Saturday, May 31, 2008
age group nationals
i found out last night that my performance at Cap Tex was good enough to qualify for the USAT age group nationals this September in Portland...interesting...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
offish week
so i am allowing myself a week where i workout when i feel like it...cook a lot...eat...hang out with friends and take the weekend off...no alarm clocks...nothing...i know that if i don't take advantage of this week now...i am not going to have many more like it in the next 6ish months...
i did go to spin class this morning...that was fun...very few people...very sweaty...and a good workout...did about 10 minutes of yoga poses and that felt really good too...broke out the recovery drink today too...time to get started on the nutrition like a champ...keeping myself fueled...well..
gave the rocketship a bath...she was filthy...and as a reward for my happy cap tex i got some hot red pedals...oh yeah...i think they almost make up for the fact that my summer job just disappeared :( before i even started...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Recover
up this morning for a short recovery swim at Barton springs...ran into a few others there and hung out on the toes of Katherine...while Mark and Mark made their own drafting pattern...just did two crack laps...but on the first length i lost my toes because i found a wallet on the bottom of the pool...dropped it on the side and figured i would take it up to the guard house after my swim...i figure i leave my own stuff on the side of the pool while swimming and no one ever touches it...it would be there when i got out...and it was...checked inside to see if there was any id or anything with a name on it...nothing...just 7$ and a day pass for the bus...the weird thing about it was that it appeared to be a freebie wallet give out by a company in Monroville PA (about 20 minutes from where i grew up...) weird...and there was no one in the guard house this morning...so the wallet is in the pile of things that are eventually going to Goodwill...and the 7$ is just sitting on the table by the front door...i don't know what to do with that...
decided to try out the spin class this evening offered by one of the two long course tri training options...took it a few gears easier than the coach was telling the class to be in...i'm in recovery...but kept up pretty well...so the first spin class that i have ever taken was positive...i liked it...there is no way that i could have ever gotten that good of a workout on the road...don't get me wrong i love riding on the road but when you have an hour...it doesn't get you very far...and i have made the decision to train with them...and that feels good...
decided to try out the spin class this evening offered by one of the two long course tri training options...took it a few gears easier than the coach was telling the class to be in...i'm in recovery...but kept up pretty well...so the first spin class that i have ever taken was positive...i liked it...there is no way that i could have ever gotten that good of a workout on the road...don't get me wrong i love riding on the road but when you have an hour...it doesn't get you very far...and i have made the decision to train with them...and that feels good...
Monday, May 26, 2008
CapTex Race Report
up at 4am...coffee...peanut butter and jelly...banana...last check of race bag...checked the notes i left myself (don't forget your wetsuit) and was out the door at 4.45...
parked easily and for free :) at one texas center parking lot...and walked over to get body marked...just a short line so not bad...saw jackie from the group and travis as well...then to stand in line for transition to open...it's the waiting around that i don't like...but was happy to run in to amy b and her husband matt...we had run into each other....twice the day before and as it turned out like every five minutes on sunday...it is _really_ nice to know people at these events...it just makes me feel better
in transition and getting ready...i like this part...tinkering around with my equipment...getting everything ready...and at right angles...not really...well yeah really...i had scored a spot on the end of my rack...sweet!...the early bear gets a good rack spot in transition :)...but had to move my transition spot to the left of my wheel cause a ref told me so...he was very nice...but i guess my towel was sticking out from the rack a bit...no big deal...photographers were everywhere and they took a million pictures of me...that was weird...realized at one point that i had forgotten to put my race number on my helmet...argh...mistake...but it didn't seem to matter...
walked from the swim in to bike out to run in to make sure i knew where i was going...it was a long way from swim in to bike to bike out...and the same with the run...i knew this would just make my transition times longer so that was fine...was good to go...walked down to the swim start with a billion other people and ran into amy b again...so i hung with her and a few other girls she knew until swim time...it was hot standing around in a wet suit...and things got off to a late start but i was glad when we got into the water...cool!...yeah...lost amy so just decided to do my own thing and get to the buoy line...got horizontal and then the gun...
this swim start was more jostling than the others...but it was ok...there were just a lot more people...i need to figure out a better place to start though...maybe i need to be more towards the front...i'm good at not starting off like a bat out of hell...and i seems i get myself into a position where the peeps around me go off to fast then _really_ slow down about 100m out...then i just spend a lot of time passing people...so i kept finding toes...then the toes were too slow...so then i just gave up and decided to swim...the way out felt long and kind of hard...like swimming through pudding...but i guess that we were swimming against the current...it was fun to be able to swim under the bridges and use things like the first street bridge to sight on...right turn then about 35 yards then another right...and i was on my way back...i had caught up to other colored swim caps at this point...so i thought that was a good sign...even though i felt like i was going slower than i had hoped...i just focused on my form and swam...at one point i thought i could hear people cheering for me in the water...turns out it was true...oh man...that was awesome...i smiled and dug in for the finish...got into a bottle neck coming out of the swim...then up the row of volunteers who pulled us out...
wetsuit down to my waist then into transition...long jog...tried to get the water out of my ears...had some trouble getting my swim cap off...got the wetsuit off and into a pile of dirt no problem...(yuck)...sunglasses...helmet...racebelt...socks....bike...go...running in wet-ish socks through lots of dirt to bike out and mount line...crossed the mount line...and flying mount...:) got my shoes on and right...before getting onto the bridge...had a huge smile on my face...thinking...i'm on the bike in my first olympic tri....this is awesome...i love triathlon....generally took it easy for the first mile or so on the bike...trying to get adjusted...smoothing out...turned up and around the capitol...and had my first gel climbing 15th street...remembered to drink water...and was coming back down congress...heard my name :) that was awesome...it was john brown from marathon group!!...turned down first street/cesar chavez...and heard my name again....it was my own cheering section...it was great!!! thanks guys...cranked it and got into the aerobars (finally!) in this section...back up again...by my fans...then over the bridge and a u-turn...loop 1...of 4...
the rest of the loops went pretty well...here were some issues...felt a bit of a bubble in my tummy while on the bike...this has happened before during training so i knew that on the bits i was out of the aerobars i need to sit tall and try to clear it out...i burped a bunch...that felt good...and i forgot about it/it went away by the time i was done...had water in one ear the whole time...gave me a little vertigo at one point on the third loop...concentrated on where i was going and was able to get my head in the game...had my back bottle tip out of my cage and drag on my back wheel for a bit...a kind rider told me...the friction wore down the bottle top a bit...looking back i had hit a huge!!! pot hole about a block back and didn't check my bottle after i had put it back just before hitting the hole...and there was a lot of traffic on the course...but it wasn't that bad...there were parts of the course where i was riding alone...and parts where i was passing someone and lots of people were passing me...i was very cautious on the sharp turns as others were not...and i really wanted to avoid crashing...lots of inexperienced riders riding too far left...i was thankful for the communication from some riders...and a little ticked when there was no communication by some boys in pointy helmets and race wheels who like to touch shoulders with you when they pass...geeze...other than that...all good...and my cheering section was amazing...
came back to the bridge and got to turn off! back down to transition...couldn't flying dismount as i didn't have enough room to swing my leg over the bike...there were that many people around...but was able to get off the bike with shoes attached to pedals and run through lots of dirt to my rack...found it just fine...racked by my brakes...(thanks for the tip coach amy...much faster than re-racking by the seat)...tried to get a little dirt off my socks...with no luck..and into my running shoes...helmet off...grabbed my visor and my lil water and was off running...i think i still had a big smile on my face...and i got the water out of my right ear...i think i cheered out loud when that happened :)
i remembered to take it slow on my first loop...there were already a lot of people walking...it was really hot and humid...but i just plugged along...over to jack and adams...their water stop was the best!...it was so great to hear them all cheering...drew! thanks!...and hot pro aussie richard...both telling me i was looking good...yeah!...and jack with a hose...half a cup of ice on my head...i had my little water in hand...and back out riverside...left on barton springs...and i was done with my water...so i slowed...walked and drank...and picked it up again to get over the bridge...more people were walking...walking through the water stop then just not running again...i was taking it easy...it was hot...did i mention that...and there was my cheering section again on the bridge!!!...coach amy with words of encouragement...lots of cheering from Katherine mark jeremiah and my husband!!!...i really wanted some gatorade...and had passed three water stops that didn't have any...i was hoping the next one did...we turned into downtown...and thanks to the buildings...we had some shade...seriously like 10 degrees cooler...and the next water stop had gatorade!...i was golden...back over the bridge...some more cheering on :) and i was back to the transition area...which meant i was going to be starting my second loop...OMG...starting my second loop...time to pick it up a bit...i felt like i did a little...got some more kind words from jack and adams...back through the crowds...over the bridge...coach said quick feet...oh ok...that made sense...more turn over...makes me faster...then it kind of dawned on me that i was more than halfway on my second loop...i was almost done...wow...i knew that i could pick it up but it was going to be hard...then on my last pass of my fans...i got a "dig deep" from coach...and i was totally there...i dug...grabbed one more water...i had thought about skipping it and said...i don't want to end up doing the crawl over the finish line...so i took it...drank deep and dug deep...turned right onto riverside...saw amy b...didn't say anything because i don't think i could have...and tried to start picking people off...passed a few more people then i was into the shoot...crossed the mat and looked at the clock...3h 19m i was happy...and tired and hot...they had iced towels...that was so great...
