It's now been two weeks since the race. There has been much rehashing in many blogs regarding race day. One said that the DNF rate was 14%, twice as high as in 2011.of the Kansas City folks that I knew, about half did not finish the race: Todd had severe cramping, that started during the swim and forced him out early on the bike course. Julie stopped at 106 on the bike course. Amy ended her race eight miles into the run. Brad had two flats, one being due to sabotage, which ended his Kona attempt. Casey, while he still finished ended up walking about half of the marathon, which is something he's never done in three previous Ironman races.
There were also discussions about the heat and the headwinds on the bike segment. I personally thought the heat was not bad. We had trained in such intense heat this summer that while it was still in the 90's, it felt manageable. However, the heat did play a factor in my nutrition issues. I didn't notice the headwind, either. Maybe if I had been feeling a little better, it more mundane things would have bothered me more. LOL.
There is also speculation that the swim course was a little long. Most athletes said their times were 3-4 minutes slower than typical and/or last year's race. If that was the case, perhaps after I subtract my "dock time" and my "canoe time," my swim might have broken 1:40! Awesome!
Lastly, rumor has it that there is a feud between the residents and a local bike club, which led to course sabotage. The bike club members allegedly rides in big groups that completely block the lanes and would urinate and throw trash in the residents' yards. Therefore, this year and in past years, there is section of the bike course where tacks were thrown in the road. I luckily, did not flat, but I did see a lot of other changing tires. How unfortunate! I can understand why the townsfolks would be angry, if that was really the case, but throwing tacks out on race day seems to be punishing the wrong people. That race brings in a lot of revenue to Louisville for three days. I would guess that the majority of the people racing are from out of town and blameless in those offenses.
Regardless, of the chatter, my day was unsuccessful because I didn't execute my nutrition well. The End. I can't blame anything or anyone else. Will I do another Ironman? Right now, that is TBD. In spite of my DNF on this race, it somehow does not diminish the work I did. Even though I didn't cover those last 12 miles, I still experienced 2/3 and a half of an Ironman. :-) It has been an incredible and valuable a journey that I do not regret taking. Do I still feel the strong urge to BE an Ironman? Not so much.
But, I probably will try again...sometime. :-)
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Race Day!
This year was not my year to be an Ironman. It was a hard fought battle, but turned out not to be my day.
The Swim
Ironically, the swim turned out to be the easiest part of the day. The swim! The swim that had foiled two other triathlon finishes. The segment that had always struck the most fear in my heart was dispatched the most successfully.
Bea and I had originally intended to line up close to the front of the swim line to give us as much time as possible to complete it. However, we ran into a couple of ladies that had done it previously and their war stories of being too close to the front and literally being swam over by the 50-minute swimmers had us rethinking where we should be in line. I don't mind being bumped a little, but if someone swam over me completely, it would be difficult for me to recover from that.
The swim start was very quickly and efficiently executed. After waiting about an hour in line, it was suddenly my turn to jump into the water. My nerves weren't raging out of control, but I was nervous, and even as I surfaced, I decided I needed to come back and hang on the dock for a few seconds. The official started to say something to me...probably "get out of the way," but once he saw that others were able to jump over me, he didn't say anything else. I let my nerves calm down, and then I took off.
The water had been measured at 84 degrees, so no wetsuits were allowed, as expected. It felt cool and refreshing. The swim was crowded, but I just kept my head down and did my thing. I soon got into my rhythm and felt pretty good.
When I got close to the end of Towhead Island, people started converging and the area was very congested. I managed to get a facefull of water and came up sputtering. Since I don't tread water well, I had a panicky moment, and was wheezing. Some guy behind me saw my distress and stopped to ask if I was okay, and then held me up until the support crew could throw me a floatation pillow. Another reason, I LOVE the triathlon community in general!
I managed to get over to the canoe and held on for a few (or a lot of) minutes until I got my breath back. It also gave me an opportunity to pee :-). I was then able to start up again and continue the swim. As I was swimming along, I noticed that a kayak seemed to be following me. I finally understood that was veering off course and righted myself. Leave it to me to get lost on a course that was basically a straight line.
The morning was beautiful. After we made the turn around the island, the three bridges came into sight. I can't believe so many speak so harshly of swimming in the Ohio River, as I thought it was beautiful. The sun was shining and the sky was a clear blue. I had thought that we had to go under all three bridges, so was pleasantly surprised when I suddenly saw the red turn buoy much sooner than I expected.
I heard Leslie call my name as I ran out of the swim finish. I screamed! I saw Liz, my coach. I screamed! When I was out on the bike course, I got a little emotional. I had just finished an Ironman swim! Only a year ago, I DNFed on a 400-meter swim in a lake that was like glass, and I had just completed 2.4 miles. An added bonus was that in spite of my moments of hanging on the boats and docks and going off course a bit, I still managed to complete it in under 1:48! After my Kansas 70.3 debacle, I was afraid I wouldn't make the swim time limit of 2:20. Wow, I've come a long way, baby!
The Bike
Sadly, the bike course proved to be the beginning of the end. I went out conservatively and felt pretty darn good for the first 30 miles. My bike split was a little over 18 mph, a little higher than I intended, but I knew I had not pounded it. My legs felt relatively fresh after my two week taper, and I had taken a couple of Gu gels by that point. However, around mile 30, I started getting a nagging headache that felt a little like a dehydration headache in spite of the fluids I had been downing. I continued to drink and take in more salt.
At 45, I was feeling like I usually did around 80 on my training rides. Not a good sign. I had gotten about a third of the way on the first lap of the loop, which was a bit hillier than I had expected. I found that when I stood up to get up the steeper hills, both quads were crampy...not full blown cramps but definitely on the edge. Another bad sign. I upped my salt intake.
The day continually got worse. I dumped the Isis Infinit drink I was trying (I know, I know...nothing new on race day, but they had Ironman Perform sports drink on the course, and I never was able to find it here in town to try, so something new was going to happen anyway). Even though, I never thought it got very hot, the day was warm and I wasn't able to take in much nutrition. All they had at the aid stations that was real food were bananas. I tried to take one when I could. I didn't care for the taste of the Ironman Perform, but tried to drink it anyway.
I continued to get more nauseous and crampy, and then got the bike bonk sleepies. I was stopping at each of the aid stations to down another bottle of icy cold water, but I couldn't get anything else down. I pulled off the road at one point, thinking if I could throw up, I might feel better. I wasn't able to vomit, but I laid in the grass for a while anyway.
I moved on to the next aid station and did throw up three times in a portapotty there. However, I couldn't shake the headache or the cramps or the nausea. I couldn't drink any more Ironman Perform or eat solid food. I did try to choke down another couple of Gu packs.
At the 103 mile aid station, I was so thirsty for more water, I stopped again. Immediately, my left quad seized up in a near incapacitating cramp. A wonderful volunteer helped me off the bike and put ice on my knotted thigh. I don't know how long I was there. I only had nine miles left to go. I could get in! However, I stopped one more time two miles out from transition because I thought I was going to pass out.
The Run
By the time I finally did make to transition, I really thought I was done. I was so sick. I handed off my bike and picked up my clothes bag and shuffled around to the women's changing tent. I collapsed in the grass in the shade. A volunteer brought me some water which I took gratefully. I immediately threw it up. They brought me some cola, which helped, but the sugary aftertaste set my stomach to heaving again. They offered to take me to the medical tent, but I wasn't sure if that would mean I was done with the race, and in spite of my sickness, I wasn't sure I was done. Eventually, I got changed and back out on the run course. It was about 5:30 pm, meaning I had about six hours to complete the marathon. My stomach was feeling better, thanks to the ice a volunteer had given me to chew on.
I later learned that my bike split was 8:00:04 (not too bad considering how much I laid on the ground during that ride) and I'd spent 36 minutes in transition. I did still had a fighting chance to finish, if I could just keep walk/trotting along at a sub-14 minute pace. My legs did feel pretty good, though the running was painful in my stomach sphincter area.
It just wasn't to be. My nausea resurfaced, and I couldn't take in any more nutrition aside from ice water. Mary had slipped me some ibuprofen, which actually did take care of the lingering headache and Jenny found a couple of Pepto Bismal tablets she threw over her shoulder at me. Those didn't help. My average pace was inching up. I knew that without being able to get some calories in, I wouldn't be able to keep it up enough to make the time frame...and I really didn't want to get to mile 24 only to be told too bad, so sad.
I made it to the turn around for the second lap and went to the special needs area for the run to turn in my chip. I threw up again...and again...and a third time. I was going to be taken to the medical area for an IV. I threw up three more times in the ambulance on the way. I really believe that I made the right decision to stop when I did, but there is still a tiny wonder if I could have made it in.
Another triathlon DNF. My biggest fear, not finishing, had come to fruition. So close, yet so far. There were so many things that was frustrating about this, but I think the biggest one was I was ready for this race from a fitness perspective. I had done the work and my body was ready. To be taken down because of nutrition issues was a bitter pill.
All the coaches preach nutrition, and I took it all in. But, my training rides were all so different. I couldn't figure out what worked for me as one ride I wouldn't be able to eat anything solid, the next I could handle real food. I thought I would be okay with Gu and sports drink and salt, as long as I remembered to take it in often enough. That proved to not work out so well.
The cramping was also new. It happened on my last long training ride, but I thought it was an anomaly. Now, I wonder if was because I switched to salt with caffeine.
Nutrition is going to be a hard thing to figure out since it is difficult to simulate the conditions consistently. Ah, well... every tri has been a unique and interesting learning experience. I admit that maybe I didn't have any business attempting an Ironman with only one successful 70.3 under my belt...and only nine successful races to my credit. I suppose there is no failure with no attempts, but there is also no success.
I just wonder if I'll have the time and perseverance to try this again.
The Swim
Ironically, the swim turned out to be the easiest part of the day. The swim! The swim that had foiled two other triathlon finishes. The segment that had always struck the most fear in my heart was dispatched the most successfully.
 |
| Bea and I in line at the swim start. |
The swim start was very quickly and efficiently executed. After waiting about an hour in line, it was suddenly my turn to jump into the water. My nerves weren't raging out of control, but I was nervous, and even as I surfaced, I decided I needed to come back and hang on the dock for a few seconds. The official started to say something to me...probably "get out of the way," but once he saw that others were able to jump over me, he didn't say anything else. I let my nerves calm down, and then I took off.
The water had been measured at 84 degrees, so no wetsuits were allowed, as expected. It felt cool and refreshing. The swim was crowded, but I just kept my head down and did my thing. I soon got into my rhythm and felt pretty good.
