First tri of the season = success

No, I didn't podium. 

No, I didn't PR. 

Have you guys not been reading my previous blog posts? 

But, my first race of the season WAS a success! 

Here's the race report:

Race: Rev3 Williamsburg 
Date: June 15, 2014
Location: Jamestown, VA
Race Type: Olympic distance: 0.9 mi swim, 24 mi bike, 6.2 mi run
Division: Age Group 45-49 
Time: 3:34

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PRE-RACE:

My kiddos came with me this year for the race so I was super thrilled to spend time with them! Of course, when they realized they had to wake up at 4:15 am to go with me to the race the thrill pretty much ended. So, I had to find special things to do with them as a bribe, of sorts! 

As part of the bribe, we somehow ended up at the Yankee Candle store talking to Santa (don't ask!):

Anyone that knows me, knows that I screw up my Rev3 race tats almost every single time. I somehow forget to take the little plastic backing off first before trying to adhere them to my body. Here was last year's screw up:

And, this year's screw up:

Maybe one day I'll finally get it right!

RACE DAY:

We were up super early and at the race venue by 4:45 am (kids were only half way awake, I believe). On the way to the race venue, I received a text from my friend Jan that said: "Michelle's race verse: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Cor 9:24." Although I knew I wouldn't win the triathlon on this day, my success (i.e. prize) would come from completing the race. That's all I wanted on this day: completion of the race.

It was great hanging with both my Team Z and Rev3 teammates pre race as always:

Teammates and the most wonderful race director ever: Eric Opdyke

Feeling some super shaky leg muscles as they flexed!

More flexing (while I'm not...)

Swim (0.9 miles): 35:31 8th in Age group

The swim felt great! The water temps were about 80 degrees and, since I have been training in my gym pool at 84 degrees (yep, it's hot!), 80 felt wonderful! No wetsuit means a great swim for me. Wetsuits are just too constrictive to me. 

I felt pretty comfy during my swim. It was the first time EVER (on anything longer than a sprint) that I didn't get a cramp of some sort during the swim. But, don't ask me to recreate that because I honestly have no idea why I didn't cramp. I've been trying to make adjustments to my swim form so maybe I'm finally doing something right! 

T1: 4:23

The trip from the water to T1 is pretty long and this year I decided to take my time up the hill so I'd have some energy for the bike because I knew that would be my fastest leg.

Bike (24 miles) : 1:27:33 6th place in Age group; 17.13 pace
Even a year later, I'm still not quite sure how to use the multisport feature on the Garmin. So, I really had no idea how fast I was going on the bike (or the run, for that matter). So, just like last year in Williamsburg, I basically raced "naked" again! When will I ever learn!

Overall, the bike leg felt pretty good but, if I would have had my Garmin, I think I probably would have pushed the pace more. Not too shabby to get 6th place in the bike, though.

T2: 2:11
Pretty uneventful. I did put on socks which I normally don't do and I had to actually tie my shoe laces (which I haven't done in YEARS at a race! There were times in this race where I definitely felt like a newbie again!

Run (6.2 miles): 1:24 8th place in Age group
I knew the run would be my toughest part. This is where I had to dig deep. During my training, I hadn't put more than 2 miles together in months. Each time I'd go out to run, I'd get emotional and break down bawling (you read my last blog post, right?). I was hoping my race would be different...but it wasn't. The first time I felt the anxiety coming over me, I stopped and walked. I could barely breathe. Then I heard my awesome teammate Brittany yell at me from behind. She asked how I was doing (knowing some of the things I've gone through lately) and I said I was SO GLAD she was here at this very moment! Truth was, God placed her there at that very moment. I was struggling...hard...and she helped get me through my first anxiety attack on the run. I stopped and walked again...then I looked at my arm...

My pain was temporary...

I started running again and a few miles later, the anxiety hit me again (you have GOT to be kidding me!!!). That's when God brought my teammate Kate into my view! I can tell her gait a mile away so I yelled at her in the distance! We high-fived as we went by each other and I knew everything would be okay from that point on. 

