Cyman Race Report

My final triathlon, and probably race, of the year was last Sunday. It was a gorgeous day minus the wind, well only the wind when on the bike heading into it :) Race didn't start until 10 so I was able to sleep into my normal time which was nice. I arrived at Big Creek state park at about 9. I headed to transition to set up. People do not understand that you do not need 5 feet of space. You only need enough space to fit your bike on the rack. You do not need to layout a towel, the long way inbetween spaces. I squeezed into a spot in the area I wanted to be in because everywhere was full and figured if I had to squeeze in I mine as well be some place I wanted to be. I rack my bike and start pulling things out of my bag. During this time, others are arriving and looking for space. Across from me there is a towel hanging on the rack. I assumed someone just had their bike out and wanted to save their spot. No, the guy next to it wanted to "encourage space". Are you serious? First you have your bike, your towel laid out and another towel space "saved". Holy crap dude, move your $hit over. I set up my transition, put on the wetsuit and head to swim start. It was a little chilly so the wetsuit was nice to have on before the race started.

Goal: beat my previous race time from 2 years ago (1:19:46)
Although I knew my bike wasn't where I wanted it to be I was going to try.

Swim: 9:04 (9:27)
I decided I was going to start up front because 2 years ago there wasn't too many fast people and I only say this because I had the fastest swim time in my age group. The water was cold, for me. 68 degrees. I have a sleeveless and I was cold. I felt pretty good and actually stayed right online. Not much in and out from the bouys like I normally do. My arms got tired again. I still contribute that to swimming better and just not having time to work on those muscles.

T1: 0:43 (0:57)
T1 was slightly uphill through transition and it killed me. I jogged to my spot and slowly took off my wetsuit. I put on my helmet while I finished taking it off, grabbed my bike and I was off.

Bike: 0:48:12 (43:02)
My legs were not wanting to do what I wanted them to do. They weren't tired, they just didn't react. This was an out and back. With the wind on the way out. I finally got going about half way out. I didn't have the half way split that I was hoping for so I just pushed as hard as I could on the way back and hoped for the best. I am just glad it was a sustained 15 mph wind so it didn't blow me around.

T2: 0:30 (0:33)
I came in off the bike, racked my bike, threw on my running shoes, grabbed my visor and race belt and I was off. It felt quick and smooth.

Run: 24:52 (25:49)
I felt pretty good on the run. That hill coming out of transition always seems to be tough. After about a half mile I could really feel myself relax and get running smooth. There was one place my calves started to get tight on an uphill, but push through and finished strong.

Finish: 1:23:20 (1:19:46)
Far short of my goal time, but still happy with the race. I have not had time at all to train like I would have liked. School has completely taken over my life. I have found myself getting up early to work on homework, go to class, homework in between class and get home to work on class work for the next day. If I don't "have" to work on class stuff it is because I have softball. I haven't had a free day in so long. I am going on 3 weeks of not mowing my lawn. I think it has gotten to a point where it just isn't getting any longer. Overall, I was mentally ready and was prepared to push my body to what I know it is capable of. My body just didn't deliver. My time was still good enough for 1st in my age group and 14th overall female. I was very happy with my swim and run times. I am dissapointed in my bike just because that is normally my strongest. Hopefully I will have time to hit it hard over the winter on the trainer.

