My last couple of rides have not been as fast as I think they should have been, so I got to thinking...I wonder if the tire pressure would affect my speed. If I apply the same logic as how gas mileage suffers on my car if my tire pressure is not correct, it stands to reason, that if my bike tires were also a little on the low side, they would not turn as efficiently.
My pump is an old one that I got back in the 90's. It's hard to use and I can't seem to get the tires pumped up past 100 psi. Maybe it's time for a new pump...what's another $50 or so on this sport? LOL
I need to remember to sign up for Redman tomorrow, as it is the last day before the rates go up! Eeek...hope it is not a wasted $225.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Progress & Redemption
I've had many days now to reflect on my failure at Tinman. When I look back, I am amazed and somewhat appalled that I didn't complete the swim at that race. Intellectually, the distance was so much shorter than all of my current workouts. Even visually, when I looked over the water, it didn't look daunting.
So, I try to look at it as a learning experience, not that it was the 2nd race I've ever DNF'ed. I went back to Shawnee Mission Park last week and swam with Bea. If was slooooow and steady. I focused on my breathing. And, I was fine.
Thursday, I intended to go to Master's class at Prairie Village pool. With the coming race on Sunday, I thought a pool workout in 50 meter swim lanes would be good practice. Lo and behold, there was a swim meet that night and the pool was closed. Dang! So much for the best laid plans. I then drove down to Leawood pool to just swim in the 50 meter lanes. Can you believe they were doing a swim meet as well? It was too late to go to UMKC, so I was destined to swim at 24-Hour Fitness.
In spite of it all, it was a great 2,000 yard workout. I went down to Joplin and did the Summer Roundup tri, a great beginner's tri with a pool swim. The 500 meters were done before I hardly knew it. The race was great and I even won my age group!
So, that brings me to tonight. Marcela and I went to Kill Creek in Olathe and swam around the 500-yard course they have set up there -- 3 times. Not a single moment of anxiety. Complete control of my breath. I think that my gut has finally caught up with my head in believing that my wetsuit will keep me afloat, which is another huge stroke forward! Now, to start swimming naket (without the wetsuit security blanky, so I can do WIN for KC tri.
So, I try to look at it as a learning experience, not that it was the 2nd race I've ever DNF'ed. I went back to Shawnee Mission Park last week and swam with Bea. If was slooooow and steady. I focused on my breathing. And, I was fine.
Thursday, I intended to go to Master's class at Prairie Village pool. With the coming race on Sunday, I thought a pool workout in 50 meter swim lanes would be good practice. Lo and behold, there was a swim meet that night and the pool was closed. Dang! So much for the best laid plans. I then drove down to Leawood pool to just swim in the 50 meter lanes. Can you believe they were doing a swim meet as well? It was too late to go to UMKC, so I was destined to swim at 24-Hour Fitness.
In spite of it all, it was a great 2,000 yard workout. I went down to Joplin and did the Summer Roundup tri, a great beginner's tri with a pool swim. The 500 meters were done before I hardly knew it. The race was great and I even won my age group!
So, that brings me to tonight. Marcela and I went to Kill Creek in Olathe and swam around the 500-yard course they have set up there -- 3 times. Not a single moment of anxiety. Complete control of my breath. I think that my gut has finally caught up with my head in believing that my wetsuit will keep me afloat, which is another huge stroke forward! Now, to start swimming naket (without the wetsuit security blanky, so I can do WIN for KC tri.
DNF
Well.
My first attempt at a triathlon with a lake swim did not go so well. Topeka Tinman. 400 meter swim in Lake Shawnee. Kaput.
A storm had come through Friday night, but the cold front brought the temps down to a very pleasant level. It also brought the water temperature down to 74 degrees, well below the wetsuit-legal threshold. I looked out over the swim course, and felt that it was doable. No sweat.
When it time for my age group wave to start, I had a few butterflies, but no fear. I felt confident that I would be able to do the swim. I started in the back of pack, walked calmly into the water and started off. Stroke, breathe, stroke, breathe, I can do this, breathe, I can do this, breathe. The gal behind me bumped my legs a few time, but I was still, stroke, breathe, stroke, breathe. I was thinking to myself, hey! I might be the last one out of the water!
