Guts and Glory

The US Swimming trials started last night. And it started with a bang- two world records in the first night, and then at least 2 more world records in the just the prelims this morning (at least the last time I checked).

While watching the coverage last night, all the old feelings crept back in my mind and body from my years of swimming past. The nervous tension that exists in the ready room before you parade out behind the blocks- the stare down, the music blasting in your ears as you try to drown out the world around you and focus on your body. The little questions that surface- Have I done enough? What about that practice I missed 4 months ago after a late night out? Will my stroke count hold up, what if I hit the wall in a half stoke?

You have to push these negative thoughts out of your mind and be in the moment. Remember you have focused 110% of your energy and life on THIS moment. You have devoted every waking (and sleeping) moment to making sure when you touch the water it will be the BEST it can be.

And the amazing, surreal and indescribable feeling when this actually happens. When you get on the blocks, go through you pre-start routine, whatever it may be, and have the swim of your life. It all just comes together- Your start is JUST right, you slice through the water and know right away that this is going to be THE swim- everything clicks. And for a moment, for those 60-odd seconds in the case of my dream 100 breaststroke, the world is perfect.

In my 10+ years of swimming, I had this moment only a handful of times, but it was enough. These memories resonate and I told them so dear to my heart, and watching what these athletes are going through, in both the track and swimming trials, pulls at the very best and worst parts of my heart.

I know how it feels to dedicate your life to a single thing, and have it pay off. I was rewarded, after 9 months of hard work, with a trip to NCAAs. I also know the heartbreak of being that 3rd or 4th person. At nationals my junior year, I was 17th in prelims- 1st alternate to swim at night. I was also, without warning or reason from my coach, left off a relay I had been part off all year, that would go on to get 3rd in the nation.

Sometimes it's hard not to let these unlucky and painful parts of my swimming career sour the entire experience. But there are times, like last night, when all I remember are the amazing and perfect swims- and it makes the 10+ years of sacrifice all worth it.

The pool where I spent countless hours of my college experience, and that provided memories that will last a lifetime.

FLAT!

Close your eyes...(OK wait to read the next line-)


Now, try to imagine the worst place in NYC to get a flat....


NOW close your eyes.


OPEN!






YUP! IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE!

Luckily, I was with a group and got it fixed up in less than 10 minutes- but still not so fun to stand on the bridge, as it vibrates with cars going over 60mph on one side, and a oh, perhaps few hundred feet? drop off on the other side.

The girl who stopped with me, along with my coach, got out a tube and CO2 and started to help me. She said, as she started to take my tire off, "Do you know how to change it?" I was honest and said, "Well yea, if I had to do it I could, but I actually have never done it myself." She continued to start to change the tube, and my coach took over and finished up the job.

As my coach was working on my tire, the girl says "You know, it's pretty sad that someone competitive like you doesn't know how to change your own tire."

WHA!?!??! Did I not just tell her that I DID know how? Geeeez.


I'm bummed I got a flat, because now I feel like the confidence I had built up about riding long alone has been a bit shaken. Because I honestly HAVEN'T ever had to change a flat by myself. Probably should have tried today, but I will remind you...I was HERE:

Confession...

Sometimes, I will sit at work for 7 hours (yes, the beauty of a 35 hour non-profit work week), and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

...OK that is not entirely true. I will keep up with email. And add things to my to-do list. And check Facebook. Add more things to my to-do list. Perhaps go to a meeting. And read blogs. And check Facebook again. And add something else to my to-do list. Then read Perez Hilton. Oh, and definitely peruse the wedding section of the New York Times, and then the Real Estate section, because hey, a girl can dream, right? (about NYC real estate...not weddings! ha)

Then, at around 3pm, I will do something on my to-do list. Just so i can cross something off for the day.



Yes, this is coming from the same girl who used to put 'shower' on her to-do list in college so she could 'check something off'.

Hills

Did 25 minutes of Harlem Hill Repeats last night- kept it all under 80% and under control. Made sure it was a STRENGTH workout- NOT SPEED. Feel really good today, my legs are a bit tired after the 8 miles Sunday, then strength Monday night and a good amount of running yesterday. But it's just sore- no pain in the hip or shins. Good stuff.



