Less than a week to go!

After a few obstacles this weekend, I finally got my last long ride done and am officially tapering. The ride was not good- I hate getting stuck out after dark, and on top of that I almost got run over by an illegal drag race- but at least it's over.

One last lake swim on Wednesday, assuming the weather is good. I did this weekend's long run on the race course and visualized myself running it on race day. My friends are making their spectating plans, my GNOTri teammates are also tapering and are getting excited, pro-spotting is officially underway (kinda bummed that I missed Natascha Badmann on Sunday) and everyone is doing their good-weather dances!

I'm so excited to be doing 1) my first half Ironman, 2) a race in my hometown, and 3) an IM race in its inaugural year. The fact that I get to do all three at the same time is so cool!

I've learned so much from the coaches and the tri veterans on our team- tips and tricks, yes, but perhaps more importantly, how to relax and remember that above all, this is FUN. I tend to be really tough on myself and I'm OK with that, I just need to make sure it doesn't cross the line into interfering with me enjoying myself out there.

Overall, I'm pretty confident about Sunday. A lot of that is probably due to the fact that it's my first, so I don't have many expectations. I also know that I'm not getting a full taper because I'm not peaking for this race, so that may affect my performance and that's OK. The main goal is to go out there and feel strong, race smart, follow the plan, and end up with a good assessment of where I'm at in my preparation for the full IM in June.

The major assignment for this week is to get enough sleep, so I better go do that now. Come on, Sunday!

Almost fully recovered...

No, not from an awesome long run, hard ride, or big brick, but from a weekend of drinking and partying my butt off- neither of which I do much of anymore- with two of my best college buddies. And I learned quite quickly that staying out late and doing shots do not lead to quality Ironman training. It was a blast though!

Jeffrey made us t-shirts:


Kai came out barhopping too:


One funny, one serious (minus Jeffrey):




Me n the boyz:


Aside from drinking, we also went to a very nice dinner at Commander's Palace, went out for crawfish and oysters, walked around the French Quarter, and I even got a few workouts in. I had two cabana boys to write down my times and fetch me cold beverages during my swim workout- not bad at all!

When I awoke on Beverly's couch at 6:55 Saturday morning and realized I had an open water swim clinic at the lake at 7:00 was when things started to go... a bit downhill. I don't know exactly how much sleep I had gotten but it wasn't much. I also don't know if I was already hungover or still drunk from the night before. I quickly rallied the troops (thanks for being such good sports about that, btw), ran home, switched out my fancy dress for a wetsuit, and was off to the lake. In retrospect, probably not one of the better ideas I've had in my life. But it was going to be my first time swimming the race course and I didn't want to miss it. Everything went fine until about 2/3 of the way through the swim. I'd actually been enjoying myself- fighting the chop was keeping me entertained, and trying to follow a course I didn't know, with no buoys, kept me focused. Then, I don't know if it was the chop that finally got to me or if I swallowed one mouthful of lakewater too many, but all of a sudden I decided, "I need to get out of this water NOW". I was feeling ILL. I had no idea how much longer I had to swim but I could see a kayak and a few swimmers out in front of me so I knew I was going generally the right way. I had to stop and breaststroke/doggypaddle for a minute a few times to keep the nausea under control. Not fun. I finally made it out and staggered around for a while until I felt stable enough to get in the truck and drive home. I felt pretty gross for a while afterwards, but I never did get sick. Though I probably would have felt a lot better if I had, I bet.

Unfortunately, the hardcore-ness ended there. The weekend's long brick got severely shortened and the long run didn't end up happening. So now I get to do a 90-mile ride this weekend instead, a week before my half-Ironman, and I just did my long run yesterday. I was feeling pretty guilty about screwing up my training, so I am definitely back on the wagon this week. For the first time, I did a ride and run BEFORE work! This is unheard of for not-at-ALL-a-morning-person me.

The final tally:
Good friends visited: 2
Workouts accomplished: 3
Workouts blown: 2
Bars patronized: at least 6
Drinks had: don't even ask
Fancy dinners: 1
Oysters eaten: 2 dozen
Crawfish eaten: 5 pounds
Hours slept: not nearly enough
A great weekend had by all: CHECK!

TMF Wildflower Training Weekend

As I sit here, Stella is still in her box, my bags are still packed, the dinner dishes are still out, and I'm too tired to do anything about any of it. But it was totally worth it- what a great weekend!

The "weekend" actually started on Tuesday when I took Stella to the bike shop to get all packed up for her long journey. Thanks to the AWESOME guys of Bike Connection, I got Stella, my helmet, bike shoes, a pair of running shoes, my water bottles, AND my wetsuit all packed into the bike box. And all I had to do was drop it off and pick it up. They even gave me the box to use.

