Week 16

Hello! RACE WEEK!

First of all, I hadn't done a triathlon in over a year. Last year was a disaster for races, so I was pretty pumped about getting back into it.

Before my race report, the weekly mileage...very short version.

Weekly totals:

3000 yard swim, 123 mile bike (7 hours), 19.6 mile run (2 hours 50 min), TRX x2 I didn't really taper as you can see. I basically did the 2 day taper and had some good training days. Can't back off mileage too much. Check out that run...hell yah. Ironman Timberman 70.3 Well, I went up early to Franklin NH Friday (the race wasn't till Sunday) to chill at a lake house up there. We were fortunate enough to crash at such an awesome place. We got there kind of late-ish drank some beers ate some food then passed out (hey I was tired from work).    It was extra nice to have a day to just chill before racing.  We all woke up at around 8am and jumped in the lake for a short swim.  The water was refreshing and perfect. Although honestly I JUST unpacked and my bathing suit smells nasty. I'm not sure what was actually in that lake, but whatever. It was good at the time. We made a ton of bacon, some awesome burritos, and then headed to check in. I said goodbye to my bike (maybe literally, im not sure) and headed back to chill at the house. Wake up time= 4am. Basically you don't sleep much before doing a triathlon.  The weather was awesome.  Couldn't ask for anything better.  The water temp ended up being 72, which meant wetsuit legal. I hate my wetsuit, but hey if everyone else is going to wear one I will too. I successfully went to the bathroom 3 times before actually getting ready to put the wetsuit on.  The 3rd time being the clutch. I felt like a million bucks. Well, I started out kind of not so well.  I bought a new tri suit that was...well BROKEN. the zipper was missing a piece. So, I went ghetto...and safety pinned the damn thing so I wouldn't be running around with a busted open tri suit (although that would have maybe been bad ass).  We walked over towards the start (my wave was 20 min after the first).  I listened to the national anthem and peed in my wetsuit. I took in a ton of liquids that morning...what can i say. First thing first...the SWIM.  I have managed to sort of swim these last 3 months, but not really. once a week....sometimes. I made sure to get a sweet spot for the start because well I was going to kick everyone's ass (in my head at least).  The swim started out shallow. Most people made the mistake of walking/trying to run through the shallow-ness. I watched the pros and copied them by doing dolphin dives (pushing off the bottom like a freakin dolphin of course). I quickly pulled away FAST from the wave....with only one girl by me.  I drafted her for a bit until I lost sight of her.  The swim was fine...I managed to not hit ANYONE or get kicked.  I just kind of did my own thing. I saw tons of different colored caps everywhere.  Ended up 2nd out of the water in my age group 29 min. Ok, wet suit strippers time. love that.

The BIKE. Lucky for me, I came up a month or so ago and rode the course. So, I had somewhat of an idea what I was in for.....HILLS HILLS HILLS at the beginning...a nice slight down hill with rollers ...then back. It was a tough course, but I loved it. At one point I was worried I was going too quick for my own good...but I just kept at it best I could while the old men passed me with their 2000 dollar loud zip wheels.  whatever. haha. I took in only 2 bottles of liquid (one water, one very concentrated electrolyte bottle), 3 gu's and some chomps. I was surprised I took NOTHING from aide stations. In fact, I felt like I had to pee a bit on the bike (theme of the race)...weird right? I am actually hydrated! Ended up going 3 hours 2 min on bike...ave 18.4 mph. Baller. 56 miles didn't feel nearly as long the first time i did this in RI.

The RUN. I am super weird. I LOVE running after biking. In fact, I prefer that "heaviness" feeling.  I tend to get a little too overly excited though.  Felt great......................at the beginning. Going with my theme of needing to pee, i was way too stubborn to stop to actually go to the bathroom so obviously i just kind of peed here and there throughout the run. Hey, it's just #1. Who cares. Anyways, the aide stations rocked...they were so into it and kept you going. My favorite part about aide stations are always the sponges. The course was 2 loops so you knew what you had to do the 2nd time around.  After about 5 miles I started getting sock awkward rubbing blistering...awkwardnessssssss. Great.....I had what 7 miles to go? I kept looking at my time and my pace was just getting slower and slower...then kind of peaked just under 9 min/miles towards the end.  My legs hurt like hell. And i certainly wanted to get my shoes off asap. Ended up going 1:56 half marathon...and my best ever is 1 52. so not bad at all. 

Total time: 5:32 10th place overall age group

There's more. We stayed around for awards because the relay got 2nd...BAD ASS! and mike got a 4th place.  They gave out syrup haha. it was awesome.  So, there are 40 total slots that go to the top people for the world championship in vegas. I was told i had a chance because if no one claims the spot it rolls down until someone does. I just brushed that off...how would I qualify for an event so big like that? NO WAY. i went to get my bike and just so happened to pass the tent to hear JULIE TRACY. WHAT???? People were yelling at me do you want the spot???? I'm pretty sure my heart skipped several beats and I ran over ....HELL TO THE YES! I got a spot to go to the world championship in vegas for 2013. I still think it's nuts. Looks like i'm not retiring after all. 

I'm awkwardly sore still...i ran on my foot weird...but i feel super pumped. 

Until next time....

back to business. 

