WOW... Did I really do that???

I think I'm still in shock that I actually got thru Racine 70.3.

I know I didn't post earlier, and it has been a week since I competed, but I still can't believe that it's done. I can't believe that I finished under my time as well. I thought for sure I would take the whole 8 hrs that I alloted myself, but the fact that I finished in a 7:19:39, I still can't believe it.  Had I not been so concerned with my ankle, which in the end held out but my knee was another story, I probably could've broke a 7:00.  Regardless, for a first 70.3, I am REALLY REALLY HAPPY!!!

Race weekend was tough, and I know I had some obstacles to overcome, but in the end it all came together. 

Friday night was the start of release weekend at work, so here I was having to work late. Thursday before I "worked" form home and tried to get my gear organized, plus the stress of trying to find a bike hitch that would work with my Jeep, it was just too much for me to deal with.  I was lucky that Rich, from the Bike Shop, was able to get me one, and thankfully Stephanie I switched cars with me so that it could get installed on Friday.  With her having my Jeep, they were able to load it up so that Saturday morning was just dropping off dogs, switching cars, getting my bike on the rack and then picking up Stephanie B.  It all worked out in the end, but stress I really really did not need.  Release went easy, granted we had some bumps in the beginning, Steve got online (even thou he wasn't scheduled) and covered for me so I could go to bed, until off-shore got online. He was like "you worked so hard for this, I don't want this release to mess it up for you".  We are finally in sync here in the office and everything eventually works out, so this was really nice.

Saturday went seemless, I did manage to get about 6 hrs sleep. Kids were off to boarding and now it was time to head up with the Stephanies :)  We found our hotel and were able to check in. Then it was off to expo and racking our bikes.  Expo was really dangerous. I kind of went overboard, but I figured, what if I become a one and done with IM's that I never go back. So I got my stuff now :)  We attended the pre-race talk and got the lowdown on stuff, then racked our bikes and went to the beach to just soak our toes.  Stephanie I, Wendy, Frank and myself decided to skip on the Italian team dinner and went to dinner on our own. After dinner we took a soak in the tub and were in bed by 630.  Around 9pm it hit me, that damn little brownie we had for dessert was killing me, TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE. My heart was pounding and I couldn't sleep.

Race morning was here...

OMG I'm so nervous. I couldn't eat anything. I managed to stomach a Stinger Waffle but nothing more.  I setup transition, walked around and was like... WHAT AM I DOING HERE??? A look at the beach and I was even more terrified. The wave were strong and hitting the shore. We were assured that the water was calm after the first turn when we hit the sand bar... Um yeah I don't think so. But we sucked it up and headed to the swim start.  Wendy was the first of the group to go, then me, then after a little time the rest of the group went, one wave after the other. I was glad to be in the water first but sucked I couldn't see everyone else or give hugs before I leap into the wavy water.  The swim was tough... REALLY TOUGH. The wave were really a chore to cut thru that I had to stop on the platform before the first turn so that I can catch my breath.  After the first turn I was just trying to find my pace. It was hard because so many were struggling and I didn't want to swim over people.  After trying to get some distance between me and my wave, I ran into Wendy. I could tell she was struggling, I tried to give her some words of encouragement but I had to keep going.  I felt so bad leaving her behind but I didn't know what else I could do. Luckily there were plenty of bouy's along the course, I was hoping she was using those to stop and get her bearings before moving on.

Once I got out of the swim, and thank you to the man who helped me get my wetsuit off, it was now to the bike. I screwed up with my Garmin, and wasn't sure what my real start time was. At least I was able to keep track of my pace and I was kicking butt. I was topping 17mph, and I was feeling good. Then I realized I wasn't even 20 miles in and I should slow down so I'm not dead by the end.  Overall, I kept a 16.2 mph pace so that was right on with my training. 

Then came the run... oh the run, how I hate you so. My legs felt shot from the ride, well more my quads. I transitioned and was on my way. I saw Lou on my run out as he was racking his bike, then I had Jorge pass me on the run followed later by Lou. While on the course I was then passed by Jose, I saw Dave, Dan, Stephanie B, Stephanie I and Wendy. I was so happy to see Wendy, because I knew then that she didn't give up during the swim.  We would cheer each other on as we passed by, giving high-fives and complaining but pushing thru it.  My calves here tight, my ankle was good, but my knee was not happy. I had to walk much more than I wanted to, but I knew I had a lead on my time since my bike was faster than the 15mph I was predicting. I knew that if I kept it up, I would do it and it wasn't too bad (at least this is what I kept telling myself). By mile 3, my knee was just done. But I wouldn't give up. I came too far to give up now.  Judy was there with the other girls cheering us on, and she ran with me a little, helping get past my mental block. I pushed and pushed and I finally saw the finish... PYSCH!!! I still had to turn and go back out for another loop. Such not a fun thing, so close but yet so far away. On the way back, about mile 12 I see Carla again, cheering me on. I said my legs were hurting and now she ran a bit with me to help me get past it.  Only 1+ mile left to go, I had this and I just had to push thru it. Save a little energy to finish strong and get a good finish picture :)  And that is just what I did... I got thru this and finished way strong.

