Mighty Merrimack 1 MI Swim- 1st Place Female!

I don't get many just swim races in a year so last year when they cancelled the Mighty Merrimack swim at the last minute because of bacteria levels I was bummed. But I did get automatic entry into this years race! So this one was on the schedule for a while. I convinced my friend Jen that had done Timberman with me to join me. And D was still on the fence about racing, even on race morning.

2 years ago when I did this race I didn't wear a wet suit, bad idea. A ton of local high school and college kids show up to swim this wetsuitless. They are so fast! So I went wetsuit this year learning my lesson and for competition purposes. D decided at the last minute to join us and race. It was going to be his first swim only race! A great way to see how that half iron swim would go.

As usual, with this race director, the race started late! Which always throws off my fuel plans. This is one of the HUGE downfalls of local races, start times are kind of suggestions. The race has a 2mile option, eventually I would like to try that. So the turn around point is supposed to be a half mile out for the one mile swim. It was a mass start, I seed myself toward the front but let those young kids GO! I found smooth water and felt pretty good. Before I hit the turn around my tummy was grumbling.  I had breakfast and a gel but it was a bit too long between.

My 1st place award

I hit the turn around at about 15min. Schweet- on track for about 30min. I had hoped to be like 25 but given that half way point I thought 30 was a good call. I saw a woman out of the corner of my eye with a yellow- 1MI cap and a wetsuit. OH HELL NO! I drafted off her for a bit. Then her sighting was AWFUL so I just stuck to my own and kept an eye on her.

I made sure I came out of the water before she did- she ended up finishing 30 seconds after me! I got out of the water and did the short beach run with a time of 31: 38. Like I said I had hoped for a 25ish but when I looked at the results I was the 2nd person out of water and 1st place Female! I was so excited! I have never WON a race! It was an exciting day- I won, Jen took 1st in our AG and D finished his first 1MI swim race in 38 min, totally proving he can finish the half iron swim before the cut off!!!

Jen and I after the race with our awards

Note: not just because my time was off but I think the 1MI swim course was long. Considering no one had a time less than 28. And it really didn't make sense when the 2mi times were almost all sub 1 hour?! That math doesn't compute for me. 

Timberman 2012- 70.3 NUMBER 3!

Post Race with my Medal

Timberman was set to be 70.3 Number 3. I had rode the course about 5 times before getting up to NH to race. I knew the swim, I knew every turn on the bike, and I knew that run course. Last year I just barely finished before the course was closed for weather, timberman 2011 recap. This year after doing Quassy in June and getting myself ready to do 70.3 number 3 at Timberman I felt really ready. I had a great pre race plan in place and AMAZING prep talk with my coach, Olivia. I had time marks to hit the turn bouys on the swim. The bike plan was to take the hilly start and hilly finish easy and HAMMER the flats! The run plan- aim for a 10:30 pace and if I was falling off it take a 2 min walk break compose myself then go again.

We drove up to NH Friday. D decided to sign up for the Timberman Sprint on Saturday. He had a great race and it was so much fun to be support there for him. I really liked the double race weekend as a couple. After race support duties were done I got the bike ready and headed out for my pre race spin she rode great and I racked her up. We got in a good pre race meal with my parents and headed to bed early. I kept saying I had this eerie calm. I felt really ready. Coach said it was the calm before the storm. That I was ready to go!

The Game Face was on

Race Day: We got up and hit the parking lot EARLY- by 4:30 and got a great spot. Transition didn't open till 5 so just hung out a bit- kinda slept. Got everything ready in transition. It was really nice one of my oldest friends, Jen, was 512 and I was 513. Pretty awesome to have a friendly face right across from you in the morning. I told her as I walked away from my set up transition "Hey- don't EFF with my stuff and make a mess!" Her response "I can't make any promises." and I walked away. Then I quickly realized no one around us knew I knew her, I am sure everyone was like WOW what a BIATCH! haha :) Whatever. The calm continued I felt great.

