Ironman Florida

As a spectator!

I know I haven't posted much so not sure who is even around to read this but this past weekend I went to Florida and cheered on my friend Kathleen as she competed in her 2nd Ironman. It was my first to spectate at and it was a ton of fun! She used Endurance Sports Travel to get her entry and for all our ground packages. I would highly recommend them as they did an awesome job taking care of all of us. Everything from airport transfers to food to CO2 cartridges. The weather was really pretty great, the water was great...well with the exception of race morning...the company was great...I can't wait to do it again. I'm still not sure if a full is going to be for me, after watching I was convinced not..but I've still been thinking about it everyday, so never say never. :)  And now for the pictures!

 When your not racing you get to sit on the deck and do this.....

And enjoy this view

And lay on the beach and soak up the sun.

 And then early in the morning you can get up and head out with "your athlete" to the get the special needs bags dropped off. 

And then watch in fear as 3000 people head out into these crazy waves! The water was really pretty rough out there. We actually saw several people that were walking out without even starting the race and many more we saw that were either pulled out or didn't make the 2nd loop.  Many people that we talked to after spoke having a hard time during the swim and from what I understand there was much losing of nutrition. 

 Kathleen after completion of the first loop of the swim course. 

This was the view from our room and the bike course below...in fact I'm pretty sure that is Andrew Starykowicz on his way to setting the worlds best Ironman bike split of 4:04:49. 

 Kathleen as she exits T2 with a big smile on her face!

 The fantastic Miranda Carfrae as she ran by me on her way to a 2nd place finish.

1st place woman Yvonne Van Vlerken with Miranda

 Kathleen after finish! It was a tough day out there for her but she got it done and we were so excited to see her finishing! Number 2 in the books for her! 

Men's first place finisher Andrew Starykowicz who has had a really crazy year and happens to be a pretty good dancer when Sexy and I know it comes on.

"I'm sexy and I know itCheck it out, check it outWiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle wiggle yeah!"
All I can say is FUN! I loved the experience and would totally  suggest you go out and spectate at a race! 

Nothin to see here....

 ....training wise anyway. The last month has been pathetic...ok 2012 has been pathetic as far as training goes. There has been quite a bit going on recently however, most notable my son going through Marine boot camp and graduating last weekend and then getting engaged. Can you say "Mom you are an emotional mess?" It was a crazy 3 months. (This coming on the heals of my Mom being so sick earlier this year) With only letters, and 2 very short phone calls (one 2 minutes and one 4) as a way of communicating it can be quite draining. Your child will sound down or ask for advice about something  in a letter and you immediately write back but have no idea when/if he will receive your letter, but typically he got them in about 10 days...and then wait another week to get an answer to that letter...well it's crazy when you are used to being able to text or talk. Luckily Josh's platoon got mail pretty regularly some were not as fortunate. He and his platoon did awesome. Just awesome. They ended up being named Honor Platoon which means that over all they preformed best at all of the different tests.

Honor Platoon

We arrived in San Diego a day early and spent just a little bit time at the beach which was nice.

My baby :) Zach and I and yes I'm standing on my tiptoes to put my arm on his shoulders. 

Finally it was Thursday and Family Day and we would get to see and hug Josh! The first thing they do is called a moto run and we had situated ourselves about where we though he would be and we could not have picked a better spot. Without even knowing it the tears were just flowing down my face. It was a lesson in self control to not run out and hug him! I don't imagine it was any easier for them to stand there and not smile.

Excuse the date..not right obviously. :) Josh is in the back in pretty much the middle of the picture. 

I'm not happy to see him at all. :) Yes crying again.

 Then they run off and it's about 2 hours before you finally get to grab them and hug them! We then got to spend all day wandering the base with him. It was so great! Then on Friday the actually ceremony, which we couldn't really hear, but was still amazing! You can not believe the power and force in their voices when they answer the Drill Instructors. And the precision is crazy!

