After so many months the day came for our last team work out before the race. This day had taunted & tortured me on the schedule for almost the whole time. Seeing 2 mile ocean swim had me worried from day one. I knew there was no way I could ever do that. It was too scary, too far, too hard.
All those concerns recently went away. After diligently practicing & working on ocean swimming when the dat approached I was ready (at least ready to give it my best effort with zero fear). I was excited & looking forward to it...until...my cove swim the day before.
I literally got sea sick swimming! This definitely made me worry. Swimming 2 miles with nausea & vomiting was a challenge I was NOT ready to deal with! The team met up & coach explained that the point was to go further then the race distance but all the way would be from La Jolla Shores to the cove get out of water at cove stand on the shore & then back. I got my swim buddy/buddies & after coach gave a moving inspirational mission moment we took off. It was very hard to swim in a straight line for some reason. The water was flat calm & visibility was 40 feet maybe more. I could see the bottom the entire swim almost. The cove seemed so far away! & it didn't get closer very fast! I kept my head down & just kept swimming, knowing that was the only way I was gonna get there. Once we got into the cove it was familiar water. I got into shore stood up & high fived anyone that was near. I was ready to head back! Let's do this! I hurried my swim buddies in the water & we headed back on a much straighter course. I was pleasantly surprised the swim was easier then I thought. The ocean was so calm. About 1/4 mile into the swim back my elbows started to get sore & my neck. I chose to ignore it there was nothing I could do. I just kept thinking of my brother & telling him I was swimming across the ocean for him.
La Jolla shores got closer & closer & the realization that I was going to finish this almost made me cry! I got out if the water & I did cry! I felt so proud that I did it. Even more though I was so proud of myself for the work I put in to be ready for this! It almost felt better then finishing a race (I hope finishing Lavaman feels this good! It's been a few days & I'm still soaring from the accomplishment! Once I finished this swim I REALLY felt like I can do anything AND I felt ready for Lavaman!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Race #6 of 2012
March 18, 2012 not even 3 months into the year & on race 6 WOW who am I?
SuperSeal sprint was my first tri of the year. This race is put on by the navy seals but organized by Koz events. As a volunteer with Koz I get to do the race for free ( the sprint there is also an Olympic distance option ). I signed up for this pre TNT/Lavaman & figured a sprint 2 weeks out was a good warm up, heck I did a sprint last weekend for practice! Part of our TNT team did train for the super seal long course for their race instead of Hawaii. I was excited to do the sprint knowing my team was going to be out there too.
Everything that was planned slowly changed. The weather forecast called for rain. A friend suggested rain would make the bike dangerous & i should consider dropping out. After talking with coaches, that was suggested & I listened. As the race got closer organizers said rain would cancel the swim because of contamination. Then race morning when the storm was actually here everything changed!
Since I was not racing I committed to being on the cheer squad. I even made signs at work the night before. (I think I've come a long way that I fought being part of a team & now was so willing to be involved). I literally didn't sleep the night before like I was doing the race! It was all very exciting even knowing I was just supporting the team. When I got down to the race around 5:30am when transition was supposed to open...it was empty. I walked up to hear he announcement that the bike was also cancelled. A plan for a run was being made. I found the team & hung out behind the truck they where gathered behind to be out of the storm. This was literally the gnarliest storm I think I have experienced in San Diego! It was so windy! I don't usually stand out on the beach in weather like this so it's hard to say if it was actually the worst in history! The sand from the beach was literally flying in our mouth & eyes if you walked close to the beach. There was little rain for the time we were there. It was COLD! Luckily since I was in race mode night before I even laid out my clothes in anticipation of being out in he weather/cold. I didn't feel cold for a very long time. It was a long long wait for the race director to announce a 5k run would be mapped out. Some of our teammates decided not to do the run but most stayed. All of the cheer squad stayed. Most everyone headed inside their cars or the nearby hotel to wait. Some of us hung around outside.
When the route was ready & the race started there was probably about 60-100 participants in the sprint wave. Most our teammates decided to run with that wave to end the wait! We watched them take off then headed out to the finish line.
