Jellyfish and Pancakes- My First Sprint Tri

This morning at 8:05 I took off in the Atlantic Ocean to compete in my first Sprint Triathlon. The weather was perfect. My nerves were fairly calm and I was ready to race.... that was until I spotted my first jellyfish!

The sprint was on Staten Island and arrived in plenty of time with SWF and M and we met the other TNT members there. First we went through body marking (bib number and age). Then we set up our transition areas - sneakers, bike shoes, gels, helmet, sunglasses and extra water. Then the race director held a meeting to go over the swim - 1/4 mile, bike - 3, 4 mile loops, run - 5k along the boardwalk. Around 500 people took part in the race.

We got into our wetsuits and headed down to the water. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be racing in the Atlantic. It was exciting. I went into the water to warm up a bit and right away saw a jellyfish. Two teammates got me to come in a bit further despite fear of being stung. I got used to the water and after the first wave took off we headed out to a buoy to wait for the start of our swim. I'm so glad I practiced in Coney Island last weekend so I knew what to expect. The one mile swim this week also helped. But I still hate swimming distances in salt water. My swim was not so great but I did it and got through. I know I used way too much energy- I was not nice and relaxed as I should have been. I'm not sure if it was the waves, all of the people beside me or just the anxiety of my first tri- but I didn't swim as well I should have. From the swim we jogged across the beach, stripped out of our wetsuits and headed into the transition area to get our bikes. The bike was the one part I was really looking forward to- but it was so boring! It reminded me of the bike races I went to last summer but it was boooorrrring. Three 4 mile loops along a closed off 4 lane road. I did ok the first lap, my next two were just mediocre- not as strong as I would have liked to have been but I felt good. Back to the transition and into my sneakers for the 5k. I ran back out of transition and saw SWF cheering us on... it made me smile to see her (and her belly) - it was just the encouragement I needed for the last leg of the race. I'm so thankful she came to the race! The 5k seemed so much longer than it actually was. Maybe because my legs felt like jelly. Or maybe because half of it was on the boardwalk. Whatever it is, I felt exhausted. But I had enough energy in me (thanks to the vanilla bean gu) to push through and finish in 1:34:28!!! I wanted to do the race in just around an hour 30, so I was more than happy to finish in this time and even more happy to eat a stack of pancakes after the race! Yes pancakes. Lots of them. This race has awesome food including fabulous bagels and swedish fish. We hung out and ate our breakfasts and then headed back to the city via bike, subway, ferry... it was a great morning, a great race and I feel (almost) ready for the Tri on the 20th!

The Snake Swim Part Deux!

Last night we did the timed 1 mile swim. Similar to the 3/4 swim we did the snake in and out of all 8 lanes across the 50 m pool. I didn't know what a good time would be for me, I just wanted to do it in under 40 minutes and I hoped to do better than last time. If you remember, on the 3/4 swim, I did terrible- though my time was decent my breathing was off and I didn't think I'd make it. Last night, my swim was easy and relaxed and I could have kept going and going. My breathing stayed consistent- every 4th stroke - and except for my lame-o kick, I did just fine. 38.10 minutes in all. I would have liked to have been a bit faster but I'm happy that my endurance has improved so dramatically over the last month. Most people say that their 1 miler in the pool was around 40 and then on race day 20 or so because of the fast moving current. So if the current works in my favor on july 20, I'll be a happy wannabe triathlete. My new Aqua Sphere goggles rock! This was the first swim I've had where I didn't have to stop and adjust them. I'm so happy to have found a good pair!
In the locker room a number of us were talking about the difficulties in finding tri gear for women. Women with curves that is. It seems that if you have boobs, tri tops just don't fit. Most brands put these ridiculous modesty bras under the tri tops. if you are already wearing a sports bra, a modesty top just rides up and offers no support. Maybe one of these days the athletic gear companies will get it right- or all of us will band together to create comfortable gear that fits right, looks good and is supportive!