Work stinks right now. I guess we all have our issues at work, and I can hardly complain b/c I really do have my 'dream job' at 25. But sometimes I think it makes it harder to deal with bull$hit at work when you are so passionate about your job. I just love what I do, so it is so frustrating when people lose track of the ultimate picture (HIV prevention), and get caught up in stupid details or can't see past their own egos. I've been doing a really good job at not getting caught up in petty drama and email exchanges, but I just fear some of the issues that are brewing could really turn this into an unhealthy environment that is not productive to my professional development. And that is scary b/c I believe so much in what I do and the company I work for. I have been doing a good job just checking it at the door when I leave, need to keep on that way.

And I have another trip to South Africa (and possibley Uganda!) on the horizon in the fall, so that will give me something to look forward to in the meantime.

Happy Summer!

What a perfect first day of summer! Rode out to Nyack- realized it had been quite a long time since I have ridden long and it felt GREAT! Slept in a bit and didn't get on the road until 10am, but it wasn't too hot and was nice to get a few extra hours of sleep (especially after the pitcher(s) of sangria last night).

Nyack, the cute little town right on the Hudson where many people from NYC venture for the long ride on the weekend, is a bit less crazy when you go later in the morning, so that was good. On nice summer mornings it is literally like a cycling convention and the line goes out the door. Did a few pick ups on the way home and overall felt really good and strong.

Here's a camera phone photo as I rode over the George Washington Bridge.


And looking south over the city from the Bridge. Zoomed in so the quality got ruined (it was also a bit hazy)


More from the next ride as I have finally figured out how to get pics off my phone.

Last night...

...I got my bike tuned-up. On the way home I got into a race with a thunderstorm.




The thunderstorm won, and tried to rub it in with a wind gust that almost threw me off my bike onto 5th Avenue.

Good Times

Gold Coast Sprint Triathlon 2008

Short Version:
Swim 12:50
T1 1:30
Bike 37:12
T2 0:53
Run 21: 59 (includes T2)
Total Time 1:14:26
1/69 F25-29 AG, 10th overall female (Last year 4th AG, 17th OA)

Long Version:

Friday
As the day progressed, I was definitely getting sick. I had felt the start of the cold in my bike on Thursday afternoon, my legs felt like lead and I cut the hour ride short to just 14 miles. I was unfortunately not at all surprised by this, for a few reasons. First, I turned my AC on in my apartment this week, and it usually causes a sore throat/stuffy nose when I first use it. I tried to avoid it, but upper 90s with 90% humidity doesn't lend itself to open windows. Second, before EVERY big swim meet I have ever swam in (East Coast Regional Championship in high school, Metros (the DC area high school champs), and even NCAAs in college, I would get sick. Purely mental, but with definite physical symptoms: sore throat, cough, runny nose. So I got some Vitamin C chewables, and started drinking Emergen-C like it was water.
My mother and sister were in town for a few days, they got amazing seats to see Phantom of the Opera, which is one of my all time favorite shows, so I was able to at least take my mind off how badly I was feeling.

Saturday
Woke up feeling WAY worse. I debated getting up and going to the gym to do an easy 30 minutes on the elliptical just to loosen the legs up, but decided an extra few hours in bed would be better to get ready for the race. Had a lazy day, went to brunch with the family, and think I drank more OJ than I have in years. Also was eating Vitamin C chewables like they were candy. But I was starting to feel a bit better.

Sunday, race day

Some major storms moved through the city on Saturday night, and each time I woke up during the night, the wind was howling or it was pouring rain. I woke up to no rain, but definitely overcast and humid weather. Got picked up and was at the race site by 6:30am. Went to set up my transition and was getting SO SO excited to just be racing again. Although I did run a 10k a few weeks ago, I had no intention of taking this run easy. I decided my race plan was to hammer the swim and the run. If my hip/leg hurt, I would deal with it at the time, but I wasn't going to hold back, after all, it was only a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike and 3 mile run.