But,, as I've found before, in open water, I'm fine until I'm not. I paused as I got almost to the second buoy and my heart rate immediately shot up, along with my breathing, almost to the point of hyperventilating. I stopped and rested on the lifeguard's floaty thing, but still couldn't get my breathing back under control. Ultimately, I just wanted out of the water, and I bailed.
So, disappointing. The conditions were perfect. It was a short swim. Wetsuit legal. All the elements were there for me to succeed. I had felt good that day, ready to race. I got a whole 200 yds. After I had sat on the boat for 3 minutes, I was ready to try again, but at that point, it was too late. I had gotten out of the water.
After much analysis, the Red Lady gals there thought I was starting out too fast. I didn't think I was going that fast, but I do know that I started out in the back and was soon in the middle of the pack. I also had in the back of mind that I wanted to get out of the water as soon as I could, so I'm sure that sped up my stroke.
So, I've been polling some experienced triathletes and my swim coach as to suggestions on how to obtain some level of comfort in the water. Leslie provided a great article from Triathlete magazine and Sara gave me some similar tips. My goal now is to go out and swim very slowly and see if that helps. Kimmie B, was extremely encouraging because swimming is her innter demon, too, but she has been able to overcome and finish several IM distance races.
My first attempt at a triathlon with a lake swim did not go so well. Topeka Tinman. 400 meter swim in Lake Shawnee. Kaput.
A storm had come through Friday night, but the cold front brought the temps down to a very pleasant level. It also brought the water temperature down to 74 degrees, well below the wetsuit-legal threshold. I looked out over the swim course, and felt that it was doable. No sweat.
When it time for my age group wave to start, I had a few butterflies, but no fear. I felt confident that I would be able to do the swim. I started in the back of pack, walked calmly into the water and started off. Stroke, breathe, stroke, breathe, I can do this, breathe, I can do this, breathe. The gal behind me bumped my legs a few time, but I was still, stroke, breathe, stroke, breathe. I was thinking to myself, hey! I might be the last one out of the water!
But,, as I've found before, in open water, I'm fine until I'm not. I paused as I got almost to the second buoy and my heart rate immediately shot up, along with my breathing, almost to the point of hyperventilating. I stopped and rested on the lifeguard's floaty thing, but still couldn't get my breathing back under control. Ultimately, I just wanted out of the water, and I bailed.
So, disappointing. The conditions were perfect. It was a short swim. Wetsuit legal. All the elements were there for me to succeed. I had felt good that day, ready to race. I got a whole 200 yds. After I had sat on the boat for 3 minutes, I was ready to try again, but at that point, it was too late. I had gotten out of the water.
After much analysis, the Red Lady gals there thought I was starting out too fast. I didn't think I was going that fast, but I do know that I started out in the back and was soon in the middle of the pack. I also had in the back of mind that I wanted to get out of the water as soon as I could, so I'm sure that sped up my stroke.
So, I've been polling some experienced triathletes and my swim coach as to suggestions on how to obtain some level of comfort in the water. Leslie provided a great article from Triathlete magazine and Sara gave me some similar tips. My goal now is to go out and swim very slowly and see if that helps. Kimmie B, was extremely encouraging because swimming is her innter demon, too, but she has been able to overcome and finish several IM distance races.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Speedsuits
I thought I found the answer to my "how will I be able to swim in a lake without a wetsuit" dilemma: the speedsuit/speedskin/swimskin. It is a sleeveless knee-length suit, that reduces drag (like that will matter for me) and provides a little buoyancy (YAY!) and is legal when wetsuits are not.
However, I'm finding a lot of somewhat contradictory and confusing information on various websites. In 2010, the World Triathlon Commission, who owns the Ironman brand and oversees Ironman branded races, banned speedsuits. However, USAT has a long list of suits that are allowed.
I want to try one. Yet one more somewhat pricy thing to buy in the pursuit of this hobby. I know that the best answer is to just get to the point where I am comfortable enough in the water to not "need" a wetsuit. Easier said than done. However, this suit might be just enough to ease my mind for the longer swims. It might help me ease into a comfort level in the water, the way Nicorette steps people off smoking.
