Wow~is it really over? I realize it has been 3 weeks since "the big day", but well, we all know how time flies!
So, it wasn't EXACTLY what I expected it to be...but it was still GREAT and I reached a couple of cool milestones.
Transition opened ridiculously early, so on Saturday night I found myself setting my alarm for 2 AM...that's right...2 AM!! I wanted to give myself plenty of time to double/triple/quadruple check all my gear and get myself put together for the long day. I left the house at 3 am to meet Caleb and Nicole and head out to Raccoon River...otherwise known as the "Hy-Vee Triathlon"!
As we were setting up we kept hearing rumors that they might have to alter the course because of the weather. All I heard was that they may shorten the swim so they can get everyone out on the course before the bad weather hit. I didn't know what kind of weather we were expecting, but I really didn't want to have to swim in the rain and I REALLY REALLY didn't want to ride my bike in the rain.
Finally an announcement was made that the due to a storm front that was supposed to blow in around 7:30, the course was being shortened. What was supposed to be a 1500m swim, 40k bike ride, 10k run was being cut into a 400m swim, 20k bike ride and 5k run. I was a little disappointed, because the 400m swim meant that the race was going to end up being shorter than the Copper Creek Triathlon I participated in the week before! But, at the same time, I was excited and relieved! I KNEW I could do it!
Couple highlights of each event...well, I've already discussed the main focus of the swim portion in a previous post ;). The bike ride was exciting because I hit 30 mph on my bike for the first time! It was awesome!! The best part of the run was that I finished in under 30 minutes~something I've never accomplished in a 5k before! I've been close...but never have I finished a 5k with a "2" at the beginning of the finishing number!
I was finishing up the run right as the storm was blowing in. I literally crossed the finish line to a booming thunderclap that ushered in a downpour! It was a wet mess! But I couldn't have felt better! I DID IT!
Comparing average paces for Copper Creek and Hy-Vee I made improvements in my bike and run in Hy-Vee....my swim pace was a little slower, which is frustrating because once I actually started swimming, I felt great and swam stronger than I did at Copper Creek.
But, my bike pace improved from 16.4 mph ave to 17.1 mph ave and my run improved from 10:40 min/mile to 9:33 min/mile. Pretty good for one week!
Here are the final official results:
Swim: 13:47
T1: 4:21
Bike: 43:32
T2: 3:15
Run: 29:35
Both of my transitions were longer because of my positioning in transition. I was on the far end of the transition. To get on the bike course I had to push my bike thru the pretty much the entire length of transition. Coming back I had to push my bike again thru the mud and muck of the entire transition area to get back to my spot, get ready for the run and run back thru the mud and muck to get to the run start. It wasn't an ideal transition location, but what can you do?!
If this journey has taught me anything it is that anything really is possible. I set a goal, I worked hard, stayed focused and I did it! It feels incredible!!!
But I couldn't have done it alone. I had great coaches and friends and cheerleaders and blog readers with me at every step. Which has made this whole experience that much better!
Thanks to everyone for your support! Now get out there...set a goal and DO IT!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Dirty Little Secret *may not be suitable for all readers :)
Well...it is over. I am saving my "I Did It" post for later this week. I have something else to address first.
One of my favorite parts of participating in these events is the ability to break the rules. Two of my favorites is littering and running red lights. When you come up to a water station sometimes there just isn't a volunteer with a garbage bag in sight, so you get to drink your water, crush the cup and throw it on the ground! It might sound a little silly right now, but when you are running and desperate for a distraction...littering is a treat!
Same thing with running red lights....it is fun enough to run thru an intersection when cars are being held back by the helpful police officers, but it is like a triple word score when you get to run thru the intersection AND the stoplight is red! Such rebels we are!
This is all widely accepted in running culture. But since I have "officially" become a triathlete I have learned that I can take the rule breaking to whole different level.
For me it all started at Copper Creek. Standing in the water, in my wetsuit, just minutes from the start of my wave I realized I had to pee. Well, I certainly couldn't get out of the water, find a port-a-potty, take my wetsuit off, go potty, put the wetsuit back on and get back to the water in time. What's a girl to do?
I had been briefed by my fellow triathletes that if you have to go in your wetsuit....you just go...that's right IN YOUR WETSUIT. But could I actually do it?
Let's be honest here....I was in a dirty lake...as much as we wish we could pretend we were swimming in a clean, clear, chlorinated pool, we all know it isn't and there are far worse things lurking in that water.
I will also have you know that not only do triathletes pee in there wetsuits, but in the case of longer tri's peeing also happens ON THE BIKE and WHILE RUNNING! Talk about commitment!
Back to Copper Creek...in the water, wetsuit, waiting for the gun....what to do...what to do....well, I am happy (?) to say that I did it! And I am glad that I did. I felt great for the whole rest of the race...no pit stops necessary.
