Swim Bike Run...Repeat

The Ironman Tattoo!

2009-09-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

So I have wanted a tattoo since I was a teenager but opted out for several reasons

1. I acknowledged that I was very young and even though I was in love with vampires, horses and some guy named Chris and thought I might be forever...maybe I shouldn't risk the teen angst tattoo and regret it later.

2 All my friends had them and abstaining from a tattoo was my form of rebellion.

3. Hello..they hurt!

I grew up, fell out of love with Chris, although I still like vampires and horses :)
and the desire for a tattoo was still there. The timing was never right and I never really latched onto what I wanted. Got married, 5 kids later and the desire was still there...I toyed around with some designs but nothing seemed just right.

In 2005 I lost a bunch of weight, found triathlon and was blown away by how passionate I am for the sport. Triathlon came to me when I was at a pretty low point. It bought me through to where I am today. I am in the best shape I have ever been, I have kids who are excited to be active with me and I have accomplished things that I never thought possible. I went into Ironman season not knowing at all of I could even finish, let alone enjoy the experience. I came out the other side feeling like I can now accomplish anything.

So many people do the Ironman and rush right out for the tattoo. I thought..ok..now is my chance..I think this is it. The tattoo makes me feel strong and happy and reminds me of what I have done and what I can do.

It may not be for everyone but as my husband says..it really suits you.

I did a lot of sketching and combining art pieces to get it just right. I went to Slave to the Needle on Sunday and 3 hours later I walked away with a permanent reminder of the fact that I am strong and happy

Ironman Canada 2009!

2009-09-02T15:13:00.001-07:00

Well I did it! After a year plus of training I finally did it and it feels great.
I went into IMC knowing I could finish but not knowing how fast I would be able to go.

PRE-RACE:

We arrived in Penticton the Tuesday before the race and got settled into our rental house. I arrived with my husband, 5 kids and Mom and Dad so it was a full house but we were all pretty comfortable. I spent the week relaxing with the family and doing minimal workouts with the team. All in all we had 16 people on our team racing and the level of support we got from each other and our coach, Jill Fry was awesome.

The night before the race I ate 2 pieces of pizza and some bread and went to bed by 9 pm. Surprisingly I slept really well the night before.

Race Morning:

Up at 3:30 a.m.

coffee
vitamins
2 pastries
3 eggs
water
2 thermolytes

5 a.m. Got to the race site, dropped off the bags, got body marked, entered transition and loaded up my bike for the day. Saw lots of people from the team which made me feel relaxed. At 6:10 I put on the wet suit and headed across the timing mat and onto the beach. I saw Coach Jill and my family and teammates and was so excited to race!

Swim 1:27:21

I started to the back and to the far left as my coach had told me to and she was so very right! I had a great swim with minimal contact. I stayed slow and relaxed the whole way. After rounding the first houseboat I veered a little off course but got back into the fray soon enough. I was hoping for a time closer to 1:22 but I exited the swim smiling and relaxed so good enough!

T-1 5:14

Tried to get through this quickly but still took 5 min. to get through all the steps. Had the wet suit ripped off and had to find my bag, into the tent and took the time to change the wet shorts into dry tri shorts. Sunscreen on and off I went.

Bike 6:50:41

Took off down main street like a flash but within a few blocks reined it in to my planned 17-18 m.p.h. Had a lovely tailwind out to the lake and spun easily up McClean Creek Road. Had another decent tailwind through Oliver all the way to Oysoyoos an I held the heart rate in check and took advantage of the free speed. I was taking in my salt, liquid and calories all on schedule and felt great. I spun up Richter pass and started hitting a bit of wind on the rollers. The out and back was really tough with another head wind but I was following my plan and knew mentally to expect this. I hit special needs, loaded up and was off again within 2 min. The climb up to Yellow was slow and steady and I continued to feel strong. Up to the top with all the people lining the streets cheering..how incredible was that? Awesome! Just like that I was screaming down the hill and hit a new personal best of 49.8! I noticed on the downhill that the smoke from the local wildfires was getting pretty thick where I was and the smell and the smoke inhalation started to make me nauseous. Turned left to head back into town and felt like I was cycling through glue. I big headwind hit me here and it was a long tough slog into town. This took a lot of my mental energy and sucked it all away. I was really hoping and on track for a 6:30 split and was really distraught to see the time slipping away as I could barely hold onto 13 or 14 m.p.h. on what should have been a fast section. Back into town and pulled into T-2 where I saw Greg working the bike dismount(Hey Greg!! I still owe you a beer!)

T-2 4:24

Happy with this transition. Bike was thrown to a volunteer, bag handed to me and a wonderful volunteer had me sit, dumped out my bag and helped me get ready for the run. I was still feeling queasy but not too bad.

Run 5:44:56

It all comes down to the run doesn't it? This was where the wheels came off. I felt my race at this point was going great. My bike was a bit slow but other than that I was having a good race. I was having the race that I had planned for and trained for. I felt good heading out. Ran past the team tent, past Coach Jill and Zot, past the kids and several friends. I was so excited that it was down to the run and I was going to finish strong. I made it to mile 2 and took in the planned nutrition. One cup of water, one cup of pepsi, ice in the sports bra and 2 cold sponges squeezed over my head. About 1/2 mile later my stomach rolled and I barely made it to the side of the road to projectile vomit. I continued like this for miles. At mile 4 I ceased taking in any liquids at all and started to walk more than I ran. This continued until mile 10 or 11 when I finally started to feel a bit better. I continued to run/walk until the turn around at which point I made the decision to walk the hills and run the downhills. This worked out ok. I basically would run until my stomach started to roll and then walk until it settled.There were so many people crashed out on the side of the road and ambulances racing by. It was like a battlefield. I have since found out about 9 percent of the field DNF'd for various reasons. Not sure if this is typical or not but there were a lot of bodies scattered about for sure! I saw tons of people I knew on the course which was great. It made me so happy to hear some yell, "Hey JFT!!!" I started to pick up the pace a little as my mood improved. I was heading in and was still seeing a ton of people heading out on the run. The last few miles were TOUGH! The nausea was returning and I was just trying to keep it together. I was feeling crappy but so elated because I knew the finish line was within reach, I pulled into town and the crowds were insane! The final turn to head to the Sicoumous was actually great for me. All of those people just screaming your name....unbelievable! Saw coach again along with my family and I knew I just needed to suck it up and get there. Down the chute with huge smile on my face and just like that it was over.

Final Finish Time 14:12:34
Age Group Place 112/159

Post race: So I was lucky enough to cross into the finish area on my own 2 feet. I had my warm space blanket, my medal and I was good to go. Met up with John Marquis from my team who is about the nicest man on the planet. He had just finished his IMC volunteer shift and was hanging out with me I asked him if it was ok to sit in the grass and he said sure. We sat and talked for awhile and I asked if it was ok to lie down and I think he said ok. That is about when I passed out I guess I got into a wheelchair and I remember hurling copious amounts of vomit first on myself and probably John (Sorry John, I guess I owe you a beer too!!!) and then into a ziploc. My blood pressure was taken and registered a whopping 73/60 and that was my golden ticket to an iv. I had 2 liters put in and was finally able to sip enough gatorade to be allowed out of the med tent 90 min. later. I was so cold it was unbelievable!

My best friend and husband greeted me with a warm sweatshirt and whisked me back to the hot tub at the rental house. I think I made it 15 min before I passed out for the night!

