening day of fishing season, and when I stopped to ask, they told me they were pulling out Bass and Crappie.

Now I was getting really HOT. Still it was only 65 degrees out. I need to work alot on heat acclimation, because I know Eagleman is known for its hot run with no shade. I swear when I went home I thought I'd been running in at least 85 degree heat. And my body started dragging for the last "2 miles". Trigirl Carmen was behind me and I knew very well she could and would catch me. I was dreading it.

I few key moments of emotion swept over me. I'm not sure why. Ironman Jeff shouted encouragement to me from across the loop. He was running 18. I was just so grateful for encouragement and it was like with each step the cover to my emotions was rubbed thiner and thiner. And then Coach Blake and Rick ran past also encouraging me. Good thing there was still someone out here running, I thought.

And there was that voice in my head again...

"Sucks to be the first to start and the last to finish." I told it to shut up.

As I started to approach the 288 interchange, I could see Carmen closing in. I kept running. There was a triathlete parked in one of the turnoffs at West Creek, she was loading up her car, packing up. I didn't even remember seeing her out on the loop. I looked right at her. Wasn't sure what to say, I was too out of breath. She looked me in the eye and said,

"Damn girl, you still out here?" and I'm sure she didn't mean it like this but it was like a "What's your problem?" sort of voice. And in an instant, my heart sank and my face burned. I felt like I was going to cry, but I didn't. I think she meant it as part awe and part sympathy but it came across at so many levels, I didn't know what to do with all of my emotion. I had to stop running. I couldn't go on. The emotion had triggered my asthma yet again. I walked, and pulled out my inhaler. I just didn't know how to respond. I felt like saying, "Well I am training for a half iron race. No one said it was easy. And if your slow...you still have to put in the workouts...they just take longer." I was mad, I don't know why.

I walked a few steps and then ran again. I looked back and Carmen was hot on my trail. I ran for another 6 or so minutes and then took my last walk break before the parking lot.

When I went to run again, there was something wrong with my foot. I was about 20 yards from the parking lot and I wanted to finish strong...(or at least look it). I limped it in. Happy I was "done" and Carmen hadn't managed to pass me because I made i made it safely to the lot before she did.

In my mind I was done, even though I wasn't really. I'd made it through 2 loops minus one nub.

I saw swim coach Som in the parking lot.

"Hey, How was the run?" he said (thinking I'd finished.)

"It sucked" I said.

He sort of laughed this awkward laugh.

"I mean it was great -- wonderful!" I said. Remembering that Mr. Preschool had just reminded me that I didn't have to do this if I didn't want to. I could drop out at any time he said...or just skip some workouts....I think he meant well...but no, well I couldn't. Not really.

I was in the parking lot at my car. I was chatting like I was done. I was drinking like I was done. I put my IPOD down like I was done. Then, TRIgirl Lynn came up. Someone said, "Lynn, you done?" She raised her hands over her head in a sort of victorious fashion and said something like "Yeah Baby, 28 and 12! I'm Soooo Done!"

And I thought, I want to have a finish like that! I am NOT DONE!

And the voice inside my head said

"No one will know. No one will find out!"

"You are practically done, anyway...basically"

But, I wasn't done. And I couldn't feel good about my workout until I was.

The foot "injury" and limping were miraculously gone. I felt great. I didn't feel out of breath or like I'd just done a 28 and 12 brick. And maybe that is the thing that motivated me most to get back out there. I felt like I should have been more beat. A few minutes of the "I'm done" mentality and I was refreshed.

I walked back to my car. I put on my IPOD. I was really hoping no one had really seen me stop. That no one had seem me waiver in my determination to really finish the brick. I headed back out for the nub. Coach Mark, who had started his workout a full hour behind me -- was walking up the drive.

"You done?" I asked

"Yep" he said.

I walked past him. Thinking about how he finished before me despite my hour-long head start.

I started to run the nub. I saw Carmen (who had continued on with out stopping) pass going back to the lot. It was the longest 1.3 miles I think I have ever run.

