This has been a HOT week to workout! Right now, my daughter has swimming practice from 7-8 pm 3 days a week. Then, on Fridays, here practice is 4:45-5:45. So, this is my main workout time.
So, this week I did the following:
Sunday - ran 6 miles at 7:00 am in hills at lakehouse.
Monday - ran 2 miles at 6:30 am.
Tuesday - ran 3.5 miles of intervals at 7 pm...temp in lower 90's.
Wednesday - did 30 minute Pilates video workout. Planned on bike ride, but dd's friend called & she was in a musical that night, so we did that instead.
Thursday - did 30 minute cardio/sculpting video in morning & 3.5 mile run (working on 'mile repeats') at 7 pm...temp about 94.
Friday - rode bike about 11 miles in 50 minutes....temp about 95.
Saturday - REST DAY as we spend 6:45 am - 2 pm at swim meet. Then drive to lake house!
These workouts are HARD in this heat!!! I need to be carrying water, but haven't been. Thankfully, we just have one more week on this schedule & then we switch to mornings (since school will be out). Practice will be from 7:30-8:30 am, and the temps will hopefully be closer to 80. Yeah!!!
Oh, and today was our last day of homeschooling...truly! We have been doing it for 6 years and my dd will be going to private school next year. It's kind of sad to leave this behind, but we are both ready for a new adventure!!!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Working Out with NETFLIX!!
I have been struggling with doing any weight training since my triathlon earlier this month. I quit working out with my trainer & have been struggling on my own...barely doing any Strength work. I have been contemplating buying P90X or Insanity, but I don't usually stick with videos. So, I'm not sure if it's a wise way to spend my money.
But, as I was searching Amazon, I came across someone mentioning workout videos on Netflix. Netflix?!? Why didn't I think of that. I can get a lot of different videos & use them for FREE! Yeah!
I looked around & there are quite a few options. Today, both my dd10 & I tried a 10 minute solutions pilates workout. There are five workouts which are 10 minutes each. We did abs then buns & thighs (not buns & things as I put on my status!), & then I finished it off with flexibility. I felt I got a pretty good workout.
I really need to work on some arm strength, so I'm off to search Netflix...
Oh, and if you have any free, online sites that you use, please let me know! I'm hunting right now! Thanks!
But, as I was searching Amazon, I came across someone mentioning workout videos on Netflix. Netflix?!? Why didn't I think of that. I can get a lot of different videos & use them for FREE! Yeah!
I looked around & there are quite a few options. Today, both my dd10 & I tried a 10 minute solutions pilates workout. There are five workouts which are 10 minutes each. We did abs then buns & thighs (not buns & things as I put on my status!), & then I finished it off with flexibility. I felt I got a pretty good workout.
I really need to work on some arm strength, so I'm off to search Netflix...
Oh, and if you have any free, online sites that you use, please let me know! I'm hunting right now! Thanks!
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Next Good Run...
I just posted this as a response to another person's post who had a bad run last weekend & was going to try again tomorrow. I thought I should just post it on my blog, too! So, here it is!
"Maybe you'll surprise yourself and have a wonderful run tomorrow after this time off. But, even if you don't, remember there are always good runs & bad runs!
Last night, after I ran, I went to the swimming pool to wait for my dd to finish her team practice. I started talking to this college 'girl' (young 20's) who I'd met at the meet last weekend. She, too, is a runner & had just done a run. (We passed each other going in opposite directions.)
I learned that she'd done the MS150 bike ride that I'm wanting to do - when she was 13! I asked her about it, and she said she didn't care for it that much.
Well, that led into me talking about my runs & bike rides of the past few weeks. I've had a few bike rides that have been so wonderful I was ready to give up running! Then, I had 2 rides in a row that were painful & 'yucky'... and I thought about giving up riding.
The same goes for running! Tuesday night's run was incredible! I felt like a runner! It was all good! Thursday night, I pushed so hard... and yet didn't accomplish what I thought I could do. I was a little bummed.
But, our discussion reminded us both... there are good days & bad days whether running or biking or whatever. Sometimes you can figure out the cause (like last night - I have worked out HARD for 5 days now - maybe it was just a little too much?) and other days you can't. But, we get back out there because there are good days!
I hope tomorrow is a good day, but if not... keep running because you never know when that next good run will happen!"
