Friday, December 17, 2010

Winter Training

Back at training for the winter! There are defintely some cold days and far too much darkness. Training in the winter just seems so cumbersome, so many layers and gear. And don't forget countless hours of trainer rides. Ok, winter training isn't all that bad (yet) and I'm hoping to get some cross country skiing in sometime. But I would welcome summer tomorrow if wanted to come :)

Next year the plan is to race at the St. Croix 70.3 to try qualifying for Kona. This was a very hard decision to make, and I'm still wondering if it's really the direction I want to go. All my option are good, it is just hard to pick the best one. Maybe I will have some big revelation and then I will have clear direction.

Well, I'm going to go bundle up and head outside! Early MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Clearwater World Championships

Clearwater!! Last race of the season. We shipped our bikes Fedex to try and save money. Turned out to be about as much to ship them down there (because we waited too long so we needed to ship a bit faster) as to fly, but we saved a bit on the way back. I packed all the rest of my stuff on a carry on. Matt had to check a bag. I pride myself knowing that I (the female) was able to pack light. Notice the bag size difference in the picture below. Once we finally arrived in Cleatwater it was beautiful. A bit breezy, but highs around 80 and sunny!
Friday I did the normal day-before-the-race routine. Was feeling really good and getting really excited.


Friday night we ate at Olive Garden. It was an interesting meal. I think it took us about 2 hours. We had a waiter and a waitress that did not communicate one bit, but between the two we still couldn't seem to get more drinks or breadsticks, or anything for that matter. Then Matt got a kids meal, I got only a dollop of sauce with a mountain of pasta, the bills got messed up, you get the idea. It was all good though, at the end of the meal we got the little mints!
Race morning finally came! Even though it was Florida, I was SOOO cold. I stole my dad's jacket muhahaha.


I was in wave 15 of 17. Pros started at 6:45am, I started at 7:50.



Started in the front of the wave. One girl, who must have been 7 feet tall, was out in front right away. Right behind I was in a pack of about 6-8 girls. Dropped that group about half way out. Ran into the prior wave about here too. It got pretty wavy as we got out there! Swimming in the ocean was crazy! You have to time your sighting, if you sight while you are at the bottom of the wave, you won't see anything but water! And salt water makes my mouth taste like vomit. Fun times! I thought maybe I would catch less people on the swim, being a world championship and all. But I don't think there was much difference compared to the other 70.3s I have done.
Came out 2nd in my wave in 25:38 or so.




The bike was, well, a draftfest. Big surprise I know. Some drafting is unavoidable due to the shear number of people on the coarse. But there was tons of blatant drafting. I only saw one penalty given out. I had to pee really bad on the bike but couldn't. I slowed down a couple times to try, but no success. So into T2, grabbed my bag, switched gear, and headed straight to the port-o-potty. It was a struggle to get to the potty from the tent because I was in so much pain-I had to pee that bad. I really need to figure out something different for next season so I don't waste time on the bike or in T2. Bike split was 2:25 or so.
The run was pretty disappointing. I felt so sick. I felt like I ate Thanksgiving dinner followed immediately by Christmas dinner, then tried to a half marathon. Not cool. Had a few puke burps. Then I had shoe issues. Had to stop to fix it 3 times. Just a frustrating run. For the last 3 miles or so I could see a girl in my age group a little ways up. I really made a move to catch her in the last quarter mile or so. With about 100-150 yards to go I started sprinting (I mean seriously sprinting like I've never done at the end of a race before). Then I passed her with about 25-50 yards to go. Yay! But she saw me, sprinted herself, and crossed 1 second before me. Boo.





Here is where I pass her.

Sorry, no photo of the counter pass.
Run split was 1:32ish. Right around where I have been. I know in perfect conditions (not feeling sick and no shoe issues) that I can do better, but given the circumstances, I was okay with my run and total time (4:29:29).
Ended up 6th in my age group and 10th overall. Not like I have a tough age group or anything!
It was a little disappointing to finish up the season like this, but I know I've had a pretty good season. Both performance wise and pretty free of incident (crashes, cramps, etc). But I think this will also help keep me that much more motivated for next season!


The beach after!


Sunshine=one of my favorite things!



Apparently dogs do the driving in Clearwater.




Gut rot...yes please!!!













