Last Saturday I had my worst performance of the year as a professional athlete. I felt like anything but a triathlete. I got to experience one of the worst feelings you can have in racing. Giving in to the mental game before the game was over.
The morning of the race I can say that I was feeling more confident than ever, and like I was just going to hammer down and really show up. I am in the best shape of the life right now. Strong and fully faithful in my training. I stood at the water's edge and saw myself giving everything I had. And I did...at the beginning. I took off with the girls and was able to stay with them for about 4 minutes. That's a big success for me. I am really a work in progress in the water and could see this as a great start to the race. I was dropped, but was able to keep the pack in my sights ahead for most of the race. I made the last turn and headed down the homestretch feeling good. A fast age group male came up on me and I tacked on to his feet and picked up the pace heading home. WHAM! I am really unsure of what happened, but in my second of seeing stars, I knew I had been smacked in the face with a kayak paddle. I don't know how he missed my HOT PINK SWIM CAP, but I think he was backing out of the way and brought his paddle backwards right into my face and slicing open my lip. Thank goodness at the time I didn't know I was hit that bad.
As I ran out of the water, I made the first mistake and worst mistake of the day. I felt like I swam so hard and I wanted to know my time. I asked my husband that was on the shore. When I told me it was the worst time of my season, I was like "no f'ing way that is possible!!!!" I'm still standing by that the course was long as most of the times were long, but why did that even matter. My time didn't matter. I should have never asked. The race is still in progress. No time matters except the finish and going as hard as you can and keep on pushing until the end. Regardless I was behind, so shame on me for starting the mind games.
Jumping on the bike I was feeling furious with myself, or trying to figure out that Rob was wrong. I hammered down in an angry like rage. I also had blood running down my leg from my lip, but I didn't care. My speed was awesome and I was making up for the crap performance in the water. Although an easy bike course there was a nice headwind for the better part of the ride and a slight false flat as I made the first turn around into the wind. I saw my average mph dropping, and started the negative talk to myself. Mistake #2! Change the negative thoughts with positive ones. I thought I was pushing, but looking back now I was distracted by my own thoughts. They were everywhere except focused on the road ahead of me. After a bit I was able to get my focus back on track, but I think it was a little too late at this point. I flew by a few girls and just hammered it until I got back into T2.
My transition was not as smooth and fast as normal. I got onto the road and got into my rhythm as best I could. I saw my husband at mile 1 and instantly I got down again. I told him I felt like crap and from that point I had it in my head that I was feeling like crap and performing like crap. I really was going a lot better than I thought, but I couldn't see that through the jungle of thoughts I let take over. I ran fine until about mile 4.5 when I started to see the other girls coming back around. At that point I wanted to quit. Thank goodness I didn't. That would have been an even worse feeling than the way I felt after the race. I was physically fine, so that would have been disastrous. There isn't much else to say about the rest of the race. I walked the aid stations, blood running down my face, and just trotted along to make it to the end. I got too down on myself and didn't use the tools I have to change those thoughts into positive ones.
There was no way that I thought this day would turn out the way it did. I didn't fight the pain, and I didn't stand up to myself for a chance to be the best I could be. I just gave into the negative. This is the first time this has ever happened to me in a race. I felt devastated and ashamed of my behavior. I am stronger than this. I am a warrior. I will fight back.
I am a firm believer in the saying that, "everything happens for a reason." I live by this motto a lot. I know that there are lessons to be learned, and obstacles to bound. It took me a good whole day of contemplation and soul searching to really think through what happen and realize that this day was meant for me to learn how to handle myself when I struggle and prepare me for the next time I am faced with a similar situation. I know everyone experiences a bad race in different ways. This bad race for me was one of the worst emotional experiences I've had in a long time. It felt awful. I didn't dig deep enough into the real true self that I know, and push for what I want more than anything. I can be assured, though, that I never ever want to feel this way again. And when the time comes when I am faced with a difficult and trying racing situation again, I will remember this race, how I reacted, how I felt, and choose the path that will lead me to the most rewarding outcome.
"Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it, and then let it go." ~Deepak Chopra
Monday, July 11, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Training trip to Wisconsin
SBR Coaching and Rocket Bicycles is one of only 27 locations in the U.S. and Canada where you get a customized fit on the Guru Dynamic Fit unit, which is a computerized robotic assisted bicycle fitting system. I was amazed! I thought I had been in a good position on my bike for a long time. I had done a Retul a year ago on my old bike and then just transfered the dimensions onto my new bike. I have been riding fine, but I was looking to see if there was anything that I could change or tweek that could bring me some more power into the pedal stroke. Guess what!?!? There was a lot that needed changed.
SBR head coach, Jessica Laufenburg, is not only trained directly by Guru on the bike fitting, but has a degree in bio mechanics as well. I felt pretty confident I was in good hands. And boy does she have a good eye.She could see right away in my pedal strokes and the way that I was sitting that I would need some changes. First, we sat down and talked about the comfort or any problems I currently had on my bike. I then got on and she took a look at my riding style. After that, the dimensions of my bike and body were programed into the DFU.
I got on the unit and rode easy to get the feel. It felt just like I was on my own bicycle. While pedaling, you are able to see on the t.v. monitor your stroke efficiency and power wattage. After a bit, Jessica started to manipulate the machine into different positions, making the seat, handlebars, or tube length move in all directions. At the same time we were able to see where my pedal stroke started to lack in power and where it got stronger. This is, in my opinion, why this unit it so awesome. We were able to instantly find the perfect position that was comfortable for me, while creating the strongest power in the pedal for racing. All of this was done without having to guess or trial run the new position. I made a few changes in my seat height, stem, and crank length. It truly was amazing! I have been riding the position now for a few days and I am very happy with the changes.
The rest of my trip was very eventful, as well, but I'll spare most of the training details. I did ride the entire bike course on Saturday and so glad I did. I had been contacted by a friend who was also going to be riding the course with a group, and was excited to have a riding companion. (as of late I've been training alone, and I hate long rides alone.) The morning of the ride I woke up early and decided I'd ride alone....why? Well after a bit of thought, this was my one and only chance before September 11th to ride the course and get in down pat in my mind. I could foresee that talking a lot....which we all know I do:)....would probably take away a lot of focus from the main goal of the ride. I made the right choice. I was extremely happy with my ride. It is really a wonderful course and challenging as well. In one loop, of the two loop course, there is just about 4000ft of climbing. I love it!!! I had a great weekend in Wisconsin. I am now back home and have a lot of work to do. The drive is in full gear...HERE I GO!!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Mooseman 70.3
Wow, this was a whirlwind trip, but a really great one, at that!!!
A week before Mooseman 70.3, I decided to take a week training trip out to Santa Monica to train with my coach, Siri, and my other teammates. It had been raining here for a week and expected more rain, so getting away was perfect. I got in one last hard week of training before race week. I really appreciate having the time and ability to be able to do this. It makes a huge difference in my training when I have coach and others to train with.
I flew home to Ohio to regroup myself for a total of 14hrs, and then took off for New Hampshire.
What a spectacular place! I could see myself living summers in New Hampshire....lake living, quiet, peaceful nights, simplicity. I have to say thank you to Jeff Norcia, my homestay, and his family for making me feel so welcome. This was first official race organized homestay and I was a little nervous. He went above and beyond to make me comfortable and rested for the race.
I felt really great race morning despite the little sleep I got the night prior, but that is to be expected. Race morning the temperature was only in the 40's and was quite chilly. The water temp was bordering just bellow 60 degrees, but when its colder outside of the water it really felt quite nice. I've discovered this year that I can swim in much colder water than I thought and I really actually prefer the cold temps. I wear a BlueSeventy Helix wetsuit and I can say no matter how cold the water had ever been, my core temp always stays warm.
The lake was super beautiful and I must say that the swim was one of the easier ones I have done. There were only 8 of us in our wave, and the water was flat and sun blocked by the hills. So with this said, I was disappointed in my swim performance. As many of you know this is my weak point, but also a place where I have been making many improvements in my training. So when my swim did not reflect the work I have done I was not happy. With this said, in every race there are many opportunities to learn and grow and tweak focuses in your training. I'm learning I need to figure out what is blocking me in my swim racing and will move forward with a focus on that.
So now on to the bike. The course is the most scenic and pretty course I have raced so far.
