Age Group Nationals Recap and Race Report

A little picture story :) (long version, but come on...this is Nats!)

Chapter 1: It Is The Time We Spend With Others That Matters Most

Vacation for me!!! Dave has not been to a triathlon with me in two years, so I forced him to come to this one and we had our own mini-vacation. Our day consisted of sleeping in late, eating, and shopping. I was a happy, happy girl.

My in-laws came in town from New Orleans and Birmingham to visit Dave and I. We ate dinner at Epiphany and enjoyed each other's company. I have wonderful in-laws and I know that I am very lucky. We always have a really, really good time together.

And here we go! Pre race...I was determined to get to the race early this time since I have been late and rushed to so many. I arrived at 5:30 am for an 8:03 wave start!

I met up with Kari briefly before the race. I was bummed we didn't get to hang out together more this weekend as we had planned to meet up after the race, but Dave was determined to get home to watch football. (I suddenly remember why he doesn't come to many races.... :)

Kari, by the way, got 5th in her age group and had a stellar run as usual. She passed me around mile 4, and I would like to tell Jen H. that Kari is not working hard enough out there. She passed me with a smile and was actually talking to me during the race like it was nothing. I think you need to work her over for that one. Hee hee!

Chapter 2: Swimming Backwards

On to my race. The little purple caps head to the swim. Fast forward 15 minutes or so and I am not smiling anymore. I knew I was having a bad swim, but I could not figure out why. I was all by myself as the entire rest of my age group was out of sight. Nothing was in sync...but I have been swimming specific workouts for this race...NAILING specific workouts for this race- so I just didn't get it. I used every technique, positive self talk, find feet, etc...but nothing was working. I was stinking it up out there and I knew it.

Sure enough, my worst swim. Ever. 30:47. While I am not known for swimming prowess, I am not know for swimming suckiness either. I don't remember exactly, but I was something like 41st place in my AG out of the water. And that is out of 55 people. Talk about disappointment.

Chapter 3: Where Preparation Meets Results

Nailed the bike. Everything fine there. It was an easy course, and it was not as hilly as everyone said it would be. As usual, my computer was not working so I didn't have a clue what my pace was, and for once a computer would have been nice to have since I did a 1:05:06 and maybe I would have known to push it a bit more at the end to break 1:05. A HR monitor would have been advantageous as well out there- I just don't really know if I am in and appropriate racing zone or if I am lollygagging. I had the 13th bike split in my AG- a small gift after a terrible swim.

I think the bike has been spot on for me this year. I started riding again in March and did absolutely NOTHING faster than easy aerobic with the exception of 3 races until the end of July. It paid off to start slow and get a base. So, I ended the year on an up note in the bike department, and I really think I can improve even more with a better base and some interval work.

Chapter 4: Yet Another 10k in 95 Degrees

I started the run and my legs were there! No excessive bike fatigue...I was happy. I had very conservative plans and goals. For one, I haven't run in an entire week and my knee comes #1 from now on no matter what. Secondly, I am running on average 15 miles a week (biggest week was 20 miles this year), with a long run of maybe 6-7 miles (10 has been the most and that was pushing it), so a 10k is still uncomfortable for me. I thought I could do a 48 on a good day and a 46-47 if everything was perfect. My baseline goal was sub 50. I am all about realism with the run.

I started out 7:40-7:45 for the first couple of miles which was spot on. The course was hilly and tough, but I knew that it leveled out for the last 2 miles. I felt good and in control. Around mile 3, however, I really started to feel the effects of the heat, which reached 95 in Tuscaloosa today.

I pushed as much as I could, but then two things happened. 1. My left hamstring started to cramp. I mean, it was ready to POP. and 2. I got the dreaded chills.... I went into conservation mode. I took water at every station, and realized a couple of miles too late that gatorade would have been a good choice as well. I shortened my stride to help my hamstring and literally took the last 2 miles 1/10 at at time. Unfortunately for me since I live and race in the South, heat is a limiter for me.

I was no longer racing, I was surviving. I had to stop chasing the girls in front of me and focus on getting home. My goal shifted to making it to the finish line without injuring my hamstring or walking if at all possible. I never had a chance to take advantage of the last 2 flat miles. (dern it :)

Chapter 5: The Finish...Always a Good Sight

As I neared the finish line, I knew that I had placed pretty far down in my age group so I just enjoyed the day for what I brought to me: a great experience. I did beat my sub 50 goal with a 49:19, which for me was a positive result given the last few miles. I finished 24th in my age group...barely in the top half, but there none-the-less. It has been a good come back year with lots of lessons and set-backs, but lots of progression as well. I am happy to be racing and have enjoyed this year completely. And it is Nationals....great competition and amazing athletes! I am impressed by you all!!!