I heard footsteps behind me. Ironman Jeff, passed swiftly. "I thought you ran a loop before the clinic," he said.

"Well, I did" I said, "Except for the nub, and now I'm doing it."

And that is the story of how I ran 12 miles for the first time.

Sunday I took half a day off work to go to the open wate swim. We had a great time practicing in the James River. We looked like a bunch of seals. Thank God I love the open water. After Saturday, I needed an easy workout. Here's a photo of the gang.

Want to get together? Call me after Eagleman!

I've been struggling with time management. I feel like afternoon play dates will just have to wait until after June 10th. I feel like time is at a premium. Between Mr. Preschool's graduate class, Daisy's soccer, and my strength training and evening workouts, there is just not much time left.
I miss those family diners. I miss just hanging out and putting my kids to bed. I go days wanting to tell my husband something and sometimes it is days before I actually get the chance....or sometimes weeks later I realize that I still haven't told him so I send him an email while I'm thinking about it! Most of all though, I miss the quality time with Daisy. She gets out of school at 3:30 or so, which means just a few precious moments before someone has to dash off somewhere. And it is rare that she gets just me alone without her little brother.
So, yes, I feel guilty. Parents of only children I know actually have lunch with their kids at school. I just can't do that and drag Redfish along. So, I set aside Saturday afternoons after my long brick for just her and me. Trouble is, that I'm usually too tired or grumpy to give her 100 percent. Or, other things get in the way and I put it off. But I know I'm not being fair to her.
Kids are resilient. She'll be OK. I hear school is getting out early (June 15th) since we didn't have any snow days this winter. Before I know it, summer will be hear and I'll have had my fill of the kids and be dying to get out on the road and crank out some miles. But for now, I'm wishing I could give her more of me.

Daisy has lost both front teeth now. She is so cute. She won't be like this forever. But maybe she'll still be like this in 6 weeks, when Eagleman is done. In the meantime, maybe I'll wake her up and kiss her and talk to her when I get home from my workout. Maybe she'll even still be awake. I bet she wouldn't mind.

50 Miles at West Creek -- Ouch My Girl Parts!

I hit a new milestone yesterday with a 50 mile bike. It gave me a new appreciation for my husband, who's done some century (100 mile) rides. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful ride. But tomorrow I'm going out and buying a new saddle, and new bike shorts. Everything is just fine and dandy but my girl parts.

I can't believe that I really only own one pair of bike shorts and that I've done laundry religiously so that I could wear them for every single ride since 2003 when i bought them. Do I need to mention that Mr. Preschool shares them with me? I know, I'm cheap. I love these shorts and I'm cheap. They were $65 when I bought them and I remember thinking....I sure hope I get my money's worth....that is an awful lot for a pair of shorts!

My saddle is from 2003 also, so I figure I'm due for one of those too.

Still need to work out the kinks in my nutrition plan....also on the shopping list: Cliff Mojo, Acclerade, Gu. But also V8, which surprisingly revived me when I was feeling like needed a pick me up of the non-sugar sort. I'm sure the sodium content helped since I'd been drinking plain water. Together with the cheese sticks and a few cashews, they saved me from my sugar low right before the last 10 miles.

May 12th we'll be riding 70 miles... wait let me go to the bike store right now.

One Day Blog Silence

Triathlonmom and hundreds (if not thousands) of other bloggers will go silent on April 30th in memory of the victims at Virginia Tech and in memory of victims of violence everywhere.

One Day Blog Silence will be a day to unite and honor those who were taken before their time.

Join me and pass the word along.

Not With These Hands Pledge of Non Violence

TRIgirl Training has been working on our group pledge of non violence for quite some time. We finally got it all together....and here it is. If you haven't made your pledge already you have one more day, they are due tomorrow. Go to notwiththesehands.org
We pledge to aways remember love.

TRIgirl team members with our "Hands" pledge banner. From left to right: Courtney, Caroline, Becky, Ashley, Jill, Jonah, Nicole, Valerie, Kim, Carrie, Grandison, Melissa M, Patty, Diane, Teresa, Cathy, Katrina, Jackie, Melissa F., Lenora, Jennifer, Kathryn and Leslie.