I managed to get over to the canoe and held on for a few (or a lot of) minutes until I got my breath back. It also gave me an opportunity to pee :-). I was then able to start up again and continue the swim. As I was swimming along, I noticed that a kayak seemed to be following me. I finally understood that was veering off course and righted myself. Leave it to me to get lost on a course that was basically a straight line.
 | |
| Courtesy of the IMLV Facebook page. |
I heard Leslie call my name as I ran out of the swim finish. I screamed! I saw Liz, my coach. I screamed! When I was out on the bike course, I got a little emotional. I had just finished an Ironman swim! Only a year ago, I DNFed on a 400-meter swim in a lake that was like glass, and I had just completed 2.4 miles. An added bonus was that in spite of my moments of hanging on the boats and docks and going off course a bit, I still managed to complete it in under 1:48! After my Kansas 70.3 debacle, I was afraid I wouldn't make the swim time limit of 2:20. Wow, I've come a long way, baby!
The Bike
Sadly, the bike course proved to be the beginning of the end. I went out conservatively and felt pretty darn good for the first 30 miles. My bike split was a little over 18 mph, a little higher than I intended, but I knew I had not pounded it. My legs felt relatively fresh after my two week taper, and I had taken a couple of Gu gels by that point. However, around mile 30, I started getting a nagging headache that felt a little like a dehydration headache in spite of the fluids I had been downing. I continued to drink and take in more salt.
 |
| Wasn't smiling very long. (Bike proof from Finisherpix) |
The day continually got worse. I dumped the Isis Infinit drink I was trying (I know, I know...nothing new on race day, but they had Ironman Perform sports drink on the course, and I never was able to find it here in town to try, so something new was going to happen anyway). Even though, I never thought it got very hot, the day was warm and I wasn't able to take in much nutrition. All they had at the aid stations that was real food were bananas. I tried to take one when I could. I didn't care for the taste of the Ironman Perform, but tried to drink it anyway.
I continued to get more nauseous and crampy, and then got the bike bonk sleepies. I was stopping at each of the aid stations to down another bottle of icy cold water, but I couldn't get anything else down. I pulled off the road at one point, thinking if I could throw up, I might feel better. I wasn't able to vomit, but I laid in the grass for a while anyway.
I moved on to the next aid station and did throw up three times in a portapotty there. However, I couldn't shake the headache or the cramps or the nausea. I couldn't drink any more Ironman Perform or eat solid food. I did try to choke down another couple of Gu packs.
At the 103 mile aid station, I was so thirsty for more water, I stopped again. Immediately, my left quad seized up in a near incapacitating cramp. A wonderful volunteer helped me off the bike and put ice on my knotted thigh. I don't know how long I was there. I only had nine miles left to go. I could get in! However, I stopped one more time two miles out from transition because I thought I was going to pass out.
The Run
By the time I finally did make to transition, I really thought I was done. I was so sick. I handed off my bike and picked up my clothes bag and shuffled around to the women's changing tent. I collapsed in the grass in the shade. A volunteer brought me some water which I took gratefully. I immediately threw it up. They brought me some cola, which helped, but the sugary aftertaste set my stomach to heaving again. They offered to take me to the medical tent, but I wasn't sure if that would mean I was done with the race, and in spite of my sickness, I wasn't sure I was done. Eventually, I got changed and back out on the run course. It was about 5:30 pm, meaning I had about six hours to complete the marathon. My stomach was feeling better, thanks to the ice a volunteer had given me to chew on.
 |
| Our wonderful sherpas decorated the streets of the run course. |
It just wasn't to be. My nausea resurfaced, and I couldn't take in any more nutrition aside from ice water. Mary had slipped me some ibuprofen, which actually did take care of the lingering headache and Jenny found a couple of Pepto Bismal tablets she threw over her shoulder at me. Those didn't help. My average pace was inching up. I knew that without being able to get some calories in, I wouldn't be able to keep it up enough to make the time frame...and I really didn't want to get to mile 24 only to be told too bad, so sad.
I made it to the turn around for the second lap and went to the special needs area for the run to turn in my chip. I threw up again...and again...and a third time. I was going to be taken to the medical area for an IV. I threw up three more times in the ambulance on the way. I really believe that I made the right decision to stop when I did, but there is still a tiny wonder if I could have made it in.
Another triathlon DNF. My biggest fear, not finishing, had come to fruition. So close, yet so far. There were so many things that was frustrating about this, but I think the biggest one was I was ready for this race from a fitness perspective. I had done the work and my body was ready. To be taken down because of nutrition issues was a bitter pill.
All the coaches preach nutrition, and I took it all in. But, my training rides were all so different. I couldn't figure out what worked for me as one ride I wouldn't be able to eat anything solid, the next I could handle real food. I thought I would be okay with Gu and sports drink and salt, as long as I remembered to take it in often enough. That proved to not work out so well.
The cramping was also new. It happened on my last long training ride, but I thought it was an anomaly. Now, I wonder if was because I switched to salt with caffeine.
Nutrition is going to be a hard thing to figure out since it is difficult to simulate the conditions consistently. Ah, well... every tri has been a unique and interesting learning experience. I admit that maybe I didn't have any business attempting an Ironman with only one successful 70.3 under my belt...and only nine successful races to my credit. I suppose there is no failure with no attempts, but there is also no success.
I just wonder if I'll have the time and perseverance to try this again.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Checked In!
My denial cannot continue much longer. In less than 32 hours, I will be in the water for IM Louisville. Bea and I checked in today and picked up our packets. We walked around the Ironman Village (Shameless Commerce section of Ironman), but I refrained from buying anything. Do not want to jinx anything!At the mandatory athlete's meeting, my nerves started up again... So many rules... so much to remember... eek! Nutrition, hydration, drafting, blocking, illegal passing, littering. Oh, and 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 run. It seems that I'll be pretty busy Sunday.
Yikes! Saturday, we packed up and took the bikes for a short spin to the Great Lawn where transition was set up. Not many had checked in when we got t here, so the racks were still pretty empty. The volunteers were absolutely fabulous. One of the gals there, showed us the changing tents, where our drop bags would be and where the bike in/out and run out areas were. I am starting to get excited.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
In Louisville!
Bea and I made it into Louisville tonight and we are so excited about this adventure we are about to partake. Woo hoo!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
"Taper" is NOT a Four-Letter Word
But, it should be. Criminy.
Taper...those 2-3 weeks prior to the Big Event when we drastically reduce our training volume allowing our bodies to rejuvenate. This time is also know for the taper crazies that most of us are beset with. Suddenly, with more free time on our hands, our minds take advantage by playing all kinds of tricks.
Intellectually, I know I need the rest. Even physically, my body has been giving me strong signals that it is TIRED. But, emotionally, I feel almost guilty at taking more than one rest day a week. In the back of my mind, this niggling doubt that I should be doing more constantly battles with my need for rest. I'm crabby and anxious and am tired of thinking about the race. I especially don't want to TALK about the race...at least with anyone not doing it.
I know that my anxiety and irritability stems from the terror that I won't finish this race. Intellectually, there is really little likelihood that I will not see the finish line. But, again those pesky emotions pipe up. There's so many ways to screw this thing up.
It's kind of funny how my fears have changed as I've traversed this journey. At first, it was the swim. Could I overcome my issues with open water to be able to do the swim at all? Yes! The difference in comfort level in those conditions is like night and day. I don't think that is going to be a problem, unless something unusual happens. Then, after the Kansas 70.3 debacle, I was worried about swimming fast enough to make the cutoff. However, I've swam the distance twice, once in open water and once in a pool in well under two hours. So, again, unless something unusual happens, I should be ok with the swim. Ironically, I've now come to believe that the swim will be the easiest part of the day.
Then, as I've trained in this gawd-awful summer heat, I was most worried about the heat. I just couldn't imagine running a marathon after going 112 miles in triple-digit heat. However, we might...just MIGHT...dodge a bullet there. The weather has been glorious. If it will hold for one more week...!
Now, I'm most worried about screwing up the bike segment, either by going too fast or messing up my nutrition (or both). My last long ride was HORRIBLE. 115 miles and it wasn't even that hot. I was cramping at the end (which I've never had issues with in the past) and the thought of running 26 steps much less 26 miles off the bike would have had me in tears. I haven't really been able to shake off that ride. (Yes, I know that it was the second 100+ ride in less than a week. Yes, I know it was the third week of three big build weeks. Yes, I know my body was at its highest fatigue level.) In spite of those hard facts, my emotional response is still fear.
Ironically, my long run the next day was the best one since I started training for IM. This is the weirdest damn sport.
So, if I can get through taper without killing anyone and come out the other end with any friends left, I'll consider myself fortunate. I did my last long-er bike ride today (30 miles). My legs weren't tired for the first time in forever, but I still felt sluggish. I downed a GU at the turnaround and felt much stronger on the way back (again...note to self on nutrition!).
The race is 8 days away...!
Taper...those 2-3 weeks prior to the Big Event when we drastically reduce our training volume allowing our bodies to rejuvenate. This time is also know for the taper crazies that most of us are beset with. Suddenly, with more free time on our hands, our minds take advantage by playing all kinds of tricks.
Intellectually, I know I need the rest. Even physically, my body has been giving me strong signals that it is TIRED. But, emotionally, I feel almost guilty at taking more than one rest day a week. In the back of my mind, this niggling doubt that I should be doing more constantly battles with my need for rest. I'm crabby and anxious and am tired of thinking about the race. I especially don't want to TALK about the race...at least with anyone not doing it.
I know that my anxiety and irritability stems from the terror that I won't finish this race. Intellectually, there is really little likelihood that I will not see the finish line. But, again those pesky emotions pipe up. There's so many ways to screw this thing up.
It's kind of funny how my fears have changed as I've traversed this journey. At first, it was the swim. Could I overcome my issues with open water to be able to do the swim at all? Yes! The difference in comfort level in those conditions is like night and day. I don't think that is going to be a problem, unless something unusual happens. Then, after the Kansas 70.3 debacle, I was worried about swimming fast enough to make the cutoff. However, I've swam the distance twice, once in open water and once in a pool in well under two hours. So, again, unless something unusual happens, I should be ok with the swim. Ironically, I've now come to believe that the swim will be the easiest part of the day.
Then, as I've trained in this gawd-awful summer heat, I was most worried about the heat. I just couldn't imagine running a marathon after going 112 miles in triple-digit heat. However, we might...just MIGHT...dodge a bullet there. The weather has been glorious. If it will hold for one more week...!
Now, I'm most worried about screwing up the bike segment, either by going too fast or messing up my nutrition (or both). My last long ride was HORRIBLE. 115 miles and it wasn't even that hot. I was cramping at the end (which I've never had issues with in the past) and the thought of running 26 steps much less 26 miles off the bike would have had me in tears. I haven't really been able to shake off that ride. (Yes, I know that it was the second 100+ ride in less than a week. Yes, I know it was the third week of three big build weeks. Yes, I know my body was at its highest fatigue level.) In spite of those hard facts, my emotional response is still fear.
Ironically, my long run the next day was the best one since I started training for IM. This is the weirdest damn sport.
So, if I can get through taper without killing anyone and come out the other end with any friends left, I'll consider myself fortunate. I did my last long-er bike ride today (30 miles). My legs weren't tired for the first time in forever, but I still felt sluggish. I downed a GU at the turnaround and felt much stronger on the way back (again...note to self on nutrition!).
