shut up and race

Oops. I forgot that I had a blog.  Since I don't put my workouts here anymore, it's easier to lose track of this. My bad...well here's an update! I guess it's been since January.  January and Feb were months of a lot of nothingness....my old high school knee scar tissue decided to move in the wrong spot and cause some issues.  It was a simple fix though (now i know this) of a PT scraping/bruising the crap out of it. Could barely walk out the first day, then felt great the next. Who would have thought.

Highlight of the post is the fact that I've done some sort of race every weekend since Easter.  Yes, that's like 2 months of racing! I counted the training race at wells ave a few times as a weekend race.  I had a few running races that went very well (PRs and top 5 finishes) and a bunch of cycling races.  this is how i prefer to spend my weekends....races mean hanging out with cool people/pushing yourself running/biking whatever it is.

Myles Standish was my first real cycling race.  I had NO IDEA what to expect.  I pretty much just made it a goal to keep up with the group and not crash. mission accomplished...and a 9th place finish which wasn't too bad.  Cycling is so different (which is why im so intrigued) than anything I have done race-wise.  The first lap was me talking to myself saying "omg omg omg..that wheel is close to me. wait so is that one. crap crap crap." then i settled in a little bit.  The whole strategy thing is something i still need to figure out. but isn't that the fun in it?

2nd race: blue hills (3 laps of 7ish miles). with the men cat 5.  I took a leap of faith and thought why not.  I need to toughen up and the only way to learn how to bike race is to jump into things you are uncomfortable with. so i did. I was the only woman in the whole race.  I spent the first lap with the big group riding next to what looked like santa Claus.   On the down hills, i continued my "omg omg omg im gonna die" thoughts in my head.  I got dropped on the hill, then sprinted to catch back up to the group. got dropped again at the hill (do we see a trend here? i need to do some hill work). i spent the last lap with a few other dudes.  super fun time though. and didn't get last.

3rd race: sterling.  back with the women.  This race i decided on the whim to just try something different. make myself uncomfortable, again. It was a strange first lap...a lot of people didn't seem to want to take charge. So, what the hell, i pulled a bit in the beginning. aka everyone gets to draft me. There was this highway stretch (kinda windy) with a hill at the end then another hill to complete a lap.  I probably made a dumb mistake to pull the entire group the whole highway. but, again...it seemed like no one wanted to.  I pushed my legs as hard as i could (apparently i split the group down) then just kind of died at the hill. I fell a little behind on the hill but still within catching up distance going into lap 2. the support car passed me, then i flatted. OF COURSE. i stood on the side of the road for a while. some guy stopped to make sure
i was ok and offered me bug spray. i stood so long I got bit by bugs. yes. i finally got a spare wheel then sprinted the rest of the lap trying to catch up (i managed to catch up to a few small groups). got pulled and didn't get to finish the last lap. oh well, stuff happens. I got a good workout in for the first lap!

Please take a look at this pic. It appears that I am doing awesome. I AM WINNING. but no. those are guys. from some other race. I had no idea they were behind me. I had just spent the entire lap catching up to any lady i could possibly find.  I think i am laughing bc the race was so weird. PHOTOBOMB success.

you probably don't want to hear about my running races. oh just that I nearly puke/peed myself. oh wait. nevermind. I won't explain that.
oh and how about that one time I biked to a 10k, ran, drank beer, ate a hamburger, then biked home? wait, i won't explain that either.

On deck: reach the beach, killington stage race, purgatory road race, patriot half, brothers wedding, nothing in july yet, xterra stoaked, vegas 70.3, moab trail marathon.  more to be added of course!

I honestly didn't expect to do too many hardcore triathlons, but I didn't mean to qualify for worlds last year. I am pumped that I did. but I thought I would be trying to do that this year. So here I am.....need to pretend to get serious again. I should start swimming. i moved my arms today in my room that seemed like swimming.

until next time!

New look. New races. New stuff.

HEY! I know, it's been a while. But really, I haven't been doing anything that exciting, besides the holiday type things, hanging out, and working.  Happy new year by the way. My friends at the gym, I am sorry that for the next 2 weeks (maybe) it will be crowded with annoying people who think the "new year new you" thing is actually true. Best of luck out there.