"Maybe you'll surprise yourself and have a wonderful run tomorrow after this time off. But, even if you don't, remember there are always good runs & bad runs!
Last night, after I ran, I went to the swimming pool to wait for my dd to finish her team practice. I started talking to this college 'girl' (young 20's) who I'd met at the meet last weekend. She, too, is a runner & had just done a run. (We passed each other going in opposite directions.)
I learned that she'd done the MS150 bike ride that I'm wanting to do - when she was 13! I asked her about it, and she said she didn't care for it that much.
Well, that led into me talking about my runs & bike rides of the past few weeks. I've had a few bike rides that have been so wonderful I was ready to give up running! Then, I had 2 rides in a row that were painful & 'yucky'... and I thought about giving up riding.
The same goes for running! Tuesday night's run was incredible! I felt like a runner! It was all good! Thursday night, I pushed so hard... and yet didn't accomplish what I thought I could do. I was a little bummed.
But, our discussion reminded us both... there are good days & bad days whether running or biking or whatever. Sometimes you can figure out the cause (like last night - I have worked out HARD for 5 days now - maybe it was just a little too much?) and other days you can't. But, we get back out there because there are good days!
I hope tomorrow is a good day, but if not... keep running because you never know when that next good run will happen!"
Help! I'm SUCTIONED to the CEILING!
Yikes! The ceiling has a mighty suctioning force!
My daughter was taking photos of me with her iPod & flipped this upside down & we both got a good laugh! But, really... I tried this today!
The first time, I tried it against the wall. But, I found I didn't need the wall (but I DID need a pillow) so I headed to the middle of the hallway. I was so excited! Just like my handstand, this is something I used to do as a child. So, I feel very child-like!
Anyone want to accept this challenge? (Oh... and I just love seeing my 'skinny' little belly. It makes me happy! Ha!)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
2 Mile Tempo Run
I am learning to do different kinds of runs. In the past, I either did a long run or a short run. I've been working on intervals the past few weeks. And, tonight I did a tempo run. (At least, that's what I think it is called!)
My goal was to warm up for about a mile and then run 2 miles at a fairly hard pace. I was hoping to keep it under 12 minute/miles. Well, I did...barely. Mile 1 was 11:50 and mile 2 was 11:46. And, it was about all I could do! I was SO tired afterwards! I still had .2 miles to get home, and I usually get a 2nd wind and run it. I couldn't... I just walked home.
And, I'm a little disappointed. I thought trying to stay at 12 min/miles was a little conservative. It wasn't! And, I could NOT have done another 1.1 mile (for a 5K) today. Well, I guess that's why I'm still training!
Tomorrow I'd planned on doing a bike ride while my daughter is at swim practice. But, I have worked out hard all week...since Sunday! So, I might take the day off and ride Saturday evening instead. I have my next long run on Sunday. I think I'm going to run for 90 minutes. We'll see!
My goal was to warm up for about a mile and then run 2 miles at a fairly hard pace. I was hoping to keep it under 12 minute/miles. Well, I did...barely. Mile 1 was 11:50 and mile 2 was 11:46. And, it was about all I could do! I was SO tired afterwards! I still had .2 miles to get home, and I usually get a 2nd wind and run it. I couldn't... I just walked home.
And, I'm a little disappointed. I thought trying to stay at 12 min/miles was a little conservative. It wasn't! And, I could NOT have done another 1.1 mile (for a 5K) today. Well, I guess that's why I'm still training!
Tomorrow I'd planned on doing a bike ride while my daughter is at swim practice. But, I have worked out hard all week...since Sunday! So, I might take the day off and ride Saturday evening instead. I have my next long run on Sunday. I think I'm going to run for 90 minutes. We'll see!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
No Hip Pain! & On My Own
Yesterday I had my bike refitted and a flat tire fixed. Well, it went flat again almost immediately! (After 1 mile.) I honestly don't know if something was wrong with the tube, or I ran over some glass (again?), but they fixed my tire again today...for free. So, I was excited to try out my bike and see how my hips would do. After my last 2 rides, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do the long rides (like the MS 150 next spring) that I had dreamed of.
So, while my daughter was at swim practice, I went on almost an hour ride. I rode for 12 miles... and NO hip pain! Yeah!!!