The race is 8 days away...!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Freakin' Eurekan
This weekend was the 2nd annual Eurekan Mulisport Festival in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This is a 3-day event that consists of a short sprint tri on Friday afternoon, a hilly century ride on Saturday and a 10K run on Sunday. In order to attain the title of "Eurekan," one had to complete all three events. A gang of the Red Ladies went down there last year and became the charter Eurekans. Many of the same group went down again to retain that title.
I was one that attended, but I didn't intend to defend the title. My training plan called for only 60 miles on the bike this weekend, so I opted to do the shorter 58 mile ride instead. I did do the tri as well, as I figured it would be good to go through the tri motions again since I hadn't raced since the end of June.
The tri consisted of a 300-yard swim, 7 mile bike and 2 mile run. This race feels much longer than the short distances would imply. The swim was easy and straight forward, but the bike was amazingly hilly for six miles. And, the run wound around a golf course, which felt much longer than two miles. I managed to finish 30 seconds faster than last year, which was a little disappointing, as I thought I was a lot stronger now than last year. I still placed in my age group (2nd), and amazingly enough, there were 13 old ladies competing (10-year age groups).
I started out on the bike ride, and it became apparent very quickly that my legs still felt shot. I debated turning around at the first SAG that was about 20 miles out. 56 miles were not really a big deal, but I recalled only too well what the last 20 miles of the course was like: two long and fairly steep climbs back to back, then a corkscrew uphill continuous climb all the way back into town. I just couldn't stomach it this year. I still felt so weary.
I turned around and added a little extra by exploring the "Scenic Outlook" route, which rounded out to 43 total miles. Oh, well. I got back to the hotel, packed up and stopped by my mom's on the way back to KC. Once there, I promptly took an hour and a half nap. Yes, I was tired!
I figure that weekend was the most expensive sprint tri ever since I had paid for the entire event ($130). The only thing I did was the tri, so factoring in hotel, gas and food, that tri averaged about $36/mile. It was good to swim in a pack of thrashing girls and spending time with the gals is always a great time, so it was worth it.
Next stop: Louisville. <gulp>
I was one that attended, but I didn't intend to defend the title. My training plan called for only 60 miles on the bike this weekend, so I opted to do the shorter 58 mile ride instead. I did do the tri as well, as I figured it would be good to go through the tri motions again since I hadn't raced since the end of June.
The tri consisted of a 300-yard swim, 7 mile bike and 2 mile run. This race feels much longer than the short distances would imply. The swim was easy and straight forward, but the bike was amazingly hilly for six miles. And, the run wound around a golf course, which felt much longer than two miles. I managed to finish 30 seconds faster than last year, which was a little disappointing, as I thought I was a lot stronger now than last year. I still placed in my age group (2nd), and amazingly enough, there were 13 old ladies competing (10-year age groups).
I started out on the bike ride, and it became apparent very quickly that my legs still felt shot. I debated turning around at the first SAG that was about 20 miles out. 56 miles were not really a big deal, but I recalled only too well what the last 20 miles of the course was like: two long and fairly steep climbs back to back, then a corkscrew uphill continuous climb all the way back into town. I just couldn't stomach it this year. I still felt so weary.
I turned around and added a little extra by exploring the "Scenic Outlook" route, which rounded out to 43 total miles. Oh, well. I got back to the hotel, packed up and stopped by my mom's on the way back to KC. Once there, I promptly took an hour and a half nap. Yes, I was tired!
I figure that weekend was the most expensive sprint tri ever since I had paid for the entire event ($130). The only thing I did was the tri, so factoring in hotel, gas and food, that tri averaged about $36/mile. It was good to swim in a pack of thrashing girls and spending time with the gals is always a great time, so it was worth it.
Next stop: Louisville. <gulp>
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
"Taper" Does Not Mean "Stop"
In spite of the fact that I know the above statement to be true, this week has been more of a week of "do as I say" rather than "do as I am supposed to do." Granted this first week of taper hasn't really seemed like much of a taper.
Monday, I was supposed to go to the pool just to loosen up my legs. I really did intend to, but, well...time got away and all of a sudden, it was time for me to go to bed (10:00 p.m.!). Tuesday morning speedwork was missed because I had a chiropractor appoint, but face it, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway, since it was ALL the way up at Roeland Park. (I was supposed to do 8 miles). Tuesday p.m. was a 4000 yard swim. Well, the swim didn't happen because I go to Lakewood on Wednesdays to do my long swim in an open water venue with no time limits. A good little triathlete would have moved the Wednesday planned workout to Tuesday, and gotten in her 2-hour brick, but with the mercury topping 103, I skipped that as well. Maybe I need two rest days in a row. I'm old!
So, here we are to Wednesday. I did schlep over to Lakewood. I did get in the water and followed Becky to the ends of the Lake. Eventually, I realized we were literally in the middle of the lake and my bearings were totally skewed. I figured I should start heading closer to a shore, so I started a beeline toward the one right in front of me. Once I got over to shallower water, I stopped to assess my surroundings and realized I still wasn't quite sure where we were. Everything looked different from that angle. However, I did see Becky swimming along many feet from me. As I was trying to get her attention, I suddenly felt something bite my toes. That, of course, had me screaming in conniptions. Still, Becky was deaf to my screams. Good thing I didn't think I was drowning.
At any other time, I would have just jumped back in the water and started swimming (the wrong way, as I would later come to realize), but a storm was rolling in, and I could see a few streaks of lightning that were too close for comfort. We needed to get out of the water. I scrambled up the bank, painfully, I might add as I had clambered over a 3-foot tall rock embankment. I was still worried about Becky, so I tried to get a vantage point where I could still see her. I then realized that I was on the wrong side of the lake. Damn.
Ultimately, I found my way back to the water and swam across, racing to beat any additional streaks of lightning. That was vewy, vewy scarwy. Or, could have been!
I think I managed about 2500 of my 4000, but I had extenuating circumstances!!! Hmmm...I guess I can blame anything that might not go exactly as planned on this week's training.
Monday, I was supposed to go to the pool just to loosen up my legs. I really did intend to, but, well...time got away and all of a sudden, it was time for me to go to bed (10:00 p.m.!). Tuesday morning speedwork was missed because I had a chiropractor appoint, but face it, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway, since it was ALL the way up at Roeland Park. (I was supposed to do 8 miles). Tuesday p.m. was a 4000 yard swim. Well, the swim didn't happen because I go to Lakewood on Wednesdays to do my long swim in an open water venue with no time limits. A good little triathlete would have moved the Wednesday planned workout to Tuesday, and gotten in her 2-hour brick, but with the mercury topping 103, I skipped that as well. Maybe I need two rest days in a row. I'm old!
So, here we are to Wednesday. I did schlep over to Lakewood. I did get in the water and followed Becky to the ends of the Lake. Eventually, I realized we were literally in the middle of the lake and my bearings were totally skewed. I figured I should start heading closer to a shore, so I started a beeline toward the one right in front of me. Once I got over to shallower water, I stopped to assess my surroundings and realized I still wasn't quite sure where we were. Everything looked different from that angle. However, I did see Becky swimming along many feet from me. As I was trying to get her attention, I suddenly felt something bite my toes. That, of course, had me screaming in conniptions. Still, Becky was deaf to my screams. Good thing I didn't think I was drowning.
At any other time, I would have just jumped back in the water and started swimming (the wrong way, as I would later come to realize), but a storm was rolling in, and I could see a few streaks of lightning that were too close for comfort. We needed to get out of the water. I scrambled up the bank, painfully, I might add as I had clambered over a 3-foot tall rock embankment. I was still worried about Becky, so I tried to get a vantage point where I could still see her. I then realized that I was on the wrong side of the lake. Damn.
Ultimately, I found my way back to the water and swam across, racing to beat any additional streaks of lightning. That was vewy, vewy scarwy. Or, could have been!
I think I managed about 2500 of my 4000, but I had extenuating circumstances!!! Hmmm...I guess I can blame anything that might not go exactly as planned on this week's training.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Taper Time
This was one serious weekend of workouts.
Now, the taper "crazies" will set in. It's not an abrupt taper, so perhaps it won't feel as drastic as it can. I'm going back to my chiropractor next week and getting a sports massage the week after to try to get my body loose and aligned. Ready or not, the time is slipping by.
Yikes...I can't believe this thing that has been in the forefront of my mind for the past ten months is only three weeks away. Yikes!
- 3900 meters in the pool Friday. If I had to do very many of these, in a pool, I think I would slit my wrists with a butter knife! OMG! The boredom that sets in before it's half done is mind boggling. The only thing that would have made it worse was if I'd done it in a short pool. The plus side was that I finished it in about 1:42 and the distance was slightly longer than my race distance. Hopefully, I will not have any extraneous issues during the swim and will easily make the 2:20 cutoff.
- 115 mile bike ride Saturday. The temps were about 10 degrees cooler than my previous long rides, and we had a cloud cover for most of the ride. However, this ride was extremely hard. I had only gotten about 3 hours of sleep the night before (avocado attack!) and my body is weary. I didn't feel great for any of the ride, but the last 20 miles of this one had me whining big time in my head. For the first time, I started cramping a little--right quad, both feet. I thought I was taking a lot of salt, but obviously, I still don't have my nutrition down. When I finally pulled into the starting point, the first words out of my mouth were "I don't think I can do this." The thought of running 26 steps much less 26.2 miles made me feel like bursting into tears. I sat down on the curb, but found that my hips protested loudly if I did anything with my legs but leave them straight out in front of me, and I got a severe cramp in my abs. I was a mess, that even a cold soak in an epsom salt bath didn't resolve.
- 19 mile run today. This is the weirdest damn sport. I was truly dreading attempting this run in lieu of how I felt yesterday and last night. However, once I got going, I had my best run yet of my IM training. My legs felt strong and I was able to maintain my pace even on hills. Go figure. I had on my plan to run 22, but I stopped at my house at 19 to get more fluids, and that was the end of that. My coach had already given me permission to cut it shorter, based on my running background, I would have worried more if I was stopping short because I just couldn't finish it out. The morning was blissfully cool, though, which is always a big factor to me, but even so, it was nice to feel like I had my running legs back.
Now, the taper "crazies" will set in. It's not an abrupt taper, so perhaps it won't feel as drastic as it can. I'm going back to my chiropractor next week and getting a sports massage the week after to try to get my body loose and aligned. Ready or not, the time is slipping by.
Yikes...I can't believe this thing that has been in the forefront of my mind for the past ten months is only three weeks away. Yikes!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
August 1
It's August 1st. It's Ironman month! This is my last big training week. 7800 water yards and 137 land miles separate me from taper (not counting a couple of sundry weekday workouts which may or may not get done...)
The bib numbers have been assigned and published. I am 675. For some reason, that number seems to be a substantial one. It is starting to get more and more real. This phantom thing that was so far out in the distance. This thing that I quit several times during my broiling century rides. This thing that I doubted my ability to do will soon be upon me.
