Another Week Down....

This week started out with a trip to Brooklyn and finishing with a nice quiet day in the office. We have been so lucky with the weather the past few weeks, not an ounce of humidity. We all knew it would end though, yesterday and today was back to our usual July weather, hot, sticky and humid. Not too sure what the weekend holds for us.

I survived the 3mile open swim. It was definitely rough though, I was fine for the first 2 miles and then my shoulders started screaming at me. I was so nervous, seeing everyone at the race made it worse. Everyone looked like “real” swimmers. I saw so many tall, broad shouldered people (the ones that still swim A LOT). Chris told me I am one of them, and this is my thing. That only helped a little bit, I don’t have my broad shoulders anymore and 3miles is a LONG time to swim!

Anyway, I was debating back and forth with Chris whether I should wear my wetsuit or not (he came and cheered me on, it was so nice seeing him when I finished, it made all much better). He said that I should, I need to get used to wearing it for longer distances. I was still contemplating though, half of the people were and the other half weren’t. I figured I would listen to Chris and “suit up.” For the race being in its first year, things went off smoothly. I started at the front of the pack and just told myself to relax and it will be over soon enough. Well, within the first 500 yards, I was curing Chris in my head, wishing I hadn’t worn this stupid wetsuit. I was talking to myself in my head and said at the ½ way point, I am getting out and quitting, that thought ended and turned into, I am getting out at ½ and taking this stupid wetsuit off and I’ll be so much happier. I felt like it was choking me, I couldn’t breathe. Finally, after a minute of my nonsense, I told myself to slow down, relax; I have 3 miles to swim.

This was the first time I was actually on someone’s feet, catching their draft, it was great. It helped me to sight the course and I didn’t have to worry about the current on the one side. I am guessing they were getting annoyed with me, I don’t know why, it’s not like I was touching their feet every stroke, I tried to get to the side of them and pass them, but I just couldn’t. This person (I had no clue if it was a boy or girl-they weren’t wearing a wetsuit either-they had the broad shoulder, I swim a lot look) started doing breaststroke at one point. That was when I figured, they were pissed. So I felt bad, slowed down and let them get further ahead. It was a dumb idea on my part, once they got ahead; they got further and further ahead. Soon I couldn’t even catch up. The last 3/4s of a mile was all current, I felt like I was moving backwards and the buoys were getting further and further away. Some girl zoomed by me the last 300 meters or so, and that put me in 10^th place.

I got out of the water and heard Chris’ voice. He told me my time, and knew my place. It was tough taking the wetsuit off of me, I felt discombobulated.

I was glad to get the race in even though it was a tough one. I think open water swimming isn’t my favorite thing, and I haven’t swam yet this week. I have to get in today and this weekend, I have another race next week and my shoulders will really be screaming at me. Tomorrow is another go at 100miles on the bike, this time with a 30minute run afterward.

The Never Ending Week…..

This has been the world’s longest week. Maybe since last week was only 3 ½ days, these 5 days seem forever and its not even Friday yet. I hate it, I look forward to Friday every week and then the next thing I know its Sunday afternoon.

I rode my newly fitted bike for a bit yesterday. I couldn’t believe how much different I felt. I am still not the speed demon like the guys on the bike, but I can definitely feel the difference. It was pretty windy yesterday and the headwind didn’t even make me want to stop and quit. Thankfully, I had headwind the first half! I am hoping to get in about 80 miles on Saturday; hopefully I’ll still feel good on the bike and don’t fall.

I am already feeling nervous for the 3mile open water swim race this Sunday. There are only 90some athletes but the thought of everyone starting together makes me very nervous. I have a feeling that most of these people are going to be strong swimmers too (who else decides to register for a 3mile open swim). I can’t decide on if I should wear my wetsuit. I hate the thing, I feel so constricted, but the RD is allowing us, so I am guessing everyone else will be. Chris said he is coming with me (YEAH!!), I told him we can go to the Amish Market and pick up some ribs or steaks.

Thankfully tomorrow is finally Friday. Off to swim and run after work, I now wished I got up and swam this morning!

New Bike Fit Hopefully Equals Faster Bike Split…

Everyone I have ridden with this spring and summer has told me that I look too low and too scrunched on the bike. The first, second, and third time I heard it, I blew it off, I shouldn’t have. I should have listened. After that third time, I have heard it by everyone; every new person that joins our group mentions it. Finally, I figured I needed to bring it back into the bike shop. I blew it off the first few times because I had gotten the fit. I should have known, I have yet to fall with my Tri Bike and I know I just didn’t become un-klutzy over night. Now I wonder how much faster I could have gone in my races.