Our group WAS the finish line! We lined the finish shoot that was blown over by wind & looked like a war zone. Cheered every runner in! It was a lot of fun. It was windy, rainy, cold & FUN!!! After the sprint wave the olympic wave went off. We had a few teammates that missed the sprint start & were in this wave. Coach was every where checking on everyone's status & lived up to his Mother hen nickname! He called over to he finish line said our last teammate was headed on the last part of the beach. Everyone headed over met up with him & ran him in. It was a great moment. It meant a lot to me to experience how the team shows up & supports each other. Afterwards everyone did breakfast, mimosas etc at the hotel.
4th event was GREAT! Good food, warm & dry, lots of laughs & celebration. Our super seal teammates were the heros!
SuperSeal sprint was my first tri of the year. This race is put on by the navy seals but organized by Koz events. As a volunteer with Koz I get to do the race for free ( the sprint there is also an Olympic distance option ). I signed up for this pre TNT/Lavaman & figured a sprint 2 weeks out was a good warm up, heck I did a sprint last weekend for practice! Part of our TNT team did train for the super seal long course for their race instead of Hawaii. I was excited to do the sprint knowing my team was going to be out there too.
Everything that was planned slowly changed. The weather forecast called for rain. A friend suggested rain would make the bike dangerous & i should consider dropping out. After talking with coaches, that was suggested & I listened. As the race got closer organizers said rain would cancel the swim because of contamination. Then race morning when the storm was actually here everything changed!
Since I was not racing I committed to being on the cheer squad. I even made signs at work the night before. (I think I've come a long way that I fought being part of a team & now was so willing to be involved). I literally didn't sleep the night before like I was doing the race! It was all very exciting even knowing I was just supporting the team. When I got down to the race around 5:30am when transition was supposed to open...it was empty. I walked up to hear he announcement that the bike was also cancelled. A plan for a run was being made. I found the team & hung out behind the truck they where gathered behind to be out of the storm. This was literally the gnarliest storm I think I have experienced in San Diego! It was so windy! I don't usually stand out on the beach in weather like this so it's hard to say if it was actually the worst in history! The sand from the beach was literally flying in our mouth & eyes if you walked close to the beach. There was little rain for the time we were there. It was COLD! Luckily since I was in race mode night before I even laid out my clothes in anticipation of being out in he weather/cold. I didn't feel cold for a very long time. It was a long long wait for the race director to announce a 5k run would be mapped out. Some of our teammates decided not to do the run but most stayed. All of the cheer squad stayed. Most everyone headed inside their cars or the nearby hotel to wait. Some of us hung around outside.
When the route was ready & the race started there was probably about 60-100 participants in the sprint wave. Most our teammates decided to run with that wave to end the wait! We watched them take off then headed out to the finish line.
Our group WAS the finish line! We lined the finish shoot that was blown over by wind & looked like a war zone. Cheered every runner in! It was a lot of fun. It was windy, rainy, cold & FUN!!! After the sprint wave the olympic wave went off. We had a few teammates that missed the sprint start & were in this wave. Coach was every where checking on everyone's status & lived up to his Mother hen nickname! He called over to he finish line said our last teammate was headed on the last part of the beach. Everyone headed over met up with him & ran him in. It was a great moment. It meant a lot to me to experience how the team shows up & supports each other. Afterwards everyone did breakfast, mimosas etc at the hotel.
4th event was GREAT! Good food, warm & dry, lots of laughs & celebration. Our super seal teammates were the heros!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Taken out in the prime of my life...
Ok so maybe I'm not in the prime of my life ummm maybe I am...what does that even mean? What it meant to me this week was I was sick & being melodramatic (who me?!?!) & whined to my cousin that exact phrase.
I felt like I smashed last weekend! Practice tri, 1/2 marathon & ocean swim I didn't finish first at any of them BUT I did it all.
Come Monday my BODY felt smashed! I felt like I had done it all. In tri-Kate style I planned (note MY plan) to take Monday off (honestly cause I had my kids so 5:30am work out was not an option anyway). I rested took care of my son who was sick & got ready for a week of more training!