Unfortunately, I do have a ganglion on my left hand that hasn't given me much problems in the past. Tonight, however, it was hurting. I had to keep readjusting my hand. It also helped when I moved my big Garmin watch away from my wrist. I hope I can figure out how to ride with this ganglion!
After I picked up my daughter, we went outside to have dessert. My daughter hopped in the pool for a short swim, and I decided to do a little strength exercising. My plan had been to go to CrossFit for a 2nd trial class today, but my dd really didn't want to go. And, I didn't want to make her go.
So, I did some ab work. Then some lunges...until my legs were BURNING. I did some tricep dips on the side of the spa. Then, I decided I'd try to jump up onto the spa. I think it is 18 inches. I could do it! So, I did that about 15 times and it felt wonderful.
Next, I headed out to the yard and tried a few handstands. Hmmm... my daughter was laughing. I wasn't getting up very far. I decided to try it next to the fence... and I could get up all the way! I could even get steady enough to be off the fence a bit! WOW!!! I'm 41, and I felt like a kid! I ended up doing this about 10 times...sometimes for about 10 seconds. I wonder if I'll feel it tomorrow???
My husband came home while I was finishing this up. I told him he had to come outside so I could show him my new 'thing'... AND embarrass our daughter! I don't know what he thought, but I was having a lot of fun! I'll try to get a photo tomorrow. I'll have to figure out what to do with my shirt as it is kinda falling down.
What about you? Have you tried anything new lately? I hope you are ENJOYING the journey!!!
So, while my daughter was at swim practice, I went on almost an hour ride. I rode for 12 miles... and NO hip pain! Yeah!!!
Unfortunately, I do have a ganglion on my left hand that hasn't given me much problems in the past. Tonight, however, it was hurting. I had to keep readjusting my hand. It also helped when I moved my big Garmin watch away from my wrist. I hope I can figure out how to ride with this ganglion!
After I picked up my daughter, we went outside to have dessert. My daughter hopped in the pool for a short swim, and I decided to do a little strength exercising. My plan had been to go to CrossFit for a 2nd trial class today, but my dd really didn't want to go. And, I didn't want to make her go.
So, I did some ab work. Then some lunges...until my legs were BURNING. I did some tricep dips on the side of the spa. Then, I decided I'd try to jump up onto the spa. I think it is 18 inches. I could do it! So, I did that about 15 times and it felt wonderful.
Next, I headed out to the yard and tried a few handstands. Hmmm... my daughter was laughing. I wasn't getting up very far. I decided to try it next to the fence... and I could get up all the way! I could even get steady enough to be off the fence a bit! WOW!!! I'm 41, and I felt like a kid! I ended up doing this about 10 times...sometimes for about 10 seconds. I wonder if I'll feel it tomorrow???
My husband came home while I was finishing this up. I told him he had to come outside so I could show him my new 'thing'... AND embarrass our daughter! I don't know what he thought, but I was having a lot of fun! I'll try to get a photo tomorrow. I'll have to figure out what to do with my shirt as it is kinda falling down.
What about you? Have you tried anything new lately? I hope you are ENJOYING the journey!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Picking Up the Pace!
Tonight I ran almost 3.5 miles in 40 minutes. That's an 11:58 pace. Anything under 12 minutes is great for me.
But, the best part was my intervals. For 30 minutes, I ran 2 minutes and walked 1 minute...just like I did a week ago. Last week, I covered 1.85 miles in those 20 minutes of walking. This week, I covered 1.87 miles. Not a big difference, but almost every interval was FASTER! The 'worst' was my first interval... I should have warmed up longer! If I deleted this one, my speed would have been a lot better!
Here is last week (1st) versus this week (2nd) paces during the 2 minute runs. Seeing numbers in the low 11's and 10 minute paces feels FANTASTIC!!! In fact, running at this speed feels great!!!
1. 10:52.....12:44
2. 11:02.....11:08
3. 11:00.....10:56
4. 11:02.....10:41
5. 10:56.....10:45
6. 10:41.....10:36
7. 10:57.....10:20
8. 11:08.....10:17
9. 10:33.....10:01
10. 9:53.....10:20
After this, I ran .5 miles... in about 5:30! Then, I ran another .4 miles in 5:01! These are great times for me. I AM getting faster, and it feels great! I just love running! The weather was beautiful, and it just felt great to be outside RUNNING!