I FINALLY brought it in last night; they raised the seat about 6 inches. Wow, I can not believe how much better I feel. It’s like a whole new bike, again. I won’t be banging my knees into the handlebars and no more bruises. And now I actually have room for a bike bag to carry my stuff. Before I had to shove it into my water bottle cage and everything would always fly out.

The bad thing is that now that I am so much higher I know I am going to fall. I am on my tippy toes. But I am grateful not to be soo scrunched up and banged up knees. I can’t wait to ride tomorrow.

Its Been A Long Time......

I think Chris is the only one that randomly checks my blog, and keeps reminding me that I haven’t updated in 6 weeks. I don’t know why I haven’t, maybe because I have been busy at work and we still have our incredibly slow computer at home. One day the ‘S” doesn’t work, the next day it’s the space bar, its so annoying. Anyway, I am sitting at work on a Monday after a holiday and don’t feel like getting started on my work. I am hoping I can go thru the day with talking to no one. I doubt it though. I knew I should have taken off today but I am trying to save my vacation for wedding, honeymoon and Ironman.

So what have I been doing the past 6weeks…..On the training front, I have definitely been conscious of getting my rides in. We had a very rainy June; I don’t think we saw the sun for 2 weeks straight, so it was tough to get the riding in. I got my first 100mile ride in. I learned that I had not eaten enough and was seeing stars the last 10 miles. Chris got a bunch of the guys to split up the mileage with me. We did 2 loops of 25 miles and then Chris and another guy met me for the last 50. There was no way I could have done it without them. I am now in the habit of brining my bike with me to work, and riding right after work instead of going home. It has def helped. I am still swimming and running the usual. My swimming has probably been down a bit, but I guess something has to give. It’s just so hard to swim indoors in the summer time. I need to start getting the longer runs in on the weekends. We have been so busy lately, and going to bed too late that I am just dead tired.

On the racing front….I did another 5k at the end of May and bombed, my legs were dead and I knew from the start I would never be able to go under 20. Oh well, its not like I can afford to taper for every race. The first week of June, I had to go on travel and got some training in, but then was very sick for a week after. So come Eagleman 70.3 (http://www.tricolumbia.org/Eagleman/) time, I was so nervous. I was driving Chris crazy, I tried to tell myself that I can’t get worked up, I have been sick, training has been at a minimum. But once I got to the race, I couldn’t help myself. It was my first time doing one of the “Ironman/70.3” races and seeing all the speedy bikes and fit people made me so nervous. I had no clue that the water was going to be salt water and there was jellyfish. Thank god I had my wetsuit on. I had a good swim (2nd age group), ok bike for me (still very very slow) and a good run (2nd age group and PR). There was headwind the last 20 miles and it got to me and I wanted to quit. I just cant get going on the bike, I putz along the whole time praying that I don’t flat. My run was a 1.35 and only 5 minutes slower than my best half marathon. The best thing about the race was that they had coke on the run course, it made my day and I drank it, at every water stop. I finished the race with a PR and 9th in my age group. I was aged up to the 30-34, and some of those girls are so speedy. My nutrition was a lot better and I made sure I ate on the bike.

I just did the annual July 4th 10k. My goal for 2009 was to break 40 minutes. But I knew from our warm-up that my legs were dead. I had run and ridden a lot last week and the 50miles on Friday didn’t help. I am sure the bad food and beer I ate and drank on Friday night didn’t help either. Oh well, I suffered thru it and there will always be next year.
So, I have a 3mile open water swim for Sunday and a couple Olympic tri’s coming up. I don’t know what I was thinking; I am already nervous, 3 miles….. I know it’s a lot for Chris to keep supporting me thru all these races but I am hoping (keeping my fingers crossed) that he’ll make the drive up to Quakertown with me, be my cheerleader and maybe we can get in a run or bike after my swim. It’s very comforting knowing he’s there. This isn’t a guilt trip!

Back to work, I am leaving early, everyone keeps telling me that I don’t look right on my bike (I don’t feel right either) so I am having the bike shop re-adjust me. I will try and blog more regularly.

Sesame Place 5k....

