So, you know I've been working out HARD all summer. Probably peaking with the intensity of my workouts back in early August with the 46 mile bike. I have been running since last February. And while I have lost some weight, it hasn't been in the past 2-3 weeks. I'm in my off season. I'm taking a minibreak before I start my winter training for EagleMan in Decmeber. I am comparatively slacking. ...running 2-3 times a week, 3-4 miles each time. Biking and swimming maybe once a week.
But, yesterday, I didn't have time for a shower after my morning run. I stayed in my lycra bike style running shorts and my Ryka IronGirl performance tee all day. It was embarrasing how many people came up to me to tell me how great I looked, how much smaller I looked. In my stinky, old running clothes! They all wanted to know what race I was training for, how hard I'd been working out.
I'll have to try that one more often. It's like people think you only work out if they can see you in your grungies! My badge of courage, I'll have to remember that one next time I want some attention and encouragement.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Why Would You Want to Do That?
One of my longtime workout buddies asked me why I wanted to do Eagleman, a half Ironman race. Which will probably take me 8 and a half hours. So after thinking about it, here are my reasons......
1. I feel great when i work out, the harder the races I do the more accomplished and self-confident I feel.
2. I Like experiencing new things. Taking risks is VERY hard for me. This is one way I've managed to convince myself to take risks. It is truly living life full and strong. You always feel so alive when you train and compete. And you ALWAYS have a story to tell.
3. I have fallen in love with the sport, but also with the people in the sport. There is something special about a triathlete....especially a long-distance triathlete. I like the team-family atmosphere and find it a great venue to make friends. I am my best self when I am training hard. Racing reminds me why I have been inspired. I love the culture, the feeling like I'm part of a group, the bringing up others, big brother aspect of the sport. I love being seen as a leader and looked up to by beginner triathletes (TriGirls) which is something I don't get very often. It is an image of me that I like, and can see more clearly despite what strangers and casual acquaintances may think of me based on my appearance.
4. I have struggled with my weight my ENTIRE life. No, really, since I was 3 or 4 years old. I want to be fit. I want to be healthy. I want to loose weight, and I know that right now this maybe the only way I can succeed at doing it. If not, at least I'll be fit and healthy(ier). My coach was telling me how athletes who workout and train (regardless of their weight or BMI) are so much healthier than skinny folks who don't.
5. Because I can, and so many people can't.
6. Because I want to set a great example for my kids and husband. No example was set for me. Ever.
1. I feel great when i work out, the harder the races I do the more accomplished and self-confident I feel.
2. I Like experiencing new things. Taking risks is VERY hard for me. This is one way I've managed to convince myself to take risks. It is truly living life full and strong. You always feel so alive when you train and compete. And you ALWAYS have a story to tell.
3. I have fallen in love with the sport, but also with the people in the sport. There is something special about a triathlete....especially a long-distance triathlete. I like the team-family atmosphere and find it a great venue to make friends. I am my best self when I am training hard. Racing reminds me why I have been inspired. I love the culture, the feeling like I'm part of a group, the bringing up others, big brother aspect of the sport. I love being seen as a leader and looked up to by beginner triathletes (TriGirls) which is something I don't get very often. It is an image of me that I like, and can see more clearly despite what strangers and casual acquaintances may think of me based on my appearance.
4. I have struggled with my weight my ENTIRE life. No, really, since I was 3 or 4 years old. I want to be fit. I want to be healthy. I want to loose weight, and I know that right now this maybe the only way I can succeed at doing it. If not, at least I'll be fit and healthy(ier). My coach was telling me how athletes who workout and train (regardless of their weight or BMI) are so much healthier than skinny folks who don't.
5. Because I can, and so many people can't.
6. Because I want to set a great example for my kids and husband. No example was set for me. Ever.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Eagleman
I can't believe it. I signed up for Eagleman Half Ironman today. I had planned on signing up for the Aquabike, but I kept thinking that I would miss doing then whole race. I can always back down to a Aquabike, but I can't get into the full race after it's full. So, let the training beging.
Today we ran one mile repeats. My watch alarm didn't go off, so I slept a little late. Ran a one mile warm up,l then did one mile repeats.
First mile: 10:49
Second mile: 10:31 ([pretty close to my PR of 10:20)
Today we ran one mile repeats. My watch alarm didn't go off, so I slept a little late. Ran a one mile warm up,l then did one mile repeats.
First mile: 10:49
Second mile: 10:31 ([pretty close to my PR of 10:20)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
SandmanTriathlon, Virginia Beach -- The Race
Sandman Triathlon, Virginia Beach
While the night could not have been worse, the morning could not have been better. We broke our vow not to make Redfish sleep anywhere but his crib at home, and we paid for it. I decided after IronGirl to tough it out and bring the kids to the race because I missed them so much, and it was such an empty feeling to cross the finish line at IronGirl and have no one there for me.
The price we paid was that I didn't get any sleep the night before the race. Redfish stayed up until 9:30 p.m. or so (instead of 7 p.m., his normal bedtime) and then was up every hour after. That is, until 3:30 p.m. when he gave up sleeping altogether and woke up the neighbors too. When my alarm went off at 5:40 a.m. I was already awake. Redfish was asleep in bed next to me. Something we've NEVER done, but we were desperate.
A friend of Mr. Preschool was letting us stay in his condo, about 1.5 miles from the race. To avoid having to find parking by the oceanfront, I decided to ride my bike to the race. My running shoes, my flip flops, my wetsuit, my towel, Gatorade, water, breakfast, hat and all of my other junk for the race was in the backpack on my back. I rode 3 blocks down to the boardwalk in the dark. Then, I rode along the ocean, listing to the waves and the silence. I rode by the oceanfront carousel that we had let the kids stay up late to ride on the night before. I looked to my right and I could see just a hint of Redish pink coming up where the sun would be in 20 minutes. It was breathtakingly beautiful and I knew right then that regardless of the race I had, It would be a good one.
I got to the transition area very early. I wanted to have time to go down by the ocean and think before the race. It was a gorgeous day -- cool and crisp. I racked my bike in the best spot, which also meant being the only female in the front half of the transition area. I set up my transition and walked down to the beach with my ipod.