I am currently looking for a half marathon plan. When I've trained in the past, I just keep upping the long mileage and pretty much running 2 other times per week... usually about 3 miles each. Now, I'm wanting to run 4 times a week. I'd like to do something like quarter mile repeats one day, short sprints one day, tempo run one day, and long run one day. I don't want to go beyond 11 or so miles on my long run. Anyone following a plan something like that? THANKS!!
But, the best part was my intervals. For 30 minutes, I ran 2 minutes and walked 1 minute...just like I did a week ago. Last week, I covered 1.85 miles in those 20 minutes of walking. This week, I covered 1.87 miles. Not a big difference, but almost every interval was FASTER! The 'worst' was my first interval... I should have warmed up longer! If I deleted this one, my speed would have been a lot better!
Here is last week (1st) versus this week (2nd) paces during the 2 minute runs. Seeing numbers in the low 11's and 10 minute paces feels FANTASTIC!!! In fact, running at this speed feels great!!!
1. 10:52.....12:44
2. 11:02.....11:08
3. 11:00.....10:56
4. 11:02.....10:41
5. 10:56.....10:45
6. 10:41.....10:36
7. 10:57.....10:20
8. 11:08.....10:17
9. 10:33.....10:01
10. 9:53.....10:20
After this, I ran .5 miles... in about 5:30! Then, I ran another .4 miles in 5:01! These are great times for me. I AM getting faster, and it feels great! I just love running! The weather was beautiful, and it just felt great to be outside RUNNING!
I am currently looking for a half marathon plan. When I've trained in the past, I just keep upping the long mileage and pretty much running 2 other times per week... usually about 3 miles each. Now, I'm wanting to run 4 times a week. I'd like to do something like quarter mile repeats one day, short sprints one day, tempo run one day, and long run one day. I don't want to go beyond 11 or so miles on my long run. Anyone following a plan something like that? THANKS!!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Getting FASTER!
Yes, I'm wanting to 'get faster' in my runs. But, this about withIN a long run. I just seem to start out slow and then get faster! I guess a few times I've started out too fast, but usually I tend to get faster & faster.
Here's an example: yesterday was my long, 8.5 mile run.
Here are my 3 slowest miles:
mile 1 - 13:31
mile 2 - 13:27
mile 3 - 13:01
Here are my 3 fastest miles:
mile 7 - 12:21
mile 8 - 12:05
mile 8.5 - 11:29!
My average pace was 12:41. But, if I just averaged the 2nd half of my run, the average would be closer to 12:16! I need to figure out how to get warmed up faster... I think.
Any thoughts?
And, today I went out for a recovery run. I wanted to take it easy and not worry about time. I ignored my watch so much that I forgot to hit start for the first .8 miles! Anyway, I again felt better & better & went faster & faster. Those .8 miles I was going at about a 13:30 pace. Then, my 1st recorded mile was 12:38. And, the last .6 miles were at an 11:38 pace. I was even down near 11:00 at the end!
I do know this means I need to warm up... ESPECIALLY before a 5K. But, what else should I learn from this?
Here's an example: yesterday was my long, 8.5 mile run.
Here are my 3 slowest miles:
mile 1 - 13:31
mile 2 - 13:27
mile 3 - 13:01
Here are my 3 fastest miles:
mile 7 - 12:21
mile 8 - 12:05
mile 8.5 - 11:29!
My average pace was 12:41. But, if I just averaged the 2nd half of my run, the average would be closer to 12:16! I need to figure out how to get warmed up faster... I think.
Any thoughts?
And, today I went out for a recovery run. I wanted to take it easy and not worry about time. I ignored my watch so much that I forgot to hit start for the first .8 miles! Anyway, I again felt better & better & went faster & faster. Those .8 miles I was going at about a 13:30 pace. Then, my 1st recorded mile was 12:38. And, the last .6 miles were at an 11:38 pace. I was even down near 11:00 at the end!
I do know this means I need to warm up... ESPECIALLY before a 5K. But, what else should I learn from this?
Saturday, May 7, 2011
1st Open Water Swim Tri!!!
I did it! It has been a hard week, especially since the OWS (Open Water Swim) clinic last weekend when I had a panic attack. I've worried & worried about the OWS portion of this week's tri... and I did it!!! I also worried about coming in last in my age group. Well, I was at the BOP (back of the pack), but not quite last. And, what matters more, is that I came in a little better than my goal time. Yeah!