The only stress leading up to the race was my coach telling me not to wear my wetsuit. The water wasn't as cold as last year, and since it was only a 1/2 mile, he said the time I would save wearing the wetsuit wouldn't be worth it. I debated and stressed, but in the end decided to wear it because I had worn it last year and my ONLY goal going into the race was to beat last year's time.

Swim, 1/2 mile, 12:50 (last year 13:30)
I was in wave 8/10, so did a lot of standing around watching waves go off. It was good to see some strategy in terms of the course, as it was a u-shaped swim, with two left hand turns. However the start on the beach was a bit inside the first turn, so you had to swim a bit at a diagonal to get around the first buoy, however MANY people were swimming way too wide (I think there may have been a bit of a current). I also realized the waves were all very mixed in terms of age and gender, which was a bit intimidating.

Regardless, when our waves was called, I lined up front and center. The friend who was in my wave moved back a bit after we got some interesting stares from the 'big boys' (ie the M35-39) in our wave. I smiled back and held my ground. Gun went off and I felt GREAT. I had decided my swim goal was to be first out of the water from my wave. Who knew if this was realistic, but I would be racing whoever was around me for the entire swim. One guy shot WAY out and I realized there would be no keeping up with him, but I found some other feet and tucked in.
Definitely the WRONG feet to tuck in behind, as this guy's idea of sighting was to do a breast stroke kick every 4-5 strokes. And he was going way wide. So I got out from behind him and decided to swim my own race.

When I made the first turn and looked for the next buoy to site, I realized that the wave in front of me was orange caps. The buoys were also orange! It took me quite a bit of time to figure out just which orange circle in front of me was the buoy... Overall, the swim was unevetful. I felt really good, and ended up coming out the water second in my wave. The swim time includes the run up the beach and into transition.

T1, 1:30 (last year 1:38)
Nothing remarkable, I was on the other end of transition, as last year my rack was literally next to bike out.

Bike, 12 miles, 37:12 (last year 36:35).
As soon as I mounted my bike and tried to shift to a higher gear, my chain slipped. I was worried about the state of my bike all week (it started making some new noises and hadn't been shifting too great the last few rides), but I just tried to ignore it. The bike course is 2 6-mile loops, with some nice office park views and rollers. Not great road quality, there were bottles all over the road, and has 2 sharp, 180 turn-arounds. The course was really crowded by the time I got on it, as I started 32 minutes after the first wave. I didn't have much trouble in the crowds, only got blocked in/cut off a few times (by the same guy both times, in fact, who strangely also kept trying to chat with me).

I got passed by 2 females the entire bike, one of whom I was passing back and forth for most of the ride. I felt good about that, and didn't look at my computer at all. I didn't want to see my time or speed, as I was afraid if I was behind last year's time I would get discouraged. I do remember really pounding last year's bike course and being worried as I got closer to the run. I felt a bit of the opposite this year. As I got closer to the end of the bike, my legs felt really good and I was worried I hadn't pushed as hard as I could have.

T2 0:53 (last year 0:43)
Again, nothing special, had to run much farther in my bike shoes than last year (still worried about the flying dismount with my hip so I havn't done any this year yet, didn't want to start in a race). As I headed out of transition, my coach was right at Run Out and yelled at me to calm down and not hurt myself. I yelled back "It's only 3 miles- I'm not slowing down!" and took off :)

Run 21:59 (last year 22:43)--> I am pretty sure these run times include T2 as they have my pace as 7:02 for this year.
As I have said, last year this was my first Brick, and I thought I was going to die. My legs felt awful and I wanted to vomit. Looking back, this may have been because I hammered the bike WAY too hard last year for my fitness, even if it was only 12 miles. This year, the transition to run didn't even phase me. As I am thinking about it, there was NO point in the run where I thought "this feels funny" (it terms of running off the bike OR in terms of my hip injury). I also decided to NOT start my watch at the beginning of the run, as I again didn't want to discourage myself if I was running 'slower' than I wanted to be.

This year's run was a total contrast to last years, in all good ways. Last year, I think I passed a total of three people, non of them being women. This year, only a handful of people ran past me, only 1 being a woman (the same women who I was going back and forth with on the bike- who ended up winning one of the older age groups). This obviously is in part b/c I started in a much later wave this year, but I also felt REALLY good on the run.