However, I'm finding a lot of somewhat contradictory and confusing information on various websites. In 2010, the World Triathlon Commission, who owns the Ironman brand and oversees Ironman branded races, banned speedsuits. However, USAT has a long list of suits that are allowed.
I want to try one. Yet one more somewhat pricy thing to buy in the pursuit of this hobby. I know that the best answer is to just get to the point where I am comfortable enough in the water to not "need" a wetsuit. Easier said than done. However, this suit might be just enough to ease my mind for the longer swims. It might help me ease into a comfort level in the water, the way Nicorette steps people off smoking.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Topeka Tinman coming
Topeka Tinman is coming up this Saturday. Because I was out of town the weekend of the Kansas City Triathlon, this will be my inaugural triathlon. I had another moment at the swim on Tuesday, which shook up my confidence again. It wasn't really a big deal, but I didn't warm up and ended up in the middle of the buoys, out of breath again. Thursday, I went back out to the lake with some trepidation. After a good talk with myself, I swathed myself in my wetsuit despite the 90+ degree weather and headed back out to the water.
This time, I took my time and was soon swimming laps with the rest, feeling so much more comfortable that I again felt a bit of enjoyment. Two strokes forward, one stroke back. Thursday was a two strokes forward night. I feel more confident and perhaps I can do Topeka. I looked at the website today and it listed the short course as only 400 meters instead of 500 as it had been earlier. I can do 400 meters!
My only concern is that it may too warm to wear the wetsuit. I'm not sure what I will do if that's the case. If the water temp is under 80 degrees, I can still use the suit, but not be eligible for any age group awards. I may try swimming this week without the suit...but, I may also just forfeit the age group awards, too. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how the open water swims go this week.
Kansas 70.3 was held today. My friend, Karen and I volunteered. The downside was that we were there at 4:00 a.m. this morning. The upside was that we held the markers. Body marking. Woo hoo! :)
My friend and training buddy, Bea, competed today and did so well! again, I'm so thrilled for her and a little jealous, too. But, I know how anxious she was in the days up to the race, so her success has given me another boost that maybe, just maybe, I'll accomplish it this year, too.
The gals and I drove over to Kill Creek Park and rode the Olathe Women's Triathlon course. I had heard that it was really hilly, but it turned out to be a nice course. It's very pretty and pastoral out there, even though it was halfway to Lawrence. The route was only 10 miles, so by the time the fourth loop rolled around, I was getting a little tired of it.
Now, to bed. Need to get up early tomorrow to...swim, of course!
This time, I took my time and was soon swimming laps with the rest, feeling so much more comfortable that I again felt a bit of enjoyment. Two strokes forward, one stroke back. Thursday was a two strokes forward night. I feel more confident and perhaps I can do Topeka. I looked at the website today and it listed the short course as only 400 meters instead of 500 as it had been earlier. I can do 400 meters!
My only concern is that it may too warm to wear the wetsuit. I'm not sure what I will do if that's the case. If the water temp is under 80 degrees, I can still use the suit, but not be eligible for any age group awards. I may try swimming this week without the suit...but, I may also just forfeit the age group awards, too. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how the open water swims go this week.
Kansas 70.3 was held today. My friend, Karen and I volunteered. The downside was that we were there at 4:00 a.m. this morning. The upside was that we held the markers. Body marking. Woo hoo! :)
My friend and training buddy, Bea, competed today and did so well! again, I'm so thrilled for her and a little jealous, too. But, I know how anxious she was in the days up to the race, so her success has given me another boost that maybe, just maybe, I'll accomplish it this year, too.
The gals and I drove over to Kill Creek Park and rode the Olathe Women's Triathlon course. I had heard that it was really hilly, but it turned out to be a nice course. It's very pretty and pastoral out there, even though it was halfway to Lawrence. The route was only 10 miles, so by the time the fourth loop rolled around, I was getting a little tired of it.
Now, to bed. Need to get up early tomorrow to...swim, of course!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Normal?