Thursday, September 23, 2010

Branson 70.3 Race Report

Last weekend I raced Branson 70.3. I believe it is one of my top 3 favorite races now! But don't ask me what my other 2 are, I would have to think hard about that. I'm just pretty sure this one makes the top 3. Above is the Chateau (host hotel) and the beach were the swim was. Water was great, though I'm not sure how it ended up being wetsuit legal, but oh well. Swim went well. The waves were only 3 minutes apart and the two waves in front of me were, ummm, those with more life experience than me :) So I started passing people just a few minutes in and continued passing them for almost the entire swim. The last 700 yards are so I was all alone and it was great. Came out in 25 or 26 minutes and up the little hill to T1. T1 went okay, then off into the FOG. The hills started right away and it was very foggy for the first 5 miles. My sunglasses were sitting on the end of my nose so I could see. I probably looked like a librarian. A librarian on a bike. So, maybe not a librarian. Had to slow down on some of the downhills because the fog made it hard to see too far in front of you. If the road turned and I didn't....


Above: View from the Chateau
Some pictures of the bike course. This course was flat, so flat. Or, the hilliest bike I have ever done-race or training. It was like an endurance and strength workout in one. It was challenging, yet sooo beautiful and fun. Part of the fun was the downhills. I hit a new record-45mph! I love that feeling. Too bad there isn't a picture of me on the downhills, I would have had the biggest smile on my face. The uphills were tough, but I also like those. Weird, I know, but I never claimed to be normal.


Ok, back to the race. I was the first girl out of the water. One girl passed me just a few miles into the bike. I wasn't too worried, I knew I still had at least 4 hours of race to go, no need to bust my butt yet. Part of the course was loops. I saw her on these loops, after the first loop, I don't think she really gained too much more time on me. Another girl passed me a ways into the race, so I was 3rd coming into T2. Below is me coming into T2.




The run. Hot and humid. And after a difficult bike. For many, it was not actually a run. I think I hit my nutrition plan right, so that helped a lot. I passed one girl before mile 1 I think. Run was pretty good for the first 4 miles. Then it got a little tough. It was so hot and humid again like pigman, and it was almost impossible to drink enough. I managed though. The other girl that was in front me, she dropped out, but I did see her out on the first loop of the run. I think she came out of T2 about 6 minutes ahead of me, and when I saw her at mile 2 or 3, she was about 3 minutes in front of me. She dropped about before the finish of the first loop though (about 4 miles). So, if you did your math correctly, that would put me in 1st.

























Matt and I with our awards. It was a belt buckle. I will wear it with my boots and line dance. Maybe round up some cattle, who knows! However, in the mean time, I will be nursing my feet back to health. I didn't post the post-race feet pictures on here, but I have them in you want them.








Above, the Landing, where the finish line was. This fountain also doubled as an ice bath after the race. It was great. A bit goose poopy, but great (as long as you didn't try to drink it). These is the fountain's normal function. These shows go along to music, which you obviously can't see in a picture.










Possibly my favorite picture of the trip. Did I say it was a beautiful place?






















































Saturday, September 11, 2010

It's Fall!

The weather has definitely changed! And football has arrived! Although both of my teams lost this week :( Maybe I will win my fantasy football game though...there is still hope! This weather also really makes me want to run a marathon. I have to admit, though I am very happy I am able to do the tris I am these upcoming months, am I very sad about not doing a marathon. I was not able to do RNR Arizona because of an injury, so it's been almost 2 years since I have done one.

My next triathlon is Branson. I'm a little nervous about it because my training these past few weeks has been a little hit and miss. I think I have missed workouts or had to push them back more these past couple of weeks than the whole rest of the year combined! Ok, maybe not that bad, but enough to worry me a bit. I just hope I can somehow get my confidence up in the next week, I don't think few missed workouts here and there at this point of the season is going to kill me, but I need to really make myself believe that! Branson should be a lot of fun. We are staying at a condo and may go to a murder mystery show, go karts, zip lines, or whatever looks fun!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Big Pig











Last weekend I raced Big Pig. I signed up for it as a just for fun race. The week before was pretty tough with work and workouts, but I was lucky enough to get someone to come into work for me for most of Fri night, so I was able to get some sleep!








Race morning was very foggy. So foggy that the race was delayed 45 minutes so that we could see two buoys while standing on shore. While, you could see two standing on shore, but nothing once you started swimming. We (the people in the first wave) swam who knows where, and the boats had to direct us back on course. Of course they found a spot on the lake that was 77 degrees so the race could be wet suit legal. I was burning up! Anywho, I was the first female out of the water, but not by too much. T1 was pretty good except I had a little trouble getting my helmet on correctly.