Heartache Unfolding

I've been thinking alot about what happened at Virginia Tech yesterday. The tragic killing of 32 students plus Cho Seung Hui, the shooter, who killed himself -- has left many people devastated. I mean it is just so, so sad.
While we keep hoping that the news will get better, I am keep thinking I just wish Hui had gotten help and all of these people wouldn't have had to die.

I mean even if you didn't know these people, you know someone like them. Even if you didn't know the victims...you do. You've had classmates who had a passion for learning or life. Classmates who put themselves through school. Classmates who you admired for one reason or another. You had friends who went to Tech. Maybe your mom or dad went there, like me. Maybe you even visited it as a prospective college but didn't go there for one reason or another. These bright kids from Virginia were just like us. That is what brings it home.

So, reach out if you see someone in trouble. Maybe if Hui had had the support of friends this could have ended differently. It breaks my heart to see a blog like this and then read the list of confirmed dead from The Collegiate Times (Tech's student paper) and realize that heartache is unfolding as we speak. And there is nothing we can do to stop it.

All we can do is work to make sure that something like this never ever happens again.

Fat & Fit -- That's What I'm Talking About!

The Washington Post posted an article today on heavy people who might happen to be categorized as "obese" by the government standards who also happen to be very fit.

I certainly I fit into that category. The article, "Can You Be Fat and Fit," by Rita Zeidner, explores mostly fitness instructors who have been struggling with the issue themselves. Oftentimes finding that their clients might judge them by their appearance before they even give them a chance.
The article site endurance (both cardio and muscular), flexibility, BMI, and strength as the main indicators of fitness. And noting that research is finally showing that fat and fit are not mutually exclusive. Here's a clip from the article:

"I don't want to minimize the impact of obesity -- there is no question that there are real problems associated with being overweight," said exercise physiologist Glenn Gaesser, director of kinesiology at the University of Virginia. "But there is almost no weight-related health problem that can't be helped with exercise."
Because muscle weighs more than fat, health experts generally agree that body weight -- or even BMI -- isn't always a reliable indicator of fitness, particularly for muscular athletes. Nor does exercise work uniformly to trigger weight loss in all people. So the risks generally tied to excess weight can be overstated when a person is physically active, Gaesser argues.
"Some people obviously have compensatory mechanisms" that keep them from losing weight, Gaesser said. These could include eating more to make up for calories burned or slowing down in other ways to make up for an increase in structured exercise. And just as there are some people who are naturally tall or short, he maintains there are some who are "naturally heavy."
A 2004 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association supports the "fat but fit" hypothesis. The study of more than 900 women found that those who were overweight but exercised were less likely to have a heart attack, stroke or other heart problem than their thin but sedentary peers.
It's a comforting theory. But not everyone subscribes to it.

I am one of the "naturally heavy" types he is referring to. Now granted, certainly I could be more fit and weigh less.....and certainly I have tried....but by training for Eagleman 70.3, a half iron race, and by signing up for Maramarc's strength training class, which also works on core, balance and flexibility, it appears I'm doing all the right things. And, when I've tried to diet while training I've hit my limits and realized it is impossible to train for a half-iron race and do South Beach at the same time. So, dietary changes have to be moderate, and more lifestyle changes....basically meaning working out 4 nights a week means eating less because I'm working out during diner -- a snack or small meal on either side of the workout means less overall calories.

I've also wondered as a team leader for TRIgirl Training how many teammates expect me to be more fit than I am or thinner....and I wonder how many of them judge me for just that reason -- my weight. In this society (and in the triathlon/fitness circle we are in) it would be hard to blame them.