i think i had a huge smile...all day...it was great...hard but great...and i was very happy with how it all went...i told j that i had wanted to break 3h and was a little disappointed when i saw the clock...but i wasn't sure when the clock started...i thought probably i was just over 3h...and owing to the fact that i felt like the swim was really slow...(not how i had planned) i was going to be ok with just over three...saw lots of folks at the finish area...cheered in a few friends...and checked the results...2h.54m.06s oh yeah...here are the details...
606 of 1438 total finishers
143 of 578 women
26 of 110 age group
so looking at some other results that i have...i guess the swim wasn't too bad...i averaged 2.00 at the open water swim (1.2 miles) and 2.24m at rookie...so yeah...i'm happy...and not too beat up today...which is my 7th anniversary!...
happy anniversary j...i love you...
parked easily and for free :) at one texas center parking lot...and walked over to get body marked...just a short line so not bad...saw jackie from the group and travis as well...then to stand in line for transition to open...it's the waiting around that i don't like...but was happy to run in to amy b and her husband matt...we had run into each other....twice the day before and as it turned out like every five minutes on sunday...it is _really_ nice to know people at these events...it just makes me feel better
in transition and getting ready...i like this part...tinkering around with my equipment...getting everything ready...and at right angles...not really...well yeah really...i had scored a spot on the end of my rack...sweet!...the early bear gets a good rack spot in transition :)...but had to move my transition spot to the left of my wheel cause a ref told me so...he was very nice...but i guess my towel was sticking out from the rack a bit...no big deal...photographers were everywhere and they took a million pictures of me...that was weird...realized at one point that i had forgotten to put my race number on my helmet...argh...mistake...but it didn't seem to matter...
walked from the swim in to bike out to run in to make sure i knew where i was going...it was a long way from swim in to bike to bike out...and the same with the run...i knew this would just make my transition times longer so that was fine...was good to go...walked down to the swim start with a billion other people and ran into amy b again...so i hung with her and a few other girls she knew until swim time...it was hot standing around in a wet suit...and things got off to a late start but i was glad when we got into the water...cool!...yeah...lost amy so just decided to do my own thing and get to the buoy line...got horizontal and then the gun...
this swim start was more jostling than the others...but it was ok...there were just a lot more people...i need to figure out a better place to start though...maybe i need to be more towards the front...i'm good at not starting off like a bat out of hell...and i seems i get myself into a position where the peeps around me go off to fast then _really_ slow down about 100m out...then i just spend a lot of time passing people...so i kept finding toes...then the toes were too slow...so then i just gave up and decided to swim...the way out felt long and kind of hard...like swimming through pudding...but i guess that we were swimming against the current...it was fun to be able to swim under the bridges and use things like the first street bridge to sight on...right turn then about 35 yards then another right...and i was on my way back...i had caught up to other colored swim caps at this point...so i thought that was a good sign...even though i felt like i was going slower than i had hoped...i just focused on my form and swam...at one point i thought i could hear people cheering for me in the water...turns out it was true...oh man...that was awesome...i smiled and dug in for the finish...got into a bottle neck coming out of the swim...then up the row of volunteers who pulled us out...
wetsuit down to my waist then into transition...long jog...tried to get the water out of my ears...had some trouble getting my swim cap off...got the wetsuit off and into a pile of dirt no problem...(yuck)...sunglasses...helmet...racebelt...socks....bike...go...running in wet-ish socks through lots of dirt to bike out and mount line...crossed the mount line...and flying mount...:) got my shoes on and right...before getting onto the bridge...had a huge smile on my face...thinking...i'm on the bike in my first olympic tri....this is awesome...i love triathlon....generally took it easy for the first mile or so on the bike...trying to get adjusted...smoothing out...turned up and around the capitol...and had my first gel climbing 15th street...remembered to drink water...and was coming back down congress...heard my name :) that was awesome...it was john brown from marathon group!!...turned down first street/cesar chavez...and heard my name again....it was my own cheering section...it was great!!! thanks guys...cranked it and got into the aerobars (finally!) in this section...back up again...by my fans...then over the bridge and a u-turn...loop 1...of 4...
the rest of the loops went pretty well...here were some issues...felt a bit of a bubble in my tummy while on the bike...this has happened before during training so i knew that on the bits i was out of the aerobars i need to sit tall and try to clear it out...i burped a bunch...that felt good...and i forgot about it/it went away by the time i was done...had water in one ear the whole time...gave me a little vertigo at one point on the third loop...concentrated on where i was going and was able to get my head in the game...had my back bottle tip out of my cage and drag on my back wheel for a bit...a kind rider told me...the friction wore down the bottle top a bit...looking back i had hit a huge!!! pot hole about a block back and didn't check my bottle after i had put it back just before hitting the hole...and there was a lot of traffic on the course...but it wasn't that bad...there were parts of the course where i was riding alone...and parts where i was passing someone and lots of people were passing me...i was very cautious on the sharp turns as others were not...and i really wanted to avoid crashing...lots of inexperienced riders riding too far left...i was thankful for the communication from some riders...and a little ticked when there was no communication by some boys in pointy helmets and race wheels who like to touch shoulders with you when they pass...geeze...other than that...all good...and my cheering section was amazing...
came back to the bridge and got to turn off! back down to transition...couldn't flying dismount as i didn't have enough room to swing my leg over the bike...there were that many people around...but was able to get off the bike with shoes attached to pedals and run through lots of dirt to my rack...found it just fine...racked by my brakes...(thanks for the tip coach amy...much faster than re-racking by the seat)...tried to get a little dirt off my socks...with no luck..and into my running shoes...helmet off...grabbed my visor and my lil water and was off running...i think i still had a big smile on my face...and i got the water out of my right ear...i think i cheered out loud when that happened :)
i remembered to take it slow on my first loop...there were already a lot of people walking...it was really hot and humid...but i just plugged along...over to jack and adams...their water stop was the best!...it was so great to hear them all cheering...drew! thanks!...and hot pro aussie richard...both telling me i was looking good...yeah!...and jack with a hose...half a cup of ice on my head...i had my little water in hand...and back out riverside...left on barton springs...and i was done with my water...so i slowed...walked and drank...and picked it up again to get over the bridge...more people were walking...walking through the water stop then just not running again...i was taking it easy...it was hot...did i mention that...and there was my cheering section again on the bridge!!!...coach amy with words of encouragement...lots of cheering from Katherine mark jeremiah and my husband!!!...i really wanted some gatorade...and had passed three water stops that didn't have any...i was hoping the next one did...we turned into downtown...and thanks to the buildings...we had some shade...seriously like 10 degrees cooler...and the next water stop had gatorade!...i was golden...back over the bridge...some more cheering on :) and i was back to the transition area...which meant i was going to be starting my second loop...OMG...starting my second loop...time to pick it up a bit...i felt like i did a little...got some more kind words from jack and adams...back through the crowds...over the bridge...coach said quick feet...oh ok...that made sense...more turn over...makes me faster...then it kind of dawned on me that i was more than halfway on my second loop...i was almost done...wow...i knew that i could pick it up but it was going to be hard...then on my last pass of my fans...i got a "dig deep" from coach...and i was totally there...i dug...grabbed one more water...i had thought about skipping it and said...i don't want to end up doing the crawl over the finish line...so i took it...drank deep and dug deep...turned right onto riverside...saw amy b...didn't say anything because i don't think i could have...and tried to start picking people off...passed a few more people then i was into the shoot...crossed the mat and looked at the clock...3h 19m i was happy...and tired and hot...they had iced towels...that was so great...