I can't put my head around stringing these three activities together yet. All I can do is to trust in my training. I've done the work, and save totally screwing up my nutrition and bonking, or the heat completely taking me down, I should be able to do this thing.
Trust.
Believe in myself.
Be ever grateful for the ability to try.
The bib numbers have been assigned and published. I am 675. For some reason, that number seems to be a substantial one. It is starting to get more and more real. This phantom thing that was so far out in the distance. This thing that I quit several times during my broiling century rides. This thing that I doubted my ability to do will soon be upon me.
I can't put my head around stringing these three activities together yet. All I can do is to trust in my training. I've done the work, and save totally screwing up my nutrition and bonking, or the heat completely taking me down, I should be able to do this thing.
Trust.
Believe in myself.
Be ever grateful for the ability to try.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Louisville Practice Workout
Amy and I headed out to Louisville to participate in the iamtri group's workout session. I don't usually like to preview race courses, but I just felt that it would set my mind a little more at ease if I actually swam in the Ohio River and rode a bit of the course.
It was an fairly easy drive. St. Louis is about halfway, which broke up the trip rather nicely. We arrived in Louisville about 6:00 p.m. to much cooler weather (low 80's!). Amy and I had different training goals. She had a long brick (3 hour ride and 3 hour run). I really wanted to take the opportunity to swim and then ride the course. So, Saturday morning, we went our separate ways.
I'm so glad that I did the swim there. Jumping into deep water to start the swim was actually a little different than I had expected. My head started doing its thing with whirling thoughts of "it's deep water...there's no place to stand...it's deep water..." so when I finally jumped in, I was sputtering a bit when I surfaced. I started a little of my hyperventilating, so I paddled back to the dock and hung on a few seconds. I got my crap together and started swimming. In no time, I was once again relaxed and doing my thing. The Ohio River was no dirtier than any of the lakes I swim in here.
I was in a recovery training week, so I only had 60 miles on the plan for my bike ride. I was able to ride the "spur" portion of the course, which everyone had said had the most challenging hills and part of the loop. Overall, the course was a little hillier than I expected, but it wasn't impossible by any means. And, the scenery was beautiful.
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| Swim Start |
I was in a recovery training week, so I only had 60 miles on the plan for my bike ride. I was able to ride the "spur" portion of the course, which everyone had said had the most challenging hills and part of the loop. Overall, the course was a little hillier than I expected, but it wasn't impossible by any means. And, the scenery was beautiful.
The spur was very interesting. It is flat for a little ways when I first turned on the rode. However, it wasn't long before I was flying down a long downhill, then facing a long uphill...and another downhill...and another uphill... only to turn around and go at it from the other direction. Those hills were not terribly steep, but they were long!
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| Gorgeous sunflower patch at the beginning of the loop. |
I didn't conserve on this bike ride since it was shorter and by the time I was done, I was feeling it. The fact that my back started hurting and my right piriformis really, really bothered me didn't help either. Seriously? I have ridden over 1,500 miles so far this year with absolutely no issues. Why now??
Overall, it was a great trip and I'm glad we did it, as I'm feeling a bit more confident to face this race.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Countdown: Six Weeks
The thing that has been an abstract idea in my head for so long is quickly becoming reality. This effing race is in six weeks. Six weeks from this very moment, I will be desperately trying to grab a few hours sleep before I rise before dawn to get a good place in the swim line. Wow.
Another century ride is on the books today. What a difference 10 degrees in the temperature can make! The day started out in the 70's, which felt downright cold. It was will into the mid-90's by the time we finished, but it still felt much cooler than last weekend. I also slowed down my pace today, which I'm sure helped me feel strong at 80, 85, 90 and the finish, unlike my last two rides. I'm still looking for that happy medium pace where I can maximize bike speed without detriment on the run.
My outlook regarding my success on this endeavor is much better. I swam 2,000 meters at Kill Creek last Monday in 49 minutes, making my swim rate 2:16/100 yds. Once I actually calculated how many meters were in 2.4 miles (> 3,900 meters), I felt much better. I had been thinking that it was 4500 meters, which made a total time being much closer to the actual cutoff.
Now, my biggest worry is the heat. If it were to be anything like last weekend, I don't think I could run off the bike. I was looking at intellicast.com for the Louisville forecast for the coming weekend and was surprised and happy to see that it was supposed to be 89-90 degrees. The weatherman was calling for 106 on the weekend here, even though Weatherbug, weather.com and intellicast put it closer to 100. Intellicast.com also had the average temps for Louisville available. In August, the average is 85. On August 26, specifically, the record low was in the 50's and the record high, 100. That made me feel a tad bit better about the possible conditions. It would so suck to be completely prepared physically and even somewhat mentally, only to be done in by the weather.
We finally got some rain here Friday morning, and it caught me while I was out running my recovery 45 minutes. I ended up running 5 miles at a 9:10 pace and still stay in Zone 2 from a heartrate perspective. I felt like I could have run for miles that morning. Oh, what a difference a few degrees make!
My running legs seem to be bouncing back somewhat. My run on Sunday was 18 miles at a 9:40 pace. Not a blistering fast pace, but well under 10 minute miles, which is my goal for the race.
Goals...dare I list them?
OK.
First and foremost: get out of the water in regulation, finish the race without too much agony.
Then, if I can get the first two done, the icing on the cake would be: I would like to do the swim in under 1:50; the bike in under 7.5 hours and the run in under 5 hours. Yikes. I wrote that out loud. My wildest dreams would be to come in around 13 hours. Now...shhhh... no jinxes.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Firecracker Century
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| Honey Badgers ready to roll |
I rode with a pack of Honey Badgers (Kansas City Triathlon Club) and we were moving right along, averaging just over 18 mph for the first 50 miles. By the time we got to SAG stop #6, the temperatures were really starting to rise. That aid station had some cold popsicles that were the best popsicles I've ever tasted! Yum. Leaving that stop at mile 67 to the SAG at mile 80 was a real struggle. Some of the most challenging hills of the ride thus far were in that stretch. The course ran through the middle of cornfields with very little shade.
Sadly, I do feel that I've acclimated much better this year to the heat than I was last year...but then the bar has been raised on the temperature highs! Just can't win. Again, if Louisville is anywhere near this hot...
Looks like the temps will be in upper 80's, low 90's next week. Sweet relief!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Freedom Ride Century
The Freedom Ride is an organized group ride benefitting a couple of cancer charities. It offers several distances, including a century. Even though my plan had 80 miles on it, I am trying to take advantage of as many organized rides that I can, so I opted for the 100-miler.
The ride was really well done. The route had some decent rollers in the middle of it, but was otherwise, somewhat flattish. There wasn't a ton of traffic, either, which was a plus. The first 75 miles went by relatively quickly. However, once the course split between the 85-mile and 100-mile routes, the nutters doing the century were few. The groups we were able to get free speed in pelotons and pace lines went the shorter route, which left Bea, Julie and I pretty much on our own.
For the first 75 miles, I felt really good. My average was in the upper 16's and the heat wasn't bothering me too much. Julie was getting a bad dehydration headache and decided to SAG back from there. Bea and I soldiered on. Between that SAG and the one at 86 was a long stretch of flat highway that was about 7-8 miles long and was not broken by even a curve one direction or another. The heat radiating from the pavement was such that I could not comfortably ride in aero. By the time I pulled into the SAG, I was so so overheated that I thought I was going to explode. I was nauseous and dizzy and really felt like I wasn't going to be able to make it.
By the time Bea pulled in after me, I was starting to feel better. There were only 5-6 left on the course and they were dropping like flies. The last 14 miles were brutal. I was having many baby meltdowns in my mind with serious doubts about being able to finish. About 3 miles from the end, a volunteer pulled over to give us cold water bottles and wet paper towels. Even then, I was not feeling very hopeful. The only thing I could do was keep turning the cranks. I was so incredibly happy when we finally turned a corner and saw the entrance to the shopping center that was the finish. The temp was 101 with a 105 heat index.
During those last 20 miles, I had decided that there was NO WAY I could conquer the Louisville heat. The very idea of riding an additional 12 miles, much less running another 26.2 made me want to vomit. Now, that the agony is behind me, I am still very doubtful that I'll be successful at Louisville. Everyone says it isn't nearly this got. Right.
There's not enough time left! Eight weeks and counting! Agh...!
The ride was really well done. The route had some decent rollers in the middle of it, but was otherwise, somewhat flattish. There wasn't a ton of traffic, either, which was a plus. The first 75 miles went by relatively quickly. However, once the course split between the 85-mile and 100-mile routes, the nutters doing the century were few. The groups we were able to get free speed in pelotons and pace lines went the shorter route, which left Bea, Julie and I pretty much on our own.
For the first 75 miles, I felt really good. My average was in the upper 16's and the heat wasn't bothering me too much. Julie was getting a bad dehydration headache and decided to SAG back from there. Bea and I soldiered on. Between that SAG and the one at 86 was a long stretch of flat highway that was about 7-8 miles long and was not broken by even a curve one direction or another. The heat radiating from the pavement was such that I could not comfortably ride in aero. By the time I pulled into the SAG, I was so so overheated that I thought I was going to explode. I was nauseous and dizzy and really felt like I wasn't going to be able to make it.
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| Bea and I at the finish with some grapes and icy cold Sierra Mist |
By the time Bea pulled in after me, I was starting to feel better. There were only 5-6 left on the course and they were dropping like flies. The last 14 miles were brutal. I was having many baby meltdowns in my mind with serious doubts about being able to finish. About 3 miles from the end, a volunteer pulled over to give us cold water bottles and wet paper towels. Even then, I was not feeling very hopeful. The only thing I could do was keep turning the cranks. I was so incredibly happy when we finally turned a corner and saw the entrance to the shopping center that was the finish. The temp was 101 with a 105 heat index.
During those last 20 miles, I had decided that there was NO WAY I could conquer the Louisville heat. The very idea of riding an additional 12 miles, much less running another 26.2 made me want to vomit. Now, that the agony is behind me, I am still very doubtful that I'll be successful at Louisville. Everyone says it isn't nearly this got. Right.
There's not enough time left! Eight weeks and counting! Agh...!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Summer Roundup Tri
So, I went back to the Summer Roundup for the third time. This race is put on by Rufus Racing out of Joplin and was my very first triathlon in 2009. I was attracted to it because the swim was in a pool, but unlike the indoor tris, the bike and run legs were outside. As an added bonus was that the swim was only 250 yards, easily doable for this girl afraid of the water.
This year, the race moved to a lake and an Olympic distance was offered. It was held at a beautiful private late near Jasper, Missouri. The swim was two 750 meter loops with a 50 meter run in between loops. Interesting. The plus side was that breaking the 1500 meters into two loops made the distance seem less intimidating, but getting out and having to get back in was not something I was looking forward to.
The lake was like glass, and the water was warm. I didn't have any issues at all, aside from still having a feeling that the buoys were a long way away. I plugged along and eventually I made it to the turn and back to shore. Getting back in for the second loop wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, and I even managed to finish that loop a little stronger. Yay!
