Rockin in St Louis

Back on the #RnR series, I picked up this race on whim. When I asked my coach if I could do it, I could hear her mind punching numbers...thinking I was crazy especially when I was planning a marathon on Nov 6. "It's possible" and that's all I need. (I think she knew I would do it anyways, just had to figure out how without getting injured.

I actually had already bought airfare and had a hotel on reserve so it was just training. I had presented this to my coach in Mid august. I'm living in Phoenix where the temps still at 5 am are 90* and she forewarned me about the double training cause this training would be during my triathlon training.

I managed to get it all down and was doing a run/walk at various time lengths due to IT band issues. So that was the plan for the race: run/walk it as I have been and if I felt that I could run the last couple of miles..DO IT.

Step back..taper week. My coach wanted the long run done on Sunday than flat out rest remainder of week. Um...yeah...My week actually went: Run Sunday, work Monday, Tuesday (13 hours cardiac RN) Wednesday (nada), Thursday work, and Friday fly to STL. Not really a taper since I've figured out that I walk 5-6 miles daily at work.

Catch an early flight out of Phoenix to St Louis and get to the hotel to sleep a bit. Did a short run in the "cold" weather and checked out the expo. A friend was suppose to be staying and racing with me but had a family emergency so it was just me this weekend.

Saturday I laid low. Had a slight cold so I was taking cold medicine, watching football, and sleeping. It was after all a vacation for me.  I got out all my race gear, laid them out, got my gear check bag situated and fell asleep.

RACE DAY:
The bonus of race times at 7:30, you don't have to get up until 6am. YES!!!! So I did, got all bundled up and walked to the starting area. I could already feel the energy. This was St Louis's 1st #RnR and they did a pretty good job.  Dropped off my stuff, ate another half banana, and found where I was suppose to be.

#RnR are a blast. Bands every mile, cheer squads, and there is always Elvis. I really enjoyed this race. I didn't like all the hills I had to conquer but I tried to keep on pace. I probably would have hit my goal had I not walked up 2 hills but I really didn't feel like dying over them. I stuck to my plan up to mile 11. I had to dig deep to keep going. Right around mile 6, I hit a mental wall of "what were you thinking". Mile 11 passed, then 12 and all I kept hearing was the "you're almost there" or "the finish line is right there"  I kept saying where, where cause I was cramping bad; luckily I ran by a med tent with salt tabs grabbed 3, downed them with a little water and pushed on.

I managed to pick up a runner who just stopped running; got him up and running to the finish line. He thanked me-I was his first half marathon. I sure hope he had a blast.

I love the #RnR series. I may run with my ipod but I still hear the bands, crowds. It's an experience that I keep coming back to.

So what's next? #RnRSV half (yeah I changed it), #RnRAZ 2012, OD in Feb, and HIM end of April.  I can't wait.

Sprint Re-cap

Yes...it's been awhile since I first posted the beginning of my triathlon venture. It's called life. So back to the race.

I woke up at 4:30am and I can say that I really didn't sleep well that night anyways. I was afraid that my alarm clock would fail or even worse, I would sleep through it :(  It went off and I got up; ate my normal PB and J on bagel with banana. I knew that this race I would be going all out. I had already set up my transition area the night prior and had it packed. So I grabbed my bag, bike, extra water and out the door I went. I was only 5 minutes from transition and it was a quick walk cause it was cold (for me).

True to the sport, the company around me was very helpful. I was so nervous. There were the obvious top competitors-Vineman, Oceanside and then the newbies who rolled in on the beach cuisers (that was cool). Still being dark I set up my transition area-luckily that got an end spot right on the bike out. Couldn't miss my bike. Set up, wetsuit on, and the walk to the starting line (which wasn't fun being all stony and barefooted)

Being Sept 11th, the National Anthem was sung by a military personal who was overseas during that time. Very moving and, yes, I did shed tears. As the ways started into the water, everyone got to cheer each on. When it was my turn, I knew the instant I hit the water, a toasty 68*, that my swim was going to be difficult. Treading water trying to stay warm, I couldn't keep my feet from cramping; as the gun went off, I tried to kick and all I felt was constant cramping in feet and up my calves. Welp-plan B: pull the whole way and I did. First OW and I pulled the whole way. That was an experience in itself. This, though, was the best 400 yds time that I posted to date.