So, at Hy-Vee on Sunday I was a little concerned because it was a run in start, so I wouldn't have those precious moments in the water to find relief if necessary. And very soon it became VERY necessary. In case you hadn't guessed, wetsuits are very tight. As we were waiting for the start I swear I was watching my bladder fill by the second. By the time I ran into the water I was in PAIN (it hurts just thinking about it again). As I started swimming I realized that as much as I was trying I couldn't "go" while I was swimming. I tried swimming slowly, I tried stopping and treading water, but it just wasn't happening. I was swimming pretty slowly for the first 150 meters or so, but finally I gave up and just started swimming. But the pain wasn't going away. As I am swimming I am trying to come up with a plan B. I really didn't want to stop and use a P-a-P before going out onto the bike course.
As I ran out of the water and thru transition I knew I had to do something QUICKLY.
There are typically 5 timed areas in a tri....swim portion, T1, bike, T2 and run. The "T's" are your transition times...the amount of time it takes to get out of the water and on your bike (T1) and then again to get off your bike and out on the run (T2). Transitions are important because if you're not careful they can really eat up time. It is important to be focused and quick!
My T1 time was over 4 minutes. That is because for probably 2 minutes of that time I was standing in my wetsuit trying to do as much as I could with the wetsuit on because I was peeing. That's right, I said it. It HAD to be done. I am sure I looked like an idiot. Standing with my wetsuit half off, putting on my helmet, taking a drink of water. I wonder if anyone was watching and thinking "She know she needs to take that thing off, right?". Unfortunately my transition time suffered, but I was able to bike and run comfortably (in that respect, at least), so I know I saved myself time in the long run.
Please try not to judge. As much as you may think you could never do that....well, you just never know!
One of my favorite parts of participating in these events is the ability to break the rules. Two of my favorites is littering and running red lights. When you come up to a water station sometimes there just isn't a volunteer with a garbage bag in sight, so you get to drink your water, crush the cup and throw it on the ground! It might sound a little silly right now, but when you are running and desperate for a distraction...littering is a treat!
Same thing with running red lights....it is fun enough to run thru an intersection when cars are being held back by the helpful police officers, but it is like a triple word score when you get to run thru the intersection AND the stoplight is red! Such rebels we are!
This is all widely accepted in running culture. But since I have "officially" become a triathlete I have learned that I can take the rule breaking to whole different level.
For me it all started at Copper Creek. Standing in the water, in my wetsuit, just minutes from the start of my wave I realized I had to pee. Well, I certainly couldn't get out of the water, find a port-a-potty, take my wetsuit off, go potty, put the wetsuit back on and get back to the water in time. What's a girl to do?
I had been briefed by my fellow triathletes that if you have to go in your wetsuit....you just go...that's right IN YOUR WETSUIT. But could I actually do it?
Let's be honest here....I was in a dirty lake...as much as we wish we could pretend we were swimming in a clean, clear, chlorinated pool, we all know it isn't and there are far worse things lurking in that water.
I will also have you know that not only do triathletes pee in there wetsuits, but in the case of longer tri's peeing also happens ON THE BIKE and WHILE RUNNING! Talk about commitment!
Back to Copper Creek...in the water, wetsuit, waiting for the gun....what to do...what to do....well, I am happy (?) to say that I did it! And I am glad that I did. I felt great for the whole rest of the race...no pit stops necessary.
So, at Hy-Vee on Sunday I was a little concerned because it was a run in start, so I wouldn't have those precious moments in the water to find relief if necessary. And very soon it became VERY necessary. In case you hadn't guessed, wetsuits are very tight. As we were waiting for the start I swear I was watching my bladder fill by the second. By the time I ran into the water I was in PAIN (it hurts just thinking about it again). As I started swimming I realized that as much as I was trying I couldn't "go" while I was swimming. I tried swimming slowly, I tried stopping and treading water, but it just wasn't happening. I was swimming pretty slowly for the first 150 meters or so, but finally I gave up and just started swimming. But the pain wasn't going away. As I am swimming I am trying to come up with a plan B. I really didn't want to stop and use a P-a-P before going out onto the bike course.
As I ran out of the water and thru transition I knew I had to do something QUICKLY.
There are typically 5 timed areas in a tri....swim portion, T1, bike, T2 and run. The "T's" are your transition times...the amount of time it takes to get out of the water and on your bike (T1) and then again to get off your bike and out on the run (T2). Transitions are important because if you're not careful they can really eat up time. It is important to be focused and quick!
My T1 time was over 4 minutes. That is because for probably 2 minutes of that time I was standing in my wetsuit trying to do as much as I could with the wetsuit on because I was peeing. That's right, I said it. It HAD to be done. I am sure I looked like an idiot. Standing with my wetsuit half off, putting on my helmet, taking a drink of water. I wonder if anyone was watching and thinking "She know she needs to take that thing off, right?". Unfortunately my transition time suffered, but I was able to bike and run comfortably (in that respect, at least), so I know I saved myself time in the long run.