A loooong run to transition, and I was on the bike. The bike course had a few rolling hills but was mostly flat. It was great course for me. My bike legs took about 7-8 miles to kick in, but I had a great ride. The Garmin recorded 19.5 mph, but we'll see what the official time was. Nineteen and a half miles per hour over 25 miles! Yes!
Unfortunately, my run, my strongest aspect of this sport, seems to be going downhill. It was hot by the time I strapped on my running shoes, but Louisville will be hot. The course was flat, but it literally went straight out for 3 miles and back again. For whatever reason, that was tough mentally. There was not enough water on the course and not a speck of shade. I walked a bit and would be surprised if I did better than a 9.5 minute pace. (YUK!). My coach tells me that this is typical of IM training, and that my running legs will come back. Though I'm thrilled that my biking has improved, but I hate that it's coming at a bit of cost to my running. I'm waiting for those running legs...
My time came in at 3:01, eleven minutes faster than my only other 5150 time at HyVee last year. I'm happy with the time. I'm ecstatic that I had no issues whatsoever on the swim. And, I won my age group agian (3 for 3). Who cares that no one else was in my age group? :-)
This year, the race moved to a lake and an Olympic distance was offered. It was held at a beautiful private late near Jasper, Missouri. The swim was two 750 meter loops with a 50 meter run in between loops. Interesting. The plus side was that breaking the 1500 meters into two loops made the distance seem less intimidating, but getting out and having to get back in was not something I was looking forward to.
The lake was like glass, and the water was warm. I didn't have any issues at all, aside from still having a feeling that the buoys were a long way away. I plugged along and eventually I made it to the turn and back to shore. Getting back in for the second loop wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, and I even managed to finish that loop a little stronger. Yay!
A loooong run to transition, and I was on the bike. The bike course had a few rolling hills but was mostly flat. It was great course for me. My bike legs took about 7-8 miles to kick in, but I had a great ride. The Garmin recorded 19.5 mph, but we'll see what the official time was. Nineteen and a half miles per hour over 25 miles! Yes!
Unfortunately, my run, my strongest aspect of this sport, seems to be going downhill. It was hot by the time I strapped on my running shoes, but Louisville will be hot. The course was flat, but it literally went straight out for 3 miles and back again. For whatever reason, that was tough mentally. There was not enough water on the course and not a speck of shade. I walked a bit and would be surprised if I did better than a 9.5 minute pace. (YUK!). My coach tells me that this is typical of IM training, and that my running legs will come back. Though I'm thrilled that my biking has improved, but I hate that it's coming at a bit of cost to my running. I'm waiting for those running legs...
My time came in at 3:01, eleven minutes faster than my only other 5150 time at HyVee last year. I'm happy with the time. I'm ecstatic that I had no issues whatsoever on the swim. And, I won my age group agian (3 for 3). Who cares that no one else was in my age group? :-)
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| The Red Ladies cleaned up today. We all won awards! |
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Ah, Kansas
I heard that nearly 30% of the entrants in the Kansas 70.3 race on Sunday DNFed. I was, unfortunately, one of them.
I hate DNFs. I'm not used to them, and they feel really crappy. My one consolation is that I didn't finish the race, not because I gave up, but because I just ran out of time.
I had spent three fairly sleepless weeks debating about doing that race. My swim performance at the KC Tri was less than desirable and most definitely a confidence bomb. Xanax wasn't helping (and it might have even hindered) and my shiny new Medium-Large wetsuit didn't seem to be doing the trick either. It still seemed to constrictive in the torso, in spite of the larger size. Luckily, one of my friends had an XL and wasn't doing the race, so I thought I'd try hers.That seemed to do the trick! No more struggling to expand my chest! No tendency to hyperventilate. The only drawback was that it was a full sleeve model. I was a little concerned that it would feel suffocating. It didn't!
So, fast forward to last weekend. I had done several 2,000+ yard swims in the borrowed suit and was feeling cautiously optimistic about the race. The weather forecast all along had been promising really hot and typically humid conditions. However, when I checked in my bike on Saturday, the wind was blowing so hard, the lake had whitecaps and literally looked like it had a current. The question of whether it would be wetsuit-legal was still up in the air. On Saturday, the lake was 77 degrees. Would it cool off during the night to drop it .9 degrees? Would the wind die down by morning?
No to both of those questions. The water was 76.8 degrees, .7 degrees hotter than allowed. And while it wasn't as bad as on Saturday, the wind was still significant. I knew from the beginning that I would wear a wetsuit regardless of the temperature. The race officials deemed that the wetsuit racers would start in the last wave. Yes! I don't really like swimmers coming up on me. What I didn't realize was that by being in the last wave, I only had an hour and ten minutes to complete the swim. Whoops. If I'd gone in my regular heat, I would have had an additional 30 minutes, but had I gone with my wave without a suit, I would have been pulled out of the water much, much sooner.
The deep water start was not the issue that I thought it might be. I floated like a cork in the suit. The horn sounded and we all took off. The water was extremely choppy. I would swim 8-9 strokes and get a snootful of water. I would then stop and bob while I cleared the water from my nose and wait for the next 2-3 waves pass by. And, so this pattern continued, slowly. The current-like waves kept blowing me away from the course, which was another slight problem as I lost time making course corrections. After 50 minutes, I had not made it quite to first turn buoy and the swim captain deemed it was time for me to get out of the water. To be totally honest, I was a bit relieved. I would have kept plugging along, but the chop was really getting on my nerves. Stopping and bobbing around in the water certainly eats up a lot of time!
So, my race ended almost before it began. I was disappointed, as I had trained pretty hard for this event. My main goal was to get out of the water in regulation. The heat and the wind were good conditions to test nutrition for Louisville, needless to say the confidence builder it would have also provided. In spite of that minor sting, I was in pretty good spirits. I joined the Reds cheering squad and watched my teammates come into the finish on a record-breaking hot and miserable day.
Sunday wasn't my day. This did and still does to some degree cause me to stop and think about this sport. The swimming aspect has caused me no end of stress as I look back over the past seven triathlons started in the past two seasons. Two resulted in DNFs, and in three more, I've had some kind of problem, all related to the swim. I can look back at one open water race where I had no excuses. It hasn't been for lack of trying as I've never put so much work into a discipline and not reap the benefits of it on race day.
However, I have to say that my coach's fiance did bring it home in a somewhat profound way when he wrote in an email (paraphrased): the victory is so much sweeter, when adversity is overcome to achieve the goal. I haven't had to work that hard at my successes in running. I had some natural ability, seem to be biomechanically built for running and my good peasant stock gives me the general toughness to go long distances. I've come a long way in this whole swimming arena, and I need to remember where I was this time last year. No, the Kansas 70.3 doesn't need to be viewed as a failure, but another opportunity to gain valuable experience. The fact that I was never scared or panicky is a victory in of itself. Kansas 70.3, we just may have a date in 2013.
I hate DNFs. I'm not used to them, and they feel really crappy. My one consolation is that I didn't finish the race, not because I gave up, but because I just ran out of time.
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| Pre-race posing. |
So, fast forward to last weekend. I had done several 2,000+ yard swims in the borrowed suit and was feeling cautiously optimistic about the race. The weather forecast all along had been promising really hot and typically humid conditions. However, when I checked in my bike on Saturday, the wind was blowing so hard, the lake had whitecaps and literally looked like it had a current. The question of whether it would be wetsuit-legal was still up in the air. On Saturday, the lake was 77 degrees. Would it cool off during the night to drop it .9 degrees? Would the wind die down by morning?
No to both of those questions. The water was 76.8 degrees, .7 degrees hotter than allowed. And while it wasn't as bad as on Saturday, the wind was still significant. I knew from the beginning that I would wear a wetsuit regardless of the temperature. The race officials deemed that the wetsuit racers would start in the last wave. Yes! I don't really like swimmers coming up on me. What I didn't realize was that by being in the last wave, I only had an hour and ten minutes to complete the swim. Whoops. If I'd gone in my regular heat, I would have had an additional 30 minutes, but had I gone with my wave without a suit, I would have been pulled out of the water much, much sooner.
The deep water start was not the issue that I thought it might be. I floated like a cork in the suit. The horn sounded and we all took off. The water was extremely choppy. I would swim 8-9 strokes and get a snootful of water. I would then stop and bob while I cleared the water from my nose and wait for the next 2-3 waves pass by. And, so this pattern continued, slowly. The current-like waves kept blowing me away from the course, which was another slight problem as I lost time making course corrections. After 50 minutes, I had not made it quite to first turn buoy and the swim captain deemed it was time for me to get out of the water. To be totally honest, I was a bit relieved. I would have kept plugging along, but the chop was really getting on my nerves. Stopping and bobbing around in the water certainly eats up a lot of time!
So, my race ended almost before it began. I was disappointed, as I had trained pretty hard for this event. My main goal was to get out of the water in regulation. The heat and the wind were good conditions to test nutrition for Louisville, needless to say the confidence builder it would have also provided. In spite of that minor sting, I was in pretty good spirits. I joined the Reds cheering squad and watched my teammates come into the finish on a record-breaking hot and miserable day.
Sunday wasn't my day. This did and still does to some degree cause me to stop and think about this sport. The swimming aspect has caused me no end of stress as I look back over the past seven triathlons started in the past two seasons. Two resulted in DNFs, and in three more, I've had some kind of problem, all related to the swim. I can look back at one open water race where I had no excuses. It hasn't been for lack of trying as I've never put so much work into a discipline and not reap the benefits of it on race day.
However, I have to say that my coach's fiance did bring it home in a somewhat profound way when he wrote in an email (paraphrased): the victory is so much sweeter, when adversity is overcome to achieve the goal. I haven't had to work that hard at my successes in running. I had some natural ability, seem to be biomechanically built for running and my good peasant stock gives me the general toughness to go long distances. I've come a long way in this whole swimming arena, and I need to remember where I was this time last year. No, the Kansas 70.3 doesn't need to be viewed as a failure, but another opportunity to gain valuable experience. The fact that I was never scared or panicky is a victory in of itself. Kansas 70.3, we just may have a date in 2013.
Monday, May 21, 2012
KC Tri - A Mixed Bag
The weather was absolutely beautiful for this race. The rain that threatened in the early hours passed by leaving the lake fairly calm and sky an azure blue.
The race started off without incident, the Olympic swimmers getting in the water first. My swim wave for the sprint distance was the second one to go, which didn't thrill me as I knew the faster swimmers from the younger age groups would be passing me. The water temp was a purported 72 degrees. Nice!
My swim wave started off uneventfully. I felt pretty good as I went around both the first and second turn buoys. I deliberately made myself go very slow to not bump up my heart rate and left my wetsuit unzipped but fastened at the neck.
