Yesterday was the Celebration Sprint Triathlon (.62 mile swim, 17.5 mile bike, 3.4 mile bike).
I was looking forward to this race as it was my first of the season but I was also very anxious as I know I did not properly prepare for the swim. I think I actually spent less time in the pool in prep for this race than I did the Iron Girl last year. But I was excited to get back into the race atmosphere and challenge myself.
Swim - 31:37
T1 - 4:23
Bike - 1:10:23
T2 - 2:30
Run - 43:24
Total finish - 2:32:16
My overall time was slightly, by a few seconds, faster than the 2009 Iron Girl.
Swim - WOW, I was VERY anxious, the water was uber warm so that didn't help and the seaweed, vegetation, water plants whatever you want to call them was REALLY thick, particularly at the beginning and end of the swim. This put me into a major panic, I did freestyle for about a 1/2 sec then realized I needed to calm down or I was not going to make it. I was hoping to do at least 1/2 the distance free style, that did not happen but I finished. It turned out my swim was slightly faster than the 2009 IG swim
Bike - I went out strong and finished strong, my legs are paying for that today but I did well, overall I was a couple minutes faster than the 2009 IG and didn't have any chain issues. My average speed was about 5 mph faster than 2009 IG.
Run - HOT, HOT, HOT. My run was slower than the 2009 IG by a couple of minutes, I walked probably 1/4 - 1/2 of the run and consumed more beverages than I have in the past. I'm glad that I wasn't still racing at 1-2 p.m. in the afternoon because it got even hotter. I need to work on some bricks (back to back events) and I think that will help me out with the run. If I reserved a bit of energy from the bike I might have had better legs.
Unfortunately going into the race I just wasn't feeling right, I wasn't relaxed and overall was just worried about how I would do. No excuses here just writing how I felt.
Hagerstown Tri (shorter distance) is in 4 weeks, the swim is in a pool, yippee. Less than 24 hours after my first race I'm excited about the next race. Immediately after a race you get feelings that question why you do things. But do you think this is crazy and you don't want to do it anymore or do you immediately start to analyze areas where you can improve and move on to the next race, I have done that. At this point triathlons are about me and improving my race times but ultimately just about being happy. Yes it's always fun to beat others, particularly people younger than you but that is not where the joy really comes from.
Once again, I have to thank all my friends that sent well wishes before the race, they mean a great deal to me and are VERY MUCH appreciated. I have some GREAT friends. And of course I couldn't do all of this without the support of my WONDERFUL hubby. He stood out in the heat taking pictures and waiting for me. I saw him when I got out of the swim, when I was coming in from the bike and at the finish line. It means the world to me that he supports my crazy ideas and his words of encouragement always get me through. THANK YOU!
8 days and counting
My first triathlon of the season is next Sunday. I'm confident with my bike and run but the swim will kick my butt again this season. I haven't gotten to the pool as much as I have wanted too but I think I have improved my breathing a bit more than last year, so I'm really hoping to do as much freestyle as possible. That will at least give me a gauge of what I can do and what I need to work on.
This morning I did a 4.5 mile non-stop run. This is my longest run so far and it felt pretty good. I didn't look at my watch until .68 left. That always seems to be one of my biggest problems, clock watching. It was a good run, the heat hasn't kicked in yet.
If I keep at this pace, I'll be on target to be at the 6 mile mark in prep for the Make A Wish in September.
This morning I did a 4.5 mile non-stop run. This is my longest run so far and it felt pretty good. I didn't look at my watch until .68 left. That always seems to be one of my biggest problems, clock watching. It was a good run, the heat hasn't kicked in yet.
If I keep at this pace, I'll be on target to be at the 6 mile mark in prep for the Make A Wish in September.
4 weeks and counting
My first triathlon event of 2010 is in 4 weeks, ugh, that snuck up on me. Had a good workout at the gym tonight was very glad the anticipated thunderstorms held out for me to swim. I did about 600 yds, please note that is not all freestyle but I did 80% of it without stopping. That is close to 1/2 the distance of the tri swim. I think I did a good job of focusing on myself and not worrying about what others were thinking. I shared a lane with another swimmer, which is usually not my thing but I didn't let it get it get to me tonight. Besides with 4 weeks to go I don't have time for it to get to me.
Lets hope this long holiday weekend has some nice weather so I can get outside for a run and bike.
I decided today that I WILL make my goal weight by my 40th bday. It's definitely do-able as long as I stick to a sensible diet, continue to workout on a regular schedule and don't have to many "splurge" nights.
Lets hope this long holiday weekend has some nice weather so I can get outside for a run and bike.
I decided today that I WILL make my goal weight by my 40th bday. It's definitely do-able as long as I stick to a sensible diet, continue to workout on a regular schedule and don't have to many "splurge" nights.
Why?
I’ve been struggling lately. Struggling with motivation, struggling with training, struggling with weight loss, struggling to stay on the right path, struggling with my confidence, struggling to be happy with my life, struggling to see the good, struggling to be proud of myself.