I had the opportunity to drive the course a few days before the race and check out the terror hills that I had heard about. At first I didn't think they were all that bad.....but DUH, Erin, you are in a car, not on a bike. They turned out to be a lot more difficult than I expected. There is one long climb with 16% grades on the course that is done twice on the two loop course. I knew ahead of time I would not use my disc wheel and stuck with the HED Jet 6 and Jet 9 to keep me fast. You hit the climb right about mile 6 and for the first loop I felt barely warmed up before I started climbing. I have to say I was almost in tears getting tot he top because it felt a lot more difficult than I expected. I pushed through and made it, of course. The second time around was much easier than the first. I think my legs had just gotten into the grove after that. This was a pretty difficult bike course, as you can see by the bike times. They are a lot slower than on a faster course. I do like the challenge though. Also ,with the hills, it really spaced out the athletes and kept the course very fair. I saw little drafting.
I came into T2 knowing I was beat tired, but that I needed to get my game face on for the run. I ran out of transition hard but after the first mile I started to feel a little defeated. Unlike some races that have hilly bike course and then flat runs, this one had a few nice rolling hills in it. I had a moment of negative thoughts and wasn't sure how hard I could go. I kept on running but had to get my mind together and pull out only the positives and push away the negative thoughts. This is something I have been working on a bit and have the skills to turn it around. There was a guy running next to me at a pretty good pace and I decided to latch onto his pace. It was perfect. He was actually suffering a little too and we both pushed each other and hung together the rest of the run. In the end, when we finished the run I actually made a half marathon personal best during this race. I have been working hard on my speed and the fact that it was a hilly course and I did my best really gave me some confidence that I am making strides in my training.
During this race I was thinking to myself, I am never doing this race again. These hills are so killer. However, within a few hours after the race I thought, I can't wait to come back next year. Things always seems hard in the moment but the successes that are made out of the difficult times are the biggest reward and keep you want more.
Thank you again to the Norcia family for taking me in, cheering me on, and being super generous. I can't thank you enough. Also have to thank my sponsors, HED and Blue Seventy. This race would not have been the same without the warmth of my wetsuit and super light fast wheels getting up those hills.
Most of all, thank you to my coach, Siri Lindley, for taking this journey with me, believing in me, and showing me I have the strength to do anything I set my intention to do!!!
A week before Mooseman 70.3, I decided to take a week training trip out to Santa Monica to train with my coach, Siri, and my other teammates. It had been raining here for a week and expected more rain, so getting away was perfect. I got in one last hard week of training before race week. I really appreciate having the time and ability to be able to do this. It makes a huge difference in my training when I have coach and others to train with.
I flew home to Ohio to regroup myself for a total of 14hrs, and then took off for New Hampshire.
What a spectacular place! I could see myself living summers in New Hampshire....lake living, quiet, peaceful nights, simplicity. I have to say thank you to Jeff Norcia, my homestay, and his family for making me feel so welcome. This was first official race organized homestay and I was a little nervous. He went above and beyond to make me comfortable and rested for the race.
I felt really great race morning despite the little sleep I got the night prior, but that is to be expected. Race morning the temperature was only in the 40's and was quite chilly. The water temp was bordering just bellow 60 degrees, but when its colder outside of the water it really felt quite nice. I've discovered this year that I can swim in much colder water than I thought and I really actually prefer the cold temps. I wear a BlueSeventy Helix wetsuit and I can say no matter how cold the water had ever been, my core temp always stays warm.
The lake was super beautiful and I must say that the swim was one of the easier ones I have done. There were only 8 of us in our wave, and the water was flat and sun blocked by the hills. So with this said, I was disappointed in my swim performance. As many of you know this is my weak point, but also a place where I have been making many improvements in my training. So when my swim did not reflect the work I have done I was not happy. With this said, in every race there are many opportunities to learn and grow and tweak focuses in your training. I'm learning I need to figure out what is blocking me in my swim racing and will move forward with a focus on that.
So now on to the bike. The course is the most scenic and pretty course I have raced so far.
