Not as Planned

In the excitement of posting about the GJCC, I forgot to post about my training.

Saturday I planned to do a hard, fast ride. So when Ronnie got home from golf at 3:00, I headed out on my bike. It didn’t go as I had planned. I ended up with 29.34 miles in 1:49:19. Not exactly burning it up.

Sunday I rested.

Monday I had planned to run at the race while everyone was out on their bikes, but with the way everyone was split up, I never had a chance. So I took another rest day.

Tuesday morning got up at 4:45. I planned another hard, fast ride. Again, I failed to produce. I ended up with 21.21 miles in 1:13:39.

Wednesday I met Lana at 4:45 at the Rec Center. We ran 4 miles in 35:52, 8:58 pace. Then we went to toning class, where the instructor tried to kill us again. Swim class was that night and it was tough. Ashley had me exaggerating my finish pull. I felt like a wet noodle when I got out of the pool.

This morning, I was too tired to get out of bed, so I skipped the ride I had planned and slept in. Turns out it was raining and no one rode anyway. Glad I didn’t get out of bed. Guess it is yet another rest day. Maybe I can get the kids to go around the block with me a few times.

This weekend is the Mach Tenn sprint tri. 0.6 mile swim, 16 mile bike, and 4 mile run. My husband is on a relay team, he is doing the run, so he and the kids will be at the race too. It is a super fun race and they have a great party after the race.

Cheerleader

This morning I took on a different role. I rode to the GJCC tri with Lana and her son. He was a volunteer and I was a cheerleader. I had 5 friends racing, 4 doing their first ever tri. I wanted to be there to cheer them on.

David, me, Lana, and Laurie

As we pulled in the parking lot I spotted David and his wife. We chatted for a second but had to hurry to check Lana’s son in for his shift. We found out that he was going to be working at the finish line handing out water bottles.

Then we found TriSonq doing body marking. I introduced him to Lana and he marked her.

I was walking back to the car when I found Don and Amy and then Laurie.

Amy, me, Lana, TriSonq, and Laurie
Lana started way before the others so it was a challenge for me. I got to see everyone but Laurie go into the pool. I ran down to transition as Amy came out of the water. I saw Don, Amy, David and Laurie all head out on the bike and Lana come in. Then I ran back and forth between the bike finish and the run finish waiting on everyone. I saw Lana come in for a strong finish (I will let her tell her results). Don had an awesome bike and caught me by surprise when he came in. More running back and forth. When Amy came in, I waited for her at the run out and ran beside her. She was doing great and feeling fine. I ran with her until she told me to go away. I ran back to where Lana was cheering and cheered with her until everyone we knew came in.

We stayed for the awards then headed home.

I had a great time and got lots of pics that you can see here. Sorry they are all taken sideways.

Floundering

The alarm went off just before 6:00 this morning. I had no one waiting on me and I had thoughts of sleeping in instead. I finally managed to drag my lazy butt out of bed and go run. I did the same ole 6 mile loop in 56:29, 9:24 pace.

I am in the same rut I hit after Memphis. Here I am without a training plan, nothing telling me what to do each day. So I swim a mile, I bike 20, or I run 6. I need a plan!!! I love structure. It is time to decide what is next. I have several sprint distance tri’s and an Olympic distance planned, but what is the next big race? I keep ruling out Atomic Man then reconsidering it. Also, I really want to try for a 4 hour marathon again, but where/when?

Recharged

Last night, I was tired. But Lana was going to swim class, so I went too. I also had some petty, bitchy reason for going but am too embarrassed to put it in writing. Swim class was good. I left there total wiped.

After another night of too little sleep, I got up again this morning to meet Lana, Tracy and Amy. I rode to the Rec Center, we all did an out and back, and then I rode home. I ended up with 26.6 miles. When I got home, I crawled back in bed. Bryce was already awake and kept coming in there but I stayed in bed until 10:00!!!! When I finally dragged my butt up, the kids and I went to Cracker Barrel. I had French toast with cherries (they forgot the whipped cream). I am feeling better now. Some time in the sun watching the kids swim helped too.

Done!!!

I am behind on my blog because of scrapbooks. Somehow, I get myself into doing scrapbooks for the classes each year. 2 years ago, when Bryce was in kindergarten, I had to do all 18. Last year I had to do 13 (8 1st graders and 5 kindergarteners). This year it was much better and I had 6 (3 each of 1st and 2nd grade). Anyway, I have been up late all week to get them finished for today.
So workouts?
Monday I swam. 1750 yards slowly.
Tuesday I did nothing. Couldn’t get my lazy butt out of bed.
Then this morning, I got up at 4:30 (after going to bed at 12:00). I meet Lana at the Rec Center and we ran 4 miles in 36 something. 9:08 pace. Afterward, we went to toning class. I haven’t been in a while and paid dearly for it. We did lots of legs and boy are my legs tired.
Tonight is swim class and I am TRYING to get kid coverage so that I can make it. Not sure yet.

