Back on track?

It was a busy couple of weeks with a work trip to Las Vegas, then company, and my daughter's birthday.  I did manage to get a 55 mile bike ride in, but running was non-existent and swimming...  

This past Monday I was determined to get back on track with my training schedule.  Monday I made it to spin class. Tuesday and Thursday I made it to the pool (more on that in a minute).  Wednesday I knocked out a bike run brick in the gym over the lunch hour.  

Today I was supposed to spin and I was ready. Except I wasn't because I forgot to pack a key piece of female sports equipment, of which without, would result in sheer disaster for someone like me.  (I am sure you get my drift here and if you don't keep drifting.)

So aside from being really upset that I am missing spin class I was back on track, except now I've taken a slight detour that I need to correct, but whatever.  

Now the pool.  My home pool is open again so I am back in my comfort zone; it felt amazing.  I hammered out 2200 yards on Tuesday and 1500 on Thursday.  On Tuesday another swimmer, who was the spitting image of me 2 years ago - sputtering and almost drowning- paid me several nice compliments.  

She said I was "really good"; in the grand scheme of swimmers I'm probably about as good as generic chocolate, but at my pool I am almost fast lane material.  Aside from my self-deprecation her compliment helped me recall my journey and how much work I have done.  

Countless laps in the pool, hundreds of miles on my bike and in spin class, and hours pounding the pavement in my shoes have made me forget that this sport is actually hard work.  I'm not sure when I thought running a 5k was no big deal (for me), or when riding my bike 40 miles was routine, or when swimming constantly for 45 minutes was routine for everyone.  My pool conversation reminded me that it's not everyone's 'normal' and although I am not impressed with myself, others are; and for me it's almost uncomfortable.  

I could avoid the uncomfortable if I wouldn't talk about what I do (like writing a blog etc.) but it's part of who I am now.  It would be like having a secret life.  I don't want it to be secret- I want others to join me! 

I like to push myself.  I like to be different and do things others can't (well actually they CAN, they either don't want to or don't think they can).  I hope others look at my journey and say- 'if she can do it, anyone can do it,' not with degradation, but with inspiration. 

~So no matter what you are doing, find your track and get on it~

RAGE Triathlon Race Report

I have not been one to write race reports per se but I do think it's time I start so can reflect on the progress I've made as well as the obstacles I have overcome.  On April 15th I lay awake in the bed in my room at Lake Las Vegas Hilton.  I was pretty concerned about the race the next day because there was crazy, constant wind in the forecast.  The kind of wind forecast where they warn the motorcycles and truck drivers so they are aware how bad it really is.

All I could think of is, how in the heck will I swim in that and how on earth will I ride an unfamiliar bike in that kind of weather.  I sought consensus in one of my Facebook groups and when I woke up the next morning my head was just not in it.  But I packed up my gear and headed to Lake Mead, Boulder Beach where the race was to take place.

Once there, the wind didn't seem as bad as I had thought but as the sun continued to rise it got worse and worse.  While going back and forth to my rental car I managed to step on some glass and it punctured my foot through my flip-flop.  I thought for sure it was a sign.

After I got the bike set up it started to get busy so I got my wet suit on and went down to the water.  It was pretty damn cold (61) and the rock were awful on my feet.  Truly painful.  I got out of the water and waited for the swim to start.  As they began sending off waves of swimmers, the waves in the lake were getting bigger and bigger with white caps.

By the time the Athena sprint group set off the waves were easily 2-3 feet and coming in frequently.  I was in pure panic mode with no ability to find a rhythm.  I spent the next 25 minutes swimming 700 meters, but swimming is generous.  I was side stroking, floating on my back, dog paddling, and flat out trying to survive.  About half way through I wanted to quit but the kayaks couldn't get out to the swimmers so the large boats were out pulling people out of the water, creating gigantic waves for us to deal with.

As I rounded the final buoy I was relieved but incredibly tired for fighting the water so long.  I typically don't use my legs much when I swim but it was unavoidable in this situation.  Finally I was close enough to shore to stand up only to cut my foot on a boulder as I slogged out of the water.

It felt incredible to be back on land.  I think if the swim had started any later they would have canceled it for safety and as it was, I think it was unsafe.  But I survived. I got up to my borrowed bike, got my shoes on and hit the road.  As I climbed out of transition with others we were all happy to be alive and grateful to hit the road with 30 mph headwinds.

There were a lot of hills to climb - 1200 feet of climbing in about 12 miles, and that's a lot.  I felt like I was standing still on the way out but on the way back the wind pushed me in.  Only once did I fear for my life when a crosswind almost got me as I sped down a hill at around 34mph.

I managed to complete the bike in just over an hour and I was thrilled.  I switched shoes and was off.  I had to run/walk a bit because there was a steep hill coming out of transition but once I got on the flat part of the run I was able to take off.  I passed people, a few of who I assumed were in my race category (and they were) and had a great run given how tired my legs were.

After crossing the finish line I was so grateful to have a finishers medal.  It is the hardest earn medal I have to date.  Then I went to the results table to print out my results and low and behold, I GOT 3rd PLACE!!! I couldn't believe it.

This was a big race, with lots of racers, and I got 3rd place!  I was super excited to stand on the podium with some amazing ladies, and even more excited at all the new Athena racers I met last weekend.

Las Vegas has a fantastic triathlon community and I am so fortunate to have had an opportunity to race in another state, and get a bronze medal.  I am humbled, proud, and so very happy about it.  I hope I never see a swim like that again because it will be hard to start knowing how difficult it was, but I did finish so....

51 days and finding faults

It's no secret; the last month has been incredibly busy at home, work, and in the training plan.  I have managed to get in two 50+ mile bike rides and a few long runs (9 miles plus) interspersed with some swimming.

My schedule has been somewhat difficult to work with for some of the longer training and a short spell of not feeling well. A few weeks ago I ran 9.5 miles on Wednesday, took Thursday off, did Spin class on Friday, and then ran another 10.5 on Saturday.  By Sunday I was exhausted and on Monday I had some labs ordered to see if I was low on iron.

I had a dip in my iron serum so iron supplements are now in the schedule although I am going to try to eat more natural sources to see if that will help.

As I get closer to the big day I find there are tiny fractures in my confidence appearing.  I think this is normal but after a bad swim (see the other blog post) and a tiring ride today I am finding doubt in places it wasn't.

I still believe I can complete the distance and just need to give myself a bit of a break; but after taking some time off from training to rest and travel for work, I know that ever work out from here on out is critical.

I have found a new fun activity - Ice baths!  They seem to be the trick to faster recovery and although cold as hell (strange, I thought hell was hot), they feel soooo awesome.   I also got this sweet new riding jersey that made my ride today that much better.