So, here are the details...
I woke up at 4:10 wide awake & ready to go. I got to the parking lot about 5:20 and joined my friend/personal trainer (Sara), who was doing her first triathlon, at the bike rack. I went to get my timing chip... and there was a problem. I was #707, and they did NOT have a chip for me! They called over someone in charge & she assigned me a different number & said she would go officially switch it over. (Apparently this did NOT happen as my new #1100 is listed as "unknown participant" and the time is 36 minutes off because they started that chip with the elite wave. Ugh! I'll try to fix this problem on Monday.)
We had lots of time to walk around. We had a great position on the rack - just one rack in and near the bike in/out. We walked that path a few times to make sure we knew where our bikes were racked. We also walked down to the water to look at the buoys, but they weren't up yet. Sara had several friends (she also teaches boot camp) who were there competing - either individually or in relays - so we stopped & talked with them.
As the transition area got set to close, I grabbed my banana & water (I'd already drank a protein drink) and headed towards the port-o-potties. But, as we approached them, we noticed the park bathrooms & got in line there instead. Nice!
After that little necessary trip, we headed to the water to watch the elite wave (6 athletes!) and the men start. We watched several waves (we were #10 of 15) and saw what the mass start would look like. This is an 'in water' start, but about 2/3rds of the swimmers actually got in the deep water & treaded, while the rest stayed nearer the shore where they could stand. We decided we'd be in the latter group!
(Oh... side note... I had STRUGGLED with the decision about whether or not to wear a wetsuit. They are only legal if the temp is 78 or lower. How great for us who didn't wear suits, and those who wanted to, that the water temp was 77.9!!! Legal for them and relatively 'warm' for us! No gasping & shock from the COLD like I felt even last week at 75/76!)
We moved to the start area & my husband & daughter found me! I stopped & hugged/kissed them and thanked them for coming. It was an EARLY day for a weekend!!!
I was a lot less nervous than I expected. At least until we actually got to the water & got the '3 minutes to go'. I waded in to my head and moved my arms & jumped around. I was trying to get used to the chill. It was hard to hear the speaker, but I finally realized he was counting down our last 10 seconds... and then it was time to GO!
I started swimming freestyle. It wasn't long before I was getting 'crawled over'. It's HARD swimming like this! For several minutes, I had ladies hitting my feet and it feels like they are pulling you under. It makes it hard to swim! But, I kept going. Once or twice, I gave a harder kick when I'd gotten hit several times in a row.
Finally, we were spread out enough & I was clear. I was breathing every other stroke... the entire way. That wasn't my plan, but it was all I could do! I was a LOT better at sighting the buoys than I'd been at the clinic, too. I kept going & going... it feels like a LONG time.
After awhile, the next wave caught up with me... and started climbing over me again! What a terrible feeling! I was afraid wave after wave would catch me! I was in a 'pink swimcap' group, and all I could see were yellow caps! I figured, by then, that I was the last pink swimmer. It was kind of upsetting, but I told myself to be proud... I WOULD finish!
About 100 meters from the end, I saw another pink cap near me. YEAH! I wasn't out here all alone. I pushed near the end and swam until my hand hit the ground. Then I got up, and was actually able to run a little! (Unlike the 1st tri.)
I got to my bike rack and saw Sara's bike still there. (She's also in my age group.) So, I knew I wasn't last! She came up while I was putting on my shoes. She had Lock Laces & I didn't, so she got out slightly before me.
I ran with my bike until the MOUNT line. I hopped on and struggled to pedal. It was hard to catch my breath, too. I saw Sara just up ahead. She had to pully over. I asked if she was OK... she needed to adjust her pedal. I don't wear clipless shoes & neither does she. But, she had cages & her feet weren't in them right.
She stayed behind me until about mile 7 when she passed me. I told her I'd keep her in my sight, though. And I did! My hips, especially my left, REALLY started hurting by this point. I was near tears & making faces. I tried adjusting my body and my feet, but I was in a lot of pain. Finally, at around mile 11, I thought I should just try moving faster. I did, and it worked! It relieved the pain! I was able ot pass Sara, too, and stay in front of her for the rest of the bike ride. I saw my husband & daughter near the bike finish. And, again, Sara & I finished so close together that we saw each other at transition.
