Thursday, September 9, 2010
Loving all my new sponsors!
My third sponsor offer has just been signed and, again, I am thrilled to death! Thank you so much Epic Action Video Cam!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My first sponsor!!!
After several weeks of working on my "racing resume" and sending it out to several companies I'm really fond of, I finally got my first sponsor! Thank you, Rudy Project for the great sponsorship!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Today you WILL become an Iron Girl!
It wasn't the best day for a triathlon. The skies were overcast and it had begun to lightly drizzle. I was okay with that because this year I wasn't competing. I was there as my team's race photographer and to cheer on all the wonderful women who had trained so hard for this day...for this moment...when they would become IRON GIRLS - some for the very first time!
The first few swim waves went off seemingly without a hitch. 5...4...3...2...1....AFLAC!!!(insert loud horn blow!). It was exciting to be on the cheering end of the race this year! With each blow of the horn I got excited for these women because I know the feeling they have way down deep in the pit of their stomach. It's that nervous feeling that releases the endorphins you need to make it through the race. It was their time...their moment. They had trained for a long time and now it was their time to SHINE!
Next in line for the swim wave start were the ladies with the blue caps. I had a few friends in this wave so I made them smile for the camera and yelled words of encouragement to them. Then all of a sudden something seemed a little odd. What was going on right in front of me?
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Was this actually happening? Did a woman decide to quit the triathlon within minutes of her race? What happened to her? Did she somehow get injured during the swim? Had someone kicked her in the head and given her a concussion? I knew that could have been a real possibility. I had so many questions about what I was seeing and I was very curious about what was going on. Wait! There's my friend Laura and she is talking to her. Maybe they know each other. Maybe Laura will turn around and yell for a medic...but she's not. They are just talking. Okay, Laura must know her because now she is giving the woman a hug. Number 858 looks petrified! I really wish I could hear what was being said. Oh, wait, there she goes. She has started swimming again. WHAT JUST HAPPENED????
For the remainder of the race I was perplexed. I knew I had to find Laura as soon as she crossed the finish line to calm my curiosity, but unfortunately I never saw her.
That evening I sat down on my computer and typed a note to Laura asking her about the situation and the story she told me brought tears to my eyes. You see, Laura didn't know this woman at all. Number 858 had started her swim and then decided she couldn't do it and started heading back to the start line to quit the race. Laura stopped her and gently reminded her that she had trained hard for this race and today she was going to become an IRON GIRL! Laura then proceeded to give her a big hug and briefly talked about the different strokes she could do to get to the finish. She pointed out the closest kayak which was there for safety and she encouraged the girl to just go do it! Number 858 turned around and began swimming freestyle. Of course, everyone that heard this story was interested in whether she had completed the race or not and, sure enough, she completed the race that day (in pretty good time) and became an IRON GIRL!
I am always amazed by the quality of people that I have met throughout my life and, in particular, the quality of people in my favorite sport of triathlon. Yes, it was a great accomplishment for number 858 to become an Iron Girl but I am so full of joy when I think of the compassion Laura had for this woman. When I think of an Iron Girl I think of someone that is more than a triathlete. I think of someone, like Laura and so many other female triathletes I know, who have a heart and a passion for this sport, their teammates, and other women competing against them. Yes, it's great to be able to stand at the finish line with a trophy in your hand, but just as important are times like this that make me so proud to be part of this community.
Thank you, Laura, for reminding me what this sport is all about and thank you for helping one more girl reach her goals. You are truly the definition of an Iron Girl!
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The first few swim waves went off seemingly without a hitch. 5...4...3...2...1....AFLAC!!!
Next in line for the swim wave start were the ladies with the blue caps. I had a few friends in this wave so I made them smile for the camera and yelled words of encouragement to them. Then all of a sudden something seemed a little odd. What was going on right in front of me?
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Was this actually happening? Did a woman decide to quit the triathlon within minutes of her race? What happened to her? Did she somehow get injured during the swim? Had someone kicked her in the head and given her a concussion? I knew that could have been a real possibility. I had so many questions about what I was seeing and I was very curious about what was going on. Wait! There's my friend Laura and she is talking to her. Maybe they know each other. Maybe Laura will turn around and yell for a medic...but she's not. They are just talking. Okay, Laura must know her because now she is giving the woman a hug. Number 858 looks petrified! I really wish I could hear what was being said. Oh, wait, there she goes. She has started swimming again. WHAT JUST HAPPENED????
