Redman is less than a month away. It is hard to believe that the days are counting down.
This weekend, I am going to Des Moines to participate in the HyVee Triathlon, an Olympic distance. It is also called a 5150, which represents the total number of meters in the event: 1500 meter swim, 40 kilometer bike, 10 kilometer run. The water temperature at Gray's Lake is still in the 80's, so it won't be wetsuit-legal. I am not concerned, though I knew when I see the course for the first time, it will be a bit freaky, as it will look like a heck of a long way. But, I know I can do it, wetsuit or not as I've done the distance many times before. I anticipate it to take me about three hours give or take to finish.
Tomorrow I will turn 50, finally catching up to the age group that I have been racing in this year. Another milestone that is hard to believe.
I still have a couple more hard weeks of training before the goal race arrives, even though mentally, I am ready for it to be over. The long rides we did in anticipation of the Eurekan, while necessary to be successful for that event, have taken their toll. I'm tired of the long bike rides, even though I know I need to continue to get the bike miles under my belt.
I hope that after this race, I will get a second wind and finish strong on this journey that has taken me so far. Regardless, the goal is in sight...I just need to keep my eye on the prize and one foot in front of the other.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Eurekan
To keep things interesting, a group of us have signed up to do the Eurekan Sports Festival, a 3-day event in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This consists of a very short sprint tri on Friday afternoon, a century bike ride on Saturday and a 10K race Sunday morning. We have been incorporating long bike rides into our training plan to prepare for what I'm sure will be a very arduous ride on Saturday.
We did a 90-mile (I cut it short at 82) ride around Parkville, MO on Saturday, which was indeed arduous. It was extremely hard with really long climbs and warm temps. I had plenty of time to feel sorry for myself! But, at the same time, I had a great feeling of accomplishment for being able to suffer through it. I am still somewhat apprehensive about what to expect in Arkansas. Having been to that area many times, I know it will be hard...
But, it will be fun. When it's over. :)
We did a 90-mile (I cut it short at 82) ride around Parkville, MO on Saturday, which was indeed arduous. It was extremely hard with really long climbs and warm temps. I had plenty of time to feel sorry for myself! But, at the same time, I had a great feeling of accomplishment for being able to suffer through it. I am still somewhat apprehensive about what to expect in Arkansas. Having been to that area many times, I know it will be hard...
But, it will be fun. When it's over. :)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
WIN For KC Tri
I made it through my first open water tri! WIN was a very fun race. I was greeted for body marking by my good friend, Barb, which was a nice start to the day. Shortly after I got my gear set up in transition, the overcast sky let loose a some thunder, lightning and ultimately rain. The race was delayed by an hour, but it was okay, as the temps were blessedly cool and the cloud cover remained for the rest of my race. Awesome!
Obviously, my biggest concern was the swim. It was done in a time trial style where we started the swim singly every three seconds. I was lined up toward the back in the 13-minute pace group with Lisa, a fellow Red Lady. We were chatting and reminding each other to "go slow, stay in the moment, not think, etc." which made the 30-minute wait go by much faster. Suddenly, it was our turn.
"GO!" Crap. I walked out into the water and started swimming. Immediately, I managed to get a snoot full of water. For a moment, I felt my heart rate accelerate and my breathing go off, but this time I managed to rein myself in and get into the rhythm.
The swim was FINE! I just kept stroking, one arm at a time, and before I knew it, I had made the last turn and was heading down the backstretch. Sweet success! With the swim behind me, the rest was a piece of cake...or at least, I knew I could do the rest.
Being in the back of the swim pack gave me the opportunity to catch up to and pass many ladies on the bike. The 10-mile course was flat with slight rollers to keep it interesting. Since it was short, I pushed it as hard as I could and was rewarded with a 19 mph average, my best ever.
The run was on a bike path that was also mostly flat-ish. Because the cooler temps continued to prevail, I felt pretty good on the run and managed an 8:01 pace in spite of my water-soaked running shoes. A great day all in all! Fourth place in my age group, by a few seconds. The first place winner in my age group, was quite a bit faster, but the next three of use were within 50 seconds of each other. Both of the other gals had much faster swims, but we were otherwise close. I could have moved up a position, if I hadn't been such a slow swimmer. (How quickly my attitude moved from "surviving the swim" to getting faster on the swim. Ha! However, I was happy with the results today!