As predicted, both the girls and guys from the following two waves caught up with me in earnest by the time I turned around the last buoy. I'm not really sure happened--I was bumped a lot but that didn't really scare me, but maybe it just threw off my rhythm. I was 100 meters from the shore, and I started to struggle a bit. I wouldn't say I was scared, but seemed to be tired and not making much forward momentum. What the heck? Didn't just do a 2500-yard and a 2000-yard workout the previous week? Didn't I just do my fastest 2000 on Thursday, 4 x 500, with each of those being under 12 minutes? <sigh>
I dog paddled, swam and backstroked my way toward shore. I finally realized that people were standing up around me, so I put my feet down and found that I could indeed, touch the bottom. Where I would have "normally" swam until my hand touched the bottom, I just stood up and waded to shore. 500 meters in 17:02....woo hoo!!! Boo hoo! At least I survived it.
My bike segment went really well. The new course had some decent hills on it, as well as three fairly tight turns. My Garmin measured the course at 12.7 miles with an average of 19.2 mph (yes!) but the official results was 12.4 miles with an average of 18.6 (still not bad). Since it was a short course and I only had to run a 5K, I went as hard as I could. I was able to pass quite a few people, even a couple of guys who passed me. :)
The run felt really hard. By this point I had messed up my Forerunner Garmin and I had no idea of the pace I was running. It seemed like a really long three miles. Unfortunately, I missed the finisher's chute (I was looking for clock) and ended up running all the way past transition to the first water stop. It added almost a half mile to my run, which put my total pace at 9:26. Arg! Of course, I did measure the extra segment that I ran and came up with about four tenths of a mile.
Overall, I left Longview Lake feeling like I had not had a great race. I'm finding that while I'm not starting from scratch on the open water swim, I am have moved a few steps back. At least I did manage to finish the swim this time. However, I keep comparing my time to the WIN race I did last year, which is not rational. That race was the end of July. I had had two months of twice weekly open water swim practice to that point. I keep telling myself that it was the first race of the season and by no means the bell weather of how my season will go.
The really fast 50-year-old women did the Olympic distance, so I still managed to win my age group. Ironic. But, I'll take it.
The race started off without incident, the Olympic swimmers getting in the water first. My swim wave for the sprint distance was the second one to go, which didn't thrill me as I knew the faster swimmers from the younger age groups would be passing me. The water temp was a purported 72 degrees. Nice!
My swim wave started off uneventfully. I felt pretty good as I went around both the first and second turn buoys. I deliberately made myself go very slow to not bump up my heart rate and left my wetsuit unzipped but fastened at the neck.
As predicted, both the girls and guys from the following two waves caught up with me in earnest by the time I turned around the last buoy. I'm not really sure happened--I was bumped a lot but that didn't really scare me, but maybe it just threw off my rhythm. I was 100 meters from the shore, and I started to struggle a bit. I wouldn't say I was scared, but seemed to be tired and not making much forward momentum. What the heck? Didn't just do a 2500-yard and a 2000-yard workout the previous week? Didn't I just do my fastest 2000 on Thursday, 4 x 500, with each of those being under 12 minutes? <sigh>
I dog paddled, swam and backstroked my way toward shore. I finally realized that people were standing up around me, so I put my feet down and found that I could indeed, touch the bottom. Where I would have "normally" swam until my hand touched the bottom, I just stood up and waded to shore. 500 meters in 17:02....woo hoo!!! Boo hoo! At least I survived it.
My bike segment went really well. The new course had some decent hills on it, as well as three fairly tight turns. My Garmin measured the course at 12.7 miles with an average of 19.2 mph (yes!) but the official results was 12.4 miles with an average of 18.6 (still not bad). Since it was a short course and I only had to run a 5K, I went as hard as I could. I was able to pass quite a few people, even a couple of guys who passed me. :)
The run felt really hard. By this point I had messed up my Forerunner Garmin and I had no idea of the pace I was running. It seemed like a really long three miles. Unfortunately, I missed the finisher's chute (I was looking for clock) and ended up running all the way past transition to the first water stop. It added almost a half mile to my run, which put my total pace at 9:26. Arg! Of course, I did measure the extra segment that I ran and came up with about four tenths of a mile.
Overall, I left Longview Lake feeling like I had not had a great race. I'm finding that while I'm not starting from scratch on the open water swim, I am have moved a few steps back. At least I did manage to finish the swim this time. However, I keep comparing my time to the WIN race I did last year, which is not rational. That race was the end of July. I had had two months of twice weekly open water swim practice to that point. I keep telling myself that it was the first race of the season and by no means the bell weather of how my season will go.
The swim experience definitely left me feeling down and doubts are creeping in as to whether I will be able to do the KS 70.3 distance, much less Louisville! I have a lot of work to do. I'm still struggling with the wetsuit. I love the buoyancy and security it gives me, but hate the restrictiveness I feel in it. I've yet to have a successful wetsuit race yet.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Kansas City Triathlon - First Race of the Season
Tomorrow is the KC Tri. I am signed up for the sprint distance, 500m swim, 20K bike, 5K run. I really like the Olympic distance, but was wise enough to not sign up for a 1500m swim this early in the season. I've managed to get out into open water three times now, and the last time was the best confidence builder.
Liz intended for the IMLV ladies to "train through" this race, meaning no taper. Hannah, Mary J and I did a hard 50-mile ride yesterday. The wind was brutal. Ugh...I was hurting big time by the time I finally rolled into my driveway. I will have a good excuse for having a sucky race tomorrow. :)
As for the swim, I think I am ready. The game may totally change if it is very choppy tomorrow. Of course, when we did our practice swim on Tuesday, the lake was like glass. But, I keep telling myself it is only 500 meters. Just get through 500 meters!
Liz intended for the IMLV ladies to "train through" this race, meaning no taper. Hannah, Mary J and I did a hard 50-mile ride yesterday. The wind was brutal. Ugh...I was hurting big time by the time I finally rolled into my driveway. I will have a good excuse for having a sucky race tomorrow. :)
As for the swim, I think I am ready. The game may totally change if it is very choppy tomorrow. Of course, when we did our practice swim on Tuesday, the lake was like glass. But, I keep telling myself it is only 500 meters. Just get through 500 meters!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Kansas 70.3 Camp
I attended the Midwest Triathlon Coaching Kansas 70.3 training camp this weekend. It felt a little grueling as I hadn't gotten much sleep after getting back from California, but it was a good barometer of where I am right now, I think.
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| KS 70.3 Training Camp |
Friday night, we did a "master's" format swim workout at the Lee's Summit Aquatic Center. It took me a bit to find it, but my, it was a super nice facility. One would think that swimming in a 50 meter lane would not be that big a transition from a 25 yard pool. I had just done 2300 yards the night before, so it wasn't like I couldn't do the distance. But, I felt a little winded after each length.
Saturday, we headed to Lawrence to do a short open water swim in Clinton Lake and ride the 70.3 bike course. While the OWS was not a raging success for me, I would not call it a failure, either. But, I still had some anxiety and breathing issues. I really am a head case... and I really do not like the constricting feeling of my wetsuit. I was hoping that I would feel more comfortable than I did when I was in the water. I will be getting back in the lakes a couple more times before the Kansas City Triathlon, so I'm hoping my comfort level will grow. Thank goodness that I'm only signed up for the sprint at KC Tri!
My legs felt a little tired on the ride, but they weren't too bad. I rode with my fellow Red Lady teammate, who had also gone to Big Sur. We ended up cutting the course short as she wasn't feeling very good. The day was unseasonably hot (low 90's) and typically humid which we really haven't had time to acclimate to. I averaged 15.6 mph, which I wasn't too unhappy with, considering I was really taking it easy. Kansas is a hilly course. Assuming I can get myself through the swim at that race. My swim experience earlier that day was not a confidence builder.
The run was today. I ended up going 8.5 miles, which is further than I would have gone on my own. (I take recovery seriously, LOL). While I didn't do the intensity that I thought I would have, it was still a good training weekend, and I learned more. The coach had some very different advice on nutrition, which was encouraging for me as I was worried about how I was going to get solids down in the heat on the bike.
Big Sur International Marathon
I just got back from doing Big Sur International Marathon with a few
of my "best-y" triathlon and running friends. What a great race!
It was everything it was hyped to be: breathtakingly beautiful and extremely challenging. I didn't really feel ready for it when I left Kansas City last Friday morning. My longest run had only been 17 miles and it hadn't gone that well. I knew I would be falling back on my triathlon training and my marathon experience. When we picked up the race information guide at the Expo, it promised to be a long day.
When race day finally dawned, I started feeling a bit excited and ready to go. We bussed to the start line, leaving our hotel at 4:15 a.m. It was a long ride. At one point we caught a glimpse of the long line of busses snaking out behind us and we understood why we had to leave so early.
The weather couldn't have been predicted to be more perfect: 60's, clear and sunny. My long-time running buddy and friend, Julie, took off together, clicking off the first five miles at a great pace. As promised, those were the easiest miles of the race. Around six miles, we made our first major ascent and experienced the first of famous headwinds. The weather changed abruptly to foggy and gray.
Julie and I found three Brits ahead and tucked in behind them, listening to one good-naturedly berating his mates about choosing a "lovely, warm race in California" to do. At that moment, lovely was a apt adjective; warm was absolutely not. After going a short ways, the guys noticed us running behind them and teased us about drafting off them. I told them that they had such great butts that we just couldn't pull away. They let us stay behind them. :-) And, their asses weren't half bad.
The coolest part of the race was coming up
on the Bixby Bridge at the halfway point. It is the iconic bridge that
represents Big Sur to me. The legendary grand piano is parked there
attached to loud speakers that allowed us to hear the music long before
we got to the bridge.
At mile 15, I lost Julie due to a miscommunication at a portapotty stop. I spent some time trying to find her, but finally had to accept that we had missed each other somehow and took off. At this point, I pushed to the finish line. Around mile 20, I was thrilled to see that based on my Garmin, I was on track to run a 4:10, much better than I expected on this course. Woo hoo! Much to my chagrin, the official posted time was 4:22. What?? How could it have been so far off? Then, I realized that I had my watch set to auto pause when I stopped. Ha! Twelve minutes of photo opportunities and potty breaks.
This race was everything I expected it to be! It is definitely up among my top 10 favorites.
It was everything it was hyped to be: breathtakingly beautiful and extremely challenging. I didn't really feel ready for it when I left Kansas City last Friday morning. My longest run had only been 17 miles and it hadn't gone that well. I knew I would be falling back on my triathlon training and my marathon experience. When we picked up the race information guide at the Expo, it promised to be a long day.
When race day finally dawned, I started feeling a bit excited and ready to go. We bussed to the start line, leaving our hotel at 4:15 a.m. It was a long ride. At one point we caught a glimpse of the long line of busses snaking out behind us and we understood why we had to leave so early.
The weather couldn't have been predicted to be more perfect: 60's, clear and sunny. My long-time running buddy and friend, Julie, took off together, clicking off the first five miles at a great pace. As promised, those were the easiest miles of the race. Around six miles, we made our first major ascent and experienced the first of famous headwinds. The weather changed abruptly to foggy and gray.
