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not so much…

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Yes, I know, another post right after a race report. I figured I needed to have the race report up before moving on to the recovery

So after the race, and the day at Disney, plus still recoving a bit from the being sick and the rib, I was sore. I was tired. I did my workouts Monday, but my run didn’t have that relaxed feeling. With all that, and the stresses of these last couple crazy weeks at work, I felt pretty off by Tuesday evening. But I climbed on my bike, actually on the trainer for the first time in a long time. I had some music on, and Gracie was confused. She is used to the wheelthings taking us away, and climbed into her crate. But then I stayed, and she came outside with me, and then during my warmup decided it was pretty cool to be able to lick me as I built up a nice salty sweat.

I had some repeats to do, hitting about my FTP (ie the power I can hold on the bike for an hour) for 2 minutes, resting for 30 seconds, and repeating a number of times. I got the first in, and it was hard. The second interval I barely made. Struggled through 4 of them, often barely making the power numbers I should be hitting. The 5th felt the same, and my legs felt like I was going as hard as I could. I was pouring sweat, and although I had found peace with the trainer, it was time to be done. I got off the bike, letting go of the workout, and realizing sometimes it is better to stop. But stopping sure is hard when you are stubborn!

Today’s run was better. My legs are still a bit heavy, but once I was going I felt pretty good, and my pickup was comfy. Still a bit sore, but I’m hoping the heavy-dead is gone from the legs now.

Posted in biking, donutdogg, running | 4 Comments »

Disney Du

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Wow what a race! The thing with some of this shorter distance stuff is that it is over so fast! And hurts so much! And so sometimes it is hard to remember what happened. I remember the start… on Main St. USA in Disney Land. Minnie Mouse, in a run outfit, started our day. In a flash of confetti strips, around the circle in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, and into Adventureland. Past the Jungle Cruise, and around into Frontierland and past the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which made me smile and think of the Mike-friend that I met there some years back). Past the Matterhorn, which I barely even noticed as I was passing the girl who led out our wave, and ended up in first for the wave for a bit! That was a first And then we ran into the behind the scenes part where we saw people taking out trash. There I saw some of the women from the earlier waves stopping for a picture with Minnie

Into TA and onto the bike, time to hurt. Some weaving through other waves, but not too bad since the race had a huge number of lanes closed everywhere so that there was always room to go by. Pedal pedal pedal! Oh, and after being sick much of the week, a fair bit of hacking up lunggunk. Oh, and to go back a bit, Friday night I somehow got a rib out of place, and luckily convinced my wonder-chiro-husband into his office early Saturday morning, where an adjustment and some muscle stym and another adjustment got it back in place. Still not quite turning well as I left for the hotel the night before the race, and my muscles were exhausted, I worried a bit about the bike and aero position. But it was a course easy to stay aero, and I just went. My power was definitely lower than I had hoped, but later learning I had the 3rd fastest bike (another first!) made that easier to take — plus it was my first race where I averaged over 20mph!

Around the parking lot where transition was (which was a good quarter mile) and off the bike, run shoes back on, and it was time to accept it was going to HURT. Took a minute to really find my pain-desire, and soon I was moving as I headed into California Adventure. I smiled as I passed the Bug’s Life play area, remembering spending time there with Ethan. I then caught up to one of my favorite tri ladies, Cherie, one of the Exceeding Expectations leaders, and turned for one of the coolest stretches of the race. Running through the Hollywood area, there was a mural at the end of the road of buildings and the road off into the distance. It felt like you would keep going forever, and the buildings really had that Disney feel. Suddenly I was behind the scenes again, and leaving the park! The run was a bit short, 1.6 miles, and not the 2 I expected. So I pushed it a bit more, constantly thinking there were footsteps behind me. But I didn’t get passed (actually, other than I think 2 people — including one of the EE girls! — in the first run, I don’t think I was passed all day. So that was also a first!

I didn’t feel awesome the whole day, but everything just went right for me. The race had great energy, and I was thrilled to cross the finish line, and then wait around to find out how I did. Once the results were up, I was proud! 55:07 for 5th overall and 1st in my age group! This du thing sure hurts more than tris, and I do miss the swim, but it is also quite an experience, and I hope to do more in the future. Official results are here — including myself on the leaderboard! Crazy yo!