What was really wonderful was the fact that there were several people at the race that had also been at Tinman. They were so very supportive and truly happy for me that I had successfully completed the swim. This is what I've found in this community...a lot of ordinary people with an extraordinary amount caring for each other. I think the difference I've seen here compared to just runners, is that everyone struggles with at least one aspect of this sport. There's more empathy and tolerance as we strive to do the best we can do.
Obviously, my biggest concern was the swim. It was done in a time trial style where we started the swim singly every three seconds. I was lined up toward the back in the 13-minute pace group with Lisa, a fellow Red Lady. We were chatting and reminding each other to "go slow, stay in the moment, not think, etc." which made the 30-minute wait go by much faster. Suddenly, it was our turn.
"GO!" Crap. I walked out into the water and started swimming. Immediately, I managed to get a snoot full of water. For a moment, I felt my heart rate accelerate and my breathing go off, but this time I managed to rein myself in and get into the rhythm.
The swim was FINE! I just kept stroking, one arm at a time, and before I knew it, I had made the last turn and was heading down the backstretch. Sweet success! With the swim behind me, the rest was a piece of cake...or at least, I knew I could do the rest.
Being in the back of the swim pack gave me the opportunity to catch up to and pass many ladies on the bike. The 10-mile course was flat with slight rollers to keep it interesting. Since it was short, I pushed it as hard as I could and was rewarded with a 19 mph average, my best ever.
The run was on a bike path that was also mostly flat-ish. Because the cooler temps continued to prevail, I felt pretty good on the run and managed an 8:01 pace in spite of my water-soaked running shoes. A great day all in all! Fourth place in my age group, by a few seconds. The first place winner in my age group, was quite a bit faster, but the next three of use were within 50 seconds of each other. Both of the other gals had much faster swims, but we were otherwise close. I could have moved up a position, if I hadn't been such a slow swimmer. (How quickly my attitude moved from "surviving the swim" to getting faster on the swim. Ha! However, I was happy with the results today!
What was really wonderful was the fact that there were several people at the race that had also been at Tinman. They were so very supportive and truly happy for me that I had successfully completed the swim. This is what I've found in this community...a lot of ordinary people with an extraordinary amount caring for each other. I think the difference I've seen here compared to just runners, is that everyone struggles with at least one aspect of this sport. There's more empathy and tolerance as we strive to do the best we can do.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Next Test
So, my next test is coming up tomorrow at the WIN for KC Tri. It will be my first competition open water swim since the debacle at Tinman. As it would go, my swim at Shawnee Mission Park was not as good as my previous one at Kill Creek. It seemed to take me a while to fully relax. There were quite a few women there getting doing their last chance workout and funny, I seemed to have gotten bumped around more by them than when there are more guys at the swimming hole.
Oddly, I am feeling much more acclimated to the heat. Prairie Punisher duathlon was last Saturday in 100 degree heat, but I felt pretty good about my performance there. My first 5K was my fastest of the season, and I tried to run it conservatively. I finally got my bike speed up to 18 mph which is HUGE for me. I was a slacker on the second 5K, but it was HOT!
The weather is supposed to break a little this weekend, hopefully. And the race is relatively short...500 meter, 10 miles, 5K so I won't be out there that long. I'm a little nervous, but I think it will be ok...
Oddly, I am feeling much more acclimated to the heat. Prairie Punisher duathlon was last Saturday in 100 degree heat, but I felt pretty good about my performance there. My first 5K was my fastest of the season, and I tried to run it conservatively. I finally got my bike speed up to 18 mph which is HUGE for me. I was a slacker on the second 5K, but it was HOT!
The weather is supposed to break a little this weekend, hopefully. And the race is relatively short...500 meter, 10 miles, 5K so I won't be out there that long. I'm a little nervous, but I think it will be ok...
