Cupid's Chase

Doesn't the lil' man look amused!

Another busy weekend in the books!  One of the highlights of the weekend was the Cupids Chase 5k that I did with hubs, Aiden and a group of wonderful ladies Sole Sisters which is another running group I belong to.  I pushed the stroller for this race so that we could do this race together.  It was our valentine's gift to each other!  I thought wow I did really well especially with the stroller then I was quickly brought back down to reality when I was told we had all cut the course a little short!  So we ended up running about 2.9 instead of 3.1 I finished it in about 26 minutes. But I still had a blast and I'm pretty sure Aiden slept through at least part of the run while I did wheelies to get the stroller to go around the turns since the front wheel doesn't turn. I also either gave some a heart attack or made others laugh as I ran to get into the group picture because I took the stroller for a really fast turn to swing him around and get in the shot, but he was strapped in and like I said that stroller's front wheel doesn't turn.  :-)      There were only about 70 people at this race which made me sad just because I know how much goes into putting on a race and the fact that it all went to charity but the good news is the people that went had fun.  I wore my "unavailable" shirt with hubs even though I'm pretty sure Aiden kind of gave that away. :-)

These lovely ladies were there being rambunctious and having fun!  This is different than the running club that I belong to because it is all women and it is more of a friendly competition between the two teams we're split up into instead of a club with meetings and set runs.  I enjoy both groups!  I'm not able to participate in as many of the social aspects of this group due to the little one but it sure has motivated me to make sure to sign up for races and always have something I'm training for.  Aiden might not think it's as cool because it means he gets strapped into the stroller for runs but he gets a pretty view every time right?

s motivated me to make sure to sign up for races and always have something I'm training for. 

Sunday I didn't get to go for a run because the little guy wasn't feeling well and hubs needed to cook dinner for us so I just took him for a short walk with the dog instead because this way I could

carry him instead and he didn't cry this way.  He wasn't happy the for the photo shoot we tried to do that morning either which means most of the photos are of him sucking his thumb! :-)  Don't worry son, soon enough you will understand that running is my version of sucking my thumb.  Ha!

Run, Run, Hike

The focus of this past weekend was definitely exercise and that was awesome!  It was double awesome because it was nice outside, in the upper 50s and no wind the entire 3 day long weekend.  To top it all off Aiden was there for most of it!  It's nice having extra time with him but it does make it a little harder to go back to work.

Saturday:  5k Pajama People Pizza Run  yes a fairly long name but it accurately describes the race :-)  I won this race entry and it was so close to my house one of the easiest races I've entered.  Poor hubs didn't think so because I sent the poor guy to packet pick up for me and he went with A and fought traffic in construction to get there and be told I wasn't on the list.  I should have told him that he needed to say that I had "won" or was "comped" my race entry because I guess they had a super secret special list for that.  In the end I got my packet on race day, Aiden got his nap after packet pick up and was no longer cranky and I made it!  No I did not wear PJs to do the run although I enjoyed seeing everyone else creative outfits!  I did enjoy a personal pizza after since it was at 1 pm and I didn't eat lunch to avoid upset stomach during the run.  I had fun and got to hang out with some great chicas!  Hubs was kind enough to watch Aiden while I ran this one.  Considering that I was still sick with a sinus & headache thing I was pretty happy with my results.  This loop is so close to my house that I run it regularly and it kicks my butt everytime for some reason the hill on this loop messes with my mind!  It was really 3.35 miles, I did it in 30:45 placed 36 OA out of 172 and felt good after!  So that's a win in my book!  My age group had some really fast and really awesome ladies that did amazing!

Saturday night:  Stroll around ponds to check out this art project but we missed the sunset so didn't get the shots I really wanted but we enjoyed our outing and Lexi thought she could get at some of the ducks until she realized it would require her getting wet!

Sunday: Albuquerque Road Runners Handicap run.  Hubs and I got to run this one together and Aiden went on a walk with his grandparents while we ran but we all went to the potluck after.  These are always super fun events and an awesome benefit to being part of this local club!!  This one was a prediction run which means they change the course every year and you can't wear a watch and you are supposed to guess your time based on the distance.  The 2 person team with the smallest difference wins.  I underestimated the difficulty of this trail run (lots of loose rocks and walking) and also underestimated how much Saturday's run had taken out of me so I had guessed 35 for the 3.25 miles but really ran it in 39.  The second I started running I could tell I wasn't going to have enough Umphhh in me so I felt bad because hubs had to pass me pretty early on and he ha
d guessed 35:30 and ran it in 37 so he did much better.  Still had lots of fun!