I walked a LOT on this leg of the race. Walking to calm down my heart rate from the anxiety and walking because my legs hadn't run this far in a long time. I ran into Brittany again and she said "Run the race with endurance" (a partial quote from Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, and throwing off everything that hinders us and especially the sin that so easily entangles us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us, "). I continued to plod closer to the finish line.

The last half mile of the race, however, was the most memorable. As a youth triathlon coach (and coach of my 8 yo daughter), I encourage (maybe even "encourage loudly") my athletes in races. Knowing this would be an emotionally hard race for me, my daughter walked about 1/2 mile from the finish line and met me there. She knew I was struggling physically when she saw me. She said "mom, I know you can run faster than this." I said "no, honey, not today." She said "okay, we can run slow but if you stop and walk I WILL YELL AT YOU BECAUSE I CAME ALL THE WAY OUT HERE TO RUN WITH YOU!" I laughed and said "okay, honey!" So, we ran...slowly...but, we ran. As we got up to the finish line she wanted me to sprint (which we normally do together)...but not today. It was just a slow run into the finish.

My amazing son was at the finish line taking pictures of us (which he knew I'd love!) and cheering me on!

Then, as I crossed the finish line, I threw up my hands and yelled a big "WOO HOO" in honor of my friend, Michelle. Seconds later, the waterworks began...and I freaked out the finish line volunteers...but...I finished.

Summary & Lessons Learned

• If you want your body to feel good during and at the end of a race you should train for your race! Duh.

• Read directions and learn how to apply race tats before screwing it all up!

• Learn how to use the multisport function on my Garmin ASAP!
• Teach my daughter how to become an entrepreneur because she will be a great triathlon coach one day!
• Be thankful every day that my kids support me with this crazy triathlon addiction!

My first race of 2014

I'm unprepared. 

I know it.

I was supposed to race Rev3 Williamsburg 70.3 but dropped it down to the Olympic distance for this weekends race. That's how unprepared I am!

The past few months...okay, let's get real...the past two years...have been difficult. They say (yeah, I know, who are "they") the top 20 most stressful events in life are:

• Death of a family member
• Terminal illness (one’s own or a family member)
• Physical incapacitation, chronic pain, or chronic illness
• Drug or alcohol abuse (self)
• Drug or alcohol abuse (family member, partner)
• Divorce
• Marriage
• Loss of job or job change
• Moving house
• Change of school (primarily for children or teens, but this can effect adults, too)
• Primary relationship problems (spouse or parent/child/sibling)
• Persistent Relationship Problems, non-primary (difficulties with other family members, conflict and loss of friends, difficulties with coworkers)
• Academic problems (poor grades, inability to retain information, problems with teachers, unable to meet deadlines)
• Occupational problems (lateness, absences, problems with boss or coworkers)
• Victim of abuse
• Victim of crime
• Criminal actions towards others
• Abusive actions towards self or others
• Extreme loneliness/lack of community membership or friendships
• Severe financial problems (including tax problems!)

I've got a few of those (and then some) covered! So, not only do I know my stress/anxiety levels are really high right now but, I also realize my motivation to train because of my stress/anxiety is really low! That, my friends, is a bad formula for success...or is it?

I can either let my situations get me down or I can let them strengthen me (i.e. "success"). It's a CHOICE! I'm reading a book right now (thanks to my friend, Jan!) called "Choose Joy because Happiness isn't Enough" by Kay Warren. If I'm honest, I'd say that CHOOSING joy at this time in my life is REALLY difficult. Some days I just want to be mad/sad and stay that way!

Choosing joy is something I have to purposefully do each and every day. Will there be days of sadness? Oh, heck yeah. If I'm honest, there hasn't been a single run workout in the past (almost) 3 months where I don't just break down and start crying somewhere along the way. That kinda scares me for this weekends race. Not only from a standpoint of "will I even be able to make it through 6.2 miles of running because my run workouts have been suffering the most" but "will I be able to make it through 6.2 miles of running (or run/walking) without breaking down in a sobbing mess of tears!!! And then my stress/anxiety levels start creeping back up just thinking about it!