THANKS!!!!

Many many thanks go to my husband who was single parent for so many weekends while I rode and ran, my kids who were/are my biggest cheerleaders, my best friend who would drive any distance to see me race and support me, my team mates who patiently answered all of my iron newbie questions and talked me down off the ledge when needed, my other tri buddies who kept me showing up to long runs and swims, my chiropractor who "fixed" me repeatedly and finally to my coach, Jill Fry. Jill has been an inspiration to me from the first day I met her. She is an incredible athlete and talented coach who never hesitated to answer any questions that I had thoroughly and completely. She developed a plan to get me to IMC happy and injury free and she carried me with kid gloves this entire year. She brought me to the start line ready to race and left me with enough enthusiasm to sign up for 2010. So thanks coach Jill!!! You are my hero!!

I can't wait for Ironman #2!!

Ironman Camp Day 1 and 2

2009-07-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Well here I am back at Ironman camp again.

This camp is different than the one I went to in May. My coach (www.tricoachjill.com) hosted this camp and she is involved in my training on a daily basis so the camp is personal and tailored specifically to my needs. We arrived after a long and hot drive Wednesday evening. We are staying at a hotel right on Lakeshore drive right across from the lake and in the center of all the ice cream shops and restaurants. The kids are in heaven!

Thursday morning we woke up and met at the lake with our wetsuits in hand. Swam for about 40 min. and got the bikes ready to ride the entire course. We stayed together in a pack so we could discuss the course as we progressed. 40 miles in we arrived at the base of Richter pass, stocked up on water and calories and headed up the mountain for a nice steady climb. Until this point the weather had been holding steady in the low 80's and we had clouds but just a sprinkling of rain. As we descended off of the back side of Richter the wind picked up quite a bit and the rain started to pour. The thunder and lightning that were off in the far distance all the sudden seemed to be right on top of us as we climbed and descended the 7 rollers on the course. Visibility was getting next to impossible and the winds were blowing us all over the roads. At one point lightning hit the hillside on our left and started a small fire...yikes! There was nothing to do but keep going as there was no shelter nearby. We pushed on slowly until about mile 65 where we found a fruit stand where we could get under a shelter. Our aid cars didn't have enough room for most of us but they ferried a few bikes and athletes back into town about 30 miles away, unloaded and came back for the rest. The temperature at this point had dropped to 58 degrees and none of us ha warm or dry clothes so the hour plus wait was awful. Zot finally came to get me with the heat blasting in the van and it was wonderful!

I had a hot bath and got into dry clothes and spent the rest of the evening trying to unclench my fists. I think I left permanent marks on my handlebars from gripping them so tight. I have never been outside in a storm that severe, let alone biking in it.

Day 2

Today we woke up to a sunnier day. Swam long in the lake and coach ran us through all the things we would need to know for the swim and transitions on race day. After a quick breakfast we carpooled out to Skaha lake for a run out to the marathon turn around and back to the marina. The weather was perfect. 80 degrees and a good wind with no rain in sight. This was my first chance to get a look at the hills close to the turn around and they were challenging for sure. Ran back to the marina and stood up to the hips in the cold lake to cool our legs and aid recovery. Coach's husband, Mike arrived with many pizzas and we ate a bunch and headed back to town.

Zot and the kids and I rented a 6 person bicycle trolley and road all over the waterfront in the afternoon which was so much fun albeit not aerodynamic!

Had dinner with the team tonight and I have just finished gearing up for tomorrow.

The plan is a one hour swim, quick transition on shore followed by biking the entire run course at our own paces. We will return to town to throw the bikes in the room and the transition quickly for a 1 mile run. Should be a goo race simulation. We will have aid stations set up so we have bike course support just like in the race.

This is a great way for us to practice our race day nutrition and pacing. I am still trying to iron everything out.

Can't wait!

Pacific Crest Half Ironman

2009-06-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

This race was the toughest race experience I have ever had but it also was the most beautiful and I do enjoy a challenge.

Got into Bend, Oregon on Thursday evening, checked into hotel and had an early bed time

FRIDAY: Up early and at the Athlete Village to register. Met up with the coach and some team mates to bike on the run course. The course is not too hilly but winds incessantly on the bike/run paths at Sun River Resort. You can't see more than 40 feet in front of you which makes it mentally challenging for a half marathon.

Drove up to the reservoir to rack the bike. The basic gist of the race is that you swim in this beautiful reservoir, which happens to be at 4700 feet, bike 58 miles around Mt Bachelor to an elevation of 6300 feet and then descend to 4200 feet into Sun River for T-2 where your meander through Sun RIver for the Half Marathon.

The water looked beautiful but cold!

Had an early pasta dinner at the athlete village and listened to the race meeting and then off to bed.

RACE DAY
5a.m. Up..took a thermolyte and ate eggs and pancakes, drank a big glass of water
5:50: left with team mates Anna and Judith with all the geat for t-2. Laid out the run transition stuff.
6:30 Got on the bus for the reservoir. 45 min later we arrived, put nutrition on the bike and laid out T-1

The race was delayed by 30 min since a bus transporting athletes was stuck in construction traffic. This impacted us in a few ways, my nutrition was slightly off and we would be racing later which means more heat but not a big deal

We warmed up in the swim which was a GREAT idea since the temp of the water was 60 degrees After the warmup I felt great

SWIM 45:03

Started slow which I never do, stayed consistent and strong, got kicked a few times but no biggie, felt great the WHOLE time which never happens. I attribute this to coach Jill helping with my stroke and showing me how much energy I conserve when I swim the right way. I wasn't fast but I was 4 min faster than last years Half and I got out feeling like I could go right back in and swim again.

T-1 Took forever! 2:31...I had to take everything off and put it in a bag for transport back to Sun River. Had to remember to tie the bag..ugh!

BIKE 3:12:20 This is slightly different fro most halfs in that it is 58 miles instead of 56. My bike was AWESOME!! I really loved this course! The hills were challenging but not terrible. The scenery was beautiful. The sun started to get hot and yet I was climbing high enough to have big snow drifts right next to me. At the top of the last climb before the long descent I got smacked in the head with altitude sickness which manifested itself in a huge throbbing headache and nausea. I have had this once before in Colorado and it sucks! My nutrition and salt had been spot on. I drank 16 oz of water the first hour, 2 thermolytes and 250 calories, same for the second and third hour. I knew it was not nutrition. I threw up going downhill thank god but felt awful pulling into t-2

T-2 3:05 I unloaded my bike, shoes and hat on and ran all of 50 feet to the aid station in T-2. I grabbed a bunch of ice and sat in the shade at the side of the road for 20 min with ice under my hat on my head I had packed some advil and took 3. My headache was just relentless. By now it was about 88 degrees and I don't think the heat helped :)

RUN: 2:41:15 After 20 min I got up and walked/jogged the half marathon. Each mile aid station I drank 2 cups of water and added more ice to my head. My hands and feet started to swell so I backed off the salt and kept to water only.

FINISH: 6:44:14 12/29 in Age Group. I am not thrilled with this time but here is what I am thrilled with:

1. This course is VERY challenging and I didn't DNF
2. I only spent 10 min. in the medical tent getting oxygen and the headache FINALLY went away.
3. My nutrition seemed spot on
4. I still beat my time from Lake Stevens last year by 12 min. and that is with sitting on my arse for 20 min which shows you how slow I was last year~
5. I am slightly sore but really feel ok this morning..glad to have a few days of rest.