That evening I sat down on my computer and typed a note to Laura asking her about the situation and the story she told me brought tears to my eyes. You see, Laura didn't know this woman at all. Number 858 had started her swim and then decided she couldn't do it and started heading back to the start line to quit the race. Laura stopped her and gently reminded her that she had trained hard for this race and today she was going to become an IRON GIRL! Laura then proceeded to give her a big hug and briefly talked about the different strokes she could do to get to the finish. She pointed out the closest kayak which was there for safety and she encouraged the girl to just go do it! Number 858 turned around and began swimming freestyle. Of course, everyone that heard this story was interested in whether she had completed the race or not and, sure enough, she completed the race that day (in pretty good time) and became an IRON GIRL!
I am always amazed by the quality of people that I have met throughout my life and, in particular, the quality of people in my favorite sport of triathlon. Yes, it was a great accomplishment for number 858 to become an Iron Girl but I am so full of joy when I think of the compassion Laura had for this woman. When I think of an Iron Girl I think of someone that is more than a triathlete. I think of someone, like Laura and so many other female triathletes I know, who have a heart and a passion for this sport, their teammates, and other women competing against them. Yes, it's great to be able to stand at the finish line with a trophy in your hand, but just as important are times like this that make me so proud to be part of this community.
Thank you, Laura, for reminding me what this sport is all about and thank you for helping one more girl reach her goals. You are truly the definition of an Iron Girl!
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Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Off-season Triathlon Training!
Okay, I know it's not time for off-season training just yet but I've been inspired to write about it because I recently realized just how important it is.
It was last fall when I began training with my amazing coach - Laurie Bickart - and she got to see me at my best...right at the end of marathon training! YIKES! At the time I thought I was doing pretty well training on my own. Besides, I had been training on my own since 2002 so why would having a coach be any different? Well, I quickly found out just how different it was...and it was great!
After the marathon, I figured I was done for the triathlon season. I mean, the marathon wasn't even part of my tri plan so, in my mind, I was pretty much done before that. And, in Virginia just how many triathlons am I going to find in the middle of the winter? None. Nada! So, tri training was over.
What happened next threw me for a loop. I signed up for a CompuTrainer class over the winter. At first it wasn't fun for me because I was slower than EVERYONE on the bike. So, I was eating everyone's "virtual dust" all winter long. I went home every day a little bummed about how slow I was but during the workouts I would push it as hard as I possibly could...JUST TO KEEP UP with these speedy folks! I never got fast enough to "pass" them during the workouts but what I didn't realize was that with every workout I was getting stronger and stronger. Of course, my strength didn't show up until I was able to go outside to ride and climb hills that once were extremely hard for me and go distances I had never gone before. My average pace for 20 miles went from about 16 mph to about 19 mph and it all happened because I trained throughout the winter. If I had decided my training was over until the spring I would have been starting all over again and my pace probably would have been closer to 15 mph.
Running was my next big "ah ha" moment. I had always trained through the winter when I trained on my own but training with a coach was very different! Now, no matter what the temperature or weather, I was outside training and getting stronger moment by moment. I know all my improvement in running isn't just from off-season training but getting that extra "push" out the door was very beneficial. There were days it was so cold I could barely stand to be outside but my coach would always remind me that I was strong and this was just helping make me stronger. And, you know what? It did make me stronger. My previous 5k PR was 31:01 and this past July I ran a 5k in 29:08.
My swimming improved over the winter as well. I was able to drop my 100 yd swim time from 2:05 - 2:10 to 1:45 - 1:50. I KNOW my swim time would have suffered at the beginning of race season had I not trained throughout the winter. I notice a difference in my time if I don't swim for a week or two. I lose the endurance and the ability to breathe correctly! LOL
I don't say all of this to brag about my improvements because I surely have a long way to go but I mention this all to say how important I feel off-season training is. Ditch that name - it's "off-season RACING" I'm not racing during the winter but I sure am training. And, I feel by continuing on this path of training (when some athletes decide it's time to rest) puts me at a much bigger advantage for my next racing season!
