Week 12

Hit all my workouts last week, feeling great and the confidence is coming around as I enter the last three big weeks.

War on the Shore 2009

Short Version:

Swim: 7:54 (1/female, 9/overall swim)
T1: 2:00
Bike: 52:47 (20.5mph)
T2: 1:25
Run: 34:12 (6:51/mile)

1:38:15

3rd female overall

Long Version:

I signed up for this race totally last minute when it became a team race. I have ridden my bike about 3 times in the past 2 months, but have been swimming more and my run is coming together really great for the marathon, so I was very interested to see what I could do. The 'long course' version of this race is a 1/2 mile swim (with the current), 18 mile bike, 5 mile run, both pancake flat. My race plan: HAMMER.

I did 25 mile spin and a 80-minute open water swim on the Jersey Shore with one of the Kona-bound roommates the day before, and felt really great in the water and was hopeful for the morning. My legs had been DEAD all week, but I ignored them and hoped they would come around.

Race morning was un-eventful, other than some hoopla surrounding my coach and some 'special' racers he was coaching, but it was a great group down from NYC racing and the atmosphere was really exciting. The race venue was beautiful, the weather was absolutely perfect, and I was very impressed with the organization and race director. He put on a really great event overall.

Swim- It was a 1/2 mile swim. With the current. All female long-course racers started in the second wave, and I wanted to be first out of the water. I hopped out front and swam as hard as I could. Mission accomplished, first women out by a large margin, and I ended up having the 9th overall fastest swim of the day. Crazy fun experience hearing the cheers and realizing I was actually leading the race.


T1- slow, slow, slow. Had trouble getting my wetsuit off. My chip came off with it. My hands were cold.

Bike- I knew this was going to hurt no matter what, so I just got in my drops and rode. No computer, no idea of speed, cadence, nothing. I led the women's race for about 5 miles. Roommate passed me like I was standing still. There was tons of drafting going on in the mens race, as well as silly men trying to draft off little old me. I just rode my own race and only had to yell a few times at guys boxing me in.

Another teammate passed me I think right around 9 miles. I picked it up a bit to try to keep pace with her, but she slowly pulled away. With about 1 mile left in the bike, a third woman FLEW past me. I resisted the urge to hammer it home to hit transition with her, and spun my legs out and hoped my legs would be there on the run. My hip and back were aching a bit, but I was having so much fun, as evidenced by the goofy smile that makes all my bike pictures completely stupid and un-usable :)

Last race on my old steed- she treated me well :)

T2- I had a great spot in transition and was in and out.


Run- I ended up leaving transition with the female who had passed me on the end of the bike. She tried to make small talk, complained about numb feet (yes, mine were too, but I wasn't about to tell her that!!), and decided to push the pace to see if she could hang. She couldn't. I was able to see both teammates ahead of me at the first turnaround, and realized I was very solidly in 3rd place. There was a little lady in a orange speedo, cotton crop top, and scrunchy socks running in 4th, but no way was I letting her pass.

I didn't let up and tried to push the pace. The course passes transition and the finish-line for another mile long out and back, and a guy ran past and heard some teammates cheering my name and yelled out for me to get on his heels and "STAY THERE- COME ON, YOU CAN DO THIS!!" He definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and tried to keep me with him, yelling encouragement and my name. I had no clue how much longer we had, so I tried to stick with him as long as I could. It was so helpful and made me realize that another gear was there, even as he slowly pulled away. I ran the last mile scared that I was going to get caught by the scrunchy-socks woman and lose the overall podium, and finished in more pain (but the good kind) than I have felt in a very long time.

Hurtin bad- about 1/4 mile left.

My teammates and I ended up placing 1-2-3 in the women's long course and there were lots of other age group awards for the team, in both the long and short course races. It was a really GREAT day, and a perfect way to end what has been an amazing season. I am lucky to be healthy and racing and also have the awesome support of a truly amazing group of athletes.

Clearly, the highlight of the day (week, month, season, year?) was the most amazing gift I received after the race. It's a really long story, but the gist is I am the new owner of a lovely, brand new 2010 Giant that is nicer than anything I ever expected to own. I have promised free swim-lessons for life to my fairy godmother, and am picking the bike hopefully tonight and getting fit next week.

A truly perfect way to end the season- I can't WAIT for the winter, to get comfy on the new frame and ROCK OUT next season!

No words.

Thanks to an incredibly generous and altogether amazing teammate, looks like I've got myself some aerobars....
I was so taken aback and speechless after an amazing race and the most amazing, generous and unexpected gift I have ever received, I honestly don't even know any details; I am pretty sure it's a 2010 Trinity Alliance 1 with some upgrades, and that beauty is MINE :) More later.

Update: She's an Aeryn Alliance, size S, with a total of 1.6 miles. I'm in love- her name is Lulu, short for 'Lucky Lucy', a testament to my fairy godmother :)

Best Long Run Ever.

Bring it on.

Race!

I am so excited- I was just able to add a final tri to my season in less than 2 weeks- War on the Shore. It's a 0.6 mile ocean swim, 18.5 mile bike, and 5 mile run, all FLAT FLAT FLAT on the Jersey Shore.

I will have to get my first 20 miler in one or two days prior, so we will see how that goes, but I am very excited.

Speaking of racing, my 2010 race calendar is filling up:
Decided against South Africa 70.3, (would much rather spend New Years in Africa than lug my bike to the race)
May- Rev3 Olympic in Knoxville
June- Eagleman
July- Bike trip in Switzerland/Italy
(my team is racing IM Switzerland, I have to be in Vienna the week before for work, so I am hoping to go watch/support in Zurich then spend a week riding in Northern Italy!!)
Sept- Possibly the new Syracuse 70.3

I will not be signing up for the NYC tri next year, which is totally fine with me. At this point, I am also not sure about a fall marathon, training has been going really well and I am excited for NYC on Nov1, then will decide about next year.

Still on my mind.

Turns out I have a work trip that will put in me in Southern Africa (Zambia) the week before the race, and it's only about a $300 plane ticket to East London.



I have until Nov 27 to decide.

I love fall.

With amazingly cool temps, I kicked off September with a tempo run that turned out to be a 4-mile PR and the best pace i have ever run any race. ever. 7:19.

the miles are paying off. good stuff, super motivated.