Training moves on

Workouts last week were very lazy. A lot going on. I did do spin class Monday and swim Wednesday 1500 yards because that was my last week for the gym. Other than that I did things at home. It was nice to get a big chunk of that done. This week has been a different story. I have had some great workouts. Monday I ran for 60 minutes. I got in 6.5 miles. I felt nice and relaxed and was even able to take the last hill at a reasonable pace. Tuesday my muscles were sore from Monday, but it was a good sore in just the right places. Nothing that hinders working out. Calves were pretty tight. Since it was raining, I jumped on the trainer indoors. I thought I would be on there for 10 min and just be dieing. I hate the trainer. I ended up being on there for a solid 45 min: 10 min warm up, 3x3:00 Variable gearing (1:20 medium gear 90 rpm, :40 easy +120 rpm, 1:00 hard 80 rpm) with :30 second rest after the first two then one minute rest after the last then right into a 10:00 time effort (75%-80) after that 3x3:00 Isolated leg training (20 sec right, 10 sec together, 20 sec left, 10 sec together x3 = 1 set) with :30 sec rest in between sets then a 4:00 cool down. Wednesday a 35 min bike followed by a 20 min run. I felt great. I pushed myself hard on the bike and worked hard on the hills then came back and ran 2 miles hard (7:30 mile pace) with 5 min cool down jog. I was exhausted but it felt good. I was pretty sore all week and thought today I would be even more sore, but I actually am hardly sore at all. I am taking tonight off then will run tomorrow night. I start school next week so I will get in the pool then. Going to shoot for 2 times a week in the pool and hopefully hook up with the triclones (Iowa State Triathlon Club) for workouts during the week. It will be nice to have someone push me. I canceled my Y membership since I am paying for the athletic facilities in Ames. I will actually get to swim in a nice pool - sorry Grubb Y, but your pool sucks and is disgusting.

Big Creek 30 Race Report

I learned a couple things Sunday at Big Creek: 1 - I have work to do, 2 - hot is hot. I arrived late at the site because usually they have the bike racks separated by numbers so I was going to be in the same row no matter what time I arrived. I arrived at 7:15 to hear an announcement of the race being shorted to 1000m swim, 40k bike, 5k run. Only the swim and run were shortened. This boads well for me since the bike is my strong suit. Transition closes at 7:30. Ok, I was a little later than expected, but it worked out perfect. I got marked and picked up my timing chip then headed into transition. I was way at the end of the bike rack, but really didn't care. I ended up with a lot of space which I didn't need, but it was always welcomed. I get my transition set up and got out of there right at 7:30. I didn't have time to jog or warm up, but it was already pretty warm and I also wasn't going to go out hard like I normally would in the swim. We stand on the beach for the pre-race talk. I chatted a bit with a friend who this will be his first triathlon. I gave him some pointers then he was off while I waited for my wave.

Swim: 22:36 (~33:45 for 1500m) - goal 38 min for 1500m
I was off at 8:16. I started in the back because it has been awhile since I have raced. Once we started I remembered why I don't start at the back. It takes everyone forever to get going. I got impatient and jumped in. It worked out well. I picked up a draft and another girl swam right next to me so I didn't have to site and I had a draft the whole way out. Thank goodness because my arms got exhausted. I ended up having to kick more because my arms were so tired. I guess I should have gotten in the pool more than 5 times this year :) Anyway, I was happy with my swim time especialy no wetsuit because the water was 84 degrees.

T1: 0:56
I still got it. I had a quick transition. The only thing that slowed me down was the fact that my spot was in a really crappy part of the parking lot. Tons of rocks and cracks that killed my feet. I am just glad it wasn't glass. I should have payed more attention to this before the race and tried to clean up the area a bit. Oh well.

Bike: 1:19:04 - 18.9mph - goal: 1:18 - 19mph
I was slower than I liked, but considering the swim completely wiped me out and I did not have my legs the entire ride, I thought I did well. I passed 7 girls in my age group which turns out I was 3rd to last out of the swim and gained my spots on the bike. I would really have liked to average 20mph if I had more time to train. I think I would have if I could have been able to push harder at the beginning when I was riding with the wind. Oh boy it was windy too.

T2: 0:58
I was a little slow here and it was again because of the rocks and at this time the pavement had heated up quite a bit. I would have like to get it under 0:40, but I think my spot wasn't going to allow that as I was quite a ways off of the path.