Another busy filled weekend for us, even though we did relax a bit on Sunday afternoon. Friday started off with house hunting and then dinner to our new local bar/restaurant. We can walk to the bar (Peter Pox) and they have ½ priced appetizers for Happy Hour that we have caught the past 2 Fridays.

Saturday we had our first group ride and run. I couldn’t believe it when I got to the group, there were actually 11 of us (of course I was the only girl), and I don’t think there has ever been that many. After the ride we did our 6 mile run. I was bonking BIG time. I really didn’t think I was going to make it to the 3 mile point, I started to see stars. I had one gel and half bottle of nuun (http://www.nuun.com/nuunis/) water; I still haven’t learned that I need more calories. Thankfully one of the guys had a Fuel Belt filled with Gatorade and gave me one, I downed the whole bottle in seconds. It only took that little bit to refuel me, and I felt like a whole new person on the way back.

After the ride, we headed out to see Chris’ niece play T-ball. It was an hour game of 7 year olds, they were so cute, even though some of the kids made me not want to have any (quite bratty and disrespectful). After the game, we spent the rest of the day with my parents out on their boat. They day turned out to be quite nice, I didn’t think to put sunblock on and got slightly burnt.

Sunday was my favorite race, The Sesame Place 5k. I turned on the news yesterday morning to check the temperature, 65 degrees! I thought perfect, no need to bring warm-up pants or a jacket. We get out to our car, and it felt like it was 50 degrees and it had started to rain, still not thinking either of us should run back in to grab more clothes, off we went. Let me just say, it was cold, we had an hour before the race started. After we got our bib and t-shirt, we attempted to run back to the car to warm up, everyone and their mother stopped us to talk. Finally, we made it back, chris turned the heat way up as we tried to defrost. Next thing I knew, it was time for us to warm-up. I really didn’t want to, and I said if we warm up now, I am running till its time to get to the starting line! Thankfully time went by fast and I was able to keep a little warm (it stopped raining).

We get to the starting line, all the super fast guys are in the front row, and there are always a few kids that sneak up front. They really shouldn’t because they get clobbered on, after the first 100 yards of sprinting, they are dead. Chris warns me not to go out super fast! I actually listened again and went out in 6.20 (slower than Broad street), the turn around and mile 2 came and went and I was still feeling good. I have no clue, once again, why I didn’t pick it up. I had less than a mile to go, and I told myself, I guess I should but didn’t. I achieved my goal of breaking 20 minutes but I still could have run forever at that pace. I was barely sweating and breathing hard when I finished. I don’t get what my problem is, and why I am afraid to push myself. I have another 5k in 2 weeks, hopefully by then I learn to push the pace.

Lack of Motivation Week.....

This has been the longest week. I woke up yesterday thinking it was Friday and made the last 2 days seem even longer. My evenings fly by, and then I feel like I never left work come morning time.

After Saturday’s race, I was quite sore till Tuesday. I took Sunday off and then attempted to run on Monday. I had nothing in me, so I just stopped and decided to give myself another day of rest. Tuesday and Wednesday were ok, I just had to force myself to do anything. I still felt exhausted and my body felt tired. My actual runs weren’t too bad, it felt good to sweat everything out and I got myself on the bike both days. Bride Wars was the movie of choice this week. It was definitely a girly movie, but again it made my trainer ride a lot easier. I told Chris that we have to find somewhere local to ride at least on Wednesdays, 2 days in a row on the trainer are torture. Yesterday was our Track workout, I had no desire to go, but once I was done I was happy I did go and run. The after feeling of pushing yourself so hard till you’re about to puke just feels so good.

I haven’t swam at all this week. The thought of putting on my bathing suit and jumping in the pool doesn’t seem all that much fun. I have set my alarm EVERY morning to get up early, it goes off, I decide my bed is much more comfy and reset it to go right to work. We have another busy weekend, so I am hoping I can squeeze in a swim sometime Saturday or Sunday. My arms may fall off come Monday!

Tomorrow is our first group ride of the summer. Hopefully there will actually be a group! We cant get anyone to do the track workouts with us, so who knows. Maybe everyone is feeling a lack of motivation.

Sunday is my absolute FAVORITE race, The Sesame Place 5k (I get excited for the race around February). The race is an out and back around the mall (by Sesame Place), and gets a ton of people. There are runners from the super fast HS kids, to the moms pushing their kids. There is also a kids run and a 1mile run. With your race entry you get FREE admission to Sesame and a t-shirt with Elmo on it!! I bring my bathing suit year after year, but its never warm enough to go on the water rides (not that there are that many). I get myself all excited for this race, but then once we are in the park, I realize I am way too big for 99% of the rides! There is one roller coaster, and the line is always super long. Me and Chris will have to def go on it this year! And maybe I will break 20 minutes, FINALLY!