And, I certainly would be more fit, faster and have better endurance if I was smaller -- but for now, I'm not. And that is OK too. And I know, for me my weight will be a life-long struggle. It started at 4 or so and I don't expect it to end anytime soon. In the meantime, I'll keep working on it. And I won't forget what motivates me: Not only do I want to know my grandchildren, but I also want to be able to run with them and play with them on the floor. I never knew either of my grandfathers. One died of Emphysema before I was born. The other died of a heart attack that was caused by a unhealthy lifestyle...four big no no's -- second hand smoke, poor eating (and extra weight) , work-a-holic/type A personality and lack of exercise. My other grandmother also died before I knew her of complications of a stroke. Neither of my parents ever exercised when I was a child, but I have to give my mom credit for making huge strides in her health now that she's retired and can focus solely on that. Still, though she can't really keep up with the kids outside and certainly wouldn't want to play on the floor with them. I know she thinks it's becuase she's old. But then....I think of our swim coach, Som, who is her age and I start to giggle. He's completed over 20 Ironman races and has found the fountain of youth and health. I'm sure he'll do another this year.
I'm guessing that all of my life there will be room for improvement, but as long as I'm on that journey I'll try to feel good about myself.

The Trampe Bicycle Lift

Nancy Toby is always pointing out important and funny things in the world of triathlon and bicycling. This one is so good, I just have to repeat it for those of you who don't read her awesome blog.

The Norwegian Trampe bicycle lift gets you to the top of steep hills without actually climbing them. I know a few of you who wouldn't mind if one of these was installed on the Blue Ridge Parkway for this weekend's very hilly 50 miler. Apparently The Trampe is the reason that 90 percent of the student-citizens in Trondheim use their bikes as their MAIN transportation! Amazing!

A Cold, Wet 30 Miles

I'm not sure if this sums up my day yesterday...but when i got home from my 5 hour workout/clinic in the cold, cold rain, I couldn't decide if I was proud of myself for biking 24 miles, changing a tire, and running 6 miles or whether I was disappointed in myself for not running the additional 4 miles that I was scheduled to run.

When I got to West Creek at 6:30 in the morning it was bitterly cold and intermittent drizzle was starting to fall. I couldn't find my biking gloves and my arm warmers at home in the early morning search, so I was stuck wearing my running gloves and a long sleeve jersey and a micro-thin cycling jacket. I biked an incredibly cold 12 miles...then opted to warm up with a quick 1-mile run before Coach B's wet tire changing clinic and the Not With These Hands Trigirl banner photo. TRIgirl Annnnn gave me some really cool color-coordinated TRIgirl barrette thingys, that brightened my smile. And seeing the photo of all of those new TRIgirls with the NWTH banner also made it seem not so rainy after all.
I was really glad that I watched the clinic (even though I know how to change a tire) because I learned 2 tricks. First, you can get a box of cheap BB gun CO2 cartridges at Wal-Mart instead of paying $2-3 each for them at the bike shop, as long as you get the right kind (with threads or without) for your system. And second, when you are trying to get the tire back on the rim after changing a tube and you get to that stubborn part where the taunt rubber just doesn't want to budge and you don't seem to have the leverage to get it back on the rim....then you actually can sit on the tire with your inner thigh to hold it still and get the leverage you need to slip the tire back on the rim. Thanks Coach B! I've been struggling with that one at home...and it is the one thing that keeps me from being a fast tire changer....every time.

After learning that trick, I was lucky enough to get to try it out. TRIgirl Red had a flat, and after finding a tube to borrow (since hers had the wrong stem) I got to practice my newly learned skill of sitting on top of the tire. It worked like a gem.