I had the opportunity to drive the course a few days before the race and check out the terror hills that I had heard about. At first I didn't think they were all that bad.....but DUH, Erin, you are in a car, not on a bike. They turned out to be a lot more difficult than I expected. There is one long climb with 16% grades on the course that is done twice on the two loop course. I knew ahead of time I would not use my disc wheel and stuck with the HED Jet 6 and Jet 9 to keep me fast. You hit the climb right about mile 6 and for the first loop I felt barely warmed up before I started climbing. I have to say I was almost in tears getting tot he top because it felt a lot more difficult than I expected. I pushed through and made it, of course. The second time around was much easier than the first. I think my legs had just gotten into the grove after that. This was a pretty difficult bike course, as you can see by the bike times. They are a lot slower than on a faster course. I do like the challenge though. Also ,with the hills, it really spaced out the athletes and kept the course very fair. I saw little drafting.
I came into T2 knowing I was beat tired, but that I needed to get my game face on for the run. I ran out of transition hard but after the first mile I started to feel a little defeated. Unlike some races that have hilly bike course and then flat runs, this one had a few nice rolling hills in it. I had a moment of negative thoughts and wasn't sure how hard I could go. I kept on running but had to get my mind together and pull out only the positives and push away the negative thoughts. This is something I have been working on a bit and have the skills to turn it around. There was a guy running next to me at a pretty good pace and I decided to latch onto his pace. It was perfect. He was actually suffering a little too and we both pushed each other and hung together the rest of the run. In the end, when we finished the run I actually made a half marathon personal best during this race. I have been working hard on my speed and the fact that it was a hilly course and I did my best really gave me some confidence that I am making strides in my training.
During this race I was thinking to myself, I am never doing this race again. These hills are so killer. However, within a few hours after the race I thought, I can't wait to come back next year. Things always seems hard in the moment but the successes that are made out of the difficult times are the biggest reward and keep you want more.
Thank you again to the Norcia family for taking me in, cheering me on, and being super generous. I can't thank you enough. Also have to thank my sponsors, HED and Blue Seventy. This race would not have been the same without the warmth of my wetsuit and super light fast wheels getting up those hills.
Most of all, thank you to my coach, Siri Lindley, for taking this journey with me, believing in me, and showing me I have the strength to do anything I set my intention to do!!!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Ironman Australia
So here is the recap on my experience in Port Macquarie, New South Wales. I arrived 4 days before the race so that I could settle in and get to know the course a little more than just the map and street names in the athlete guide. To my dismay, it rained pretty much the entire time leading up the the race. Full on!!! I did get a chance to swim in the Hastings river each day for a little practice and also fit in a short run and bike here and there when the clouds parted of moments at a time.
Port Mac was really a cute little town. It really doesn't seem like it is on the ocean until you walk a little south of town. To me it was more of a little town that would be on the banks of one of the Great Lakes in the US. There was everything you needed to get by, including a Target( the Aussie Targets are nothing to compare to the amazing USA Targets), but it wasn't too commercialized like some beach towns tend to be. It was a really nice location for the race.
A few days prior to the race I really was dealing with a lot of anxiety. I traveled to Port by myself and being alone for a few days really got me into nervous mode. Thank goodness for my "hosts" and new friends, Angie Bainbridge and Robbie Elder, who came in on Friday to join in the weekend festivities. I was lucky enough to have one of my Sirius teammates hook me up with some of her friends and a lovely house to share on the canals. It was so nice to be around other athletes who understood the pressures of Ironman, as well as the welcoming company that they gave to me. It was so nice to have strangers reach out and take me in as one of their own. I can't express my gratitude more. Thanks guys!!
I was standing at the swim entry ready to jump in, and one of my lucky songs came on over the loud speakers. It is "Walking On A Dream" by Empire of the Sun. I was floored and a certain calm came over me. Nothing else mattered at this point except doing the best I could and believing in all the training.
I was the first one in the water as it was deep start anad we only had a few minutes to get into position. It was a mass start including the pros. I did jump up front with the small group of us. When I gun went off I just went for it. I was immediately creamed by tons of fast age group men. I did get one good solid heel right in the left eye. BAM!! No problem, Im not scared of a black eye. The pack fight is part of the game. I chose to wear my Blue Seventy Element goggle tinted in orange as the water was not clear and it was a little dark out but the sun was peaking. They held tight, never fogged, and worked wonders.
I was happy overall with my swim improvements. This has been and will be a long learning process for me. I am getting more comfortable in the water after each and every race and am grateful for an time I am able to cut off of racing.
I was feeling great coming out of the water. The transition area was pretty smooth and much smaller than my past ironman. I didn't have to run too far to grab my stuff or get assistance. I know I am not the fastest swimmer so having a good quick transition is very important for me.