Since I've been involved with EMG and the Red Ladies, I've had to redefine "normal." It isn't normal to jump in a lake in wind chills of 39. It isn't normal to say, "Oh, the water doesn't feel too bad! At 67 degrees, it's much warmer than the air."
It isn't normal to spend anywhere from 8-12 hours a week doing training activities.
It isn't normal to ride a bike for two hours, then jump into your running shoes for a short "brick." Then, do an hour and a half run the next day.
The list goes on.
I keep telling myself that there are worse ways to spend my time and money. But, I can't help but wonder if there are even better ways than this. This is such a self-absorbed hobby. All my spare time goes to training. There's no philantropic activities, barely time to see my friends outside of my training circle. It fills up my time so completely, that days, weeks, months just fly by without my taking notice. Do I really want to pass through my life so quickly without a moment to stop and ponder; stop and appreciate the moment? Or, is it constantly trying to cheat the day by squeezing yet one more activity into it.
This YouTube encapsulates it perfectly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03dFMG8nR4
It isn't normal to spend anywhere from 8-12 hours a week doing training activities.
It isn't normal to ride a bike for two hours, then jump into your running shoes for a short "brick." Then, do an hour and a half run the next day.
The list goes on.
I keep telling myself that there are worse ways to spend my time and money. But, I can't help but wonder if there are even better ways than this. This is such a self-absorbed hobby. All my spare time goes to training. There's no philantropic activities, barely time to see my friends outside of my training circle. It fills up my time so completely, that days, weeks, months just fly by without my taking notice. Do I really want to pass through my life so quickly without a moment to stop and ponder; stop and appreciate the moment? Or, is it constantly trying to cheat the day by squeezing yet one more activity into it.
This YouTube encapsulates it perfectly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03dFMG8nR4
Progress?
I'm relieved to report that my second foray into open water swimming met with much better success. It was a beautiful evening at Shawnee Mission Park, the first night the swimming beach was open to us. In spite of all the rain we'd had up to that evening, the last couple of days prior had warmed the water up considerably. Regardless, I was still clad in my wetsuit. No way was I going to give up my security blanket yet.
The loop around the three buoys is about 250 yards, but it looked more like two miles. I tentatively swam the 50 yards to the first buoy and back to shallow water. I swam the length of the swimming area and back. Then repeated that sequence. After a few times, I took the plunge so to speak and made my first loop around the buoys.
Spotting (the process of getting your bearing and ensuring you are headed in the right direction) was harder than I expected. The buoys were not very big and the evening glare on the water rendered them almost invisible. Of course, being one of the most directionally challenged people on earth, I was going wide of the mark. But, I corrected and put my head down and advanced, stroke by stroke. Before I knew it, I had made it to the first one. Turning was a little tricky and seemed to take more energy than it should, but I awkwardly made the turn and headed to the next one. Suddenly, I had completed the lap. I did a happy dance in my mind and swam to shallow water once again. I finally did this two more times, and even felt a moment of pleasure in the water. Hey, maybe I can do this!
It was coincidental that I had gone to a doctor's appointment just prior to the swim and read an article about mantras. The author was getting ready to do a rowing event that she was nervous about, so she starting chanting to herself "Go chappy, chappy go." She found that it relaxed her and freed her mind of negative thoughts. Further research revealed that repeating a phrase such as that actually focuses one's thoughts, releasing fears and stimulating pleasure centers in the brain. So, I also tried incorporating that into my evenings, stating "I can do this" over and over. I wondered if it helped more when you could actually say the words aloud, but I had to settle for the mental version. The jury is still out on whether it helped or not.
I still don't feel super confident and can't imagine not having the wetsuit, but I'd accomplished more than I ever had before. The weather has turned beastly hot and now I fear that I will not be able to use my it at Topeka Tinman, my first tri of the season. Yikes. Luckily, it is a short swim. So, my plan is to swim again on Tuesday with the wetsuit, and depending on my progress, possibly go wetsuitless on Thursday. We shall see.