Issaquah Triathlon 2009

2009-05-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

I went into this race with a little bit of trepidation. Since training for Ironman I have been doing a lot of slow long endurance stuff and I was hoping that I could find the fast twitch muscles again for a sprint distance.

Up at 4:45 am after a good nights sleep..breakfast and coffee in the car. Got to the race site around 5:30, racked the bike, set up the transition area and brought my bag over to our new team tent to meet up with the team.

Everyone seemed relaxed and calm for the first tri of the season. The weather was PERFECT. The water was perfect and I felt great. Warmed up in the water for 15 min and stood around chatting before the start.

SWIM 7:23

This honestly was the roughest swim I have ever had. I have done a lot of wave starts and it was NOTHING compared to this swim. It was short but brutal. I started out front of my wave which was 88 women deep. Gun went off and I dove in, 2 women directly in front of me flipped over on their backs and started to backstroke and I basically swam over them after crashing into them. Not a good start. Until the final buoy I found no place to swim where I wasn't being pummeled and boxed in. I was hoping for a sub 7 swim but it was not to be.

T-1 1:45 Uneventful. Rode in just the tri suit, no glasses, no gloves and it was fine.

BIKE 39:33 22.62 m.p.h.

This was both my triumph and my downfall. I had some big time frustration with this course as the no passing zones seemed excessive. The areas just outside the no passing zones were also difficult to pass in as several women were trying to tell me I could not pass when I could. I felt great on the bike. I felt like I was flying. I hammered up the hills and stayed in aero for most of the ride. I passed a whole lot of people and was only passed a handful of times. Got stuck behind a pack of people in the no pass zone but my time was almost a 5 min improvement from last year!

T-2 1:11 Again, uneventful, run shoes on, helmet off, hat on ...go!

RUN 26:52

And this is where that fast bike caught up with me. I felt really slow and stiff starting out and my legs did not really feel like they were ok until after the first mile. Even after that first mile I never got a good pace going. The course is cross country and the footing is weird for me so I was rolling my ankles right and left. It was not a pretty run for sure but I know now I need more work on the bike/run balance for next time.

In all I was happy with this race. It was fun to do and I improved by almost 7 min from last year. Aged up into a more challenging age group and still maintained 10th place.

TOTAL TIME 1:16:45 10/88 age group

Best thing for me was being 147/940 on the bike!

Day 3 Full IMC bike course plus 20 min run

2009-05-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Up early for coffee and breakfast

The day was a bit overcast but warmer than the previous 2 days. Suited up with lots of random layers and remembered to sunscreen really well. Took off with the medium paced group for the ride out to Husky. Had a headwind again but pushed a bit harder this time around. I also started on tired legs that seemed to remember the 95 plus miles on Friday an the 2 hour run on Saturday. McClean Creek Road was there before I knew it and it was a hard first little hill. Legs were not happy. At Husky we stopped at the aid station where I took off arm warmers and booties. The day was really starting to heat up. Started the climb up Richter and seemed to have some gearing issues in the first half. I figured it out and spun up to the top. Friday we had a tailwind. Today we just had a lack of wind. The rollers were tougher this go around. Got to the out an back and didn't skip it today. Pushed another headwind. I was taking my Thermolytes every hour which worked fine on Friday but now it was about 15 degrees warmer and I started having some issues. I felt like my helmet was getting tighter and the top of my head felt tingly and numb. It occurred to me that I was really needing more sodium so I began taking a lot more salt. After about 30 min. I was feeling better and stronger. False flats were tough and then a windy climb to the top of Yellow Lake and a scary descent with crosswinds picking me up and blowing me around quite a bit.

Tried to spin a bit coming into town but my toes were on fire at this point an I just wanted to be done. Ran the bikes into the room, running shoes on, hat on, angry music on ..GO! One mile run out and back felt like hell but then we were back at the Slumberlodge and DONE!!

Hobbled over to the icy lake and sat up to my waist for the requisite 15 min.

Warm shower and then out to dinner with friends. A great day.

110.6 miles total

6 hours 33 min

16.8 m.p.h average

I am so ready to just sit on my arse and enjoy my Monday and Tuesday off.

I am so glad I did this camp now to build up my confidence. I have another camp in July with my coach. I am really looking forward to improving on my time and training more in lovely Penticton.

Sleeping in tomorrow and ambling home.

Day 2 run and swim but without the swim!

2009-05-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Had another great day today. Up early, walked to coffee and came back to sunscreen up and go to the camp meeting at 8:00 a.m.

We drove in groups about 5 miles into the out and back marathon course and parked at the marina. I wanted to do about 2 hours on the course so I plugged in the tunes and off I went. The course is not flat but I was feeling good this morning and running strong. The day was beautiful and the course runs along a lake so how bad can that be. Stopped to get some water at the aid station mile 4 and ran a few more miles before turning around and heading back. Got in about 11.5 miles nice and easy.

Stood in the FREEZING cold water at the marina for a good 15 min. up to my waist to cool down my legs, grabbed some food an Paul and I headed back to the room. After a quick shower it was off to the famous Bike Barn to peruse the goods. I almost bought a kids xl bike jersey which would have fit me. It was covered in cupcakes and said "Riding cupcake mountain"

Back to the room where I held the realistic thought process about doing the open water swim. The lake we were to go to was rumored to be "ok" as far as temps went but no one could really explain what "ok" was. I was STILL cold from soaking my legs earlier plus all the training was catching up on me so I opted for an endurance nap instead.

Woke up, dressed and headed over to the Penticton Lakeside Motel for a buffet dinner with the 50 plus athletes at the camp. Paul and Anna had been to this banquet before and wisely guided me to pick out dessert first before I ate dinner so they would not run out. Us triathletes can EAT!

Had a lovely time. At the end Cal, the director of the camp talked about the ride tomorrow. We will be going off in staggered groups with the slowest ones leaving at 7, then 7:30, 8 and 8:30. The staggering is to prevent those who are fast starting to early and missing the aid stations before they are set up.

Paul and I will be riding in the 7:30 group. The plan is to do the full course, with the out and back, all 112 miles followed by a 30 min run.

Best part of the evening was listening to a talk by the legendary Steve King who has been the announcer and the voice of Ironman Canada for 30 plus years. He is an incredible athlete and announcer. He told a number of inspiring stories and really got me thinking of this journey I am taking and what it means to me.

After the talk, Paul introduced me to him and he is one of those people who remembers everything. Maybe he will remember me when I cross that finish line in August.

Back to the hotel to get bottles loaded with nutrition mixed and put in the fridge, clothing laid out and bikes ready for the big ride tomorrow. It is looking to be in the 80's so a tough day for sure.

Tomorrow is last camp day. I will leave Monday morning for home. I miss the kids and husband something awful but I think I needed to this trip on my own to just focus on me.

I sat around tonight around all these athletes here finally feeling like I am one of them.

Day 1 and ready for bed!

