Gotta Run

Asics Gel DS Trainers 17

So here it is... my 100th post! And to celebrate I bought myself a flashy new pair of running shoes.

Actually, I bought them because my previous pair have turned the last month or so of runs into a slow torture fest of never ending blisters, achy knees, sore feet and generally miserable runs. What I discovered after visiting Fleet Feet was that my Mizunos while technically a good fit for my foot, are a  stability shoe best for runners with overpronation issues. In addition to wearing a stability shoe I further increased my arch support with green Super Feet inserts, the combination of which would over correct even the worst overpronation issues. Turns out that I have one foot that slightly overpronates and one that is fine. No wonder my arches took a beating. This is why you go to the people who know what they're doing before you jump into half marathons and other athletic endeavours slightly beyond your current capabilities. So I wound up buying a light stability shoe and adding my green super feet after a few runs and so far so good.

Escaping from Fright Nights

I ran my last race in the Mizunos and have retired them to the role of hiking sneakers. Speaking of my last race, we ran a 2.5 mile run at the fair grounds in a misty rain/ torrential down pour in the Escape From Fright Nights run a few weeks back. I ran it shortly following a 6.5 mile run the day before thinking 2.5 miles should at this point be a piece of cake. I was sorrily mistaken. Among the many problems with this scenario were that along with having just run 6 and a half miles in badly fitting shoes, I started out with some serious blisters and inevitably added a few more. Wet feet with cotton socks = bad news. Since becoming aware of this equation I have also recently purchased new running socks to wick away moisture. The run was a rude awakening, I am supposed to be running 13.1 miles in little under a month and 6.5 followed by a 2.5 miler was defeating me. I'm pretty sure they don't give you 4 days to complete a half marathon. Since then however I got the right equipment and am attempting to get back on track. Yesterday I put in a 6 miler and with any luck I'll be able to maintain a few 3-4 mile short runs with my long run mileage creeping up closer to my lofty goal of 13.1... it may not be pretty but I'm determined that this won't be the race that defeats me.

I also discovered a new motivation at the Escape from Fright Nights run... apparently all you have to do is put doughnuts at the finish line and I will run through a down pour being chased by creepy costumed characters casually ignoring the throbbing pain in my feet. I maintain that the Boston Cream I had post race was the best doughnut I've ever tasted. Maybe I should make arrangements for the half...

Four weeks from today!

Listening to: Anything Could Happen/ Ellie Goulding

Late Lowdown

I've been terrible about bloging this summer, having planned our vacation shortly after the big race there was a lot more stress than usual on us. I'll use that as my excuse for why this post is so late. As I'm actually writing it over a month after the fact, this will most likely be the overview...

Race morning came early as it always does, and just like always I was running a bit behind. The dash was reading much too high a temperature for so early in the morning but with transition to set up I wasn't too bothered by it. Once my transition was all set to go Elyssa pointed out I had set it up on the wrong side, after moving it I reassessed my position and decided I'd switch it back and set it up wrong so I could go faster through transition. Later on I think it paid off but next time I'll just make sure my bike is racked the correct way. 

As usual the swim course looked much longer than I thought I was capable of, so I was sure to note the locations and quantity of Kayaks on the lake in case I needed to stop and have a chat with any of them. The anxiety of being in the second or third to last age group is unreal. You have to sit through like 8 other swim starts and try not to let loose the nervous break down threatening to morph you back into a terrified child running from the water and screaming for your mother.  I managed to keep these feelings in check and lined up like the grown woman that I am about 30 minutes into the wave starts. Up until the point where I actually entered the water I was terrified, once I was about waist deep I knew it would turn out fine, so off I went. I quickly realized that starting towards the back kept me from being clobbered and drowned however I also wasn't actually going anywhere. It didn't take long to switch to plan B and make my way to the far outside. Once there I got into a rhythm and swam relatively well (if you excuse the gasping for air on every single stroke thing). Happily bypassing the kayaks I rounded the far buoy and turned for home, only I may have kept turning here and there and made quite the zig zagging approach back to the beach. It cost me some time but I made it back alive and the sigh of relief after dragging yourself out of a triathlon swim is a big weight off your shoulders.

I flew through transition and happily took off sprinting on my bike, only to realize my lungs had just about had it after the swim. Slowing down I tried to pace myself and get into a rhythm. Things were going well up until the approach to the railroad tracks. About a mile a way I heard a train whistle and really didn't put two and two together until I turned a corner and saw people up ahead stopping. As we slowed down Elyssa caught up to me and we both pulled the bikes to a stop for the unfortunately scheduled train that was blocking the course. On the bright side a volunteer took our numbers and said there would be time adjustments. So as the train past we all took off again, my motivation was sort of shot at that point because I knew no matter what my time would be at best, an estimate. I road as hard as I could but it felt slightly slow for me, we were battling some winds so that might have been the problem.