Tuesday nights run was about 6.5 miles. We did the finish of the NYC Tri a number of times. Up the east side, over the 72nd transverse and down and around to the finish. THen back up the East drive to 85th street and down to the finish again and again. It is great to train on the actual race course... now I'll know whats coming when i have those last few exhausting miles to go....

Jellyfish Beware!

This Saturday I'm racing in the Flat as a Pancake Staten Island Sprint Tri. I've been looking forward to the race for awhile as a way to help prepare for the NYC TRi. However I just found out that last year a number of racers were stung by jellyfish. I guess the average person might not worry about this but with stuff like this I worry. My allergies are pretty broad and include everything from tomatoes and shellfish to fire ants. I've gone into shock twice from being bitten by fire ants. So the thought of being stung by a jellyfish makes me wonder if this sprint tri is the right thing to do. I emailed my coaches and called the race director. Who does that? Who actually calls the race director? I do! His name is Joe and he couldn't have been nicer. He explained that he moved the race up an entire month because of the jellyfish and the number of people who were stung last year. Turns out late july and early august are jellyfish season in the Atlantic- not june. He assured me that in wet suit I'd be fine, hopefully. Hopefully. I tried to do some research online about jellyfish and exactly when they come to the shore here but I haven't found much. SWF is on the case. Coach Mike suggested checking the waters out the day of the race to see how things are or just skipping the race and concentrating on the NYC Tri. I thought about maybe switching to the Duathlon instead of the Tri. All of this and I don't even know if I'm allergic to a jellyfish sting- but the fear of dying from my allergies is too real to ignore. Anyone know anything about jellyfish? Advice wanted, please!

The Philly Tri

Congrats to the fabulous SWF's sisters Rebeccah and Laurel
who just won 1st and 3rd place in the Philly Tri this morning. Bec and Laurel are amazing pro athletes. It is incredibly inspirational to follow their careers! Congrats!!! You can read more about them here.

Mermaids, Salt Water and Dogs

Yesterday we headed to Coney Island for our open water swim. Up by 5:45 at the train by 6:30 at the beach by 7:20 in the water by 8:00. The coaches spit us up into three groups and I headed down to the water with the intermediate group. Halfway through the swim I realized I should have gone to basic. Though I can swim. I'm not that advanced at swimming in the ocean. Growing up along the Mississippi didn't really help me in this arena. When I do go to the ocean, I play in the water and jump waves- I don't do serious swimming- let alone for an hour in water. So in Basic they went over getting used to the water in your wet suit- oh well... I figured it all out the hard way! After Coach Scott gave us instructions we lubed up, slipped into our wet suits and ran into the water. We did triangle swims. Another coach in a pink swim cap acted as a buoy. We swam out and around her then back and parallel to the shore- again and again and again. Swimming out against the waves wasn't terrible- but my goggles came loose, salt water leaked in and burned my eyes. It went up my nose and down my mouth. My underarms were rubbing against the wet suit and it hurt- my neck started to chafe. Basically, i was miserable but I kept going and going. I lost my buddy L but quickly acquired a new one who was swimming at my pathetic pace. Knowing that the swim in the Hudson isn't salt water and the current will be with us - not against us is calming my nerves. But one I emerged from the water, stripping out of my wet suit as we ran up to the beach, I thought WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING!! The swim freaked me out- not because I thought I would drown but because it was hard and made me worry if I can actually pull this whole thing off. We quicky switched gears, put on sneakers and ran up to the boardwalk for a 4-5 mile run. The run was ok but I was tired.... at least I had something tasty to look forward to. That's right- Nathan's Hot Dogs! A few of us stayed to enjoy some delicious dogs and cheese fries at the landmark Nathans! I passed on the 11 am beer but I did greatly enjoy our morning lunch! Snapped a few quick pics of Mermaids turning out for the parade and then headed back to the City. It was a good, hard morning. A few of the mentors reassured me that it took them a few swims to get used to the open water- its far different from swimming in Lake Plantagenet, that's for sure.