2009-05-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

Had probably the best bike ride of my life today. Started out around 10 a.m. after pre ride camp meeting and grouping. A group of about 20 of us left the Slumberlodge and headed out to Ok Falls. At the falls we battled a headwind to Husky Station which was our first aid station. Loaded up on gatorade and cookies and off we went. We were about 2 hours in at this point and began the long climb up Richter Pass. It was a long slow slog but nothing in steepness to what I have been doing back home. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself up at the top with not too much effort. I did a good job at this point regulating my salt pills and hydration. The day was starting to heat up and I sweat buckets of salt. Started the rollers and they seemed to go on for quite awhile. Kept in an easy gear and tried to spin as much as I could. At the 60 mile mark we hit the next aid station and again I took the salt tabs, loaded up on water and electolytes and downed a few cookies an off we went. Down to the turn, climbed up through the false flats to the base of Apex mountain. This is where the famed climb to Yellow Lake begins. The climb is short (a few miles) and steeper than Richter but is difficult after such a long day. Just when I started to really feel it I was done. Top of the hill, another aid station. More salt tabs and a magic cup of coke. Arm warmers and gloves back on for the steep descent. A few more rollers, some screaming downhill and then we were pushing back into Penticton. Got to the hotel, grabbed food, threw the bike in the room an went across the street to Lake Okanogan to sit up to my waist in 50 degree water. A great recovery habit!

I am so happy I was able to do this and have a positive experience. I feel like Ironman is in reach.

Final numbers

95 miles
5:50 hours
16.2 mph

Tomorrow we carpool out to the turn around of the marathon course and run back. The run is NOT flat and I suspect I will have legs of lead but I will do what I can.

Will post more tomorrow night.

Ironman Canada Camp Day 1

2009-05-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in my hotel room waiting for the others to wake up. Paul and I drove from Bellevue to Penticton yesterday. We met at 10 a.m. which is just about the time I looked down at my bike and noticed that my rear brake pads were almost worn through. I usually am not one to ride the brakes so my guess is that they were never replaced during my last tune up..grrrr. Shame on me for not noticing. Paul was kind enough to cart us to Sammamish Valley Cycle where they replaced the pads in 2 min. Thanks guys!

The rain was coming down pretty hard as we climbed the pass but tapere off as we got into eastern Washington. Stopped for lunch, crossed the border around 4:30 with no issues. Paul has done this camp for 4 years now and this will be his 3rd Ironman Canada so he knows his stuff. He drove me almost the entirety of the bike course so I could finally see Richter Pass, the rollers. the out and back and Yellow Lake. The course looks tough but it is not as scary as I thought it would be. Soooo glad we drove it.

Checked in to the famous Slumberlodge right across from the Peach and the race start. We bought a ton of food from Safeway and then Paul and I walked down Lake shore to a mediocre Mexican restaurant. After dinner we got our bikes set up for the following morning.

Had a good nights sleep. Tried hard to sleep until 8 but woke up at 6:45 ready to go. Took a shower and walked to Starbucks. It is a gorgeous morning. Sunny and should be close to 70 today!

Pre-ride meeting/welcome to camp happens at 9:30 and we will depart on bike at 10. Today is about riding steady and just getting through the 100 miles. I will practice more of a race day scenario while riding the whole course on Sunday.

I am looking forward to tucking into that steep descent off of Yellow Lake with shiny new brake pads!

Will post more later

First race 2009 Mercer Island Half Marathon

2009-03-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

I went into this race feeling well trained but with a bit of trepidation regarding some persistent hip soreness. The week prior I had backed off a bit from the more intense training and was starting to feel a bit better but it was still there in the back of my mind.

My coach had given some excellent advice for all of us on the team to make peace with the idea that the race was going to hurt. Tell yourself that at some point you are going to want to stop and try to convince yourself to just go one minute more..and then another.

Got to the race site early and without the kids which is unusual but good. I knew they were home sleeping and not standing in the cold waiting for me to finish. I was able to meet up with the team, drop my gear with them, warm up and get in line in plenty of time. I had about a 10 min warm up and lined up with the pack of 9-10 min per mile pacers.

Gun wet off and it took me over 2 min. to actually cross the start line due to the thousands in front of me. Race plan said to run 9:10's for the first 3 miles then off of HR for the rest of the race. I started out too fast since the first mile has a nice downhill stretch, ran about an 8:30 for the first mile and then pulled back to try to get back to the plan. I felt absolutely great until about mile 6 when the hip pain came back. It was at this point that the voice Coach Jill told us about started to talk to me and tell me to quit then and wait for medical. I reasoned that this was a bad idea as I had not seen any medical around and would therefor need to stand in the cold rain waiting. I was still holding a good pace and talked myself into staying in the race until mile 7 to see how I felt. Mile 7 and 8 came and went and then I convinced myself that even thought 8 is not particularly close to "being done" with 13.1 miles that I was almost finished and it would be silly to stop now.

At mile 9 the pain increased and I reminded myself that I had an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's coffee flavored frozen yogurt at home. I could eat all of it if I just kept at my pace and ran the race according to plan. I started to fall apart at mile 11-12 but had enough in the bank from some faster miles to give a little wiggle room.

The last hill was a killer but when I saw Jill and then Zot and the kids I pushed up and over and finished strong.

Goal was to break 2 hours and official time puts me at 1:59:51!!

Things that are good

1. Nutrition was spot on. 2 fuel belt bottles in my pockets with 175 calories each
2. Stuck with the race plan
3. Dressed just right..not to cold or warm
4. Broke 2 hours!

Things that could be better

1. I need to build up my pain threshold to get through Ironman
2. I still can barely walk almost 36 hours (and several ice baths) later

All in all a great race.

Winter Pineapple Classic 2008

2008-11-16T19:24:00.001-08:00

Fueled on chocolate chip oatmeal cookies I baked this morning and fear I lined up with my 3 JFT2 compadres at the 2008 Winter Pineapple Classic 5k for a rough and tumble 3.1 miles. Decked out in out gorgeous mumu's we were obviously in it to win it. Teams of 4 in waves of 20 left every 60 seconds to tackle the obstacle course of doom while maintaining possession of the team pineapple for the duration of the race. The layout of the course and tropically adorned elite competitors made for an formidable set of opponents but in typical fierce JFT2 style we brought it and crushed the competition passing dozens of teams with a cry of "MUMUS ON YOUR LEFT"...ruffles and flowers flying. We were passed by no one and feared by all.

We did not all survive unscathed..there were band aids on knees..oh yes. But no crying..none!

Base Training Update

2008-11-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since my last post. I spent a good week recovering from Nationals and planning out the rest of the year. Mid October found me at the Salmon Days Festival in Issaquah running the 10k. The morning did not start well. I woke up covered in hives for some reason..nice. Took a few swigs of Benadryl on the way to the race and met up with fellow JFT2'ers. Started too fast of course. HR up to 197...yikes! Ran pretty much balls out the whole way and crossed the like in 57:02..sprinted to the porta potty and hurled. Yuck.

Next up is the Seattle 1/2 Marathon November 30th.

I have been taking a bunch of tests to get ready to start with the coach full time in January. Swim tests, bike testing and most recently..a visit to Seattle Performance Medicine for their "triathlete testing package"

Got to the facility at 8:00 a.m. where I handed my bike to a lab tech and got dressed for the bike. I was put into a room where I laid on a table while they put a bunch of electrodes on me as well as an oxygen/co2 mask. I had to lie there for 30 min so they could calculate my resting metabolic rate. That was the easy part.

Next up was the Vo2 max and blood lactate tests on the bike. They had removed the pedals from my bike and measured the distance of the pedals to the floor and then placed these on their ergometer bike. They measured my seat height and reach as well. Got on the bike with the oxygen mask thingy and they basically would increase the tension on the bike until I was pushing 250 watts in order to gauge my VO2 max. This was really freakin' exhausting but it only took 15 min. I had a rest, drank some calories and did a second lactate test to determine at what point lactate seeps into my legs and makes them feel like lead. Fun!