Anyways, I have many exciting developments to rattle on about.  First off, I know the world champs isn't till September  but I've been feeling pumped already about it. So, why not start early? Secondly, I've decided to race bikes.  When I trained for the Ironman, I really grew to love biking much more (plus I actually trained on it)...AND I didn't get injured doing it (we won't count my trauma incident years ago). When I say race bikes, i mean race all the bikes.  Road, Mtn, and maybe cross (fall/winter). I put my name out there/showed a lot of interest with a great team. Crossing my fingers by the end of the month I will be official. I think this will SUPER benefit my few triathlon races I will do next year.

By the way, like the new layout? I like minions. So whatever if you don't.

So, ya. BIKE RACES! I am pumped.  Another thing, to buy a TT bike or not. I have been juggling this for a while. I want to be up there with the big kids in the front of my age group. BUT, after much discussion with many different people, I have decided to not go for it. First off, bikes these days are crazy expensive and you  really don't get that great of components/parts for your money. I got lucky with my road bike....I bought at the perfect time (somehow).  Even if I would get a mediocre in the middle TT bike...I would be spending crazy amounts of money...for bleh.  So, I think I am actually going to invest in some badass race wheels (which I can use for road racing, tri, cross, whatever). I would hardly use my TT bike....except for triathlon races (i don't sign up for that many actually)...and it would sit around anyways collecting dust/feeling sad.  Plus, I love my road bike. It's cool.

Been thinking of getting a pet turtle. thoughts?

I may or may not write about training stuff again this year.  I won't do weekly...I think I will just write about epic training things. and races. and random things I think about.  and penguins.

I'm not sure who reads this, but shout out to you.

Race schedule 2013.........ish

Hyannis half marathon: feb something.
March: road bike season starts
May: tough mudder and reach the beach
June: patriot half ironman
sept: VEGAS baby

I'm juggling the idea of Timberman in August.  I don't really feel like doing a half right before a half, but maybe I can do the sprint tri (when is the last time I've done one of those?). So if anyone wants to party up in NH with me/is already signed up please let me know.

k bye!

Post Ironman

  It has been about 3 weeks now since I finished my first Ironman.  I had heard of post Ironman....stress type things while doing my training. What do you do after you finish the race? Do you keep training? Wait, I don't have to bike 6 hours this weekend? I can have a life? WHAT? I can sleep in? I'm not sure what the usual
"aftermath" for most people is, but I definitely had some sort of  post "Ironman PTSD". When I say PTSD I don't mean I had the desire to do another. In fact, I am cool with my one ironman for the time being. Maybe when I am fat and older I'll do another.

Firstly, I literally did nothing for a week after the race. I had no desire to bike (i didn't even go to work on my bike), run, and i even cancelled my swim club membership. This was followed by the shock of having weekends back,  the attempt to get "back into exercise", the "I want to try a new sport", then the "I want to train differently" stages. I've kind of been all over the place. I am ok with it, haha.

Honestly, I got sick after the race.  I felt like crap (just a cold, but still), but was relieved that this happened post exercising for 13 hours. Sometimes, when you finally STOP doing things...your body freaks out. My first attempt to run was weird and awkward (a few weeks later). I felt out of shape. I mean doing 4 miles vs. double digits? what? I tried to run fast, which felt weird too.

So now what?  Well, I workout when I want to workout. I run as fast as I feel like for that day. I do TRX more often. My mountain bike has seen more use than my road (weird).  I went to my first cyclocross race (and did it actually), which was a blast. I got a tattoo, saw my parents, cleaned out my entire room (well that's still in the process), caught up with old friends, gone on dates (ya, i finally can now), drank beer (wait, that's not different), and re-evaluated a lot of things. I can't complain....but I definitely am so glad I did the Ironman.  It means so much more than just a time or a medal, especially for me.  It definitely means ....