Now we learn God's plan. Tuesday I got up & was driving to the gym at 5:30am I got maybe 1/2 mile from my home when a queasy feeling struck me. Ok normally I would keep going...did I finally listen to that still small voice that said don't go you are sick YES! The thought crossed my mind maybe my son had not eaten some bad food & had a stomach bug that I could possibly have. Going to the gym with my lovely work out buddies touching weights, mats, bosu balls, machines etc would spread this everywhere! Well thank God (literally) I listened. I spent 2 days IN BED! No joke 2 full days laid up. All I could stomach was jello, applesauce & saltines. & that hurt my belly as it was. I was so weak & sleepy. I slept more in 2 days then I probably do in a normal week.
Isn't that how God works? He knows me so well the only way to get me to rest is to take me out in the prime of my life.
In the end I took mon-thur off. I missed sand intervals, a bike ride. I made it to Friday morning cove swim. I felt 99% & really had to get out there to try my sleeveless wetsuit that I want to use for Lavaman. It was freezing!!!! I mean this was an especially cold day for the cove anyway. It took some time for everything to finally numb & then it turned out to be a great swim. I hate admitting that swimming in the ocean has become as refreshing to me as a good long run...it's almost up there with fishing or being out on the water. Wait change that...I don't hate to admit that-I said I was going to work at this until I was good at it. Well I did I put in so much time at Ventura cove & la jolla shores & the cove! I did this I put my faith in God that he wouldn't let me fail (or die) and did my part & there you go.
I'm back in the prime of my life :)
I felt like I smashed last weekend! Practice tri, 1/2 marathon & ocean swim I didn't finish first at any of them BUT I did it all.
Come Monday my BODY felt smashed! I felt like I had done it all. In tri-Kate style I planned (note MY plan) to take Monday off (honestly cause I had my kids so 5:30am work out was not an option anyway). I rested took care of my son who was sick & got ready for a week of more training!
Now we learn God's plan. Tuesday I got up & was driving to the gym at 5:30am I got maybe 1/2 mile from my home when a queasy feeling struck me. Ok normally I would keep going...did I finally listen to that still small voice that said don't go you are sick YES! The thought crossed my mind maybe my son had not eaten some bad food & had a stomach bug that I could possibly have. Going to the gym with my lovely work out buddies touching weights, mats, bosu balls, machines etc would spread this everywhere! Well thank God (literally) I listened. I spent 2 days IN BED! No joke 2 full days laid up. All I could stomach was jello, applesauce & saltines. & that hurt my belly as it was. I was so weak & sleepy. I slept more in 2 days then I probably do in a normal week.
Isn't that how God works? He knows me so well the only way to get me to rest is to take me out in the prime of my life.
In the end I took mon-thur off. I missed sand intervals, a bike ride. I made it to Friday morning cove swim. I felt 99% & really had to get out there to try my sleeveless wetsuit that I want to use for Lavaman. It was freezing!!!! I mean this was an especially cold day for the cove anyway. It took some time for everything to finally numb & then it turned out to be a great swim. I hate admitting that swimming in the ocean has become as refreshing to me as a good long run...it's almost up there with fishing or being out on the water. Wait change that...I don't hate to admit that-I said I was going to work at this until I was good at it. Well I did I put in so much time at Ventura cove & la jolla shores & the cove! I did this I put my faith in God that he wouldn't let me fail (or die) and did my part & there you go.
I'm back in the prime of my life :)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Race #5 of 2012
If I had listed my race schedule at beginning of 2012 I think there was like 12 races. Now I think there is more like 16??? The tinkerbell 1/2 was an add on, as was the 5k I did with my kiddos, Vineman was a moment of insanity added to the mix, the really big free marathon in the fall as well! Depending how my week goes we may do a 5k this Friday too!
This race WAS planned, very exciting & lived up to my expectations! The San Diego 1/2 marathon at Petco park was an inaugural race that I got into cheap! I had a bunch of friends signed up to do this race which always adds to the fun! Sadly a few dropped out of the race for various reasons. There was still lots of familiar faces!
