Friday musings

I can’t believe it’s been three weeks since my last entry.  So much has happened between then and now.  I completed the Callaway Gardens Sprint Tri with friends JoJo and Danielle.

I became sick after Callaway. Not sure if it was due to some lake cootie or crud attaching to my body. It could also have been due to my body demanding a well-deserved rest. My last thought is it could have been the loss of adrenaline having known that all the events I’d registered for were complete.  Whatever it was it took 3 days to get over the fever and feel somewhat normal.

Next up on the list of things to decide on is Acworth. Aaahh, Acworth. I wanted to complete the sprint tri to make up for a poor showing last year. However, the more I thought about it, I realized, I’m not ready mentally and don’t want to do it. When I’m not thinking of it, I’m happy, smiling, loving life.  The minute I think of the 400 yard swim or visualize myself standing on the beach waiting for the wave start, I feel this pit in my stomach.  So, there it is. I thought by now, that feeling would be gone and it isn’t.  This time next week, I'll be on vacation in Los Angeles and I really want to relax and enjoy myself. I don’t want to worry about swim training. 

Earlier this week, I made the decision to not register for Acworth. I feel good about it and that’s how I know it’s the right decision.  I will continue to work on body position/rotation and breathing.  This is in addition to running and cycling.   

Keep moving forward..

Callaway Gardens Sprint Tri

This was my first time participating in CG.  I thought it would be fairly easy after back to back Lake Lanier tris.  It was, sort of.  My body was a bit tired but I decided to press through.  The 2 hour drive to Pine Mountain wasn’t too bad.  I had a chance to hang out with Danielle and JoJo on Saturday. It’s always nice to spend time with nice people. It didn't feel rushed or hurried. We actually had time to talk and enjoy each others company. 

Callaway was interesting in the fact that the swim is in 5 feet of water.  I couldn’t believe it and actually walked out to the buoy and it’s true. The water was this blue/green chemical treated color and very warm.  A bit different from the brown, cloudy later water. JoJo and I walked through the water to the swim start as our warm-up.  This was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been at a tri.  We’d racked our bikes next to each other earlier and agreed to stay together during the swim.  During the earlier start waves, we saw people with snorkels and one person walked the entire distance.  He didn’t put his face in the water.  That made us feel like pros!  Friends who’ve known us a while will get a kick out of that.  J

So, the swim starts and we are off. Practicing our strokes and calmly we get to the end. Heading up to transition we decide to go our own way.  The transition allowed me to practice.  I rode with clips again and felt very comfortable. Funny this was one of the first times I’d participate in a race without having first ridden the course.  A number of young kids passed me and I smiled. I think it’s so cool that parents have children in these events at 10 yo and up.  The bike ride is over after 8+ miles.  I don’t think it was actually 10, I transition and am off on the run.  This has to be my least practiced and least favorite part of the tri.  I must do better in the future. 

It seemed so hot during the run. I kept reminding myself, it’s only 2 miles…you can do anything for 2 miles.  So off I went.  I have to admit it was nice rounding the corner and seeing the finish. However, I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t receive a medal.

Oh well, I’m thankful for the finish. We had fun and no one was injured. What more could you ask for?   

I must say that riding with clips and focusing on maintaining cadence and being in the correct gear going up hill resulted in some very achy quads.  For a couple days my legs were screaming at me.  I guess that how it feels when I do it right, huh? 

Keep moving forward…

My Next Tri

This past Saturday, I completed my next tri at lake lanier. This is the first time I've looked at a tri as a training, how much progress have you made outing. I'm working on my mental strength. This has proved to be more of a challenge than expected. The swim wasn't as easy as expected but a lot easier than Irongirl. I had butterflies while waiting on the shore and a couple times even found myself not wanting to start. But I did. I'm learning to push through. This was the first tri where I had to swim alone and push myself to keep going. No friends or coaches next to me to encourage and I pushed through. Honestly, it felt good to swim around yet another houseboat. I wish they wouldn't anchor them on race day. Swimming under a bridge, walk way for use by the temporary boat dock users. Listening to the crowd encourage me. It is true that people really do want you to succeed.

The 1/4 mile transition run/walk seemed doable. I didn't worry on stepping on anything or slipping. My sole focus was to get to transition as quickly as I could.  Upon arriving in transition, I found my bike [racked on the last rack] slipped on the necessary equipment and patiently walk/jogged the bike to the mount line. I clipped in and was on my way.  The transition is coming natural to me.  I guess the key is learning how to approach it and practice.

The bike ride went well. My primary focus was to have a good ride [first with clips] and try not to fall. The key I realized is being in the right gear, continuing to pedal, and keeping a watchful eye on the road and other cyclists. Sounds simple enough. About 3 miles away from transition, a car and other cyclists was in front of me.  I clipped out with my left foot and prepared to stop. Only then did I realize I was in the wrong gear for a hill, got a little disoriented tried to downshift while breaking and the next thing I knew, realized I was gonna fall. I should say tip over because that's what it seemed like. all I could do was unclip my right foot, lie back onto the grass a few seconds, laugh and then get up to continue.  I clipped back in and road the rest of the way in.

T2 was much easier. I removed the necessary gear, slipped on my shoes, and was on my way.

The run is becoming a feeling of, you've got this for me.  I guess at this point, I realize the hardest part is over.  I ran/walked the course and made it in. During the course I thought, this is the 3rd Lake Lanier run in as many months.  I'm not going to run Lake Lanier three times next year.  The downhill leading toward the finish was wonderful as always.  It was so nice to hear the announcer say my name and to receive the medal.

Crossing the finish line makes all the practice, early rising, anxiety and wondering how things will go worth it. It's a wonderful and addicting sense of accomplishment. I learned a few lessons and have some things to practice on.  Sunday, albeit tired, I found myself thinking of goals for the next 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. I'm hooked on trying to improve including riding and running with more advanced friends to improve.

I'm on the fence about Acworth. Funny, as much as I want to do it, I don't feel that I have to. If my swim is not up to speed, I won't register. I'll continue to practice, practice, practice until it's better. I think this is why I like triathlon, there is so much opportunity to improve.

Keep moving forward

Irongirl Atlanta 2012

All I can say is WOW!!

What a life changing experience.  I experienced such a range of emotions at the event.  Starting with the swim. As a new swimmer, I hoped it wouldn't take longer than 35 minutes to complete. Well, it took longer than that and I learned a lesson.  Although I can swim on my back in open water, it's not the best approach. My goal will be to improve my comfort level in the water, including breathing so that I can continuously swim freestyle 600 meters.  I'm not sure how long it will take to reach the goal but it's ok.  I'm in no rush. If I practice consistently and with focus, I'll get there.

Next up, the bike. I enjoyed the ride. By the time I left transition, the roads were fairly clear. The good thing was I wasn't the only one on the roads. The volunteers were offering words of encouragement and I took the time to thank them.  It was a reasonably relaxed ride. There was an accident on the course which caused a short delay. During that time, I chatted with other cyclists, shared water with someone who'd forgotten theirs and said a prayer for the fallen cyclist. 

Finally, the run. I was so pumped by the time the run arrived. Although I was tired, I felt energized. Jesse and Kam were there every step of the way cheering for me.  My friends from TNT and USAFit were also cheering.  I was so proud of myself on that day. Durly the first 90 minutes, on a number of occasions I had to dig deep and keep going.  Honestly, I wanted to quit during the swim a few times but I didn't, couldn't.  I put in so much work training and my family sacrified so much, I couldn't quit.

Running down the final chute, hearing the announcement that I'm not an Irongirl was incredible.  Thanks to everyone that provided support throughout the event and after.

Keep moving forward.