In the end all my hard work payed off.  12 weeks of hard training, early mornings, aches and pain, and hours and hours of training.

156.30 miles logged running (32:05:58)
827.45 miles logged biking (57:21:05)
30.95 miles logged swimming (17:53:18)

This is on top of the several races and events that were slipped in before I realized my training would dominate my life.  I'm still surprised that I was able to do all of this and survive a release and still be under my 8hrs.

What a way to finish my Tri Season... Now off to start Marathon Season.

It's almost time

I'm feeling really on edge lately.  Could it be cuz of my race, or cuz of deployment this weekend... Whichever it is, it is really impacting my sleep.  Last night I just couldn't relax. I was tossing and turning all night. Then I had Payton tossing and turning and pushing me. I just couldn't sleep. And then of coarse she's up at 6am and wanting to snuggle and kiss... so much for sleeping in :(

At least I finally got my bike rack.  Thanks to Stephanie I, who switched cars with me, went out to the Bike Shop and got in installed. Then both Stephanie's were going to load up the Jeep with there stuff so that tomorrow all I have to do is drop off the pups at boarding and then switch back cars and get my bike loaded and we can hit the road.  I've packed, unpacked, checked my list, and packed again and finally have all my gear set.  It's already in the jeep so all I have left is to make sure I have PJ's and clothes packed and my nutrition, and then I'm really done.

Tomorrow morning is going to be an early morning. We want to be up in Racine by the 11:30 for the Athlete Race Briefing.  Stephanie I, Wendy and I decided to opt out on the group dinner and we're probably going to do an earlier dinner at AppleBees.  Although most like to carb up before a race, Italian food just doesn't settle well with me, plus my ulcer has been going crazy that I don't want to aggravate it more than it already is.  It's not that we're not being team players, it's more that we want to be careful with out stomachs and really really don't want to throw up at the finish line.  I'm nervous enough as it is, I don't need to be worried about my stomach.

I'm thinking I'm ready for this... My bike pace has gotten so much better, somehow in the last 2 ride i was keeping an 16-17mph pace. My run hasn't improved much but at least I know I need to keep a 13 min pace. My swim, well my swim is my swim, hasn't improved much but I'm happy with it.

Now I'm just hoping I survive this release and get home in time to get at least 6 hrs sleeps and then be up and ready to go.

Let the countdown begin!!!

We are down to the last week of workouts.

Last week to perfect our nutrition.

Last week to try to figure out...

WHY THE HELL DID I SIGN UP FOR THIS?????

Time to Taper

These past 11 weeks have been such a challenge.  From training to races to life itself, it really tested me and made me see where I had to adjust my lifestyle to ensure I didn't fall back on my training.

These past 11 weeks brought me closer to my training team. Knowing we were all on the same path and that we were all going for the same goal made it easier to train together and lean on one another.

These past 11 weeks have been a challenge for Rich and I. We had our ups and downs but I tried my hardest to make sure that my training didn't interfere in our time together. I adjusted my training to make sure I got what had to be done, but there were tough times when I had to be up early to train and he was sleeping. I tried hard to keep it quite, but some times, puppies don't care and just make noise. For that I'm really sorry and wish I could keep the monster quite so he can sleep in.

These past 11 weeks tested my nerves and patience as I had to deal with work problem and lack of sleep. I soon over came that as I set my priorities and set my boundaries so that I wouldn't be burnt out or let my problems impact my training. This race was planned a long time ago and with me no longer being manager, the new manager needed to learn to take ownership and leadership and work with the team members, as that was no longer my responsibility. You would think that since I'm not a manager anymore, that I would be less stressed but that was not what happened, but once I put my foot down it made it easier for me to step back and just let it go :)

These past 11 weeks consisted of over 100 hours of training:

Running:
150.61 miles
30:51:21 hours
14,834 calories

Swim:
29.60 miles
17:05:29 hours
9,950 calories

Bike:
815.64 miles
56:38:52 hours
24,935 calories

With only one more week to go, I need to make sure I remain focused on what is ahead of me. I know I can do each leg, it's just doing it all in one day.  I know that my team will be there, racing with me and I look forward to hearing them as we pass each other on the run. We've all done the training. We've all reached new heights. We've all improved.  We are ready for this and we will get this done.

Although Rich won't be at my race, I know he will be thinking of me and waiting to hear how I'm doing. Nancy has offered to send him reports during the race so he's kept up to speed on what I finished and that I'm still alive :)  I'm hoping we can celebrate when we're both home.

Now I need to just rest and relax and be ready for race day.  I know I can do this!!!!

LONG training days... ouch

What seemed like a good idea 10 weeks ago was definitely put to a test this past week.