Unfortunately though, all of that waking up early to get a jump on a rainy workout was now lost....as Coach B and I were the only ones from the Ironman/Half Iron group that stopped for what, 90 minutes for the clinic and helping some TRIgirls who needed it. I started to shiver but had to get right back out there in the rain and pretend like we were enjoying ourselves while we slogged through the rest of our workout. For the bold and brave Coach B and the rest of the Ironman Cor d'Alene group, that meant the rest of their ride and then a 18 mile run! I hate to say this, but that made me feel immeasurably better when I realized I was "only" slated to run 10.
By the time I changed TRIgirl Red's tire and got my bike back out of the truck the rain was coming down harder. Not only that but many of the girls who started much later than me but hadn't come to the clinic were now done with their bike and were we'll on the way to finishing their run. I know this shouldn't affect me....but it did.
Note to self. Focus on your task at hand -- not on others. You will be doing your HIM all by yourself and plenty of folks will be done with their entire race when you come through T2. You know they will be having a post race massage or a post race snack. They will be taking their bikes from the transition area and celebrating their victory...and you will be starting on the third (and most difficult) leg of your journey. You will need to start finding the strength to run your own race -- not look at others.
On top of the intermission of my workout, affecting me mentally, also I learned that I need to work better on my nutrition plan. When I woke up at 5:30 a.m. I certainly didn't feel like eating anything. But I also knew I needed to think about my nutrition for the day. I had a long workout planned and was going to need energy...... A quick survey of my kitchen revealed that I was short on carbs: No bread! No bananas...No bars! I guess you can tell we just got back in town and I haven't had a chance to go shopping. Brainstorm! Coach G's little voice entered my head and said....Oatmeal! Yes her favorite pre-race breakfast saved the day. Oatmeal to go. And hot coffee.

I packed 2 cheese sticks, a Chocolate Outrage GU (thanks Aimee) and a handful of pretzels. Don't ask me why but my optimistic self had placed 1 water bottle in the freezer so it would be nice and cold (and it stayed that way until I brought it home). I filled the other with lemon water....my favorite drink for the bike. I really wish I had thought to pack an apple, because by the time I got home from my workout it was noon and that was not quite enough food (or water with one bottle being frozen) to make me my strongest.

I have to say I thought I was going to vomit after throwing my bike in my car. My stomach had been hurting for most of the bike ride but I couldn't figure out why. I guess it could have been the cheese sticks, but at this point that was the only thing I could have eaten that might have upset it. I was more likely to believe that it was the prospect of still having to run 9 miles that turned my stomach. So, let's get on with it!
I was so friggin' wet to the bone that there was no way I was going to carry water for this run -- despite the fact that I knew I hadn't been drinking enough on the bike. It just seemed ridiculous to carry water while I was soaking wet. So, I grabbed my GU and ran. As soon as I started running I was thirsty and I spent most of each my 1 minute walking/recovery looking up at the sky with my mouth wide open. Would you believe that with how wet i was and how heavy the rain felt like it was falling when I was biking, there was actually very little water coming out of the sky and into my mouth. I know you are supposed to take the GU with water, so I felt like I really shouldn't have any more considering that I was adding caffeine to an already dehydrated and overtaxed system. Each time I stuck out my tongue for water it started to quiver and shake like a hand does when you've had too much caffeine and not enough food.

I had a little talked with myself on this soaking run and decided, girl, if you can run one loop at West Creek (6 miles) then that is something you should be proud of, especially in weather like this and the fact you've been in it since 6:30 a.m. I had actually never run the 6 mile loop before and it went by faster than I thought it would. I passed the lake. I touched Patterson Avenue, and turned around. I passed the lake again...and there it was, just like it had been since Thursday's brick....only this time it was mocking me. An unopened orange Power Aid or some kind of endurance drink. Sitting there mocking me....saying, "you know you are thirsty...don't you think I would go great with your Chocolate Outrage GU?" We'll, I'd like to know that bottle's story, but I wasn't about to drink it. Up the Farm Bureau hill and shortly thereafter I had some TRIgirl company for the last few minutes of the run.

So, I admitted defeat and ran only 6 of the 10 miles slated for the day. I was extremely thankful for Coach G saying that it was OK. So, maybe I'll feel less guilty and just be thankful that today I will be dry all day long. I will be warm. and I will be resting.

Oh, and one more thing. I think it is ironic that my WETSUIT arrived Friday. WETsuit, get it?Too bad I haven't had a chance to try the thing on yet. The Richmond TRI Club open water clinic was cancelled due to the "winter-like" weather.

Easter 10 Miler

Since my friend, John Sarvay, author of Richmond's best blog, Buttermilk & Molasses, was kind enought to give me props for actually running 10 miles on Easter, I figured I should at least write about my run....