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Long Ride
Some of the Red Ladies have foolishy signed up for the Eurekan Multisport Festival in Eureka Springs, AR in August. It is a three-day event consisting of a short triathlon on Friday, a century bike ride on Saturday and 10K run on Sunday. There are shorter options for the bike ride and the run, but I'm told you are not a Eurekan if you do the shorter distances. I have been to Eureka Springs on many occasions, having grown up a short drive away. It is HILLY. I have big concerns about the century ride, as hills on the bike are not my strong point.
So, Liz, the Red Ladies coach started incorporating training into our workout plans for this event. Today, while the smarter Reds who are not involved in this race, had a mere 45 mile ride, the rest of us had a 70-mile doozy to take care of. Oh, and there is a heat advisory here until next Friday. Ugh.
So, we met at Julie's at the crack o' dawn, 5:30 this morning. The route was nice, challenging in places, relatively flat in places. I felt great until the heat came on around 10:30.We are over 40 miles out by then, but were still looking at another 30 to get through.
My favorite moment was at about mile 54. I had had a few bad moments due to the heat. I started getting a sharp heat headache, as my mom used to call them when I was a kid, and my stomach was bothering me. It had been a little "off" all week, I think mainly due to this beastly heatwave we've had. We were riding through the little town of Bucyrus, which seemed pretty deserted. I spotted an empty building that had big porch on the front and some delicious shade. I stopped there and somehow managed to move my body from the bike to the porch. By the time Jen, Hannah and Julie joined me, I was sprawled out flat on my back, my bike helmet making a nice cushion for my head. The four of us were moaning and groaning about how we just didn't think we could make the full 70 miles in the heat. But, we got our asses off the porch and finished the ride. Woo Hoo!
That was my longest ride to-date and oh my, it was miserably hot. We all continue to make new milestones in our journey to Redman. And, we continue to forge friendships that I believe will stand the test of time. I LOVE this varied group of Red Ladies and don't know what I would do without them. It certainly wouldn't be complete a half IM, as the previous years will attest.
In Liz's words, Onward and Upward!
So, Liz, the Red Ladies coach started incorporating training into our workout plans for this event. Today, while the smarter Reds who are not involved in this race, had a mere 45 mile ride, the rest of us had a 70-mile doozy to take care of. Oh, and there is a heat advisory here until next Friday. Ugh.
So, we met at Julie's at the crack o' dawn, 5:30 this morning. The route was nice, challenging in places, relatively flat in places. I felt great until the heat came on around 10:30.We are over 40 miles out by then, but were still looking at another 30 to get through.
My favorite moment was at about mile 54. I had had a few bad moments due to the heat. I started getting a sharp heat headache, as my mom used to call them when I was a kid, and my stomach was bothering me. It had been a little "off" all week, I think mainly due to this beastly heatwave we've had. We were riding through the little town of Bucyrus, which seemed pretty deserted. I spotted an empty building that had big porch on the front and some delicious shade. I stopped there and somehow managed to move my body from the bike to the porch. By the time Jen, Hannah and Julie joined me, I was sprawled out flat on my back, my bike helmet making a nice cushion for my head. The four of us were moaning and groaning about how we just didn't think we could make the full 70 miles in the heat. But, we got our asses off the porch and finished the ride. Woo Hoo!
That was my longest ride to-date and oh my, it was miserably hot. We all continue to make new milestones in our journey to Redman. And, we continue to forge friendships that I believe will stand the test of time. I LOVE this varied group of Red Ladies and don't know what I would do without them. It certainly wouldn't be complete a half IM, as the previous years will attest.
In Liz's words, Onward and Upward!
Friday, July 15, 2011
71 Days Till Redman
I'm happy to report that the open water swimming is going well. I've been out to various venues several times now and have gotten very comfortable. I even enjoy it! Who'd a thunk?? I did buy a speed suit and part of my mind believes that it gives me the tiniest bit of buoyancy. I don't know if it does or doesn't and I don't care. It's USAT and WTC legal, so if it my new security blanket, so be it.