For the first 20 miles of the bike I was pretty much out for an easy Sunday ride, I don't really know where my head was. I was passed by four girls before mile 20. After that 4th chica passed me I though, "I"m here to race, so I darn well better race!" and pretty much hammered from there on. At the turn around I figured out how far the girls were in front of me, around 5-6 minutes. So they probably gained 6-8 minutes on me in the first half. By T2 I think I was 9 minutes behind the next girl.








The run was HOT. For the first few miles I was right on the pace I wanted to be. I was hot so I was drinking 1-2 cups of water at every aid station. Then I got hotter, and a little slower. It was hot. I could not get enought water. I was putting ice down by suit. Man was I hot. The fourth place girl was just ahead of me around mile 5? and I passed her before the turn around, which was up a lovely hill. I went up the hill very slowly and very hot. Then I came back down the hill slowly. By now all I could think about was where was the next aid station and the one after that. I would drink 2 cups at every aid station and be thirsty for more literally 2 minutes later. The stations were getting so much business they had become a help yourself kinda deal. Run up to the table, grab whatever cups look like liquid, and keep going. I managed to pass the third girl around mile 10. I think she was really struggling in the heat (because, if you didn't know, it was blasted hot). For the last few miles I could see the second place girl, but just didn't have it me to catch her. Plus, she had her cheerleader on his bike who was out riding along. He would ride up to where she was and stop and look at his watch until I came by, then hop back on his bike and ride up to her again and tell her how far back she was etc. He could have at least been telling me how far back I was too! All I can say is, someone is lucky I did not have more energy. So I ended up third overall. But I had a lot of fun, got to see some fellow Tri racers, family and friends. Next on the agenda: Branson 70.3 on Sept 19th.








Sunday, August 15, 2010

Fun in the Sun

This past weekend was pretty fun. My parents came down with the boat and we spent much of the weekend out on the lake and at the campground. I love just cruising around on the water, feeling the sun and wind on my face. I also did some tubing. Which is really fun, but now I'm really sore. I almost couldn't open my window. We had some steaks and potatos grilled over the campfire, and then, of course, s'mores. One of my favorite things of the weekend was the margaritas we drank from Gatorade bottles. Camping in style.

Next weekend I'm racing Big Pig Triathlon in Palo, IA. I'm doing this race for fun. I'll be training hard through the race but I'm still super excited for it.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Steelhead 71.5

Race morning we arrive to the race site and it's raining. Thankfully, it wasn't lightening so we could still race. All of our stuff was soaked before the race even started. The rain was cold so we put on our wetsuits and then headed to the beach...to walk 1.2 miles to the start. This is why I call it Steelhead 71.5. I thought I gave myself a ton of extra time to get to the start, but I guess it took longer with all the people heading that way and walking in the sand. So I jogged part of the way, got there and had to run up the sand dune to use the bathroom By this time I was already sweating and the race hadn't even started. After the bathroom I swam for about 5 min and then headed to the start line. So much for a little time to rest before starting a long race!

Swim went well, my time was pretty fast because of the current, but I felt I could have been faster if there had been some people around my speed to try to catch up with or stay in front of. In T1 I started running down the wrong row, had to turn around and go back. It was still raining a little bit, but not nearly as bad. Bike was pretty good. Nothing eventful on this leg. Only saw a few people drafting, which is good. I may have spaced off a bit for the last 16 miles. By T2 the rain was done and I had put my run shoes in a plastic bag so they were dry! Hooray! Something that wasn't wet and full of sand (yet).

My run was pretty good. I think only 1 min off my PR for any half mary. Some of the hills were a little tough and I thought I was going to poop myself miles 2-6, but luckily I didn't. And lucky for the people around me. I finished up strong, maybe too strong. Ended up with a good time and 3rd overall female. 1st in my age group...and Clearwater World Championship bound! My wonderful and amazing boyfriend is also Clearwater bound because he WON the entire amateur thing in lightening speed, and it was his first 70.3 (or 71.5)!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon

This past weekend was awesome. It included everything that is summer. I was able to get off work early on Wednesday so Pat and I left for my parents home that night. Thursday was a nice lazy summer day. It was a rest day for me too, so it was the ultimate lazy day. On Friday we drove the race course (only got lost about 5 times) and sat by the fire at night (Pat ate 5 s'mores). I think between Wed night and Thu night, I slept as much as I usually do in 3 nights instead of 2. It was glorious. Friday we did our workouts, picked up our packets, and ate sketti. On Saturday we woke up at 3:45. Almost as bad as Hy-Vee. Good thing I had maple and brown sugar oatmeal just waiting to be made, or I would have gone back to bed.