My goal was to enjoy it. All 10 miles of it.

That meant:

1. being grateful I was not running more than 10 miles (We will top out our running training for Eagleman 70.3 with at least one 16-mile run in a few weeks)

2. being grateful that my body can and will run 10 miles (if ever so slowly)

3. seeing as much beauty, water, marsh and nature that this 6 mile long island has to offer, while running

After the kid's Easter baskets, and an indoor Easter egg hunt (since, even though we are in Savannah, it was near freezing Easter morning)...we hung around for a while and then I went for my run.

Pop Pop gave me a map of the island, and we marked a tentative run path. He marked out "comfort stations" that golfer's use and said I could find both a restroom and a drinking fountain on any of the island's 5 golf courses -- just to look for a little green building. Unfortunately, taking the route that was closest to the marsh also meant having to look at the map about every half mile to see where I was. All the roads are circles and some connect with golf cart paths. Regardless though, it was a challenge navigating and trying to determine an exact distance for 10 miles. It was frustrating to concentrate on speed, form and direction all at the same time.

It was a beautiful and sunny day, although quite cool -- about 45 degrees. Perfect for running, but it took quite a while for me to warm up after the run.

I started out running down by the Delegal Marina and was blessed by a swarm of beautiful swallows over one of the lagoons.

Here's the photo --It looks like it's flying upside down, and I think it is! They are amazing creatures. The size of a small cardinal, but with a much sleeker body. Black on the top, changing to a subtle (if that is possible) royal blue. Whitish on the bottom, so if you look up into the sky, then tend to blend with the clouds. Very hard to catch on camera as you will see. The swooped up and down and all around me catching sips of water and bugs on the way. Then, as quickly as they appeared, they were gone -- camera shy, I guess.

Then, I walked down one of the only paths on Skidaway that goes in front of the houses down to the marsh. I saw wild boars munching on marsh grasses, and several egrets and heron. Plus, lots of fabulous moss and dead trees in siloutte against the marsh grasses. (Later, when I took Daisy back to this same spot, she kept asking if the marsh grass was prairie -- can you tell we are reading Little House on the Prairie?)

After a quick pit stop, much of the second part of the run was spent navigating through houses and trying to peek between them to catch a glimpse of the water. I had to 86 the plan to run to the North end of the island to the lookout tower when I realized although the island is only 6 miles long, by the time you wind down all of the circular streets you've traveled more miles than you realize. (Going all the way to the observation tower would have made for a nice 15 mile run and I was not in the mood!)

So, I did OK for the first 8 miles, but the last 2 I kept wishing to hop on one of the many golf carts that kept passing me. I was hurting! Mostly my knees. And looking back on my last blog entry, at my thought process for deciding to stick to one half iron race this seasons, instead of two....I'm glad I made that decision. Because when I got home, Mr. Preschool wanted me to go with him and take the kids to the park and I couldn't -- I was just too tired. Now, that isn't right! I mean you should always have enough energy to take your kids to the park, right? We'll we all have good training days and bad ones, and this was just one of those days that took alot out of me.

I'm still not a big fan of Savannah, but I'm learning to like a few things down here. Like don't call the marsh a swamp or someone will get offended! I mean why would you spend a couple million dollars to get SWAMP-FRONT property? And, that boiled peanuts are great! Man, I wish we had those in Virginia. I've decided they'd be the perfect race food. High in salt, and protein, with disposable wrappers. They are alot more like Edemame that these low country folks would like you to think. If you've never had them I will tell you there is nothing like them -- but both me and Daisy both said they taste more like beans than nuts -- which would make sense...since they are, in fact legumes. I'm taking orders so if you want some back home...you better leave a comment!

Daisy started a new Easter tradition, that she says she will now use for ALL Egg Holidays. Eating eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I didn't even know there was an Egg Day, but she insisted there was. Since I haven't found proof of that yet so I'm sure we'll have to contact The American Egg Board and lobby for National Egg Day. And after we get that, then we'll have to lobby for National Boiled Low Country Peanut Day.