The best part for me was getting to run with Elizabeth! We had done races together but always had other peeps to run with. This time it wasn't planned but there we were at the start line together. I honestly thought I could keep pace with her (she is super fast!) I loved running with her & kept up for almost the first three miles. I'm pretty sure with the right amount of salt, GU, ultima & water I could of held on to her pace a lot longer BUT...s#*t happens. In my case literally :( I HAD to make a pit stop before mile 3!! This has never happened to me during a race! I have an iron bladder & never stop to pee. In this case there was no option. & there was no way that chick was waiting (I don't blame her it's every girl or herself on race day). I took care of business & got back in the race. Something like that can be a mental block cause it's all you think about until you take care of it! So one I got going again I could focus! I had done my practice tri day before & totally felt sluggish on this run. The next 3 miles went pretty smooth-I like when there is lots of turns. When I got to mile 6 I decided to go with the intervals I had set up on my run app. I had abandoned the idea of doing intervals when the run with E option presented itself but she was long gone & I was fading fast. The interval was 3 minutes run 1 minute walk. I have to say LOVED IT! I was able to rest & recover on that minute & then push hard for the 3min. What was most amazing is even run/walking I was keeping up with the same people. When I walked they passed me when I ran I passed them so it just sort of evened out. The race was COMPLETELY FLAT except for mile 9-10. I had mentally prepped myself for THE HILL but I didn't plan the massive blister I got at mile 8.5 :( I did my best to ignore it cause let's face it, nothing I could do right now about it. The hill was tough & I consider myself a fan of hills! This was unending & got steeper the further up. The one sign said gut check...oh yes it was! Once to the top of the hill it was all flat & then the last 2 miles were downhill! As I ran through the neighborhood I saw two of my TNT teammates :) it was unexpected but very cool to have a go Katie shouted for me! Also unexpected was when I got right down to the end the opening of the finish tunnel my kids were there!!!!! All the races I always want them there & it's just not always possible but this time they were. I regret not stopping for a split second for hugs & kisses & a pic! I was so close & sprinting to the finish I just waved excitedly as I passed. The finish really was epic as promised. Running into the ball field with the announcer & people cheering! The military personal passing out medals. I loved this race! I wish I had done it on fresh legs but in the beginning I thought I would have to back out. I knew there was no way I was going to do a sprint tri and a 1/2 marathon all in the same weekend! Turns out I could do it AND ended up doing an open water swim later the same day with team. People call me nuts I say I'm determined. If my body is going to let me I say let's tri!
Now day after race whole other story! I was definitely done. I figured a dat of rest & good to go. That was until my stomach decided to have the flu :(
My next race is either the add on 5k Friday or a sprint tri this Sunday. I have to bounce back! I didn't plan on tapering before the weekend but my body planned different. & I'm listening
This race WAS planned, very exciting & lived up to my expectations! The San Diego 1/2 marathon at Petco park was an inaugural race that I got into cheap! I had a bunch of friends signed up to do this race which always adds to the fun! Sadly a few dropped out of the race for various reasons. There was still lots of familiar faces!
The best part for me was getting to run with Elizabeth! We had done races together but always had other peeps to run with. This time it wasn't planned but there we were at the start line together. I honestly thought I could keep pace with her (she is super fast!) I loved running with her & kept up for almost the first three miles. I'm pretty sure with the right amount of salt, GU, ultima & water I could of held on to her pace a lot longer BUT...s#*t happens. In my case literally :( I HAD to make a pit stop before mile 3!! This has never happened to me during a race! I have an iron bladder & never stop to pee. In this case there was no option. & there was no way that chick was waiting (I don't blame her it's every girl or herself on race day). I took care of business & got back in the race. Something like that can be a mental block cause it's all you think about until you take care of it! So one I got going again I could focus! I had done my practice tri day before & totally felt sluggish on this run. The next 3 miles went pretty smooth-I like when there is lots of turns. When I got to mile 6 I decided to go with the intervals I had set up on my run app. I had abandoned the idea of doing intervals when the run with E option presented itself but she was long gone & I was fading fast. The interval was 3 minutes run 1 minute walk. I have to say LOVED IT! I was able to rest & recover on that minute & then push hard for the 3min. What was most amazing is even run/walking I was keeping up with the same people. When I walked they passed me when I ran I passed them so it just sort of evened out. The race was COMPLETELY FLAT except for mile 9-10. I had mentally prepped myself for THE HILL but I didn't plan the massive blister I got at mile 8.5 :( I did my best to ignore it cause let's face it, nothing I could do right now about it. The hill was tough & I consider myself a fan of hills! This was unending & got steeper the further up. The one sign said gut check...oh yes it was! Once to the top of the hill it was all flat & then the last 2 miles were downhill! As I ran through the neighborhood I saw two of my TNT teammates :) it was unexpected but very cool to have a go Katie shouted for me! Also unexpected was when I got right down to the end the opening of the finish tunnel my kids were there!!!!! All the races I always want them there & it's just not always possible but this time they were. I regret not stopping for a split second for hugs & kisses & a pic! I was so close & sprinting to the finish I just waved excitedly as I passed. The finish really was epic as promised. Running into the ball field with the announcer & people cheering! The military personal passing out medals. I loved this race! I wish I had done it on fresh legs but in the beginning I thought I would have to back out. I knew there was no way I was going to do a sprint tri and a 1/2 marathon all in the same weekend! Turns out I could do it AND ended up doing an open water swim later the same day with team. People call me nuts I say I'm determined. If my body is going to let me I say let's tri!