i think i had a huge smile...all day...it was great...hard but great...and i was very happy with how it all went...i told j that i had wanted to break 3h and was a little disappointed when i saw the clock...but i wasn't sure when the clock started...i thought probably i was just over 3h...and owing to the fact that i felt like the swim was really slow...(not how i had planned) i was going to be ok with just over three...saw lots of folks at the finish area...cheered in a few friends...and checked the results...2h.54m.06s oh yeah...here are the details...
| swim | 33.42 | 2.15m pace |
| t1 | 3.33 | |
| bike | 1.20.06 | 18.6 avg |
| t2 | 2.25 | |
| run | 54.19 | 8.45 pace |
606 of 1438 total finishers
143 of 578 women
26 of 110 age group
so looking at some other results that i have...i guess the swim wasn't too bad...i averaged 2.00 at the open water swim (1.2 miles) and 2.24m at rookie...so yeah...i'm happy...and not too beat up today...which is my 7th anniversary!...
happy anniversary j...i love you...
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Cap-Tex-Tri
:)
2h 54m!
race report to come...
thanks to everyone who was out there cheering...it made me smile a lot
2h 54m!
race report to come...
thanks to everyone who was out there cheering...it made me smile a lot
Saturday, May 24, 2008
pre-race
off day friday...extra off day in race week taper...always nice...got to have coffee with jeremiah at little city...that place gets hopping mid-day...had a good talk about upcoming training plans...i finally think i am getting it sorted out for myself...
today up early and eager to get a workout in...as usual i am feeling like i am not doing enough this week but i guess that means i am doing it right...i have trust in the training...and scheduling...got to barton springs about 6.45 swimming at 5 till...did one crack lap then a half length (to the diving board) and back to the ramp...off with wet suit and on to the bike...did i mention there were about a dozen of us (rogue cap-texers) and the parking lot was packed as we were getting our bikes out and heading on the road...
did a modified lap of the bike course since traffic was happening we decided not to risk the wrong way down the one way thing...very easy pace very slow...road down auditorium shores to check the transition area...holy crap!...there are going to be a LOT of bikes/people wow...
so the rest of the day is trying to stay relaxed and calm...then packet pick up/bike drop at 1pm...breathe...i just have to breathe... :)
today up early and eager to get a workout in...as usual i am feeling like i am not doing enough this week but i guess that means i am doing it right...i have trust in the training...and scheduling...got to barton springs about 6.45 swimming at 5 till...did one crack lap then a half length (to the diving board) and back to the ramp...off with wet suit and on to the bike...did i mention there were about a dozen of us (rogue cap-texers) and the parking lot was packed as we were getting our bikes out and heading on the road...
did a modified lap of the bike course since traffic was happening we decided not to risk the wrong way down the one way thing...very easy pace very slow...road down auditorium shores to check the transition area...holy crap!...there are going to be a LOT of bikes/people wow...
so the rest of the day is trying to stay relaxed and calm...then packet pick up/bike drop at 1pm...breathe...i just have to breathe... :)
Friday, May 23, 2008
wind much?
after the morning wake up call of a little thunderstorm (where did that come from) i couldn't believe how windy it was...i wasn't in the mood for my usual ride so i decided to hit the loop at the end of mopac called the autobahn...i figured i would be ok out there in the blustery conditions since in most places there is enough shoulder for me to blow around in...but seriously it is a head wind both ways...i don't get that...
just did a nice easy 45m out there...nothing special nothing shocking...1.5 loops then it was off the bike and on the run for 20m in that little neighborhood by the veloway...i wonder if those folks are used to seeing all the triathletes jogging through their neighborhood...no matter what time i am there i always see at least one other who is like me...
in the evening i met up with richard...(uh why did no one tell me it was _the_ richard...hot aussie pro richard) to work on the wetsuit issue...the result was ok...no brand new wet suit...which i had a feeling about...i tried but hey what are you going to do...but it is fixed...so that is good...and yes...it is just the draw back of a super comfortable and flexible wetsuit....when you breathe on it it might rip...
getting a little nervous for captex this weekend...just the pre-race jitters...so i think saturday i might ride a loop on the course and see how it is...can't hurt to see what i will be doing...right
just did a nice easy 45m out there...nothing special nothing shocking...1.5 loops then it was off the bike and on the run for 20m in that little neighborhood by the veloway...i wonder if those folks are used to seeing all the triathletes jogging through their neighborhood...no matter what time i am there i always see at least one other who is like me...
in the evening i met up with richard...(uh why did no one tell me it was _the_ richard...hot aussie pro richard) to work on the wetsuit issue...the result was ok...no brand new wet suit...which i had a feeling about...i tried but hey what are you going to do...but it is fixed...so that is good...and yes...it is just the draw back of a super comfortable and flexible wetsuit....when you breathe on it it might rip...
getting a little nervous for captex this weekend...just the pre-race jitters...so i think saturday i might ride a loop on the course and see how it is...can't hurt to see what i will be doing...right
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
surprise swim
was walking down the stairs to the pool at barton springs but who do i spy...it's whyiron :) back from alaska...and getting back to working out after a very successful IMAZ...yeah...and who else...coach amy!!..yeah...i love swimming with friends...even in a broken wetsuit...but that is not the point of this post... :P
had a very short workout of 4 lengths...half stong half easy...i took that as half of each length strong half easy...i liked that better than one full strong...(too far!)...off we went...whyiron is super speedy in the water so on my strong parts i chased after his bubbles in the water and tried really hard to catch a small draft from him...then on the easy i just let my heart stop jumping out of my chest and brought my breathing back to normal...and then it was over...it was a quick workout...
ran some errands and decided that i was going to sew myself a dress from some fabric i have had for a long time but didn't know what to do with it...then i found this website that you can download and print free patterns...i haven't used a pattern in a long time...i usually sew how i cook...look at a bunch of recipes or patterns and just make it up...but i really like the fabric so i want to make sure i do it right so here i go...i got all the pieces cut and i will start to sew wednesday...hope it turns out...i will post photos if it does :)
i am still in a pickle trying to decide who to train for IMAZ with...once i think i have made a decision something comes up to swing me the other way...but i have until june to decide...i'm giving myself a week off (well as off as will not drive me crazy) after cap tex then it will be go time...oh yeah cap tex is this weekend!!! OMG!!! :)
had a very short workout of 4 lengths...half stong half easy...i took that as half of each length strong half easy...i liked that better than one full strong...(too far!)...off we went...whyiron is super speedy in the water so on my strong parts i chased after his bubbles in the water and tried really hard to catch a small draft from him...then on the easy i just let my heart stop jumping out of my chest and brought my breathing back to normal...and then it was over...it was a quick workout...
ran some errands and decided that i was going to sew myself a dress from some fabric i have had for a long time but didn't know what to do with it...then i found this website that you can download and print free patterns...i haven't used a pattern in a long time...i usually sew how i cook...look at a bunch of recipes or patterns and just make it up...but i really like the fabric so i want to make sure i do it right so here i go...i got all the pieces cut and i will start to sew wednesday...hope it turns out...i will post photos if it does :)
i am still in a pickle trying to decide who to train for IMAZ with...once i think i have made a decision something comes up to swing me the other way...but i have until june to decide...i'm giving myself a week off (well as off as will not drive me crazy) after cap tex then it will be go time...oh yeah cap tex is this weekend!!! OMG!!! :)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
monday monday
summer is nice...i got to sleep in until 6.45...then ride my bike to the gym
weights at golds this morning...i swear every time i go now i am upping the weights at least one place in my routine...what's up with that...for months (years) before i started tri training i kept wanting to up my weights but i never felt like i got anywhere...now i can't help it! it is a nice feeling...so weights were good...
finished the julie/julia book...very funny...she should have ended it better but hey i can't complain...finished sports nutrition book too...now onto finishing going long and perhaps picking up a book today at bookpeople since i know that i am going to want to have it...in defense of food...i have a section on my book shelf that keeps growing...it's all food writing :)
run workout in the evening...man it was hot...in the 90's i think...we were supposed to do 8-10x400m on the road...we did 8 and called it a day...i was pooped from the effort and the heat...monday started my race prep so i had been concentrating on my hydration and of course had been much less hydrated that i should be...so that didn't help...though looking at my times my first was only a second faster than my last so not too bad...the cool down felt hard... it's up hill on the way back...good stuff.
weights at golds this morning...i swear every time i go now i am upping the weights at least one place in my routine...what's up with that...for months (years) before i started tri training i kept wanting to up my weights but i never felt like i got anywhere...now i can't help it! it is a nice feeling...so weights were good...
finished the julie/julia book...very funny...she should have ended it better but hey i can't complain...finished sports nutrition book too...now onto finishing going long and perhaps picking up a book today at bookpeople since i know that i am going to want to have it...in defense of food...i have a section on my book shelf that keeps growing...it's all food writing :)
run workout in the evening...man it was hot...in the 90's i think...we were supposed to do 8-10x400m on the road...we did 8 and called it a day...i was pooped from the effort and the heat...monday started my race prep so i had been concentrating on my hydration and of course had been much less hydrated that i should be...so that didn't help...though looking at my times my first was only a second faster than my last so not too bad...the cool down felt hard... it's up hill on the way back...good stuff.
