Updates…

1. I completed the swim leg of the 5430 Boulder Long course triathlon relay. I had a great time with my team and absolutely loved watching all the great athletes compete!!!!! Sorry no pictures! My camera battery died!!!
2. I was so inspired by the Boulder triathlon that I signed up for Ironman Kansas 70.3 and Ironman Branson 70.3. Exciting things are in store for 2010!!!
3. My training right now is focused on running. I have made great strides this month. I have been able to maintain my focus and determination during runs and I have eliminated the psychological need to walk!!!!!
4. I am making some great changes in my diet!!! I finally decided to tackle one of my 2009 goals, “Get off some of my medications!!!” I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and I take meds for both of these conditions. I want to make taking these drugs either unnecessary or at least get the dosages down. The one thing left to change towards that end is my diet. I am now eating more veggies, no red meat, less processed foods and just making conscious decisions on what I eat. This is very difficult!!!! I miss my Oreos and my Starbucks habit. However, this is important not only for me but for my training. A great shout out to Coach A, Coach L and all my friends and family who are helping me through this one. They are great at helping me curb my cravings! Plus, they are great at ignoring my crabiness as I work through the changes. I also want to thank TriMarni she has put up some great healthy recipes on her blog that have made the transition even easier!!
5. My next big event is the Boulder ½ marathon!!! I did this race last year and really enjoyed everything about it!!! I can’t wait to run it again and knock out a PR!!

Until later keep riding, running and swimming…

Final Splash and Dash for 2009

Wow, what a night!!! Last night was the last of the Splash and Dash races that I signed up. I was finally going to do the 1500 meter swim and let me tell you I was a nervous wreck. After the swim that I had had on Saturday at the RMSG tri I was very nervous that I would not do well on the swim. During the RMSG swim, the water was cold and I had a hard time keeping my stroke together. I was afraid that was going to happen again. But guess what, it didn’t!!!! I managed to keep myself together but I am jumping ahead!


The race, as usual, was delayed by rain and lightning but this time I was prepared for such an event. I did not jump to putting my transition area together because I knew that I would have to pick up it up. The skies were threatening so I waited for the inevitable. The race was delayed and we all graciously waited it out. This time we were lucky and did not have to wait to long. The storm came through fast and we were able to start quite soon after. I set up my transition area, put on the wetsuit and said howdy to a few people that I knew. That is the beauty of small races you get to see many people again and again during the whole series. Anyway, I was very excited for this event for another reason. My niece and nephew were in town. I wanted to show the younger generation that they can do anything they set their mind to!!!!!! They showed up right before the swim start so I knew I had to do all I could to finish so I could prove my point. That became my only goal. Swim, swim, swim no matter what. I started at the back as usual but I did have a lot more jostling and hitting this time around but nothing to freak me out. The lake was calm and warm. YEA!!! I finished the first lap pretty well but not great. I knew I had to do better on the second one. I got to the shore ran around the lifeguard chair and dove back into the water. Oh yea, the second time around I got to swim through the weeds. YEA!! Only one weed freaked me out but that was easily overcome. The second lap seemed to take forever!!!! No matter how well I did my freestyle stroke it seemed like I was never going to hit the second buoy!!!! It didn’t help that I was the last one in the water!!! Yea, I am slow so what!!! I hit the second buoy finally and started the sprint to the finish. Okay, that is a stretch but I gave it my all. I stuck my head in the water, did my stroke and just kept going. Note to self, I need to work on sighting!!! I finally felt the lake bottom and it was time to get out of the water but first I had to steady myself. Yes, I am totally wobbly when I get up. I look like a weeble wobble!!! I received a standing ovation when I finished. Okay, they were already standing and I was the last one out of the water so they just wanted me out so they could go home. HAHAHA!!! (In my best James Bond villains laugh) The last laugh is on them. I still had to do the 3.75 mile run. Transition sucked. I was hoping to have Brad and the gang around to steady me but no they got hungry and left. So much for making my point to the kids!!!!


I completed my long transition and then began the run. Yes, the biker to mark the last runner was right behind me. Damn, now I really have to run like I got a pair!!! I did pretty well on the run. I ran and walked but I did not walk as much as I have in the past. There were many times when the water I swallowed was coming back to haunt me so I was trying not to hurl!!!!!! Three long laps later, I came in as a rock star again!!! All the volunteers and few competitors that were left cheered me through the finish!!!! Now as a competitive person, you would think that being last would have been a bummer for me but you know what. It was not that bad!!!! I was competing with myself today and in that regard I won. I completed my longest open water swim and I know now that I can do it!!! That is really all that matters!! Though, coming in last does have it benefits. The Bearnaked Granola reps were there with samples but by the time I got in they were all gone. I, therefore, got a whole big bag!!!!! Thanks Bearnaked!!!! I love your granola!! Plus, if you really want someone to sponsor where you will get the most exposure of your great granola consider me. As a middle of the pack triathlete (triathlete doesn’t that sound cool) a lot more people would see your gear because I would be out there a lot longer!!!! Just something to think about, wink wink!!!!!

Check out the Bearnaked Website!!!

The official results are not out yet but my total time I believe was 1:25 but don’t quote me on that. I just want to thank Coach L and Coach C for putting on a great race series!!!! You guys totally rock and I will make sure I do my best to tell everyone about this series so that registration numbers go up next year!!!!! Next up for me is the swim leg of the 5430 long course tri this weekend in Boulder. I am joining some new friends, Erin and Natalie, in competing in the relay division. Wish us luck and good luck to all my friends that are competing! I am sure we will all kick some A$$!!!!!!!!