Monday:  Our first family hike!!!  Lexi was super excited because there was still a few small patches of snow for her to frolic in and we let her off leash for a little while when there was no one around!  Aiden didn't cry in the ergo carrier and actually fell asleep on the way back.  We only did 2 miles because we weren't sure how long he'd tolerate it but he did awesome!!  We forgot to put sunscreen on his little hands but hubs improvised and put some chapstick w/SPF on them :-)  My mom went along with us and took a few pics.  It was quite the family affair.

Nutcracker Sprint Triathlon

Happy Monday!! Just go with it, if you pretend like you're happy for Monday and smile real big eventually you can convince yourself you're having a good time! :-)  So over the weekend I did a little sprint tri called the Nutcracker and I had fun despite feeling tired!  There was no pressure and I was just doing it because I figured why not I'm trained up anyway from the IM and it will be a good way to start next season!   This counts as the 1st one towards the Southwest Challenge Series for next year.  But here's a question if I was in the 30-34 AG this triathlon but the rest of the series and season I will be in the 35-39 AG will they still give me the point for this one?!?!?!!  I hope so!

There was supposed to be a storm coming in on Sunday so people were a little nervous about this one but luckily it didn't hit until the afternoon.  It ended up being a perfect brisk morning for a triathlon and it was a reverse tri which meant the swim was last so we got to run and bike dry.  What else could you ask for?

They haven't posted the splits yet but I know my run was slower than normal somewhere around 28 versus 23-24.  Side note: my Garmin refused to work the night before so I ran naked! It will turn on and turn right back off even when it's fully recharged!!!  The run was pretty hilly and my lungs were screaming so I was still happy with this 5k time.

The bike had some hills and there was a head wind on the way back for the uphill part but it was so short of a ride that it didn't bother me.

The swim was a little out of control but I just tried to go with it.  It was in a pool and you did it one way in each lane and went under, then had to get out of the pool and get a rubber band on your wrist so that they'd know you went through once then you had to run back to the start and jump back in and do it again!  There were bottle necks to jump in and climb out on the stairs they made you do that and everyone was getting elbowed and kicked.  One poor guy got hit so hard they had to pull him out cause he had a major nose bleed.

Now I have to tell you hubs was an awesome cheerleader for me on this one and I was so happy he actually made it to watch me race even though it wasn't an important race.  He wanted to get a ride in so he left the house before me and met me at the race start.  But on the way he had a pretty bad wreck that bent some of the teeth on his chain ring, tore through 3 pairs of clothing and scraped his bum and elbow.  But he still got up and made it because he didn't want to call me and have me not start the race.  What a trooper!!  Thanks!  So of course I wanted to make sure he didn't show up for nothing. :-)

Disclaimer it was a small race especially being winter but I was still happy.



1st in AG:

  1  248  Natasha Arnold                 1:18:39
   2  233  Kateri West                   1:20:02
   3  240  sherie crupper                1:32:23
   4  236  Kate Hicks                    1:33:02
   5  197  Rebecca Stair                 1:36:33
   6  302  Crystal Begay                 1:40:39
   7  318  Anita Foutz                   1:43:44

Now one thing I noticed is Over All female I ended up in 10th but look how close we all were:

  6  350     F60-64    tove shere               1:17:25
   7  295     F45-49    Laura Powers             1:18:06
   8  182     F35-39    Marisa Snyder            1:18:15
   9  275     F25-29    McKane Sharff            1:18:27
  10  248     F30-34    Natasha Arnold           1:18:39
 
If only I hadn't stopped to pick my nose during transition!!! Just kidding but really I always kick myself for taking my time during transition or not jumping into the pool with out waiting and being nice...

So with that I officially end my 2012 triathlon season and what a season it was!

Happy Training!  Let it snow!
 
 
 

You are an Ironman! I survived!

So this is the first time I've sat down to write a race recap and feel like I need a multi post race recap!!  I figure if any race deserves it it's an Ironman that you did with your dad!  But for those of you who are looking for instant gratification or don't want to read someone else's boring antics about their race, I gave you a freebie in the title! :-)  So we finished and that's all that matters, THE END!

But for my own edification ok not really for my own narcissistic tendencies I will break this down:

Pre-Race

It was Thursday night, my parents had already come into town and I had to pack my bag.  I pulled out my special tri towel that has a checklist on it and did the usual ritual of laying out all my stuff into piles, pre race warm up gear, swim, special needs 1 & 2, bike, run, after.