It's just where I am in my life right now. I get it. I try to hold it all together but there are days I just can't...and that's okay. My God, my family, my friends...they get it. They understand. I just hope the people at the finish line this weekend will understand, too! :)

So, this weekend, as I race my first triathlon of the season, I'm dedicating my race to people who have it way harder than I do right now. People who have lost someone very dear to them. I'll write their names on my arms. I'll pray for them now...during the race...and after the race. They are my inspiration for completing my race this weekend:

Ashley, Nick, Tori, Johnny, Zach, Benny, Melissa, Mike & Sam - you are my heroes. The lives of David, Michelle, and Jesse were taken from us too soon. They live on in our hearts and minds. I can't ever begin to understand your losses. I love you all!  

Getting it done!

Back in January, I gave myself a challenge - I wouldn't cut my hair until I lost 17.5 total pounds. I've had a few really good weeks and I've currently lost a total of 9.5 lbs! I could have lost more, though. I've had a few bad days of being snowed in the house and a few days of being sick in the past month. But, it's time now to get back on track!

With the Fatbet challenge, I'm 33.3% of the way to my goal of losing 28 lbs in 13 weeks (that's 2.1 lbs/week for those of you interested in my muscle loss...) and I'm a little behind on my goal. So, for the next 52 days (or 7.43 weeks) I have to lose another 18 lbs (2.42 lbs/week). That's going to take some focused effort and mostly in tracking my food.

I'm back in to the swing of things with my workouts and I'm getting in some really strong efforts! Spin class has been kicking my butt! Now I need for the sun to start shining so I can get OFF the dreadmill and get out into the beautiful outdoors for some runs.

...if only...

What challenge have you set for yourself recently that you are trying to still reach or that you have successfully been able to accomplish?

What's in store for youth triathletes?

On January 16^th, NCAA Division I Legislative Council approved triathlon as an emerging sport for women. This decision will create great opportunities within the Olympic pipeline for athletes. Other sports which have succeeded by their approval in the Women’s Emerging Sport program are: water polo, bowling, ice hockey and rowing.

Triathlon is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Olympic Movement and scholarships for triathlon will be available as early as September of this year. 

The youth and junior elite races will follow InternationalTriathlon Union (ITU)  rules which include draft-legal cycling. Being a strong swimmer is very important in an ITU race. The reason is simple: Let’s say you are a mid-pack swimmer in triathlon. The first triathlete out of the water hops onto their bike and makes it around the first loop of the bike before you complete your swim. At that point, your race is over and you aren’t allowed to finish the race. This makes triathlon a great place for athletes whose first sport is swimming. While it takes having a good bike and run, having a strong swim can potentially be the key to winning the race.

The amount of youth involved in the sport of triathlon is greater than it has ever been in the past. Local youth races are filling quickly and some even have wait lists. This is great for the future of the sport! 

A challenge to myself

As a youth triathlon coach, I'm constantly asking my youth to challenge themselves. So, today I decided to take on a challenge of my own. See, earlier this week, I finally replaced the battery on my bathroom scales (yeah, it had been months...). I replaced the battery because I needed to see what my actual weight was for the Team Z Fat bet that Coach Ed "CHALLENGED" us to! When I first registered, I was given the option to put in my actual weight but could then change it later if I wasn't sure of the real number.

I put in "X" weight.

I replaced my battery.

I weighed myself.

I died a little inside.

I was "X+17" pounds!

So, I immediately plodded my fat butt over to Gold's Gym and signed up for a membership with all the other New Years Resolutionists (I don't know if that's a word but I'm using it and I'm sticking to it!).