Julie and I found three Brits ahead and tucked in behind them, listening to one good-naturedly berating his mates about choosing a "lovely, warm race in California" to do. At that moment, lovely was a apt adjective; warm was absolutely not. After going a short ways, the guys noticed us running behind them and teased us about drafting off them. I told them that they had such great butts that we just couldn't pull away. They let us stay behind them. :-) And, their asses weren't half bad.
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| Julie and I pose with the pianist by Bixby Bridge. |
At mile 15, I lost Julie due to a miscommunication at a portapotty stop. I spent some time trying to find her, but finally had to accept that we had missed each other somehow and took off. At this point, I pushed to the finish line. Around mile 20, I was thrilled to see that based on my Garmin, I was on track to run a 4:10, much better than I expected on this course. Woo hoo! Much to my chagrin, the official posted time was 4:22. What?? How could it have been so far off? Then, I realized that I had my watch set to auto pause when I stopped. Ha! Twelve minutes of photo opportunities and potty breaks.
This race was everything I expected it to be! It is definitely up among my top 10 favorites.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
In Like a Lamb...
It's the end of March and we continue this beautiful weather. The redbuds are blooming. The birds are out full force. I've even had to mow my yard one time. The Farmer's Almanac is calling for a wet spring and slightly cooler summer. Fingers crossed!
Jenny and I went back to Longview last night for our brick workout. We had a great ride and an okay run. My average bike speed is gradually coming up. I'm feeling strong and enjoying the training--even biking, which was my major stressor last year.
I think that the only LV Resolution that I haven't voilated yet, is the last one...not allowing IM to completely consume me. So far, my approach to training has been much more relaxed, and I'm loving that. Yes, I am still freaked out. I don't know what swimming further than 2500 yards feels like. My 18-mile run Sunday was hard, and it was off only a 41-mile bike ride the day before. How am I going to chain all three events back-to-back in 17 hours?
That scenario is still somewhat inconceivable to me, but I think I have relaxed the control freak in me enough to trust in the training and the plan. Consistency will see me through to the finish line, save me doing something stupid and getting hurt before then.
To keep things interesting, a few of the Reds came with me to do an Adventure Race in Carthage. Robbin and I were team Tiaras and TaTas and yes, we dressed the part. What a fun day...the weather was stupendous. es, those are real "glass hats" sewn to our visors!
Jenny and I went back to Longview last night for our brick workout. We had a great ride and an okay run. My average bike speed is gradually coming up. I'm feeling strong and enjoying the training--even biking, which was my major stressor last year.
I think that the only LV Resolution that I haven't voilated yet, is the last one...not allowing IM to completely consume me. So far, my approach to training has been much more relaxed, and I'm loving that. Yes, I am still freaked out. I don't know what swimming further than 2500 yards feels like. My 18-mile run Sunday was hard, and it was off only a 41-mile bike ride the day before. How am I going to chain all three events back-to-back in 17 hours? That scenario is still somewhat inconceivable to me, but I think I have relaxed the control freak in me enough to trust in the training and the plan. Consistency will see me through to the finish line, save me doing something stupid and getting hurt before then.
To keep things interesting, a few of the Reds came with me to do an Adventure Race in Carthage. Robbin and I were team Tiaras and TaTas and yes, we dressed the part. What a fun day...the weather was stupendous. es, those are real "glass hats" sewn to our visors!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
March
We have had the most incredible winter in KC. Actually, we haven't had winter this year in KC. So, now it is March 24th and I've already gotten more than 300 biking miles in outside. Inconceivable. Today was an incredible sunny day in the 70's...did I mention it was still March...in Kansas City? Mary and Jenny and I went north of the city to the berg of Parkville to do a hill workout.
What a beautiful day! On top of this fabulous weather, I have a serious case of tri-bike love. I was skeptical that was going to acclimate to this tri bike that I bought on impulse. But, after taking it to the downtown airport a couple of weeks ago, I realized what a sweet ride it was (to quote Napoleon Dynamite). Then, I took it on a ride around Longview Lake. Is it my imagination, or does this bike with 650 cm wheel make hill climbing a piece of cake?
It was confirmed today. Hill climbing is much easier than on my road bike. I was able to keep Mary within a reasonable distance, instead barely being able to see her bright jersey two miles down the road, as is typical. I felt really good today in spite of the little spill I took. Yay!
What a beautiful day! On top of this fabulous weather, I have a serious case of tri-bike love. I was skeptical that was going to acclimate to this tri bike that I bought on impulse. But, after taking it to the downtown airport a couple of weeks ago, I realized what a sweet ride it was (to quote Napoleon Dynamite). Then, I took it on a ride around Longview Lake. Is it my imagination, or does this bike with 650 cm wheel make hill climbing a piece of cake?
It was confirmed today. Hill climbing is much easier than on my road bike. I was able to keep Mary within a reasonable distance, instead barely being able to see her bright jersey two miles down the road, as is typical. I felt really good today in spite of the little spill I took. Yay!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Twenty Weeks
My fellow Louisville triathlete, Jenny underlined the passage of time when she iterated that we had ONLY twenty weeks left till race day. Gulp. Twenty weeks sounds so much shorter than five months! And, actually, that was last week. Now, we have only nineteen weeks.
Training has been going okay. The mild winter has afforded the opportunity to get outside on the bike several times. Last Saturday, I got in a 41-mile ride on a beautiful sunny day with temps in the upper 40's. Criminy, the weatherman just announced that it will be in the 70's on Monday. Good grief. I would be totally enjoying this wonderful weather, if I wasn't terrified that the trend will continue through the summer.
Going back to the training topic, I decided to rejoin the Reds. I missed the gals a lot, and felt a little isolated. So far, I can't say that it's felt that much different so far, except for I now get a lot more email. The training schedule has a bit more volume, which mentally makes me feel better, though I wonder a little if I'm better off physically.
We had a group swimming lesson on Sunday, where the coach managed to find everything wrong with my form, as usual <sigh> I am never going to be a fast swimmer. And, according to her, it's doubtful I'll ever be a good swimmer, either. I guess when I look back from where I started, I am just grateful to survive the swim.
My bike rides, while I've felt pretty good, I am astoundingly slow. It's hard to believe that I've been spinning pretty intensely 2-3 times a week since November, by my average speed on those rides! I keep reminding myself that I am stronger, even if it doesn't appear that way right now. That's my story.
Tonight, I've been fighting the guilt of taking the evening off. My mood has been low, and I have been tired, stiff and sore. I had two big weeks back to back with only one day off. I am not a spring chicken any more, and it's been hard to know what the balance is between tearing down/rebuilding or tearing down/wearing down. Regardless, I didn't do anything tonight, so what's done is done. I have to fight to remember not to compare my training volume with someone else's. If I was totally slacking off, that would be one thing, but just because I got in ten hours this week and someone else does twelve doesn't mean that her training is ultimately any more effective than mine. I read somewhere that allowing someone else to impact the way your feel about yourself or your enjoyment of the sport is immature. (I think that came from Active.com). It's a good thought.
Training has been going okay. The mild winter has afforded the opportunity to get outside on the bike several times. Last Saturday, I got in a 41-mile ride on a beautiful sunny day with temps in the upper 40's. Criminy, the weatherman just announced that it will be in the 70's on Monday. Good grief. I would be totally enjoying this wonderful weather, if I wasn't terrified that the trend will continue through the summer.
Going back to the training topic, I decided to rejoin the Reds. I missed the gals a lot, and felt a little isolated. So far, I can't say that it's felt that much different so far, except for I now get a lot more email. The training schedule has a bit more volume, which mentally makes me feel better, though I wonder a little if I'm better off physically.
We had a group swimming lesson on Sunday, where the coach managed to find everything wrong with my form, as usual <sigh> I am never going to be a fast swimmer. And, according to her, it's doubtful I'll ever be a good swimmer, either. I guess when I look back from where I started, I am just grateful to survive the swim.
My bike rides, while I've felt pretty good, I am astoundingly slow. It's hard to believe that I've been spinning pretty intensely 2-3 times a week since November, by my average speed on those rides! I keep reminding myself that I am stronger, even if it doesn't appear that way right now. That's my story.
Tonight, I've been fighting the guilt of taking the evening off. My mood has been low, and I have been tired, stiff and sore. I had two big weeks back to back with only one day off. I am not a spring chicken any more, and it's been hard to know what the balance is between tearing down/rebuilding or tearing down/wearing down. Regardless, I didn't do anything tonight, so what's done is done. I have to fight to remember not to compare my training volume with someone else's. If I was totally slacking off, that would be one thing, but just because I got in ten hours this week and someone else does twelve doesn't mean that her training is ultimately any more effective than mine. I read somewhere that allowing someone else to impact the way your feel about yourself or your enjoyment of the sport is immature. (I think that came from Active.com). It's a good thought.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Reds
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| Red Ladies |
So, I'm back. :)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February
It's February 1st...well I guess technically it's February 2nd, and according to my New Year's Resolutions, I should be asleep right now. Oops.
I am having a bit of a slacker week, though I didn't start it off intentionally that way. Monday, I went to yoga and SHOULD have gone swimming after, but did not. Tuesday, I talked myself out of spin class. Julie and Amy were both going to be gone. Who was I going to share my pain with? Tonight, I went to the gym a little earlier than usual, intending to swim, only to find that all the lanes were filled with swimming lessons for another 40 minutes, to be followed by a triathlon class. So...even though was in my swimsuit at the time, I bagged it.
My reluctance with getting wet doesn't seem to be getting better. I don't know what's up with that, but Stella needs to get her groove back, and soon! I've had a tough time getting my head back into it the last couple of months. I have great intentions to do 2,000 yards, but after ten laps, I start watching my lap counter. Then, I'm ready to be done after 1,000 yards, barely managing to push myself through to 1,500. I have definitely got to get over myself, as I've got a lot further to go that a mere 1,500 yards. Kansas 70.3 is really NOT that far away.
So, part of my distraction tonight revolved around looking at a "new" bike. I swore that I wasn't going to get a tri bike this year. Tri bikes are too specialized and who knows if I will continue with this crazy, self-absorbing, prohibitively expensive hobby after this year? Well. Just like my "Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night," my resolve has flown out the window.
It's really not my fault. How was I supposed to resist when I see a Facebook friend advertise her '09 Felt B12 for sale? That just happened to be my size (I'm a little vertically challenged and good, used small bikes do not come up for sale that often). That came with Zipp 404's. That was pimped out pretty darn well. I took a little test spin tonight and knew it would be mine. I thought I'd crossed over to true tri geekiness when I bought my set of Zipps. Now, I know I have with this bike AND Zipps.
I really, really am almost done with gear purchases.
I am having a bit of a slacker week, though I didn't start it off intentionally that way. Monday, I went to yoga and SHOULD have gone swimming after, but did not. Tuesday, I talked myself out of spin class. Julie and Amy were both going to be gone. Who was I going to share my pain with? Tonight, I went to the gym a little earlier than usual, intending to swim, only to find that all the lanes were filled with swimming lessons for another 40 minutes, to be followed by a triathlon class. So...even though was in my swimsuit at the time, I bagged it.