Heading out on the bike I knew what I was in for, mostly. Robbie and I had driven the entire course the day prior to see the new changes and just prepare mentally. The first 15k are big rolling hills heading south out of town. It doesn't really give one a chance to get into any sort of rhythm for a while. There is the excitement though of just getting on the bike and the crowds cheering so it didn't phase me too much. So after that comes the flats....and the wind. Boy this turned into a much more brutal route than I expected. There is a long stretch between oceanside towns where the road is completely flat. However, the winds were in a whirlwind on race day. I pushed hard and was grateful for all of my desert wind training the past few months. That training really helped me get though and make it a great bike. The road were pretty rough and tough as well. It isn't isn't smooth blacktop paved roads, more like grainy asphalt. I was happy with my decision to ride of HED Jet 6 and Jet 9 wheels for the race. A disc wheel would have put me in a bad position with the hills and especially the wind. The have a really great surface area contact as well which helps me feel more in control with keeping my bike on track, even on the rough roads.
The journey back into town for the loop was much quicker as suspected, due to the opposite direction of the winds. The only real tough part coming back in a 200m super steep up hill that takes every one's breath away. Everyone must be in their granny gear at the very bottom of the hill or else.....you won't make it!! The course was two loops so the first time this little bitch wasn't so bad, but the second time at about 107 miles in, I thought I wouldn't make it!! OMG!!! It was tough, but then again only last 20-30 second of your life....so its not the worst hill in the world:) It took a few minutes to catch my breath after the hill each time, but then again everyone else had to go through the same things as well. I had a great bike ride and really got my nutritional needs met without an cramping or discomfort. So big +++ for the bike ride. My training has been changed drastically this year, and I can see that it is working.
I felt decent coming off the bike and really got into a rhythm right from the start on the run. It was sort of a figure eight 10k loop done four times. Oh man, four loops is a killer!!! I felt amazing on the first two laps and really thought that the first 13 miles got down pretty easy and with a smile on my face. Then I hit lap 3 and stared to fade a bit. During the run in the past it had been my legs cramping, but today it was just a little soreness but more fatigue setting in. No matter how much sugar and caffeine one can pump into their body, after 8hr or so anything is tough for the body to continue performing anything. Thank goodness for Angie and the BRAT tri club section cheering for me as I ran by. I got to pass them 8 times, so it was an awesome jolt of energy every time I came back around past the river. The run wasn't too hard of a course, but there was a part at the farthest turn around when you would switch directions and the wind just smacked you in the face. On all 4 laps I found this to be the most difficult section of the looped course. The winds starts pushing you when you are in no mans land and fighting to get back into the town. This was definitely where the ups and downs of the mind kicked in. I was able to push through each as hard as I could, but it wasn't easy.
Coming into the finish I felt a real excitement come over me. There was no one finishing at the same time as me, so I had finishing shoot all to myself. The spectators lined each side of me and were banging on the signs that were lining the path. I crossed with all the strength I had, and a smile on my face. My first Ironman as a professional triathlete was no complete. It was an amazing experience. Thank you also to Tony Wright, race swim director, for meeting me at the finish line, as promised with a big hug and congrats! That really meant a lot.
I had really hoped to finish under 10 hours, but I was able to improve in each area of this race, and am pretty darn satisfied. Not many things went wrong during the race, but I learned a lot about my abilities, and the fitness level I am at now, and where I need to work on things and get stronger in order to achieve my goals. Ironman Australia was a really well organized race as well as fair. I don't know if I will be able to go back again next year, but suspect I will be back sometime in the next few years.
(Sorry for the lack of pictures. I didn't take many as I was alone with my camera and it rained a lot.)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Oceanside 70.3 race report
Well I have broken the seal! I successfully finished my first professional triathlon. This Oceanside 70.3 triathlon was one that I had always wanted to avoid at all cost. The competition field is pretty much the toughest of the year, next to World Championships, rumored freezing temps, and a darn difficult bike course. So why did I make this my season starter, you ask? WHY THE HELL NOT!!