I talked to one of the trainers who then proceeded to tell me totally different "lose weight" stuff than I've been hearing for the past few years. Weight loss information is so confusing, yet so simple. Calories in vs Calories out. Yeah, I know you Paleo folks will be like "Yeah, but it's about what KIND of calories you put in your body." And some of you frutarians will be like "You shouldn't eat anything but fruit...you'll never meet a fat fruitarian." Others of you will say "WORK OUT HARDER!" Well, here's the deal....

I'm not cutting my hair until I lose 13 pounds (I've already lost 4.5 lbs) ! I don't care if I lose it in the first week. I really don't. Maybe when I'm 80 I'll say "oh, hey, I shouldn't have lost those 13 lbs so fast." But, will that really be what I'm concerned about when I'm 80?

I'm starting to weight train, I'm starting to count calories (currently 1588/day), I'm drinking so much water I'm going to the bathroom every hour...and this is the type of "normal" activity I will keep up...I have for years (just not the weight training...). Oh, and all of this is on top of getting back into the swim/bike/run routine, of course! The past two months have been difficult because I've had some issues with my foot. But, praise God, that's all looking great!

Back to the cutting my hair comment...I really should have had my hair cut about a month ago. It's at that stage where I can't do anything with it. So, not cutting my hair will be a huge challenge. But, there has to be SOMETHING to motivate me besides the weight. So, that's what it is. My hair. My vanity.

Who wants to join me by challenging themselves to something? It doesn't have to be weight or exercise related. What's a challenge you want to set for yourself? Let me hear from you!

Congratulations Marnee A!

Welcome to all my new followers! Congratulations to Marnee A for winning a packet of Powerbar products!

Marnee, please contact me for your yummy winnings!!!

Goodbye 2013

This picture. This picture describes my life right now. I love this picture and have posted it here on my blog before and on Facebook what seems to be a million times. This picture is totally me when I'm riding my bike and I see a speed sign. My training partners can vouch for me.

This morning I posted this picture on Facebook as a joke for one of my best friends. See, last night, after a few too many things to eat and a few adult beverages, we decided it was time to go for a walk outside. Then...we came upon one of these speed signs...and what did we do? We tried to see how fast we could run. The first time, neither of us even made the thing register a "0." But, after a few tries...and many, many laughs...we were heading to warp speed of 6-7 mph! We laughed. Boy, did we laugh. I felt I took all the stress and pain of 2013 and turned it around and upside down and laughed so hard and for so long that I was crying...and snorting! You know that laugh...you almost can't stop laughing because it's such a great feeling. Wow! What a moment in time! It will be engraved in my memory forever! That moment, and the next moment...but we'll save that next moment from public opinion! Let's just say that someone beat someone else in another contest that wasn't too "lady-like."

I digress...

As I looked at this picture, so many more things stuck out to me that defined 2013. There are many things I experienced in 2013 for the first time that were huge struggles/challenges/learning experiences for me:
1. My first DNF
2. Weight gain
3. Huge financial change
4. Struggles with racing
5. Injury
6. Sent both my children off to public school (I've been a homeschool mom until now...)
...among MANY other personal things...

I look at these things and, if I let them, they can get me down and keep me down. But, I chose to look ahead and say WOO HOO!!! I'm not looking back. I'm learning from my mistakes and moving forward to a better year!

Among the many fabulous things that happened to me in 2013, I can say THANK YOU LORD for giving me these blessings:
1. My two fabulous children who I have grown so close to in the past year. What an amazing blessing the Lord has given me!
2. Watched my wonderful daughter, Celeste, get baptized
3. Became USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
4. Became USA Triathlon Youth & Juniors Coach (only 176 in the nation at the time...)
5. Started a Youth Triathlon Team
6. Was accepted as part of the awesome, amazing, always wonderful Rev3 Age Group Team
7. Swam in my first ever swim meet
8. We got a new puppy
9. I reconnected with people in  my life who I love to the moon and back!