Next thing I knew, they were closing the transition area. I still had to go back in, get on my wetsuit and leave my glasses. I had to pee so bad, but I skipped the port-o-john and RAN. I grabbed my wetsuit and frantically tried to pull it on.
"All athletes must leave the transition area now!" they kept saying on the bullhorn. Let me just say that Adrenalin does NOT help you get on a wetsuit. I was freaking out. This really nice guy came over and told me to put a sock on and that would help me get my foot through the hole. I was already sandy, so this really helped. But when I mentioned that now I had a sandy sock he said, "You'll be running so fast you won't even notice it." At least it made me smile when he said that, even if it was just to laugh at the thought.
My plan was to get the wetsuit halfway up and then walk the 1,100 meters down the beach to where they had already started the swim. I struggled some more with racing to put on my wetsuit. Cursed my belly and my butt for making it all so hard, and hustled out of the transition area. I left my glasses in my helmet and put on my foggy goggles (yes, I know this is not a great look) .
Mr. Preschool was outside waiting with the kids. Not exactly great timing, but still I was happy to see them. That same nice sock guy came up and handed me 2 cups of water.
"Here, take this, it's a long walk, you're gonna need this water, take your time."
Damn, more water, just what I needed. I had to pee bad. For half a second I thought about trying to pee in my wetsuit and decided, I just couldn't. I walked down the boardwalk to the swim. It was a long, long walk. And finally I saw it. The exact same public restroom that I had tried to fix my contact in. It was surreal.
"HEY, hey you. Don't you get it?
You are still here.
You are still in the same place.
You are still freaking out...Aren't you here to bury the demons....
To show yourself that when push comes to shove, you can make this happen.
You can take a deep breath, and make a little magic -- take a little leap and shine."
I walked down to the beach and heard the air horn. The third wave was starting. It was chaotic, lots of people running into the waves at the same time and then the lifeguards would go in and start pulling people out. They were pulling out skinny fast runner types and they were pulling out Clydesdale men types. It didn't seem to matter. All sorts of folks were going out and coming back in. I guard told me that they expected to pull out or save about 50 people during the race and when the red flags went up on the lifeguard stand (baning recreational swimmers), I wasn't surprised.
I found my friend Roseanne and her friend Cabell and they helped me slip the top half of my wetsuit on. I knew that swimming in a wetsuit for the first time during a race was a risky, stupid thing to do, but I figured at this point, having come full circle yet again, that I'd adjust and be fine.
And moments later it was my turn. The air horn blew and we were all rushing into the water. The wetsuit was especially tight around my neck, which was uncomfortable, but it was my arms not being able to fully extend that caused me more trouble. Despite that, I realized for the first time that this was really the race for me. The lifeguards came in behind us and starting pulling people out. But, somehow that made me feel more comfortable. I knew they were there if I needed them. And I was excelling in a difficult situation, trying something hard and trying something new.
I love the ocean. When I swim in it, there is a feeling I can't describe that comes to me. I feel like I'm drifting through life, being pulled by my own force. I feel like for one of the only times in my life I am able to let go and drift whatever way the water wills me, but at the same time, maintain complete control. And one of the most absurd things happens, because I have the hugest respect for the water and the havoc it can create. Despite the ocean being incredibly rough, I felt safe.
After passing the four buoys, I tried to ride a wave in, but they just weren't the riding sort of waves. They were just too big, and too confused. I started taking off my wetsuit in the water (bad idea) and got stuck with one arm in and one arm out with my elbow bent, I felt like a bird with a broken wing. I saw Mr. Preschool and thought of asking him to help me. Despite the absurdity of it, the "assistance" penalty crossed my mind and I decided not to ask for help. Mr. Preschool told me that I was only the 2nd Athena out of the water so I better book it (this later turned out not to be true).
I pulled off the wetsuit, grabbed my glasses with a sigh of relief and run with my bike to mount it. There was a huge cluster of folks mounting their bike on the sidewalk! What. What are they doing? Crazy. I pushed my bike off the sidewalk to the street and walked down a few steps and then mounted it. (Mr. Preschool told me that seconds later he saw a biker run over a pedestrian and badly cut his foot, ruining his race.)
The bike was pretty uneventful. Headwinds all the way out. Crosswinds whenever we got near the water. And the wind pushed us all the way home. The course was mostly closed to vehicle traffic (a first for me) , which was a huge relief. At each intersection, there were soldiers from the national guard. I passed many, many folks on the bike and was passed by many men, but only 2 women.
I started the run, and as always the first mile was hard. Okay, the entire thing was hard, but thr first mile sucked more. The good news is that for the first race ever I was able to run according to my predetermined plan. I ran for 3 minutes and then walked for 1 (or 30 seconds depending on how good I felt.) It felt really good to be true to my commitment to run. My run time wasn't that much different, In face it was 20 seconds slower than my PR. But the fact that I ran when I said I was going to run meant alot to me.
I conquered my demons. I finished strong. I had fun. There is no doubt you are living life when you race. Something about triathlons just makes you feel so alive.
While the night could not have been worse, the morning could not have been better. We broke our vow not to make Redfish sleep anywhere but his crib at home, and we paid for it. I decided after IronGirl to tough it out and bring the kids to the race because I missed them so much, and it was such an empty feeling to cross the finish line at IronGirl and have no one there for me.
The price we paid was that I didn't get any sleep the night before the race. Redfish stayed up until 9:30 p.m. or so (instead of 7 p.m., his normal bedtime) and then was up every hour after. That is, until 3:30 p.m. when he gave up sleeping altogether and woke up the neighbors too. When my alarm went off at 5:40 a.m. I was already awake. Redfish was asleep in bed next to me. Something we've NEVER done, but we were desperate.
A friend of Mr. Preschool was letting us stay in his condo, about 1.5 miles from the race. To avoid having to find parking by the oceanfront, I decided to ride my bike to the race. My running shoes, my flip flops, my wetsuit, my towel, Gatorade, water, breakfast, hat and all of my other junk for the race was in the backpack on my back. I rode 3 blocks down to the boardwalk in the dark. Then, I rode along the ocean, listing to the waves and the silence. I rode by the oceanfront carousel that we had let the kids stay up late to ride on the night before. I looked to my right and I could see just a hint of Redish pink coming up where the sun would be in 20 minutes. It was breathtakingly beautiful and I knew right then that regardless of the race I had, It would be a good one.
