Getting Close

We're a little over 3 weeks out from the American Triple T. I still don't even know what Triple T stands for. There are 4 races, so...

Training is mostly getting done. My run is fairly slow and not very high in mileage. But I'm injury free which is the most important. Biking has been solid. And my swim is meh, but I'm not too worried about it. 

This weekend we have our first race, the Beaverdam Olympic distance which will be sandwiched in between a lot of training. Marty is even making me not only run again after the race, but that evening I'm supposed to do another short bike and run! Aiyiyiyi. Almost done.

I went up to Boston for a quick trip to see some good friend's Jimmy & Alysia.  I've been to Boston a few times now and there is no debate that it's a really awesome city. BUT. The weather! They had one nice day (Friday) before it was back in the chilly, windy 50's. Even with the relatively mild winter they had my friends said it just goes on too long. I seriously don't know how people do it.

We had a great time, though, and hit a lot of great places since the city is so walkable. Their apartment is basically above the Boston Massacre so they are in a prime location to see this great (cold) city.

First stop when I flew in was the oldest bar in America

Took a trip through Chinatown

Drank a cold Sam Adams while viewing a cold Sam Adams (Sam Adams grave is the green one behind me in the distance). Har Dee Har Har.

Skype session with Logan

Marty and Logan kept very busy: 4 parties, 1 5K (which Marty won!) and Logan's race

Logan's still having a great time doing the Healthy Kids Series. He believes that he has to wear a tank top when he races.

Plugging Along

Post Tobacco Road half bomb I took some downtime with my running. I didn't run for 7 days and then did two very short (verrrry easy) 20min'ers the following week and everything seemed close to 100%. This past week I ran easy and short and all systems seem to be go and I'll resume a more normal schedule next week. Biking is coming along nicely; I've definitely done more long rides than I probably ever have in prep for anything.  I've done a few 50+ milers, then on Easter a group of us went out in search of hills (in the cool rain, dangit) and got in 62 miles.  The following Thursday, I took a day off work and went with Carrie and Heather for a 69 miler. Feeling good!

We've had Marty's mom in town for the past week which has relieved us of full on parent duty 24-7 and we've been able to do some workouts together. I even got to Fast Friday masters which I never get to do unless we have family in town.  Next week, my mom comes in and my sister flies in with her baby the following. I'm looking forward to more family time and more help :) Marty and I might even fit in a real date or two.

Logan and Marty came to my work for lunch when he was off school for Good Friday and we ran into the Easter bunny. Which he was scared of until he realized she had candy.

Logan and his best buddy Isaac before the town Easter egg hunt

Blowing bubbles on our back deck

A cold wet day for a bike ride. Getting it done.

A beautiful day for 69 miles. We rode on Christian Chapel Church Road, where we found none other than Christian Chapel Christian Church. Only in North Carolina. Where we love everyone, just like Jesus. Unless your gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender :/

Tobacco Road Half Marathon

Unfortunately, this went a lot worse than expected.  I knew I wasn’t going to have a fast time, as I hadn’t been training fast for this distance, but I was fairly confident that I’d be in the 1:33 – 1:35 range depending on the day.  Spoiler alert, ended up in 1:39 with some pitiful walking and a very hurt quad.

I had certainly done plenty of long runs this winter, as well as harder shorter workouts every Thursday. I’ve been consistent with core work and my training in general, so it’s really incredibly frustrating to have a day like that.  I didn’t feel good at the beginning, but that’s not something to really worry about. But it never got better and my legs just hurt.  You know how some days you have one of those runs that you can’t explain, but you just don’t feel good? Unfortunately, I had to have that day at the race.  Had it been anything other than a race, I would’ve more than likely pulled the plug early because my legs just felt awful.  But it was an out and back so I had to get home somehow.  At mile 10 my upper quad felt like it had a knife in it.  It huuuuuuurt.  I walked a bit but walking is so freaking slow that I just told myself to jog because I would get done quicker.  I have no idea why this happened and after talking to my sister (who’s a PT) she said it might be my TFL or hip flexor. Hopefully, just a mild strain and no big deal that a little rest should take care of.  It’s a strange pain – I can walk pretty okay, but that evening in the car when I tried to put the parking brake on (it’s on the left side closer to the pedals) I literally could not lift my leg and pull it back to do it.  So whatever I did is in a very specific place.