Run: 27:08 - 8:44/mile
No going to lie, I was dead. For as many times as I have raced at big creek (4 times before this) I have never realized that the first mile was all slightly up hill. It's funny how you never notice these things until you are hurting. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel considering I have done a couple bike/run bricks, but never included the swim before any of those. I felt good for about the first 1/2 mile then it was painful. It was hot. I was having trouble keeping water down on the bike. I would burp and I would get a mouth full of water I just spit out because it was discusting. I went through 2 water bottles on the bike. I just kept forcing it down knowing it was going to be hot. I am pretty sure the heat is what killed me. My legs weren't tired and I wasn't breathing hard, I just had no energy. I started right behind a girl and finished right behind her. No one passed me, but I passed a lot of "tough" looking people. The heat got to everyone. Didn't pass anyone in my age group or even see anyone that could be. It turns out the next closest one was 6 min in front of me.

Finish time: 2:10:42 9/18 age group
This was a good race and helped me realize what I need to keep working on. I am right where I thought I would be and can dial in my training to meet my goals for the National Collegiate race this spring. Hopefully it works out that I get to go.

Pre-Big Creek

Big Creek is Sunday. Am I ready? I suppose. I am not mentally in it yet. First off, I didn't even realize it was on Sunday until Tuesday of this week. I almost forgot about packet pick up on Saturday. I still need to practice my transitions since I haven't actually done a real transition since Hyvee of last year. I am a little rusty getting my bike shoes on on the bike. I need to change my laces in my shoes, clean my bike, and gather up my gear that has been in a box for almost a year. I was hoping for a wetsuit swim because I know I will be a little anxious for the swim start, but decided I will just start at the back and avoid the crazyness at the front. I am feeling good for the rest, but not sure about putting them all together. It has been a long time since I have worked out for 3 hours. I am going into this race as a "I need to get the tri-fever" again to get me some motivation for this winter. I will try to get the race report up before December.

Progress

I have officially registered for Cyman and Big Creek. I have been doing well with workouts. It feels great to be back on the bike. I finished up my long bike leading up to Big Creek. 1:45 followed by a 10 min run. I felt really good. I don't think I will get my average I would like to see on the bike, but I know right now I can finish it with a decent time. I have one more 1:30 bike and 15 run brick and a couple shorter ones. Swimming is going well. It is amazing how taking time off and coming back makes you realize how terrible your form was so I have been working on that. I wish I had more time before I needed to start working on distance work, but I can come back to it right after the races. I need to get out in the open water a couple times to get use to it again. Other than training, starting to wrap up softball season and get back to school. It is going to be a busy fall.

Ok, here we go...

After 10 months of not thinking about triathlon, I have decided tonight is the night I begin my obsessive compulsive thinking of triathlon. If you can believe it, I have not been on my bike since IMKY or been in the pool. I am dusting off the bike and heading out for a short ride. I am excited, but at the same time remember the time commitment the training requires. Also, probably should mention my new goals: Collegiate National Championships 2011 and Ironman St George 2012. I decided that I really like the IM training and want to get back to it. This time it will be over the winter when nothing is happening except it will be tough to be on the trainer for 3-4 hours. I am also going back to school this fall which makes me eligible to race at the nationals. You have until you are 28 which I will be in the spring so this would be my last opportunity to do it. I am planning on joining the ISU triathlon club which takes a spring trip down to Texas for that event. I am pretty excited about racing with some of the best "youngsters". I have decided I need to get a race or two in this year so I am going to do Cyman and debating whether or not to do Big Creek since I have yet to get on my bike or get in the pool. I am going to take the next couple week to evaluate my situation and then make the call from there. I am almost thinking of registering just because so I get back into tri. The only thing stopping me is with it being the Midwest regional championship race, there is going to be some fast times which mine will not be. Really don't want to come in last, but for now, I need to get my bike gear together and find my swimsuit...

This is where I am at

I have been out of the triathlon loop for about 9 months now going on ten. I have just had little interest in getting back on my bike and in the pool. I am still running because I find it very relaxing and a nice stress reliever which we all need. I am running the Dam to Dam this weekend. Not in as good of shape as I would like, but I still think I should PR in it. My time lately has really been preoccupied with softball. I joined a fast pitch league and really love it. It is a nice change. I just wish it was more often. I have also joined 2 other slow pitch leagues which are fun as well. I am going back to school in the fall which is stressing me out. Just the work and hectic schedule that goes along with it is something I am not looking forward to. The three years will fly by, right?