Monday, May 19, 2008
tiny brick
since saturday was swimming...the weekend got switched around so sunday was bike run brick day...slept until seven...since this is the last week before the race the times were a bit light...out for a 75 minute ride...did my typical mid week ride route to shoal creek/great northern...this ride is _very_ nice on a sunday morning...no traffic...a few bikes...and it was beautiful weather...tried to keep my pace up but it is hard at the end with all the stop signs/lights but i felt like i was pushing it...dropped the bike
and off for a run...20 minutes...so i just stuck to the east side and basically did an out and back with 5 strides in the middle well i did mine after the turn around so they ended up being all up hill...hmm should have thought that through...it started to get hot towards the end of the run...makes me feel like cap tex day is going to be a tough one in terms of heat and time of day...have to get my race plan together...maybe i will do that monday...
i decided that i wanted to bake so i asked j what he wanted and he said butterfly rolls from the bakery in rochester that his mom always went to...i have never seen or had these rolls but the closest thing i could think of was an enriched (with milk and butter) white bread in a cloverleaf roll shape...i got out my 1970's bread book that totally smells like an old library book and looked for a good roll recipe...i found the perfect one...it has 1/2 cup of mashed potato in it too...they turned out great and as j said just exactly what he wanted... :)
also baked the chewy brownies from the joy of cooking...i like these better than really any other brownie that i have made or really eaten...ok so i don't eat brownies very often...but i think that these are quite tasty and in my mind what a brownie should be...they were awesome topped with fresh farm strawberries after our salad nicoise with seared tuna...yum...
and off for a run...20 minutes...so i just stuck to the east side and basically did an out and back with 5 strides in the middle well i did mine after the turn around so they ended up being all up hill...hmm should have thought that through...it started to get hot towards the end of the run...makes me feel like cap tex day is going to be a tough one in terms of heat and time of day...have to get my race plan together...maybe i will do that monday...
i decided that i wanted to bake so i asked j what he wanted and he said butterfly rolls from the bakery in rochester that his mom always went to...i have never seen or had these rolls but the closest thing i could think of was an enriched (with milk and butter) white bread in a cloverleaf roll shape...i got out my 1970's bread book that totally smells like an old library book and looked for a good roll recipe...i found the perfect one...it has 1/2 cup of mashed potato in it too...they turned out great and as j said just exactly what he wanted... :)
also baked the chewy brownies from the joy of cooking...i like these better than really any other brownie that i have made or really eaten...ok so i don't eat brownies very often...but i think that these are quite tasty and in my mind what a brownie should be...they were awesome topped with fresh farm strawberries after our salad nicoise with seared tuna...yum...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
AT open water swim day!
it was my first 1.2 mile actual open water swim. i was excited. since i had done the mass start at rookie (that was probably the most tame swim start in the history of triathlon) and seen that the actual event is much less terrifying than my vivid imagination (seriously the things i can come up with in my head..wow) of the mass swim start...i was feeling ok about the event in general...i didn't have a time goal in mind...i went out thinking i am going to swim and i am going to finish strong and i am going to practice drafting and i am just going to finish and not be freaked out...
they got us all into the water (100?maybe) for a deep water start...i positioned my self so that i was not in the middle and was on the outside near the buoy line...the horn went off and we were swimming...i found some toes...and stuck to them...then they were slow toes so i found some new ones...and tried to stick to those...then they started weaving so i just swam then they weaved their way back to me...it kind of went this way the whole way down...until just before the turn buoy when a guy (a big guy) ran directly into me...he had made the turn and was coming back in and was pretty off course...he was very apologetic...but hey...what are you going to do...
made it to the turn and found some toes again...then the toes were all over the place and we were coming close to the little rocky point thing that we turned around to the finish...so i just sped up to avoid the kayak that she must have been sighting on...and hauled into the finish...swam up to the second guy plucking people out of the water...he said something about my ear rings...in some kind of an accent...but i was too busy practicing my toes up run out of the water and looking at the clock to look at him...the clock said 50m...hmm that is no good...i didn't feel like i was out there for 50m but then i say trish from swim clinic...she came out of the water right in front or behind me...not sure...her watch said 38m ha much better...guess they started the clock when the 800m folks took off...generally pleased with the experience...
i felt like i could have been swimming faster but i like having toes in front of me...i think i should have ditched them sooner when they were veering to the right...but hey...i came in 7th in my AG...guess this is my lucky number for tri related things...and that is good because it is a favorite number of mine...and i would have been much more happy if there wasn't a 4 inch rip in my wetsuit that happened right before the swim...i have no finger nails...i put it on like every one else...and i ripped below where i was wiggling it up...it doesn't seem right to me...
paul and i headed to austin java to meet up with jeremiah for breakfast!!! yeah!!! my accomplished half iron friend!!!...good to chat and eat a giant pancake...then jeremiah and i headed to the T3 open house...chatted with chrissie about my wetsuit issue...the rep is coming tuesday so i will try and get it swapped out...for one that does not have defective materials...we will see if i can or if the rep just says deal...hmm...i am hoping for the best but expecting the worst...on the way out we had a nice chat about training and racing and decisions...very nice...
home to hang out with j and to read...that book is really making me laugh...
they got us all into the water (100?maybe) for a deep water start...i positioned my self so that i was not in the middle and was on the outside near the buoy line...the horn went off and we were swimming...i found some toes...and stuck to them...then they were slow toes so i found some new ones...and tried to stick to those...then they started weaving so i just swam then they weaved their way back to me...it kind of went this way the whole way down...until just before the turn buoy when a guy (a big guy) ran directly into me...he had made the turn and was coming back in and was pretty off course...he was very apologetic...but hey...what are you going to do...
made it to the turn and found some toes again...then the toes were all over the place and we were coming close to the little rocky point thing that we turned around to the finish...so i just sped up to avoid the kayak that she must have been sighting on...and hauled into the finish...swam up to the second guy plucking people out of the water...he said something about my ear rings...in some kind of an accent...but i was too busy practicing my toes up run out of the water and looking at the clock to look at him...the clock said 50m...hmm that is no good...i didn't feel like i was out there for 50m but then i say trish from swim clinic...she came out of the water right in front or behind me...not sure...her watch said 38m ha much better...guess they started the clock when the 800m folks took off...generally pleased with the experience...
i felt like i could have been swimming faster but i like having toes in front of me...i think i should have ditched them sooner when they were veering to the right...but hey...i came in 7th in my AG...guess this is my lucky number for tri related things...and that is good because it is a favorite number of mine...and i would have been much more happy if there wasn't a 4 inch rip in my wetsuit that happened right before the swim...i have no finger nails...i put it on like every one else...and i ripped below where i was wiggling it up...it doesn't seem right to me...
paul and i headed to austin java to meet up with jeremiah for breakfast!!! yeah!!! my accomplished half iron friend!!!...good to chat and eat a giant pancake...then jeremiah and i headed to the T3 open house...chatted with chrissie about my wetsuit issue...the rep is coming tuesday so i will try and get it swapped out...for one that does not have defective materials...we will see if i can or if the rep just says deal...hmm...i am hoping for the best but expecting the worst...on the way out we had a nice chat about training and racing and decisions...very nice...
home to hang out with j and to read...that book is really making me laugh...