1: i am sort of an overachiever...which goes along with my mountains of trophies from being 8 years old. 2: Despite injuries/set backs/stuff, can still be done 3: i am a smarter racer than I ever imagined 4: goal setting is something I should keep doing 5: YOLO 6: cliche, but put your mind to something, have fun, and anything's possible. 7: i don't actually like lists that look like a big paragraph. 8: friends/family rock. 9: I could barely run down the street my soph year in college (i kind of had an 80 year old back). and now what back problems!?? and finally 10: work hard, play harder.

I'm trying to drag people in with me to do some more races next year. If you're looking for a ass-kicking let me know :)

I need to get my laundry.



I was meant to ride bikes. Check out the basket. HARDCORE

Until next time..

Ironman Florida....RACE REPORT!

I am currently sitting here...having a beer and it's SNOWING outside. and snowing pretty fiercely. First snow of the year. Apparently when I left for Florida Boston decided to get cold just in time for me to come back.

Anyways, so I SURVIVED! I really enjoy writing race reports, so sorry if this is too long.

Arrival: So, we arrived late Wednesday night. So late that the hotel people weren't even there. We didn't even plan how we were going to get from the airport to the hotel. luckily we had our dear friend Breno to come pick us up. The theme of this trip tended to be mike and I not really planning out things well but still being ridiculously lax about everything. 

The good thing about this trip was having a few days before the race to hang out and also a day to hang after.  Thursday was spent checking in, eating, and heading to the athlete dinner.  They gave us awesome swag...well they damn well should considering the price of this event. I have to admit Thursday night I could ONLY think about the race. I tried so hard to not, but that's all I thought about. I did manage to sleep still...we got like 10 hours total sleep. haha. Friday we set up our bikes, dropped off some of those many bags we had to put together, ate more food, etc. We made sure to go to bed early.

Race Day! Pre race: Alarm went off at 4:50. This actually isn't that early considering other triathlons. We were only a few miles from the start, which was long enough not to walk, so my parents dropped us off. It was already 73 degrees and humid. Great. I didn't expect this.  Special needs bags were dropped off and we waited in line for the bathrooms (the most important pre race activity you can do). I didn't even eat much for breakfast because I was so full from dinner last night (and cheez its). We were still in transition when they told us to leave.  Slacking. Again, lax about everything. 

Swim (goal- around 1 hour. actual- 1:01.09): We walked out to the beach with the 3000 (73% men mind you) other participants while checking out the conditions. Wow. Holy waves.  There was a rip current...and it looked nasty out there. Well here goes nothing. I body surfed instead of warming up and watched the pros go first. Then it was our turn. The gun went off and immediately i was getting pushed and shoved...although I was in the front ish. I struggled a bit trying to get some space.  The way out consisted of giant waves, tons of people, and swallowing salt water. I cut the course super close because of the current and basically head butted each buoy.  I got a little relief one we made the first turn...then the way back felt nice actually. The waves kind of pushed you along.  This was a two loop course, so after 1.2 miles we got out of the water, ran on the beach, then headed back into the waves.  I was still fighting with stupid people going the wrong way.  Even though I couldn't see that well where I was going I could tell I was getting close to kayakers. After a while I got sick of swimming and was ready to be done.  I kind of stopped caring how fast I was going...bc honestly it felt like drowning. Turns out I went faster than I figured. Coool.

T1 (5:30): I jumped out of the water, ran over to the wet suit strippers (so much fun), then headed to get my bike bag.  It was nice bc they shouted your number so that someone would have the bag ready for you.  Then we ran to a changing room where you got your own volunteer (i actually got like 3 bc i was out front in the swim) to get all your stuff together for you.  I had no idea they did this so i basically told them how awesome they were.  I got slathered with sun block and headed out.