This winter my focus is going to be about getting stronger. My coach leads some Crossfit/strength training classes and I need to push myself to be at every one of them. When I was routinely going to these classes I noticed a really good change happening to my body but, because my schedule has been conflicting with the classes recently I've had to miss many of them and my body sure does show it! So, Crossfit classes, Computrainer classes, swimming 2x/week like I have been, and running in the freezing cold weather will be on my agenda for this coming winter. And I'm hoping the improvements I make this year will be just as big as the ones I made last year because now I am "gently" being "guided" to never register in the Athena division again so Age Group here I come!!!
It was last fall when I began training with my amazing coach - Laurie Bickart - and she got to see me at my best...right at the end of marathon training! YIKES! At the time I thought I was doing pretty well training on my own. Besides, I had been training on my own since 2002 so why would having a coach be any different? Well, I quickly found out just how different it was...and it was great!
After the marathon, I figured I was done for the triathlon season. I mean, the marathon wasn't even part of my tri plan so, in my mind, I was pretty much done before that. And, in Virginia just how many triathlons am I going to find in the middle of the winter? None. Nada! So, tri training was over.
What happened next threw me for a loop. I signed up for a CompuTrainer class over the winter. At first it wasn't fun for me because I was slower than EVERYONE on the bike. So, I was eating everyone's "virtual dust" all winter long. I went home every day a little bummed about how slow I was but during the workouts I would push it as hard as I possibly could...JUST TO KEEP UP with these speedy folks! I never got fast enough to "pass" them during the workouts but what I didn't realize was that with every workout I was getting stronger and stronger. Of course, my strength didn't show up until I was able to go outside to ride and climb hills that once were extremely hard for me and go distances I had never gone before. My average pace for 20 miles went from about 16 mph to about 19 mph and it all happened because I trained throughout the winter. If I had decided my training was over until the spring I would have been starting all over again and my pace probably would have been closer to 15 mph.
Running was my next big "ah ha" moment. I had always trained through the winter when I trained on my own but training with a coach was very different! Now, no matter what the temperature or weather, I was outside training and getting stronger moment by moment. I know all my improvement in running isn't just from off-season training but getting that extra "push" out the door was very beneficial. There were days it was so cold I could barely stand to be outside but my coach would always remind me that I was strong and this was just helping make me stronger. And, you know what? It did make me stronger. My previous 5k PR was 31:01 and this past July I ran a 5k in 29:08.
My swimming improved over the winter as well. I was able to drop my 100 yd swim time from 2:05 - 2:10 to 1:45 - 1:50. I KNOW my swim time would have suffered at the beginning of race season had I not trained throughout the winter. I notice a difference in my time if I don't swim for a week or two. I lose the endurance and the ability to breathe correctly! LOL
I don't say all of this to brag about my improvements because I surely have a long way to go but I mention this all to say how important I feel off-season training is. Ditch that name - it's "off-season RACING" I'm not racing during the winter but I sure am training. And, I feel by continuing on this path of training (when some athletes decide it's time to rest) puts me at a much bigger advantage for my next racing season!
This winter my focus is going to be about getting stronger. My coach leads some Crossfit/strength training classes and I need to push myself to be at every one of them. When I was routinely going to these classes I noticed a really good change happening to my body but, because my schedule has been conflicting with the classes recently I've had to miss many of them and my body sure does show it! So, Crossfit classes, Computrainer classes, swimming 2x/week like I have been, and running in the freezing cold weather will be on my agenda for this coming winter. And I'm hoping the improvements I make this year will be just as big as the ones I made last year because now I am "gently" being "guided" to never register in the Athena division again so Age Group here I come!!!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Allen Stone Memorial Aquathlon (Run/Swim/Run)
Race: Allen Stone Memorial Aquathlon
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Race Type: Aquathlon (Run/Swim/Run)
Division: Athena
Time: 1:04:47 (4th place)
------------ --
Race Report:
Race morning
I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning with no rain!
The weather forecast was all about rain and I had dealt with rain at this race last year and didn't really want to do it again. I took a casual one-mile walk along the beach to the race venue from my timeshare while I dipped my toes in the water. It was so much better than the 65 degree ocean temps from last year. Yes, the race was also in July and also in VA Beach.