I’m super disappointed and definitely feel like what is the point of all this training and nonsense. Or maybe my body is literally saying, how many different ways do I need to tell you that you are not equipped for long distance? 

But enough of that. Good things:

• Friends, friends, friends. Going to the race, at the starting line, cheering on the way back in, and post race funnies.

• Carrie killing it with a 13min pr

• Seeing Marty and Logan at mile 5ish and 8ish. 

• Signs on the course that helped: Nobody died of sore legs (huh, wanna bet?). You call this suffering? (alright. True, I’m humbled)

Feeling terrible but happy to see my crew. A bad day running isn't the worst thing in the world.

Is this thing on?

Oh HELLLLLLO out there! This blog has been neglected. With the other social media arenas it has gone to the wayside (like many other blogs that used to update frequently!) But alas, I figured I'd update the 1 or 2 readers out there - we are all doing great here in NC!

November: Marty's birthday, Thanksgiving, good times
December: Logan turned 4, family came in for Christmas, it was warm, and we had lots of fun
January: more serious training started, work got crazy busy, did the Occoneechee Speedway Relay again
February: consistent training has turned into feeling like this American Triple T race might actually be doable when it rolls around in May

Marty and I have been rotating through babysitters, friends, and each other to get our training in.  But we've been getting it in, nonetheless. My dear friend, Carrie, has been by my side through most of it and it has been much more enjoyable because of that.  First race up is the Tobacco Road half marathon on March 13 - I use the term race very loosely because although I'm feeling good and strong, there is no speed (at least in the way of long distance speed) in these legs at the moment.  I can easily run 13.1 miles, but it will not be very fast. Which is cool, as what we're training for is not meant to be fast.

What are we training for? The American Triple T which is an iron-distance over the course of 3 days with 4 different races.  Basically - Friday evening: super sprint, Saturday morning: Olympic distance, Saturday evening: Olympic distance, Sunday morning: half iron. Marty and I signed up as a team which means that we both do all the races, but the last two we could draft.

Except. The race organization recently decided to do away with the team concept. Which totally sucks, in my opinion, to change something like that fairly close to the race, way after people have signed up and have begun training. They have had the 'team category' for years and years at this race. So I'm not happy about this sudden change (it seems like making this change either should've been done WAY earlier, or for next years race). Anyways, we're still going to do it together, but obviously not draft.

Feeling fit not fast. Having fun and eating lots.  Logan is the best dessert buddy ever.

Not running and running

All summer I had been dealing with what was probably a little bit of Achilles tendonitis, but had been managing it pretty well.  After the Wilmington YMCA and another hard workout that week, my leg/foot decided it was time for me to take a break.  Not totally surprising as my right calf area always seems to give in before anything else. I think I also wore a little too many flip flops this summer that didn’t have enough support (I neeeeeeeeed support) as well as not using a better insole in my running shoes.  Live and learn, again. I should know better.  So this all lead to me taking some down time with my running. Since I couldn’t run, I went to the pool more than normal and ended up swimming sort of decently at our last open water race and got third overall in the series. Which meant a SWIMMING TROPHY!!! My first ever. But don’t overthink this too much since Marty is the race director and we bought the trophies using our tiny profit margin.  Soooo.

While I may not have been running, Logan was and he too won a trophy! At the end of his 4 race series (in the age-group Pre-K, 50 yard dashers) he finished 2^nd.  I don’t think he totally ever understood exactly WHY he won a trophy, as seen by this picture.   

But we were excited for him. And here he is excited with his series medal with his best girl, Jade. 

I have figured out the strategy for these races, in case you’re wondering. First, if you’re 4 years old, you have a very clear advantage over the rest of the kids who are usually just 3.  Also, if you can get started running right after the announcer says, “GO!” (as opposed to several seconds later) AND run in a straight line (extremely hard for these kids to do) then you will do well.

I have also started running again and man, it’s so unfair how quickly fitness goes. But at least our weather is nice. 

Logan's Race Report!

Logan did the Healthy Kids Running Series this past spring and had a great time. His age division (Pre-K and under) runs a 50 yard dash.  In the spring, he was one of the youngest and was last or close to last in every race – but he loved it! He said he definitely wanted to do it again for their fall series and this past Sunday was the first race.

We got there early to pick up his number and t-shirt.  As luck would have it, he was given #95 which is also Lightening McQueen’s number!! O.M.G.

He decided to a do some ‘hanging from the bar’ stretching.