Today is the last day of school!! Friday morning we go and pick up report cards and Casey gets her perfect attendance award. She is also put into a drawing for a bike with the 3 other K-2 graders that also have perfect attendance. Now, Bryce has been in the drawing the past two years and hasn’t won so we are not getting our hopes up.

Yesterday, Bryce went for his eye exam and he IS near sided. We picked out some really cute glasses and he will get them in a week to ten days. He in none to happy about getting glasses. He is afraid everyone is going to laugh at him. The good thing is that he has all summer to get use to wearing them and by the time they go back to school in August it will be old news. I hope anyway!!!

Still in Recovery

It has been a beautiful weekend here.
Yesterday, I went for my first post race run. I did 6 slow miles. My quads really started to burn at the end. Total time 57:52, 9:38 pace.
Today, I rode. My legs are still tired and I felt it the entire ride. 20.76 miles in 1:12:52.
I was planning on getting back to speed work Monday’s but I think it is going to have to wait a week. My legs still need some recovery time.

Congrats to Lana!!!! She rocked in Memphis. Hopefully she will get a race report up soon.

I am a Snail

This morning took some extra effort to get to the pool. I didn’t sleep well last night because of my cough. When the alarm went off at 5:30, I got out of bed. While brushing my teeth, I had to fight with myself to keep from getting back into bed. My husband’s alarm would start going off at 6:00 (he is a snooze hitter) so it wasn’t like I was going to get a lot more sleep.
I finally convinced myself to go swim. I did 1500 yards in 32 minutes. I am getting slower every time. Hope I find some speed in the next two weeks. The swim is the only thing I might have a chance of improving from last year at the Mach Tenn.
Good luck to Lana!!! She is doing her first tri of the season in Memphis, my old stomping grounds, this weekend. Have Fun girl!!!

Back at it

Last night I finally got some sleep. So this morning, after dropping the kids at school and my van to be serviced, I rode to meet Tracy. I was running a bit early, so I ended up almost to her house before I spotted her heading in my direction. I turned around and we did a nice easy loop. We did have a few dog encounters and since I don’t have much of a voice it was up to Tracy to yell at them.
While we were riding, Tracy commented that she was hungry. I said that I had had a bagel. Wait a minute. I put the bagel in the toaster oven, but I never got it out. Oops.
I dropped Tracy at her house and rode back to get my van. I ended up with 22.42 miles in 1:30. It felt good to get my legs moving again.
I don’t know what is going on with the pictures in my race report. They all use to be there now they are just x’s. If you want to see them and all the other pictures Mary Beth took, just click here.

Still Resting

I had my alarm set and my stuff ready to swim this morning but when I was still up hacking at midnight, I turned off my alarm clock. Then I thought about going to swim class tonight, but didn’t think I could handle the drive. I haven’t slept much the past two nights; this cough gets worse when I lay down.

I have no soreness left over from the race. I am ready to get back to training. Next race is in two and a half weeks. I just have to get rid of this stupid cold.

Gulf Coast Triathlon Race Report

Friday morning I got up at 2:30, got dressed, and picked up Amy, Tracy and Wendy. We met Mary Beth, Sage, and Wendy at the Golden Gallon. We got on the road at about 3:15 and arrived at the condo about noon. We packed up coolers and headed down to the beach. After enjoying a few cold drinks, Tracy, Amy, Mary Beth and I wondered over to the expo. I was the only person drinking beer. Go figure!!! We did some shopping then I went back to the condo to get my ID. I went back to the expo and got checked in. We sat on the beach a little longer then I went and checked my bike in. I got to transition only to realize I forgot the bike stickers in the room. So back to the room I went. Found the stickers on the counter and went back to transition to drop off my bike.