We arrived at transition and I was setting up when I noticed the gal who has won the race the past 4 or 5 years, along with many other big races over the years. I knew I was capable of putting up a fight with her this year, but it would take a stellar performance on my part if I stood a chance of beating her. Anyway I finished setting up and warming up and all that. My wave was the 5th to start, behind 2 pro waves, the corporate charity challenge, and men's elite. My wave (elite women, and elite masters men and women) was the most violent wave I have been in yet. I felt like a powerball ball in the little tumbler thing. A handful of us from that wave caught up to some from the previous wave(s) before the first turn. The first turn was a cluster bunch. Then I lost track of who was from what wave. I ended up the second elite female out of the water by 10 seconds. T1 was just okay.

I started the bike as the second female as well. Started out biking hard and trying to keep the first girl within view. I ended up losing her around 5 miles in-but it is also hard to see too far ahead on this course. I was just biking along like usual, trying to keep going fast so I didn't get past by other girls (the usual for me on the bike). But a little before half way it happened. That girl, who has a long history of winning, passed me. That really got me going. I biked like crazy and kept up for a little while, but she is a stellar biker. After I lost sight of her I know I still had to keep pushing if I wanted even a sliver of hope to catch her on the run. I could not be distracted by pretty houses, slowed by big potholes, or take any extra time to enjoy my nice warm powerbar endurance drink. Not long after she passed me a guy passed me. I was able to keep up with him and we jockied back and forth all the way to T2. This was good for me; to really have someone to race and keep me from heading to la-la land for the last half of the bike.

Again, just an okay T2. Started the run in 3rd. No other girls had passed me on the bike. I'm getting tired so here's the short version-passed the girl who had beat me out of the water right at the halfway point of the run. Never caught the girl who has won many times before and passed me on the bike, but got darn close. Only about 30 seconds off-I was gaining on the run, but just didn't have enough time to actually overtake her. Ended up 2nd overall. Biked the hardest I ever habe, now just need to keep building off that. Next race-Steelhead 70.3 on Julyl 31st. Very excited for this longer race! Pat won the race for the men. He is pretty much my hero, maybe he will tell me his secrets. I am a little disappointed he waited to tell me he won. Here I was talking about my race and what place I think I finished in and he's just standing there listening. Then I ask how he did, "oh, I think I won." What?!?!? You just stood there without telling me! Anyway, he rocks.

The rest of the weekend was great too. Saturday night ate at Chino Latino in Uptown with Pat and both our parents and Pat's cousin. One word to describe this restaurant: MMMMMMMMMMM. On Sunday we went boating and jet skiing all day. Lots of family, sun, fun, and food. Then another fire and some s'mores. On Monday we ate at Big Bowl and played mini golf. Then we ate at Culver's. Now it's time to get back to the real world a little fatter, tanner, and happier.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Hy-Vee Triathlon Race Report

What a crazy weekend! Saturday morning was filled with rain and storms, causing all the kids races to be cancelled. The afternoon and evening actually ended up being nice, so we were dry checking our bikes into transition. We also ate at the Olive Garden and then headed home to try to get to bed early. Sunday-wake up at 3am. Leave home at 3:30. Ride shuttle to race site. We got there around 4:30. I started to set up my stuff and warm-up. I was out for a little jog and had just come back into transition around 5:15 when the RD announced they were changing the race to a sprint because storms were on their way in and they wanted to get everyone in and out of the water as quick as possible.

Major bummer. I took about 5 minutes to be upset and think all the negative thoughts. Then it was time to be a sprinter and get psyched to race. The race had also been switched to a time trial start for everyone. I think I was about the 3rd elite female to start. First female out of the water and out of T1. Was passed right out of T1 by a girl, but passed her back once I had my feet in my shoes. Bike went pretty well, but I was passed by a girl about 8-9 miles in. Came out of T2 behind her. My transitions here were much better than last weekend and my bike computer worked! Having cadence really helps! I think I was about 45 second behind the other female coming out of T2. Maybe 20-30seconds until the next girl after me. I started out quick trying to catch the other girl. I was gaining on her the whole run and make up about 30 seconds on her, but unable to get past her at the end. She ended up crossing the finish line 14 seconds ahead of me. I had also made a bit of ground on the ladies behind me.