The run is two loops, with the first loop being a bit longer than the second. I pushed the pace s much as I could in the second loop, and even though I was feeling it, I was having a BLAST out there- trying to soak up being healthy enough to be out there competing and racing again. Coming into the finish, I tried to push it as much as I could. In crossing the line I was SO happy, regardless of finishing time (OK that is only half true- I coudln't WAIT to see my time!). I knew that based on when my waved started and the time on the clock at the finish line my time was going to be VERY close to last years time.

Aftermath:
After I finished I was really happy with my performance, and was trying to hold in my excitement to see how I did. I talked to my coach before I knew my results, but he just gave me a hard time for letting a boy beat me in the swim :)

When I first looked at the results, they had my as 3rd in my AG. I was SO excited to have moved up from last year, and to have achieved my main goal of improving last years overall time. When they posted the final results, I had moved up to 1st in my Age Group, as the two in front of me had placed in the overall results. I hadn't even bothered to look, and some others from my team told me the great news! I had in no way expected that, so it was a nice treat. This was my 4th triathlon (1 sprint, 2 Olympics last year), and the first time I have placed in my age group. To have it be a win is just icing on the cake.

The main thing I am proud for this race is that, despite a stress fracture, 3 months off running, and 2 months in India and Africa, I improved my run time. It is so nice to have tangible results for all the hard work I have put in over the past two months, and only makes me more excited as I move forward to keep up doing all the 'right' things: ART, strength training, long slow running, ice and stretch!! I have to admit that I am a *tad* bit bummed that my bike time was slower this year, as I have put more effort into being on the bike this season so far, but at the same time, it's only 40 seconds :)

Now my short term goal is to somehow flirt/sneak my way into the NYC Triathlon next month. I have one idea that I am working on, that may or may not include sexual favors, so cross your fingers (that I get in, and don't have to provide said favors to do so...)

Perfect Day

I felt amazing.
I went faster (and I think the course was longer).
And I won my age group.


...Can't ask for much else, huh?

Gold Coast

Last year, Gold Coast Triathlon in Port Washington was my first triathlon ever.

I have been a competitive swimmer since I was 12. Had an amazing experience swimming in college, felt I gave it everything I had, then promptly sat on my ass for 2 years. I started to run casually in grad school with some friends while trying to stay sane while surrounded by all that was this, as well as lose some of the couch weight I had gained. I ran a 10 mile road race in Oct 2005, and was hooked.

Upon moving to NYC, a few of my ex-swimmer friends (and now Kona qualifiers :) got me interested in triathlon. I joined a group to train with, bought a used bike that I still don't know anything about (all I know is that it's a super-cute, super-small Giant-OCR, I call it my 'Little Giant'), and made some amazing new friends.

So last year at Gold Coast, I had ridden my bike at most 10 times- I had yet to conquer my fear of riding in the streets of NYC...come to think of it, the 1/2 mile of city streets I now ride to the park is still the most stressful part of my day...

Last year, Gold Coast was also my first Brick. And I wanted to die. I thought I was standing still. And an 80-year old man ran past me.

By the numbers, last year:

13:30 swim (1/2 mile I think)
1:38 T1
36:35 bike (no idea- 13ish miles maybe?)
0:43 T2 (my rack was right next to bike in/run out)
22:43 run (3 miles- this may include my T2 time, as the results say the pace was 7:19, which doesn't really make sense...)

1:15:11

My main goal is to improve on each of these times. The weather is supposed to be perfect. I am SO excited.

[I realized last night at packet pick-up that I am for some reason starting with the older female swim wave. It looks like most other 25-29 females are in wave 4, and I am in wave 8. Not sure of the reason, but it will give me good motivation to catch up to my age group!]

Staying positive....

I had an ART 'epiphany' this morning. After no running for 5 days, my shins still weren't feeling better last night, so I called and got a last minute appointment this morning. My doc knew right away why I was there-


"You did speed work last week, didn't you?"

NAILED! Damn...