Please try not to judge. As much as you may think you could never do that....well, you just never know!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Pep Talk
I am nervous.
Not only am I nervous, but thanks to those folks at Hy-Vee spending the big bucks in the marketing department...I can't get away from they Hy-Vee Triathlon hoopla! It is everywhere! I go to the Channel 13 News website to check the radar and a bike rider comes zooming across the screen talking about the Tri. Every time I turn to Channel 13 (which is apparently more than I would have guessed) I see a commercial. I shop at Hy-Vee...so obviously I see it there....I even bring it home in their special Tri plastic bags and little inserts! GAH!
This morning the commercial came on and I must have made an involuntary comment of nervousness and Kaity picked up on it. This was the extend of the conversation that followed:
Me:
Kaity: What?
Me: The Tri commercial! It is making me nervous
Kaity: Why?
Me: Because I am scared!
Kaity: You should be scared for ME...not for YOU
Me: I am not scared for you honey...I know you can do it...you're gonna do awesome
Kaity: My Triathlon is going to be done before I know it...and yours will too....YOU CAN DO IT!
Me: I know I can DO it, but I am still nervous
Kaity: What are you nervous about?
Me: The swim...Kaity, I won't even be able to touch when I am swimming....
Kaity: But you know how to swim....(in that Silly Rabbit tone)
Me:
DUH...of course I can swim...why do I keep freaking myself out? I've had the "I'm nervous" conversation probably over a dozen times with a dozen people in the last week...but this one really hit home!
Thank you baby girl!! For making your momma feel better....for helping me get out of my head and out of my way so I can see the POSSIBLE that is right in front of me. Instead of the impossible that never even existed.
I know that I will still be nervous, but before I think I was looking at it as a tall and wide wall...an obstacle to overcome before I even step a toe in the water....now I see that nervousness is nothing more than a fog...a mist to be cleared away.......
Not only am I nervous, but thanks to those folks at Hy-Vee spending the big bucks in the marketing department...I can't get away from they Hy-Vee Triathlon hoopla! It is everywhere! I go to the Channel 13 News website to check the radar and a bike rider comes zooming across the screen talking about the Tri. Every time I turn to Channel 13 (which is apparently more than I would have guessed) I see a commercial. I shop at Hy-Vee...so obviously I see it there....I even bring it home in their special Tri plastic bags and little inserts! GAH!
This morning the commercial came on and I must have made an involuntary comment of nervousness and Kaity picked up on it. This was the extend of the conversation that followed:
Me:
Kaity: What?
Me: The Tri commercial! It is making me nervous
Kaity: Why?
Me: Because I am scared!
Kaity: You should be scared for ME...not for YOU
Me: I am not scared for you honey...I know you can do it...you're gonna do awesome
Kaity: My Triathlon is going to be done before I know it...and yours will too....YOU CAN DO IT!
Me: I know I can DO it, but I am still nervous
Kaity: What are you nervous about?
Me: The swim...Kaity, I won't even be able to touch when I am swimming....
Kaity: But you know how to swim....(in that Silly Rabbit tone)
Me:
DUH...of course I can swim...why do I keep freaking myself out? I've had the "I'm nervous" conversation probably over a dozen times with a dozen people in the last week...but this one really hit home!
Thank you baby girl!! For making your momma feel better....for helping me get out of my head and out of my way so I can see the POSSIBLE that is right in front of me. Instead of the impossible that never even existed.
I know that I will still be nervous, but before I think I was looking at it as a tall and wide wall...an obstacle to overcome before I even step a toe in the water....now I see that nervousness is nothing more than a fog...a mist to be cleared away.......
Monday, June 7, 2010
Triathlon: Take 2
After my Indianola Tri "adventures" I decided that maybe the Copper Creek Triathlon would be a wise idea after all. Originally I was planning on doing Dam to Dam, which was Saturday so I figured I'd be out of commission for a tri the very next day. With my knee troubles I decided to pull out of Dam to Dam weeks ago.
So, last week I registered for Copper Creek. 750m swim, 20k bike ride, 5k run (everything is half of they Hy-Vee distances). The swim was in the Copper Creek lake, so I was excited to get a little experience in open water before Hy-Vee. Leading up to the tri my biggest concern was wondering if the race will be "wetsuit legal". I am fully confident in my swimming abilities in a wetsuit...it helps keep you "afloat", so I wouldn't be expending all my energy in the swim.
Sunday morning I was excited...not nervous at all! I got to the race nice and early, with plenty of time to set up my transition area, chat with aTc and TNT team members and get my wet suit on (which could be a whole blog post)!
I was in the 6th wave to start the swim and was really happy to see I was in the same wave as my fav tri partner Nicole H! So, we get into the water and we hang with the back of the pack, I have no intentions of getting in someone's way with my pokey little self! Gun goes off and it is GO time!