All along feeling nervous and a little sick to my stomach I have no idea why nerves took over on this race I think it was a combination of several things: my dad was counting on me and it was his first Ironman, would I wipe out my 1st IM finish if I didn't finish this one?, I had a bike crash only 2 weeks before and I still couldn't sleep on that side cause it hurt, I had an inner ear infection 1 week before that had been making me dizzy and nauseous, I had so many more people that knew I was doing it and would be tracking me, I had trained much more for this one in hopes of finishing 1 hour faster than last time (last time was 16:24), etc.

Friday morning we took off in 1 car with my dad, myself, and my husband at 7 am to make it in time to Tempe for mandatory athlete check-in.  My mom was waiting for my bro & SIL to get off work to drive there with them.

We made it & checked in:

interesting they didn't make us weigh ourselves in front of everyone this time like they had in 2008 we just had to write it down which I appreciated.  :-)

Went to the athlete dinner and meeting.

Saturday morning we slept in a little 7am, went to the hotel breakfast then headed to the practice swim which I had not done last time but I wanted my dad to be as prepared as possible.  We just got in long enough to know how much we would be dreading the cold water, gulp some gross lake water, and do a few strokes.  My dad and I were both in a better mood after this I think because the cold water energized us and for just a moment we weren't nervous just excited about what was to come....

Sunday up bright and early at 4 am and one awesome thing was we had signed up for spot on the hotel shuttle so didn't have to worry about parking and road closures!!!  My stomach was doing somersaults.  I had a bagel with peanut butter and honey for breakfast.  Once we got there checked the bikes, safety pinned our chips on, got body marked (he asked if I was a pro) cute I know he had to ask to see if I needed a P on my leg but I still had to chuckle.  Put on a neoprene cap that a nice guy in the lobby the night before had given me because it hadn't fit him.  I know you aren't supposed to change anything before the race but the water was so cold I was willing to risk it, they were all sold out of booties in the local tri shop.  I had a sleeveless wetsuit same as last time which had been my dad's back in the day, he rented his. 

Swim 1:43 As everyone was jumping into the water I got my feet wet and just walked along this ledge to get as close to the start as possible and didn't jump in to tread water until 5 minutes before race start.  They did the national anthem everyone cheered, they announced you will be an Ironman today, more cheering!!!  Then we were off!  I just kept thinking slow and steady, slow and steady, don't look up there's no point just wastes energy an slows you down.  I got kicked and punched way more this time there were about 800 more people in the race this year compared to last time but I didn't mind I new it was part of the race and at least I knew I could still feel it which meant my face and body hadn't gone completely numb or FALLEN OFF YET from the cold! :-)  The water seemed a little choppy for some reason but I kept thinking I was imagining it since it's a lake.

Got out and held on to the guard rail for a while and took my steps carefully because I was determined not to fall like I had last time and I didn't, goal 1 accomplished.  I survived the swim.  My hubs said I looked pissed when I got out and my face was swollen, but I remember I was trying to smile and wave guess my face was just too frozen to show it.  They tried to get me to into the warming tent but I refused.  I just took a blanket and kept going.

8 minutes and change:  Transition the volunteer did have to help me put my socks and shoes on cause my hands wouldn't function.  I didn't get to take my advil though cause I couldn't get the foil open and decided to forget it same with the tri sleeves I was going to wear but it turned out to be a good decision.....

My dad finished the swim about 5-6 minutes faster than me but was slower in transition.

Next post will have to wait until after Thanksgiving festivities wear off!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Oly Race Report

First of all my 3 goals were met: don't puke (although I came close), don't get sunburned ( I used spray sunscreen between the swim and bike), and finish around the 3:30 time frame.  Now that being said I felt I could have done a lot better and was feeling really strong until I let something get to me and I fell apart!

Pre-race
For some reason I was really nervous and jittery.  I couldn't sit still Sat. and I had a hard time sleeping that night.  We were up just before 4 am and hit the road early to drive to the race.  We got there early with plenty of time to get settled and stare at the ridiculous hill that they were calling the wall that you had to mount your bike with no head start and immediately attempt to climb up.  I got really nervous about that and went and tried it out just a little to make sure I could actually clip in and have it in the easiest gear possible.  I changed my mind a gazillion times on if I would wear my wetsuit or not.  It was 75 degrees.  I decided to wear it.

Swim

It was a 2 loop triangle open water swim.  The first wave was catching up to us just as she yelled for us to start!  I somehow stayed right on course and didn't swim that much extra.  I felt surprisingly good considering I hadn't done an open water swim in 4 years and up until that week hadn't swam a full mile in training this season.  When I saw my finish time 36:20 I was happy and I felt really good!  During the swim I noticed I got a little motion sick from not being able to see anything other than the moving mountains every time I went to breathe but I shook of the puky feeling and powered through!