I got to the transition area very early. I wanted to have time to go down by the ocean and think before the race. It was a gorgeous day -- cool and crisp. I racked my bike in the best spot, which also meant being the only female in the front half of the transition area. I set up my transition and walked down to the beach with my ipod.
Next thing I knew, they were closing the transition area. I still had to go back in, get on my wetsuit and leave my glasses. I had to pee so bad, but I skipped the port-o-john and RAN. I grabbed my wetsuit and frantically tried to pull it on.
"All athletes must leave the transition area now!" they kept saying on the bullhorn. Let me just say that Adrenalin does NOT help you get on a wetsuit. I was freaking out. This really nice guy came over and told me to put a sock on and that would help me get my foot through the hole. I was already sandy, so this really helped. But when I mentioned that now I had a sandy sock he said, "You'll be running so fast you won't even notice it." At least it made me smile when he said that, even if it was just to laugh at the thought.
My plan was to get the wetsuit halfway up and then walk the 1,100 meters down the beach to where they had already started the swim. I struggled some more with racing to put on my wetsuit. Cursed my belly and my butt for making it all so hard, and hustled out of the transition area. I left my glasses in my helmet and put on my foggy goggles (yes, I know this is not a great look) .
Mr. Preschool was outside waiting with the kids. Not exactly great timing, but still I was happy to see them. That same nice sock guy came up and handed me 2 cups of water.
"Here, take this, it's a long walk, you're gonna need this water, take your time."
Damn, more water, just what I needed. I had to pee bad. For half a second I thought about trying to pee in my wetsuit and decided, I just couldn't. I walked down the boardwalk to the swim. It was a long, long walk. And finally I saw it. The exact same public restroom that I had tried to fix my contact in. It was surreal.
"HEY, hey you. Don't you get it?
You are still here.
You are still in the same place.
You are still freaking out...Aren't you here to bury the demons....
To show yourself that when push comes to shove, you can make this happen.
You can take a deep breath, and make a little magic -- take a little leap and shine."
I walked down to the beach and heard the air horn. The third wave was starting. It was chaotic, lots of people running into the waves at the same time and then the lifeguards would go in and start pulling people out. They were pulling out skinny fast runner types and they were pulling out Clydesdale men types. It didn't seem to matter. All sorts of folks were going out and coming back in. I guard told me that they expected to pull out or save about 50 people during the race and when the red flags went up on the lifeguard stand (baning recreational swimmers), I wasn't surprised.
I found my friend Roseanne and her friend Cabell and they helped me slip the top half of my wetsuit on. I knew that swimming in a wetsuit for the first time during a race was a risky, stupid thing to do, but I figured at this point, having come full circle yet again, that I'd adjust and be fine.
And moments later it was my turn. The air horn blew and we were all rushing into the water. The wetsuit was especially tight around my neck, which was uncomfortable, but it was my arms not being able to fully extend that caused me more trouble. Despite that, I realized for the first time that this was really the race for me. The lifeguards came in behind us and starting pulling people out. But, somehow that made me feel more comfortable. I knew they were there if I needed them. And I was excelling in a difficult situation, trying something hard and trying something new.
I love the ocean. When I swim in it, there is a feeling I can't describe that comes to me. I feel like I'm drifting through life, being pulled by my own force. I feel like for one of the only times in my life I am able to let go and drift whatever way the water wills me, but at the same time, maintain complete control. And one of the most absurd things happens, because I have the hugest respect for the water and the havoc it can create. Despite the ocean being incredibly rough, I felt safe.
After passing the four buoys, I tried to ride a wave in, but they just weren't the riding sort of waves. They were just too big, and too confused. I started taking off my wetsuit in the water (bad idea) and got stuck with one arm in and one arm out with my elbow bent, I felt like a bird with a broken wing. I saw Mr. Preschool and thought of asking him to help me. Despite the absurdity of it, the "assistance" penalty crossed my mind and I decided not to ask for help. Mr. Preschool told me that I was only the 2nd Athena out of the water so I better book it (this later turned out not to be true).
I pulled off the wetsuit, grabbed my glasses with a sigh of relief and run with my bike to mount it. There was a huge cluster of folks mounting their bike on the sidewalk! What. What are they doing? Crazy. I pushed my bike off the sidewalk to the street and walked down a few steps and then mounted it. (Mr. Preschool told me that seconds later he saw a biker run over a pedestrian and badly cut his foot, ruining his race.)
The bike was pretty uneventful. Headwinds all the way out. Crosswinds whenever we got near the water. And the wind pushed us all the way home. The course was mostly closed to vehicle traffic (a first for me) , which was a huge relief. At each intersection, there were soldiers from the national guard. I passed many, many folks on the bike and was passed by many men, but only 2 women.
I started the run, and as always the first mile was hard. Okay, the entire thing was hard, but thr first mile sucked more. The good news is that for the first race ever I was able to run according to my predetermined plan. I ran for 3 minutes and then walked for 1 (or 30 seconds depending on how good I felt.) It felt really good to be true to my commitment to run. My run time wasn't that much different, In face it was 20 seconds slower than my PR. But the fact that I ran when I said I was going to run meant alot to me.
I conquered my demons. I finished strong. I had fun. There is no doubt you are living life when you race. Something about triathlons just makes you feel so alive.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Sandman Race Background
Flash back to 4 summers ago. I had just done my first triathlon. I'd fallen in love with the sport. As a reward for my first race, Mr. Preschool and I bought a bike. I really nice bike, (OK, not really, really nice) but we spend way more than I'd have ever thought I would spend on a bike. I had found my place in this sport and it had changed my life. And man, did it change my life! I trained and trained. I registered for a little race down in Virginia Beach, called Sandman. And I went to the eye doctor and got contacts for the first time since college, so I would be able to "sight" on the ocean swim, and see where to get out of the water and how to get to transition. I guess I don't need to mention here that I can't see at all without a prescription lenses.
Our old team, Triathlonmoms, drove down to Virginia Beach with our swim coach, Matt Kredich, and we practiced that ocean swim. It felt really great, I felt confident, but afterwords, when I stoped by the public restrooms on the way back up from the swim I realized something was wrong. My eyes were so dry. I had stopped wearing contacts because of the dryness and the pain. And now my eye was so dry that the lense was adhered to the lense on my iris.