I get started and am feeling pretty good. One of my newly found swimming weaknesses is my inability to swim in a straight line in open water. No biggie, I just have to look up every once in a while to make sure I am still on course. Most the time I was pretty close to the group, a couple times I was WAY off! Apparently there is a "scenic" route in water too...let's just say, I was quite the scenic swimmer! Anytime I started feeling anxious I just turned over on my back and did a couple of back strokes...made me feel much better. My biggest problem with the swim was that my goggles kept fogging up, so I had to stop twice to clear them.
I made it thru the swim and ran up the ramp, peeling of my wetsuit like a pro (technically the "pros" probably weren't wearing wetsuits..but I was pretending that I looked like a pro)!
3 minutes and 25 seconds later I was headin' out on the bike~Yeah, I know what you're thinking...I probably need to speed that up a little, give me a break...I was happy to have survived the swim! Anyway, back to the bike...the bike route was challenging...with some pretty tough hills that had me wheezing at the top..but I recovered quickly after each hill and felt great! Needless to say, I was able to stay on the right course this time! Headin' back into the bike transition and was lifted by all the people cheering the participants on...it was awesome!
Second transition was faster, 1 minute and 51 seconds later I was headin' out to the run course. I was taking it easy because I knew there were some hills coming up and I wanted to keep my knee feeling good as long as I could. I felt GREAT! I am happy to report that I was able to run the entire course! Only 3 miles, but for as wonky as my knee has been, I really was shocked!
I crossed the finish line feeling better than I EVER have after ANY event I've ever competed in. It was AWESOME!! I finished in 1:44:36. Breakdowns as follows: Swim~20:32 Bike~45:45 (16.4 mph ave) Run: 33:03 (10:40 pace).
Now I am excited for Hy-Vee....but VERY nervous about the swim...please PRAY that the water stays below 84 degrees so I can wear my wetsuit!
So, last week I registered for Copper Creek. 750m swim, 20k bike ride, 5k run (everything is half of they Hy-Vee distances). The swim was in the Copper Creek lake, so I was excited to get a little experience in open water before Hy-Vee. Leading up to the tri my biggest concern was wondering if the race will be "wetsuit legal". I am fully confident in my swimming abilities in a wetsuit...it helps keep you "afloat", so I wouldn't be expending all my energy in the swim.
Sunday morning I was excited...not nervous at all! I got to the race nice and early, with plenty of time to set up my transition area, chat with aTc and TNT team members and get my wet suit on (which could be a whole blog post)!
I was in the 6th wave to start the swim and was really happy to see I was in the same wave as my fav tri partner Nicole H! So, we get into the water and we hang with the back of the pack, I have no intentions of getting in someone's way with my pokey little self! Gun goes off and it is GO time!
I get started and am feeling pretty good. One of my newly found swimming weaknesses is my inability to swim in a straight line in open water. No biggie, I just have to look up every once in a while to make sure I am still on course. Most the time I was pretty close to the group, a couple times I was WAY off! Apparently there is a "scenic" route in water too...let's just say, I was quite the scenic swimmer! Anytime I started feeling anxious I just turned over on my back and did a couple of back strokes...made me feel much better. My biggest problem with the swim was that my goggles kept fogging up, so I had to stop twice to clear them.
I made it thru the swim and ran up the ramp, peeling of my wetsuit like a pro (technically the "pros" probably weren't wearing wetsuits..but I was pretending that I looked like a pro)!
3 minutes and 25 seconds later I was headin' out on the bike~Yeah, I know what you're thinking...I probably need to speed that up a little, give me a break...I was happy to have survived the swim! Anyway, back to the bike...the bike route was challenging...with some pretty tough hills that had me wheezing at the top..but I recovered quickly after each hill and felt great! Needless to say, I was able to stay on the right course this time! Headin' back into the bike transition and was lifted by all the people cheering the participants on...it was awesome!
Second transition was faster, 1 minute and 51 seconds later I was headin' out to the run course. I was taking it easy because I knew there were some hills coming up and I wanted to keep my knee feeling good as long as I could. I felt GREAT! I am happy to report that I was able to run the entire course! Only 3 miles, but for as wonky as my knee has been, I really was shocked!
I crossed the finish line feeling better than I EVER have after ANY event I've ever competed in. It was AWESOME!! I finished in 1:44:36. Breakdowns as follows: Swim~20:32 Bike~45:45 (16.4 mph ave) Run: 33:03 (10:40 pace).
Now I am excited for Hy-Vee....but VERY nervous about the swim...please PRAY that the water stays below 84 degrees so I can wear my wetsuit!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tri Turned Adventure Race?
Well, I participated in my first official Triathlon this past Sunday in Indianola. It was quite an experience and I learned some very valuable lessons....where do I begin?
There were 30 triathletes in this event and thankfully I was toward the back of the group for the swim, so the 300 yards were a breeze...except for the fact that the water was FREEZING....the swim course was 6-50 yard laps in a pool. The swimmers got a 25 yard head start on the person behind them, so it was perfect for me. I never caught the swimmer ahead of me (my faster swimming friend, Nicole), but the swimmer behind me didn't catch me...so it was awesome!
