Race Report- Sprint Triathlon #6

Race Summary= BEST RACE EVER!!! 

Sprint Triathlon #6

Date: August 16th, 2015
Event: Super Sprint Triathlon (225 yd pool swim, 8 mile bike, 2 mile run)- > Women only!
Time: 1:04:24
(Swim: 4:40 (6th/24), T1: 0:57 (2nd/24), Bike: 33:43 (10th/24), T2: 1:01 (14th/24), Run: 24:05 (18th/24))
Age Group Place (25-29): 12/24! Top 50% :)

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The Swim- 225 yd pool swim (4:40)

Average Pace: 2:04 per 100yd

Well the swim was great, the entry, not so much.  We had to jump in feet first in the shallow end of the pool.  I jumped in a little too aggressively and jammed my toes on the cement pool floor.  I shook off the pain quickly as I kicked, but I did worry the whole time if I had broken them.  Really happy with my swim ranking, 6th best time in my age group!

The Bike- 8 miles (33:43)

Average Speed: 14.2 mph

Before I could begin the bike course, I had to go through the first transition.  The race volunteers were yelling at me not to go so fast, I yelled back, "It's a race!"  My hurrying paid off, as I was the 2nd best in T1, running from the pool to get my bike and my bike gear on, and to run my bike out, all in 57 seconds! I'm doing these shorter races mostly to practice my transitions between the three sports, I couldn't care less that they were yelling at me.  I had my goal in mind and I followed my race plan.

The bike course was easy, except for a heartbreak hill that had to be completed twice, as it was a two loop course.  This hill was so hard that a majority of the racers were dismounting their bikes and walking them up.  I fought hard to stay on mine and got through it, but boy was that tough.  I was again happy with my ranking, 10th best time in my age group.  My baby calves still ache and bother me quite a bit when I am climbing hills.  I also am not as strong as pedaling out of the saddle, as that requires the toe off motion--same one in running, same one in heel raises, and we know that anyone with PTTD, especially those who have undergone surgery are not great at that. I was really starting to feel confident in my performance and proud of what I already accomplished.

The Run-2 miles (24:05)

Average Pace: 12:03 min/mile, Average Speed: 5 mph

Are you kidding me???? 12 min miles in a triathlon?  I swam and biked before this leg. This race has gone from good to great!  Of course, my ranking in my age group is much lower for the run, because 12 min miles aren't fast for the everyday runner, but I have reconstructed ankles!!!  I am so proud.

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Reflection

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE RACE!!! I only signed up for this race to support some of my newbie triathlete friends, something.  It is a women's only race and is catered to beginners. As a more experienced triathlete, I felt a little out of place signing up, but I am sure glad I did.  I probably wouldn't have signed up if I hadn't gone through my ankle surgeries, as I would have thought that I was "too good" for a little race such as this one.  I would have been wrong, it was a great experience.  Everyone was cheering you on from the sidelines, they write your name in marker on your arms and also print it on your race bib (corny, but also thrilling to hear people that you don't know cheering for you by name), everyone was supportive of each other, and it was all about finishing, less about time.  For me, I obviously was concerned about my times, since this was a training race for me, but I was pleasantly surprised to finally find a distance that my ankles didn't hold me back from as much.  Still thrilled on my 24:05 for a 2 mile run!!!

New Swim Team- I'm hooked!

I decided to quit my tri team.  It wasn't working out for me and it hasn't for awhile, but I stayed because it is really the only tri team in town.  There was a "last straw" experience that made it clear to me that the sport I care about the most is my swimming.  Swimming is the sport/activity I can do with the least limitations and I genuinely want to become the best swimmer I can be.  It is and has always been important to me to regain my athleticism after my surgeries, and swimming gives me the best chance to be competitive again.  My former tri team did not have a strong swim component, so it was time to make a change.  Increasing opportunities to be coached in my swimming is a priority for me; therefore, I have joined a second Masters Swimming Team...this is on top of my normal team that meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during the academic year.  This team swims all year around and has practice sessions on most days. Add this to the list of things I never dreamed about doing, even before my surgeries.  I am a year around competitive swimmer!!! My goal is to transition from 3 to 4 morning swims per week, up to 5 to 6 swims per week by the spring.  Beyond the triathlons that I still have on my calendar for the fall, I am training for the Masters National Swimming Championships in late April/early May.

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Reflection

As much as I love the sport of triathlon, I love competitive swimming more.  It was time to adjust my training schedule and team situation to fit my needs and passion for swimming.  I have a busy and challenging race calendar for the next several months, having races/competitions on the calendar pushes me to stay committed to my training, which in turn keeps me healthy and fit...and keeps my feet strong and functional ;)

Race Report- Sprint Triathlon #5

Race Summary= ABSOLUTE DISASTER!!! 