Wednesday: Woke up at o-dark-thirty to fly to San Francisco. Got picked up by my good buddy Mick who did a super job of putting Stella all back together again. It was a little unnerving to see her in pieces like that! Nice and easy 60-min run through Golden Gate Park. Had a few glasses of wine and a yummy Indian dinner out with some Smofo girlfriends- it was SO nice to get to see you all!




Thursday: Took Stella out for a spin to make sure everything was screwed on tight and working properly. Went to the local pool for a swim and a treadmill interval workout (Jen, if you're reading this, the next time you tell me to do "my favorite swim workout" I will be sitting in the hot tub with a margarita. Just sayin'.). Stopped by Sports Basement to load up on training nutrition for the weekend's activities- I'm glad we were in a hurry because I could have spent a long time and many dollars there! Hung out with The Macinator! and his mom, who took me on a very nice little tour of SF. We walked around Haight-Ashbury and the Mission, went to Amoeba Music, and had a great dinner. We also fell prey to an overzealous meter maid... I may be from the flat swampland, but even I seriously doubt that was a 3% incline!

Friday: Packed up the Mini and we're off! To Lake San Antonio, that is. On the way, I learned about In N Out Burger, subjected an innocent Aussie to country music singalongs, successfully piloted the Mini, and did a lot of oohing and aahing over the scenery. So, so different from NOLA. Green rolling hills, misty-covered mountains, vineyards and farmland as far as you could see. Once we got there and everyone got settled into the cabins (which some people tried to make more complicated than it needed to be :P) it was time for a quick shakedown ride, sunset transition run, and then a meeting with Coach Neil. The hills certainly didn't waste any time in kicking my butt! Right at the beginning of the bike course was a biggie that nearly took the wind right out of my sails. I had been scared of the long course ride before that, but now was when I started to get *terrified*. After the ride and run, we all gathered in cabin 8 for introductions, a talk on training/racing nutrition and some general Q&A. We hadn't done an incredible amount of working out that day, but somehow I was just exhausted! I was about to fall asleep standing there. I really enjoyed meeting everyone and socializing- everyone was so nice- but as soon as we were done I headed for bed and was out like a light.









Saturday: The day started with a swim. Apparently a very early swim on "California time". The lake was fairly cold, but not bad. I actually had a great swim. It was my third time in cold open water in a wetsuit and it was the first time I really felt comfortable. I got into a great rhythm and just cruised. My sighting is still bad though. I need to work on that in the pool.

Then... it was time. Time for the bike ride I had been getting more and more terrified of by the minute. "The last 12 miles are the hardest", Coach Neil said, so we were to ride conservatively to save up for Nasty Grade and the rollers that followed. I was so scared I could barely talk. I knew it was going to kill me, I just KNEW it. How could I possibly get up those hills? I was going to be cranking as hard as I could and I would still slow to a stop and fall over. I'd have to walk up half of it. If I didn't just die first, that is. What business did I have thinking that I, a person who lives below sea level, could even attempt to hang with these Californians who eat hills for breakfast?? We lined up for a photo, then there was no more time for anticipation- we were off!



That first hill was HARD again, but Charles was nice enough to get a flat on the downside so we had a few minutes' rest. The middle of the ride was pretty nice, actually. The countryside was beautiful, the weather couldn't have been more perfect, Coach Neil drove the SAG wagon and met up with us every ten miles or so, and everyone in our group rode well together and got along.



But that knot in my stomach kept getting tighter and bigger... Nasty Grade was still ahead of me, and I was feeling overmatched. When we were a few miles out from it, I was so scared that I started to get nauseous. When we turned the corner and Coach Neil said, "Here it is! Go for it!" I actually started to cry.

No way out now, no way to go but up. I crankcrankcranked, stayed in the saddle for as long as I could, counted my pedal strokes, concentrated on my breathing. I made it to the "false summit" in the middle where it levels out a bit and was able to catch my breath a little. I was definitely working hard though. Then I turned the corner and it just went up, up, and up. Crankcrankcrank, breathe, crank, sit, stand, I'm not gonna make it, I can't do this, How much further??, sit, stand, breathe, CRANK. The last 100 yards and it just gets steeper. I couldn't even look ahead- if I looked alllll the way up to the top so far away I would die. Breathe, crank, I can't, I have to, I can't, I won't make it, I have to, sit, stand, crank. I saw a sign up ahead- I'll just make it to that sign and then I'll stop and walk. Can I even make it there? Wait, is that Coach Neil's car by that sign? Is that the top? I can't make it. Am I really almost there? By some amazing stroke of luck, I made it to the top, heard Coach Neil say "you did it!", then pulled over, got off the bike, and stood there gasping for air. My body was trying to cry but I didn't have enough breath in me to do it. I just made these little whimper-grunty noises. I walked back towards Neil, he reached out for Stella, and I practically flung her at him and kept walking. A minute or so later the others started showing up. Roxanne and Karen were all, "Is that it?? That wasn't so bad!" while I'm standing there about to keel over.