This is the sort of thing that throws my life out of whack. My neuroticism seeps in and I feel like my life is spining out of control. These were the feelings that had slipped away as I began to train. The part of my life that went away (for the most part) when I found triathlons, and hell no I didn't want it back.
"Too many variables...
worry..... new town.
Someone else driving the car in a strange city...
Is Daisyhead Maisy Okay? What is she doing?....
Is she missing me.....
I can't get this damn thing out of my eye, It's stuck.....has that ever happened to you?
....... I don't know any doctors in Virginia Beach.....
What if I can't get it out?
If I drive back to Richmond and see the doctor, will they know what to do?
...This is going to be Okay, RIGHT?"
And so with this story, it is not so much the end result of me having to basically tear the thing out of my eye back at the doctor's office with the doctor just sort of looking at me in disbelief that is important. It is that I left my comfort zone. I though I was doing great. Something went wrong and it could have been anything.... a flat tire, a rip current, a jelly fish sting, or a stupid contact...but I couldn't handle it. I was too far gone.
When the situation was resolved and I had calmed down, I looked forward to the Sandman as the true test. The time that I could prove to myself that under pressure, on raceday I could make it all come together, contacts or not. That I could face my demons and overcome them. And whether I got a flat tire, forgot my shoes, or got a shark bite for that matter, I would overcome it. I would complete my race and maintain controll of my demons.
So, a few weeks later when the hurricane swept through Virginia Beach causing flooding, downed trees, power outages and more mayhem, the Sandman was postponed. And although I seriously considered it, I couldn't miss my cousin Scott's wedding, on the day Sandman was rescheduled for. I hadn't seen Scott in 20 years, and I needed to see him.
The next year I was pregnant with Grayfish.
And then the next year, Mr. Preschool had committed to an artshow the same day.
Flash forward to this year. I signed up for IronGirl, and decided this was the year to prove to myself that I could conquer the Sandman despite there being only 3 weeks between the two races.
Our old team, Triathlonmoms, drove down to Virginia Beach with our swim coach, Matt Kredich, and we practiced that ocean swim. It felt really great, I felt confident, but afterwords, when I stoped by the public restrooms on the way back up from the swim I realized something was wrong. My eyes were so dry. I had stopped wearing contacts because of the dryness and the pain. And now my eye was so dry that the lense was adhered to the lense on my iris.
This is the sort of thing that throws my life out of whack. My neuroticism seeps in and I feel like my life is spining out of control. These were the feelings that had slipped away as I began to train. The part of my life that went away (for the most part) when I found triathlons, and hell no I didn't want it back.
"Too many variables...
worry..... new town.
Someone else driving the car in a strange city...
Is Daisyhead Maisy Okay? What is she doing?....
Is she missing me.....
I can't get this damn thing out of my eye, It's stuck.....has that ever happened to you?
....... I don't know any doctors in Virginia Beach.....
What if I can't get it out?
If I drive back to Richmond and see the doctor, will they know what to do?
...This is going to be Okay, RIGHT?"
And so with this story, it is not so much the end result of me having to basically tear the thing out of my eye back at the doctor's office with the doctor just sort of looking at me in disbelief that is important. It is that I left my comfort zone. I though I was doing great. Something went wrong and it could have been anything.... a flat tire, a rip current, a jelly fish sting, or a stupid contact...but I couldn't handle it. I was too far gone.
When the situation was resolved and I had calmed down, I looked forward to the Sandman as the true test. The time that I could prove to myself that under pressure, on raceday I could make it all come together, contacts or not. That I could face my demons and overcome them. And whether I got a flat tire, forgot my shoes, or got a shark bite for that matter, I would overcome it. I would complete my race and maintain controll of my demons.
So, a few weeks later when the hurricane swept through Virginia Beach causing flooding, downed trees, power outages and more mayhem, the Sandman was postponed. And although I seriously considered it, I couldn't miss my cousin Scott's wedding, on the day Sandman was rescheduled for. I hadn't seen Scott in 20 years, and I needed to see him.
The next year I was pregnant with Grayfish.
And then the next year, Mr. Preschool had committed to an artshow the same day.
Flash forward to this year. I signed up for IronGirl, and decided this was the year to prove to myself that I could conquer the Sandman despite there being only 3 weeks between the two races.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Sandman Results Today, Race Report Tomorrow
Just got back from Sandman. Here are some race results.
The weather today was scattered clouds, 72 degrees F, 76% humidity, wind NNW 14 mph.
There were 14 finishers in Athena U40. 16 Overall.
I came in 6th place in my division.
My time was 1:57:53.80.
My Swim time was 24:02.45, division place 4
My Bike time was 50:42.35, division place 5, Speed 16.5mph.
My 5K time was 38:09.90, Run Pace 12:18 min/mile
The weather today was scattered clouds, 72 degrees F, 76% humidity, wind NNW 14 mph.
There were 14 finishers in Athena U40. 16 Overall.
I came in 6th place in my division.
My time was 1:57:53.80.
My Swim time was 24:02.45, division place 4
My Bike time was 50:42.35, division place 5, Speed 16.5mph.
My 5K time was 38:09.90, Run Pace 12:18 min/mile
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Redfish Turns 2!
Today, Redfish Said, "I love you Mama!" Clearly and for the first time. Man, a thing like that can warm your heart. Right now he is really into repeating whatever you say, especially Spanish.We spent the day at the park with friends.
I told him it was his birthday and he said, "cake!" When we gave him cake, he asked where his present was. Well trained boy.
Temper tantrums started in earnest today too. Funny how that works.
3 days until Sandman. Pack bags tomorrow....for the whole family.
I told him it was his birthday and he said, "cake!" When we gave him cake, he asked where his present was. Well trained boy.
Temper tantrums started in earnest today too. Funny how that works.
3 days until Sandman. Pack bags tomorrow....for the whole family.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Dear Wil,
Wil,You are my hero. Even more so because of how you raced. They took your chip from you when you didn't make the cutoff for the first half of the marathon. But still, through rain and pain, you made it to mile 19. You came so far, and you came so close to finishing. Folks keep telling you your an Ironman for real because of your spirit, and how you raced, but just not officially. Which is why I find it so ironic that officially, you are an Ironman. Officially, you finished. Officially you are an Ironman.