As I've quoted from my friend Stacie so many times..."Onward and Upward!" It's time for a great 2014! No looking back! Just closing some chapters in my life where the book as been stuck for years. Now it's time to finish the book and then BURN IT and never look back. Here's hoping your 2014 is wonderful!

Cheers!

Coming back is hard

For the past six weeks, I have been staying off my feet from running. I was having some issues at the back of my heel right around the achilles tendon/bursa area below:

I figured if I went to the doctor, they would just tell me to stay off my feet for several weeks so I went ahead and prescribed my own medicine and saved me a trip. Besides, I've already been to the doctor too many times lately (strep for me, strep for my son, allergic reaction to cats for my son where his eye was almost swollen shut, etc.). I figured while I was sitting around for 6 weeks, I might as well load up on holiday treats and beverages to the point that I probably gained about a million pounds over the holidays. NOT a good recipe for triathlon success!

With temperatures in the mid 50's, I decided to head out on a run today. I figured my heels had enough time to...um...heal...and, with this beautiful weather, I would be a fool not to at least attempt a run. Well, there are several things wrong with that thought process: 1) I've had a horrible cough/congestion/possible strep (again...) for the past 5 days 2) Did I say I gained a million pounds? 3) I decided now was as best time as any to try out my new orthoTics (note: I have obviously been misspelling orthoDics incorrectly my entire life and just found out today. This brings up totally different issues as I am part of the grammar police!!!). 4) I decided this would be the first time I would attempt a Strava run directly from my cell phone app and I wasn't exactly sure how it all worked. 4) I was totally overdressed for a 50+ degree run.

But, given all that, I did a run/walk of a little over a mile and I felt pretty good physically. Tomorrow I will attempt another short run with the orthoTics and maybe by next week I'll be able to wear them with each run.

Time to get back at it. I can't complete Rev3 Cedar Point 140.6 without some training!!!

There's a new year coming...

2013 wasn't a good year as far as me keeping up with my blog. So, my goal for 2014 is to write AT LEAST one time/week every week. Do you think I can do it? Additionally, I need more followers for my blog. I don't like sitting here writing away and only 10 people see what I say. Will you be my follower? Maybe I can start giving away stuff to my followers and that will draw people to me. What do you think? Let's try it out...

Follow me by Dec 31, 2013 and you will be entered to win a packet of PowerBar products which I will give away at the beginning of 2014 to one lucky person! Will it be you?

What are your goals for the following year? Not resolutions...GOALS. I have already set some for myself:

HEALTH GOALS:
1.Start eating more healthy foods by keeping a food diary, starting with 30 days, on Myfitnesspal.com
2. Start back on my team training plan. Download it, do it, and stay accountable to it by tracking my workouts on Strava.com with my Rev3 teammates. I'm doing Rev3 Cedar Point 140.6 this year and will need to stay committed to my training plan in order to successfully complete the September race.
3. Fit into my "skinnier" pair of jeans by Jan 31, 2014 by cutting back on bad carbs, drinking less "empty calories," and eating more protein and veggies.
4. Begin a weight training program 2x/week by joining Fitness Evolution with my roommate for the month of January. Might as well join the new years resolutionists since I haven't been to the gym in so long! Will revisit this goal at the end of January.
5. Drink 8 glasses of water daily. I'm hoping the purchase of a cute drinking bottle will help me attain this goal. I stink at getting in my daily water.

Besides health goals, I want to write some goals related to my personal life, my spiritual life, my business, etc. What are some of the goals you have set or want to set for yourself? Let's get started...only 9 more days until the new year!

Today...in numbers

As I was on my ride today there were a lot of numbers in my head so I decided to write them all down just to clear my head, if nothing else! 

0: Times we got lost (for those that know me, this is a huge accomplishment as of late)

1: Time Tracy almost got crushed by a car

1: Time Tracy almost got attacked by a monster bug

1: Time we saw someone holding a bike helmet on their handlebars but NOT wearing it (her blonde locks did look beautiful in a Farrah Fawcett kind of way)

2: Stories about bodily functions

3: Live animals that crossed in front of me (8-point buck, snake, and, of course, a squirrel)

3.5: Crazy hard-core triathlete chicks on a hilly SUFFERFEST ride (see below for 0.5)

4: Roads with "town" or "ville" in their name

5+: Times Tracy asked people to please wear helmets on the trail.