Bike (Goal: 6:30-7 hours, actual: 6:40.02): The only thing I worried about for maybe one sec as i took off with my bike was the fact that I forgot a tire lever in case i got a flat.  I told myself no worries...i never flatted during training it won't happen. That somehow put me to ease (and didn't happen) and I took off.  Being a swimmer i am always prepared to get passed like crazy on the bike.  Yup, like crazy. I watched fancy shmancy bikes pass me ridiculously fast.  Ok, people we are only 10 miles in, chill out. I kept to my plan with keeping a cadence of 95-100 the whole time (spinning a bit more so my legs wouldn't completely die). Most people passing me were doing the opposite....they were cranking it out.  I passed maybe 2 people in 60 miles haha. I felt pretty good though. I passed time by looking at my watch every 20 min taking in liquids and food.  It was hot...no dehydration.  I probably took in close to 2000 calories on the bike, which was great for me. The course was flat except maybe one hill, which  was a relief to do something different. I actually passed a huge group up the hill, then they passed me again of course. I even got my first penalty for drafting (total BS considering i was slower than everyone), which made me sit in a tent for 4 min.  This was sort of nice...i ate some food and talked to people.  I continued to get more bored and my ass kept hurting.  All considering that's not bad problems to have. I passed the most people the last 20 miles....where i think people were starting to die. Thank goodness I kept to my cadence.   Heading back in town I could not WAIT to get off my bike. oh and i definitely stopped 4 times to chill/go to the bathroom. who cares...right?  what else....oh some guy asked for my number too. haha. It was in the 80s by then, which worried me.  I still had a marathon left...wow. 

T2 (4:24): Nothing too crazy here. I got my run stuff and more sun block.  It felt really good to start running.  That was one helluva long bike ride. 

Run (Goal: 5 hours. actual: 5:08.20): One of my favorite things about this race was the volunteers and spectators.  There were TONS of aid stations and plenty of locals dressed up, partying, playing music, and cheering you on.  I felt pretty good right off the run, while other people didn't look so good already (tons of walkers).  Right away I told myself to walk the aid stations. I was not prepared for this marathon the right way, so it would be wise to walk/run from the beginning.  At around mile 7 my legs got heavier and heavier.  I stuck to my plan and did some random run/walks.  I had no nutrition plan for the run....I like to just go with how I feel.  I took in lots of water/sometimes perform at the beginning. Mile 13.1 we got our special needs bags.  I changed my socks and grabbed gumby to go in my back pocket.  That made me smile...and at this point I was totally hurting so smiling at anything helped. I ended up seeing this woman i talked to on the bike out there.  She was hurting as well.  We walked/talked for a little while ( probably a whole mile actually).  Then we decided to do a 4 min run, 2 min walk.  it was hard for me to run slow...so when we ran it was at like 8:45-9 min/mile pace.  That seemed to feel better.  People were definitely hurting BAD out there....on the side...in ambulances ...walking the whole thing....anything could happen.  I got hungry at like mile 16 and took in something solid, which really just dried out my mouth.  I also couldn't get myself to pee on myself ( i actually did this in timberman...too stubborn to stop), so i stopped a few times for potty breaks. I ended up going ahead of my new friend because she was waiting for someone.  I felt ok then all the sudden the legs (maybe mile 20ish) said...........enter pain cave. THIS SUCKS I WANT TO BE DONE! haha. I never once thought I wouldn't finish, but man i was ready to be done.  I walked a lot more because I really wanted to just be able to finish strong. I even craved a hamburger. I was doing something right! I have to admit...the weather was nice in the dark.  The spectators were still going strong too! Some dude in some weird costume came up next to me and got me to run with him for a little while. My legs were pretty much numb and i started to just run the rest....i kept running/passing people until i got to the finish. I heard Julie Tracy you are an IRONMAN.  I was so happy. my volunteer was so concerned for me and kept asking if I was ok.  I was perplexed....I felt awesome somehow.  I was smiling/happy/not sick. I did it....I raced smart and finished strong.  I did exactly what I had hoped. 

Total time: Goal: under 13 hours. actual: 12:59.25. talk about just making a goal...

I am still on an adrenaline rush, to be honest.  I never thought in a million years that my race would somehow go this well. We felt like celebrities after because everyone in restaurants were like OMG YOU ARE AN IRONMAN? we even had to take pics with students from Mississippi.  Shortly after this woman "borrowed us to show her friends". Hilarious.....

"We don't do that where we are from........." imagine a thick southern accent and a fat girl. 

Most challenging thing I have ever done by far.  People ask if I am doing another next year. nope.  I am very happy with that.  Maybe in many many years...who knows. but for now, i am good. 

congrats to mike for winning his age group :) and breno for a great finish as well!  you both made my weekend even more awesome.   