Last night I dreamt I was racing an Ironman. Something that I've never dreamt before. Actually, something I don't think could have ever entered my world of possiblilities before. Thank you.
Now, we will wait to hear your story.
Last night I dreamt I was racing an Ironman. Something that I've never dreamt before. Actually, something I don't think could have ever entered my world of possiblilities before. Thank you.
Now, we will wait to hear your story.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Iron Wil
So, today's the big day for Iron Wil. She is conquering Ironman Wisconsin in the rain as I write this. She's been training for over a year. I'm so excited for her. And yet worried about her. Where she must be now that she is in the first half of her marathon. Where she must be in her head. What she must be thinking and feeling.
OK. I know she's strong. She's trained. She's trained in the rain. She's got rockin' good vibes from well over 100 of her closest blogging friends. So, I guess what I'm thinking is how alone I'd feel. And how I'd be worried about me, if that was me. Iron Wil is always the one who inspires me, gets me back on track. Reminds me of why I'm doing this.
What I want to know is how do you stay so focused on your race and stay so in the moment that you can still remember? I guess you just do. Maybe Wil can tell us when she gets back.
OK. I know she's strong. She's trained. She's trained in the rain. She's got rockin' good vibes from well over 100 of her closest blogging friends. So, I guess what I'm thinking is how alone I'd feel. And how I'd be worried about me, if that was me. Iron Wil is always the one who inspires me, gets me back on track. Reminds me of why I'm doing this.
What I want to know is how do you stay so focused on your race and stay so in the moment that you can still remember? I guess you just do. Maybe Wil can tell us when she gets back.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Playing Possum
Ya know this has been a tough week. I wasn't sure what to do with my training. I took a light recovery week last week after the race, but knew Sandman was just around the corner with neither enough time to work up to good distance workouts nor enough time for a good taper before the next race.
So this week the lesson I learned is that when I don't put my energy into intense workouts, I end up wasting it on other efforts like drama, worry, and sleeplessness. Note to self, read this blog entry whenever you don't feel like getting your butt out of bed at 5:30. I am thankful for running 4 miles today. I am thankful that the weather was great -- cool, crisp (but foggy). And I am thankful that today I will avoid the drama, worry and sleeplessness. Plus, I got a PR: 4 loops at the Vita Course, 4 loops in 47 minutes.
Daisyhead Maisy started Kindergarten on Tuesday. Need I say more? Mr. Preschool went back to work, a mixed blessing. And Redfish walks around all day asking where everyone is.
On top of that, we had this really horrid smell coming from our AC vents. Since we just had 12 inches of rain thanks to the remnants of the hurricane, I was worried we had standing water or mold under our house. The good news: It wasn't. The bad news: Dead Possum, maggots and all. Need I say more? I think Mr. Preschool deserves some sort of award for taking care of it. Any ideas?
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
What, No Peelers?
OK, so I just tried on a wetsuit for the first time. Yowza. Let me just say it is like a giant pair of pantyhose. Made out of rubber. I swore off pantyhose a long time ago for a reason. I hate them! I thought as a triathlete I could be one of those pants-wearing toughgirls who'd never have to subject myself to that sort of struggle again. Wrong.
And the problem with some of my triathlon knowledge is that it it comes from Ironman bloggers. I've just been informed that at the Sandman, there will be no assistance getting the damn thing off when I'm sandy and wet. No peelers, honey, that's just for Ironman races.
I'm not sure whether I should hope the water is warm so I don't have to wear the thing or if I should just hope the run to T1 isn't too long since running in the wetsuit won't really be a run due to the wetsuit's stiffness.
Regardless, I'm just happy I didn't have to pay $400 for the thing. Thanks to the Richmond Tri Club and 3Sports, Tri Club members can rent one for $25.
And then never have to see it agian.
And the problem with some of my triathlon knowledge is that it it comes from Ironman bloggers. I've just been informed that at the Sandman, there will be no assistance getting the damn thing off when I'm sandy and wet. No peelers, honey, that's just for Ironman races.
I'm not sure whether I should hope the water is warm so I don't have to wear the thing or if I should just hope the run to T1 isn't too long since running in the wetsuit won't really be a run due to the wetsuit's stiffness.
Regardless, I'm just happy I didn't have to pay $400 for the thing. Thanks to the Richmond Tri Club and 3Sports, Tri Club members can rent one for $25.
And then never have to see it agian.
Monday, August 28, 2006
IronGirl Race Report Aug. 27, 2006
It was a great race. (That is me on the left, Kate and Randi.)
What I learned is that it's not just the work of the race that the race is about. That is not why I love triathlons. It is the overall experience as a whole that makes up the race. Being in one place with 1,850 other women who have the same goal as you do is the set-up for a great adventure.
Whether it is watching an extremely obese woman have the courage to attemp a race like this and struggling to sit down on the dock so she can scoot herself into the water, or whether it is someone (who could be me) changing a flat 50 feet into the bike, this is why I tri. It reminds me of life -- the joys and the frustrations. The life you lead by the example you set. It is like a condensed version of it. Only for me, the race helps me gain perspective on life. It doesn' last forever, how do you really want to spend it? Or as an Ironman athlete once told me "there is no finish line," which is so true.
Where to start? I guess the race adventure for me really starts Saturday morning. Saying goodbye to my kids. It was so damn hard to leave them, that I almost forgot to kiss Mr. Preschool goodbye. But I did it. Mr. Preschool says he's not sure if he is more proud of me for leaving the kids to do something for myself or doing the race itself.
Two hours later I was standing in the Children's Place Kids Outlet at Potomac Mills during what should have been naptime (and breastfeeding time) and my breasts started getting hard and feeling engorged. I had another good 20 hours before my race and all I could think was, how and I gonna' run like this?
I met two of my teamates from back home. We picked up our packets at the hotel then, we drove over to Centenial park to pump our tires and rack our bikes, walking through fields (I kid you not) of freshly mowed poison ivy on the way. An entire field of grass with all these sticklike vines poking up, upon closer inspection we determined mowed poison ivy...did they think they were doing us a favor by mowing? we parked our cars at the race and left them there. Great move, we had prime parking spots. We drove the bike course that we'd heard so much about. It looked scary but not as bad as I'd been imagining in my dreams each and every night.