Saturday, May 17, 2008
regular friday
gym in the morning...a good workout...felt like i was doing something not just going through the motions...the morning was very pretty...low humidity and cool so i decided to get my run in before that all changed...
had a 40 minute run with strides...did a downtown/campus run...didn't make it very far into campus...but graduation was underway...lots of dressed up folks walking around...i also ran though the grounds of the capitol...lots of trees down there...big ones...that was sad...guess i slowed down just a bit on the back portion of the run because i got back to my stride location at 42m oh well...four strides...then home...
thought about going to the library to pick up some books but then i remembered i picked up julie and julia for 4.99$ at the book store the other day...i had been wanting to read it..and $5 is hard to pass up...omg it is so funny...i am reading and laughing...i love that
grade reports were up on-line...4.0 for the semester...lets see if i can keep that up! :)
had a 40 minute run with strides...did a downtown/campus run...didn't make it very far into campus...but graduation was underway...lots of dressed up folks walking around...i also ran though the grounds of the capitol...lots of trees down there...big ones...that was sad...guess i slowed down just a bit on the back portion of the run because i got back to my stride location at 42m oh well...four strides...then home...
thought about going to the library to pick up some books but then i remembered i picked up julie and julia for 4.99$ at the book store the other day...i had been wanting to read it..and $5 is hard to pass up...omg it is so funny...i am reading and laughing...i love that
grade reports were up on-line...4.0 for the semester...lets see if i can keep that up! :)
Friday, May 16, 2008
wet swim hard ride
called the special barton springs hot line to check for openess after the storm...all was a go so i headed over...there were about 4 cars in the lot...hmm no streetlights...hmm not looking good...gate was locked...so i went over to big stacy pool to get in some laps...three other lap swimmers out there in the morning drizzle...i like swimming in the rain...there is something that feels a little defiant about that...i don't know what it is but i've liked that since i was a kid...
i decided that i was just going to swim for 45 minutes...not count lengths...just swim...and i did...worked on some breathing stuff and some stroke finishing...popped up at the shallow end to see my friend...who i was meeting for breakfast at 8am...at the end of the pool...ha!...the day we both decide to swim at stacy...she's a Y member...i swam until she was almost done...then i practiced some flip turns...i'm getting better...defiantly not pretty but better...
had a yummy and leisurely breakfast at bouldin creek...then home to deep clean the house...all day...it needed it...and i did too :)
bike workout at the veloway/autobahn...did some left hand turns to start...to simulate the race course...one of the girls was talking and talking about how technical the turns are and how crowded the bike is and blah blah...argh! she freaked me out...if it was a race morning and i was standing next to her i would have moved...so now i'm all nervous about the tight turns on the course...i'm still not the best at that yet...
workout was 1m strong 1m easy for one whole loop...first loop warm up...second loop workout little loop cool down...got off in a small pack...two others from the group keeping up with me for the warm up...i was thinking of last week (or was it two weeks ago) when coach amy was talking about how fast some of us warm up...but i was really in warm up mode...these other guys...well...i'm not so sure about that...i think they got bitten by the competitive bug over the last week or so...ended the warm up with them...started the workout...and they were no where to be found...sigh...i love the rocket ship...<3...i really cranked the workout...pushing my legs and the bike...felt really good...had a max of 31.8mph with a head wind...:) that was fun...it was 7.30 (bikes in time) so i just took the loop to the end of the road by the veloway really slow and called that a cool down...my brain feels better after a good workout...
home for turkey tacos and the office season finally...i love that show...it makes me laugh...i like laughing...it's fun.
i decided that i was just going to swim for 45 minutes...not count lengths...just swim...and i did...worked on some breathing stuff and some stroke finishing...popped up at the shallow end to see my friend...who i was meeting for breakfast at 8am...at the end of the pool...ha!...the day we both decide to swim at stacy...she's a Y member...i swam until she was almost done...then i practiced some flip turns...i'm getting better...defiantly not pretty but better...
had a yummy and leisurely breakfast at bouldin creek...then home to deep clean the house...all day...it needed it...and i did too :)
bike workout at the veloway/autobahn...did some left hand turns to start...to simulate the race course...one of the girls was talking and talking about how technical the turns are and how crowded the bike is and blah blah...argh! she freaked me out...if it was a race morning and i was standing next to her i would have moved...so now i'm all nervous about the tight turns on the course...i'm still not the best at that yet...
workout was 1m strong 1m easy for one whole loop...first loop warm up...second loop workout little loop cool down...got off in a small pack...two others from the group keeping up with me for the warm up...i was thinking of last week (or was it two weeks ago) when coach amy was talking about how fast some of us warm up...but i was really in warm up mode...these other guys...well...i'm not so sure about that...i think they got bitten by the competitive bug over the last week or so...ended the warm up with them...started the workout...and they were no where to be found...sigh...i love the rocket ship...<3...i really cranked the workout...pushing my legs and the bike...felt really good...had a max of 31.8mph with a head wind...:) that was fun...it was 7.30 (bikes in time) so i just took the loop to the end of the road by the veloway really slow and called that a cool down...my brain feels better after a good workout...
home for turkey tacos and the office season finally...i love that show...it makes me laugh...i like laughing...it's fun.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
wow wednesday
after getting up...well at least rolling over when j's alarm went off at 4.30!...and the rain and thunder and lighting kept me interested...i was finally able to get back to sleep...i slept in until 7.30 and had two cups of coffee...a dug out a pile of old foodie magazines to go through and cut out recipes...so nice...
ran a few errands and was thinking about a spin class at noon...i hate spin class...ok i can't say that i have ever been to a spin class but i know what running on the treadmill v running outside is like so i was not really looking forward to it...so i decided to press my luck...the weather was supposed to get bad...but i was hoping for a few minutes to get out on the bike when the roads were a little dry and the rain was not coming down...i got my wish...
headed out about 12.45 for an hour and 15 minute ride...feeling a little gun shy after the race...like all the birds were out to run me down and the road construction/gravel was looking at me in a menacing way...i tried...and did get over myself and enjoyed my ride...i like riding in the day time...there are not a whole lot of cars out...and now that school is out...not a whole lot of students...
went to TEO for celebratory gelato with amy...i had lemon and raspberry...very yummy fresh light and real flavors...i will go back...
last night was a bit crazy...i woke bolt upright at 12.40 to a sound that i was a bit confused by...then realized it was hail...yikes..it is loud!...checked to see what the cats were up to...checked the tv to see if a tornado was coming...nothing...so back to bed with me...hail...crazy
ran a few errands and was thinking about a spin class at noon...i hate spin class...ok i can't say that i have ever been to a spin class but i know what running on the treadmill v running outside is like so i was not really looking forward to it...so i decided to press my luck...the weather was supposed to get bad...but i was hoping for a few minutes to get out on the bike when the roads were a little dry and the rain was not coming down...i got my wish...
headed out about 12.45 for an hour and 15 minute ride...feeling a little gun shy after the race...like all the birds were out to run me down and the road construction/gravel was looking at me in a menacing way...i tried...and did get over myself and enjoyed my ride...i like riding in the day time...there are not a whole lot of cars out...and now that school is out...not a whole lot of students...
went to TEO for celebratory gelato with amy...i had lemon and raspberry...very yummy fresh light and real flavors...i will go back...
last night was a bit crazy...i woke bolt upright at 12.40 to a sound that i was a bit confused by...then realized it was hail...yikes..it is loud!...checked to see what the cats were up to...checked the tv to see if a tornado was coming...nothing...so back to bed with me...hail...crazy
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
school's out for summer!
am swim at BSP 1600 a few lengths with strong to the diving board...mostly on my own...got to draft off bob on one length...that was nice...though he did get us close enough to someone for our hands to touch...weird...anyway i love swimming...so it is always a nice way to start the day...
put my first nick in my wet suit...it had to happen eventually i know...it still sucks...
just got home from finishing my last final for the semester...i am thrilled :) it was easy...so i think i accomplished my goal of all A's this semester...so i am going to skip my short bike this afternoon...well just push it to tomorrow...and have a Gin and Tonic to celebrate summer...and read something for fun...how novel...
put my first nick in my wet suit...it had to happen eventually i know...it still sucks...