This year is a year about facing my FEARS and diving head first into living my DREAM to the fullest. I have been in California for the past two months training with the Team Sirius squad and felt it just made sense to go race since it was so close and I wanted to get the season started early. I am so new at everything and my coach and I figured what better way to start measuring my progress and fitness, than to saddle up next to the best in the world. So that's what I did
I spent a few days prior to the race in Oceanside with my good friend and teammate, Magali Tisseyre. We checked everything out as much as possible, got our bikes in order, took a dip in the fresh ocean. It was a perfect time to just focus on the big day. I have to say many thanks to Mags for really being there for me and showing me the ropes of being a pro. She is first class all the way!
Race morning came and I was feeling great. I usually get the nerves the evening before and after they settle, I wake race morning just energized and ready to roll. It seems at that point there isn't much else you can do except BELIEVE in your training and in yourself.
I have been working on my swim quite a bit and was really hoping to impress myself and show the progress I've made. To my dismay, I just didn't perform the way I wanted to in the water. I hung on to the pro women for about 200 meters and then I was all alone. I knew that was how it would be, but thought I could hang on to the back a little longer. I have really just begun swimming and do realize it takes patience and lots of hard work. So there I was swimming alone, got into a rhythm, but it wasn't as fast as I thought. When you have others around to draft off of or to push you it seems easier to know you are going strong. So I am disappointed that I didn't give it that extra kick that I should have, but I am taking a lot away from how I raced this course and will focus on what I need to change.
Transitions are something that I am pretty good at, so I went flying through T1 knowing I had a lot of time to make up. I went all out for the first 20 miles. The course is most flat there and with the wind at my back I was able to catch one of the other pros. From there the course got hilly and then the winds turned with the course and I was against the wind. It wasn't the worst wind, but when I was trying to make up time, it didn't help much. There was one big climb and one medium climb and then a bunch of rollers. I kept pushing as hard as I could without dying. To my delight, all of the women experienced the course in the same way. In addition, Camp Pendelton is closed to spectators, so I must say it was a little lonely out there trying to keep up and not a lot of crowd energy to motivate.
Back at T2, I flew. I got into my pace as fast as I could, keeping my cadence up. There was a lot of energy running out of transition along the harbor. Spectators on both sides of the road cheering on the athletes. Just a few miles in, I saw Magali leading the run race. It was so amazing! It really inspired me to just go out there and give it what I had. I picked up the pace and just focused. Simple as that. I knew I had it in my to run strong. I just had to focus.
I came into the finish strong and had an overwhelming joy come over me. I had finished my first professional triathlon race. I had passed a few women pros on the run and had taken myself from dead last after the swim to 16th. In a field that was stacked with the world's strongest and toughest Ironman competitors, I was pretty satisfied. I know I have many many more races to come, and lots and lots of hard working days ahead of me. I can't say I didn't want more because we always want more. I have analyzed the things I was successful at and the stuff that needs work. I am happy to say that I had a wonderful experience and can't wait to go back and race this course again.
I have to say thank you to my coach, Siri Lindley, for her amazing support in training and in racing. Her love and energy is something that drives me everyday. Thank you to the other pro women for being so welcoming and supportive of me in my first experience, especially you gals that are my friends and are seeing this crazy journey unfold. Thank you to Kiki Tisseyre for being my mom for the weekend and giving me so much love and care. And lastly, thank you to my friends that came from afar to spectate and support me in my first big race of my career. It means the world!!!
This year is a year about facing my FEARS and diving head first into living my DREAM to the fullest. I have been in California for the past two months training with the Team Sirius squad and felt it just made sense to go race since it was so close and I wanted to get the season started early. I am so new at everything and my coach and I figured what better way to start measuring my progress and fitness, than to saddle up next to the best in the world. So that's what I did
I spent a few days prior to the race in Oceanside with my good friend and teammate, Magali Tisseyre. We checked everything out as much as possible, got our bikes in order, took a dip in the fresh ocean. It was a perfect time to just focus on the big day. I have to say many thanks to Mags for really being there for me and showing me the ropes of being a pro. She is first class all the way!
Race morning came and I was feeling great. I usually get the nerves the evening before and after they settle, I wake race morning just energized and ready to roll. It seems at that point there isn't much else you can do except BELIEVE in your training and in yourself.