I got off the bike and after a 10 min. break I changed into run shoes and hit the treadmill. The mask was still on and I was put at a very slow jog (4.9 m.p.h.). They started the test and began to increase the incline every 3 min. by 3%. The test ended when we reached 15% and I gave the thumbs down that I was going to die.

Another break and again on the treadmill for the last test. I was started at 5.0 m.p.h and kept on a flat run with just an increase in speed every 2 min. 5.5,6.0.6.5.7.0, 7.5....DONE!!!

I was told to shower and change while the tester prepared a report. I showered and changed and had enough time to eat before meeting with Brady to go over the results.
Briefly went over the tests with Brady and then met with Dr. Cooper who analyzed the results and gave me some great information.

This had to be the most valuable tool I have ever used in triathlon. They were able to tell that my Vo2 max is good for both the bike and run and that I am definitely at the level of an athlete which is cool! They determined what my AT (aerobic threshold) is at both the bike and run. These numbers will be critical going forward for my coach to design my program. These numbers also showed that I am really pushing at much too high an intensity and I need to slow way down to build up my base. I have been ordered to spend the next 17 weeks swimming, biking and running at nothing greater than zone 2-3 or roughly 10 below my AT. I need to build this long slow distance base to prepare my body for what will probably be a 14-17 hour race in August.

I also learned that my Resting Metabolic Rate is ok at 1759 calories but that I am burning waaaay more protein than I should be. This is due to several factors. I am not consuming enough calories to sustain my training. The doctor wants me to increase calories by at least 1000 and eating before and after the workout is critical. My body is basically running out of carbs and converting my lean muscle mass to carbs to use for fuel which is obviously not good. I am also not burning fat since I am working at such a high intensity.

The report was forwarded to my coach who will use all these numbers to set my intensity levels from here on out.

So while I am still doing 12-15 hours of training per week, the difference is that I will be doing 3 hours of weight training and the rest will be a swim, bike and run an a slow and boring pace. Hopefully after 17 weeks I will have a good base of fitness and be able to start adding speed into the mix.

I sat on the trainer for 2 hours today spinning fast and dreaming about climbing those hills that I love so much. All in good time.

I wasn't last!!!

2008-09-20T23:34:00.001-07:00

USAT National Championship Race Report

Got to Hagg Lake on Friday at 1:00. Zot dropped me off and took the kids to lunch so I was able to pick up my race packet and listen to some of the talks in peace. I was able to get one of my bike jerseys signed by 4 members of the Olympic team which is really cool!

At 2 I was able to get into transition to rac my bike and take a look at where I would come in from the swim, exit on the bike and then exit after T2 for the run.

The vibe was very unlike any race I have been to thus far. It was VERY competitive and I felt compelled to lose 15 pounds and buy a $4000 bike before the race the following day.

By 3 I left to go back to Amber's house for home made cupcakes (so delicious) and an early bedtime.

Saturday 5 a.m.

Up after a pretty good sleep, downed coffee, emergencee, 2 toaster pastries and a bananna and Amber drove me out to the race site. Into transition by 6:30. Loaded the nutrition onto the bike, set up the transition area, grabbed my wetsuit and checked in my bag into the security area. I was then body marked and given my timing chip. Ready to go!

The race started at 7:15 with the older age group and waves went every 4 min. until 7:30 or so when they had a 30 min break and then restarted to let the older people head out on the bike. My wave went off at 8:28. I warmed up a bit and then before I knew it we were in the water and the airhorn blasted and we were off! The buoys looked far away but the water was clear and felt great. What didn't feel so great was my ever stretching size too big wet suit pulling my legs down to the bottom of the lake. Angela, bless her, stood in line at Triumph, this morning and got a smaller size suit for me but this did not help me out in this race. I tried to just stay calm and get into a rhythm and I did fine. Not fast but I survived. Out of the water in 34 min.

Up a long hill to the transition area. Pretty easy, wet suit off, helmet on, glasses on, shoes on..GO!

Bike: Bike was HARD. This course kicked my ass. The first loop was ok. I tried to keep the heart rate in check but stay fast. On the second loop after about the 4th or 5th mile I felt a "something" happened with my left hip flexor which has been giving me issues lately. I had a lot of trouble after that point climbing with a lot of power. It just hurt. Got through the second loop and managed to pass a few people. Bike 1:24

T2 Uneventful

Run: A long slow slog. Up a hill, down a hill, up a hill, down a hill. All the while I was feeling it in that left hip. Started to old man shuffle up those last hills on the way back. Run took 1:04 which is about a 10 min mile. Not too impressive but good for how I was feeling.

Crossed the line and went right to the medical tent for ice which is the first time I have visited a medical tent after a race.

Total time 3:08. Pretty sure I was at the bottom of my age group but I was 864/1200 overall so I for damn sure was not last.

I would love to go back to this race again and blow it out of the water, qualify for Team USA and go to Worlds but for now I was really just thrilled to be there. Got a sweet National Championship jacket at the finish and my kids think I am a rockstar!

Ironman Canada

2008-08-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

What an amazing experience. Hands down one of the most emotional races I have ever attended.

Amber and I headed up to Penticton on Friday afternoon. Border crossing sucked as it was reduced to one lane. Got into our marginally acceptable hotel room early evening and drove into Penticton for dinner.

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to meet 2 team mates at the swim start for a 45 min. swim and run. The whole beach area was just electric with nervous athletes getting in their last swim before the race on Sunday. The water was clear and the beach was not rocky at all. It stays shallow for quite awhile so I was able to walk out a ways and get used to the cold water gradually. I was able to see the marker for the turn buoy far in the distance. 2.4 miles is just a really long distance to swim!

Got out, dried off and slipped on some shoes for a fun 5 mile run with friends. Running through Penticton and seeing all the hoopla surrounding an Ironman weekend was really cool. Met up with many members of the team who were racing the following day. I began to feel sick to my stomach at this point seeing how nervous they were.

After a nice lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant Amber and I headed to the local park near the expo to meet Lyle the Finish Line Captain and about 200 people who also volunteered along with me to "catch" athletes after they cross the finish line. We were instructed in the best way to offer support to the finishers without touching them unless they need to be touched.

Out to dinner an back to the hotel for an early night or so I thought. Sleep eluded me. I was so nervous for the team and anxious to see the race begin that I didn't fall asleep until midnight.
Up at 5. Got to the race site by 6 and staked a place along the waterfront for the 7 a.m. start.

Cannon boomed at 6:45 and the pro men and women surged into the water. Cannon boomed again at 7 a.m. and 2400 athletes piled into the water. It was just chaos. I left after the swimmers headed out and put myself on main street to see them as they came out of T-1 and out on the bike. 45 min. later the first pro male screamed by on his bike headed south out of town. The streets were covered in chalk with messages for the departing athletes. The streets were packed 4 deep with fans cheering the athletes as they started their long day.

I saw a few team mates leaving on the bike and then later(5-7 hours) I saw them come back in and begin the run. The 112 mile bike course winds through wine country and is relatively flat and/or rolling hills for the first 30 miles. The road then heads west for a sharp and long climb up Richter Pass, through more rollers and another even longer climb to Yellow lake. It was windy as hell that day and I know the bikes were getting blown all over the road.