just got home from finishing my last final for the semester...i am thrilled :) it was easy...so i think i accomplished my goal of all A's this semester...so i am going to skip my short bike this afternoon...well just push it to tomorrow...and have a Gin and Tonic to celebrate summer...and read something for fun...how novel...
sun/mon
sunday off after rookie on saturday...i slept until 8am...made waffles...and studied...went to matt and betsy's for burgers and to hang out with paul and meg...the boys are chatting about a freelance project...the girls just got to chat...it was fun to hang out :)
monday back to the gym...had a good workout...switched the core workout up a bit to some dynamic exercises...we will see how that goes...but it didn't feel too bad while doing it...weights were fine...upped a few...nothing major
studied all day...well made chocolate chip cookies in there too...mmm cookies...
off to running...4x~mile repeats...judging from my times...i think it was short of a mile...really short
1: 6.47
2: 6.34
3: 6.38
4: 6.29
see what i mean...it can't be really a mile with those times...
home for roasted chicken, onion potatoes and swiss chard...yummy...oh and american gladiators is back on tv...umm why?
monday back to the gym...had a good workout...switched the core workout up a bit to some dynamic exercises...we will see how that goes...but it didn't feel too bad while doing it...weights were fine...upped a few...nothing major
studied all day...well made chocolate chip cookies in there too...mmm cookies...
off to running...4x~mile repeats...judging from my times...i think it was short of a mile...really short
1: 6.47
2: 6.34
3: 6.38
4: 6.29
see what i mean...it can't be really a mile with those times...
home for roasted chicken, onion potatoes and swiss chard...yummy...oh and american gladiators is back on tv...umm why?
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Tri Virgin...
no more! i have completed The Rookie with flying colors and am officially addicted to triathlon..can't wait for the next one...i only have to wait two weeks :P
arrived at the ski ranch just before 5.45am to find just a few cars in the parking area...got out of the car and started to get my stuff ready...pumped up the tires...made sure i had everything and headed over to the transition area...it wasn't open yet...but Amy was there to greet me...in her volunteer's shirt :)...have i mentioned that Amy rocks!...so after a quick potty stop and some chatting with some ladies around me it was time to go in...Amy got to do the honors of body marking me at my first tri...good memory...then off to find a rack for my bike...
it was marked by age group...Open (pros mostly) first then youngest to oldest...putting F30-34 four racks back on the right side...i was literally the first one to rack in my AG...prime end spot on the first rack...just the one i wanted...put my towel down and got my self organized...then off to get my bearings...walked down to the swim start stuck my feet in the water squatted and found a large light post that was perfectly in line with the swim course...so it was the perfect thing to sight to...then looked over to the swim out to see if i could find something to sight to on the way back...first the building then after a slight turn...the exit sign...big white obvious...nice...back to transition...following what looked to be the path we would be taking...to find the bike out/in and the mount/dismount line...saw drew :) yeah! figured out where i was going then back to my spot to find the run out and run start...easy...
then it was time to kill...hit the potty lines...got some water...sat around...avoided the negative talkers...potty again...down to the water...chatting with some of the folks i knew from the bike shop...T3...others in the Cap Tex group...back to transition to drop the flip flops and grab the swim cap and goggles...pre race meeting...just generally the stuff in the race packet...and then the start...open wave...then all the men...youngest to oldest in three minute increments...then one wave of ladies then it was go time for me...
i was feeling pretty relaxed...we were allowed into the water...the mass stayed right in front of the swim start shoot...i moved over to the left...very close to the buoy line...no one in front of me...the girls behind me were spaced out...i was ready...then we sat...there was some debris in the water they wanted to get out for safety reasons...so we stood there for a few minutes...people were chattering...i just stayed focused got horizontal then it was time to go...i was swimming...there were people...then there were toes...toes! i was on them...then the toes got too slow...so i was the toes...then toes again...then bodies...a few bumps...then were almost at the buoy...then more bodies...did a weird head above the water turn thing...then 10 hard strokes...then toes...almost the whole way in...then the toes were going in a direction i did not want to go...so i just hauled it in...swam until i hit the ground...past about three volunteers...and others walking...and i was out of the water!...i was done with the swim...and jogging to transition... swim: 7m 11 seconds
didn't have to think in T1 thanks to the practice just did my routine...glasses helmet socks race-belt bike go!...easy T1: 1m 47 seconds
jogged to the mount line...people were stopped on the mount line...i went ahead...then was not in a hurry...and successfully completed the flying mount...feet in the shoes the first go round@!# yes...and i was off...me and the rocket ship just put it out there...passed up all those people who passed me getting on the bike...and just continued to bike hard...i stayed aero the whole time...coming up on the turns (most were pretty hard tight right turns)...it felt great...two skunk road kills in a row...if that doesn't make you ride faster...had a few moments on the bike...thinking wow i am in the middle of the bike in my first triathlon...this is fun...yeah rocket ship...even had a moment for Jeremiah who was in FL doing his first HalfIronMan...then it was the last turn...(wow)..popped it in the big chain ring...and dug in...i was going fast then...33 or something...then all of a sudden the dismount line...saw robert and robert and amy...then i was ready to dismount...one leg over...then stopping then...my bike was on the ground...and i was confused how that all happened...but a volunteer tossed me the bike shoe that got ejected i caught it...and ran into T2... bike: 35m 13seconds average 18.9mph
on with the run shoes off with the helmet...it was still overcast so i ditched the hat...T2:1m 12seconds..
then i just ran...i knew it was short...i gave my self a small adjustment period...felt a little twinge in my heal...must have run over a rock in my socks...and settled into a steady run pace...saw jimmy running in as i was running out of the parking lot onto the road...and was just running past people left and right...some folks just looked so spent!...one two three...just keeping my rhythm...started to hear the marching band (they were at the 1 mile mark) and picked it up...grabbed a sip of powerade...green flavor eek!...then just ran...i think...i was running kind hard...but i don't know...it felt like it...then there was a girl in front of me...then i passed her...then i was in the parking lot then i was on the path then i was done!!!...as adam said i am no longer a rookie :) run: 15m 43seconds 7:52pace
overall time: 1h 1m #7 in my age group
a very happy and successful day...the only race day objective i blundered was the bike dismount...but hey...one out of 12 not bad for the first go round...man what a great day...i am beaming and totally stoked that i liked it...it would be a long yeah if i didn't ha! here we go on the road to IMAZ...oh yeah
arrived at the ski ranch just before 5.45am to find just a few cars in the parking area...got out of the car and started to get my stuff ready...pumped up the tires...made sure i had everything and headed over to the transition area...it wasn't open yet...but Amy was there to greet me...in her volunteer's shirt :)...have i mentioned that Amy rocks!...so after a quick potty stop and some chatting with some ladies around me it was time to go in...Amy got to do the honors of body marking me at my first tri...good memory...then off to find a rack for my bike...
it was marked by age group...Open (pros mostly) first then youngest to oldest...putting F30-34 four racks back on the right side...i was literally the first one to rack in my AG...prime end spot on the first rack...just the one i wanted...put my towel down and got my self organized...then off to get my bearings...walked down to the swim start stuck my feet in the water squatted and found a large light post that was perfectly in line with the swim course...so it was the perfect thing to sight to...then looked over to the swim out to see if i could find something to sight to on the way back...first the building then after a slight turn...the exit sign...big white obvious...nice...back to transition...following what looked to be the path we would be taking...to find the bike out/in and the mount/dismount line...saw drew :) yeah! figured out where i was going then back to my spot to find the run out and run start...easy...
then it was time to kill...hit the potty lines...got some water...sat around...avoided the negative talkers...potty again...down to the water...chatting with some of the folks i knew from the bike shop...T3...others in the Cap Tex group...back to transition to drop the flip flops and grab the swim cap and goggles...pre race meeting...just generally the stuff in the race packet...and then the start...open wave...then all the men...youngest to oldest in three minute increments...then one wave of ladies then it was go time for me...