I have been working on my swim quite a bit and was really hoping to impress myself and show the progress I've made. To my dismay, I just didn't perform the way I wanted to in the water. I hung on to the pro women for about 200 meters and then I was all alone. I knew that was how it would be, but thought I could hang on to the back a little longer. I have really just begun swimming and do realize it takes patience and lots of hard work. So there I was swimming alone, got into a rhythm, but it wasn't as fast as I thought. When you have others around to draft off of or to push you it seems easier to know you are going strong. So I am disappointed that I didn't give it that extra kick that I should have, but I am taking a lot away from how I raced this course and will focus on what I need to change.
Transitions are something that I am pretty good at, so I went flying through T1 knowing I had a lot of time to make up. I went all out for the first 20 miles. The course is most flat there and with the wind at my back I was able to catch one of the other pros. From there the course got hilly and then the winds turned with the course and I was against the wind. It wasn't the worst wind, but when I was trying to make up time, it didn't help much. There was one big climb and one medium climb and then a bunch of rollers. I kept pushing as hard as I could without dying. To my delight, all of the women experienced the course in the same way. In addition, Camp Pendelton is closed to spectators, so I must say it was a little lonely out there trying to keep up and not a lot of crowd energy to motivate.
Back at T2, I flew. I got into my pace as fast as I could, keeping my cadence up. There was a lot of energy running out of transition along the harbor. Spectators on both sides of the road cheering on the athletes. Just a few miles in, I saw Magali leading the run race. It was so amazing! It really inspired me to just go out there and give it what I had. I picked up the pace and just focused. Simple as that. I knew I had it in my to run strong. I just had to focus.
I came into the finish strong and had an overwhelming joy come over me. I had finished my first professional triathlon race. I had passed a few women pros on the run and had taken myself from dead last after the swim to 16th. In a field that was stacked with the world's strongest and toughest Ironman competitors, I was pretty satisfied. I know I have many many more races to come, and lots and lots of hard working days ahead of me. I can't say I didn't want more because we always want more. I have analyzed the things I was successful at and the stuff that needs work. I am happy to say that I had a wonderful experience and can't wait to go back and race this course again.
I have to say thank you to my coach, Siri Lindley, for her amazing support in training and in racing. Her love and energy is something that drives me everyday. Thank you to the other pro women for being so welcoming and supportive of me in my first experience, especially you gals that are my friends and are seeing this crazy journey unfold. Thank you to Kiki Tisseyre for being my mom for the weekend and giving me so much love and care. And lastly, thank you to my friends that came from afar to spectate and support me in my first big race of my career. It means the world!!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Winter training camp in the California desert
Well it has been two weeks since I left the Ohio winter for some "Sirius" triathlon training. I am living out in the southern California desert training with my coach, Siri Lindley, and the other Team Sirius athletes. This has been a whole new adventure for me. As a rookie pro, training with some of the world's greatest professional triathletes, can be a bit intimidating. I have to say, however, that this is the most welcoming and energetic group I have ever met. I can't imagine being anywhere else right now and know that this fabulous ride has only just begun.
The weather hasn't been quite what you would imagine a desert would be like. In two weeks we've had rain, snow, horrific winds, and also plenty of sun. I am still waiting for the warmer temperature, as we are layering up every morning. I imagine in a few weeks I may regret saying that.... I do not have a car here, so after a hard session, my idea of fun is not getting back on my bike to ride home and push through the wind at barely 5mph....What won't kill me can only make me stronger, right?!?!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Hawaiian Adventures: Jan 2011
This year has started off amazing. My husband, Rob, and I planned a trip to Hawaii for some good base training, warm temps, and of course a whole lot of fun.....and we've already received more than we could have ever expected. This is my first time in Hawaii and it has really proven to be an fantastic place.
During out first week on the Big Island we had to take advantage of doing the tourist thing and seeing the whole island. We first went up to Volcano National Park to check our the sites and hike. The weather is much cooler at 3,500 ft above sea level, so it was a good transition for my training from frigid temps to the tropics. I got up early to get my workouts in and then the days were ours to do whatever. We did a bit of hiking through the lava tubes and volcano caldera, and some coastal off-roading through the Puna district, south of Hilo. There were hidden lava pools and even an active lava flow that was close to destroying someone's house. Very interesting how nothing can stop lava, and I mean nothing!