Chapter 6: The Wrap Up

I had so much fun post race chatting it up with everyone. I met Anne-Marie from Pittsburg! She was great!

I also met Tracy from Seattle...placed 5th in 40-44 AG. We met in the bathroom line before the race discussing the heat, and she came up to me after the race and we had a few good laughs. We also talked family planning around triathlon...ha ha!!!

I had several girls come up to me and thank me, congratulate me, or just say hi overall from seeing me on the ride/run course and pushing them to work harder. These general friendly encounters make me love the sport even more.

Teammate Tom made me hide my beer for this picture. That cracked me up. How old am I? The IM training must be getting to his brain.

And my biggest supporter Dave with a big hug post race.

My rewards for both toeing the line and finishing Age Group Nationals 2010:

- A new pair of Kino's. (from Key West...if you don't know, you need to know).

- A pair of Drew Brees earrings. :)

- Time with friends and family

- Another weekend of fun, health, and good sportsmanship!

LOVE Friday night. I am not doing anything! Time to get a glass of wine, finish my Charlaine Harris book, and chill!

The knee is acting up- totally my fault. I tried to cram in too much fun all together. After one year of being so cautious, I had a week where I just enjoyed everything a little too much. A triathlon on Saturday :) Why not a 10k on Sunday? I will just run it for fun so I can get my finisher's garment.

The legs felt fine...but I think I underestimated the impact the hills had on my knees.
And while I did run the 10k for fun and felt great the whole time...it was the next day when I felt the damage, right?

I was easy on my body the next two days... I have learned something over the past 5 years about listening to my body. :)

But I haven't learned enough. Because I still stepped on that dern soccer field Wednesday. And wouldn't it be straight out of Alanis Morrissette's "Ironic" that some guy cleated me in the knee. Oh yea, baby. I mean- cleats straight in the knee.

I begrudgingly canceled my ride for tomorrow with my good riding buddy (he had the ride planned to a T!)...there will be other weekends. And without reservation told the soccer team I will not be there next week.

So this weekend looks to be a good one of rest, recuperation, and fun! I am sleeping in tomorrow and doing some fun things like getting a massage, going to Cooper Young Fest, and aqua jogging (just kidding, not fun).

Boo that I have to work on Sunday...but yea that I get to hang out with Kari and Alisha and some other fun new friends next weekend. I need to forewarn them that I have a horrible country accent. Just be prepared.

Here is to a happy weekend and to making my knee love me again!

Trail of Tears RR 9/11/10

Part Cherokee? The day before the Trail of Tears Triathlon I asked my papa if he could verify this genealogy, and he said he would work on it. So for now I am going to continue to state that I am of Native American descent in part. And the Indian gods did smile kindly on me yesterday, so maybe there is some truth in it after all...

The state park was gorgeous and the weather was good. I had a good swim and a slow T1 (boo!!!). I had some trouble getting on my bike and we were immediately hit with hill after hill. Around mile 4 on the bike I saw a girl in front of me and the race was suddenly on. I rode completely on feel since my bike computer stopped working, and I tried to find a place where I could benefit from all of my bike training- yet have the legs to run well too. I find that I do not use the bike computer much anyways except to see how many miles are left on the bike course. I don't think mph really matters- just ride, you know?

(early in the race a girl was upset because she had forgotten some power tap component and couldn't ride on power. I was like...COME ON- it is a sprint!! Just ride you butt off!!! Do you really need a power tap for 15 miles?)

Coming into T2, I had a feeling I was in first place. I had put some time on the next girl, but I didn't know how much time. For all I knew, she came into T2 right behind me. I had another slow T2- and as Dave pointed out, I need to work on that. Ha ha!!!

Bear with me- I literally JUST learned how to use my Garmin 5 minutes ago. I have never looked at my data or really cared. So I am starting to have some fun...

Now, I know I said that Nashville was the hardest run course I have ever done in a triathlon. (10k course- with some of the course missing since I forgot to push start for a while during the race).

I would like to retract that statement and replace it with "The Trail of Tears is the hardest run course I have ever encountered." It was a RELENTLESS 5k.

As usual- my goal for the run was not a time goal (and how could it be on this type of course?). My goal was to keep good form and get my butt up the hills with even effort. At the turnaround, I saw that I was indeed in first place with several minutes on the next girl.