When I got back, I got cleaned up and we all went to dinner.
We were all sitting at dinner and everyone kept telling me to eat. I just couldn’t get anything down. I was just sitting there looking at my plate with everyone looking at me. Then I hit me. I am attempting a HALF IRONMAN tomorrow. What the hell am I thinking? I can’t do this. Then I started to cry. Now everyone was really looking at me and this made it worse. I was having serious doubts about the race.
I managed to get down one bite.
We left the restaurant and they dropped me back at the condo. I think I was asleep within seconds of my head hitting the pillow.
I woke up one time at 3:30 to potty but fell right back to sleep until the alarm went off at 4:30.
I got up feeling great. No more nerves. I was here to have fun and that was what I was going to do.
Amy got up with me. We made it to body marking by 5:15. I was marked quickly and got my transition set up. They made the announcement that water temperature was 75 and wetsuits would be legal for age groupers. Great news!!!
I realized I had left my pump in my car so we went back to the room and got the car keys to get the pump. I got my tires pumped and met up with Patrick before transition closed at 6:00.
Amy and I walked up to the boardwalk. She went to put the pump away and I squeezed into my wetsuit.
I was standing there waiting on Amy when a camera man walked up to me and said “Your numbers are all smudged, does that mean you are really fast?” I felt like a bumbling idiot and could not come up with any good responses to his questions. Great, now I get to look like a fool on TV too. Lucky for me, we never caught any race coverage on TV.
When Amy got back, unable to get back to the room with the pump, we walked to the beach and found Tracy and Mary Beth.
Age does have some benefits. I got to be in the 3rd age group to go out.
They called my age group into the chute. Tracy, Amy and Mary Beth got right up front and cheered me on. While waiting for the gun, I got the best advice. This lady next to me said to take the race in small pieces. Focus on the first green buoy. Once there think about getting to the next one. So that is what I did for the whole race. The gun fired, I jumped, and then it was into the water. It was a mass of bodies. I found some water and just swam. All the swim classes went right out the window. I just kept the first green buoy in sight and fought to get there. Once there, I fought to get to the next and the next… Finally the buoys became orange and it was time to turn. I got a leg cramp and had to stop and rub my leg. Then I kept hearing this man talking and thought someone was trying to tell me I was off course so I would stop and look around. I didn’t see anyone. Then I would hear him again, stopped again, saw no one, and then started again. Turns out it was the announcer starting the other waves. Then I saw something that I thought was a leaf. No there is another one. Hey those are jellyfish. There were bunches of them and I was terrified of getting stung. I shortened my stroke trying not to touch them. Once I was past the jellyfish, I was almost to shore.
Getting out of the water I tripped. Amy assures me lots of people did. Tracy, Mary Beth and Amy were right there cheering me on.

Swim time 41:28

In T1, I got out of my wetsuit and got my bike. I was out in 3:31

As I came out of transition, my girls were right there cheering for me again.
The first part of the bike was a short out and back and as I passed the transition, my girls were there again cheering. I was on top of the world.
I used my swim advice and focused on each 5 mile marker. At mile 30 we had to do a 180. I HATE 180’s and have always tried to get to them alone. There was no way I was going to make the turn alone so I Just hoped for the best. I saw this guy in front of me unclipping both his feet and wondered what he was doing. Just after the turn he came to a complete stop. I almost ran right into him. I managed to get my foot unclipped and catch myself before falling over. It wasn’t long and he flew right by me again.
I had tried to call my friend Leslie Friday night to find out about this whole bottle drop thing but never got in touch with her. So I just watched the first couple. At the next water stop I decided to give it a try. I yelled water as I approached and a guy ran along side of me and I grabbed it. Success. I drank some and poured some over my head. So at the next drop I got Gatorade. It was so good to have something cold.
On the bike, I kept thinking about how great my friends are. They were spending the whole day running back and forth from the beach. Timing each leg and being there for me. I told myself they might not make the bike run transition. I was doing better then I had told them I would. But as I approached T2, there they were. Tracy, Mary Beth, Amy and Wendy all yelling and telling me how awesome my bike was. “Right at 3 hours, you are doing awesome, keep it up. It is hot take the run slow” They were outside the fence at transition talking to me the whole time.

Total bike 3:03:27

I got changed, took a gel and headed out, with my friends right there cheering me on.
T2 time 1:47


There was a water stop right away and I got something cold to drink.
It was HOT, but they had stops every mile and I walk through each one getting water, ice sponges, and oranges. I dropped the ice in my bra and it would make a jingling noise. I am sure people wondered what the noise was as we passed.
I had to stop 3 times during the run to get rocks out of my shoes. I tried to ignore one for too long at first and now I have a very sore foot.
At one point, I was walking and this guy walks up next to me and says “I will race you to that sign.” The sign was about 5 steps away so I jogged to it. He laughed and told me I won and he didn’t think I had it in me. I continued to press on.
In the mean time Tracy was getting worried. She knew how long a half marathon took me and I was gone too long. She set out walking. When she spotted me, she ran along beside me, in her flip flops. She kept telling me “You are almost there” I would ask “How far?” She would say “Almost” “I don’t see the chute” “Almost”. Finally I saw the chute and picked up the pace. I had a strong finish with all my girls there to cheer me on.