Coming into T1, I was totally off balance. I had some motion sickness from the waves (dramine next time) and couldn't think. So T1 I took a little longer to recollect myself and head. Thanks to @crittermedic, @kgirltris, and @indianabackdoc, I had my bike setup all coordinated. Grabbed my bike and off I went.

Bike: Um..they will have to re-do this part. It just isn't fun to have ride over them at a 45* angle ON padding, coming down a hill,  to hopefully prevent crashes. I saw many "top" competitors walking back with their pricey bikes and many visiting the ambulance that was purposefully placed there.  Otherwise it was a good ride. There is a photo of me with "deer in headlights" look. My coach and I laughed.

Run: For me T2 was easy, drop bike and helmet, and go! And I did, at the fastest I could. This is a sprint, so you're going to push yourself. I did to a pace that I hadn't seen in a year!! :) But I felt it every step, in every breath. I walked only 2x for maybe a minute but once I crossed that finish line, I was done. Luckily, my friend @tipcan was there to rescue me and help me out.

I had a blast and plan to continue the triathlon experience. I PR'd the 5K. I will always remember this race, this day, and all the aches, pain, tears, joy that I felt. It was so worth it.

Breakdown
Total:1:35:00
swim:400 yrd-13.18
bike-9.2 in 40 min
run-00:33

Wordless Wednesday

For my grandpa: Thank you
For my cousin: my God be with you and watch over you while you are overseas
For all: Thank you for protecting us, serving. Words can never say enough

Weekend in San Diego

Since May, I had made the choice to attempt a triathlon. I knew that it would be in September sometime, just not which weekend. As long as I started with the base building for that time being, when the event would actually take place wasn't a huge deal. I knew that I was going to be doing the sprint distance (400 yd swim, 10 mi bike, 5k run). As the time approached, and might I add, my contract on my current floor near end, I was forced to pick a weekend. I literally had 3 hours to pick a weekend, not really a race for my event (I owe that one to my recruiters ). The weekend-Sept 10-11th. I had no idea if there was going to be a race that weekend, I just hoped since I was granted that weekend off without a problem.

Luck had it, there was a triathlon in one of my favorite cities-San Diego!!! And what better way, in my mind, to remember Sept 11th but with a new beginning for me! So I trained all summer in one of the hottest summers on record for Phoenix.  As the date got closer, I got more nervous-I was having problems with my IT band and fatigue. There were times of doubt-I didn't even know if I'd have a wetsuit to race in. Luckily, Desoto got mine returned to me right before I had to leave!

So every time I go on a race-cation, there always seems to be some kind of drama. No different here. I got up Friday morning, tied up loose ends around my apartment, packed up my car and headed out to San Diego. I've seen alot of desert and this drive just added more to it. Flat, sand, and boring. I was so excited to see the mountains hence the other side meant San Diego. I got into the city right before rush hour (just like I planned) and drove to my hotel. Upon arriving, I noticed that the area was really run down with bars on the windows, including the hotel-NEW HOTEL

Text my good friend Tip @tipcan for some help to find the host hotel for the Tri Rock event. The Hilton it was; via phone, he managed to get me there safe and sound. I quick ran in to see if there were any open spots and I got lucky. I would have a place to sleep-thank goodness. Unpacked my car, headed up to the 29th floor to unwind and catch with @kgirltris and @coachprs.  We talked about the race and my goal (which for me was just to complete it). I set up my transition area and bike that night and called it a day. My brain was tired.  I'd have all day Saturday to do whatever I wanted.

Never Forget

As I get ready to race my first triathlon, I just wanted to say that I will never forget. I race in memory of those who died, those who lost loved ones, and for this country...a country that continues to heals.

God bless

Training with...