At 4 p.m. I started my job as "finish line catcher" just in time to see one of my heros, Belinda Granger (a pro triathlete) I was in a tent directly behind the finish line with about 100 other people. Each of us paired with a partner and as the athlete crossed we ran to either side of them. I would gently put my hand on their back and tell them they could lean on me. 95% of the time they would practically collapse on my partner and I. We would have to keep them moving and walk them toward the medical tent and athlete recovery area. We tried to assess them on the walk over to see if they needed medical. Some people seemed just fine and could go get food and sit down. Some were in obvious pain or were incoherent at best. We handed them off to medical and got back in line to catch more.

I got to tag out other catchers and catch 10 people I knew who were racing. 5 of them were completing their first Ironman and I was honored to be there to support them. One woman on my team who raced faster than she expected nearly killed herself on the marathon and burst into tears after she crossed the line. It was so emotional. I have been training with these men and women for 8 months now and to see what they are able to do and how each one of them crossed that line within the 17 hour cutoff is so inspiring.

It started to get cold and rainy towards the end which did not runners out in the dark trying to reach the line. The crowd and finish line was pretty crazy with music blaring and the jumbotron showing the last little stretch before the finish line chute. And Mike Reily the announcer calling each athlete by name as they crossed the line and telling them that they were an Ironman.

Home late, freezing cold from rain I took a shower to heat up, emailed my coach with all the race details and passed out in bed.

Monday morning I woke early and headed down to the race expo to stand in a GINORMOUS line with 8 million other people to register for Ironman Canada 2009. When the line started to move I got put in a really short line with other volunteers for priority registration. I showed my passport signed on the dotted line and just like that I am in.

Amber and I could have a good time anywhere..but it was really nice to share this with her. Seeing the mad enthusiasm of the entire town for this race make me totally stoked. Next year it will be my turn and I will be the one being caught at the finish and becoming something a few years ago I would never have believed.

Federal Escape Olympic Race Report

2008-07-26T19:11:00.002-07:00

Up at 4 a.m. got into the pre-loaded van and headed for Federal Way. Breakfast consisted of two poptarts, coffee and a bananna. Breakfast of champions

5:30 transition opened and I was the first in line. First come first served racking which was great. I got an end rack right next to bike out after having EVERY race this year putting me by the swim in. I can run in my wetsuit but I have a hell of a time running efficiently with the bike.

6:00 met up with Judith, Melissa, Scott, Heather and Kristen, walked down to the swim, jogged a quick warm up and then got into the wetsuit and down to the swim start by 7:15

SWIM: 32:48
The swim went well for me as I improved my time from my first Oly by almost 6 min. Of course having a wetsuit helped. Having a wetsuit that is too big for me was not so good. I bought my suit about 10-15 pounds ago and I am happy to report that I am a women's medium instead of large. Swimming in the large is getting pretty unbearable. I feel like my arems and legs are filling with water and I am being weighted down. I felt pretty exhausted coming out of the swim because of this. The water at 5 mile lake is nice but visibility is zero and doing a two loop swim was strange.

T1: 1:30 Uneventful.

BIKE: 1:17:28. I felt great on the bike. This course is not hilly but rolling and we did a total of 4 loops at 5.83 miles each. I got slowed a bit by some traffic on the 3rd and 4th loop but overall I passed a fair amount of both men and women and was not passed by too many. Held back a bit and spun towards the end to save my legs for the run. I walked the aid stations at the last Oly I did and I was determined to RUN the whole 6.2 miles. Nutrition 16 oz. water/ 1 bottle gatorade and carbopro 370 colories

T2: 52.9 Pretty fast!

RUN: 54:19 For once the run felt great. I kept my heart rate in check on the first loop (3.1 miles) The run was NOT flat and I really had to focus. I kept 3 small fuel belt bottles with me filled with carbo pro and that really helped. I pushed it on the second lap and finished strong.

I beat my last Oly time by 21 min. which I am so proud of.

Total Time 2:47

OA (men and women) 99/353
OA (just women) 41/193

Age Group!!!!!! 7th (out of 40)

I took a quick shower at the park, met the kids and husband at the Microsoft picnic and ate so much I am embarassed.

Hy-vee Olympic Triathlon Race Report

2008-06-25T10:20:00.001-07:00

Rachel O'Connor
bib number: 1034
gender: F
location: DUVALL, WA
overall place: 926 out of 1257
division place: 60 out of 90
gender place: 230 out of 400
time: 3:08:47
pace: 0:
swim: 39:46
t1: 2:03
bike: 1:21:38
t2: 2:17
run: 1:03:05
penalty: 0:

Wow! I think that about sums it up. The race was incredible from start to finish. With the exception of Ironman it has got to be the most well supported race out there.

The Hyvee is held in Des Moines Iowa and is an ITU World Cup race. It has the largest prize purse for the elites in triathlon history. The winning men and women get 200k plus a Lexus. This year we had the added bonus of the elite race being the Olympic Selection event for the final man and woman to go to Beijing.

All the big names were there...Laura Bennet, Sara Groff, Sara Haskins, Becky LaVelle, Sara McClarty, Emma Snowsill, Hunter Kemper, ect.

Des Moines as you may or may not know had been inundated with flooding for weeks prior to the tri. I left Seattle on Friday June 13th and at the time it was said that there was no possible way to make the triathlon go. The lake/race site was 10 feet above flood stage, all available bodies of water for the swim were flooded and filled with run off with unhealthy levels of bacteria. It would be a duathlon for sure. The problem with this is that the Olympic Selection HAD to be a triathlon and if they could not pull it off then the selection would be moved to an alternate race on July 12th in another state. The city of Des Moines basically told the race director that he could have WHATEVER he wanted to make it happen. By Wednesday the waters had receded a bit and a miracle occurred....a race site was found. The swim portion was moved to a lovely lake in West Des Moines and the decision was made at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and announced.

I traveled out to the lake Thursday morning to get a look at it and saw no less than 500 volunteers/race staff transforming the area into a usable site. The beach was flooded so sand was trucked in, a brand new dock was built for the race start, blue carpet was laid everywhere and by Friday morning all the transition bike racks were set, swim in, bike out channels were made and timing mats were laid down. It was incredible.

I was able to get into the water both Wednesday and Thursday morning and after swimming in the freezing Lake Sammamish here, the 74 degree water felt great! The unfortunate part of the late notice is the fact that my wet suit was left at home. I was much slower in the water but I enjoyed feeling the freedom of swimming in a tri suit alone.Friday I also got a chance to bike a bit of the course. I ran into a police officer while on the course and asked him if the race would be closed to traffic and he said it would be and every officer in West Des Moines and Des Moines would be helping! Wow!

In the afternoon on Friday we went to the big race expo downtown. Again...a first rate event. We attended a pre race meeting and after that we were given a stamp which allowed us to pick up our race packet and have a bracelet put on our arm. The bracelet was the ticket we needed to get into transition to rack our bikes. This event was a two transition site event which was different for me.

Saturday morning bright and early I took my kids down to the kids duathlon at the race finish. Things were too chaotic and rushed to put together a tri for the kids at the lake so the finish line/stadium area was used. There were a million volunteers and over 500 kids racing. The race was great and Mary Lou Retton of all people was at the finish line to hand out medals to the kids. Aidan and Maddie had a great time. After their race we spent time in the athlete village and the kids loaded up on tons of swag.

Around 2 p.m. the transition area at the lake opened for bike racking. I racked the bike and walked the line from the swim exit to the bike and out the bike exit. Saw the buoy's on the course for the first time and 1500 meters all the sudden seemed like an impossible distance.