Okay maybe a Smile haha :)

Swim: Timberman 2011: 36:52 Goal: 35 min Timberman 2012: 35:14 
I felt great in the water. I got myself out in front and hit my comfy stroke pace with no problem. I was passing the waves before me. I love passing previous waves cap colors! I got out of the water in 8th in my AG. Swimming really is my thing. And a new half iron swim split PR!!

T1: Timberman 2011: 3:16 Timberman 2012: 3:19
 I had forgot Everstride before the swim. I luckily set up petroleum jelly in my transition and SLATHERED it on before heading out on the bike. BTW- LOVE WETSUIT STRIPPERS!!!

Bike: Timberman 2011:3:35:26 Goal: 3:15-3:30 Timberman 2012: 3:18:20

Heading out of T1

I went with the plan- easy up the hills at the start. I took the nasty hill at 11 nice and comfortable. I felt good. I took water at each aid station to fill my aero bottle and stuck to the salt tab plan (~1 every 20min it was warm) ate every 45min or so. I hit the flats on RT106 and I started hammering. I mean I was hitting 20+mph with ease. I hit the turn around with a 18+mph pace. I  felt good. But I knew the course was hilly on the way back but I hit the turn around close to my half way time goal. I knew I would be close to the lower end of my bike goal time. This was such a great improvement from last years ride and felt so much better than Quassy. I really worked the bike this season and in the winter training and I felt it paid big time. It was really nice to get off the bike knowing I worked hard and got the results I was hoping for. Last year I was around 15mph this year avg 17mph- that my friends is some hard work paying off. That is a nice shiny new bike split PR!! 

T2:  Timberman 2011: 3:27 Timberman 2012: 3:15
Fairly uneventful T2. Psyched I got to see D in the transition and didn't feel like I wanted to quit like at Quassy. Grabbed my stuff and headed out :)

Run: Timberman 2011: 2:51:54 Goal: 2:17-2:30 Timberman 2012: 2:36:37

Coming down the finish chute

I really wanted to stay on my goal pace. I wanted to have a great run. I focused on trying to stay on the target pace and when it got off took my 2 min to walk then got back on the wagon. I think this paid off - tho I didn't end up with the 10:30 pace I had hoped I didn't have that just deteriorate and degenerate the whole run pace. It was really nice to see my friend Jen out on the run course. I really wanted to run the whole thing but I had walk breaks. This is def going to be my focus for next season- get that running down be in RUN shape! I can't fight with the fact that I was only 6 min off the goal time I had set and almost 20 min faster than last year. The last mile was tough. I was having bad cramping across my core. I had a hard time catching my breath and even had to walk about a half mile out. I gave myself the suck it up you are so close you can fight thru this and run thru the finish talk. And I did. I ran through that finish chute. So happy to see D right there smiling and cheering.

UGLIEST post race photo- I'm Crying and I gave it my all!

As I crossed the cramps across my abs got worse. I got really short of breath. I was having a hard time catching my breath and it didn't help that I was crying a bit because I worked so hard and gave it my all and the result showed. My mom tried to convince me to go to medical. I just knew I needed to calm down and get some air. D worked on getting me to calm down and walk a bit. Man that is what putting it all out for 6+ hrs feels like. I finally calmed enough to give D a hug and get out my "I DID IT! I hit my goal and I did it! My hard work paid off!"

When Jen crossed I had finally gathered myself. I went over to give her a hug and I started to cry AGAIN! It really is a great thing to have someone you have known since childhood, went to HS together then trained together for the race. I hope next season we can race again together.

Overall: Timberman 2011: 7:10:55 Goal: Sub 7 hrs Timberman 2012: 6:36:34

Recovery Margaritas with Jen and her friend Jackie with our Medals OF COURSE

I had a great race day! The hard work I put in from last year shows in each leg. I PRd not only for a 70.3 but on the same course! I had a PR for each leg of the race- swim, bike and run! Really there isn't much more you can ask for. I want to work on my run this winter and that is the plan with my coach but I really can't be more proud that I took 35min off my time! I can't be more proud of the fact that I worked hard all season and all day long. I finally crossed the finish line at a 70.3 with nothing left in the tank and can say I gave it all I had today and that paid off to a 35min PR!