I thought I had gotten second overall, but would have to wait until the results came out since it was a time trial start it was impossible to know for sure. I was able to finish before the lightening and rain hit. It did come, and came hard. If I would have been doing an olympic race, I probably would have been stuck running in the rain for 10-15 minutes. There were still plenty of people out racing in the rain-some had still started an hour behind me. The RD made the right decision going with a sprint. We rode our bikes back to the mall where are car was in the rain. It was actually kind of neat to have a big line of bikers biking to the mall in the rain. People who didn't know about the triathlon had to be so confused.

We got home and kept checking the internet for results. They finally came up...2nd place....by only 8 seconds! The girl in front of me was the first female to go off. So I wouldn't have even needed to pass her to beat her, just catch up by 8 seconds more. Ack! So frusterated! Oh well, guess that is racing a TT start. An age grouper snuck in 24 seconds behind me to get third, but the next elite girl was 41 seconds behind me, at least no one was able to get in in front of me.

Still happy with my race. All 3 legs and transitions were good and there is nothing I would have changed. This race was also a pro qualifier for the top three. This race left me happy because my run off the bike finally came together so I'm excited for a ReAl olympic race and finally a 70.3! By this not being an olympic, it makes me look forward to Lifetime and Steelhead that much more. I'm all sprinted out for the rest of 2010, bring on the long stuff!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Pigman Sprint Race Report

On Sunday I raced the Pigman Spring in Palo, IA. Great race, good time, and definitely a sprint! Here is a quick race report. My warm-up was mostly putting on my Hurricane wetsuit from Kyle's Bikes and swimming for about 20 minutes. And yes, I seriously count putting on the wetsuit as part of the warm-up! The elite female wave was first as this was an equalizer event (women start first, men 8:44 back and it's a race to see who can cross finish line first).

The swim started and I was out in front but some chick was right on my feet grabbing at my ankles. She almost pulled my timing chip off so I had to stop and shove it under my wetsuit quick. But right back to swimming. I was surprised that in such a short swim no one was closer to me-I was first out of the water in 6:14, a minute up on the next few girls. Into T1. The wetsuit didn't come off as easily as two weeks ago, but still not bad.

Out of T1 and onto the bike. What is this car driving on the course in front of me? Oh yeah, it's the lead car! I had never been the first one before! It was kind-of neat to follow the lead car for a while, makes you feel kinda special. And in the good way, not the short-bus way. I lead the bike until about half way. Three girls passed me within one mile, then no more girls passed me on the bike. The bike went well except none of my computer was working so I had no idea my speed or cadence and I tried to fix my front brake about half way through because I was afraid it was rubbing on my wheel. Next time I need to double check these things before the race starts!

Came into and out of T2 in fourth. I managed to pass one girl half way through the run, but right after another girl passed me. So I was 4th overall. I was the first Iowan to finish so I called to race in the Best of the US race in Orange County in October. That was pretty cool. I know what I need to work on this week (transitions!) and how to better prepare for future races (double check equipment and check out the areas leading into and out of transition). Glad I did this race but really looking forward to more Olympics and especially the 70.3s!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Cableless Life

I have now been living without cable for one month. I was hoping this change would mean I would get a lot more done, like organizing the basement. I think I have since only added more to the piles in the basement. Oh well, there have been some positive changes. I have biked and walked to the store a few times, gone outside to throw a football/frisbee, and..played games on the computer. Also, I have saved some money. All of it spent on watermelons.

Training has been going well. Getting in some good training in the heat. I will be ready for the next hot race. One down side to the heat...Big Creek is already Nasty. After a swim out there, I took off my suit only for find what looked like green cotton balls of algae stuck all over me. I think I will stick to Saylorville until that turns nasty too.

Next race-Pigman Sprint this Sunday. One week later-HyVee!!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Bluff Creek Triathlon Race Report
















Finally! Time to race!