Now day after race whole other story! I was definitely done. I figured a dat of rest & good to go. That was until my stomach decided to have the flu :(
My next race is either the add on 5k Friday or a sprint tri this Sunday. I have to bounce back! I didn't plan on tapering before the weekend but my body planned different. & I'm listening
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Return to moonlight beach
Two weeks ago I made my return to Moonlight Beach. This was the site of my dreaded second attempt of ocean swimming. I was so scared to get in the water there. We met there for our transition practice. This involved setting up just like it was a race with our transition then going through each change. We got in the water just enough to get wet really and do some diving under the surf. Then we ran up switched into our bike gear and biked just around the parking lot. Changed into our run gear and ran a loop around the lot. Then coach went over what he saw and we repeated. The waves were definitely NOT small but since it wasn't about getting out past them or doing an actual swim I handled it alright. The transition practice was very good to run through. I have to say I did not enjoy getting back into my wetsuit the second time! This program with TNT is so good and thorough, it IS so important to do all this stuff and practice. Makes me feel so much more confident about race day. Coach took a long time going over everything so by the time we were done with that it was 11. Team was going to ride out on a bike run brick, repeat thing. I ended up leaving as I had a very important 1 year olds birthday to celebrate!
This weekend we went back to Moonlight Beach for our practice triathlon. This is something I have seen on the schedule and been very worried about. Knowing I was actually going to have to get out at Moonlight and swim. If there was waves like when I first attempted to get out there I don't know that I could have done it. I was worrying over this at breakfast with my teammates and coaches Friday morning. No one ever seems to worry about me except for me!! How lucky am I that these coaches really do care and are so giving. I got a message later from one of my coaches telling me I did not need to worry. He said they would never send us out there if it was actually not safe, for a second. That I am a great swimmer and I just needed to have confidence. I replied what I think I am capable of and what he thinks I am capable of are two different things. He said that is why he is the coach. He said stop thinking let us do the thinking for you. HAHA that was perfect advice for me. I decided not to think and to just do it. Plus he used the word amazing to descibe me and how can I not agree.
SO back to moonlight beach. We were doing a practice tri BUT in my opinion doing a sprint distance triathlon, with a start time, being timed, complete run through is doing an actual triathlon! The swim would be 600 yards (I think), bike 12 miles and run 3.1 miles. Everyone set up transition as we would on race day. We had to start on time today because it was being treated as race day would-the gun goes off at 7:30. That being the case I sort of hoped we would skip the announcements and what not at the beginning. It was once again my chance to give the mission moment. This was not the case...I was up. Not only was I going to share but the mentor added todays practice would be in honor of my brother. I know I got up and said a lot of something but honestly don't remember. I know I said most everything I meant to. It ended up being sort of surreal cause in my head I was trying to hold myself together but my words where still coming out. Afterwards a lot of people thanked me during practice and after. I am surprised I held it together so well and was able to be ready to do practice after.
I felt pretty good about my transition set up. I was super nervous about the swim until I got a text on the way there stating that moonlight beach was totally flat. WHAT?!?!?! OK that seriously doesnt happen. I got there and went and took a peek. It was true there was virtually no waves to speak of. I was happy for the sake of doing this tri but also thinking this does not count towards me conquering this beach.