Once I made it to the race venue and set up my transition area I was off to get my whole body into the water. I guess I should have remembered that my gel was in my tri suit pocket before I got in the water! Oh well, it was going to be a short race. I'd be able to survive without the gel. Besides, I had a good breakfast and that should sustain me, right?
For such a small race this is a very well organized race. The pre-race events included the Navy parachute team called "Leap Frogs" parachuting down with the US Flag as the National Anthem was sung. It was a very moving experience and one I missed out on last year due to the weather. After that a C130 airplane flew at a very low altitude right over the ocean and then banked to the right to head out. So totally cool and a very patriotic way to begin a race dedicated to the life of a US Navy Seal.
Run: 1K: Approx 5 minutes
There is so much discussion these days about barefoot running and I'm totally on the "I need to wear shoes" side of the conversation. So, as I ran the first 1K on the beach...without shoes...I just had to laugh a little. I knew some of my friends would be proud!
I probably could have pushed the pace a little more on the first run but, quite honestly, I was a little scared about the swim after my somewhat failed attempt last year. So, I just used this run as more of a warm up.
Swim: 1K: Approx 25 min
I was very happy with my swim this year. I started out heading right toward the buoy (see pic - I'm the one in the yellow cap and black tri suit with the flower on the back just to the right of the buoy and just getting over the wave)
My goal this year was to try and keep the straightest line possible to the finish and I felt I did a pretty good job doing so. I noticed a lot of people were to my right throughout the entire race and I kept getting a little nervous thinking maybe I wasn't in the best line possible. But, every time I sighted the finish line I felt comfortable with my position so I kept on swimming my own line.
When I got near the finish I was really pleased with my swim and even more pleased when I looked at my watch to see I had beat last years time by over 30 minutes!
Transition: Too slow
I'm not sure my transition time but I do know it was too slow for what I had to do. I'm typically pretty speedy in transition but I was feeling a little light headed coming out of the water so I took it easy. This isn't the first time I've come out of the water feeling light headed so I need to investigate that a little more.
Run: 5K : Approx 32 minutes
I wasn't super thrilled with my time on this run because I know I can run a faster 5K than this but because of the light-headed feeling coming out of the water I didn't push myself too hard. I allowed myself to walk at the two water stations and when I got to the finish line I knew I still had some left that I could have pushed a little harder.
Post-Race:
As I mentioned before, this race is pretty well organized for such a small race. It was nice they had a rock-climbing wall, playground area, and, of course, the beach for the family to remain entertained during the race. During the results ceremony they had a chin-up competition where they gave out prizes to anyone who could do 15 chin ups. If I do this race again next year I'm going to have to work extra hard during my Crossfit workouts so I can get a prize next year! There was only one woman that even attempted it! I could have done ONE! Haha!
Summary and Lessons Learned:
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Race Type: Aquathlon (Run/Swim/Run)
Division: Athena
Time: 1:04:47 (4th place)
------------ --
Race Report:
Race morning
I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning with no rain!
The weather forecast was all about rain and I had dealt with rain at this race last year and didn't really want to do it again. I took a casual one-mile walk along the beach to the race venue from my timeshare while I dipped my toes in the water. It was so much better than the 65 degree ocean temps from last year. Yes, the race was also in July and also in VA Beach.
Once I made it to the race venue and set up my transition area I was off to get my whole body into the water. I guess I should have remembered that my gel was in my tri suit pocket before I got in the water! Oh well, it was going to be a short race. I'd be able to survive without the gel. Besides, I had a good breakfast and that should sustain me, right?
For such a small race this is a very well organized race. The pre-race events included the Navy parachute team called "Leap Frogs" parachuting down with the US Flag as the National Anthem was sung. It was a very moving experience and one I missed out on last year due to the weather. After that a C130 airplane flew at a very low altitude right over the ocean and then banked to the right to head out. So totally cool and a very patriotic way to begin a race dedicated to the life of a US Navy Seal.
Run: 1K: Approx 5 minutes
There is so much discussion these days about barefoot running and I'm totally on the "I need to wear shoes" side of the conversation. So, as I ran the first 1K on the beach...without shoes...I just had to laugh a little. I knew some of my friends would be proud!
I probably could have pushed the pace a little more on the first run but, quite honestly, I was a little scared about the swim after my somewhat failed attempt last year. So, I just used this run as more of a warm up.