Total run time 2:19:07

I got my medal.
Tracy, Mary Beth, Amy, Wendy, Wendy and Sage all came running over yelling and screaming.
I gave big sweaty hugs to everyone (except Sage, she passed).
I dumped a bottle of water over my head while we talked about the race.
They told me that they had all my stuff at the beach, all I had to do was get my body down there.
We stopped by transition, but it wasn’t open until 1:00. I was allowed to get everything but my bike.
Amy and I went to the room. I mixed up a drink, showered, got on my swimsuit and spent the afternoon on the beach.When I got to the beach, I discovered that not only had they hauled all my stuff to the beach but Amy, Tracy, and Mary Beth had bought me a cool Gulf Coast Triathlon beach towel. Aren’t they great???
We went to dinner. I had planned to go out dancing but fell asleep waiting.

Official race time 6:09:18

Finisher

Last Swim

I got up this morning at 5:30 to do my last swim. The plan called for 15 minutes of easy swimming.
The door to the pool was open but I didn’t see any lifeguards. I got started anyway. The water was cold and it took me a while to make myself get in.
I swam a nice easy 700 yards in 14:41.

One more workout tomorrow then it is the main event on Saturday. How did it get here so fast???

The weather forecast is calling for t-storms on Saturday. Won’t that be fun. On the plus side, the water temp looks like it is going to be low enough for wetsuits to be legal.


Any last tips/advice????

Notes Work Too

This morning my son lost a tooth and I didn’t know it. He left the tooth on his plate that I rinsed off and put in the dishwasher.
So for the second time he had to write a note to the tooth fairy.

I am taking my laptop with me to Florida this weekend so that WHEN I finish Gulf Coast I can order myself a reward!!!

Unscheduled Rest

Saturday was suppose to be a swim and ride, but when I got to the Rec Center I found out the pool was closed for a life guard training class. It was starting to rain so I just went home and did the 2 hour Have Mercy, Spinervals DVD.

Sunday I got up at 5:45 to get in my 80 minute run before Ronnie left. Then I went to swim class at 2:00.

Yesterday, I did my 20 minute swim in my backyard. My pool is short so it is hard to get in a rhythm. I wore my wetsuit and gave my husband and kids a good laugh. After swimming I did a 30 minute ride and 30 minute run.

Today had a 50 minute workout doing all 3 sports again, but I am tired and felt a rest day would do me more benefit. So, I slept in (until 6:30), got my hair done, got my toes done, and came home to cut the grass before picking the kids up from school. Now it is time to help finish homework then go lay in the sun!!!

Sluggish

Thanks to everyone for all the reassurance. Taper time does have a way of messing with my head. Also, I will try to remember to drink while on the bike. I am BAD about that and have feared the “death march” anyway.

This morning, I got up at 5:00. It was barely sprinkling. I did my 40 minute run with strides. I don’t know if it was the humidity or just an off run but I felt very slow and just could not go faster. I ended up with 4.14 miles, 9:39 pace.

Two field trips in two days has left me wiped. Tomorrow is field day, but thankfully a rest day for me. Busy week!!!

Yesterday’s 1st grade field trip to the Discover Center and Chuck E. Cheese

Today’s 2nd grade field trip to Sam Davis Home

Almost There

This morning I set my alarm for 5:00. When it went off, I got up, looked out the window and decided it was still way too dark to ride. I reset my clock for 5:10. When it went off that time, I hit snooze. Finally, I got up. I did a flat loop, 16.58 miles in 1 hour. Not very impressive, but I felt good the whole ride, maybe a little tired.
Gulf Coast is just over a week away. Am I ready? I can’t say that I FEEL ready. I don’t feel any more fit then at this point last year. Any pointers from people who have done this race or gone the distance else where?

Trainers-They aren’t just for winter

Sunday and Monday were scheduled rest days. I had planned on swim class on Sunday but when Lana had to back out, I decided to stay home and enjoy the beautiful weather.

So this morning I got up right before the alarm went off at 5:20. I went to the pool and swam a total of 1400 yards in 29:46. My 100’s were all done right a 2:00 each. I am disappointed in how slow my swimming is, but I guess if I have to have a slump this close to race day, it is best to have it in swimming.

This afternoon, I set my trainer up in the backyard and did my 45 minute ride while the kids swam. Multi tasking. When I got my trainer I never guessed I would be using it on such a beautiful day. It was sunny and quite warm, I was soaked when I finished. 12.82 miles for a 17.0 mph average speed.