After a few minutes to regain our composure and refuel, we were off again. Yes, I'd made it up Nasty Grade. NO it did not make me feel any more confident about hills! It just proved to me that yes, they are as scary as I thought! The last 9 miles or so of the ride were all about survival. I was beyond dead at that point. Mick was feeling rough too. We told each other, "If I can do it, you can do it". I had to repeat that in my head a few times, especially when we hit the last tough climb coming in to the park. When we passed the "Prepare to Stop" sign at the park entrance, I would've laughed if I had any energy at all. I thought, "I've been 'prepared to stop' for a long time now, thanks!"

Back at the cabin. We made it! Now time for a run! Before we could contemplate that though, we all made a beeline for any available horizontal crashing surface and collapsed for a few minutes.

Cyrus, tired but feeling accomplished, and Michele, who was recovering from the Oly course ride:


The smile must be from the delirium setting in... but note that I am changed and ready to run!


The run was a really good idea actually. My legs felt better at the end than they did at the beginning. The 'ice bath' in the lake after the run felt even better! Then after a much-needed shower, it was time to EAT. BBQ chicken, lasagna, potato salad, grilled sausages, I can't even remember what all I ate. But it was a lot, and it was good :)



A recap of the day from coaches and captains, and we were off to bed again.


Sunday: Long course run. Two of the other girls and I ran together and we had a great time. The weather was PERFECT again, the scenery was beautiful, the conversation was good. Almost half the course was on trails which was really neat. Some challenging hills, but very fun. The "Pit of Despair" at mile 10 was definitely not despair-worthy, we were feeling good! Took it easy down the very steep incline heading in to the transition area, then opened up and went as fast as my legs wanted to take me to the finish line. What a GREAT run! Another cold dip in the lake, quick shower and then, sadly, it was time for our goodbyes.



What a great weekend. Challenging, tiring, but great. Everyone was so nice, friendly and fun. I got to see a new city, meet some new friends, hang out with some old ones, train in a new place, get some (painful but necessary) hill experience, and generally just have a blast! Thanks again so much to Coach Neil and the rest of the TriMoreFitness team. I'd love to come train with you all again sometime!

Weekap, Base 2 Week 5

(Get it? It's a recap of the week)

This was my biggest training week to date, both in time and distance. I'm excited because I feel pretty good physically and I'm not completely stressed out. I'm even more excited because on Wednesday I'm heading to CALIFORNIA for a training weekend on the Wildflower course! Stella and I are hittin' the road! Two main purposes for the trip: to go on vacation and still be able to train (I figure any trips between now and Ironman are going to have to be training-related), and to get some hill experience (SOMEone thought it was a bright idea to sign up for a hilly Ironman when they live in an area where a 27-foot-high manmade hill is the highest point around).

During the week I had a pretty tough treadmill workout, two OW swims, ran 3 days in a row for the first time in a long time, an 85 mile ride (!), some pool swims, some spin workouts, and a long run. Whew!

One of those open water swims was the first of a series of three swim clinics that Coaches Kevin and Rick are putting on before the New Orleans 70.3 race. This one was the first time in wetsuits and the first time in cold water for a lot of the participants. It was only my second time, but I felt pretty comfortable. I was ready for the out of breath feeling since it happened the first time. They say that gets better as you get more used to the cold water. I hope they're right- that 2.4 mile swim in Idaho is seeming pretty long right about now!

Arriving at the lake bright and early:


Mitch, not so sure about this whole "lake" idea, trying to use his Phone A Friend to get him outta here:


Me laughing at Debby's comment that putting on a wetsuit is like "trying to put boudin (sausage) back in the casing":


Mitch trying to pretend he ain't scurred:


But we all knew how he really felt:


Coaches giving last minute instructions:


Boat support crew (who have both done CDA!):


We did it!!






Even Mitch!


Al got caught with his pants down,


...and Coach Rick still looks a little like a weatherman:


Too bad I'll have to miss the second swim clinic- did I mention it's because I'm going to California?!?- but I'll be there for the 3rd one when we swim the whole race course.

And finally, today was a much-appreciated day off!

Weekly totals-
Swim: 8740 yards
Bike: 100+ miles (86 with Stella plus 20-30 on the spin bikes)
Run: 28 miles
Total Time: 14:40

Wednesday OW Swim Report, 03-04-09

This week's OW swim was a memorable one for two reasons:

1) It was the first OW swim of the season;

2) It was my first swim in a wetsuit!