I woke up and ate my oatmeal and got ready to leave for the race. We left at 5:30 to get there right at 6, when transition opened. On the way we saw the trees being blown half way to the ground. It was going to be a windy one just like the day before (we did our ride at the race site in the crazy wind-not fun). As we are pulling into the park we see lots of people already there. We decided to hurry and not mess around at the car at all because we needed to get to transition and get our spots (no assigned spots at this race). I grabbed all my stuff from the car in a rush and rode down there. Amazingly, I remembered everything I needed and didn't have to go back to my car for anything. Maybe I'm getting good at this packing for tris thing.

It was already warm enough to walk around in a t-shirt and shorts, but I wished I had a mesh mouth guard to keep the bugs out. I can't even explain how bad these little bugs were, so I won't try. I set up my stuff and did my warm-ups. Sweating already. I had just planned on an aero drink on the bike. The weekend before I was biking in long sleeves and pants, so I was used to not needing tons of hydration. Pat tells me to be sure to drink everything I have on the bike-meaning my aero drink and my other water bottle. So you mean I should put my other one on? Yes. So I did. Then after one last check for everything, we went the swim exit and got in and swam over to the swim start. Good choice, I must say. Way better than a shuttle!

My wave was the last to start. I ran into the men's wave before me about 400 yards in, and just made it my job to pass guys from that wave and the one before for the rest of the swim. It was a little choppy after the first turn from all of the wind. There was a cold spot out in the middle, but other than that, good swim. I came out of the water right at 20 minutes and my official split was 21 because the mats were a ways up from the ramp. It was a long run into transition. Everything went great in T1 and I had my shoes on the bike and jumped on and went. I think my transions are improving.

The beginning of the bike was great. With the wind and very fast. Just stay in the moment, don't even think about the ride back. Then right turn and into the crosswind. Using Pat's words as my mantra "shows those bars what's up," I stayed in aero the whole time with the crosswind (minus the two big downhills). The day before I thought the wind was too scary for aero, but not today, I had business to take care of. Then the first big hill. Went down nice and fast and up nice and slow. This is about where the race started with who I call 'yellow guy.' There was also a green guy in the mix. I passed yellow guy at the top of the hill. Apparently he needed a break after the big climb. Coach Liz said to go hard on the bike and take risks, so even after going up Twister hill I shifted gears as soon as I was able and was hitting the flatter parts hard. Then there was some more crosswind biking, then into the wind, then with, then crosswind. All this time me and yellow guy were back and forth and I passed green guy sometime but he passed me right before twister hill #2. So down the hill again and back up. On the way up I looked at my computer, 8.5mph. Watch out Lance! Somewhere along this road again, yellow guy passed me. Then we turned into the wind to head home. The longest stretch of road ever. Really wind, what did I ever do to you?!?! Anyway, yellow guy beat me into transition, but I wasn't going to forget about him.

T2 went pretty well. My only problem was finding my stuff and getting my race belt. The wind had blown everyone's stuff and bikes all over. My shoes were covered with a wetsuit and someone's bike tire was on my race belt. Figuring out that to get the race belt out required lifting up the other dudes tire, took some brain power I apprently didn't have. I grabbed an extra Gu because one had fallen off my bike at some point so I missed out on that on the bike. Oh, I also did drink everything I had on the bike (thanks Pat!).

My legs felt like bricks from the begining of the run. I had to fix my shoe once and I dropped a Gu and had to pick it up-I wasn't going to lose another. A short little trip through a wooded trail and onto the lovely blacktop. I was also wearing a mostly black tri suit. Awesome, just awesome. The temp had to be close to 90 with humidty of 983530. I was already wanting water. And I could see yellow guy. I decided I wanted to pass him by the halfway turn around. I ate a Gu and the beginning of the run and drank one cup of water at the first aid station. Then kept running and feeling like crap. And looking at my slow splits. Then I saw Joe out there, he had some good words of encouragement that were much needed. And I was catching yellow guy. And I must say, I'm really glad he was wearing yellow. Up and down some more bruttle hills, past an aid station (1 water again-another Gu somewhere) and up the biggest run hill. This time I was thinking "seriously, I have to do this hill another time, this hurts." Then around the turn around. Yellow guy is 10 feet in front of me! I didn't quite catch him by the turn around, but right after. The next time past the station I tok a water and a gatorade. I just kept feeling like I was going to pass out if I didn't drink a gallon of liquid quick. I was trying to run fast and hard and stay positive, but thoughts about how hard this run was kept creeping in. Well, probably around mile 4.5, yellow guy passed me and took off. Where was my extra push for the end? I can usually find some, especially if there is someone to race, but instead I wanted more water. So water and gatorade again at the last aid station right before that big run hill again. I think a turtle may have beat me up that hill. But I do think my last two miles were my fastest-I think the extra hydration helped.