I have been thinking that was the culprit of the flare up as well. We talked (well, he talked, I grimaced) as he worked out my shins and calves about the benefits of the long, slow run and tempo vs. speedwork.

He is a firm believer that with someone who is injury prone (a la moi), speed work just isn't worth it. The results it may produce are often overshadowed by the harm it inevitably causes, whether it be in 2-5 days of recovery time or aggravating injuries.

After how great I had been feeling, and how bad my legs feel this week, I am leaning towards agreeing with him...

I need to make a hard and fast decision about NO MORE speedwork SOON, as I REALLY want to be able to train for and complete my first marathon at the end of this year. Tempo runs can feel just (if not more) rewarding as a good speed session if done correctly.

It is just so hard b/c my hip feels GREAT, as in, I don't 'feel' it at all. My head is so ready to be back to 100%, and I feel like I am doing my best to take care of my body more post-injury.


Its OK, 2 steps forward, 1 step back still gets you in the right direction.

Summer in the City

I have written previously about how I strangely enjoy swimming in the 20-yard pool. For some reason I just feel like the time passes faster in this pool.

I also like this pool because it is quite close to my work, and if I slip out early enough, I can usually get through a work-out without having to share a lane. Sharing a lane in a 20 yard pool...not so much fun. Even when the pool is 'crowded' the normal lifeguard won't let more than 2 people per lane, so you can split the lane and not worrying about circle swimming (and lapping people every 4 lengths)....

Last night? Not so much. It has been HOT in the city, and I guess this translates into more people taking their work-outs indoors. I got to the pool at 4:15pm last night, had to wait for a spot in the pool, but was able to split a lane for about half my work out. In the middle of 4x500 descend, the following occurs:

1. The (deceptively) cute old lady in the lane next to me, complete with the flowered cap with a chin-strap, stops me and asks if I can 'stop splashing so much', b/c I am getting her face wet.
...I just politely smile, bite my lip, and push off.

2. The girl I am sharing the lane with gets out, and two people get ready to jump in. I have just finished my 2nd 500, feel GREAT, and am excited to start really pushing the effort. I look at the lifeguard, HOPING she won't let them both get in. She just shrugs. I look up, and as NICELY as possible, tell the two getting in that I am in the middle of a set...The guy responds, "yeah, we know what circle swimming is, thanks."
...I think, "this isn't going to be good" and push off.

3. The guy proceeds to 'circle swim' never stopping to let me pass. He will stop at the wall, see me coming, and push off right in front of me. When I speed up to pass him (mind you, I only have 20 yards), he starts SPRINTING so I can't get fully around him. I end up basically doing my flip turns on him, but continue to complete my 500. I pass him 3 times in this 500.

4. He stops while I'm at the wall (first time he has stopped), and SCREAMS, being totally serious, "Why are you swimming so fast? Can you just swim at my pace so you don't ruin MY work-out??"

really?
REALLY?

...I just laugh out loud and push off for my last 500.


Luckily I was swimming hard and felt great, and was able to get the frustration out in the water.

Random-ness: Ready, GO!

We are in the middle of a crazy heat wave right now on the East Coast, it is in the upper 90s with heat index well over 100 and the humidity is just unbearable. It's like August on the East Coast, but worse, and it's only June! Is this my punishment for getting an extra 6 weeks of summer in India and South Africa during the east coast winter? The heat wasn't even this bad in India!

The heat is making it easier to accept the fact that I wont' be running much this week. After thinking I was doing all the right things, upping the miles 10%, upping the long run 10%, my legs just need a week off.

I was really angry that my legs were flaring up this weekend, but when I looked at my training, I haven't backed off my legs and had a 'rest' week in about 5 weeks, and with my RACE! this weekend, now is as good a time as any to take an easy week. My shins are actually feeling better today, and the nagging in my hip that has been around since my speed/hill work-out last week is gone. I MAY do an easy-peasy 2-3 miles in the next few days, but that is ALL.

I rode for an hour yesterday when it was 97 degrees. It was not as bad as I was expecting, and had wanted to ride longer, but went through my liquids VERY quickly and didn't think water could sustain me for the extra time.