OK so everyone is ready we go down to beach and warm up in the water...uh well it was called a warm up BUT the water was ice cold freezing. I do not know that we have been in water this cold throughout training. I convinced myself that getting out and getting back in would feel so much better. We got out took our team photo and the "gun" went off.
I felt like I had a good swim. I never really stopped except when I got kicked pretty hard in the face and someone literally swam over me. It seemed far but doable. Before I knew it I had made the final turn and was headed in. YAY that is the best feeling being headed towards the shore. Then I stood up on dry land YES! The worst part is over...except for the giant ramp we have to run up to the bikes. Got up to transition made my switch into bike stuff and took off. MY FEET WERE FROZEN! You know when it is so cold it is painful...like that! I really gave the bike all I had. I was pushing so hard. I really had no worries about the cars, pedestrians, hills, lights, etc etc. Everything I had been afraid of in the past was not an issue. (pays to not think huh). I dont know my time yet exactly on the bike but I think it was under 50 minutes. Switched to the run and my feet were STILL frozen! YIKES (Next time we met up coach tells us we gotta bring hot water and defrost our feet-he said that is why he has us always do that its meant for race day).
The run was so hard, I had given my all on the bike I was worn out for the run. I am interested to see my time. It always seems to surprise me how fast my time is when I feel so slow.
I hit the finish line feeling good about the effort I put in and how everything went. I walked back to find my friend and run in with her :) Then breakfast with the team rounded out a good morning.
a blogging tri...
Catching up on everything feels like I am facing a triathlon in itself. I think it is a good thing that I am working so hard and keeping busy training (along with my busy life) that I am just too tired to write all this. I would do it at work BUT sadly work has been BUSY as well!!!
So I am going to focus on some of the highlights:
La Jolla shores swim 2/25
This was a big deal for me because it was really the first time I got out in the ocean and had a really good long non stop swim. I had been out to La Jolla shores twice the week before and worked on my surf entry. Out in the water though I was working with swim buddies and it was a swim and wait sort of deal. It was eye opening to be out in the water with people who were equally not as comfortable as me and I had to sort of suck it up and be the calm collected one.
When we went out on Sunday I got out past the surf (the scary part) and just went for it. I was definitely one of the slowest (no surprise) but I felt like I was doing SO WELL. Coach G came by on the kayak and I think was also thinking the same thing. He said I was flying along and my stroke looked very balanced. I have no clue how far we swam out and back but I felt good about my distance, my endurance and my calmness. It was one of those moments where I felt like putting in the time and effort had paid off.
Iron Mountain Brick-
I remember when we got the schedule for the season and looking 18-20 weeks in and seeing things like 50 mile bike ride and 30 mile iron mountain brick. I thought there is NO WAY I am going to be able to do this stuff. It seemed so impossible and so much bigger then anything I knew myself capable of. I went to my cousins house to sleep over before the iron mountain brick because she lived close and I could sleep a little late :) PLUS extra time with my best friend not a bad thing!!! We ate some dinner and went to bed. I was so tired from fishing with my kids that day I went right to sleep. Unfortunately that was also when my killer headache began :( It continued through the night and I woke up in serious pain. I was so determined to do this work out as coach had said over and over this was his favorite work out and the hardest work out. It would be harder then our actual race. I felt like if I did this work out AND I had done that killer 50 miler I would feel ready for Lavaman.
Waking up with a headache was not what I had visualized. I didn't want to go. Then I decided to go and just not do the workout. Then I got some coffee which seemed to help and some tylenol/advil. Sadly after two sips of coffee I spilled the dang thing (I have been dealing with the smell from that ever since). I did start to feel a little better and decided to do the first part of the ride which would total 12 miles and climb iron mountain (6 miles). Once on the road my headache returned with a vengeance I stopped and rested which helped. I got to the 12 miles and was coaxed to go further. What would of been 15 miles round trip. Once there I was reminded that I wanted to finish this brick AND was TOLD that I would go all the way. I figured if it was race day I would not of backed out. I had stopped a bunch of times on the ride which I would of NOT done so much if I had known I was going to go all the way but it was done. Now I had to get up iron mountain. I still felt crummy but decided to get to the "T" where my friend was volunteering for SAG and turn around 1.5 miles (3 total). I also decided to give it my all and run. Well after 30 mile bike ride it was like a trot. I got the the 1.5 and saw my awesome friend. Right then the SAG people at the top said on the walkie talkie that the last people were headed down & so were they. I think he saw the look of disappointment I had. He said do you want to go? I said tell them I will head up until I reach them and then head back down. I got almost all the way to the top. I ran most of it too. I definitely ran down the mountain (carefully though-took a nasty spill there before). I think I was headache free at some point or I had so much adrenaline going I didn't notice anymore. Coach ran by me on my way up said "how do you like this work out" I said "I hate it" He said GOOD! I am glad I did it. I am proud that I pushed through my pain. I would totally go back and do this one again. I am such a gluten for torture I guess!