10.4: Percent grade of biggest hill

18: Miles Renee got to ride with us (the 0.5 of a chick above)

25: Minutes late starting our ride

30: Dollars I had to pay my son for babysitting

32: Ounces of purchased drinks along the way (Gatorade & Coke)

42: Tracy's highest MPH speed for the day (you probably don't want to know the lowest! Maybe 2! LOL)

73: Miles rode

700: Roadkill (okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration...or not) 

4653: Feet of elevation

But, the best part of my day was doing this.....

Sufferfest September is in the books!

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!!!

Do you get excited when you receive a REAL letter in the mail? I sure do. But, this is better than that.

Do you get excited when someone in the line in front of you at Starbucks buys your coffee for you? Oh yeah, that's great...but this is better than that.

What if someone says they'll handle the check at a restaurant and you can eat anything you want. Lobster and Steak for dinner, right? Pretty awesome, right? Oh yeah, but this is even better than that.

So, what in the world could I possibly be talking about?

As you know, I've been a member of Team Rev3 for the past year and NOW IS THE TIME for YOU to see if you have what it takes to be part of the REVOLUTION!!! Applications for Team Rev3 are now available through current team members and will be available soon on Rev3's website. Are you ready to ROCK THE R????

Email me if you are interested in receiving an application!

2014 Race Calendar

It seems far too early to already be deciding which races I'm going to attend in 2014. But, 2014 is going to be another big year for me so I've got to get it all laid out now! Of course, things are apt to change (as they always do) before the next season arrives but this is what I've got so far:

May 18: Rev3 Knoxville - Probably Olympic distance (I have to prove myself here!)
June 15: Rev3 Williamsburg - Probably 70.3 distance (I'm not the only one that has things to prove here!)
July 7: General Smallwood Sprint (please don't let it be 112 degree "feels like" temperature again!)
August 17: Luray Sprint (hoping for no cramps!)
Sept: Rev3 Cedar Point 140.6 (Going for time this year!)

What does YOUR calendar look like for next year? Share some of your favorite races with me!

Race Report: Rev3 Williamsburg

Race: Rev3 Williamsburg 
Date: June 23, 2013
Location: Jamestown, VA  
Race Type: Olympic Distance: 0.9 mi swim, 24 mile bike, 6.2 mile run 
Division: Age Group 45-49
Time: 3:28
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Pre race:

It was so exciting for me to arrive in Williamsburg and share the weekend with not only my Rev3 teammates but also my local Team Z friends. This is a weekend that will go down in my memory bank for a long time to come.

After arriving at the expo, my first stop post-packet pickup, was the Biotta Naturals tent where I helped the queen of beet juice, Jen Small, share the wonderful nutritional benefits of beet juice with the expo attendees.

Photo by: Miro Lehky

Of course, it didn't take me long to drop by the Rev3 green screen for some great memories. Here are some of my favorites:

Yeah, I'm pretty much a drama queen. Like you didn't know that already...

Saturday evening was our Team Z dinner. The room was totally packed and we had the amazing SimplyStu as the MC of our great event. As you may remember from my dreaded DNF report from Knoxville, Stu was my lifesaver that gave me the shoes and socks right off his feet to keep mine warm...and he didn't even know me at the time!

Photo by Miro Lehky

Also in attendance that night were professional triathletes Lauren Goss and Andrew Starykowicz along with the one and only "boss man" Charlie Patten (owner of Rev3). 

The night ended with a stay at the Williamsburg B&B (aka Jan Stover's parents house) looking at this little pond, relaxing for the rest of the evening...

...and watching Jess try out the cool bike we found in the basement...