I was finally able to get into Lake Michigan, which is great since all of my OW training has been in Lake Andrea, all good and dandy when I'm racing there or in pools, but not for Racine.  I had Friday off again, no way I was going to go to work after the 4th of July holiday. So Wendy, Stephanie I and I headed to the lake to go for our swim.  It was so different to swim in Lake Michigan than in the pool. It was definitely cold but in a bit I warmed up and was really moving. I still need to really work on my siting and swimming straight, never thought that could be so hard to do. I kept a great pace and got in a little over a mile in.  I was really happy.

After the swim, Stephanie I and I went on our adventure to find the Pearl Izumi Outlet store.  We lucked out and found it and got some great deals. I have a new tri outfit for race day and another pair of tri shorts.  Pretty sweet.

Sunday was now the killer of all training days.  This was our day long event, to get us ready for Racine...

40 min swim
1 hour T1
3 hour bike
1 hour T2
1.5 hour run

Sounds easy, especially with the long transition times, but it was so NOT!!!  The

The swim was probably the easiest to do. We swam out to the 1 mile mark and then back, still needing time we did a short out and back and got or 40 min and I got in 1.2 miles in... So I know I have the swim.  T1 was back at the house, we ate washed wetsuits and chatted about what route we were going to take. Somehow we got hills into our route and that was so not fun.  The heat started to raise and so did the humidity. We headed out to do the ride and it wasn't too bad, until the big hill up to Madison... OMG once I finished that I thought I was going to die. Stephanie B said I went white :(  We got back home but still short on time so I took them thru a loop in the hood and we hit our 3 hours.  T2 was a well needed one. We ate more, used the bathroom and relaxed a bit. The heat was still raising and the humidity was unbearable. We had no choice we had to do it. So at 2pm we left for the Prairie Path. This was definitely TOUGH.  We took bottles of water with us and I think I poured more of it on me than drinking it. My leg was cramping and so was my side. I wanted to maintain a 12 min pace, but we stopped too long at the water fountain out and back that it impacted those miles. But overall I did it, I got in 7 miles in 1.5 hrs. If I can keep that pace I should be good, at least I hope.  I'm just terrified over how hot its going to be during the run and making sure I'm hydrated enough.

After all was said and done, we rehydrated back at the house and took advantage of Payton's pool :)

These last 2 weeks are key. Even though I'm starting to taper it doesn't mean I can skip any of my workouts. I need to make sure I stay focused and complete what is on the calendar so I can get this done and be ready for Racine...

2 week count-down begins!!!!

Strangers in vans to the rescue

Getting ready for Racine with only a couple weeks to go has been so stressful and nerve-wracking. I'm still wondering if I could actually get thru this and if after all of this is done, will I really be ready for Madison next year.  I know that I can do each leg separately but doing it all in one day is still freaking me out. My anxiety level is definitely at the max and I'm trying to keep it under control, but not sure I can.

It was really strange, but the week after Pleasant Prairie, I was just not feeling it. My motivation to train was so much less than in the past. I found reasons to skip or shorten a workout and I didn't like how that felt. I was still feeling pain in my leg, the one I sprained during the run in PP weeks before the race. And I was still feeling really really dehydrated and no matter how much water I drank I was still thirsty.  If this is what an Olympic did to me, what will a Half Ironman do????

We started doing longer training days these last couple of weeks, including a long bike ride. Last weekend was our 4+ hr bike ride ranging between 60-75 miles.  Since I had L.A.T.E. Ride on Sunday it wasn't going to happen then, so I took Friday off and Stephanie I went on the ride with me.  We decided to try the Perry Rd route, but instead of starting at the forest preserver, we went to NIU and set out from there. This gave a good location with a bathroom and food for afterwards. This was definitely an adventure. We had some strong head winds as we headed west, and at time we barely kept a 9 mph pace.  It sucked, but it built character :)  After our stop at the Shell Station in Rochelle, where we fueled up, it was back to campus.  This time the wind was at our backs so we were clocking 19-24 mph... this was AWESOME.  Once we got to 4th Ave, we realized we would not hit our mileage so we stayed on Perry Rd a little longer. We were going to hit Saumanack and then head north to Lincoln Highway and then back to campus.  Good idea, so we thought. But the north winds were picking up and that made is so much not fun at all. Then from the west we see the storm clouds coming. There was no way we would out ride these. We tried our hardest, but once the wind really hit and the rain, and almost falling into the ditch on the side of the road, we opted to dismount and walk. We had about a 2-3 block walk to safety, a Mobile station. So here we are, walking along a highway with our bikes, winds and rain and trying to just move forward. When all of a sudden some guy stopped and asked if we wanted a ride.  Without thinking, we were in the van and heading where ever he took us. Yeah we said we needed a ride to campus, but he said he had to go to the bank first... We lucked out so much, he was a nice person and got us back to campus safely.  So we ended up being about 6 miles short of our ride, but we survived... and now we celebrate with beer nuggets :)