The five girls that went with us, as well as Cherie, also had very strong days. I was so proud to see each one smiling across the line! And then, there was a day at Disney! I thought racing hurt… but the standing in lines for hours after… that was something else Exhausted, we finally made it home.

Oh, also of note… with 5 girls, Cherie, and myself we needed to fit 7 people, 7 bikes, all the race stuff and all the stuff for a night at a hotel into my car and Cherie’s. We both have SUVs, but my CRV and her Explorer are not the biggest vehicles! Yet somehow my CRV fit 6, yes 6, bikes in the back! And that was with the back wheels all still on. The final bike went on my roof rack, and all the spare wheels fit nicely in the roofbox. And Cherie’s car easily took all the bags. At the hotel, these other ladies also racing were getting their bikes ready as we came out and got out all the bikes. They asked how we fit that many people and bikes all in that one little car, and thought it was like a clown car But nope, just my magic little car!

So it was a great weekend, and as Lee would have said if he was there, a splendid time was had by all

Posted in biking, Race Tales, running | 3 Comments »

OC Duathlon

Friday, June 5th, 2009

See, I’m writing again! I have to now that I saw more than 2 people are reading

Well last weekend was the OC Duathlon, my first du. Originally my first was going to be in DisneyLand in a week, but then this one came up, and so Mike and I grabbed an Exceeding Expectations kid and headed out. I was secretly glad since I didn’t want my first one to be without my favorite boy waiting for me at the finish!

Packing the night before, I kept freaking out, “OMG I almost forgot to pack goggles!!” and a second later, “oh right… duathlon” (so run bike run, and no swim involved). But a bit later “Mike! Did you remember goggles???” and then to remember again… Eventually though, I realized I didn’t need goggles, and was convinced I had my things packed, and went to bed. But yes, nervous — and I packed my regular run shoes and regular bike helmet, along with my race ones, as for some reason I really felt I needed them with me.

Got to the race bright and early since the site warned that picking up race numbers on the day of the race can get really busy and be a long line. We were the only people there while we got our things, though. And then down to the transition area. It was along a paved bike path, which we’d be using for both runs, as well as the first and last couple miles on the bike. But the organization had done a great job of making sure the ground was flat, and although it was a dirt lot, there weren’t thorns and so I wasn’t concerned. It was definitely a June gloom damp and gray morning, and some people with speedplay pedals were worried, since the dirt was pretty sticky and they didn’t want their bike shoes to get the cleats gunked up and not work. Mike, who uses speedplays, was glad he leaves them on the bike. And I was glad to have Look pedals and not have to worry about springs in my cleats.I was also impressed with the USAT refs that were at the race, checking each bike as it went into transition, but quickly and effectivly. It’s one of the first races I’ve done where there were checks and still no backups.

As we were setting up, Mike turned to me. “I know who is going to win. That’s Luke Bell.” The strong pro triathlete was setting up right behind us. We headed out on a warm up run, and on our way back into transition (for my so-not-Canadian-when-it-comes-to-temperature boy to grab arm warmers) I turned and told Mike I knew who would win the women’s race, as we had just walked past one of my personal favorite triathletes, Michellie Jones.

It was time to toe the line, and we headed out. As always, I gave Mike a kiss right before leaving him on the front line, and I moved back a bit so that I wouldn’t be trampled in the start. The gun went off almost right after we were there, and it was time to hurt! I pushed a bit on the run, but kept in mind the nice hilly bike course, which started with a 4 or 5 mile climb. And it wasn’t an easy run course, either — a slight downhill the first half, and the last 2.5k were a slight uphill. Mike passed on his way back, in a group of 3 within a couple people of the leader, and I cheered for him (yes, I even talk when I’m racing). Soon I was on my own way back, into transition. Helmet on, shoes off and cycling shoes on, and sunglasses in my mouth I grabbed my bike and headed out.

Out the narrow transition opening, and onto the bike. A nice steady grind up for a while. But I knew it would end, so I went a bit harder than I thought I should. I figured it was not that long of a race (40k bike) and that I should leave my comfort zone and see how well I could run after that. So there was some back and forth with one guy, as I’d pass him on climbs and he’d go by on the downhills. One one pass, he laughed and said it would be a cat and mouse day. And all I could think until the next time I saw him was how dumb the mouse would have to be to chase. So I said that as I went by. And I encouraged people, and enjoyed the June gloom weather — misty and damp, but not too cold. Just enough moisture that your glasses were a bit hard to see out of, and there was enough road gunk that you didn’t want to take them off.