me in transition

I made it through the bike and grudgedly traded in the wheels for running sneakers, taking a bit more time to catch my breath and recover momentarily for the run. I knew it wasn't going to be pretty but I was hoping the urge to walk would hold off at least til mile 1.5-2ish. I managed not to walk at all but I'm not entirely sure the pace I was keeping could be considered running. Thank God for the volunteers! People had their hoses out, music cranked and were cheering and clapping for everyone, the water and Gatorade was much appreciated as well. I always like it when people have their dogs out too, it gives me something to distract myself from being exhausted. Anyways, as soon as I could sprint to the finish I did, and I was very happy I made it through yet another Iron Girl Triathlon! My first official time was exactly 2 seconds faster than last year and, 13 seconds faster than the first year... I'm nothing if not consistent! After the train adjustment I had 2 minutes taken off and finished as follows:

So a decent swim, not too shabby on the bike and a fairly slow run, but I suppose I have to leave room to improve for next year! Another great year of hitting the gym, pavement, pool, weights, etc., etc... not to mention hanging out with tri buddies and making new friends. I may complain from time to time but at the end of the race when that medal is hanging around your neck and your cheering section and fellow athletes surround you, it's hard not to think that's it most definitely worth it!

Angela in transition

almost done!

Racked and Ready

The night before jitters have hit hard in the past hour or so. The high temps and humidity brought my training down to a somewhat pathetic level. I feel like I peaked too early in the season and have been on an endless downward spiral ever since the Century and Flyer race. On a more optimistic note, there's still a part of me that is excited and wants to hit that bike course with all I have to see what I'm capable of. Mostly I'm nervous because I want to improve upon last year and feel I should after the many improvements in training this year. I feel like we've had some good advice and I want to show that it made a difference.

This year the race could be a lot harder based on the heat alone. Normally my goal would be to break an hour on the bike, but if it's at all windy or hot I just want to finish feeling I gave it all I could. It's a especially inspiring year as over the past week there have been a steady stream of Olympic Athletes breaking world records and inspiring me to find that competitive spark inside myself and do better than I think I can.

There's been a lot of sacrifice to get to this point, time spent away from anyone who doesn't train with me, eating dinner at 10:00 just to get in a late night workout, swimming at 5:30AM, or 8:30PM,  running in 90 degree heat, riding my bike for 2, 3, 6.5 hours, sucking down nasty energy gels, that one hill work out we did, bricks, running- biking or swimming when all I wanted to do is sit down in front of the TV, having a smoothie instead of anything else, dragging the bike everywhere with me, breaking in new shoes, sprinting laps in the pool, riding in the rain, and in my opinion the worst... running on treadmills. The thing is for some reason it's all worth it once you cross the finish line and can take pride in the fact that you challenged yourself, not only on race day, but all year long to be better than you thought you could be, and even though you might not finish first you showed up and finished. All those crazy hours spent getting to that point and the sacrifices you made are nothing compared to how much you've enriched your life by participating. Even though I'm nervous and the swim still triggers butterflies the size of parrots in my stomach, I know that even if I grab a kayak, get a flat or have to walk during the run I will be happy that I got that far... we've had a lot of fun tri-ing.


I'll report back tomorrow!

Listening to: Home/ Dierks Bentley

13.1 Here We Come!

Bit the bullet... still not sure about the "Best time of your Life" thing but you never know. At the very least I won't feel bad about any extra helpings at Thanksgiving dinner later that week, that is almost entirely why I run... to eat more food :)


Listening to: Run / Snowpatrol

Two Weeks Notice

Somehow the summer has yet again flown by and exactly two weeks from today is race day. I am experiencing the usual pre race apprehension and stress. I'm worried about the swim... not so much drowning this year, but rather things like start strategies, pacing myself and hoping someone hears my prayer to keep all other competitors from kicking, slapping, elbowing and swimming over me like triathlon road kill.

Angela and I rode the bike course today in 1:05:00 (-ish, I still have to figure out my computer). I thought that was decent considering the heat and wind. Speaking of weather this summer has been just plain mean. It's been unbearably hot and very dry. I don't so much mind the lack of rain (I actually heard the lake is more shallow because of it), I just feel like the day of the race will be the day Central New York has it's first monsoon.

I've been running here and there. Still not so thrilled with the new sneaks, might actually rock the old pair if they don't fall apart on me. Still looking into the whole half marathon thing.

On a side note planning a 3 week overseas vacation shortly after your big race of the season piles on a lot more stress than I originally would have guessed. It will be nice to kick back and enjoy some time off but next year's vacation is going to be scheduled a long way outside of tri season.

Fingers crossed that this week's workouts will somehow morph me into a legit triathlete, just in time for taper week : )


Listening to: Runaway/ The National

Flyer Flown

Today was an interesting day. Angela and I signed up for the Owasco Flyer about a week ago or so. It's a 36 mile bike race with a few big hills... or at least that is what I was told...

I was pretty nervous about being in a bike race again after the Tour de Loop last year just because I feel like everyone who races is legit and serious bikers, unlike say, us. Don't get me wrong, we ride a lot and occasionally push ourselves outside of our comfort zone but bike races are insane. The people who won today beat us by about 50 minutes. That's a significant difference. There were only 24 women who rode, 199 riders all together. Props to the woman who won overall female, I bow down to her athleticism 1:35:29! Our time by the way was 2:18:14 which I was guessing earned us a big old DFL but turns out we beat a handful of people. 2 Girls in my age group and 2 in Angela's, so at least we beat someone. I've been patting myself on the back for even riding in the race since it was by far the hardest race I've ever been in, not to mention all the women who didn't even attempt it, I mean we get points for that right?