Left bike transition 2 miles away back to the finish/stadium where the second transition site was. Counted the number of racks from the bike dismount to my area and arranged my shoes, race belt and hat in a numbered bag for the run.

Got home by 5 and into bed by 8p.m. but sleep eluded me until about 11p.m.

I woke up at 3:30 a.m. race morning and ate a bagel with peanut butter, 8 saltines, coffee and gatorade. I also brought a banana with me to eat before the swim.
It was dark when we arrived at the race site at 4:30. I stood in line to get body marked and in another line to pick up my timing chip. The lines moved quickly and by 4:45 I was in transition loading up my bike and setting out my swim/bike transition space. I brought a 16 oz bottle with 250 calories of carbopro and gatorade as well as a water bottle.

The morning was absolutely stunning. The sun came up at 5:20 and the sky way clear blue except for a cloudy patch to the east and a huge rainbow! The air temp and water temp were the same at 74 degrees and I felt so happy to be there. I was nervous and excited. I think I was the only one without a wet suit but oh well. At 6:16 I got into the water with 89 other women in my age group and the horn sounded. I had swam to warm up and was already used to the water so I dove right in. The water felt great...the elbow to my face knocking my goggles off after about 200 yards did not. I had to stop and put them back on and dove back into the fray. The swim was pretty brutal. The men ages 40-44 took off 3 min. after my wave and by the second buoy they caught up and mowed me down. I took another hit to the back of my head and lost the goggles again! Overall the swim was great. I was slow but intentionally so. I did not want to freak out and I wanted to come out of the water feeling strong. It was the confidence boost I needed to feel like I can finish Lake Stevens in a few weeks.

Got out of the water feeling great! I did it and it didn't kill me. I loved the swim!
39:46 wasn't the best but with a wet suit and a little more hustle Lake Stevens should be better. Ran right to the bike, put goggles and cap in bag, shoes on, sunglasses and helmet and ran to the exit.

T1 2:03

On the bike and ZOOM. I loved the bike. I passed a LOT of both women and men and I averaged 18.2 m.p.h. which is good for me. The course marshalls were out in force and I had to push myself a lot to hammer past people once I entered their draft zone.

Bike 121:28 18.2 m.p.h

The course was actually a bit hilly. They found the only 4 hills in Iowa and they were all on the course. I felt a little worn hopping off the bike into T2. Helmet off, hat on, change shoes, race number and go. Nutrition felt pretty spot on. I drank 350 calories on the bike and 20 oz water. The air temp was now around 82 degrees and I was feeling it a bit.

T2 2:17

It takes about a mile to iron out my legs and loosen them up on the run. This took a bit longer as my hip flexor started to hurt a bit and I could not shake it. I ran slow and steady and walked the length of each of the 5 aid stations. I would take a sip of water and dump the rest on my head and then grab a gatorade and drink a sip.

Got to mile 5 and started to get pretty emotional. I felt tired but strong. One year ago to the day I had graduated from my weight loss program at the Pro Club after losing 90 pounds and now I was completing my first Olympic distance...cool.

I turned into the stadium which was PACKED with people cheering. I heard the announcer say "Let's welcome Rachel O'Connor to the finish line" and I heard my family yelling my name. I ran hard down the blue carpet and crossed the line.

Run: 103:05

I felt great after the race. I intentionally was just slow and steady but I needed the confidence of this race as a boost for the impending 1/2 iron. I was targeting 3:15 and was happy with 3:08.

My Dad and I gave all the gear to my family to take home and then we stayed all day for the Olympic Selection Event. The transition area was right inside the stadium for the bike to run. The women elites swam at the same lake 2 miles away, transitioned to the bike and then biked the 2 miles to the stadium crossing the blue carpet inside the stadium before beginning their 40k. They came into the stadium 7 times before doing their transitions not 15 feet from where we were seated. Amazing. They were blazing past us 25-30 m.p.h for each look and then they were in and out of T2 in a blink of an eye. A huge Jumbotron which had captured the age group swim and bike for the audience in the grandstand now showed us the excitement of this draft legal event. The U.S. girls worked well together but seemed to intentionally squeeze out Sara Groff who was battling Sara Haskins for the last Olympic team slot. In the end Emma Snowsill screamed to the finish after running 5:30 miles and ultimately won first place. Sara Haskins came in 3rd to win the final Olympic spot and was handed an American flag as she entered the stadium. Laura Bennet finished a respectable fourth. So exciting!!!

Watching these girls was such an inspiration.

Being a part of this race was awesome. The entire town was watching and involved. Hyvee is a local grocery store and when I went to buy groceries a few times before the race I was approached by many employees who saw my bracelet who wanted to wish me luck. I felt like a celebrity...The chips/snack aisle had a large TV broadcasting last years Hy-vee race and they were selling flags and merchandise in the store!

I am happy and proud to report that I now own a box of Frosted Flakes with Laura Bennet on the front as well as a box of Wheaties with Jarod Shoemaker. Only available in Iowa I guess!!

Left Monday at 5 a.m. with the van packed with husband and kids.

How does that Frosted Flakes/Tony the Tiger slogan go.......

I feeeeeeel GREAT!

Issaquah Sprint Results!

2008-06-01T15:30:00.001-07:00

602 Rachel O'Connor Duvall, WA 34 F 10 82 286
Swim 00:08:08.2 T1 00:02:07.4 Bike 00:45:18.6 T2 00:01:04.2 Run 00:26:05.1 Finish 01:22:43.4

I had a great time doing this race. Last year I came in around 1:37 so this is a huge improvement!

Getting 10th place in my age group is such a coup for me. Something I never expected. I am just thrilled. I am convinced that I did so well since I had everything so well planned. Last week I swam the course, I rode the course, I ran the course, I know the course! Mentally I had been going over not only my race plan but the actual race in my mind. I had been doing this daily for a few weeks before bed each night. I think knowing exactly how I was going to swim/bike/run and at what intensity as well as how to work each transition was very helpful.

Next year I will age up into the 35-40 year old category which is MUCH faster. I will probably not see a top 10 spot again for several years. I will just enjoy it now!

Here I am heading out on the bike. I am soaking wet and freezing!

imap://astor@mail5.zotnet.com:143/fetch%3EUID%3E.INBOX%3E145530?part=1.1.2&filename=2539888660_29fbb8c124.jpg

Churning Stomach...must be close to race day

2008-05-31T04:35:00.000-07:00

First race of the season tomorrow. It is just a sprint distance and not on my calendar as an "A" race but it is the first race and I want the experience to be positive. I am trying to just chill and use it as a way to iron out the kinks in my race plan for the Olympic "A" race June 22. I will go this afternoon to the race site to get body marked and swim the full course one more time. This will be my first race with a wetsuit so I am praying that I will be able to get the damn thing off of me in T1 before the race has ended and the race officials pack up and go home.

If you don't hear from me in a few days someone please come help me out of the damn wetsuit.

I am covering my arms and legs with PAM (the oil spray) Yuck! I hear it is helpful for yanking off the suit.

10 teammates are racing which is cool. We will all go get breakfast afterwards. I am honored to be a part of this team but these girls and boys are FAST and last year 5 of the girls placed in the top 10.

Off to review my lists and start packing up...