Last Saturday was an EMG group ride, where I did 42 miles--now my second longest ride ever. It's hard to comprehend that a mere 8 days ago, the weather was a little chilly and we were debating wearing a jacket or long pants on the ride. Yesterday, was Hospital Hill, where it was 80 degrees at 7:00 a.m. when the race started. It was a brutal, humid day. I thought several times, I wasn't going to make it, and it took every ounce of willpower I possessed to not turn at the 10K turnaround, but I persevered. The experience of 56 marathons saw me through this one, and I even finished in 2:01...my first Hospital Hill that wasn't under two hours. Considering the day, I was satisfied with it.
Had another hot workout today--35 miles around Longview Lake plus a 20-minute run. Ugh!
I still wonder at times why I'm doing this. I often wake up early in the mornings worrying about whether or not I'll be able to do the swim, dreading the thought of running a half marathon after riding 3+ hours. The training is starting to feel like drudgery. A 9-hour week of workouts is followed by a 10-hour week, Is it worth all the time and money? I suppose, in for a penny, in for a pound. While I have been known to quit things, this is one thing I don't feel like I can quit. Whether or not I continue after this year, seems doubtful right now.
But, that's something to worry about another day. I've got plenty of other things to worry about now.
The loop around the three buoys is about 250 yards, but it looked more like two miles. I tentatively swam the 50 yards to the first buoy and back to shallow water. I swam the length of the swimming area and back. Then repeated that sequence. After a few times, I took the plunge so to speak and made my first loop around the buoys.
Spotting (the process of getting your bearing and ensuring you are headed in the right direction) was harder than I expected. The buoys were not very big and the evening glare on the water rendered them almost invisible. Of course, being one of the most directionally challenged people on earth, I was going wide of the mark. But, I corrected and put my head down and advanced, stroke by stroke. Before I knew it, I had made it to the first one. Turning was a little tricky and seemed to take more energy than it should, but I awkwardly made the turn and headed to the next one. Suddenly, I had completed the lap. I did a happy dance in my mind and swam to shallow water once again. I finally did this two more times, and even felt a moment of pleasure in the water. Hey, maybe I can do this!
It was coincidental that I had gone to a doctor's appointment just prior to the swim and read an article about mantras. The author was getting ready to do a rowing event that she was nervous about, so she starting chanting to herself "Go chappy, chappy go." She found that it relaxed her and freed her mind of negative thoughts. Further research revealed that repeating a phrase such as that actually focuses one's thoughts, releasing fears and stimulating pleasure centers in the brain. So, I also tried incorporating that into my evenings, stating "I can do this" over and over. I wondered if it helped more when you could actually say the words aloud, but I had to settle for the mental version. The jury is still out on whether it helped or not.
I still don't feel super confident and can't imagine not having the wetsuit, but I'd accomplished more than I ever had before. The weather has turned beastly hot and now I fear that I will not be able to use my it at Topeka Tinman, my first tri of the season. Yikes. Luckily, it is a short swim. So, my plan is to swim again on Tuesday with the wetsuit, and depending on my progress, possibly go wetsuitless on Thursday. We shall see.
Last Saturday was an EMG group ride, where I did 42 miles--now my second longest ride ever. It's hard to comprehend that a mere 8 days ago, the weather was a little chilly and we were debating wearing a jacket or long pants on the ride. Yesterday, was Hospital Hill, where it was 80 degrees at 7:00 a.m. when the race started. It was a brutal, humid day. I thought several times, I wasn't going to make it, and it took every ounce of willpower I possessed to not turn at the 10K turnaround, but I persevered. The experience of 56 marathons saw me through this one, and I even finished in 2:01...my first Hospital Hill that wasn't under two hours. Considering the day, I was satisfied with it.
Had another hot workout today--35 miles around Longview Lake plus a 20-minute run. Ugh!
I still wonder at times why I'm doing this. I often wake up early in the mornings worrying about whether or not I'll be able to do the swim, dreading the thought of running a half marathon after riding 3+ hours. The training is starting to feel like drudgery. A 9-hour week of workouts is followed by a 10-hour week, Is it worth all the time and money? I suppose, in for a penny, in for a pound. While I have been known to quit things, this is one thing I don't feel like I can quit. Whether or not I continue after this year, seems doubtful right now.
But, that's something to worry about another day. I've got plenty of other things to worry about now.
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