Have you ever planned a trip to stay with a friend? I'm sure..Now how about a friend you haven't seen in years but kept in touch with? Sure! Finally, a trip to train and visit your coach 3 timezones away-coach/friend and husband you met in Jan at a race and have remained in touch thanks to twitter, training plans, email, and phone calls? Not many of us get that if we have online coaches.  Well..I did that. In July..4 days training and spending time with my coach @Kgirltris ( coach with Team PRS Fit), husband @indianabackdoc and their kids. It was a lot of fun, filled with chaos and adventure but it was something that I needed.

So my adventure started with a red eye flight after work into Louisville where Kristine met me at the airport and hence begins the adventure. All smiles and hugs, I hadn't seen her since the #RnRAZ in January but it's like nothing had changed. Headed off to make a quick stop to see her husband aka Doc at his clinic and then back to their gorgeous house where I met their wonderful kids. Man...it was nice to be around family and people again. Being a traveling nurse, I travel and live by myself. its difficult to establish friends at many places cause the staff knows that you probably will be leaving in 3 months.

First stop was the pool. This particular training was to focus on my entrance into the tri world. "belly button to the wall," "Glide" I think Kristine's hand gestures made this much easier for me to understand than just being told over a training plan.
After about 900 yds and a couple of complete flipped circles, we called it a day.

For anyone who knows Kristine and Doc, they follow a clean way of eating/way to nutrition. So for the next 4 days I would be introduced to a better, healthy way of eating to keep my energy levels up and help my training. The next day was looking at my running. I was nervous about this cause I thinking that I had been doing something wrong. Turns out.  I had been wrong. The only thing that I really needed to work out was "popping" my knees, looking forward, and hands at the hips-military style if you wish with elbows tucked in. Wow was I surprised!! Just a couple of weeks and I'm good to go.
Next we did some OW swimming with @abbazabba81-yep needed this practice since all of mine had been in a pool. The water was hot but that was ok. Great to be out practicing with others what I needed to get done.

Day 3 first we (adults) all headed to the gym. Kristine and I went through a killer weight workout. I truly miss my weights but with this being my first tri, I've been focusing alot on the bike and swim. It was a fun routine and great to have a workout partner again. So next, was headed down to the Ohio river for some just plain fun. Yes, it was hot so it was nice to be in the water just hanging out...talking..taking photos. It was a great way to end my days in the humid, hot midwest summer.

My final day was rest and just talk. Good 'ole girl and coach talk. I needed a rest. I swam not sure how much while I was there and had a blast. I was sad to leave as I was reminded of was great people they are (and their kids). My point: If you have an opportunity to train with your coach, DO IT. If your part of a team that is online, go visit. I'm sure that your coach would be glad to have you. I learned alot and will do it again. ;)

Back on my feet

Today was my first run OUTSIDE since I was sidelined in May due to dehydration. Let me just say, it felt awesome!! I was nervous attempting this because I really didn't want to become dehydrated from the heat again. I have spent the past month concentrating really hard on drinking close to a gallon of water daily, plus electrolyte supplements, and rest. With all that said, I decided to attempt it.

Alarm clock went off at 5am and I crawled out of bed. Checked the weather and it was already 72*. Well, better get my but cracking cause it's only getting hotter as the minutes pass. Out the door and drove down to an area about 2 miles away. There's the water Chanel and then a shaded street that's all packed trail, which I love. Since re-dedicating myself to training, that has also meant to heart rate training. So me, Mr Camelback, and my HR monitor all adventured out at 545am.

It felt good to be outside running again. All the friendly hello/nods from others out early to beat the heat. Felt like I was accomplishing something. I've spent the last month inside training, afraid of the heat; trying to get used to it (and its only going to get hotter as summer approaches).

I've learned to really focus on my breathing, which helps keep my HR under control; also keeps the rest of my mind in check with my body, even with my ipod on.  This has been the longest distance I've ran and I'm so happy. I don't feel dead. And...one step forward toward becoming a triathlete and marathoner (again).

-T