Sprint Triathlon #5

Date: July 25th, 2015
Event: Sprint Triathlon (750m lake swim, 15 mile bike, 5k run)
Time: 2:11:18
(Swim: 21:33, T1 + Bike + T2: 1:07:43, Run: 42:04)
Age Group Place (25-29): Last...10/10

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The Swim- 750m Lake Swim (21:33)

Average Pace: 2:52 per 100m

Now that I've been swimming consistently for a couple of years now, and have competed in Masters Swimming Meets, my swimming is my strength...that is if I can put my goggles on right!

Race Error #1:  Put goggles on upside down.

The gun went off and I started swimming.  I didn't realize anything was wrong until I looked up to sight for the first time.  I couldn't see, but I attributed that to the thrashing water that was all around me from the chaos of an mass swim start.  I kept opening and closing my eyes, and everything was just cloudy.  I finally figured out that there was water in my goggles.  It wasn't a leak, they were completely full, which made it hard to distinguish that there was water in them.  I emptied the goggles and kept going.  They filled right back up! I emptied them again, and same thing.  I finally turned on my back and treaded water and realized that I had put the goggles on upside down.  I had to take them all the way off my head and flip them.  There were several concerned triathletes that tried to stop and help me.  Many thought that I couldn't swim.  This was funny to me, because of all the people in the water, I am one of the best swimmers, and my time would have shown it...you know if I managed to put my goggles on right.  I told them that I was ok, just trying to figure out my goggles.  I finally got them situated, but when I turned back around, I realized that I was far behind the group of triathletes I started with, and the next wave was upon me.  I used this to my advantage and challenged myself to keep up and draft from the better swimmers of the wave behind me.  I ended up passing several in my wave by the end of the swim, but obviously I lost minutes of valuable time fighting with my goggles.  My swim was still about 2 mins faster than last year, but I was bummed that a stupid mistake like putting my goggles on wrong sabotaged my time.

The Bike- 15 miles + Transitions (1:07:43)

Average Speed: Not sure

Race Error #2:  Forgot timing chip in transition. 

About a mile into the bike course, I looked down at my ankle and realized that I forgot my timing chip in transition.  I have to take it off after the swim in order to put my socks on, and I forgot to put it back on!  I was already down from the swim debacle, and now this!  I shook the mistake off and kept riding.  The hills were challenging, I have only been training for a few weeks since my trip, but overall, I was happy with my performance.  I don't have an accurate ride time since my transitions were included.  After finishing the bike course and changing into my run gear, I had to run my chip back up to the bike finish to record the end of T1, which actually represented T1+ bike split +T2, before moving on to the run.  That was embarrassing.  Other athletes and even my former tri coach were yelling at me to go the other way towards the run start, and I had to explain to all of them that I had to go run my chip to the bike timing gate first.

The Run-5k (42:04)

Average Pace: 13:32 min/mile, Average Speed: 4.4 mph

Race Error #3:  Watch malfunctioned.

 As if I needed any more drama for the day, my GPS triathlon watch malfunctioned.  It wouldn't switch to run mode and start tracking my mileage and time.  This race error was the least of my worries, since I am perfectly capable of running without feedback from my watch, however it is what I am accustomed too.  I usually use an interval timer, I like to see how much mileage I have completed, and monitor my pace and time.  I had to just run the course based on feel and mile markers.  At mile 1, I switched my watch to a normal stopwatch, so I did have at least time feedback for the remaining 2 miles.   When I crossed the finish line, I don't think I have ever felt that relieved.  I wanted to quickly put this day and race behind me.

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Reflection

My race was an absolute mess today, but I refocused my energy after each debacle and finished with my head held high.  Let's hope that I've gotten all the race glitches out this time and won't have these issues for my international and half iron distance tris coming up this fall.

Back to training

Trip dust has settled, done signing up for surprise races...time to get back to my regularly scheduled programming.  I have many triathlons coming up, therefore, it is time to get back in shape!

I rejoined my swim and tri team.  I started weekly rides with my local bike shop.  I upgraded my road bike and added aero bars and some sweet neon colored bar tape. I have had some trouble returning to running, my posterior tibial tendons are tight--they have had a great vacation away from serious training.  I had to go back to my compression socks, elevation, icing, stretching, strengthening routine.  They are getting back in shape day by day, but I will continue to take it easy on them and focus on my swimming and cycling.

Race Report- 1st Criterium Cycling Race

I'm a runner.
I'm a triathlete.
I'm a swimmer.
I'm a cyclist!

When I started this year, or this life, did I ever dream that I would compete in a cycling race? NO! Well...this is what happened: I was invited to watch a local criterium race with some friends on Friday.  Criterium racing is when cyclists complete several laps of a 1-2 mile loop at high speeds.  At first, you just complete laps for a certain period of time, the goal is to just stay with the pack.  And then, at some point the race officials will announce that there are 10 laps left, and then the real racing begins.  Competitors jockey for position to ultimately sprint around the last corner for the win over the finish line. It's intense to watch, even more intense to be in the race.