A Movie Star? I Think Not!

Those TRIgirls keep talking about how I look way too happy when I was running the Monument Avenue 10K last week. Lil' Sis Ann even said I was like a friggin' MOVIE STAR running down Monument waving to all my friends.
Well, that is a rare thing that I look great while running, so if you are curious, here is the photo I think that they are talking about. And here is a photo of me with some of my Tgirls, including Lil' Sis Ann.

Working Out on the Road & "What? You're Still Here Mama?"

We'll....nothing makes you appreciate riding on a trainer like riding on a stationary bike...inside in a gym ...with windows that don't open...on a beautiful day. But after 8 hours in the car, i felt like I needed a workout. And there was no way we could bring the bikes since we had to rush off for the long drive after a full work day. I just couldn't see unloading the bikes at midnight when we arrived either. So, here I am on a sucky stationary bike, watching T.V.
Mr. Preschool was kind enough to join me for the workout, but riding next to your S.O. just isn't the same as riding next to your TGirls.

Workingout while you are traveling sucks. I keep getting in half workouts. I ran but didn't bike on Thursday. Friday I biked for,2.5 hours the stationary bike, but didn't get to do the 10 mile run. The fitness center where I am made me truly appreciate Maramarc and the fitness centers we have where we live. There were only 3 upright stationary bikes in the whole place. Each had a 30-minute time limit. Luckily we when it wasn't too busy, and no one told us to leave.
Today I took the day off and had some awesome Savannah Soul food at Sweet Potatoes, the place we always eat when we are down here. I had fried catfish, lemon collards and brussel sprouts. Happily, I'll report that the vegetables were the best part of the meal.
I'm saving my 10 mile run for Easter if all goes well and I sure hope it is a nice day to run. It's totally funny to me how I'm dreading not getting to bike first. Call me crazy but somehow biking takes the edge off for me from running. Gets you warmed up. There is something about that first mile when you are running, that just totally sucks. I'm not sure why, but it never fails.
On Thursday's run, I spent the entire first mile thinking of reasons I was just going to quit and go home. I guess none of them seemed like good enough reasons to stop, because by the time I'd finished the first mile, I was still running. I had to work hard to get 5 loops in in 60 minutes. So, i know that tells me only one thing. I need to run faster.

I'm trying to maintain my perspective on this trip. One week of erratic training won't make or break a race. And, not working out how I like, with who I like, when I like, is just making me appreciate what I have back home: an incredible support system, incredible facilities, incredible coaches, incredible teammates, and an incredible family who puts up with it all.

And you know what else I'm realizing? My family has had to put up with an awful lot these past 3 months. I've been gone training, gone to clinics, gone to work, gone to TRIgirls dinners, gone to swims, gone to bikes and gone to runs. If they can hang in there for 2 more months....then I'll be back for them like i should be. Here on vacation, every time we get ready to go out the door, Redfish and Daisy keep asking if all of us are really going together. They are so used to Mr. Preschool taking them one way and me going another. They are used to going to sleep when I'm not there (at an evening bike) and waking up with me not there again (at an early morning run). They are used to Sundays when I leave after breakfast, and I don't see them until Monday because I work and then run and then swim. That is why, I've decided not to do the Patriot Half. My kids shouldn't be surprised that I'm actually staying with them. I still want to train, but I'm going to wait until they are both in school before I train for a half iron or iron race again. They've put up with alot, and I need to be there for them after Eagleman.
Mr. Preschool will be starting his Doctorate in the fall, so this summer should be savored, with training, but just enough...and lots of playing at the pool with my kids.

Bike + Run = ick

After doing my 2 hour brick Monday night, I was oh so happy to have an entire day off yesterday. My knees were still hurting after 3 non-stop days of long and hard workouts. Today, they are much better.