Oh yeah...and royally screwing up my race tats!

So, you're probably all waiting for me to get to the actual race part, right? Well, the pre-race is just a tad more exciting...as always! :)

Here are the deets:

Swim (0.9 miles): 46:29 17th in Age group
I hadn't prepared for the swim. Heck, I barely have even prepared for this race. The last few months have been crazy busy and my training has really been behind schedule. I knew going into this race that I would be doing it for two reasons: 1) to prove myself after my last DNF and 2) to have fun!

During the swim I felt pretty comfortable and relaxed. SO DIFFERENT from Knoxville. The water temps were fabulous (still wetsuit legal...but barely...) so I swam without my wetsuit. I was in the last wave (of course, that's where the old women always get put!) which is always a bummer for me. But, I felt strong. There was a current getting to the first buoy but I saw my turning spot faster than I thought I would. I had swam this same course at Patriots half a few years ago and remembered getting way off course so I made sure not to do that this time. The James River can be very rough at times so I took that into consideration going into the race. During Patriots I remember getting into a rhythm with the waves but that never happened during this race. I did okay going from buoy 1 to buoy 2 with the exception of getting kicked in the face, hit on the leg so many times by the same guy that I got a cramp in my leg, and swam on top of more times than I can count. But, hey, that's triathlon for you!

The only time I felt I could have done better was going from the 2nd buoy to the shore. The current was really strong by that point and I felt I got off course with every stroke. So, I forced myself to push to the right.

After the race, I heard numerous people say how horrific the swim was for them and how many people were pulled from the race (or took themselves out) during the swim. I can't say it was all that bad for me. My time wasn't spectacular but my swim felt comfortable. My last swim of this same distance was only about 30 seconds faster and, given I haven't been in the pool much lately, I'll take it!

T1: 3:51
It was a long trip to transition but as I compared my transition to Patriots, I've shaved off about  1 1/2 minutes from T1. Pretty sweet.

Bike (24 miles) : 1:19:40 11th place in Age group; 18.07 pace
Race day was the first time I had used the multisport feature on the Garmin I had just borrowed from my friend (since I lost mine at Knoxville). When I got on the bike I realized I was still in the swim function mode and that is exactly how the watch stayed for the rest of the race. So, I raced the entire race "naked." Normally if I found myself pacing too slow I would speed up to improve my overall time on both the bike and the run. But, today I would have to do it all by feel!

The bike course was perfect for me - pretty much as flat as they come. Since the half rev and the Olympic rev started at basically the same time, some of the pro field was lapping me and for brief moments in time I was riding with them! It was great to be able to do that if only for 3 seconds or so!

Overall my bike leg was pretty uneventful (thankfully) and I just attempted to push as much as I could yet stay in Zone 2. Result: 18.07 pace. Not too shabby for "riding naked."

T2: 1:05
Pretty uneventful. I did put on socks which I normally don't do!

Run (6.2 miles): 1:17:13 19th place in Age group
Toward the end of the bike I could feel the same leg cramping that cramped during the swim so I was really concerned about that going into the run. I had been pretty consistent in my run training up until about the last month before the race when I made a decision that greatly affected my run workouts. But, I knew it was too late to worry about that now. I knew I just needed to somehow get these last 6.2 miles in the bank and cross the finish line.

As with any run coming off the bike, my legs felt like jello. I hadn't done enough BRICKS this year for sure but I didn't think my legs would feel this bad. I tried to get my mojo on the run and it just never came! Once I saw the HILL on the course I knew I was in trouble. I was expecting the Patriots SUPER FLAT run but this would not be it! This run course was a little more challenging than that. I did a lot of walking on this course - probably way more than I should. But, I was really feeling that calf muscle...and felt it for days afterwards.

I wasn't proud of my run or my run time by any means. But, I'm proud that I've recovered from my DNF!