My reluctance with getting wet doesn't seem to be getting better. I don't know what's up with that, but Stella needs to get her groove back, and soon! I've had a tough time getting my head back into it the last couple of months. I have great intentions to do 2,000 yards, but after ten laps, I start watching my lap counter. Then, I'm ready to be done after 1,000 yards, barely managing to push myself through to 1,500. I have definitely got to get over myself, as I've got a lot further to go that a mere 1,500 yards. Kansas 70.3 is really NOT that far away.
So, part of my distraction tonight revolved around looking at a "new" bike. I swore that I wasn't going to get a tri bike this year. Tri bikes are too specialized and who knows if I will continue with this crazy, self-absorbing, prohibitively expensive hobby after this year? Well. Just like my "Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night," my resolve has flown out the window.
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| Reasonable facsimile of bike w/out Zipps |
I really, really am almost done with gear purchases.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sure Happy It's Thursday
When I was in college, one of the fraternities had Sure Happy It's Thursday (S.H.I.T.) parties. And, it seems to be true, S.H.I.T. happens before T.G.I.F.
I am having the hardest time forcing myself into the pool. I'm not finding it to be relaxing any more. Perhaps because since I had my last swimming lesson, I have been working on pressing more water with my strokes, and frankly, that is not relaxing. It's downright exhausting. So, when I am in the pool, my attention span wanes somewhat quickly, and getting in at all has been a struggle between good and evil. Evil seems to be winning.
It's been a long week. I had a delicious day off on Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and have paid for it during the following days. Tomorrow is Friday (YAY!) and I WILL get in the pool and do more than 1,500 yards!
Last week I stumbled onto a website where you can order customized silicone wristbands and next to nothing. Today, I received my bands, embossed with "I shall overcome" on the front and 140.6 on the backside. I guess I need to overcome more than just 140.6 miles...I have to overcome my reluctance to get in the water!
I am having the hardest time forcing myself into the pool. I'm not finding it to be relaxing any more. Perhaps because since I had my last swimming lesson, I have been working on pressing more water with my strokes, and frankly, that is not relaxing. It's downright exhausting. So, when I am in the pool, my attention span wanes somewhat quickly, and getting in at all has been a struggle between good and evil. Evil seems to be winning.It's been a long week. I had a delicious day off on Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and have paid for it during the following days. Tomorrow is Friday (YAY!) and I WILL get in the pool and do more than 1,500 yards!
Last week I stumbled onto a website where you can order customized silicone wristbands and next to nothing. Today, I received my bands, embossed with "I shall overcome" on the front and 140.6 on the backside. I guess I need to overcome more than just 140.6 miles...I have to overcome my reluctance to get in the water!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Weather Warp
Even though I had decided yesterday that I would use today as a rest day, I woke up this morning with the sun streaming in my windows. I checked the Weatherbug app on my iPhone which stated that the temp was 51 degrees. 51 degrees at 8:30 a.m. on January 16. What a gift! How could I not take advantage of this amazing, beautiful day in the middle of winter??
Since my road bike was held hostage at Velvet Creme (not really hostage, but I didn't expect this brilliant weather so I didn't take it with me after my spin on Saturday), I dusted off the hybrid and headed for the Trolley Trail. It was so nice to be back out in the sunshine and outside on a bike. I keep thinking that it might be the last opportunity for the next three months, but next Saturday is forecasted to be in the mid-50's as well. Wow.
Since my road bike was held hostage at Velvet Creme (not really hostage, but I didn't expect this brilliant weather so I didn't take it with me after my spin on Saturday), I dusted off the hybrid and headed for the Trolley Trail. It was so nice to be back out in the sunshine and outside on a bike. I keep thinking that it might be the last opportunity for the next three months, but next Saturday is forecasted to be in the mid-50's as well. Wow.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Happy New Year?
The new year started with a bang. I didn't have my January training plan yet, so I continued to do what I had been doing. Monday was swim day. I checked the pool schedule at my gym and saw no classes scheduled, so I decided in the sake of being efficient, I would try to squeeze it in prior to my chiropractor appointment, which is located across the street. Unfortunately, I got to the pool to find that not only was a water aerobics class in progress, they had taken half of the lanes down to hold it. Another lane had three people walking in it, which left only two lanes left for lap swimming. Arg. So much for efficiency. I did manage to eke out a swim, even if it was a short one.
Tuesday was the first night of KC Multisport Power Hour spin class. Then, Wednesday, I was struck down with the flu. It hit me quite suddenly and like a hammer. I left work early with a headache, chills and back cramps that were so severe that I likened them to back labor, not that I've ever experienced those. I rarely ever have a fever and was somewhat surprised when my thermometer kept climbing well above 98.6. Of course, I misread the dang thing and proceeded to post in Facebook that my thermometer was reading 106. Yes, I know that 106 is probably fatal, and I assumed it was wrong, but it did make for a little drama. A few hours later I realized that six tick marks past 100 was not 106, but 101.2. Hey, I had a fever. How was I supposed to be coherent?
Happily, my fever was almost back to normal by 10:30 that night, so it was also short lived, thank goodness. I did end up missing three days of workouts this week, so my normal off day on Sunday, will be filled with at least a swim. Too bad my bike and trainer are at the Power Hour location and I can't do a spin...
I'm crossing my fingers that I got my sick-y out the way for the year and can get down to the business of training!
Happily, my fever was almost back to normal by 10:30 that night, so it was also short lived, thank goodness. I did end up missing three days of workouts this week, so my normal off day on Sunday, will be filled with at least a swim. Too bad my bike and trainer are at the Power Hour location and I can't do a spin...
I'm crossing my fingers that I got my sick-y out the way for the year and can get down to the business of training!
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012 - And so it begins
January 2nd.
I guess the "off season" is officially over. It is now time to face the reality of what I've done, signing up for a full Ironman. Eeek!
After playing around with various training plans that I found on the Internet, I decided that I would be more comfortable having a live someone tell me what to do. It just seemed too easy to edit those plans to what I wanted to do instead of what I needed to do. I had another conversation with Duston last week and we lined out our expectations of each other and some key races that I should put on the calendar.
KC Triathlon - May 20. He suggested the Olympic distance, but since I'm a little leery of the swim that early in the season, he okayed the sprint distance. The Redman swim blew my confidence a bit. I think that May 20 may be a little early for a 1500 meter swim in a cold, choppy lake. Of course, now that this race has been included as part of the WTC 5150 series, I kind of wanted to do the Oly. But, I am going to err on the conservative side on this one. I don't want another DNF for my first race of the season.
KS 70.3 - June 10. I am not terribly excited about doing this race. I don't really have a reason except, I just didn't want to do it. But, it makes sense. It's a good training race as well as it's the right distance out from LV. Ugh. I need to sign up for it before the entry goes up again on January 10th. I just need to keep in mind that I'm doing it for experience and that it is NOT my "A" race.
Summer Roundup Oly - June 24. This race was my very first triathlon in 2009. It consisted of a 250-yard pool swim, 15-mile bike and 5K run. I did it again in 2011, where it was moved to Joplin from Carthage and the pool swim expanded to 500 meters (bigger pool). I was coming off my Topeka Tinman disaster so it was a nice redemption that I won my age group there. For 2012, they are moving it to a lake near Jasper and adding an Oly.
Then, I was silly enough to mention the Eurekan to Duston. It is two weeks out from Louisville and I thought it might make sense to do the 58-mile bike ride there. I did the full event (short sprint tri, century bike ride, 10K run) in 2011, and I thought that the century ride was the hardest thing I had ever done physically. He seems to think that doing the full event again (two weeks before LV) is a good idea....but, I may challenge him. That event sapped me last year. I don't know that I want to put out that much of an effort two weeks before the new biggest event of my life...
That takes care of the multisport races. Throw in Big Sur marathon and Hospital Hill Half Marathon to round out the roster and we'll call it done. Except for the Austin 70.3 cooldown half in October. :)
I have got A LOT of work to do. Again, I have one word for it. EEEK!
I downloaded my totals for 2011. It's pretty awesome, for me. 1,500 miles on my bike? What is most astounding is the 91 miles I put in swimming! That's almost incomprehensible. Wow. Plus the fact that I only missed two complete weeks all of last year when I didn't swim at all. Whoa. I've come a long way, baby.
I guess the "off season" is officially over. It is now time to face the reality of what I've done, signing up for a full Ironman. Eeek!
After playing around with various training plans that I found on the Internet, I decided that I would be more comfortable having a live someone tell me what to do. It just seemed too easy to edit those plans to what I wanted to do instead of what I needed to do. I had another conversation with Duston last week and we lined out our expectations of each other and some key races that I should put on the calendar.
KC Triathlon - May 20. He suggested the Olympic distance, but since I'm a little leery of the swim that early in the season, he okayed the sprint distance. The Redman swim blew my confidence a bit. I think that May 20 may be a little early for a 1500 meter swim in a cold, choppy lake. Of course, now that this race has been included as part of the WTC 5150 series, I kind of wanted to do the Oly. But, I am going to err on the conservative side on this one. I don't want another DNF for my first race of the season.
KS 70.3 - June 10. I am not terribly excited about doing this race. I don't really have a reason except, I just didn't want to do it. But, it makes sense. It's a good training race as well as it's the right distance out from LV. Ugh. I need to sign up for it before the entry goes up again on January 10th. I just need to keep in mind that I'm doing it for experience and that it is NOT my "A" race.
Summer Roundup Oly - June 24. This race was my very first triathlon in 2009. It consisted of a 250-yard pool swim, 15-mile bike and 5K run. I did it again in 2011, where it was moved to Joplin from Carthage and the pool swim expanded to 500 meters (bigger pool). I was coming off my Topeka Tinman disaster so it was a nice redemption that I won my age group there. For 2012, they are moving it to a lake near Jasper and adding an Oly.
Then, I was silly enough to mention the Eurekan to Duston. It is two weeks out from Louisville and I thought it might make sense to do the 58-mile bike ride there. I did the full event (short sprint tri, century bike ride, 10K run) in 2011, and I thought that the century ride was the hardest thing I had ever done physically. He seems to think that doing the full event again (two weeks before LV) is a good idea....but, I may challenge him. That event sapped me last year. I don't know that I want to put out that much of an effort two weeks before the new biggest event of my life...
That takes care of the multisport races. Throw in Big Sur marathon and Hospital Hill Half Marathon to round out the roster and we'll call it done. Except for the Austin 70.3 cooldown half in October. :) I have got A LOT of work to do. Again, I have one word for it. EEEK!
I downloaded my totals for 2011. It's pretty awesome, for me. 1,500 miles on my bike? What is most astounding is the 91 miles I put in swimming! That's almost incomprehensible. Wow. Plus the fact that I only missed two complete weeks all of last year when I didn't swim at all. Whoa. I've come a long way, baby.
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