Josh is right there in the center

There were almost 600 of them graduating that day

Josh and his rack mate.

Josh and his girlfriend

All of the sea bags lined up and ready for them to head home. The actually get out there and measure it all so it's perfect. I even heard that they pack them with pillows or cardboard or whatever to get them to be the exact same. 

And finally we got to take that boy home and spend 10 days with him. As mentioned he and his girlfriend also got engaged. I'm not sure mom was quite ready for that and again I cried and cried.

Megan and Josh the night the announced their engagement

And all to soon it was time for me to take him to the airport so he could continue his training and life as a Marine. I could not be more proud of my son. It's been hard on this MoM. And I know that we face mannnyy challenges in the future.

I however must find my way back to some kind of training and healthy eating. And find my way back to the blogs. Both reading and writing. So let's see what I can do this month! Thanks to any of you that are still around to read this blog!

Rattlesnake Triathlon Crazy Back 2 Back Day Two

Ok before beginning the story of day 2 lets go back to day 1 for a minute. Besides much stretching, ibprofen, cold water bath (I'm to chicken for actual ice) and laying around I did nothing for the rest of the day. I was debating on the race for Sunday but soon decided there was no way I couldn't show up. Besides the fact that I heard that while the sprint racers would get the t-shirt we got for doing the oly, the back 2 backers would get something differnt  and usually pretty good.....well I am all about the swag so I'm there.

Nice long sleeve t-shirt and finisher "medal" from the sprint day  1

Up close of the medal/key chain/bottle opener.
I actually really like it. 

Once again the alarm went off at 4 and I rolled out of bed. I was not as sore as I had feared I might be so of that I was glad. I made the drive, this time not missing my turn and was soon set up and ready to go.

Swim 15:15 (it was only a 500 meter swim)
This time at least I was prepared for the start, and they got us lined up correctly which had been a challenge the day before...have you ever seen a bunch of triathletes tri to put themselves in numerical order...no wonder we do mass starts. Luckily they had someone to help us today and that someone knew the correct order to put us in.  This time we just did the triangle that was the end part of the race yesterday. It felt ok, my arms could feel the swim from yesterday and I did swallow a couple of big gulps of water. I just took it  easy and based on my time it was... easy that is..although I would say I was slower "running" up to transition also which is included in the swim time.
T1 2:43

Bike 51:19

I just barley started out on bike when I realized that something had moved and my bike computer wasn't giving me speed info. It was however showing my cadence so I was glad of that as that is kind of what I was using as my guide, just try to keep it around 80. I did have my Garmin but did not have it set to show average speed. It wasn't long before I realized just how tired my legs were, but the turn around came very quickly compared to yesterday and that felt really good.Of course  we did however turn around in to winds just as strong as yesterday.  And boom just like that it was over. I was pleased when I looked at the results to see that my average pace on Sunday  was 14.11 while Saturdays was 13.7. Neither of these fast speeds but I was happy to be faster on the 2nd day. You can see the profile above which of course looks similar to the oly because it was the same course. :)
T2 1:38

Run 39:33
Oh yea....the legs are tired....toes a little numb from the ride when I started. I had decided on a different pair of shoes to run in and put in one of the pad things that I used when my morton's neuroma seemed so bad last year. I could feel the pain in the butt occasionally but never really got bad. I did a bit more running today, it was of course easier knowing it was only 3 miles. It was fun also as I saw all my friends on the course and was able to shout to them and both encourage and be encouraged. Also nice was the fact that becuase the course was so much shorter there were still many people on the course (they didn't all have time to pass me!) and that always makes a race more fun. It's never a joy to be one of they only ones out there. So again my average pace was faster (not fast...just faster)  on the 2nd day...which is a good thing since it couldn't have been much slower...Sunday 12:43 Saturday 14:13.

For the most part this was a very fun race and I think I would like to maybe do it again. I would however like to...once again...lose some weight and train a little more. The race photos...hideous...so I won't bother to "borrow" them. :) However upon finishing we did get our swag for completing the B2B and it was a really nice fleece vest.