Okay, so I get out of the pool and run down the grassy hill to the transition area. It went a little like this: Dried Feet...put socks/shoes on....clipped on race belt...helmet on and buckled...quick drink of water...grab bike and head to the bike course.
I need to mention that in addition to the triathlon being held for this event, there was also a 5k and 10k race going on. I also need to mention that thankfully I had my Garmin on my bike, so I knew my mileage as I was riding and running.
I get on my bike and was told to follow the ORANGE arrows on the road...so I followed the ORANGE arrows on the road. I became suspicious pretty quickly that I was not where I was supposed to be. The road was really bumpy and it seemed like I was turning every block or so. More importantly, I wasn't seeing anyone else on bikes...but I kept following the orange lines. I was also getting annoyed because I had to slow down at every block to look for an orange line...I kept thinking "Couldn't they have posted arrow signs!".
Finally after the first mile I came up to a couple of race volunteers....I slow down and ask them if I am on the right course they both say "Yep..Yep, just keep going". So I kept going....all by myself.
After about 3 miles I see the start/finish..what? There was a kid directing the 5k runners to the finish and telling the 10k runners to turn right. But what about me? I asked him where I needed to go...he didn't know. Okay, so I turned right, thinking that maybe the bike course veers off somewhere along the way.
Then I start seeing things I've already seen before...I am just looping the 5k course! Finally I see someone on a bike, but they are another block down on a road I have yet to get to. I come up on the same 2 fellas that told me I was going the right way and I ask them again "Am I supposed to just keep looping this course?" Which I know is not right because if that were the case I would definitely be with other riders.
This time one of the guys says "Yep, just keep on going" and the other guy says "I don't know...I've been seeing people on bikes on that street". The above mentioned street one block away. GRR!
I cut back to the start/finish with 5.5 miles logged and ask what is going on? I am told that almost everyone has had problems with the course and most are just getting off their bikes and starting the run. But this is my only tri before Hy-Vee...and I wanted to get the 12+ mile bike ride in. I then find out that I was supposed to be following a YELLOW line, not an orange line.
I go back to where I started and low and behold, a block before the orange line is a yellow line! I turn left and am officially on the bike course..finally!
Wow...what a difference that made, the bike course was in newer neighborhoods which meant smoother roads and I was actually able to get some decent speed because I wasn't turning all the time! Oh, and guess what? Not only were there arrows on the road, but SIGNS posted too, so I wasn't searching the road at every intersection for a turn!!!
Well, I was probably 6 miles or so in before I saw the first volunteer. I stopped and asked to see a map...I wanted to get my 12 miles in, not end up riding the full bike course in addition to the 5 miles I had already ridden. At this point we must have still been on the 10k run course too, because there were yellow and orange arrows on the ground. The super helpful volunteer reminded me that the bikes were supposed to follow the ORANGE lines....oh boy...here we go again! I said "No, I was told to follow the YELLOW lines". He called to verify and found out he had been telling people wrong the whole time.
Okay, so back on the course, and I finally start seeing a couple of people on bikes..on the same street as ME. Yay, I really AM going the right way! I stopped one more time for directions and realized that we're supposed to ride the bike course twice, which was going to work out great for me because that meant I just needed to finish the first lap and be pretty close to the mileage.
Meanwhile, back at the start/finish it apparently started going around that I may or may not be lost somewhere in Indianola. With about a mile to go, a straight shot to the finish I was joined by Kerrie, a fellow aTc (Altoona Triathlon Club) member and veteran triathlete turned search party rescuer! She rode with me thru the finish and I finally made it back to the transition area to begin my run. I ended my bike ride with 12.26 miles logged.
2nd Transition looked a little like this: Drop off bike...take off helmet...put on hat...turn race number around...drink of water and I was off.
The least favorite part of the run for me was the fact that I left the transition area and had to head UPHILL, turn and UPHILL again. That was diabolical! I made it on my knee for about the first mile and a half and it started hurting a little. I walked a little bit and started running again...had to walk a couple more times, but still felt great...and finished the 5k in about 31 minutes. Overall, I finished the entire course in 1 hour 38 minutes.
And with that...it was official. I am now a TRIATHLETE!!! All things considered, I was really happy and I felt great! I am pretty excited about Hy-Vee now! I am now going to spend the next 17 days swimming and riding. I know my knee won't hold up for a 6 mile run at the end, but I'll run as far as I can and walk when I need to and be perfectly happy about it. I need to focus on what I can do...I haven't been able to get too many miles in on the bike, but am surprised how much stronger and faster I am after every ride! I can't wait to put it all out there and finish what I started!!!
Wow~sorry for such a long post, it was a long story! Please forgive any errors in spelling or grammar...I tried to check myself as I typed, but I might have missed some stuff!
Oh yeah...most valuable lesson learned: Know the course...carry a course map!