Life's importancies - is that a word?

I have been a little preoccupied and not updating my blog. I don't know if it is the lack of triathlon interest at this point or other things are just more important. I hope it is the later. I have been working out, but not triathlon specific workouts. I finally got on my bike and trainer the other day to find it was very uncomfortable. The steep geometry was not like the spin bikes at the gym. I remember when I use to find them uncomfortable because they weren't steep enough. I have been going to spin class about twice a week and the other days have had random workout classes or just me on the treadmill running. I have not been in the pool for a long time and I don't want to. It is funny that I love triathlons and hate when they cancel the swim portion, but I do not want to train for the swimming. I think it is because I put in all the work, but don't really know if I am doing it right or not. I feel I can put in 5 min or 500 hours and still come out the same. I will worry about that later. For now I am using the spin class to push me on the bike. Even though the bike is my strongest, I feel that I can gain so much more if I could just push myself in training like I do when I am racing. Same goes for running. I have gotten into and love the long slow runs. Working on pushing myself a little more in that too. In the mean time, I have applied to get my Masters of Architecture. Still waiting to hear back. I spent about a week of constant getting my application together. I missed the Jan 1st deadline. Not because I was lazy and put it off, it was because I decided Jan 21st that I was going to apply. I got my portfolio together and studied for the GRE and took the exam all within a week. It was pretty intense. I just hope they still consider my application. I am very excited about going back to school, but at the same time I love my job and could not have asked for a better opportunity than I get now. It will really make the decision hard when fall comes. For now I am still trying to get back into the flow of working out and slowly making the transition over to race focus. That reminds me, I still have not registered for any races this year. Last year by January 1st I had registered for all of the races I was doing. I am still in the post-Ironman depression stage. Hope the weather will help me snap out of it soon.

Oh my

Where have I been? Being lazy. So much, yet so little has gone on in my life. December was all a blur. I "started" working out again because I was starting to put on a few pounds and wanted to nip that in the butt right away. I got to the gym about 3 days a week. I was trying to find a women's basketball league to play on, but no such luck so I have been randomly taking on 8 year olds at the gym. Only been beat once, lol. I have been fighting off getting back in the pool. Mostly because I hate the pool at my gym because it is disgusting, but also, it is boring. I have been doing the spin class twice a week which I really like because it takes me out of my comfort zone that I have been training in for the last year and a half. Christmas was good and I enjoy a lot of food and great company. The snow storm almost kept me from visiting my family, but it came early enough it really wasn't an issue. I spent Christmas eve and day with my boyfriend and his family. It was very enjoyable. For Christmas, my boyfriend's parents bought us tickets and a whole trip to the Orange Bowl so New years eve, off to Miami, well Fort Lauderdale the first 2 days. It was so nice those first 2 days, then it just got colder and colder. It would have been great had a prepared and brought proper clothing. All in all it was good. I was able to get out and run out in the "warm" weather. It definitely helped my winter laziness. This week I am getting back into the swing of things. I discovered a machine at my gym that I really like. It actually challenged me. At first I thought it was worthless until I figured out how to run it. I have no idea what it is called, but it has "floating" foot pedals and the moving arms. Basically simulates cross country skiing. I am on level 1 because the resistance was so tough during the cardio training. I will conquer this. It has also got me excited to go back to the gym on the days there is no spin class. I have had my trainer set up in my house now for about 2 months. I have been on it twice. Can't do it this year. I think it was the hours and hours I spent on it last winter that I can't bring myself to get on it or even want to look at it. Sorry bike, I love you, but I am not ready to spend that much time with you right now. I have been trying to find alternate training tools rather than just swim bike and run. I feel that the Ironman not only sparked some interest, but burnt me out. I think it is just the fact that I am not training for an Ironman anymore. It makes me sad. I have decided on a few goals this year, things that I have lacked on during the IM training:
1. Get moving. No more long slow training all the time
2. Get involved with activities outside the triathlon world
I just need to get my mind back into the whole training thing. Hopefully spring and the warm weather will re-motivate me.