Sarah, me and Kathleen after completing the B2B all sportin' our new vests

There were 115 crazy people this year who decided to do the Back 2 Back.

I am on the far right, three rows back with the white hat with sunglasses on it. 

This was a very fun and well put on race. For the most part everything seemed very well organized. The volunteers were awesome, all of them, and the swag...well I'm not complaining, both the t-shirt and vest seem to be very nice quality. I believe I will do this race again...snakes, wind and all. 

Rattlesnake Triathlon Crazy Back 2 Back - Day One

This was another one of those races that I signed up for back in January or so when I was still flying high from the finish of my 70.3. Feeling strong and ready to conquer it all. This was the Crazy Back 2 Back which consisted of an Olympic distance on Saturday and a Sprint on Sunday. My training has been less then stellar but I figured I could make it though the oly. Even though I hadn't swam much my biggest worry was the run. I hadn't done much of that either and the longest run I had done in some time was 4 miles. Well I know there would be much walking.  The day started early as the alarm went off at 4. I headed out by 4:45 to make the 45 minute drive. I think I may have dozed off as I drove as somehow I managed to pass the exit but luckily it wasn't much of a problem and only added a little time to my drive. When I got there I was lucky enough to meet up with Katie of Will Race for Carbs Katie has been somewhat absent from blogging but hopefully will start to blog a little more. She is a riot and I loved getting to meet her! (She  did a fantastic job at her first olympic distance! This girl is fast!) Also doing the race were my friends and training partners from last year Kathleen, Sarah and Paul, as well as a few other people I knew.

Me (looking pretty dorky in my glasses) Katie.

Swim 36:15

The air temp was pretty chilly, around 65 I think so I was ready to get started. When they played the National Anthem I started to tear up..oh who am I kidding I was crying.  They had someone playing the trumpet and the thoughts of my son were right there on the surface. I got a grip pretty quick though as I knew swimming and crying would not mix well.   The water didn't feel to bad since it was around 70. This race has a couple things that are different from any race I've done. First off it starts with a time trial start...I've never done this and to tell the truth the first day I was not actually ready to go when it was my turn...I didn't quite get that I was going right then, didn't take me long to figure it out though. Because of the fact that we were doing the B2B we got to go first on the swim both days.  The course was a little different also as you can see above by the blue line you go straight out make a u-turn come back run around a buoy and swim back out then you turn wide and head to the finish. This is both nice and strange.  There is a yellow guide rope that keeps you from running into people going the other way and it also let's you swim without really having to do any sighting if you stay near the rope..that was AWESOME! It was however strange to look up and see someone that appeared to be swimming right at you. It also seemed to make the water a little choppier and I swallowed a bit of water but through the whole swim I felt pretty good. I just took it easy and finished feeling good about it. There is a pretty long run to transition and that along with the wet suit strippers is all added into the swim time.

T1 2:35- uneventful, I am never going to be fast at this. I just don't have the balance to stand and put my socks and shoes on. 

Bike - 1:49

Felt pretty good on the bike. It is a rolling course...there are not many flats to speak of you are pretty much always going up or down. The above elevation profile is from the race site (I was trying to download my Garmin but gave up when because of the multi sport thing I kept getting the run instead. I know I figured this out one time, but I'm tired to night and have no patience for it.) So anyway given that it is an out and back course I'm not sure where that flatish downhill comes from and I would say the first 12 miles is pretty accurate.   I actually was feeling pretty good at the turn around....not fast but feeling pretty good. At one part I rode past a snake and thank goodness it was dead, but I was still grossed out and later they posted a picture of this "beauty" on Facebook...he/she/it  was seen at the bike turn around. ...uhhhhh gross... 

I guess we know why the call it the Rattlesnake Tri huh?