We headed over to PF Chang's where I had made a reservation for diner. We washed our feet in the bathroom as best we could trying to get the poison ivy oil off of our skin. Then we ate dinner. ...surrounded by kids. And never did I think I'd wish to be home with my babies or God forbid wishing they were their at the restaurant with me screaming for attention.
Then we were off to the hotel for a tormented night of sleep. Let me just say, I hate hotels. Didn't get much sleep AT ALL. I missed the kids and Mr. Preschool so much, was nervous about the race and kept waking up in a panic.
In the morning, we left our room at 4:55 a.m. and headed over to the racesite. It was too dark to see anything and I couldn't figure out how we were supposed to set up transition in the dark. Some people had flashlights, but somehow that seemed silly. The transition area was slightly lit. So, we set up transition. Luckily 3 girls in a row next to me didn't show up so I had enough room to spread out. I met some new friends. One of whom had done Ironman Wisconsin. I have to say it frightened me even more when she said the hills on the IronGirl course were very difficult. I know IW has some of the toughest hills in the nation, so when she said that I just sort of lost it, just a little.
Teamate Randi used her expertise as a yoga instructor to walk us through some relaxation techniques, but I couldn't really focus. I was all nerves. I just wanted to get into my own space.
Vigo, the race director, didn't close the transition area, like I'm used to. This was great for me because when I leave transition I leave my glasses in my helmet and I don't see them again until after the swim. My prescription goggles help a bit, but they get so foggy, and I feel like such a dork walking around with dry hair and goggles on my face.
I have to say someone gave me some advise to just smile and enjoy the whole race....and smile all the time even for the whole swim. I kept thinking about smiling the whole way, and it definately made for an interesting swim, because I couldn't stop smiling. And trying not to swollow water while you are smiling underwater, only makes you want to laugh.
Actually, for me, the swim rocked. I took my time, did some side stroke, tried to encourage those caps who were misplaced and leftover from 1 and 2 heats before....and still came in 11th out of 40 Athena. Actually, I had trouble believing the swim was over, it seemed too short.
I walked for a few steps then ran to T1. Although we had been told there would be a hose or water dip for our feet, there was none. In my haste, I put my socks over muddy grassy feat which caused blisters later on.
Glasses on, whew, what a relief. And then running in bike shoes with my bike up the steepest hill to mount my bike. Four peddle strokes out I see the girl frantically changing a flat. It went through my mind that she was doing it wrong and then I let that though fade because I needed to focus on my race. My mind was playing tricks on me, I think in fear I was looking for a reason to stop. Out on the main road I was passing cyclist, bam, bam, bam. There were so many of us they couldn't possibly be enforcing the drafting rule. I must have passed 30 women when I noticed her. She was drafting on me turn after turn. I pulled to the right for her to pass and she pulled in behind me -- she sat on my tail. I could bite my tounge no longer. "How's the draft back there?" I tossed the words over my shoulder. She mumbled something about it not helping anyway and I never saw here again.
Now a big concern for me was making sure I made it up each and everyone of those huge hills on the bike without stopping. I suceeded -- sort of.
At the top of one of the largest hills was a crazy black border colly-like mutt who lived right there, his territorhttp://www.throughth3wall.com/2006/08/that-ironman-teacher.htmly right on the path to IronGirl. He was barking like mad. Confused as to why 1,850 women invaders had come to disrupt his lazy morning. But to me, who had no family cheering for me, he was my cheerleader, and he was strategically placed just near the crest of the hill.
On the third of four large hills (the Glenelg Hill) I was downshifting and "pop," my chain came off. Now I've seen quite a few chains do this in my riding, but it had never happend to me. As soon as I stopped (luckly finding that in the excitement my left cleat had already unclipped itself) two girls ran up to me. "Chain problems?" they said, like they were mechanics waiting in the pit stop. "Yes!" I said. I had already tried stroking the pedal one time, with no luck, the chain was mangled and twisted. I was greatly relieved to have help, but these girls looked 10 years old! I'm so ashamed, I asked there mom if she knew anything about bikes, right in front of them. "We'll they're pretty much the experts" she said. And so, with a sigh, I let go and let them have a jab at it. And a minute later, it was fixed. "Can you write down your name and address, so I can write you a thank you note?" I said, not sure where these absurd words were coming from. Tear were almost in my eyes, I was just so moved by the experience. No need for a thank you note they said, but there names were Emma and Greer. "Are you triathletes?" I said. "No, but our teacher is" said Emma, and at that point I couldn't help but stop and think of Iron Wil, representing all of the Ironman Teachers in the world.
I walked up the hill a bit so I could mount my bike without falling because of the steepness of the incline. The whold ordeal set me back about 7-10 minutes, I figure. And grateful, I continued on my journey.
I continued passing folks, but not as often after that. My gears just weren't right exactly. I was just hoping to coast home. My gears just kept slipping.
I watched the woman about 20 yards in front of me crash. I was so happy to have experience to know exactly what to do, "Do you need help?" I yelled from my bike as I slowed down, for her to think. "No," she said, still stuck under her bike. Twenty feet down the road from her was a man, just sitting bored-looking. I asked him to help her.
And then I was back at T2, running my bike down the steep, grassy but muddy hill. Puting on my race belt for the run. Here I should mention that the main reason I did this race as opposed to Naylors is that it had a 5K tacked on the end rather than a 10K. But let me just say, I am not the only one who was wishing they signed up for the flat Naylor's run rather than this one! It was brutal. All up hill if that is possible. And Vigo, the race director, who said it was a 5K, finally acknowledged it was a 3.3 mile run and then changed that to a 3.4 mile run. Regardless, it was way too long and way too hilly.
And then it happend. I was trotting along at my usually slow pace when I saw this woman, pass me on the right, How strange, usually you pass on the left. She was running in the grass along the path carying ......flip flops?
"Oh My God!" I said, not even able to sensor my reaction. She was running bearfoot.
"Yeah, I forgot my shoes" she yelled back. And for the next 5 minutes she was in earshot, I was shouting like crazy, "You are a gazzelle!" You are one of those African runners who doesn't like shoes! and "Shoes would just slow you down anyway!" Man, what an inspiration.