i was feeling pretty relaxed...we were allowed into the water...the mass stayed right in front of the swim start shoot...i moved over to the left...very close to the buoy line...no one in front of me...the girls behind me were spaced out...i was ready...then we sat...there was some debris in the water they wanted to get out for safety reasons...so we stood there for a few minutes...people were chattering...i just stayed focused got horizontal then it was time to go...i was swimming...there were people...then there were toes...toes! i was on them...then the toes got too slow...so i was the toes...then toes again...then bodies...a few bumps...then were almost at the buoy...then more bodies...did a weird head above the water turn thing...then 10 hard strokes...then toes...almost the whole way in...then the toes were going in a direction i did not want to go...so i just hauled it in...swam until i hit the ground...past about three volunteers...and others walking...and i was out of the water!...i was done with the swim...and jogging to transition... swim: 7m 11 seconds
didn't have to think in T1 thanks to the practice just did my routine...glasses helmet socks race-belt bike go!...easy T1: 1m 47 seconds
jogged to the mount line...people were stopped on the mount line...i went ahead...then was not in a hurry...and successfully completed the flying mount...feet in the shoes the first go round@!# yes...and i was off...me and the rocket ship just put it out there...passed up all those people who passed me getting on the bike...and just continued to bike hard...i stayed aero the whole time...coming up on the turns (most were pretty hard tight right turns)...it felt great...two skunk road kills in a row...if that doesn't make you ride faster...had a few moments on the bike...thinking wow i am in the middle of the bike in my first triathlon...this is fun...yeah rocket ship...even had a moment for Jeremiah who was in FL doing his first HalfIronMan...then it was the last turn...(wow)..popped it in the big chain ring...and dug in...i was going fast then...33 or something...then all of a sudden the dismount line...saw robert and robert and amy...then i was ready to dismount...one leg over...then stopping then...my bike was on the ground...and i was confused how that all happened...but a volunteer tossed me the bike shoe that got ejected i caught it...and ran into T2... bike: 35m 13seconds average 18.9mph
on with the run shoes off with the helmet...it was still overcast so i ditched the hat...T2:1m 12seconds..
then i just ran...i knew it was short...i gave my self a small adjustment period...felt a little twinge in my heal...must have run over a rock in my socks...and settled into a steady run pace...saw jimmy running in as i was running out of the parking lot onto the road...and was just running past people left and right...some folks just looked so spent!...one two three...just keeping my rhythm...started to hear the marching band (they were at the 1 mile mark) and picked it up...grabbed a sip of powerade...green flavor eek!...then just ran...i think...i was running kind hard...but i don't know...it felt like it...then there was a girl in front of me...then i passed her...then i was in the parking lot then i was on the path then i was done!!!...as adam said i am no longer a rookie :) run: 15m 43seconds 7:52pace
overall time: 1h 1m #7 in my age group
a very happy and successful day...the only race day objective i blundered was the bike dismount...but hey...one out of 12 not bad for the first go round...man what a great day...i am beaming and totally stoked that i liked it...it would be a long yeah if i didn't ha! here we go on the road to IMAZ...oh yeah
Friday, May 9, 2008
thursday
1600 this morning at barton springs...it is light now when i am there at 6.30...and nice to be able to see where you are going...had a little trouble sighting once the sun came up...the reflection off the water made it almost impossible to see...a nice easy swim...
went over my race goals/race plan with my coach...she seemed to think that it was ok...gave me some advice to figure out how to get from swim in to my bike...from there to bike out...from bike in to bike rack and from there to run out...i was also thinking while i am doing that i can pick out a spot to sight to on the way out and something else on the way back...
why am i so nervous...i guess it is just nerves about the unknown of it all...like i have never been to the place where it is...the normal route to get there is going to be closed so i have to take other roads...j helped me figure out what it is that i am actually nervous about in the race that i have control over...and it's not much...i just need to do this...now i feel like it can't get here fast enough...
after our chat about race plan...we worked on transition...i have a little order when i come out of the swim...helmet, glasses, race belt socks...then i am ready for the bike...in from the bike...it is left shoe right shoe...helmet off...grab hat and run...not much to it...but i did get to practice the mount and dismount a few times...with other people watching me and cars in the road...so that was good...
the actual work outs that i have been doing this week have been light...the swimming is about the only thing that i have been doing at the same volume...guess i am tapering for my race...and without realizing it carb loading too...when i am training a lot i eat a lot...and i guess that when i am tapering and not training a lot...i eat a lot too...hmm...that can't be good...i hope next week my volume is better...
went over my race goals/race plan with my coach...she seemed to think that it was ok...gave me some advice to figure out how to get from swim in to my bike...from there to bike out...from bike in to bike rack and from there to run out...i was also thinking while i am doing that i can pick out a spot to sight to on the way out and something else on the way back...
why am i so nervous...i guess it is just nerves about the unknown of it all...like i have never been to the place where it is...the normal route to get there is going to be closed so i have to take other roads...j helped me figure out what it is that i am actually nervous about in the race that i have control over...and it's not much...i just need to do this...now i feel like it can't get here fast enough...
after our chat about race plan...we worked on transition...i have a little order when i come out of the swim...helmet, glasses, race belt socks...then i am ready for the bike...in from the bike...it is left shoe right shoe...helmet off...grab hat and run...not much to it...but i did get to practice the mount and dismount a few times...with other people watching me and cars in the road...so that was good...
the actual work outs that i have been doing this week have been light...the swimming is about the only thing that i have been doing at the same volume...guess i am tapering for my race...and without realizing it carb loading too...when i am training a lot i eat a lot...and i guess that when i am tapering and not training a lot...i eat a lot too...hmm...that can't be good...i hope next week my volume is better...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
swimming and flying
morning swim with a whole group of people...but unfortunately jeremiah has a big race this weekend...and was doing a light swim as he is tapering...so he and amy practiced beach starts and i did the prescribed workout of 2 lengths warm-up 5 lengths strong with 30 seconds rest 1 length cool down...ended up doing about another length cool down...amy and jeremiah had passed me going the other way with a big chain of people so i decided to meet them half way down the pool and hop on the end to draft since i didn't get a chance to get pulled...nice workout...very different from that first time in barton springs...geez :)
home to study...took a little break to bake some banana bread...then decided i needed to get out of the house and ride...
rode up to the IM fields parking lot...on Guadalupe...i figured since UT is in the middle of reading days/finals week...there would be few cars and few folks coming and going...so i rode in amy's sidi bike shoes that she is letting me borrow so i could practice my flying mount and dismount
i'm not that fast...and need to slow way down to get off but i can do it...and i was able to get used to putting the shoes on and not wobbling around on the bike too much...i had been contemplating doing the Rookie this weekend without the mount/dismount...and just doing it with my shoes on but i just told my self to suck it up...this (racing) is the reason that i learned how to do it anyway so i might as well give it a try...i practiced for 30 minutes up and back in the parking lot...it's a really long parking lot...then rode home...good ride and nice to not think about chem for an hour...
studied for a few more hours until j said i had to stop so we made dinner and watched an episode of heros...on demand netflix is really great...if you haven't tried it...you must...the chicken was awesome! we both loved it...and we are thinking we need to find a new show...it's not getting much better...
wish me luck on my final exam wednesday!
home to study...took a little break to bake some banana bread...then decided i needed to get out of the house and ride...
rode up to the IM fields parking lot...on Guadalupe...i figured since UT is in the middle of reading days/finals week...there would be few cars and few folks coming and going...so i rode in amy's sidi bike shoes that she is letting me borrow so i could practice my flying mount and dismount
i'm not that fast...and need to slow way down to get off but i can do it...and i was able to get used to putting the shoes on and not wobbling around on the bike too much...i had been contemplating doing the Rookie this weekend without the mount/dismount...and just doing it with my shoes on but i just told my self to suck it up...this (racing) is the reason that i learned how to do it anyway so i might as well give it a try...i practiced for 30 minutes up and back in the parking lot...it's a really long parking lot...then rode home...good ride and nice to not think about chem for an hour...
studied for a few more hours until j said i had to stop so we made dinner and watched an episode of heros...on demand netflix is really great...if you haven't tried it...you must...the chicken was awesome! we both loved it...and we are thinking we need to find a new show...it's not getting much better...
wish me luck on my final exam wednesday!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
rookie week
after struggling emotionally this weekend i was glad that it was monday...a new start...just feeling like the stress of finals and the excitement/nervousness of a race...did i mention it's my first tri...this coming weekend was overwhelming...i've since gotten over that little fit...does that count as pre-race melt-down...i am sure my husband would say yes...so back to it
monday weights...nothing exciting...except feeling stronger and stronger...i like that...gaining fitness feels really good...