I finally finished even though yellow guy was long gone by now. First female overall. Good swim, good bike considering conditions-I went hard the whole time so I was happy, and rough run. Happy and disappointed. Super excited for a taper race and to have my legs ready to go on the run. Until then, I plan to workout in a lot of heat and make myself tired early in the workout and push through, no saving anything until the end.

Next race: Pigman Sprint June 6th in Palo. Then taper some for HyVee June 13th in West Des Moines. Super pumped!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Less than 2 weeks!

My first tri race of the season is less than 2 weeks away! That is very exciting, I can't wait to see how it goes and get the chance to race again. However, I am hoping that it warms up quite a bit by then. I'm in the middle of a good chunk of training, and I think I have made some good progress since last year, but can't wait to race to prove it to myself. The race is Bluff Creek on May 23rd. It's an Olympic distance and has a massive hill we will bike twice, I actually can't wait for that either!

I know I still have a few things to work on for the season- transitions, nutrition-both during the race and everyday, practicing running without socks, and probably practicing changing a tire before my halfs. This spring I have had some good long bike rides and am able to focus riding hard for longer rather just biking around. I have had some good long runs (including a sun burn!). Also, I think my swimming has become more consistent. Bring on the season!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Drake Relays Half Marathon

On Saturday I competed in the Drake Relays on the Roads Half Marathon. Beforehand the weather predicted rain and be pretty nasty. I was okay with rain, just not lots of wind. Somehow we got lucky enough have sunshine and 60 degree temps come the start of the race!

I was supposed to start the race off slower than I thought for the first 3 miles, then run at pace until the last 3, when I could just go for it. I started out and felt pretty good the frist 3 miles, and when I looked at my splits, they were pretty quick. I thought the pace I was going at that time would be a good pace to keep for the whole race. But was I going out too fast? Could I hold this pace? I just kept telling myself just hold this pace to mile ten and then see what happens. So it become a matter of staying on pace for 7 more miles, then 6 more miles, 5, and so on. I got to mile ten and spent the rest of the way trying to catch a female that was 200 or so yards in front of me. No matter how hard I tried I could not seem to go any faster, though I did keep the same pace, but so did the girl in front of me. In the end I finished only 30 seconds off my best time from a much flatter course so I can't complain! Even paced and a pretty decent time. All in the sunshine and around great people, so a great day!

Now time to prepare for triathlons, woohoo!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Donut Run

Today I competed in the Donut Run 5k in Ames. This was quite the event. Though I did not partake in the donut eating, it is a running race where participants get time subtracting for each donut eaten. Get your workout in while clogging your arteries, maybe even throw in a little stomach illness, and call it a day. But I guess a few donuts one day is not that bad, it was interesting to watch people eating donuts, running, and getting a second tasting of donuts.

My time was okay, just not as fast I had hoped for. I got second overall for females-real time, not donut time. I wanted to go a little faster, especially for the last half, but it has been a long, tiring week and I guess my legs just didn't have it in them today. I still think that this is just the beginning of a strong season.

Training has been going well...most of it is outside now! That means time to get blown around like a tumbleweed and work on some sexy tan lines. But seriously, outside workouts are amazing-is there a better antidepressant than grabbing a pair of shoes or wheels and hitting the pavement?

Friday, March 19, 2010

Hello! My name is Tami and I am joining the blogging world. I really don't quite know if I have too much interesting to say but I will do my best.

Right now I am training for triathlons, working as an RN, and making my new house a home. My main level is half painted, so anyone who wants to help paint is welcome to come over any time! I will even provide food and beverage. Okay, so you are welcome over even if all paint brushes remain paintless.

As far as triathlons, right now I am just training. I am so excited that it is getting warmer and when I look out the window it no longer looks like the frozen tundra. Hopefully it will be warm enough to start bike outside regularly because there are only so many seasons of Bones. Running outside is really awesome even though sometimes I swear I'm running through quicksand and into wind that just about knocks me over. I think it will be a while before open water swimming if I want to keep all my extremities. Soon enough though.