All winter long, I kept thinking, when I get out to West Creek for the first time, it's going to be so easy. We'll, it wasn't. I'm glad I trained all winter, and I'm sure it is easier than it would have been, but the Farm Bureau hill is still the Farm Bureau hill. And no matter now much I wanted to do the 8 mile loop at jack-rabbit pace, it still came in at 30 minutes....putting me at a very slow 16 mph average. Luckily, I was able to keep that pace up for the entire 24 miles.

Lesson learned -- the only way to train for hills is to do hills. You can't simulate that on a trainer, no matter how much you stand up out of the saddle (or sit down for that matter) in level 10.

And, speaking of standing up out of the saddle, I just want to say that it doesn't translate! I wish someone had warned me...standing up on the bike while on a trainer is just a TAD bit easier than on a real and actual hill...considering that the bike actually stays sturdy.

Much to my surprise when I tried to stand up going up a hill at West Creek, the bike sways way back and forth....with each pedal stroke. Something more to practice I suppose. And nothing is ever easy when you are training for a half Ironman race.

At least now I have a bunch of TRIgirls to watch me as I sway my way up the hills and down again.

And another thing: A brick is only a true brick if you are doing real actual biking. For a few months now I thought, I'd finally trained my body to not feel that stick leg --icky feeling of biking and then running. What I've realized is that I haven't trained my body for that at all. For some reason biking on a trainer just doesn't wear out your legs like true and actual biking does. So, when I started that 30 minute run, ,which ended up being a little shorter due to the coming darkness of the night, I was in for a real treat!

Bike, Run, ICK! All over again...and this is where the true season starts.

Monument Avenue 10K Race Report

My race report on the 10K is going to be short. Short race, short race report.

TRIgirl Melissa was a life saver. She drove me to and from the race. We kept away early morning race jitters by laughing and acting silly. After taking a team photo at the Cathedral, we raced to put the camera back in the car, and then found our team again. I was slated to start with the M wave, but all the TGirls were in G, so I sneaked in with them to start the race together. I had planned on running the race with Ann and Katherine, but couldn't find them, so I was stuck with mainly 9 minute mile girls. I watched as they each passed me, and just when I accepted that I was going to run this race alone....I saw up ahead Ann and Katherine, my pacers! I sprinted to them and ran in between them. HAPPY, I was!

Katherine left us to go to the Port-o-let and Ann and I raced the next 6 miles in 8 minute run and 1 mile walk increments. We nailed each mile at just under 12 minutes. I started pushing myself a little to far from the finish, (don't know why but I thought the race was 6.1 mile!) and finished the race about 20 feet behind Ann. There was a mass of chaos with a volunteer stepping in front of us at the finish line in order to stop us. That was craziness! I WAS going to stop, but not until I crossed that damn mat.

And, I was able to manage a negative split!

37.17 split first half
36.14 second half

In other news, now that I've ordered my wetsuit, I've been dreaming new bike.....a tri-specific bike with bullhorn aero bars, tri-specific geometry and maybe even a custom paint job. Andy, bike mechanic for team RaceAthlete, is making me think that my bike dreams might actually come true. Thank goodness triathletes are so nice.

Note to self...email those spell checker guys at Gmail and tell them that there is such a word as aero. No, I'm not trying to say Afro, Nero, hero or zero!

F2R TRIgirl Wetsuit Custom Made

I just ordered my wetsuit and I want to say F2R rocks! Not only did they give us our own TRIgirl store, where they donate a whopping 20% of salesback to our adopted non-profit, Safe Harbor Shelter, but they also have the best prices and customer service in the entire wetsuit industry. A big shout out to Brenda and Paul who have gone above and beyond for us and for triathletes in general.

When I asked why there top of the line Sockeye wetsuit was only $300, when so many other top of the line triathlon wetsuits are $600, they explained that the weren't in the business to make a killing. They were hoping to provide a great service that was needed and a good quality...and hoped to make money by selling alot of wetsuits rather than jacking up the price.

And when our logo just didn't look right on the smaller gray portion of the wetsuit they moved their F2R logo to be smaller, so our suits would look just right.

This is the only wetsuit store in town that actually had a wetsuit that would fit my exact height and weight. No compromising here! These suits are made for real people and real triathletes.