Swim: 1K: Approx 25 min
I was very happy with my swim this year. I started out heading right toward the buoy (see pic - I'm the one in the yellow cap and black tri suit with the flower on the back just to the right of the buoy and just getting over the wave)
My goal this year was to try and keep the straightest line possible to the finish and I felt I did a pretty good job doing so. I noticed a lot of people were to my right throughout the entire race and I kept getting a little nervous thinking maybe I wasn't in the best line possible. But, every time I sighted the finish line I felt comfortable with my position so I kept on swimming my own line.
When I got near the finish I was really pleased with my swim and even more pleased when I looked at my watch to see I had beat last years time by over 30 minutes!
Transition: Too slow
I'm not sure my transition time but I do know it was too slow for what I had to do. I'm typically pretty speedy in transition but I was feeling a little light headed coming out of the water so I took it easy. This isn't the first time I've come out of the water feeling light headed so I need to investigate that a little more.
Run: 5K : Approx 32 minutes
I wasn't super thrilled with my time on this run because I know I can run a faster 5K than this but because of the light-headed feeling coming out of the water I didn't push myself too hard. I allowed myself to walk at the two water stations and when I got to the finish line I knew I still had some left that I could have pushed a little harder.
Post-Race:
As I mentioned before, this race is pretty well organized for such a small race. It was nice they had a rock-climbing wall, playground area, and, of course, the beach for the family to remain entertained during the race. During the results ceremony they had a chin-up competition where they gave out prizes to anyone who could do 15 chin ups. If I do this race again next year I'm going to have to work extra hard during my Crossfit workouts so I can get a prize next year! There was only one woman that even attempted it! I could have done ONE! Haha!
Summary and Lessons Learned:
- This is a pretty fast course with lots of fast racers there. The overall male finished in 39:12 and the overall female in 45:22. So, if I ever do this race again I need to remember that and remember to just KEEP MOVING. It's a RACE and I need to RACE it, not just get in a workout!
- Take the gel out of my pocket before getting into the ocean! Duh.
Time for another challenge
Challenges are always good for me. It always motivates me to motivate others. I'm currently motivating a friend to begin the "Couch to 5K" program for running and I enjoy it so much. Now I've thrown down a challenge to three friends: Leslie, Cherie & Becky to join me on my Paleo/Zone challenge.
The first 30 days I did this challenge were very successful. Not only did I drop a few dress sizes but I had more energy and was able to push my training harder and farther than I ever had before. I love that feeling.
So, I started the day out with my pre-workout snack: 1/2 Greek Yogurt (not really on the Paleo diet but I'm allowing it due to my training) and 3 cashews. My workout felt really bogged down but that just reminds me that my eating habits yesterday (not Paleo OR Zone) really are destroying all the hard work I'm doing in my training. When I got home from the pool I ate my breakfast: 2 eggs w/1/2 tsp olive oil too cook, 8 cashews, 1/2 cup blueberries, 12 grapes and the rest of my Greek yogurt.
WATER: Gotta have the water. I'm so bad about drinking water but it really helps a body in so many ways. I don't necessarily agree with everything on this website but I found an article about water that I think is beneficial for us all to read: http://www.mangosteen-natural-remedies.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html
Here's to another wonderful 30 days!
The first 30 days I did this challenge were very successful. Not only did I drop a few dress sizes but I had more energy and was able to push my training harder and farther than I ever had before. I love that feeling.
So, I started the day out with my pre-workout snack: 1/2 Greek Yogurt (not really on the Paleo diet but I'm allowing it due to my training) and 3 cashews. My workout felt really bogged down but that just reminds me that my eating habits yesterday (not Paleo OR Zone) really are destroying all the hard work I'm doing in my training. When I got home from the pool I ate my breakfast: 2 eggs w/1/2 tsp olive oil too cook, 8 cashews, 1/2 cup blueberries, 12 grapes and the rest of my Greek yogurt.
WATER: Gotta have the water. I'm so bad about drinking water but it really helps a body in so many ways. I don't necessarily agree with everything on this website but I found an article about water that I think is beneficial for us all to read: http://www.mangosteen-natural-remedies.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html
Here's to another wonderful 30 days!
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