studied really all day with just a few short breaks...made some pasta sauce for dinner and let it simmer for an hour or so in the afternoon...
ran in the evening...did a structured fartlek 4 x 3 m easy 2m medium 1m strong...a good workout...i like that one...i remember doing it as an on your own workout during marathon training...i was home in PGH...running in my parents neighborhood...in the quiet wooded small streets where i grew up...remembering that workout last night really was nice...felt strong then and now...kept up with a girl who is faster than me for most of the workout...she schooled me on the last 1 minute strong...i blame it on the extra 6 inches of leg she has on me...i have no idea if i am really getting any faster but that sure made me feel like it...
watched the first half of the pilot of twin peeks last night...it makes much more sense when you watch it from the beginning...i have only seen episodes...maybe one or two...from season two and that was very confusing...i still can't believe that it was on regular TV...
monday weights...nothing exciting...except feeling stronger and stronger...i like that...gaining fitness feels really good...
studied really all day with just a few short breaks...made some pasta sauce for dinner and let it simmer for an hour or so in the afternoon...
ran in the evening...did a structured fartlek 4 x 3 m easy 2m medium 1m strong...a good workout...i like that one...i remember doing it as an on your own workout during marathon training...i was home in PGH...running in my parents neighborhood...in the quiet wooded small streets where i grew up...remembering that workout last night really was nice...felt strong then and now...kept up with a girl who is faster than me for most of the workout...she schooled me on the last 1 minute strong...i blame it on the extra 6 inches of leg she has on me...i have no idea if i am really getting any faster but that sure made me feel like it...
watched the first half of the pilot of twin peeks last night...it makes much more sense when you watch it from the beginning...i have only seen episodes...maybe one or two...from season two and that was very confusing...i still can't believe that it was on regular TV...
Monday, May 5, 2008
short long everything
saturday was me and jeremiah for a short long ride with a wee run after...it was so much fun to ride again with him...it seems we don't get to do that much now that we are on different schedules and he's doing a HalfIM this weekend...and i am doing a short sprint...soon we will converge again...road 1h45m into the wind and uphill both ways...no seriously the wind was killer...nose wobbling...and kind of unsafe in aerobars wind...but the wind is my friend...right?! ~20 minute run off the bike saw Raj and Ashley from cap tex group out in the neighborhood next to the veloway...
went to LBS to get a tri-top...i like what i got...saw the boys...richard and drew...no jack :( but it is great there...they are super nice...picked up the farm share...with an abundance of leeks...yum...and home to study for the exam i hoped not to have to take...sigh...j and i made indian food...and macaroons and watched King Corn...i liked...he fell asleep :0
sunday swim at nitro...we swam a timed 1500...33m35s i was happy with that...actually i couldn't care less about the time...it was the fact that i swam continuously for 1600m (yeah it's not the track) and was not winded or so tired that i couldn't swim more...total of 2000...it went fast...then it was down to town lake for a run in my "tri outfit" to see what that is like...ran longhorn damn to congress loop... a little less than an hour...just taking it nice and easy...the outfit was good...i, to my surprise, didn't feel all that exposed...or maybe i just don't care anymore...
home again to study a lot...grilled chicken and leeks, green beans with shallots and anchovies, fresh tomatoes with Dijon vinaigrette...and an episode of Heros (season 2...not as good as season 1)
went to LBS to get a tri-top...i like what i got...saw the boys...richard and drew...no jack :( but it is great there...they are super nice...picked up the farm share...with an abundance of leeks...yum...and home to study for the exam i hoped not to have to take...sigh...j and i made indian food...and macaroons and watched King Corn...i liked...he fell asleep :0
sunday swim at nitro...we swam a timed 1500...33m35s i was happy with that...actually i couldn't care less about the time...it was the fact that i swam continuously for 1600m (yeah it's not the track) and was not winded or so tired that i couldn't swim more...total of 2000...it went fast...then it was down to town lake for a run in my "tri outfit" to see what that is like...ran longhorn damn to congress loop... a little less than an hour...just taking it nice and easy...the outfit was good...i, to my surprise, didn't feel all that exposed...or maybe i just don't care anymore...
home again to study a lot...grilled chicken and leeks, green beans with shallots and anchovies, fresh tomatoes with Dijon vinaigrette...and an episode of Heros (season 2...not as good as season 1)
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
OMG!
just got an e-mail from my chem professor...she is curving the last exam...which means...i think i am exempt from the final! woo woo! ok i won't get my hopes up until i get the raw points in hand but wow what an exciting day!
in other news...thursday was a good training day...BSP swim in the morning...2000 yards/meters what ever crack laps are...feeling good about swimming...and much better about sighting...mostly on my own...got to draft two lengths with Amit from cap tex group...
last day of classes...we had a bonus quiz in chem...eek...i'll have to review a lot if i end up having to take the final...no re-learn just brush up...then we made ice cream using liquid nitrogen to freeze it...very cool...felt like one of those cutting edge chefs that use physical chemistry in the kitchen...too bad my tummy and dairy don't get along...it would have been cool to try...
had "quiz bowl" in nutrition...reviewing for the final...you want to win but you don't...you don't because of the "prizes" you get....this time it was stuff the professor couldn't sell from her yard sale...yeah...really bad stuff...not even kitschy cool....just ugly...so our team could have schooled everyone but er didn't want to win that junk...
i actually had some time in the afternoon with no HW to do so i stopped by RoguEquipment and picked up some new running shoes...i haven't owned a pair of nike's since i was like age 5...they were white with a red swoop...i totally remember them...so yeah they have changed a lot since then :)
went for a 30 minute run in them this morning...very nice...i like them...we will see what they feel like when i put my tri style elastic laces in them...
had a good workout at the gym this morning...i am really digging those core exercises i found in an old runner's world amy gave me...i feel the muscles coming...some day...i will have the six pack...or four pack that i have dreamed of since playing soccer...ahh...i'll post a picture when i get there :)
oh and if you haven't noticed by the pictures lately....i have learned how to get the photos off my camera...super great!...off to get some groceries...i love groceries
in other news...thursday was a good training day...BSP swim in the morning...2000 yards/meters what ever crack laps are...feeling good about swimming...and much better about sighting...mostly on my own...got to draft two lengths with Amit from cap tex group...
last day of classes...we had a bonus quiz in chem...eek...i'll have to review a lot if i end up having to take the final...no re-learn just brush up...then we made ice cream using liquid nitrogen to freeze it...very cool...felt like one of those cutting edge chefs that use physical chemistry in the kitchen...too bad my tummy and dairy don't get along...it would have been cool to try...
had "quiz bowl" in nutrition...reviewing for the final...you want to win but you don't...you don't because of the "prizes" you get....this time it was stuff the professor couldn't sell from her yard sale...yeah...really bad stuff...not even kitschy cool....just ugly...so our team could have schooled everyone but er didn't want to win that junk...
i actually had some time in the afternoon with no HW to do so i stopped by RoguEquipment and picked up some new running shoes...i haven't owned a pair of nike's since i was like age 5...they were white with a red swoop...i totally remember them...so yeah they have changed a lot since then :)
went for a 30 minute run in them this morning...very nice...i like them...we will see what they feel like when i put my tri style elastic laces in them...
had a good workout at the gym this morning...i am really digging those core exercises i found in an old runner's world amy gave me...i feel the muscles coming...some day...i will have the six pack...or four pack that i have dreamed of since playing soccer...ahh...i'll post a picture when i get there :)
oh and if you haven't noticed by the pictures lately....i have learned how to get the photos off my camera...super great!...off to get some groceries...i love groceries
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Nudo!
this past christmas j adopted an olive tree for me through nudo...it is kind of like joining a CSA..but instead of a weekly box of vegetables you get olive oil twice or is it thrice...during the year..
i think about my olive tree sometimes...i imagine what it would be like to go and visit it in its grove...but you know i am thankful that i have adopted this tree...i know it is getting all that it needs to live its best life...and the farmer is getting a bit of a living too :)
so as i am preparing to go to my chem exam last night...the UPS man drops by with...My OLIVE OIL!!! oh man...that made me happy...so i got 3 500mL cans and one 250mL...i really want to crack them open...so i guess now that classes are coming to an end for the semester...today is the last day...i have no excuse...i must bake some bread to dip into this yummy stuff direct from Italy...i'll let you know how it is...and how i did on my chem test too... :)
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