Until later keep running, riding and swimming!!!!!!!!!!

Great Swim Workout...

Yesterday I had a wonderful swim workout. The total distance for the swim was 1500 but I felt really strong the entire time. The workout consisted of 500 swim, which I timed and I did in 12 mins. I am trying very hard when I am in the pool to not stop at the ends of the pool. I did very well on this goal during the first 500. The second part of the workout was a 300 pull and a 300 kick. Each of those also went by well but by the time I did the kick I could feel Saturday's race in my legs. My hammies were starting to get sore. The next part of the workout was 4x50s with a 30 second break in between. I was very happy with my times, 55 secs, 57 secs, 57 secs and 57 secs. These are great times for me! Of course, I don't time myself very often. Finally, I did a 200 cool down and then I sat in the hot tub for 5 mins. Overall, I had a great workout and I am now starting to love my pool days.

Tomorrow is a run and I am hoping that the strength and confidence will carry over. I just have to remember that now and through the end of the year I am focusing on my run. I am going to improve not only in the mechanics but also in my speed!!! I will not be afraid to push myself!!!!

Until later, keep riding, running and swimming!

Final Results from RMSG Sprint Tri

Overall Time - 2:01:38.30
Swim Time - 24:40
T1 - 3:28
Bike Time - 59:02
T2 - 2:15
Run - 32:14
Gender placement 51/70
Age Group Placement - 7/8

I see where improvements need to be made and I am up to tackling these changes!!!!

I am a triathlete!!!!

Yes, as the title implies I completed my first tri today!! I did the Rocky Mountain State Games Sprint Tri. I wasn't the fastest and I was not last but I can say one thing I am a triathlete. Now let me recount for you what I can remember.


Friday night, I went to packet pick up at the World Arena. At first they tried to give me the packet for Nathaniel Keiser. Luckily we got that all worked out. I don't think competing with men would have been a good idea. After that little bit of excitement I went to the grocery store to grab the healthy ingredients for dinner, tofu stuffed pasta shells and spinach salad. I went home made dinner and ate. Then it was time to get ready for tomorrow. I had to clean Sadie, my beautiful Orbea road bike. Sadie was really dirty from our last ride which involved a nasty rain storm. Of course, while I am cleaning her it does start to rain again. Could we please get some better Colorado weather and not the Seattle stuff we have had over the last couple of weeks?! After cleaning the bike I went upstairs to pack. I was a nervous wreck with that one! I did not want to forget one thing so my OCD kicked into overdrive!!! I had expected to go straight to bed after packing but the work phone started ringing. Yea! I dealt with that and was still able to get to bed before 10pm. Thank goodness!!!


Saturday morning I got up at 5am. I downed some Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and a banana. Yea, not so nutritious but really yummy! I packed up the car and took off by 530am. The transition area opened at 530am but I figured I would be good and I was good. I was able to get parking near the transition area and I had plenty of time to set up. Set up was pretty easy. I just looked at what everyone else was doing and copied it. No thought there!! I chatted with my bike rack mates and tried to calm the nerves. 700am finally rolled around so I went to the beach to get in the water and hear the race instructions.


My swim wave started at about 720. I was in wave 3. It was crowded at the start. I swam over one guy and several people swam over me. However, I was pretty slow so it thinned out pretty quickly. The water was cold even with the wetsuit on. I had a hard time swimming. I did not do as well as I had at the last Splash and Dash but I kept on going. I had a couple of panic attacks but I would just flip over and do the back stroke for awhile. Coming out of the swim I had a little bit more balance this time around! Meaning, I didn't look like a complete goofball like I did last time!

I transitioned onto the bike in a pretty quick time. Again not blazing but not like a turtle either. The route was fairly nice. There were a couple of slow climbing hills but nothing horrible. The 4 laps went by quickly and I felt very strong on the bike. Sadie held together well so I was not cursed with any mechanical issues. A big relief since I forgot my pump! I also forgot my GU so I didn't get my fueling done on the bike. At first this caused me some panic but I managed to do well despite my OCD failing me on that one.


The transition from the bike to the run also went smoothly. But it was funny trying to run on my legs after what I had done up to that point. My feet were numb and my legs just didn't understand what was going on right then. It worked out great because I just kept on running like the energerizer bunny! Coach L will be happy because I did not walk until way late into the run. Sorry it was only two times and for a very short period of time. I was never so happy to see a finish line in my life. Well, maybe back during the Chicago marathon but I digress. The finish was great. I pushed as hard as I could at the moment and was cheered on by the crowd. It was spectacular!!!!!!!!!!

I am happy that I am triathlete and I can't wait for the next one, Ironman 70.3 Kansas!!!! I want to take a minute and thank all my friends. Brad, Janelle, Nic and Den you guys are great for coming early in the morning to cheer me on!!! Thanks! And thanks to all my other friends and those who believed in me! Your encouragement helped a lot! Coach L you totally rock!!! Thanks for all the good vibes and great coaching! Coach A thanks for all the great nutrition advice. You have done a great job getting me on the right track. Even though, I still want oreos and Starbucks!!!! :)


The official results are not out yet but here are the great photos that Brad took. Enjoy! I will update the post once the times come in!





Sadie in the Transition Area




Yea, I look like a goober!




Janelle and I at the Beach. Yeah, that's a Starbucks in her hand!




Start of the Swim




Coming out of the water




Yea, I am goober again!




Coming into the finish!



Until later, keep running, riding and swimming!!