The bike course was a lot of fun — a route that I had done numerous times having lived near it before, and actually the location of the first organized ride I ever did (the one that had me trade in a borrowed hybrid bike for a tri bike of my own on the way home!). Never anything flat, but nothing crazy steep either. Just lots of rolling, with a couple decent climbs because of their length. It was a lot easier than I had remembered, and I thanked Marky in my head. Near the turn around, I started slacking a bit, and told myself how Scott can ride faster and for a whole Ironman with a single pedal, and that I should start pedaling harder, so I did.

Now, I have done reverse order triathlons, where you run, bike, and then swim. And I have done tris, with swim, bike, and then run. So I had ran and then biked, and I had biked and then ran. But never ran, biked, and then ran again. So I wasn’t sure what to expect. And on the final 4ish miles of descent, I tried to stretch a bit and relax, but every time I stopped pedalling, my legs shook and shook. So I kept a light pedaling going, but with the narrow bike path I slowed a bit once I was in that section. Back to transition, off the bike, helmet off, shoes off and runners back on, grabbed the visor again, and headed out still setting the Garmin for another run.

And the run was much like the first although more painful, and more stubborn since there was a light at the end of that run-tunnel. Only one difference in this run than the first one, and that was an added climb in the last half mile to the finish line up in the parking lot of the hosting church. It hurt — I went hard-comfortable on the way down, and then from the turn around back I tried to pick it up in effort. I ran hard on the little steep downhills to get under overpasses, and drilled my way up on the other side. Finally to the turn to the final climb, and found it to have another of those little down-up parts, so pushed and pushed and up what seemed like a boat ramp and into the parking lot and then all you could see was a serpentine — zigging and zagging, although really it wasn’t that long. And I knew the finish had to be at the end of it, so I went. About 200-300 feet from the finish I got that tight, almost asthma feeling in my chest, and knew I had given what I had for that run. Finished strong, and proud of my work.

Across the line, many people came up to me. I was told I should get the spirit award for the day, since I had encouraged so many of them! And others thanked me for cheering for them, and supporting them. And I was glad my chatter, which helps me stay relaxed and enjoying the day, had helped other people as well

Back to transition, packed up, rised road grime off with a towel and water bottle at the car, and then we hung out for awards. Mike was second amature, and 5th overall! I was 3rd in my age group! The race was a regional duathlon championship race, so there was a strong field, and I was proud. I am also proud that my run and bike strength is getting more even (I was 3rd in my age group in each run and on the bike, and no one in front of me ever passed me after the start). Also, in a duathlon Mike said one goal is to be able to run the same times in both runs, and I was pretty dang close (more so than most people). So the official numbers?

1st 5km run: 23:28

40km bike + transitions: 1:15:04

2nd 5km run: 23:45

for a total of 2:02:17, 3/12 in age group, 23/91 women, and 119/321 overall.

Next time I’ll go under 2 hours

My legs were definitely sore after that effort! It was such a satisfying sore though. At least I say that now, after Super-Masseuse Suzy fixed them It was really a fun race. Way more painful than a tri I think, but mostly just different. And I enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to the Disney Du next weekend! Running throuhg DisneyLand and then California Adventure will be very different scenary, but I’m excited!

Oh, and on the winners? We were both right. Congrats Luke and Michellie!

Posted in biking, Race Tales, running | 3 Comments »

too long

Friday, May 29th, 2009

It has been too long since I wrote, and I don’t know where to start. I don’t want to disappoint the 2 people who still read this, so I’ve gotta write something! And yes Gracie, you count in those two

So I have a race tomorrow. My first duathlon! And my next one is in two weeks. Although I have done a number of reverse sprints, so running then biking is familiar, and with the whole tri thing the biking then running thing is familiar, so it will be fun to see how it is to do both in one race.

My taper has taken an interesting approach, called “kick Kylie’s butt into shape” and involves Marky sending me email containing phrases like zone 4 and zone 5 and “just do it!” and “well find a way”. So yesterday I ran in the morning, and then went for a swim. And I did a ride for lunch. And this morning I ran, biked (the long way) to the pool, and then swam. So yes, I have done a tri each of the last two days, and tomorrow I’m racing and I won’t! I find that amusing. So yes, getting back into more structured training this month. It’s fun — but Gracie still gets to do my runs with me!

