Revival of the Blog

I have neglected my blog. I'm trying to bring it back now that race season is quickly approaching. After seeing photos and results from the weekend's past races (San Juan and Los Cabos) I'm getting very excited to be in a race myself! Training also seems to be coming together quite nicely. Although the Iowa weather is doing the opposite of cooperating. Woke up to more snow on the ground this morning and winds that take your breath away.

The good news is at the end of February I did get away for a bit and was able to ride my NEW BIKE outside! We were in Henderson, NV and it was still a bit chilly and windy, but warm enough to train outside.

 

Pretty Bike

 

The one day I was able to train in a t-shirt and shorts, thankfully my biggest training day!

 

 

Back on my trainer in the mean time, hoping the weather changes very quickly so I can get the bike out at least a few times before my first race! H

Happy Training!

Omaha Triathlon and Lake Marion Triathlon

I did two races in August. The first was Omaha Triathlon. The race started at 6am, ouch! My swim was not the greatest. The swim venue was good and the water ok. Bike course was far hillier than I expected! That and the fact that I just couldn't hit the watts I needed to for an oly race made for a bad bike. Run- hilly also! My run went pretty well considering my injury earlier and time off. First time I felt like I was actually able to run rather than just suffer and survive.

 

 
Next up was Lake Marion Triathlon. Another 2nd place, getting old! The swim was in Lake Marion, a lake I have been boating and playing on with family many times. Good swim course except, just like at Omaha, we ran into sprinters at the end of the swim. Bike course here was good but my performance was again sub par. I have been training for 70.3s again, and when I do this, it just seems I CANNOT push harder on the bike. Bummer. Run was about the same as at Omaha. So run is heading in the right direction, and hopefully this means when it comes time for halves, my bike will be right on track also.

Evergreen Triathlon and Vacation!

Last weekend I raced the Evergreen Triathlon. It went okay for me. The swim was alright, either a bit long or I was really slow. The water temp was in the 80s and the swim course had to be changed due to low water levels. It was warm but tolerable and the first wave was elites/collegiate so it was nice to swim with people not too far from me the whole time.

The first 3-5 miles of the bike are nice, with trees on either side of the road that twists and turns a bit. Then you get into the corn field. Roads are a bit rough, the wind picks up, and besides an occasional barn, just more corn and wind. I was happier with my bike performance here than I have been with my other bikes all year. Still not were I want to be, but heading in the right direction. I pushed hard for the entire bike, minimized mind wandering, and remembered that I was racing out there on my bike.

My run performance was another story. I think it will just take more time not only for my running to come back after those 4 weeks I had to take off late spring/early summer, but even more time for me to get speed back after training for 2 ironmans. I am definitely frustrated right now, but that just keeps me working harder and motivated to get out and train. Especially those track workouts that make me feel like I might literally explode. The run course was out on open roads, also a lot of which were in the fields. It had become overcast, so we did not have to run in the blazing sun, but it was sooo humid, it felt like I had run throw floating puddles. Even my shoes were soaking wet.

All in all I ended up pretty disappointed with my performance here, but looking forward to continuing to train and improve and get out there and race again. Disappointments are part of racing. They help us focus, push us harder, and keep us going. Next up, Omaha Triathlon on August 5th!

After Evergreen my mom and I drove from Bloomington, IL to Bloomington, MN. Including our stops (gas, cheese shop, Norske Nook) it took us 9 hours. NEVER AGAIN. That is too long to be in a car in one day, but worth it for the fun I had on Sunday. Sunday was a day at the lake with the family! I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I would have liked because my camera died, but here are two of me and my little cousin tubing.

I have had the rest of the week off also. Monday was more family fun. Tuesday breakfast with a friend and shopping with my mom. Wednesday I came back to Iowa and went to Zoo Brew...and saw real live PENGUINS!!!! Thursday was Jenny's birthday so we went for a little bike ride and then out to the lake! After we went to Jasper Winery for their summer concert series. Friday morning we went swimming at the outdoor pool. After the crazy week, I was pretty lazy the rest of Friday! Time to get out for my ride today, happy training everyone!