After a stop at the Green Market in Union Square, I headed to jack rabbit to get a new pair of goggles- mine are super cool looking but they just aren't working. I also got a new pair of shoes! Yup, went to the podiatrist to have my black toe checked out. Turns out I need half a size bigger shoe than what I've been wearing. Hopefully my new shoes will stop by toe from causing me pain.

Today I hoped to go for a long ride but the pending rain, the race in the park and my lack of sleep made me think twice. Instead I went for a spin class at CP with Drill Sargent D. The class was hard- an hour and 30 minutes long - and D doesn't let up. I kinda think I got a better workout in the class than I would have on my bike- But I need to get some time in on the Contessa. So I'll get up tomorrow morning to go for a ride... I'm starting to get nervous about next weekend's Sprint Tri in Staten Island.
I feel a little discouraged this week. My body doesn't feel so sore as much as it feels tired. I know I'm doing this just to finish but I want to do my very best- and yesterday was not my best.
4 weeks until race day...

The Wet Suit Swim!

Tonight was our first wet suit swim... When the express train stopped for twenty minutes and just sat on the tracks on my way to practice, I got a bit nervous that I wouldn't make it. Once the subway moved, I hopped out and jumped on a local train up to 137th and ran right into one of my campers from my last summer at camp! Of course she already knew all about my Tri Training from my Facebook page... scary...

I made it to practice with just enough time to get my wet suit on and realize I had forgotten to pack a towel. No body glide allowed in the pool but it wasn't that bad to squeeze into the suit- I practiced last night! The wet suit is fine- my only issue is how tight it feels around my neck. I'm sure it fits the way it should, but i have a thing about having anything around my neck. I hate turtlenecks, I don't wear choker necklaces, I tie scarves very loose- I hate feeling suffocated. I know this is fear exists becausee of the number of times I've gone into anaphylaxis shock from my allergies. Having something around my neck makes me think about my throat closing. The fear of it all is so fresh and so vivid that just having the wet suit around my neck freaks me out. That's why I'm so glad I was able to practice swimming in it tonight before the open water swim on Saturday in Coney Island. I feel more relaxed now after tonight's practice.

We swam for 50 minutes in the wet suit and ten minutes without it. I could feel my body glide in the water. I felt the stretch as I moved side to side. It was fantastic- though my 2-beat kick still needs work. My endurance has picked up and so I moved from one of the slower lanes to the second to the fastest!

All of this brings back memories of my childhood summers spent on the swim team. I started when I was 4. I've always been a swimmer, I guess. At camp one year, M and I did the lake swim - so I have done open water before! I guess though, when you are out of practice for as many years as I have been, it takes awhile for the endurance to come back. Swimming is second nature, I am an Aquarius after all.

T

Blue Toe

Last night I debated between pilates and spinning and thought maybe i should take it easy so went for pilates. I was bored. So very bored throughout the class. I thought I wasn't doing anything. Then all day at work I could feel it in my core. As I sit here and type tonight i can feel my poor sore abs. I guess the boring class actually was a good workout!

Tonight's GTS was a 4.5, 6 or 7 mile run through the park. I went for the full loop- 6 miles. It was a great run but I'm realizing I'm not pushing myself as hard as I can or should. I've found great running buddies but I run with them and talk and run at their pace...i know I can run faster now. So next time I need to push myself harder. This is my third time running the 6 mile loop and it feels great. I'm starting to spot landmarks that will help me make it through the course on race day. Its all becoming familiar... but as race day approaches, I'm getting more and more nervous.

I'm starting to become more concerned for second toe on my left foot. The nail fell off after it turned black and blue. The pain went away but now its back and more of the nail bed is black and blue. I've researched "black nail" as it is called and it is common with runners... but OUCH! I think i need to see a doctor..... arghh!

Off to try on wetsuit...