Bike

We road over the dam on what was a really bumpy road where you could feel your entire body vibrating and when we finally got on some smooth road it still felt like you were vibrating :-).  I actually took some water on the bike with me but ran out during loop 1.  I was still feeling really good at this point.  Then it happened, the volunteer said Olympic I said yes he pointed straight so I went.  There were no signs to confirm.  (btw I don't blame the volunteer at all he obviously did not get good instructions and had no signs to back him up) Then I noticed I was going downhill and it said "boat ramp" on the sign NOOOo I was headed down the dreaded wall back to transition.  I asked and someone else coming up had just done the same thing so I turned around.  I think I did about 3 miles extra.  But mentally it ruined me.  At first I got really angry and I took off and went out way too hard on loop 2.  By the time I got to the uphill part with shaky legs and no water I was really hurting. I had eaten 2 shock blocks before the bike and to during the run, this seemed to be enough nutrition to get me through.  I finished in 1:45 about 16 mph which with the hills and road I was happy with this time just not the extra miles.

Run
At this point I was past angry and began to not care I figured it was over.  As a tried to "run" up the 1/2 mile wall I started to walk.  Then at the top it turned into a shuffle then I jogged as I got my legs back a little.  Unfortunately my calf muscles were spasming the entire run.  I thought I did better on my hydration so maybe it was that I pushed too hard on the bike?  Either way I thought I would average about 9 min/mi it turned out to be more like 11:30.  I made it and survived.

Somehow I got 2nd in my AG but I think that is because there were only 7 in it to start and a few must have DNF or DNS cause my total time was 3:35.  But I'll take what I can get!!! :-)  I rewrote this paragraph several times and have decided that I will not let my inability to deal with emotional stress during a race bias my feelings towards a race.  But I have chosen not to do another race by this particular race company again due to a history of mistakes in all their races.

Afterwards my mom really wanted to go to a nearby national park Tent Rocks and since she put up with two nervous and grumpy triathletes and took awesome pictures of us we obliged.  But even a 1.5 mile hike in the middle of the day heat was excruciating after this tri.  This is where I almost puked for the 2nd time.  My dad did awesome and felt good the whole time.  We are on our way to IM.  I learned some valuable lessons, #1 being don't let your emotions get the best of you.  I know where my strengths and weaknesses are and I will be making some changes to my training.  For this year I will concentrate on the IM but next year I vow to conquer the Olympic distance tri!!!!

What is your favorite race lesson learned?

Jay Benson Race Recap

Another one in the books!  The best news was that the weather man was wrong and there was no rain that morning so I didn't have to find out what it was like to ride my bike in it, let's hope I never do!

 It was a little chilly to start but it warmed up just right and was an awesome day for a race!  My mom was the photog for this one.  Yes, that's how awesome she is even on Mother's Day she wakes up early to go with us to a triathlon and take pictures!!!  This was a sprint even shorter than most.  3 mi run, 12 mi bike, 400 m swim in that order because we have no open water.  It was about an 8 wave start 600 people total which is a pretty big tri for NM.  Beginners love this one and get their tri legs during this.  It' s always fun at this one cause it's the one I see people I know at and we all get to cheer each other on.

I felt awesome during the run actually did it a little faster than I thought I would 8 min miles.

I told my dad "I better not see you on the course!"  Because his wave started about 10 minutes before me.  We have a healthy competitive streak in our family :-)  BTW my dad is doing amazing!!!  For someone who came off of 4 broken ribs and a punctured lung.  Then went on to become severely malnourished losing 30 lbs in 2 weeks after a gallbladder surgery not that many months ago and not having participated in triathlons in about 20 years and now he's almost catching up to me!!!  You are awesome!!!! 

Yes it looks like someone else wanted to be in the pic with us!  And yes, I actually had to pass people that were WALKING in the pool!!!  My swim was the weakest part of my tri and I need some major work on it.  It took me 9:30 to do 400 m.  I could feel the slowness the minute I started swimming and thought it might cost me 3rd place (more on that later).

Post race oranges and twizzlers!  So my dad dis this in about 1:17 and I did it in 1:14 overall had fun and felt good!  Now there is some question about whether I got 3rd place in my age group or not it also looks like 3rd place should have had 2nd place and the race director is looking into it.  Either way I'm inspired to train harder and improve because I can tell I have it in me now I just have to put in the work!!

 Do you get inspired to train harder after a race?
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