Will update after the race

Ironman Canada and this morning's swim

2008-05-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

Got up freakin' early for a 22 mile bike around Lake Sammamish and then a 30 min swim in the Lake with several team mates. The water feels a bit warmer and we ended up swimming the better part of a mile. It felt really nice.

I am going to a clinic tonight on the Issaquah race course to go over transitions between the swim and bike/bike and run. It is hard to believe that my first race of the season is on Saturday!

I am excited and a bit nervous but mostly excited. It is just a sprint distance which is a 1/4 mile swim/15 mile bike and 3.1 mile run but you need to do it balls out so it is intense. In the 1/2 ironmans you have time to settle in a recognize that it will be a long day. Sprints are just adrenaline filled chaotic races.

As we are nearing June I am getting a bit nervous about the 1/2 Ironman. What was 8 weeks away is now 5 and I am having a bit of anxiety. My coach has be basically busting ass between now and then so hopefully I will feel a bit more secure in a few weeks.

I have started planning out the Summer and staring at me in August is my trip up to Ironman Canada in Penticton. I need to be on site in order to sign up for 2009. I feel sweaty just thinking about signing up and committing to it but I know myself well enough to know that if I sign up I will find a way to put in the training and do it.

A nice long swim tomorrow and some rest on Friday and I should be ready for Saturday morning.

The 7 Hills of Kirkland

2008-05-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

Have not updated in awhile. I have been really out of the loop. Husband has been in Australia on a business trip (poor baby) for the past 2 weeks. I had the parents come in for most of the 2 weeks he was gone so I could continue to train. I got some really good rides in and surprised myself by not dying in the two open water swims I attempted. Because of the mountain snow pack melting and pouring into our lakes the temp in Lake Sammamish is averaging a balmy 58 degrees. The wetsuit makes thing bearable.

This morning I got up at 5:30 and met some of my team for the 7 hills of Kirkland ride. It is not a race, just a supported ride. I benefit for a domestic violence shelter in our area. They have 3 options. The traditional 7 hills which is a 40 mile course with 7 hills and 3000 feet of elevation gain, the metric century which is 58 miles, 11 hills with 4500 feet of elevation gain and the full century which is 100 miles, 13 hills and 5500 feet of elevation gain. I chose the metric while most of the rest of the team did the full century. Most of the rest of the team is ramping up for Ironman Canada and since that will not be in my race season until 2009 the 100 miles would not be a great idea for me. I got to ride with the team for about 30 miles and then split off with them and continued on my own. I was able to hook up with another team and run a pace line with them so we all got to take turns pushing the wind out of the way.

I finished feeling pretty strong but I did need to come home and take a nap. I am trying to figure out how the hell I am going to run a 1/2 marathon after a ride of that length.

Slow and steady right?

Anyway....here we are at the start before we got all sweaty and grimy

Drugs are good!!

2008-05-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Monday was my day off so no training to report. My cough seemed to get progressively worse on Monday and last night I had trouble lying down in bed. I was wheezing a lot and feeling a bit panicked. This morning I woke up feeling even cruddier with a dull ache in my chest. I got to the pool at 6 and got in my usual lane for my triathlon speed class. I was not speedy. I usually lead this lane as I am the fastest among the 3 other women but today I was last. I could not catch my breath. About 45 min. into the class my swim teacher told me I was done....I knew I was going to the doctor so of course I chose to then run 8 miles first in case the doctor told me I had to stop exercising :)

Went to immediate care to find out I have a case of crazy bad ass bronchitis. So now in addition to my vitamins I get to take antibiotics for 5 days as well as use an inhaler.

At least I should be over it soon.

Tomorrow morning I have a 2 hour hill ride scheduled. I will lower the intensity a bit so my lungs don't kill me but it should be a nice ride.

Parents are here to save my training as husband left today for 2 weeks in Australia. Poor baby

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

Headed up to Lake Stevens for my 4 hour ride and was hit with a deluge of rain as soon as I got out of the van. Melissa and Julie and I headed south to Redmond and ended up doing only a 3 hour ride. 46 miles in all with rolling terrain. It was a good ride but I wish I had gotten that extra hour. I spent the rest of the day (after a shower and hot tub) shopping and chilling with my new Ironman book at a local coffee shop.

Came home to smiling kids and a clean house!

I done been healed, y'all!

2008-05-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

Went out for a SLOW 2 hour run today. I covered maybe 12 miles but I kept my heart rate way down to 10 below AET and kept it totally at a conversational level. I followed Runner's World suggestion and used a hot wet towel on my calf this morning to wake it up. I then wrapped it and just went slow on the pancake flat run.

After I warmed up about 10-15 min into the run I removed the wrap since it bothered me and felt no pain for the duration of the run. Unfortunately I tried Cliff Shot Electrolyte today in Cran-razz flavor which basically tasted like berry-licious seawater so at about mile 6 I threw up.

But...I have no calf pain and that rocks. Got home and iced it just to be cautious.

Tomorrow we start at 6 a.m. in Lake Stevens to do the full 2 loop course again. 58 miles followed by a 6 mile run. I will hobble to the car and drive right to the pro club for a nice Mother's Day hot tub and sauna.

When I come home the kids should have the house cleaned!! Bliss.

It is going to be a good weekend

Better!

2008-05-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

I iced the calf all day yesterday and wrapped it with a tight bandage. This morning I met Wendi for a 2 hour bike ride and all went well. I spun at a pretty high cadence on the flats so as not to stress the leg and did all the hill climbs seated. I will continue to be conservative with it until I am back 100%. I have a 2 hour run scheduled tomorrow but I think I will do a run on my own as the team run involves 5 separate hills. We have a nice flat trail near the house and until I improve that will have to do.

Crap!

2008-05-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Started the day feeling pretty good. I went to the pro club and did a 1 hour endurance swim class. I am still trying to get the whole bilateral breathing down and so I am still swimming like a spaz but we covered about 2500 yards and I didn't die.

Went into the locker room after the swim and suited up for my favorite run of the week. Hill repeats,yay!!! I ran about 15 min to my special hill and made my way slowly to the top. Coach has me doing 6 repeats and then running back. At the top of the first repeat I slowed to a walk as I normally do to bring my heart rate back down into the realm of normal. At that time I felt a painful pull on my left calf. I stopped right away and stretched and ended up walking back to the club to ice it.

Now I am home icing my sore calf and wondering what the hell went wrong :(

2008-05-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Had to skip my bike ride this morning as I needed to take my 8 year old into the hospital for sinus surgery. I feel pretty run down with a cold today as well so the rest was probably a good idea.

Off to bed. Endurance swim and hill repeats on the agenda tomorrow

First Post!!

2008-05-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

I have moved over from Livejournal where I was posting entirely too much to all of my friends about my triathlon addiction. I wanted a space dedicated to my triathlon journey and quest for Ironman in 2009 so here it is.

I entered the world of triathlon last year after losing 90 pounds and looking for a goal to keep me motivated athletically. I signed up for the Danskin on a whim and fell in love from the moment the goggles were first kicked off my face in the open water swim. I have only completed TWO sprint triathlons but I have been training hard with my team and I am set to conquer 2 sprint tris, one Olympic distance and 2 half ironmans this year.

I will travel to Penticton in August to watch Ironman Canada and sign up for the race next year.

Whatever keeps me off the couch.

I will detail my weekly training and racing here so I have something to look back at to see how far I've come.

Today's workout:

1 hour strength swim w/2000 yards total
36 min tempo run
30 min strength training and core workout