The Brick Take 2

I never thought I'd be that person to take all of this stuff so seriously but I'm actually loving all of this- including the 6 day workouts. It makes me happy and seeing how i am improving and getting more and more ready for the big day is rewarding.
Tuesday's run in the park was difficult. NYC was in the middle of a heat wave and running in the park was the last thing I wanted to do. The coaches changed the workout when we all arrived. Instead of running hills on the West side, we just ran the lower loop of the park so we could stay close in case anyone passed out from the heat! So after one loop I felt clammy and hot and cold and miserable and wanted to go inside. Coach S pushed me to keep going, just one more loop, and so I did. Then when I returned, Coach J looked at me and said go inside but again Coach S pushed me and said just up to 72nd, I'll run with you- and so I did. I finished and I was beyond a mess of sweat. I felt disgusting and sick and so very gross but happy that I pushed myself and extremely relieved that I didn't pass out. Coach J felt bad and apologized that I had to keep going- I actually thought it was funny.

Wednesday night was a great swim... though my 2 beat kick needs major help. I am noticing that I have more endurance now than when I first started. I can swim the whole hour of practice without really getting tired. I swam again Friday, hoping to nail the kick, which I didn't.

Yesterday was my second brick. 5 mile ride to practice, a quick 5 minute run, a 1 hour and 15 minute ride in the park followed by a 4.5 mile run and then a 5 mile ride back home. I thought my legs would feel like bricks after the ride but my run was fine and I probably should have pushed myself to do the extra mile. I am starting to pick up my pace and finished in a good time. Now, I really do think I can do this- all of the pieces are starting to fall into place. i've mastered sucking down gu -which I've decided is only meant for running- not for while you are on the bike. I still need to work on which gears I should be in while climbing hills and then coming back down.
My legs were sore this morning and so I skipped my planned ride. I'm listening to my body and while I push myself, I don't want to hurt myself!

All in all it was a great week despite the ridiculous heat!
The amazingly talented MO designed an awesome tee for all of my friends and family to wear at the race. 5 weeks and counting....

Women Power! 6000 Strong

This morning was the New York Road Runner's Woman's Mini. A 10k WOMEN ONLY run through Central Park. I met MN downtown and we headed up to meet SWF in the park around 8 am. I was able to sleep about 10 minutes longer than my usual Saturday morning wake-up call. The amazing SWF is 30 weeks pregnant! I joked that she was carrying the only guy in the race! The comments she received all morning were fantastic- from you are beautiful to congrats to be careful! SWF is a runner- she's been running and competing for years and I like to think of her as my personal tri coach so being able to do this run with her this morning was great. MN is a swimmer and is extremely athletic. I was the short one trying to keep up with the tall girls and their long legs!It was hot. HOT! Hot! HOT! I slowed down on the hill around 102nd. I don't mind- as long as I go at consistent pace and finish, I'm happy! I learned that getting water at these runs is hard- there were so many people walking around the water stations it was hard to get around them. They had hoses pouring water down onto us as we ran- anything to cool off is great. The race was fun and while I would have liked to have run a bit faster than my 10:42 pace, I'm just happy I finished! My final time was 1:06:34 or something close to that. I'm glad my first NYRR race was a Woman's Race- it was like Lilith Fair! You Go Girl!