I racked my bike, took off my helmet, grabbed my sunglasses & visor and 'ran' towards the run exit. I was struggling. I was thinking I could NOT run. Sara caught up with me and we walked and talked. Then we ran and couldn't talk. I could not catch my breath. We kept walking, then running, then walking. At about 1.5 miles I told her she should go out and run. I needed to walk but she looked strong. I told her I wouldn't let her out of my sight. She ran some, but we both kept running & walking. I kept her in sight and she never got too far ahead, but I just couldn't stick with her.
At about mile 2 (of 3.1) I saw 2 other ladies in our age group pass me!!! I SO wanted to run after them and catch them! I tried... I ran a little. They were slow. But, I just couldn't catch them OR Sara. At the last water station, I saw they all 3 got water & walked. So, I kept 'running.' But, it didn't do me a lot of good. I was just so tired.
At about .5 miles to go, I started talking with a male runner. All of the males go before the females start, so he was quite a bit behind. He said it'd been a hard race. I agreed! We both walked & ran some together. When I could finally see the finish line, I started to run. I wanted to walk again, but I didn't let myself. I ran through the finish!!! I did it! I finished the triathlon!!!
Here are my times:
500 meter swim 17:01 (3:24 pace...vs 2:41 at 1st tri in pool)
TT1 2:50 (vs 2:21 1st tri)
15 mile bike 58:25 (15.4 mph pace...vs 13.1 mph 1st tri, but that was hillier & very windy)
TT2 1:06 (vs 1:14 1st tri)
5K run 36:45 (vs 40:17 1st tri, but that was hillier)
Biggest news: I can't believe my 5K time. That is a PR for me!!! And, I honestly walked about 1/3rd of the time! Am I really running that much faster???
My goals were:
18 min swim (did 17:01)...yeah!
2 min TT1 (did 2:50)... further from water than figured
58 min bike (did 58:25)...a little disappointed because I thought I was riding faster
2 min TT2 (did 1:14)...actually, I should have realized this would be faster
40 min run (did 36:45)...WOW! My thought is that maybe it was short, but I'll take it!
(photo from friend's iPhone)
So, here are the details...
I woke up at 4:10 wide awake & ready to go. I got to the parking lot about 5:20 and joined my friend/personal trainer (Sara), who was doing her first triathlon, at the bike rack. I went to get my timing chip... and there was a problem. I was #707, and they did NOT have a chip for me! They called over someone in charge & she assigned me a different number & said she would go officially switch it over. (Apparently this did NOT happen as my new #1100 is listed as "unknown participant" and the time is 36 minutes off because they started that chip with the elite wave. Ugh! I'll try to fix this problem on Monday.)
We had lots of time to walk around. We had a great position on the rack - just one rack in and near the bike in/out. We walked that path a few times to make sure we knew where our bikes were racked. We also walked down to the water to look at the buoys, but they weren't up yet. Sara had several friends (she also teaches boot camp) who were there competing - either individually or in relays - so we stopped & talked with them.
As the transition area got set to close, I grabbed my banana & water (I'd already drank a protein drink) and headed towards the port-o-potties. But, as we approached them, we noticed the park bathrooms & got in line there instead. Nice!
After that little necessary trip, we headed to the water to watch the elite wave (6 athletes!) and the men start. We watched several waves (we were #10 of 15) and saw what the mass start would look like. This is an 'in water' start, but about 2/3rds of the swimmers actually got in the deep water & treaded, while the rest stayed nearer the shore where they could stand. We decided we'd be in the latter group!
(Oh... side note... I had STRUGGLED with the decision about whether or not to wear a wetsuit. They are only legal if the temp is 78 or lower. How great for us who didn't wear suits, and those who wanted to, that the water temp was 77.9!!! Legal for them and relatively 'warm' for us! No gasping & shock from the COLD like I felt even last week at 75/76!)
We moved to the start area & my husband & daughter found me! I stopped & hugged/kissed them and thanked them for coming. It was an EARLY day for a weekend!!!
I was a lot less nervous than I expected. At least until we actually got to the water & got the '3 minutes to go'. I waded in to my head and moved my arms & jumped around. I was trying to get used to the chill. It was hard to hear the speaker, but I finally realized he was counting down our last 10 seconds... and then it was time to GO!