Speaking of which, I have to say, I expected that this race would have alot more encouragement between athletes. I mean we are all women right? I so thought it would be a much more supportive environment than the local co-ed races I've been in. And then I realized why there weren't too many folks out there encouraging me. Actually, I think only 2 other athletes shouted encouragement the whole day. It was because I have gone from being the encouraged to being the encourager. I am now the more experienced athlete who understands the importance of encouraging others. And with ove 50 percent first time triathletes racing, they just needed encouragement and couldn't give any.
Although there were 1,850 athletes racing, It turns out that 500 some didn't finish. I hope it wasn't because they didn't get enough encouragement from there fellow athletes. But, I have to say I feel really bad for them. If they were first time triathletes, they might not attempt another. This was by far my most challenging race, I hope they know there are easier ones. Anyone who races puts so much of themselves into the race that a Did Not Finish has got to hurt.
My goal for this race was to be steady and strong and have fun. Not to go crazy trying to make a time, but to enjoy the race, and finish strong. I walked almost every hill on the run, and I was feeling kinda sad about that, but as I came down the home strech I saw an A (for Athena, my racing catagory, 150 lbs +) on the back of a woman's leg. I sprinted past her to the finish and beat her by several seconds. Definately a strong finish. They put a medal around my neck, and I walked up one more hill for a massage. Next time I'll bring the kids and Mr. Preschool, even if it adds more stress and work, I think the work will be worth it.
Getting Results....
Ok, first the results...then the race report.
I came in 24th out of 40 Athena athletes under 40.
Overall, I came in 918 out of over 1,850 women competing.
I was 11th out of 40 Athenas in the swim, with a time of 20:00
T1 20 3:41
I was 25th out of 40 Athenas on the bike with a time of 1:12:23 14.5 (mph average, but on a very tough course, even the top Athena placers averaged 15-17 mph)
T2 34 2:51
33 place out of 40 Athenas on the run with a time of 45:49 !!!! (OUCH!) 13:53 per mile
Total time was 2:24:41
I came in 24th out of 40 Athena athletes under 40.
Overall, I came in 918 out of over 1,850 women competing.
I was 11th out of 40 Athenas in the swim, with a time of 20:00
T1 20 3:41
I was 25th out of 40 Athenas on the bike with a time of 1:12:23 14.5 (mph average, but on a very tough course, even the top Athena placers averaged 15-17 mph)
T2 34 2:51
33 place out of 40 Athenas on the run with a time of 45:49 !!!! (OUCH!) 13:53 per mile
Total time was 2:24:41
Getting Results....
Ok, first the results...then the race report.
I came in 24th out of 40 Athena athletes under 40. (although this may change in my favor since swimers 1-2 have either no swim time or an impossible time, under 2 minutes.)
Overall, I came in 918 out of over 1,850 women competing.
I was 11th out of 40 Athenas in the swim, with a time of 20:00
T1 20 3:41
I was 25th out of 40 Athenas on the bike with a time of 1:12:23 14.5 (mph average, but on a very tough course, even the top Athena placers averaged 15-17 mph)
T2 34 2:51
33 place out of 40 Athenas on the run with a time of 45:49 !!!! (OUCH!) 13:53 per mile
Total time was 2:24:41
I came in 24th out of 40 Athena athletes under 40. (although this may change in my favor since swimers 1-2 have either no swim time or an impossible time, under 2 minutes.)
Overall, I came in 918 out of over 1,850 women competing.
I was 11th out of 40 Athenas in the swim, with a time of 20:00
T1 20 3:41
I was 25th out of 40 Athenas on the bike with a time of 1:12:23 14.5 (mph average, but on a very tough course, even the top Athena placers averaged 15-17 mph)
T2 34 2:51
33 place out of 40 Athenas on the run with a time of 45:49 !!!! (OUCH!) 13:53 per mile
Total time was 2:24:41
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Update on IronGirl Start Times
Swim start times are finally posted. I guess i'm in for a hot run. If only I was 35...I'd be starting right after the pros at, 7:08. Oh well, I'm sure 30 more minutes of standing around with nerves won't kill me.
7
07:40am
WOMEN: 20-24, Athena
NEON PINK
7
07:40am
WOMEN: 20-24, Athena
NEON PINK
The Countdown
Five days until IronGirl. I'm trying to make doing my best at the race my sole focus, but at the same time I'm sure it will be a sleepless night, the night before. It will be the first night I've spent apart from Redfish ever and the first night I've spent apart from Daisyhead Maisy in over 3 years. Not to mention my husband, otherwise known as the wizzard of sleep. I've been waking up at 5 a.m. each day regardless of whether I have a workout, so getting up at 3:45 on raceday, hopefully won't be a shock. I'll have a 55 minute drive and need to get to IronGirl at 5 a.m.
I've really enjoyed my training. I feel like i'm as ready as I'll ever be. Saturday we rode 20 at Westcreek and ran 2. Sunday I did the ACAC/Richmond Tri Winterpock hill to build back my confidence after that tough Naylor's ride. The Winterpock hill is about a 300 foot climb over maybe 2 miles. The IronGirl climb from what I can tell will be tougher. 500 feet up, broken into a 200 foot climb and then a 300 foot climb. Maybe I should have done it twice, back to back.
I'm not sure if this is common, but I keep wavering between wanting to just finish the race and feeling like there is some small hope that I'll place in Athena. This is the first race I've done with an Athena catagory, so I'm not really sure what the competition will be.
After looking at IronWil's body stats, and realizing that this superfit and major muscle chic could qualify for Athena (despite the fact that she is 5' 5 1/2) if she just ate a box of doughnuts, (she is 2 pounds to light to make the 150 lb Athena category) I'm not so sure.
Regardless, my goal is to take it one event at a time. To feel strong and confident and enjoy the race.
Mr. Preschool let me change his flat yesterday, as a refresher, so I should be ready for any flat I might get. With 1600 women racing, and Vigo as the race director, it is sure to be an inspiring, fun event regardless of my results.
I've really enjoyed my training. I feel like i'm as ready as I'll ever be. Saturday we rode 20 at Westcreek and ran 2. Sunday I did the ACAC/Richmond Tri Winterpock hill to build back my confidence after that tough Naylor's ride. The Winterpock hill is about a 300 foot climb over maybe 2 miles. The IronGirl climb from what I can tell will be tougher. 500 feet up, broken into a 200 foot climb and then a 300 foot climb. Maybe I should have done it twice, back to back.