Refining my Race and Training Fueling

A year or so ago I wrote this post training and race nutrition and still as I am about to toe to the line of my 3rd 70.3 I am refining my race and training nutrition. One thing I do know for sure still- I CAN EAT then immediately go train. I still have that IRON stomach! Another steadfast rule- NO WHEY PROTEIN! Whey Protein Isolate is okay- but regular is not.

So in my figuring out what works for me with my triathlons this is what I am going with for Timberman in a couple weeks:
Pre Race- Oatmeal w dried fruit and bagel and sports drink (Clif Electrolyte)
Swim- 10-15 min before my swim start I do a Hammer Gel
Bike- Every 45 min to 1 hour a serving of Clif Shot Blocks- leading to 2 packages of Blocks in my bento box. Every 45 min on a normal day, every 20min on a hot day salt tab (Salt Stick). I consume 2 bottles with 1.5-2 scoops of Heed (Orange is my flavor of choice right now). I have an Aero Bottle that is full to start and at aid stations I plan to get water and top off. Back up fuel I bring in my pockets- 2 gels and 1 pack of Chomps
Run- I have now determined I like having a handheld on the run. I start with Heed in it but keep topping it off with water at aid stations so it gets diluted. I have also become a fan of gels only for the run. They seem to be easier on the stomach so one of those every hour of the run is the plan. Again I plan with some back ups!
Transition- I keep a gel and a package of chomps there and a bottle of water just in case kinda thing.

After I go with Recoverite (strawberry). AND LOOOOOTS of food... when my stomach will let me. I have to wait a while usually. I don't know why this happens to me. But for a day or 2 after I am RAVENOUS!

Blogger-versary and Perspective

This July is 3 years since I started this blog. I started this blog as I was heading out on the journey of my first Sprint Triathlon. My journey into triathlon was a follow on to a year or so of working with a trainer to lose weight. I still remember huddling over a trash can fighting throwing up at my first trainer session. Following a horrible break up I became addicted to working out after running 5ks I was ready to take a plunge into triathlon.  My first triathlon was an off road triathlon (haven't done an off road since).

Yesterday I did my 3rd bike ride before Timberman of the full bike distance. I have rode the course twice with a friend I have known since I was a child. She is doing Timberman as her second 70.3 so it has been nice to have someone to ride course recon with. Both rides went well and shockingly I remembered the course very well.

Yesterday I hopped on my bike to do another 3 and a half hour ride without even taking a deep breath. A year ago each long ride came with anxiety and that nervous am I going to make it through this?! I not only got through the 56 miles again and added a nice 15min run after. I felt good. When I stepped off the bike I had 2 thoughts:
1. my first workout I was huddled over a trash can and now... holy crap! Look at me now!
2. last year D had to pick me up on my last long ride before Timberman. I was bonking bad and so happy to see him! And now I think I've got nutrition dialed in and my fitness level is a lot higher.

I can't believe how much things have changed since my first workouts. And even more so that I have done 3 rides of the full distance of my next half iron. I think all my hard work is paying off! Lets hope the results at Timberman show it.

Great Week and Weekend

Last week I was traveling for work, I had some awesome meetings and work related stuff happen. But I also had a great first real training week back since Quassy. I had to play around with the schedule a bit to make it work with my meetings and the crazy hot weather but I got everything except a swim on Friday done. I even got to enjoy a fun training session in DC at Revolve Fitness. I go to their spin classes when I am in town to use them as my hill training days. I went with a friend and we got dinner after win win!

Mon- swim 1600 yds
Tues- Spin (hill workout) 1hr
Weds- Long Run- 8mi
Thurs- Ride/Run brick- 1hr
Fri- stupid travel didn't get home in time to swim

Saturday I knew I just needed a little time to relax and recover from my week. So I took my time getting going and hung around the house w D. We even got some stuff done. By the time I was ready to tackle my 2:45 ride the weather was typical summer storm so I rode inside. But luckily I got to run outside for my brick. 3 hours of training- CHECK!