Anyways in typical fashion we started way the eff in the back. Once we lost sight of the pack we went it alone for awhile until I latched on like a leech to a nice gentleman who was just slightly faster than what I would consider a comfortable pace. Once we were drafting with a few people it became significantly easier to ride a respectable pace. After the first big hill that seemed to go on forever I felt alright, besides a few tight muscles. The down hills were really nice but the uphills started very quickly after, when the second hill began to climb it literally never ended... luckily it levels out in places but I kept thinking the second hill, which was supposed to be the worst, was over and then around every corner there was another climb. Just to clarify by climb I mean sort of like the face of a cliff which I could have easily walked up faster. Granny gear all the way! So after the mountain they call a hill, there really wasn't much of a down hill, just a bunch of rollers and sort of big hills that I kept thinking must be the third big climb. I'm not entirely sure where that last one was, it just seemed like I had died and sinned heavily in a former life and was now paying for it in my own personal hell of never ending hills. My computer was happily reporting my mph but nothing else so when I turned to Angela and asked how much further like a kid on a car trip to California, we had 6 miles left. My response was let's get this effer over with and we had a very short lived burst of energy til we spotted hill after miserable hill and realised we had a ways to go. With one mile left I was picturing myself chucking my bike in Owasco lake. The last four hills forced me into granny gear and so close to my physical/mental breaking point I almost cried... and I am not exaggerating. I will say there were men in front of us walking their bikes up hill, granted faster than we were riding, but we did manage to remain on our bikes, we take our accomplishments wherever they come :)

The finish is at the top of a short but steep hill and as we rolled across the line I was at least happy we weren't any slower and that there were in fact people behind us.

Overall a good experience, it should make the Iron Girl seem like a cake walk. Hopefully someday soon we will learn how to ride our bikes faster and compete with fellow cyclists but until that day we will at least hold our heads up high for attempting a monster of a race and finishing it!

Listening to: Good ol' Fashion Nightmare/ Matt & Kim

Century: Check!

100 Miles... DONE!!!

And what a ride it was...

Kris took us and our bikes down to Oneida packing up Big Red to the brim. It has to be said that the less expensive bikes got to ride in the bed of the truck while the fancy Cervelo got to ride in the cabin with us... although I can't really say that I blame him with that decision : )

Anyways we made it up there, had great accommodations and a nice pre race dinner with friends (who also generously donated to each of us to ride, Thank you Gisella & Eric)! We woke up around 5:00 AM to a brisk overcast Sunday morning and sleepily managed to pull ourselves together. We checked the weather  while I chowed down my peanut butter and banana bagel and sipped my tea. A passing shower possible, around midday, other than that clear skies, it sounded pretty good to me... but more on that later. Upon arriving at Verona Beach we promptly picked up our numbers and then proceeded to loose track of time until about a minute before the start, rushed around to throw everything together last minute, and finally lined up just in time. I made the last minute decision to ditch my long sleeve shirt and just rock the short sleeve jerseys and bike shorts. To give you an idea of how poor this decision was, most of the other riders had both arm and leg warmers on, with rain jackets on top. I had goose bumps for a good 10 miles, until finally the adrenaline kicked in and warmed me up.

It was amazing how fast we lost almost the entire pack of cyclists. I was certain we'd be dead last. We made a quick stop at the first aid station and then skipped the second trying to make up time. The peanut butter sandwiches, bananas and pretzels were a big help but upset my stomach a bit so by the next rest stop I decided to switch over to the orange slices and nutritional problem solved. Thank goodness for fig newtons as well, they proved to be a wise and handy choice for biking for the better part of a day. By mile 50 I was surprised at how well we were doing, everyone felt good and we were keeping up over a 16mph pace. Then came the wind, closely followed by the sprinkles, closely followed by the down pour. From mile 50 to 90 there was a steady rain, heavy around 65-90. Then there were rolling hills to deal with, Angela's knees were giving out, my pinkie and ring fingers were uselessly numb, everyone's shoes were soaked, our feet were numb, we were freezing every time we stopped and bike shorts in combination with rain, road grit and chamois cream is about the most uncomfortable mix you can imagine. So needless to say it wasn't a pretty finish. When we had about 10 miles left I flipped my computer over to mileage and then miserably watched as the miles slowly ticked up to 100. It was insanely hard to keep pedaling but when I finally saw the computer click to 100 miles I couldn't help but feel it was worth the pain.

Kris, Angela and I have this ability to rally when one or two of the others is fading and it actually works out that we maintain a respectable pace because we all try to stay together and strong for one another. I'm happy to say that it took us 6 hours and 15 minutes ride time, 7 hours total with stops. We maintained about 16 mph for 100 miles... not a bad day.

It was quite the accomplishment for all of us and since finishing we've been told that now we can consider ourselves "real cyclists."

I'll take that : )