There were 30 triathletes in this event and thankfully I was toward the back of the group for the swim, so the 300 yards were a breeze...except for the fact that the water was FREEZING....the swim course was 6-50 yard laps in a pool. The swimmers got a 25 yard head start on the person behind them, so it was perfect for me. I never caught the swimmer ahead of me (my faster swimming friend, Nicole), but the swimmer behind me didn't catch me...so it was awesome!
Okay, so I get out of the pool and run down the grassy hill to the transition area. It went a little like this: Dried Feet...put socks/shoes on....clipped on race belt...helmet on and buckled...quick drink of water...grab bike and head to the bike course.
I need to mention that in addition to the triathlon being held for this event, there was also a 5k and 10k race going on. I also need to mention that thankfully I had my Garmin on my bike, so I knew my mileage as I was riding and running.
I get on my bike and was told to follow the ORANGE arrows on the road...so I followed the ORANGE arrows on the road. I became suspicious pretty quickly that I was not where I was supposed to be. The road was really bumpy and it seemed like I was turning every block or so. More importantly, I wasn't seeing anyone else on bikes...but I kept following the orange lines. I was also getting annoyed because I had to slow down at every block to look for an orange line...I kept thinking "Couldn't they have posted arrow signs!".
Finally after the first mile I came up to a couple of race volunteers....I slow down and ask them if I am on the right course they both say "Yep..Yep, just keep going". So I kept going....all by myself.
After about 3 miles I see the start/finish..what? There was a kid directing the 5k runners to the finish and telling the 10k runners to turn right. But what about me? I asked him where I needed to go...he didn't know. Okay, so I turned right, thinking that maybe the bike course veers off somewhere along the way.
Then I start seeing things I've already seen before...I am just looping the 5k course! Finally I see someone on a bike, but they are another block down on a road I have yet to get to. I come up on the same 2 fellas that told me I was going the right way and I ask them again "Am I supposed to just keep looping this course?" Which I know is not right because if that were the case I would definitely be with other riders.
This time one of the guys says "Yep, just keep on going" and the other guy says "I don't know...I've been seeing people on bikes on that street". The above mentioned street one block away. GRR!
I cut back to the start/finish with 5.5 miles logged and ask what is going on? I am told that almost everyone has had problems with the course and most are just getting off their bikes and starting the run. But this is my only tri before Hy-Vee...and I wanted to get the 12+ mile bike ride in. I then find out that I was supposed to be following a YELLOW line, not an orange line.
I go back to where I started and low and behold, a block before the orange line is a yellow line! I turn left and am officially on the bike course..finally!
Wow...what a difference that made, the bike course was in newer neighborhoods which meant smoother roads and I was actually able to get some decent speed because I wasn't turning all the time! Oh, and guess what? Not only were there arrows on the road, but SIGNS posted too, so I wasn't searching the road at every intersection for a turn!!!
Well, I was probably 6 miles or so in before I saw the first volunteer. I stopped and asked to see a map...I wanted to get my 12 miles in, not end up riding the full bike course in addition to the 5 miles I had already ridden. At this point we must have still been on the 10k run course too, because there were yellow and orange arrows on the ground. The super helpful volunteer reminded me that the bikes were supposed to follow the ORANGE lines....oh boy...here we go again! I said "No, I was told to follow the YELLOW lines". He called to verify and found out he had been telling people wrong the whole time.
Okay, so back on the course, and I finally start seeing a couple of people on bikes..on the same street as ME. Yay, I really AM going the right way! I stopped one more time for directions and realized that we're supposed to ride the bike course twice, which was going to work out great for me because that meant I just needed to finish the first lap and be pretty close to the mileage.
Meanwhile, back at the start/finish it apparently started going around that I may or may not be lost somewhere in Indianola. With about a mile to go, a straight shot to the finish I was joined by Kerrie, a fellow aTc (Altoona Triathlon Club) member and veteran triathlete turned search party rescuer! She rode with me thru the finish and I finally made it back to the transition area to begin my run. I ended my bike ride with 12.26 miles logged.
2nd Transition looked a little like this: Drop off bike...take off helmet...put on hat...turn race number around...drink of water and I was off.
The least favorite part of the run for me was the fact that I left the transition area and had to head UPHILL, turn and UPHILL again. That was diabolical! I made it on my knee for about the first mile and a half and it started hurting a little. I walked a little bit and started running again...had to walk a couple more times, but still felt great...and finished the 5k in about 31 minutes. Overall, I finished the entire course in 1 hour 38 minutes.
And with that...it was official. I am now a TRIATHLETE!!! All things considered, I was really happy and I felt great! I am pretty excited about Hy-Vee now! I am now going to spend the next 17 days swimming and riding. I know my knee won't hold up for a 6 mile run at the end, but I'll run as far as I can and walk when I need to and be perfectly happy about it. I need to focus on what I can do...I haven't been able to get too many miles in on the bike, but am surprised how much stronger and faster I am after every ride! I can't wait to put it all out there and finish what I started!!!