Sunday I had the BAA 10k. My brain was not in this race at all. At the start line I gave myself the permission to just run how I felt and whatever the result it was just a run and another one done in the Medley Distance. It was hot way warmer for 8am than I had planned. I am happy I stashed 1/2 a container of chomps in my bra before the run because I needed them at the 5k point. I hit my watch at the 5k and realized it was 30 something. Woah if I keep this up I can PR..... today?! I just focused on trying to keep the sub 10min mile pace I was doing. As I got close to the common where the finish was my watch was getting to 58. I was like crap I wanna get 59 something. I dug in. Screw it might as well try right?! As I ran down the finish chute D was screaming and tried to give me a high five but I just replied with "Close to a PR!" My watch said 1:00:08- BAA had me at 1:00:10. It wasn't the 59 something I had hoped- would've been nice to break 1hr. But when I looked it was still a PR by almost 40s. The awesome thing I am pretty psyched about is I negative split the 5ks- first one was 30:24 second 29:43.D had a great race- almost a PR- too especially since he was sick this week!

After the race we headed over to Hopkinton state park to get in an OWS. I think the swim area there is about 200 yds so we got in about 1200yds in the 30min we were there. I think the swim really helped with my recovery I am feelin pretty good today. Another big training week ahead and it looks like a lot of rain and of course I have meetings all week! Oh well just another day in the Full Time Career trying to be a competitive triathlete life.

Recovery and Ramp Back Up

Following Rev3 Quassy I have spent the last almost 2 weeks in recovery. Its strange! I am not used to having no heavy workout on the schedule. A lot of swims and a lot of biking last week. Yesterday was my first run back. I went out and ran with Boston Luna Chix. I felt super sluggish. My legs felt like I was running thru mud. I did 4mi in 42min- which isn't a super slow pace but no land speed record. My heart rate was thru the roof. I couldn't run in a zone 2 if I needed too. Even though I wasn't feeling great it was really nice for my first run back to be with a supportive group of ladies. They were all full of congratulations on finishing my race which somehow made the run not soooooo bad.

Next week I ramp back up. This weekend I am going to do a 1mi swim open water just a small local event. I want to get more swim races in. You just can't simulate the open water swim of a triathlon in the pool. Sunday is going to be a fun ride I think I am goin to try to get D to join. I have Timberman in August and it is time to ramp back up! The goal for Timberman sub 7 hours! Time to train for it starts Monday!!!

Triathlon Bubble- My Ideal Society

So I thought a lot this weekend about this awesome bubble of triathlon and racing I live in. While down at Quassy I was surrounded by and even talked with WORLD CLASS athletes. Then there is the literal sea of people you are surrounded with at races that are your weekend post work warriors- those of us that work the 9-5 job and still somehow train and compete in events. Looking around at the people around you at an event like Quassy it is hard to believe that the United States has an obesity issue! My twitter feed is full of other people just like me who train countless hours- enough for some people to consider it a second job.

The other thing I love about triathletes (more than any other race I am in) is the encouragement. From the caring about each other while setting up transition to words "you look great!" out on the course. It is really nice to be surrounded with this bubble that reminds you people actually do care about other people.

But man a step away from the race course I am reminded of the reality of the society I live in, the harsh real world. A world where I get beeped at and nearly run off the road by people every day- not just while on my bike. Where I rarely get so much as a Thank You for holding open a door. A world where EVERY ONE is special- can't single anyone out as being better than anyone else. Where we can't keep score in soccer games because there can't be a winner and a loser. I am quickly reminded in the real world of the obesity issue in this country and the harsh reality of the health problems it causes.

Today I read a great article about a teacher who told his students the truth- "you are not special."  I have to say I am glad to hear someone telling the next generation the truth!

I really would give anything to live in the triathlon bubble. Maybe make my own world filled with other athletes who care about themselves and the people around them. Where it is okay to have someone win and someone else not take home a medal. I think that is the society I want to be a part of! At least for now I can visit it now and then and have my faith in humanity restored!