I had tried on the wetsuit a few times since getting it for Christmas, and now was finally showtime. The lake was a balmy 57 degrees or so. Emails had been flying around about booties, caps, gloves, filling your suit with warm water, and cautionary tales of blue lips and hospital visits. I know 57 is pretty cold, but all the folks out in California swim in the ocean all the time and the water barely gets up to 50 out there! I'm coming to learn that when a New Orleanian tries to warn you about "cold", it's best taken with a grain of salt. A few weekends ago, Coach Kevin rolled out of the swimhole for our ride with long pants, long sleeves, booties AND a headband... it couldn't have been much colder than 50.

I got my wetsuit on all by myself and headed to the steps with a group of 3 or 4 others. Some people were already swimming. I was a little nervous but excited too. I stood on the bottom step for a few minutes (about hip-deep) with Greg while we waited for Marcos and Chris to get in. It was the neatest feeling... my feet were cold, but the rest of my legs couldn't feel the water at all! They were just as warm as they had been when I was standing on the shore!

Finally the other two got their act together and we pushed off. You know how when you first step off into the water, you sink a little then come back up and start swimming? Well I pushed off and glided right on top of the water like a cork, no sinking at all! It was amazing!

The cold water did take my breath away a little bit and it took a few minutes to feel like I could breathe again. I did a fair job of sighting (something I'm not very good at), settled into a rhythm, and had a good swim. I decided to do just one half-mile loop instead of two though. For my first wetsuit swim and my first OW swim of the season, I felt like one was enough.

Success!


Coach Kevin, a little under the weather so not swimming but there to help as always:


Coach Rick, looking dapper (and also a little like a weatherman):

I Got A Brick For My Birthday

All the craziness of Mardi Gras is finally over. It's a little sad because Carnival is a really fun and special time of year, but it's nice to actually be able to drive around the city and have everything back to normal. As 'normal' as this place ever gets, anyway.

I had a long run on Lundi Gras and decided to run all the way down St Charles, which is the parade route. It was 7:30 on a Monday morning and people were already out getting their areas set up on the neutral ground for the parades that night. It was like running through an obstacle course- ducking through tents, dodging around camp chairs and barbecues, weaving in and out through barricade tape. I was in the Carnival spirit though so I enjoyed it. I love the excitement that you can feel in the air at Mardi Gras time. Over the weekend while I was running I spotted the Rolling Elvi, complete with police escort, all ready for the night's parades... (pictures courtesy of rollingelvi.com. I didn't have my camera with me)









I was all ready to catch a 100th anniversary Zulu coconut, the most prized of all Mardi Gras throws, on Fat Tuesday. But unfortunately I had to leave early that morning to drive to South Carolina for my uncle's funeral, who tragically passed away at the much too early age of 60. It was very sad, especially since he remarried about ten years ago and has a 6-year-old daughter. I'm glad I got to be there though, and I'm glad I got to see my family. They don't all get together much. It was a long drive, about 750 miles, but fortunately I was able to bring Miz Kai along as a most excellent traveling companion. Everyone loved her, especially the kids. She was such a very, very good girl with all the commotion, new people, and being in a strange place. She was steady as a rock. I couldn't be more proud of her. Did I mention that she and the kids loved each other?



The day after I got back was my birthday, and I celebrated by going for an 80-mile ride followed by a 30-minute run. My coach offered to give me the day off on my birthday, but I mentioned that it would probably be a better idea to give me the day *after* my birthday off, so that's what she did. But after that long ride, I was so tired I didn't make it past midnight and one drink!

As I usually do on my birthday, I did a bit of reflecting on the past year. 26 was a pretty good year for me. One of the bigger milestones of that year was my first triathlon. I had been thinking about triathlon off and on for a few years by that point and I finally decided now was the time. I was coming off of a long layoff due to shin splints and I was barely up to running 3 miles but I wanted to do it anyway. Not to mention the fact that I'd never swum in open water, nor did I have a road bike. So off to Alabama I went for the Grandman triathlon, with the hybrid bike in the back and Beverly along as moral support and cheering section. I got scraped up before the race even started by falling in a hole unloading the bike race morning. That day taught me two things: I really CAN do this, and I will NEVER again ride a hybrid bike in a race.

So, here comes 27. Just about 12 months from the day of Grandman I'll be doing my first Ironman. I'd like to do a few other things in my 27th year, like run my first non-Ironman marathon, enter an agility trial with Kai, get a little better at this cycling thing, get a better handle on how to balance training/job/Kai/etc, be a little more social, a little happier with myself, and when all is said and done, to not forget to enjoy the ride.