I finished the race 1st OA Female and got some great goodies including 2 new Bontrager tires- the kind that I use! And a $50 gift certificate to a running store (already spent it). I even got some awards for fastest swim/bike/run splits! Like I said, the Trail of Tears liked me. Therefor it must be true that I am in part Cherokee from my papa's side of the family.
It has been really fun to see my run start to get stronger and less painful. I am enjoying running again because it doesn't hurt so dang much! I am getting encouraged to work a little harder, and I feel that I have developed so much more patience with running and triathlon. It doesn't happen overnight, you know? I am running slower than I would ultimately like to run in races, yet enjoying them more than many athletes that I see who get so upset when they have not improved xxx amount in y time.

So next up is AG Nats- looking forward to a great racing experience with some amazing athletes. What a great weekend of learning to come!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!!!

On the road again...

Michelle Bingham and I are going to the Trail of Tears triathlon. I have had my eye on this race for a while for no other reason than it is the Trail of Tears. Supposedly I have Cherokee Indian in me from my father's side, so I feel drawn to this race. I hope to feel a good connection with my inner spirit and life tomorrow. :)

These are pics from the last race with Michelle...loaded up...

Bright and early...time to race...
Whoo hoo! Done! Now wasn't that fun!

I am sure this weekend will be more of the same- fun!! I can't think of a single triathlon that has not just been a blast one way or another. I must have good friends :)

But heavy on my mind is Curt Arthur...a cycling accident has placed him in the ICU. His wife has been one of my best training partners as of late- so good in fact, she called me Thurs at 6:20am in the ambulance to tell me she would not be able to make our running drills session. She is dedicated, loyal, and a good friend. And so is Curt. They are my neighbors and friends...people that I see almost every single day. His condition is very serious right now, so please keep them both in your prayers. Every little prayer will help.

After a tough re-entry to soccer this week (previous post), I came across this post by Kara Goucher. I thought this was a very well-written post regarding Adam and his injury/surgery/retirement decisions and struggles. Ideally, we all want to be able to gradually leave our sport, but it doesn't happen that way for all of us.

I have had an enjoyable weekend thus far- the kind where I have not planned too much and have been able to relax. After a great bike ride this morning, I spent the day reading and napping. I know that I don't take enough time for myself to relax and rest. I told Dave today that I felt "tired." His response was that I am "always tired." I am!!! I am always tired!!! So I am giddy thinking about Sunday morning because I am sleeping in baby!!!!

And my Saturday night at home? LSU football with Dave and the doggies. Ughh that was a hard game to watch.

Look at little Cayenne pouting on the couch- she was mad because Rooney got in mommy's lap first.

The Emotional Athlete

After 6ish soccer games in 2 years, Dave signed me up for the fall co-ed season so we could spend more time together and spend our remaining soccer years together. Okay, so I could have said "yes" or "no", but instead I waffled and waivered....thus forcing him to make the decision. How convenient for me as I can now blame him if it doesn't work out. I am starting to understand how my own little brain works.

So far I dread going to the games and I am playing horribly. I know that playing poorly is a product of 1. lack of confidence, 2. no practice whatsoever 3. no lateral or cutting strength, and 4. swim/bike/run/work/stress/no sleep/let's try to fit in a soccer game at 10pm.

Do any of us expect to show up to a triathlon after 2.5 years of no swimming, biking or running and do well just because we did it for years? I mean, our bodies know what to do, but do it well? yet I expect that in soccer?

So then I stay up till midnight thinking about how poorly I played and feeling bad about myself, and say mean things about myself, and treat myself poorly. I decide that soccer is bad for my self-esteem. (instead of deciding to just practice a little bit).

And I am usually pretty cool to myself.

So, I have to wonder why my self-esteem is so easily influenced by soccer anyways? I think many athletes could probably identify with this. Why do I choose to like myself less or think less of myself as a person because at age 32, post 2 x injury and life changes, I don't play as well as I did at age 25?

And Dave reminds me that we are out there to spend time together. And I have such great responses such as "but I suck so it isn't fun and more verbal garbage...." And me, me, me, ego, ego ego. Boy I am such a gem of a wife sometimes.

Do you guys have a sport that makes you an emotional athlete?

I don't carry this much emotional baggage around with triathlon. (thank goodness- let's keep it that way).

The funniest part about it is- for the past 2 games, I have fallen asleep at midnight and had to jump out of bed the next morning at 5am for the speed work sessions with "Team Cowden". I have been so mad at the soccer games and at myself, that I have run my best 4 x 1 mile repeats and 6 x 800 repeats in 2 years. All on pure frustration. I never knew that pissing myself off could translate into athletic gains.

So to make up for being such an egotistical jerk of a soccer playing wife, I made dinner tonight and I am going to show up to the next game ready to rock or suck- but not be a downer.