So then comes the turn around and you know it...right into a head wind so yea you  had to work  hard even going downhill. And while at the turn around I was showing an average pace of 15.? mph it ended up being 13.7 thanks to the wind. But it seemed like it went fast. I was passed a lot but I knew I would be since I started the swim as one of the first few people. All in all though I felt pretty good about my bike. 

T2 1:54
The "run" 1:26....

Yep you read that right took me 1:26 minutes do a 10k.... what can I say. The first 3 miles were going pretty good. I started chatting with a girl on the course and we were working on 2 minute run and then walk. I could tell a few of my issues were coming on. The butt/sciatic was bothering me some, my ankle/achilles felt a little tender and I was most concerned about messing that up and then it wasn't long before the numb toes/front of foot started in and was causing much pain. At the turn around I convinced my new friend to go ahead as I was only slowing her down and from there on out it was much more walking than running. For the most pat though I just didn't care. I had said all along that it wasn't a race I was just "doing the distance" and that's what I did.

Total time 3:57

What remained to be seen...could I actually do the sprint on Sunday....to be continued.

Cougar, Cheetah or Perv?

As you may remember I decided to bail on the Boulder 70.3 this year. My lack of training as well as my stress level and what seems like one small injury/sickness after another left me feeling very unprepared. I was not really sure how I would feel when the day rolled around..and you know what I felt really good about my decision. It didn't bother me at all to get up a little later and head on up there to cheer on my friends and volunteer. I was told upon check in that I would be doing sunscreen at "run out". Ok I can do that. It's not a bad job for the most part. It was amazing to be right next to the pro rack and watch them come rolling in drop their bikes and run out..AMAZING! how fast they are...This was the first time that I've really gotten to watch any of the pros. It was pretty fun. There was just one other guy and I doing sunscreen and as you would expect none of the first people through were interested in hanging out for sunscreen. But we soon became pretty busy. Arms, shoulder, heads, necks, ears, and even some legs. All shapes and sizes, male and female, some hairy, some sweaty, but hey I'm a triathlete too so what's a little gross stuff between friends and strangers huh? So as things are slowing down there is much more standing around waiting, while I'm standing there pro Ben Hoffman tells me thank you for volunteering, Matty Reed asks if they can get their bikes out and this guy below  Marcus Fernandes from Brazil asks in cute little accent if he can have some sunscreen.

 Sure I say and proceed to put some his back and shoulders...and then...he turns AROUND! Yes he wants it some on his chest too!!! What is a girl to do? I of course did his chest and his abs...OH MY GOD!!! I have never felt such a hard body... incredible! Ok I'm going to stop there...this is a "family blog"  The next day I couldn't help but wonder if that's what he really wanted when he turned around...my brain got a little mushy...so  while I was telling the story of the highlight of my weekend.....he was probably telling the story of the pervy old lady. But hey I'm still smiling so it's all good. 

Wordless Wednesday

Anybody use these? 

Evergreen Sprint Tri race report

This is a little fuzzy but I do want to get it down so  I'll do the best I can...just like I did at the tri. :) It also contains some of the worst pictures I've ever seen...but well what's a blog post with no pictures? :)

The alarm went off early...way early. I was a little worried about parking since it was pretty limited . It was a small tri 215 finishers, but also only one way in and one way out...so with a 45 minute drive and a 5:00 transition opening I was up around 3:45. I tried to choke down a peanut butter and banana sandwich but was feeling pretty sick to my stomach. Nerves.  I arrived and got the closest parking I have ever had for a tri. I was literally parked right next to the transition area. It was great. It was a very cool morning. I met up with Aimee and Kathleen and we got all set up.

Me, Aimee and Kathleen

With out a doubt one of the worst pics of me I've ever seen...we were all cold and barley awake

After getting our transition areas set up we went and sat in my car to keep warm. Lucky for us due to some very warm temps around Colorado the water was actually around 67 I think..almost unheard of for Evergreen.