Wow~sorry for such a long post, it was a long story! Please forgive any errors in spelling or grammar...I tried to check myself as I typed, but I might have missed some stuff!
Oh yeah...most valuable lesson learned: Know the course...carry a course map!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Better Late Than Never
This Sunday, the first full day of my 30's, I will be competing in my first triathlon. It is a Sprint Tri in Indianola consisting of a 300 yd swim, 13.5 mile bike ride and 3 mile run. I'm super excited...especially for the 300 yard swim, which I feel is completely within the realm of my swimming abilities (unlike the nearly one mile of swimming for the Hy-Vee Tri, my greatest source of anxiety!).
On a side note, I started running again this week (just 2 miles Monday and this morning), I am cautiously optimistic that the knee will hold up for the run; but after having to walk 8 miles of the OKC half, I know that I will still be happy if I have to walk the "run" portion.
So, this morning I attempted something that I probably should have done before now, but the weather hasn't really cooperated, thus...Better Late Than Never. I did a BRICK workout...(a BRICK is when you train in back to back events). Today I did a Bike/Run BRICK.
I've actually attempted this before, 2 years ago before I even knew there was a title for the workout. This was also before I was a "runner", so I all I remember is getting off my bike after 5 miles and running the hardest mile of my life...I felt like I was running in concrete shoes and I was probably running a 12+ mile pace at the fastest! It was shocking! I don't know why it didn't occur to me at the time that it might be difficult.
So, it was with my limited BRICK experience that I decided to attempt it again this morning. Got started a little late on my bike, but I got a good, steady 5 miles in before meeting up with my favorite running partner, Janet. After a slow transition...had to put my knee brace on, remove a couple of layers, stretch out a bit (I am a rookie, after all, I think that allows me a little stalling before my first cycle/run BRICK). I was ready to run (at least that was what I was telling myself).
Wow~yep, it was still tough, but nothing like I remember. I start off slow, assuming that the weight in my legs will ease up as I keep running. We huffed and puffed along until the Garmin jingled at the mile mark...YAY!....time to turn around!
By then, just as I expected, the weight has lifted but now a new wave of fatigue has set in...probably (hopefully) because I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night but, MAN...I was beat!
When the Garmin jingled again, signaling the end of our run I looked at our pace and I'm not going to lie, I was totally prepared for a shockingly slow number. I was tired, I was sore. Average Pace: 9:49. I know, for some rock stars out there 9:49 might SEEM like a shockingly slow pace. But for me, coming straight off the bike, coming back from this knee injury, it was REALLY good! I WAS shocked, but in a good way!
And with that, I have my first BRICK workout in the books...just one more notch on that "BECOMING A TRIATHLETE" belt! I hope to get on my bike a little more this week, maybe try one more BRICK and then on to Sunday...CAN'T WAIT!!
On a side note, I started running again this week (just 2 miles Monday and this morning), I am cautiously optimistic that the knee will hold up for the run; but after having to walk 8 miles of the OKC half, I know that I will still be happy if I have to walk the "run" portion.
So, this morning I attempted something that I probably should have done before now, but the weather hasn't really cooperated, thus...Better Late Than Never. I did a BRICK workout...(a BRICK is when you train in back to back events). Today I did a Bike/Run BRICK.
I've actually attempted this before, 2 years ago before I even knew there was a title for the workout. This was also before I was a "runner", so I all I remember is getting off my bike after 5 miles and running the hardest mile of my life...I felt like I was running in concrete shoes and I was probably running a 12+ mile pace at the fastest! It was shocking! I don't know why it didn't occur to me at the time that it might be difficult.
So, it was with my limited BRICK experience that I decided to attempt it again this morning. Got started a little late on my bike, but I got a good, steady 5 miles in before meeting up with my favorite running partner, Janet. After a slow transition...had to put my knee brace on, remove a couple of layers, stretch out a bit (I am a rookie, after all, I think that allows me a little stalling before my first cycle/run BRICK). I was ready to run (at least that was what I was telling myself).
Wow~yep, it was still tough, but nothing like I remember. I start off slow, assuming that the weight in my legs will ease up as I keep running. We huffed and puffed along until the Garmin jingled at the mile mark...YAY!....time to turn around!
By then, just as I expected, the weight has lifted but now a new wave of fatigue has set in...probably (hopefully) because I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night but, MAN...I was beat!
When the Garmin jingled again, signaling the end of our run I looked at our pace and I'm not going to lie, I was totally prepared for a shockingly slow number. I was tired, I was sore. Average Pace: 9:49. I know, for some rock stars out there 9:49 might SEEM like a shockingly slow pace. But for me, coming straight off the bike, coming back from this knee injury, it was REALLY good! I WAS shocked, but in a good way!
And with that, I have my first BRICK workout in the books...just one more notch on that "BECOMING A TRIATHLETE" belt! I hope to get on my bike a little more this week, maybe try one more BRICK and then on to Sunday...CAN'T WAIT!!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Where has this been my whole life?