I recently read an article that asked “Why do you want to be a triathlete?”
Why do I want to be a triathlete?
Because I can, that’s right nobody has told me I can’t…except for myself.
I have read and been told and know in my heart that if I learn to swim, dedicate myself to training and have the desire to do it, I can do anything.
Didn’t everyone’s parents tell them growing up…“You can be or do anything you want to do, if you just put your mind to it.”
You see I’m a people pleaser, I try to make everyone else around me happy, I do the right things for others. Until recently I never really did anything for myself. I played basketball in high school, because my dad wanted me to; don’t get me wrong I LOVE the game but at that time the drive was not for me.
I graduated college for my parents, again I wanted to graduate but the drive was not for me.
The drive has always been about making others happy and I’ve done many things in my life to make others happy and it’s about darn time I do things for myself.
Most recently I’ve started losing weight, again, but this time for myself, not anyone else. I quit smoking (3/3/2007) because I wanted to, not for anyone else. I did the Iron Girl in Columbia, MD in Aug 2009 because I wanted to, not for anyone else.
I want to be a triathlete. I want to be an Ironman some day. I want to push myself beyond my “known limits.” I want to see what my mind can make my body do. I want this to be my way of telling myself “I’m proud of you.”
An Ironman is in my future, maybe not the near future but it is in my future. I turn 40 in 93 days and I’m sure several people are saying why are you deciding to do this now, why so late in life? I say “why not.” I say it’s time to do things for me! I grew up watching Kona Ironman and being inspired by their stories to prove to themselves they can do this. I want to be part of that inspiration.
I recently read an article that asked “Why do you want to be a triathlete?”
Why do I want to be a triathlete?
Because I can, that’s right nobody has told me I can’t…except for myself.
I have read and been told and know in my heart that if I learn to swim, dedicate myself to training and have the desire to do it, I can do anything.
Didn’t everyone’s parents tell them growing up…“You can be or do anything you want to do, if you just put your mind to it.”
You see I’m a people pleaser, I try to make everyone else around me happy, I do the right things for others. Until recently I never really did anything for myself. I played basketball in high school, because my dad wanted me to; don’t get me wrong I LOVE the game but at that time the drive was not for me.
I graduated college for my parents, again I wanted to graduate but the drive was not for me.
The drive has always been about making others happy and I’ve done many things in my life to make others happy and it’s about darn time I do things for myself.
Most recently I’ve started losing weight, again, but this time for myself, not anyone else. I quit smoking (3/3/2007) because I wanted to, not for anyone else. I did the Iron Girl in Columbia, MD in Aug 2009 because I wanted to, not for anyone else.
I want to be a triathlete. I want to be an Ironman some day. I want to push myself beyond my “known limits.” I want to see what my mind can make my body do. I want this to be my way of telling myself “I’m proud of you.”
An Ironman is in my future, maybe not the near future but it is in my future. I turn 40 in 93 days and I’m sure several people are saying why are you deciding to do this now, why so late in life? I say “why not.” I say it’s time to do things for me! I grew up watching Kona Ironman and being inspired by their stories to prove to themselves they can do this. I want to be part of that inspiration.
Training Update
I always feel better when I have a good workout. Two good days of working out, I just need to remember the 4 D's - desire, dedication, determination and discipline.
Today Workouts
Bike - 45 minutes at the Y
Swim - 15 minutes, lost track of laps but did at least 400 yds, mix of freestyle and breast stroke. Felt pretty good considering it's been awhile since I have been in the pool. I'm trying to practice some of the mental exercises from a couple of books I've read/am reading to try to keep me calm, since my comfort level with the breathing isn't great.
Tuesday Workouts
Run - 3.25 miles - about 37 minutes/11:30 min mile. I was on the treadmill at home and I typically run slower at home and this was the first run back at 3.25. I feel like have been floating around the 3 mile mark for awhile so now that I'm actually in "training mode" I hope to steadily move up.
Strength Training - Lifted 2 sets for Workout A. I was scheduled to do 3 but haven't lifted in awhile so decided to go with 2 sets. Probably a good idea I was a bit sore this morning and of course I didn't do a protein shake afterwards.
Today Workouts
Bike - 45 minutes at the Y
Swim - 15 minutes, lost track of laps but did at least 400 yds, mix of freestyle and breast stroke. Felt pretty good considering it's been awhile since I have been in the pool. I'm trying to practice some of the mental exercises from a couple of books I've read/am reading to try to keep me calm, since my comfort level with the breathing isn't great.
Tuesday Workouts
Run - 3.25 miles - about 37 minutes/11:30 min mile. I was on the treadmill at home and I typically run slower at home and this was the first run back at 3.25. I feel like have been floating around the 3 mile mark for awhile so now that I'm actually in "training mode" I hope to steadily move up.
Strength Training - Lifted 2 sets for Workout A. I was scheduled to do 3 but haven't lifted in awhile so decided to go with 2 sets. Probably a good idea I was a bit sore this morning and of course I didn't do a protein shake afterwards.
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