My next race is WIN for KC on July 30th. It's a 500-meter swim, 10-mile bike and 5K run. I'm still a little anxious about it, but there is absolutely no reason that I can't complete that swim. I did six consecutive laps at Shawnee Mission Park Thursday night, which is more than twice the distance I need to go. I've even signed up for an Olympic distance tri over Labor Day weekend. Nothing thumbs one's nose at turning fifty than doing a 5150 on one's birthday weekend. :)
Tomorrow, I am meeting the group at 5:30 a.m. to ride 70 miles. I foolishly signed up for a three-day event in Eureka Springs, AR, which includes a very short triathlon, a Century ride and a 10K run. Doing a Century ride has been on the bucket list, but I didn't really intend to do my first one in Eureka Springs. It will be hilly, hilly, hilly and I'm not even sure if I can finish 100 miles at this point.
I guess I'll be testing the old adage, "what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.
My next race is WIN for KC on July 30th. It's a 500-meter swim, 10-mile bike and 5K run. I'm still a little anxious about it, but there is absolutely no reason that I can't complete that swim. I did six consecutive laps at Shawnee Mission Park Thursday night, which is more than twice the distance I need to go. I've even signed up for an Olympic distance tri over Labor Day weekend. Nothing thumbs one's nose at turning fifty than doing a 5150 on one's birthday weekend. :)
Tomorrow, I am meeting the group at 5:30 a.m. to ride 70 miles. I foolishly signed up for a three-day event in Eureka Springs, AR, which includes a very short triathlon, a Century ride and a 10K run. Doing a Century ride has been on the bucket list, but I didn't really intend to do my first one in Eureka Springs. It will be hilly, hilly, hilly and I'm not even sure if I can finish 100 miles at this point.
I guess I'll be testing the old adage, "what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.
Friday, July 8, 2011
More Swimmmm
This week was my first attempt to swim at Shawnee Mission Park "naked." No, not literally naked, but without my wetsuit. And, not really even naked at that. I had to send the first speed suit back to Xterra becasue they had sent a full length one instead of the short one and it just coincidentally arrived at my house before I left for the park.
The speed suit is made of a very thin, stretchy rubbery-feeling material. I had read on various sites that even though they are very thin, they still provide a tiny bit of buoyancy. Intellectually, I can't really understand how they would...they are so very thin. However, whether it was a psychological thing or not, I did feel that it helped me float a little better. Regardless of real or imagined, I DON'T care! They are legal for triathlons.
I was ecstatic that I swam a good 1200 yards out there Thursday. I was relaxed and in the moment and even enjoying the swim. It gave my confidence an huge boost.I know now that I will be able to do the WIN for KC women's triathlon in three weeks, which is nice since it cost almost $90 to enter.
Tomorrow, I'm meeting Bea at her in-laws to do a mock tri. It's just going to be the two of us, so I hope that I don't do something stupid and end up scaring myself, thus undoing all my new progress. But, I still need all the open water practice I can squeeze in.
After I see how tomorrow goes, I may sign up for the HyVee 50150 (fifty-one fifty, which is how many yards the Olympic distance consists of). It's a big deal race because it has a pro component to it. It's Labor Day weekend and in Des Moines...my Oly race before Redman.
I am so excited about my swim progress. I just may be a triathlete yet!
The speed suit is made of a very thin, stretchy rubbery-feeling material. I had read on various sites that even though they are very thin, they still provide a tiny bit of buoyancy. Intellectually, I can't really understand how they would...they are so very thin. However, whether it was a psychological thing or not, I did feel that it helped me float a little better. Regardless of real or imagined, I DON'T care! They are legal for triathlons.
I was ecstatic that I swam a good 1200 yards out there Thursday. I was relaxed and in the moment and even enjoying the swim. It gave my confidence an huge boost.I know now that I will be able to do the WIN for KC women's triathlon in three weeks, which is nice since it cost almost $90 to enter.
Tomorrow, I'm meeting Bea at her in-laws to do a mock tri. It's just going to be the two of us, so I hope that I don't do something stupid and end up scaring myself, thus undoing all my new progress. But, I still need all the open water practice I can squeeze in.
After I see how tomorrow goes, I may sign up for the HyVee 50150 (fifty-one fifty, which is how many yards the Olympic distance consists of). It's a big deal race because it has a pro component to it. It's Labor Day weekend and in Des Moines...my Oly race before Redman.
I am so excited about my swim progress. I just may be a triathlete yet!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)