So, I tried something new today. Went to spin class this morning at 9:15, this was my first "official" cycle workout since the knee injury and I am happy to say it held up pretty well. The knee was a little "achy" toward the end, but no debilitating pain, so that was good!
Much of the cause of my injury was due to tightness in my hamstrings and quads, so I've been trying to stretch everyday and I really think it has helped. With that being said, I noticed that there was a Yoga class scheduled to begin right after spin, so I thought I'd give it a try.
I've tried yoga in the past, but it was mostly just at home stuff, and if you've ever tried working out at home to a video and you're like me, it just isn't the same...I need the extra accountability of people (presumably) staring at me if I wimp out after 5 minutes!
Back to the Campus...in I go, I follow the lead of everyone else and grab a mat, some stretchy bands, a "strap" of some kind and two purple blocks. I will say, I have 2 of those blocks at home, but I don't think they've ever been used for yoga....honestly, I think they are in the kids toy box as I type!
I am a "front" of the class type of person, so there I am, right in the front and thankfully the instructor introduced the newbies (me included) to the class...I feel like that is a "free pass" to look like an idiot, but it usually only works the one time, so I knew I had to pay attention if I planned to ever return to the class.
So we get going and WOW~ not only was I not the most un-coordinated person in the class, but I might have been among the most coordinated. Before I knew it I was doing the hardest poses with ease! Apparently I have exceptional balance (despite falling off my bike that one time) and I am flexible! It was great. I felt great after class, all stretched out and I might have even grown a couple of inches.
Now, before you start judging me for my bragging, I just want to point out that this is probably one of the first times in my life that I have found something that I seem to be a "natural" at...most of the times when I try something new I have to work twice as hard to do half as good as everyone else. Which is fine, it is good motivation for me. Most of the time the reason WHY I do something is because at one time I would have thought it impossible for me to do...I just want to prove myself wrong (stubborn Italian blood, perhaps?).
Finally I found something that isn't such a struggle! I only hope it wasn't "beginners luck"!
P.S~I have lots of stuff to blog about this week...look for my 2nd Max Muscle Nutrition Plan results soon!
P.S.S~I am having a fund raising Pampered Chef party on Tuesday @ 7 pm~ A portion of the sales will go to my fund raising goal!! Send me a message if you'd like to come, or you can order online here:
www.pamperedchef.biz/suziereicks?page=products-main
(for some reason I can't get the link to work right, so you'll have to copy the link and paste it in your browser :) sorry!)
Have a great Monday! And try something new this week, you never know...you might find out you're "a natural" at something too!
Much of the cause of my injury was due to tightness in my hamstrings and quads, so I've been trying to stretch everyday and I really think it has helped. With that being said, I noticed that there was a Yoga class scheduled to begin right after spin, so I thought I'd give it a try.
I've tried yoga in the past, but it was mostly just at home stuff, and if you've ever tried working out at home to a video and you're like me, it just isn't the same...I need the extra accountability of people (presumably) staring at me if I wimp out after 5 minutes!
Back to the Campus...in I go, I follow the lead of everyone else and grab a mat, some stretchy bands, a "strap" of some kind and two purple blocks. I will say, I have 2 of those blocks at home, but I don't think they've ever been used for yoga....honestly, I think they are in the kids toy box as I type!
I am a "front" of the class type of person, so there I am, right in the front and thankfully the instructor introduced the newbies (me included) to the class...I feel like that is a "free pass" to look like an idiot, but it usually only works the one time, so I knew I had to pay attention if I planned to ever return to the class.
So we get going and WOW~ not only was I not the most un-coordinated person in the class, but I might have been among the most coordinated. Before I knew it I was doing the hardest poses with ease! Apparently I have exceptional balance (despite falling off my bike that one time) and I am flexible! It was great. I felt great after class, all stretched out and I might have even grown a couple of inches.
Now, before you start judging me for my bragging, I just want to point out that this is probably one of the first times in my life that I have found something that I seem to be a "natural" at...most of the times when I try something new I have to work twice as hard to do half as good as everyone else. Which is fine, it is good motivation for me. Most of the time the reason WHY I do something is because at one time I would have thought it impossible for me to do...I just want to prove myself wrong (stubborn Italian blood, perhaps?).
Finally I found something that isn't such a struggle! I only hope it wasn't "beginners luck"!
P.S~I have lots of stuff to blog about this week...look for my 2nd Max Muscle Nutrition Plan results soon!
P.S.S~I am having a fund raising Pampered Chef party on Tuesday @ 7 pm~ A portion of the sales will go to my fund raising goal!! Send me a message if you'd like to come, or you can order online here:
www.pamperedchef.biz/suziereicks?page=products-main
(for some reason I can't get the link to work right, so you'll have to copy the link and paste it in your browser :) sorry!)
Have a great Monday! And try something new this week, you never know...you might find out you're "a natural" at something too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