I was talked into participating in the beginner's racing clinic the next day and was told that I should also be prepared to race an hour after it finished.  My friend gave me an ultimatum, "If you participate in the clinic, you are also going to race!"  When I went home on Friday, I thought that there was no way that I was going to go back the next day and race.  I am not even trained.  I am still trying to catch up from taking time off of training for my vacation.  But...I really want to improve my cycling skills by participating in the clinic, and you only live once, right?  The next morning, I packed my bike in the car and all of my cycling stuff and mentally prepared myself for what I was about to do. The beginner clinic was tough, I had to learn to draft from the other riders, to corner (take tight turns), and to ride in a pace line.  These skills were all out of my league, but I did pretty well.  I decided that I would go ahead and race in the women's novice race that came up after the clinic. Let's just say that it was an experience of a lifetime, and something I will probably NEVER do again.  From the time the gun went off, those ladies clipped in and got going so fast, that I was already left in the dust from the start line.  I sprinted the first few laps to try to catch up with them, but that was a near impossible feat since they were moving as a pack and getting the benefit of drafting.  I quickly burned myself out (terrible race strategy). Needless to say, I was lapped a few times, but I DID NOT QUIT.  I also managed to average well over 16 mph, which is fast for me at this stage of my training and recovery from my surgeries.  The reason I say I will probably never do it again is because it is dangerous.  Riders are very close to you, they whip around corners at full speed, and there is a very high likelihood of crashes.  Not my cup of tea. On Friday, several riders were rushed to the hospital.  I'm lucky to have gotten out of there without a scratch.

The grand irony of my cycling experience is that two years ago on July 12th, 2013, I posted the comment and picture below from the PT clinic.  On July 11th, 2015, I competed in my first cycling race, as shown in the second picture!!!  Thanks to the wonders of Facebook and their "On this day" reminders, the picture from the clinic popped back up on my timeline.  I texted my physical therapist (#1), whose clinic I was in when I took the picture back in 2013, and he said, "I got so happy reading your text.  So proud of you.  You make what I do worth it."  I was happy that I made him happy, and happy that I made myself happy by going after another first and doing something I never dreamed of even when I had perfectly functioning feet.  

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Reflection

The Backpacker's Life: Central American Adventure

Guatamala-> Honduras-> Nicaragua-> Costa Rica

Crazy...yes.  Smart...extraordinarily.--->  This trip is probably the wildest thing I have done in my life, but it also was the best thing that I could have done. While living out of a backpack, taking almost exclusively cold showers for weeks, managing with no air conditioning, trying exotic foods, and doing things I never dreamed I could do...I realized that I know exactly who I am.  (Not what you thought I would say, right?)  I didn't "find" myself on this trip, rather I realized that I'm not lost.  I enjoy my home town (relatively small city with a dash of country and southern charm),  I have a great family and supportive friends, I am proud of the career I have built for myself and love my job,  I have the sweetest dogs, I've moved beyond the limitations that my feet have put on me, and most importantly, I'm happy and feel centered and balanced.  It's taken years to get back to this level of peace, and this trip showed me that I've accepted all the ups and downs of my life and no matter what, I am choosing to make the best of it.  

Trip Highlights: 

~Guatemala- Explored markets, streets, and nightlife

~Honduras- Horseback riding up and down a mountain to see Mayan ruins and visit ancient villages; scuba diving, lounging in natural hot springs, 

~Nicaragua- Volcano boarding (hiked up an active volcano and rode down on a wooden sled), looked into an active volcano's crater (close enough to it to cough on the sulfuric gas), made a clay pot with a manual pottery wheel, spent 3 days living with a local family who spoke not a word of English (I had to pull out my Spanish language skills big time!), completed a 6 hr hike of an active volcano

~Costa Rica- climbed a hollow tree, went ziplining (including flying superman style on a line that was 1 mile long!), visited a coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane farm, more hot springs, canyoneered and repelled waterfalls, went white water rafting

Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip:

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Reflection

2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY- Right

*Right: 2 year surgery anniversary*

I was having so much fun living my life that I actually forgot about my anniversary until a couple days after it passed...whoops. This is another major sign that I've moved on from the impact these surgeries have had on me and have defined a new life for myself...crappy bionic feet in tow. On June 4th, 2015, my 2 year right surgery anniversary, I spent the day doing something I had never dreamed of doing and certainly something I thought I was too scared to do. I mean...I'm the girl that believed that there were sharks in the deep end of the swimming pool for the better part of my childhood and I went SCUBA DIVING!!! Like in the legit ocean...40 ft deep...in Roatán, Honduras. I loved it so much that I went back and dove again the next day. It was an unforgettable experience. I think that any time that you are that far outside your comfort zone, there is always a lasting impact on your life.

The tank alone was 60 lbs!!!! The biggest challenge for my feet was standing up with all the equipment on in preparation for jumping off the boat to begin the dive.  It was also quite the challenge to get back up in the boat with the heavy equipment.  I felt my ankles and knees buckling :/