ALSO, so exciting! My good friend from swimming in college who I was supposed to do Eagleman with....QUALIFIED FOR KONA!! It was a brutal day, but in her first Half Ironman, on ONE training ride of 35 miles, she rocked it out. She was FREAKING out after the race and didn't know what to do (take the Kona slot of the Clearwater one), but everyone convinced her this may be a once-in-a lifetime thing and she should just do it. And if she can do so well on ONE 35 mile bike, just imagine if she put a bit more time into training for Hawaii. This is the same girl who qualified for Boston in her first marathon with I think one run over 14 miles. INSANE. I am so so excited for her, and selfishly excited for someone to ride long with over the coming months as I get ready for my first half in September. And who knows, maybe a little trip to Kona may happen in October if I can swing it??

I'm going for the super-long-randomness today:

I am SO SO EXCITED for my race this weekend. This was my first Tri ever last year, and I got 4th in my age group and I think 17th overall. I also rode the entire, flat 12 miles bike course on the small ring b/c I honestly didn't know how to shift the gears on my bike. I also thought I was going to die off the bike as it was my first Brick ever. SO EXCITED to see what I can do this year.

Placebo??...

...or just stupid???

On Wednesday my ART guy said I was officially at the point of 'maintenance' therapy, which means appointments only ever 2 weeks as I continue to train heavily and especially as I up my miles for the marathon. My shins hadn't felt so good since early last summer.

And today....my shins are KILLING me. Do you think it is mind over matter, that I had come to rely on the ART and 'believed' it was helping, so it made me feel better?

Or am I just stupid? Stupid as in:

Running 18 miles last week.
Running 8.3 miles as my long run last weekend
Running my first speed/hill workout the same week I ran 18 miles.
Running 7.8 miles this weekend...

all while never getting the insoles or motion control shoes the doc rec commended?


Yeah...I'm going to go with stupidity on this one.

Back to the doc tomorrow, to get scolded, then straight to the running store to get new shoes. I swear. I AM racing next weekend, I haven't been so excited for a long while.

*********************


I've been pretty bummed this weekend on top of the shin pain. Eagleman was supposed to be my first 70.3. It is about an hour from where I grew up, a beautiful part of Maryland where my family vacations, and about 10-15 people from my team, including one of my best friends from my college swimming days, are competing as we speak.

I have them in my thoughts on this HOT HOT east coast day, the heat makes it a little easier to swallow that I'm not there, but I'm still bummed. Makes me so much more committed to getting my body and mind in a good place to complete a half at the end of the summer (with the hope that a work trip that is looming doesn't interfere with the plans...)


....off to see the USA-Argentina soccer game at Giants Stadium tonight, hopefully I don't melt in the heat!

Hills!

Last night I joined the running group, and after 17 miles and a long run of 8 last week, the coach let me start to 'ease' back into the group workout.

I ran 3x long Cat Hill repeats (the group did 5-8), from the bottom cross walk near the Boathouse to cross walk near the Met...1/2 mile up, 1 mile round trip. 90% effort up, recovery on the way down. It was SO HARD but felt GREAT. Well, great as in 'I want to die, I hate this' great.

On my walk/run/jog/hobble home around the res, I was a bit worried I had overdone it, my calves were sore, my face was on fire...but I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

My knee was a bit sore this morning, and my hip is a bit achy now (not painful though). ART tonight to work it all out.

Good stuff- so happy.

Also got my number and wave assignment for the race on the 15th. Things are good.

Gluttony

Gluttony, defined:

Friday night, I went here. It's one of my favorites. But I only had a margarita...which I drank in two sips. Whoops.

Saturday night, I went here. Two Hogaardens later, my fave, I was happy in bed at 10pm.

Last night, I went here. After a 8.3 mile run and hour swim, I couldn't fit enough in my mouth. THE best turkish food I have ever had.




Then, on the way home, I bought a scale.



(and I wonder why I can't for the life of my drop 10 pounds?! ha)

June is going to be good.

So far, in June I have:

Run 8.3 miles. With no pain.

Swam the fastest 100 I have in years (1.06). Then I did it again.


Bring on June 2.