So I am going to focus on some of the highlights:
La Jolla shores swim 2/25
This was a big deal for me because it was really the first time I got out in the ocean and had a really good long non stop swim. I had been out to La Jolla shores twice the week before and worked on my surf entry. Out in the water though I was working with swim buddies and it was a swim and wait sort of deal. It was eye opening to be out in the water with people who were equally not as comfortable as me and I had to sort of suck it up and be the calm collected one.
When we went out on Sunday I got out past the surf (the scary part) and just went for it. I was definitely one of the slowest (no surprise) but I felt like I was doing SO WELL. Coach G came by on the kayak and I think was also thinking the same thing. He said I was flying along and my stroke looked very balanced. I have no clue how far we swam out and back but I felt good about my distance, my endurance and my calmness. It was one of those moments where I felt like putting in the time and effort had paid off.
Iron Mountain Brick-
I remember when we got the schedule for the season and looking 18-20 weeks in and seeing things like 50 mile bike ride and 30 mile iron mountain brick. I thought there is NO WAY I am going to be able to do this stuff. It seemed so impossible and so much bigger then anything I knew myself capable of. I went to my cousins house to sleep over before the iron mountain brick because she lived close and I could sleep a little late :) PLUS extra time with my best friend not a bad thing!!! We ate some dinner and went to bed. I was so tired from fishing with my kids that day I went right to sleep. Unfortunately that was also when my killer headache began :( It continued through the night and I woke up in serious pain. I was so determined to do this work out as coach had said over and over this was his favorite work out and the hardest work out. It would be harder then our actual race. I felt like if I did this work out AND I had done that killer 50 miler I would feel ready for Lavaman.
Waking up with a headache was not what I had visualized. I didn't want to go. Then I decided to go and just not do the workout. Then I got some coffee which seemed to help and some tylenol/advil. Sadly after two sips of coffee I spilled the dang thing (I have been dealing with the smell from that ever since). I did start to feel a little better and decided to do the first part of the ride which would total 12 miles and climb iron mountain (6 miles). Once on the road my headache returned with a vengeance I stopped and rested which helped. I got to the 12 miles and was coaxed to go further. What would of been 15 miles round trip. Once there I was reminded that I wanted to finish this brick AND was TOLD that I would go all the way. I figured if it was race day I would not of backed out. I had stopped a bunch of times on the ride which I would of NOT done so much if I had known I was going to go all the way but it was done. Now I had to get up iron mountain. I still felt crummy but decided to get to the "T" where my friend was volunteering for SAG and turn around 1.5 miles (3 total). I also decided to give it my all and run. Well after 30 mile bike ride it was like a trot. I got the the 1.5 and saw my awesome friend. Right then the SAG people at the top said on the walkie talkie that the last people were headed down & so were they. I think he saw the look of disappointment I had. He said do you want to go? I said tell them I will head up until I reach them and then head back down. I got almost all the way to the top. I ran most of it too. I definitely ran down the mountain (carefully though-took a nasty spill there before). I think I was headache free at some point or I had so much adrenaline going I didn't notice anymore. Coach ran by me on my way up said "how do you like this work out" I said "I hate it" He said GOOD! I am glad I did it. I am proud that I pushed through my pain. I would totally go back and do this one again. I am such a gluten for torture I guess!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Training...
I'm too exhausted to blog but training its going awesome! Will caffeinate & catch up soon
:)
:)
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