I'm not sure if this is common, but I keep wavering between wanting to just finish the race and feeling like there is some small hope that I'll place in Athena. This is the first race I've done with an Athena catagory, so I'm not really sure what the competition will be.
After looking at IronWil's body stats, and realizing that this superfit and major muscle chic could qualify for Athena (despite the fact that she is 5' 5 1/2) if she just ate a box of doughnuts, (she is 2 pounds to light to make the 150 lb Athena category) I'm not so sure.
Regardless, my goal is to take it one event at a time. To feel strong and confident and enjoy the race.
Mr. Preschool let me change his flat yesterday, as a refresher, so I should be ready for any flat I might get. With 1600 women racing, and Vigo as the race director, it is sure to be an inspiring, fun event regardless of my results.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Naylor's Beach
So, we did the Naylor's Beach practice ride and swim yesterday. It was tough. I should have known I was in for trouble the when I realized the last thing Mr. Preschool said to me was "When you get back from your ride I need to replace the cleats on the shoes, they shoes keep poping out of the pedals on the hills." Hill number one, middle of the hill, shoe pops out, I lose my balance and fall. I'm lucky I didn't take anyone down with me. Hill number two. Pop you guessed it. Stopped on the hill. Hill three...i'm guessing I don't need to continue this story. That Naylor's ride bucked my confidence a bit. I'm just not sure how much of it was technical and how much of it was me.
i hope i'm ready for Irongirl. I've been putting in lots of hours training, but i'm getting burned out. I guess i'm ready to taper. 1 more week before i can though.
The team is going great. Some of those girls are so damn competative! The marathon chiquitas are making the rest of us look bad!
Still struggling to get the weight off (big surprise) I figure I've struggled with it for 28 years, I'm going to struggle for 28 more, at least. I'm not at my goal weight, but still on my way down, plus i've added lots of muscle.
After IronGirl and Sandman, I'll need a rest. So after 4 races this season, I'll be sitting out at the ACAC. I didn't really enjoy the wet, 35mph downhill at 6 am when it was still freezing cold out in the middle of October. I guess there is a reason the ACAC is the last triathlon on the east coast.
Friday, August 04, 2006
We're Going Where?
Finished 46 miles (new record) last Saturday. Man, it was getting hot, I was on my last loop at 40 when my coach said, hey follow me I want to show you something.....6 miles later we were back. Good thing I didn't know where we were going, I don't think I would have signed on for 6 more.
Tomorrow is the practice Naylor's Beach open water swim and bike. I'm nervous about the bike, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Reward when I get back Richmond Tri Club picnic, free beer, more open water swims, wait, i'm taking the kids, this won't be relaxing at all. Have a kid leash I can borrow?
Tomorrow is the practice Naylor's Beach open water swim and bike. I'm nervous about the bike, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Reward when I get back Richmond Tri Club picnic, free beer, more open water swims, wait, i'm taking the kids, this won't be relaxing at all. Have a kid leash I can borrow?
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Race Report 3Sports Triathlon, Birthday race
Never thought I'd choose to do a triathlon on my birthday, but, check, done. Turning 33 was easy. The race was not easy, but it was fun.
Perfect weather for race day. It rained. But, I'm not kidding, it was great. It was about 80 degrees during the race which was super, for July 23rd. We were all wet anyway right?
Highlights were an overall personal record. PR on the bike, barely, PR on the run, barely. Here are the stats.
16th place out of 25 women age 30-34.
6th place swim: 5:43
T1 12 2:43
9th place bike 38:55
23 2:31 T2
23 place run 37:50
Total time 1:27:40
Kate ran in with me, as the announce sang a little happy birthday song, that was fun.
The other highlight was getting to hear Redfish sing Happy Birthday for the first time ever.
As Redfish keeps saying, "Happy (Birthday) Mama"
Perfect weather for race day. It rained. But, I'm not kidding, it was great. It was about 80 degrees during the race which was super, for July 23rd. We were all wet anyway right?
Highlights were an overall personal record. PR on the bike, barely, PR on the run, barely. Here are the stats.
16th place out of 25 women age 30-34.
6th place swim: 5:43
T1 12 2:43
9th place bike 38:55
23 2:31 T2
23 place run 37:50
Total time 1:27:40
Kate ran in with me, as the announce sang a little happy birthday song, that was fun.
The other highlight was getting to hear Redfish sing Happy Birthday for the first time ever.
As Redfish keeps saying, "Happy (Birthday) Mama"
Saturday, July 15, 2006
40 Miles on the Bumble Bee
I know, it's been a really long time since I posted. My training is ramping up, getting more intense. Mr. Preschool went to San Diego for a week and was replaced with my mom! (That threw things out of whack!) And basically, I haven't had the time that I'd like to devote to this blog.
A week from tomorrow is my next race, the Shady Grove 3 Sports Triathlon. I'm ready. The main goal really for this race is to improve my time from the last race and break 35 minures on the 5K. The training is done. Either I'll do it or I won't.
Today we biked 40 miles. That is a new distance record for me. I have to say, It felt kind of rough getting off the bike. Sort of like when you've been on a ship for a week and then you try to walk on land. My legs didn't quite know what to do once they stopped going in circles. The workout took just over 2 hours. We averaged about 17 mph.
I'll have to get a photo up soon, but since all the cool triathlon chics name their bikes, I decided of course I had to name ours too. The bumble bee. May it buzz me up some hills!
A week from tomorrow is my next race, the Shady Grove 3 Sports Triathlon. I'm ready. The main goal really for this race is to improve my time from the last race and break 35 minures on the 5K. The training is done. Either I'll do it or I won't.
Today we biked 40 miles. That is a new distance record for me. I have to say, It felt kind of rough getting off the bike. Sort of like when you've been on a ship for a week and then you try to walk on land. My legs didn't quite know what to do once they stopped going in circles. The workout took just over 2 hours. We averaged about 17 mph.
I'll have to get a photo up soon, but since all the cool triathlon chics name their bikes, I decided of course I had to name ours too. The bumble bee. May it buzz me up some hills!
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