The Snake Swim

Last night's swim... Well, I survived. It was a timed 3/4 mile swim. My goal going into the swim was to do it under 30 minutes. When we got into the water, I was hoping for a warm up. Instead we started the swim right after one of the coaches demonstrated putting on a wetsuit-- body glide is the key. The coaches had us all get into the far left lane of the pool. There must have been 100 of us crammed into the front- I started to get nervous. Coach J said GO and we filed down one 50 meter lane, under the rope and up the next. In a snake we moved across the pool and back again and again. Three times in all. My relaxed, strong stroke diminished after three full lengths. Swimming in the tight crowd felt claustrophobic. I got kicked and slapped. A tall man well over 6'6" swam near me in a spastic motion that made me stop, tread water and figure out how to maneuver around him. I swam under him, praying I wouldn't get punched by his uncontrollable arms and legs that moved in a sideways motion. My every third stroke breathing turned into breathing every other stroke. I felt like everything I learned over the course of training went out the window as I just tried to finish the swim. Towards the end my body started to relax and I found a rhythm. I thought my swim was terrible - but when I heard that I did it in 29 minutes I felt relieved! Most people I have talked to said the 1 mile swim on race day took them around 24 minutes because of the strong current. So the fact that I just swam for 29 minutes straight (and survived) makes me feel like I can do this. I wish I had been in town for the .5 mile swim. I think it would have helped had I gotten some practice in then and wasn't completely new to the snake last night. After the swim we did twenty push-ups. My body was so tired I walked to the locker room without my towel and flip flops! I just laughed- and I keep laughing at myself. This whole thing is so funny to me- I still can't believe I'm doing it but after each practice I believe in myself a bit more and know that I can. MS said she was one of only 3 people who finished the basic swim. I think everyone in intermediate finished- i admit i thought about stopping - but I wouldn't let myself. Now I have the 1 mile Snake Swim to look forward to -- and the open water swim in wet suits!

Happy Birthday Grandma Marjorie Jeanne!

the Drink

I'm starting to question the Endurox recovery drink mix I bought last week. This article
makes me question using it even more. Do I really need a recovery drink after I ride, run or swim? Should I be drinking more accelerade during my workouts?!

The Run

Last night's GTS was the Run Course of the Tri. We started at 59th Street and ran up the West side of the park, over the Harlem Hills, around the park and down the east side. The final stretch was across the 72nd Transverse and back down the West side to 59th. 6.2 miles! This was my first time doing the run and it felt good. Instead of adding in two extra hills, I continued on and just ran the course. I'll do the hills next week- I wanted to know that I could do this course as running is my "weakest link." I also ran with my inhaler for the first time- it made a huge difference. I felt more comfortable having it with me as I ran through the thick, pollen-filled air in the park.
It was a good run- my right knee has a bit of an ache and my back feels stiff- but other than that, I'm ready for another run!

Tri Academy

My Dad just pointed out this article
in the NY Times Magazine about a Triathlon Academy. It sounds like complete hell - sign me up! I'm not sure if I'd be into anyone of these sports just on their own- at least not running. It really is the combination of the three that interests me. The challenge of figuring out how to do each one at my maximum performance is what is keeping me going--- and in shape!

The BRick!

Yesterday was my first Group Brick. A 1 Mile Run followed by a 1 hour Ride in the park followed by another 3 mile run. Only I biked to practice - 5 miles each way. So my day, which began at 6:30 am, was a bike-run-bike-run-bike! The bike was fine- but those Harlem Hills still get me. I slow down so much trying to get over them, I know I'm losing time. I also didn't pay enough attention to my cadence as I should while I cycled through the park. The park was a zoo - there was some 5k run, CRCA bike races and hundreds of tourists who cross the road in packs and don't pay attention where they are going. I spent too much time dodging in and out of the obstacle course. But it was a good ride and while I had a pretty quick transition onto my bike I kept a good time and was one of the first back to run. When I returned to the transition area and put my sneakers on and started to run, I thought my legs were going to collapse beneath me. The lower half of my body felt like jelly. I started to laugh at his crazy feeling i was experiencing but I just kept going. Everyone in the group had funny smiles on their faces and we cheered each other on. Three out and backs. 1 Down, 2 to go. 2 down, 1 to go- I pushed myself to finish and my legs started to regain feeling by the end. My overall time was good and though I was cursing myself, questioning why I ever got into this, I was happy when I finished or that I could finish!

I expected to be sore today but I actually feel great and am about to go for an hour run before brunch. I'm starting to get nervous about the tri- I can't believe I'm actually doing this but the more I train the more I realize it's a mental game. With the three different legs of the race, I can count down- after the swim I'll be 1/3 finished with the race! When I run I'll only have a few miles to go. I can do this. I hope I can do this! I will do this!