Somehow I am not that sore.  I was sore the first few days, but nothing like I expected.  Train smart :o)

going for a run tomorrow. 

2013 races so far include....tough mudder in may, patriot half in june (havent signed up) and vegas world champs 70.3 in sept. let me know if anyone wants to play.

Week 26

TAPER!!!!!! I finally feel like I am tapering....and it's weird.  I had all this time this weekend. I tried to just rest and relax, but i didn't really know what to do with myself. I feel alright...i usually go into a taper slump where i just feel off, but everything should work out come race day.

btw, there's a hurricane coming. but somehow i think our flight is just right after the problems. So far...still on for wed evening departure. That would suck to be delayed...who knows when we would be able to get out. That would suck. I'm crossing my fingers we keep our flight. Sandy, get over yourself.

Mon 10/22: OFF. Monday beers :)

Tues 10/23: 18 mile bike (1 hour), 3 mile run (26 min).  My race bike was in the shop...and I didn't feel like bothering with my old bike. So...being an exercise physiologist has it's perks. I jumped on one of our metabolic cart bikes (which is a great workout bc you go by watts) and cranked it out.  Of course I got a few beers after the run. Per usual.

Wed 10/24: TRX. Nothing crazy. Got some overtime hours at work. boom.

Thurs 10/25: 3000 yard swim, 11 mile bike (50 min). I got out early at swim practice. Oh the joys of masters swimming. and taper. thanks.

Fri 10/26: 6.2 mile run (56 min), TRX. I opted to do my "long run" earlier than usual just because I could. I kept a steady pace, but no records shattered. It felt weird, but towards the end I was feeling better. Taper slumpin.

Sat 10/27: 32 mile bike (2 hours), 1.5 mile run (14 min), TRX. Shortest weekend long ride in a long time. All this time....what to do. Oh I played some cornhole. gotta get back for winter league...we need our 3rd winners title of course.

Sun 10/28: 14 mile bike (1 hour), TRX. This was actually just me commuting around. I went to swim practice but failed to actually read my emails saying it was earlier than usual. Then i was going to go to practice at 6. then I didn't. I bought a bird hat, some bike tubes, and some goldfish.  And doing laundry. I feel so productive.


Weekly Totals:

3000 yard swim,  75 mile bike (4 hours 50 min), 10.7 mile run (1 hour 36 min), TRX x4 Hat. I thought about doing a list of the crap I have to bring...and my plans. but really...im not that OCD about plans. I have an idea in my head. It won't go perfectly anyways, so why bother stressing over it (nutrition mostly). So, I guess this means this is my last post before the race. I have to say I am more excited than anything at this point. I already put in all the work i could possibly do. It didn't go perfectly, which it never does. but I did the best i could...and now it's time to just have fun. The run is going to hurt a lot (i am not prepared), but such is my life. LETS DO THIS!

Week 25

I just finished drinking a black IPA from 21st amendment. SO GOOD! Recommended. That and SlumBrew. I am branching out my beer tastes...it's part of the training.  First sort of week of Taper. WHY AM I TIRED? probably bc I still worked out for like 5 hours today. Not going to lie...I kind of hit a wall. I'm bored riding 9084903428934 miles every weekend (usually by myself). It's time to RACE. well, by race i mean finish.  good timing on my part.

Here's the week at a glance.

Monday 10/15: OFF. Who wants to do anything on a monday? Come on people.

Tues 10/16: 60 min bike (19 miles), 5.4 mile run (43 min), TRX. I did another run with a visit to the bar again in the middle. I like those. Everyone should do that.

Wed 10/17: TRX. I was going to bike, but then I didn't. Self-coaching is the best way.

Thurs 10/18: 3.4 mile run (29 min), TRX. Again, I was going to swim, but I just didn't feel like it. Can you tell that this is getting old? hahah.