The swim: 18:27
We were all in the last wave. I've finally managed to find a pair of goggles that don't fog and don't leak and what a difference it makes for sighting! On the other hand because I could see I think I was it the middle of things more and never seemed to find clear water until the very end. And because of this I also never seemed to be able to find a groove. I'm sure that this had nothing to do with the fact that my swimming has been sorely lacking. The water was very murky and pretty weedy. The mud at the exit was crazy...sucking you in...I swam until I couldn't any more just to avoid it. This is the first race I've ever done that had wet suit strippers. I used them but don't know if it helped and because we had to go through so much gravel the mat we laid on was just covered and then of course so was I.

I borrowed some pictures... :)

T1 2:24..uneventful...slow

Bike 1:04

You may remember this from the pre ride

The pictures from this race were...not good. :) It really hit home just how much weight I had put back on.

I knew this was going to be hard. It's quite a bit of climbing and I knew that I had a hard time during the pre ride. I was passed by a few people all though there just weren't that many behind me after the swim I passed a few also. I just tried to stick to a fairly easy pace and do what I could. around mile 5 I saw  bike off to the side but know one around. It was turned upside down so I don't know if the problems or just gave up. I kept trucking and was doing pretty good until I hit the last hill. It's just after the 7th mile and probably the steepest one. I just couldn't do it again...I had to walk. There was another lady walking with me. Shortly after getting back on the bike one of the motorcycles went by with a girl on the back. For what ever reason she must have called it a day. Finally at this point it is almost all downhill...and it's nice, all though parts of it are so steep that you ride your breaks and still are moving at good speed.

T2 1:44
The "run" 40:38
This run starts uphill...at first it's not so bad but I was not really doing much running but you just keep going up and up and then you get to the steep part. :) I think its about the first 3/4 of mile before you finally hit a down hill. While challenging all of this course is quite beautiful. The run goes through  a bit of a mountain neighborhood and along the golf course for this part. After a nice downhill you run by the lake before you get to the end and find some stairs to go down...run a little more and then go up the stairs.

What can I say, awful...but at least I look like I'm running....slogging..or something. 

 Here I found one of the most fabulous volunteers I've ever encountered. She was running up and down the stairs with everyone...well maybe just us at the end but she was fantastic! As I started up she was finishing with another lady and she says..I'm coming doing to run up these with you and there she was just encouraging and being so very nice. It was awesome. From there it was all flat to the finish and I just ran and walked as needed. It was slow but I was ok with it and just happy to be finishing.
Total time 2:08

Slowest sprint ever....most challenging sprint ever...biggest accomplishment...first sprint ever not to have to stop to use the restroom during the race. :)

Thursday three...Things I know Part 2

1.   I know that I finished the Evergreen Sprint...and I know it was the hardest sprint I’ve ever done....I also know I haven’t written a race report...not sure if I will get one done as it already seems pretty much of a blur, but here are a few pictures.

The goodies...truth be told I signed up because I liked the picture on the glass...I wish it had been on the shirt..but the shirt is nice too. 

This elk was hanging out right by transition. Not real happy with all of intruding either. 

The lake house

The lake. :)

Transition before it filled up. See that row of cars...I was parked right there...never been that close to transition before it was great!!! We got to sit in the car and stay warm while we waited. 

2.   I know that my training is only so-so...I’ve been getting some of it done. Swimming..I have a hard time getting to the pool. I’m sure that it is going to be one miserable weekend doing that crazy back to back...but I still have 3 weeks to work on it.

3.   I know my focus is not on triathlon. In fact right now I have little to no interest in most things tri.... I don't get to read blogs like should and obviously I"m not blogging. :) My focus is all things Marine...especially all things Marine boot camp. In fact that is a big reason I haven’t blogged much...most of my writing time is spent writing letters to my son (or tracking all the other Delta Company recruits on a Facebook group....) I’m certain he will regret having asked us to “write frequently if we can. “ My favorite quote from one of his recent letters.

"I am doing pretty good here, there are times it sucks but also times its not so bad (but not good). " That's my boy! He hasn't lost his sense of humor!