Then some dynamic stretching with his girl, Jade.

Cheering the big boys on in the 1 mile run.

Time to line up and do a little visualization.

The competition looked fierce today.

Focused on the finish line.

Oh, Hiiiiiii JADE!!!!!

Really, he’s just in it for the juice and pretty girls.

He ended up 2nd in this race because the kid in front of him decided to stop at his mommy (and the first place kid was in the wrong race). Podium!!!

Wilmington YMCA Race Report

The weekend after the Battle at Buckhorn (Labor Day weekend) was spent in the mountains just west of Asheville with the Hughston’s.  Super fun hanging with this family. Then Logan and I had a quick turnaround the next week when we flew down to Florida Thursday evening to visit my mom through Sunday.  Also very fun. But these back to back travels prompted me to say to Marty early last week, “I’m totally okay with bagging the Wilmington trip.” Work has been busy; life has been busy; blah blah blah we’re all busy, right? 

One or both of us has done the Wilmington YMCA sprint triathlon almost every year since we moved to North Carolina. It’s a popular late season race which draws a good crowd and is usually pretty competitive.  Marty raced last year while I sat it out and spectated with Logan, so we switched this year.  We stayed with our friends at their beach shack and in the end it was decided that I would just go over by myself as the 7:00 am start would mean a very early morning for Marty & Logan. Particularly since we got there late and Logan was up way, way past his normal bedtime.

I didn’t forget my transition bag this time.

The lines for check-in were long. I wasn’t rushed, but I also didn’t have any extra dilly-dally time.  I got my transition set up and jogged the mile down to the swim start for a warmup. I ran into Ali finally, and we got in for a swim warmup before lining up and off we went.

I felt good on the swim (no wetsuit, much to my chagrin).  It seemed like I was holding a strong pace although I did have some trouble sighting with my goggles getting extremely fogged up.  The swim is point to point and the buoys are just guides – you can pick whatever line you want to get to the exit.  I could see a pack a little ahead of me almost the entire time but was never able to bridge up.  I climbed up the ladder and tried to run quick to T1 – the run is long and painful on the feet but in years past I’ve been able to make up a good chunk of time here and I believe I did again this year.

I caught up to two girls in T1 and we started the bike together.  The one girl put a little distance on me and stayed ahead the entire time. I was glad she was there as I didn’t feel particularly great on the bike but she kept me focused on keeping her in sight.  It seemed we kept passing all these young girls in Speedo’s – so much for my good swim, I thought at the time. I’m not usually this far back! Towards the end of the bike we passed what ended up being the last Speedo girl as we all came in together and the crowd cheered us as the first females. My bike ended up pretty good – there was a strong wind out there but I averaged 23mph which is awesome for me. And as always, I forget that in a sprint, you never actually feel good. If you feel good, you’re probably doing it wrong.

Marty surprised me and made it out for most of the race!

I found out later that all the Speedo girls were part of Queens University which is one of three colleges in the country that has an NCAA triathlon team as an emerging sport. These girls are the real deal and have a bit of scholarship money to compete in triathlons with a great coach and facilities.  This is so awesome that they get this opportunity! Hopefully, we’ll see more colleges take advantage of this although we all know how expensive this sport is and obviously is probably cost prohibitive by many universities.

Anyways, I exited T2 in 3^rd (I always take extra time to put on socks, yeah, whatevs. I don’t like dealing with blisters the next week). I passed 2^nd fairly quick and 1^st was about 10-15 yards up.  I just wasn’t making up any ground and was mentally losing it a bit.  Then I just tried to shut my brain off and run (although I admittedly wasn’t running very fast, at least she wasn’t gaining any ground on me). On the far back stretch it seemed like I was making up a teeny tiny bit and I gave myself a pep talk about not being a wuss and don’t let your season end with you not at least trying. I committed to finding another gear at the 2 mile mark and passed her just after the last water station.  That last mile was tough! I really had to work to keep it together and stay strong. I crossed the finish line 14 seconds ahead of second, who turned out to be 18 (half my age! Ooof.)

Leaving T2 in 3rd

Wow, that hurt!

When talking to Ali on the cooldown I commented, “you know, I don’t think I was actually great at anything, but overall it worked out” to which she responded, “yeah, that’s kind of the point of this sport.” Duh, hahaha. It's funny because I know I often look at results and think, oh who had the fastest run split, or whatever split, of which I had none, but I DID have the fastest triathlon split :)