Fri 10/19: OFF. I got a massage. I have a back of rock apparently. ouch

Sat 10/20: 7.1 mile run (1 hour 5 min), TRX, 18 mile bike (1 hour). I started the morning off with the Komen 5k, representing UKE running. We rocked it out (literally) singing/dancing/being ridiculous with so many songs on the course.  Props to the UKE star pattie for bleeding for the race.  After showing the crowd how we have fun.....I headed home to go out for another run...i know. i am a tool. but i needed to do a little more ok?  I'm not sure what I did in between that and the bike, but after I had some slumbrews...aaawww yeah.

TEAM UKE RUNNING!!!!!!

Giant shoe, obviously.

Sun 10/21: 3200 yard swim, 17 mile bike commute (1 hour 30 min), 50 mile bike (3 hours 10 min), 2 mile run (18 min). Phew, despite a "taper"...this was like a 5 hour long workout.  I pretty much was pooped out by the end of the day. Did I mention I hit the wall yet? I rode my old road bike for 30 miles and felt like a giant hippo on wheels. My race bike is getting a tune up.  OMG, thank goodness I don't ride that thing more than 6 miles usually. I am so ready to JUST DO THIS RACE. LETS DO IT. ok, that's all.

WEEKLY Totals: 

3200 yard swim,  104 mile bike (6 hours 40 min),  17.9 mile run (2 hours 6 min) Not too shabby for a taper week. This week will be even less. Ahhh. One week till I leave. I can't believe it's so soon.  nervous excited nervous excited denial excited nervous ....what? Here's another random pic                                                  Obviously I am a JT-REX. I hunt larabars, burritos, and beer.

Week 24

Last difficult weekend............DONE. see ya later. no more. I am now on my way down the hill. Ok, thanks, finally.  Made it through a rough few weeks of training.

The week.

Mon 10/8: TRX. If you haven't caught on...I don't do much on Mondays. As it should be.

Tues 10/9: 15 mile bike (45 min), 2 mile run (18 min), TRX. Honestly, I was sore still.........that 18 mile run was .............fun. BTW, it's my half bday, so i halfly celebrated.

Wed 10/10: off. unusual for my week. but instead I went to a work type dinner and ate my face off with a bill of ridiculous amounts. I couldn't move I was so full. Wow.

Thurs 10/11: 60 min bike (18 miles), TRX, 2.6 mile run (20 min). I normally swim on these days, but I heard there were hardly any lanes....so I didn't go. This is what I did instead. It doesn't look that exciting.  Wait........oh but it was? I think i divided it with beer in the middle. per usual.

Fri 10/12: off. I ended up cancelling a massage bc i had to work. lame

Sat 10/13: 90 mile bike (4 hours 35 min), 10 mile run (1 hour 33 min). Ok. So the bike was done all INSIDE.  I woke up with the temp being 29 degrees at first....so i decided to at least do 30 miles inside. Then, I got everything ready to ride outside.........rode 1 mile and completely WIMPED out.  My  double socks, double gloves did nothing. I wasn't prepared and I didn't want to get sick.  I have to admit I felt really wimpy, but whatever.  I ended up kicking ass inside and doing way more than intended. Plus, KONA was online.  I was motivated. Inspired. Everything.  90 miles inside training= rubber on my back tire pealing off.  Today I looked at it.....it's gross how the tire gets destroyed. I'm seeing purple stuff. Anyways, the run felt badass....I ran faster than intended.....which is good prep. Beat yourself up a bit before the real deal.

Sun 10/14: 4500 yard swim, TRX, 35 mile bike commute (2 hours 45 min). I will be honest. This Ironman training never really HIT me up until the last week or so. But man, did it hit me this day. I was  planning on biking a little and running easy. I was mid trainer, did some TRX, then passed out on my bed for 2 hours instead of finishing everything.  I then realized that this was a lot of training...and I was not recovered.  I am pleased how far I got without feeling completely exhausted though....but it has been hitting me harder than before.  SMACK.........stop body. And let me tell you, i felt it monday at work............i passed out at my desk multiple times just bc i didn't have enough food in me. Thankfully  that's the hardest training. Now for the easier stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!

TOTALS

4500 yard swim, 158 mile bike (9 hours 5 min), 14.6 mile run (2 hours 11 min), TRX x5 another random iceland pic. bc it was so awesome. I am dancing? I am happy to be close to being done with this race. It's been ridiculous.