I started swimming freestyle. It wasn't long before I was getting 'crawled over'. It's HARD swimming like this! For several minutes, I had ladies hitting my feet and it feels like they are pulling you under. It makes it hard to swim! But, I kept going. Once or twice, I gave a harder kick when I'd gotten hit several times in a row.
Finally, we were spread out enough & I was clear. I was breathing every other stroke... the entire way. That wasn't my plan, but it was all I could do! I was a LOT better at sighting the buoys than I'd been at the clinic, too. I kept going & going... it feels like a LONG time.
After awhile, the next wave caught up with me... and started climbing over me again! What a terrible feeling! I was afraid wave after wave would catch me! I was in a 'pink swimcap' group, and all I could see were yellow caps! I figured, by then, that I was the last pink swimmer. It was kind of upsetting, but I told myself to be proud... I WOULD finish!
About 100 meters from the end, I saw another pink cap near me. YEAH! I wasn't out here all alone. I pushed near the end and swam until my hand hit the ground. Then I got up, and was actually able to run a little! (Unlike the 1st tri.)
I got to my bike rack and saw Sara's bike still there. (She's also in my age group.) So, I knew I wasn't last! She came up while I was putting on my shoes. She had Lock Laces & I didn't, so she got out slightly before me.
I ran with my bike until the MOUNT line. I hopped on and struggled to pedal. It was hard to catch my breath, too. I saw Sara just up ahead. She had to pully over. I asked if she was OK... she needed to adjust her pedal. I don't wear clipless shoes & neither does she. But, she had cages & her feet weren't in them right.
She stayed behind me until about mile 7 when she passed me. I told her I'd keep her in my sight, though. And I did! My hips, especially my left, REALLY started hurting by this point. I was near tears & making faces. I tried adjusting my body and my feet, but I was in a lot of pain. Finally, at around mile 11, I thought I should just try moving faster. I did, and it worked! It relieved the pain! I was able ot pass Sara, too, and stay in front of her for the rest of the bike ride. I saw my husband & daughter near the bike finish. And, again, Sara & I finished so close together that we saw each other at transition.
I racked my bike, took off my helmet, grabbed my sunglasses & visor and 'ran' towards the run exit. I was struggling. I was thinking I could NOT run. Sara caught up with me and we walked and talked. Then we ran and couldn't talk. I could not catch my breath. We kept walking, then running, then walking. At about 1.5 miles I told her she should go out and run. I needed to walk but she looked strong. I told her I wouldn't let her out of my sight. She ran some, but we both kept running & walking. I kept her in sight and she never got too far ahead, but I just couldn't stick with her.
At about mile 2 (of 3.1) I saw 2 other ladies in our age group pass me!!! I SO wanted to run after them and catch them! I tried... I ran a little. They were slow. But, I just couldn't catch them OR Sara. At the last water station, I saw they all 3 got water & walked. So, I kept 'running.' But, it didn't do me a lot of good. I was just so tired.
At about .5 miles to go, I started talking with a male runner. All of the males go before the females start, so he was quite a bit behind. He said it'd been a hard race. I agreed! We both walked & ran some together. When I could finally see the finish line, I started to run. I wanted to walk again, but I didn't let myself. I ran through the finish!!! I did it! I finished the triathlon!!!
(post race photo by dd10)
Here are my times:
500 meter swim 17:01 (3:24 pace...vs 2:41 at 1st tri in pool)
TT1 2:50 (vs 2:21 1st tri)
15 mile bike 58:25 (15.4 mph pace...vs 13.1 mph 1st tri, but that was hillier & very windy)
TT2 1:06 (vs 1:14 1st tri)
5K run 36:45 (vs 40:17 1st tri, but that was hillier)
Biggest news: I can't believe my 5K time. That is a PR for me!!! And, I honestly walked about 1/3rd of the time! Am I really running that much faster???
My goals were:
18 min swim (did 17:01)...yeah!
2 min TT1 (did 2:50)... further from water than figured
58 min bike (did 58:25)...a little disappointed because I thought I was riding faster
2 min TT2 (did 1:14)...actually, I should have realized this would be faster
40 min run (did 36:45)...WOW! My thought is that maybe it was short, but I'll take it!
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