A few days later we traveled over to Waikaloa to relax on the beach and great open water swimming. We got an opportunity to spend time with some Colorado friends that we randomly found out were on the island at the same time. What a lucky and pleasurable surprise. I also got my first wheel out on the famed Queen K. In addition, Rob and I had our first paddle board lesson with some friends and were hooked. We paddled 3 more times over the next week. It was so fun to try something new and challenging. I didn't grow up around water so anything aqua-like is an adventure for me:)
Week two was the reason for planning the trip to Hawaii. I participated in a triathlon camp, put on by the Playtri company. I wanted to build some solid base for my training and gain strength before the training season really gets under way. We were invited to stay with our friend's, Tricia and Al , who own a home in Kona. It was just delightful to have a wonderful cozy place to stay and to build a wonderful friendship with two amazing people.
During the 5 day camp, we did focus on all three triathlon sports, but the majority of the week was spent on riding. I rode 17.5 hours in 5 days, which is the most I've done since before Ironman Wisconsin, in September. It was a challenge but every hill and push that we made really fulfilled that drive and love for the challenge of what triathlon is all about. Thank goodness for my Kestrel 4000. She really hung in there with me and took a beating. She will be getting a good bath when we get home.
During camp I was inspired by an amazing group of athletes. Our group was filled with all different ages and triathlon experience, but everyone had that heart and determination to give it their all while in camp. On parts of rides where I was hurting, I'd look over and see someone else who was slower or less experienced than me, pushing harder and giving everything they had, determined to not give up. Our camp group was a total of 30, and a total of 30 made the complete Ironman ride from Kona to Hawi and back. Half of the group had never rode over 3 hours, let a lone over 100 miles. All I can say is WOW! This camp is really what I needed to kick start my training and my inner drive for the year. I am grateful for the opportunity to log good hours early in the season, to built new friendships, and share my passions with others who feel the same about this amazing sport.
During out first week on the Big Island we had to take advantage of doing the tourist thing and seeing the whole island. We first went up to Volcano National Park to check our the sites and hike. The weather is much cooler at 3,500 ft above sea level, so it was a good transition for my training from frigid temps to the tropics. I got up early to get my workouts in and then the days were ours to do whatever. We did a bit of hiking through the lava tubes and volcano caldera, and some coastal off-roading through the Puna district, south of Hilo. There were hidden lava pools and even an active lava flow that was close to destroying someone's house. Very interesting how nothing can stop lava, and I mean nothing!
A few days later we traveled over to Waikaloa to relax on the beach and great open water swimming. We got an opportunity to spend time with some Colorado friends that we randomly found out were on the island at the same time. What a lucky and pleasurable surprise. I also got my first wheel out on the famed Queen K. In addition, Rob and I had our first paddle board lesson with some friends and were hooked. We paddled 3 more times over the next week. It was so fun to try something new and challenging. I didn't grow up around water so anything aqua-like is an adventure for me:)
Week two was the reason for planning the trip to Hawaii. I participated in a triathlon camp, put on by the Playtri company. I wanted to build some solid base for my training and gain strength before the training season really gets under way. We were invited to stay with our friend's, Tricia and Al , who own a home in Kona. It was just delightful to have a wonderful cozy place to stay and to build a wonderful friendship with two amazing people.
During the 5 day camp, we did focus on all three triathlon sports, but the majority of the week was spent on riding. I rode 17.5 hours in 5 days, which is the most I've done since before Ironman Wisconsin, in September. It was a challenge but every hill and push that we made really fulfilled that drive and love for the challenge of what triathlon is all about. Thank goodness for my Kestrel 4000. She really hung in there with me and took a beating. She will be getting a good bath when we get home.
During camp I was inspired by an amazing group of athletes. Our group was filled with all different ages and triathlon experience, but everyone had that heart and determination to give it their all while in camp. On parts of rides where I was hurting, I'd look over and see someone else who was slower or less experienced than me, pushing harder and giving everything they had, determined to not give up. Our camp group was a total of 30, and a total of 30 made the complete Ironman ride from Kona to Hawi and back. Half of the group had never rode over 3 hours, let a lone over 100 miles. All I can say is WOW! This camp is really what I needed to kick start my training and my inner drive for the year. I am grateful for the opportunity to log good hours early in the season, to built new friendships, and share my passions with others who feel the same about this amazing sport.
ALOHA!
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