I am hoping my lack of motivation is due to 2 big races 2 weekends in a row and hope it ends ASAP!

Bike, Bike, and Bike MORE (and Bricks)....

Today is another sleepy Monday after a busy filled weekend. I don’t think we sat down to relax other than sleeping this weekend. We wonder what our neighbors think when they see us in and out of the house all weekend.

My first triathlon of 2009 (The Jersey Man, www.njmultisports.com) went well, some good things, some bad things and learned what I need to work on, not that I really didn’t know. It was my first time wearing a wetsuit and I was so nervous about it filling up with water. Chris suggested that I don’t warm up and get myself all worked up mentally. It was a good thing I listened to him, considering that the wetsuit company sent me a LONG (I am barely 5’4, it was too big and the arms did fill up with water.

Anyway, I guess I’ll start with the good things, since the title of this post states what I need to work on. So my good list starts with:
1. 2nd overall out of the water, 26.58 (PR),
2. 2nd fastest women’s run time, 1.37 (PR), and
3. 3rd women, 5.12 (PR).

Now, I had the 2nd fastest swim time for men and women, I had a 4 minute lead on the next girl out of the water and a 10 and 15 minute lead on the girls that got 1st and 2nd. Guess what, they still caught me on miles 30 and 40. The bike ride was quite lonely; I maybe passed 4 people and only saw someone when the speed demons flew by. There was about a 10 mile stretch of flat road, and no one in site. I mentally started to break down, I could feel myself getting lightheaded and dizzy. I finally took a Powerbar gel (http://www.powerbar.com/) and it got me going a little bit. Around mile 25, we started going thru this area and I thought we were in the boonies, there was nothing. I felt like I should have been riding my mountain bike. Around that time, I was getting slower and slower and next thing I know the first girl caught me, and went flying by. I cant use this as an excuse, but the road was so bumpy and gravel filled that I def slowed down to watch that I didn’t hit another pothole and flat. There was no SAG and stupid me didn’t pick up another CO2 before the race. There was no one around, and I was starting to freak out about what would I do if I flat.

I was dying at this point and just wished I had more gels and more than just water. I really need to learn to eat more. Around miles 40 and 45, 2 more girls passed me. I was now in fourth and talking myself out of the run, I was getting dizzier and dizzier. I told myself that I would come into transition and tell Chris, “that’s it, I am done, I cant do this,” I was also hoping for a flat at this point. I have no clue how I pulled together, and just told myself that I am almost done biking, and next all I have to do is run. I knew I was close enough to the 3rd place girl to catch her, I was just hoping she wouldn’t pull out a 1.25 ½ marathon!

I got into transition and it was so good to see Chris. Seeing him, def brought something back in me. I was dying to know how he did in his sprint, but I was so drained that I didn’t have much energy to talk. I told myself, take one mile at a time, and I didn’t want to look at my splits. I get myself too worked up over them and knew I just had to run. All I focused on was catching one person at a time, with in the first 2 miles I moved up to 3rd place. Mile after mile, I kept passing people, I think the top 2 men passed me on my mile 5 and their mile 11. I started to have another breakdown at mile 7, and I told myself how was I going to run 6 more miles. Finally I got to mile 10, I knew there was no way I would catch the top girl, she was about 1.5-2 miles ahead of me and moving fast, but I could tell I was gaining on the 2nd girl, and I knew at that point I should have been picking it up sooner.

Down the last few hundred yards, I heard my name called out and them say something about me having the 2nd fastest swim time. I was so happy to be done. Chris found himself a great spot to take some pictures and I was glad once again to see him.

So the things I need to work on are:
1. Bike more,
2. More bricks,
3. learn to properly take off my wetsuit (major issues with it coming off!), and
4. BIKE MORE.

I was hoping to go faster, but in reality, I shouldn’t expect it. I have barely biked the past few weeks and have done NO bricks. I have about a month till Eagleman, and to get my butt on that bike.

I will have to say, it was neat to hear the volunteers keep telling me I was first woman. I think I gave the one volunteer a dirty look when he said I was 4th women with about 4 miles to go on the bike!

Besides the soreness, its nice to get the first one out of the way with.