Summary & Lessons Learned

• If you want your body to feel good at the end of a race you should train for your race!
• Beet juice rocks even if people give you funny faces about it.
• Always be thankful for Jan and her parents for the Williamsburg B&B hook up!
• Having a race with my two favorite teams makes me a happy, happy girl.
• Always hang out with teammates post-race (see pic on the right)...but never mention Howie Mandel during that gathering!
• Read directions and learn how to apply race tats before screwing it all up!
• Never let Patti Jackson point a gun in my face.
• Never ever hit SimplyStu in the face or he will embarrass you publicly. Right Melissa?
• Always have lots of kisses for my teammies

And most importantly...ALWAYS be on the lookout for Miro with his camera...

Next Stop: Luray Double! 

Mini Me and her first tri of the season

I love writing my own race reports but I've never had the opportunity to write a race report for someone else. Of course, I doubt my 7 yr old daughter, Celeste, will see the benefits of writing a race report until she gets a little older so I might as well write them for her!

It was a cold morning as she started off her race - the Reston Youth Triathlon "Be AMYazing!"  She doesn't look too cold in the picture here but, believe me, she was being forced to smile! This picture of her in her Rev3 shimmer suit was taken right after she took off her shoes, long pants, shirt, and jacket! It's a good thing the pool was heated!

This was Celeste's second time racing this triathlon and she really loves it. The proceeds of this race go to the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation and was started a local youth who lost her childhood friend, Amy Boyle, to a brain tumor. Celeste is all about giving to charities so this race is right up her ally.

There are many unique things about this race that make it a fun and interesting race for youth. It's always exciting to hear the wonderful George Pekarsky (age 11) open the race by playing the National Anthem on his violin. George is following in the footsteps of his father, Pavel, who has played the National Anthem for the opening of the Reston Triathlon for years. I love the picture below (right) where George is standing in the background as his father plays (picture taken from Pavel's Facebook page). The great thing is that after these amazing violinists play the National Anthem, they head out on the course to race! Unfortunately, George wasn't able to race this year due to being a little under the weather. We hope he's feeling better soon!

Celeste has been training a lot for this race. She has been going to the pool at least two times a week and has been training with Tri Team Xcel. Being part of a triathlon team has helped her grow in ways I never expected. I mean, as a mom I can teach her until I'm blue in the face but until she sees me as a coach (I'm her coach on TTX) she doesn't really pay much attention!

She improved greatly on her swim this year and was the first one out of the water in her wave! Last year she had to receive help from the lifeguard (although I felt the lifeguard jumped in a little prematurely). She finished the 50 yd swim in 1:36, over a minute improvement from last year. The last month or so before the race we weren't consistent in our swimming routine so I do feel she could improve a little more on the swim but I'll take the blame for that one!

T1: As a mom, I am NEVER disappointed in my children at a race. As long as they perform to the best of their ability, I don't care if they come in first or last. This race was no different. I don't want to say much here because my words may end up just getting me in trouble. But, suffice it to say we'll need to practice SPEEDY transitions in future workouts! Of course, in past races we haven't had to deal with putting on too many clothes because it's been warm outside. Attempting to put on shorts over a wet bathing suit does take some time and practice!

Celeste had a very speedy bike this year - over a 3:00 improvement! She has been working hard on her bike all winter long! I think she's probably going to need a bigger bike in the VERY near future, though. She seems to have outgrown this one! She had three speed bumps and a "big hill" (her words) to go over and she did it without stopping!

As always, Celeste was a strong runner. She has learned a lot of things about her form (which was already pretty good) during Tri Team Xcel workouts. So, at the finish line she looked pretty AMYazing...and very happy! This is my second time working as the race photographer for the AMYazing race and I'm always excited to work the finish line to see smiles like this! 

Comparing Celeste's results from last year she had a huge overall performance. I'm one proud mommy!

Age	Swim	Transition 1	Bike	Transition 2	Run	Final
6	2:37	2:16	9:13	0:42	3:52	18:38
7	1:36	2:33	6:05	0:31	3:34	14:18