Week 15

Recovery weeks for me tend to mean...hey you should probably go out a lot and drink beer because you don't have to get up to run/bike 2o390329832093290 miles. So, basically i'm counter productive with this "recovery thing". but i don't really care. weeeeee

On the plus side. I AM RUNNING! again. kind of. just in time before this half ironman thing I am doing this weekend. Basically training through the race (2 day taper?). because i should. fun fun

Monday 8/6: I don't remember. i tend to take mondays off now

Tuesday 8/7: 3000 yard swim, 40 mile bike (2 hours 45 min), 4 mile run (35 min)

So, randomly two cases got cancelled at work because no one was there to even do them. So i figured...fuck it. I'm not going to work. and im barely using benefit time anyways. so, what better use of a day off then to do all of the triathlon stuff? DUH. I also picked up my bike from receiving a new chain/cassette. it sounds...........beautiful. i forgot the feeling of riding a new bike chain. helllooooo. i dropped off my mtn bike too. then picked it up again. i also day drank. Wed 8/8: I went out after work instead of working out. oops. Thurs 8/9: 3 mile run (28 min), TRX. Nothing exciting. Friday 8/10: 20 mile bike (70 min), TRX. Weather sucked. Pouring rain. Sat 8/11:7 mile run (1 hour 2 min), TRX, 19 mile bike (60 min). At least I know I can run 7 mile straight again. Thank goodness. Hip tightens up still but just stretching everyday. and hope for the best. Sun 8/12: TRX, 21 mile bike (65 min), 3 mile run (28 min). The weather was lame...it kept saying it was going to rain. I ended up doing way too much trainer biking this weekend. The only thing fun is listening to music and dancing. on the bike. WEEKLY Totals:  3000 yard swim, 100 mile bike (6 hours), 17 mile run (2 hours 33 min), TRX x5 Fairly pleased I still get in 100 miles in on a recovery week. Time to get pumped for Timberman now. Please note my running is back increasing. HOORAH

Week 14

Hellllllo! First off, I'd like to say......my ass is sore. ok, now that that's out of the way...I actually had a pretty good week! Lots of crazyness, per usual. and one more thing...3 MORE MONTHS! and 2 weeks till half ironman. yikes.

Mon 7/30: TRX. I tend to get lazy on monday's. Sorry, I'm not sorry.

Tues 7/31: 21 mile bike (70 min intervals on trainer), 3 mile run (29 min), TRX. This is probably the first day in a while i did the "whole workout the book says to do". Pat on the back. I ran super slow....and it was ok. Not terrible, but not awesome. I'll take it considering. 

Wed 8/1: 17 mile bike (60 min), TRX. Ah yes, the GLV ride was cancelled because of rain...so I was left to sit on my trainer...it was boring.

Thurs 8/2: 4000 yard swim, 11 mile commuting bike (54 min).  I got out of work a little late...so I had to rush around a little to get to swim practice. not to mention it was at a pool a little further away and I didn't really know where it was. I was about to head out and of course there was a wall there...and I slammed my elbow (the non used to be broken one) against that wall that was there so hard I swore for a little while then sat down. then stood up and had to sit down longer. Ouch! there was a nice lump there...then i went to practice and got there 15 min late (not to mention i hadnt been there for 2 weeks). The coached just laughed at me. i like masters. 

Friday 8/3: TRX. I decided to rest the legs before an epic adventure the next day.  Did I mention I like trying to pretend to be EPIC? yes. I turned down people to go out. I am SO COOL! 

Sat 8/4: 95 mile bike (6 hours 15 min). SOOoooo. One crazy guy I know was crazy enough to go with me on this ride...so much better than solo-ing it. I plotted the route out...sort of. wrote down a few things on a piece of paper, which i ran out of room so ended up writing down only part of the route. I just looked at the route long enough to memorize it....thank you undergrad chem for those major skillz. Anyways, getting out of the city sucks.  The route was a bit twisty turny trafficy (i like T-s apparently) until Beverly...which was a good chunk of miles. So, those weren't exactly race speed, but managed to only miss a few turns. Beverly rocks...and everything above it too. After that it was easy...one road....wide open shoulders....love.  We ended up goin all the way up to hampton beach NH.  Got some food (even beer), then went back to Newburyport to discover the train wasn't going to take us back until 3 hours later. Got some ice cream then continued more south to Ipswich where we staked it out with a 6 pack of beer waiting for the train. The ride continued even after that...since you gotta bike home from the train. Anyways, a great day for riding. Had an awesome time. RECORD!

Sun 8/5: 6 mile run (54 min), TRX, STRETCH. I was surprised at this actually...my legs were tired and i ran as much in one day as i have in 3 weeks.  My hip definitely tightened up after just a few miles but kind of went in and out of feeling blah. It wasn't terrible though. It was just hot. I'll take 6 miles. Trying to get on track. Need to keep stretching a lot (and popping my back into place) ha. blah blah blah. haha

I took my bike in the shop....turns out I've been putting a lot of wear and tear on the poor thing. 1500 or so miles in 3 months...stretched out chain. and need a new cassette. Perfect timing right before the half ironman. and more money, eh. 

WEEKLY totals:

4000 yard swim, 149 mile bike (9 hours 39 min), 9 mile run (1 hour 23 min) 149???? really? i couldn't bike 1 more mile? haha. oh well. New record for the week and day :) New plan of attack for this Ironman: kick ass on the bike............survive the run. :) What I really do. It's perfect.