I’m feeling pretty good today — feel like my legs are strong and the biking is getting easier and swimming is feeling more natural. And I”m feeling lighter, and have lost a good bit of the weight I put on since the wedding. I like progress! And cute little mesas… which is all I think about during my intervals on my bike rides — gotta make cute little mesas in the power file!

I’ve been doing some riding lately with a new rider — one of my coworkers, who I actually met through Gracie and her puppyclass, joined the Redlands Spine and Sport run group on Wednesday nights. After chatting with me, and Mike, and Bjorn, she wanted to try a tri. And with the Tinman reverse sprint coming up, she is in! She was a cross country runner in college, and is definitely strong! It will be fun to see how she progresses in the sport!

Ok enough rambling for now, and I will try to be better about this whole updating thing!

Posted in biking, donutdogg, marky, running, swiming | 5 Comments »

Late race report

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

The race report might be late, but I’m still feeling the last couple weeks in my legs!

Mike, the Exceeding Expectations group, and I did the Highland half marathon January 25th. With the run focus these last couple months (ok it was done mainly because I love running) I was eager to see how I could do. My current best half marathon time was a 1:55:59 in the Muskoka 70.3 – a hard, hilly course in the rain. So I did have hopes for this race. Until I woke up. You know that explody-head feeling, complete with stuffy nose? Where it is enough that you feel like staying in bed would be nice, but not enough that you feel justified in doing so? Ugg. I’ve been battling a bit of a cold or something for a while now, and it was defintely present that morning.

Hearing how I was feeling, Mike asked me if I thought I should do the 10k. “Yes,” I answered. “But I’m not going to.” I am a bit stubborn, after all… and I am a fan of the snot rocket so it should be ok. Just maybe not the super day I had hoped for. We got up, dressed, and headed to the race. Helped some kids get ready, chatted with some of my also-racing coworkers, and soon were on the line. And it was time to go.

The first turn, and it was uphill. I knew the course was hilly, having biked parts of it many times. But I really felt the difference in the hills on foot as compared to on the bike. Check out the elevation:

race elevation profile

So it was up and some little downs, and then a really steep downhill just to make sure your quads were feeling the first 2 miles. And then the steady climb that lasted forever. And now I know why on a bike that section is so speedy About mile 5 I caught up to Miguel (one of the EE kids). Damn it, he is supposed to be fast. But made a stupid shoe choice, and although I ran much of the middle with him, I did tell him that it better be the LAST TIME I can catch up to him. And yes, after the race we did get better shoes onto his feet (and over the blisters his Chuck Taylors had caused).

I was definitely feeling the course already, but my stupid brain believed me each time I said it was only another 8 miles, only 7, etc. A steep uphill to the turn around (I’d never looked at that road that direction – it was worse than I was ready for). I counted women after the turn, and it looked like I was in 5th! Awesome. Now to hold on… and the downhill began. Balancing how nice it was to not climb with what I could actually sustain. Miguel and I did some back and forth for a couple miles, but in the end his blisters won around mile 11 and I didn’t see him again til the end. Also around mile 11 I saw Josh (another EE’er) pull to the side of the road — I asked if he was ok, but didn’t stop. He was at a controlled intersection, and I knew there were people to take care of him. Honesetly, I did question this in my head, but figured it would be what EE would agree with. And later I did check, and it was the case.

A couple guys went by me on the downhill, and I passed a couple of them. I didn’t see any women though, and soon I focus on the end. Only that last little bit to go, and yup, you can see it above, a turn for some more climbing. Heading up my legs were ready to be done, but my watch was telling me I was close to a sub-1:50! So I had to go for it. Damian, one of the EE kids that did the 10k and who I joke around with, stepped out in front of me in the road and went to my side as I came to the turn for the finish line. “If you get in my way I will punch you in the face” (or something along those lines) was my reaction. I was close to my goal, and it was all I could do to keep going, and it was not the time for joking around. I got to the line, and crossed at 1:48:44. Aweome… sub-1:50 and a bit!

I was wobbly, but pleased. Mike found me, and it turns out Damian had just wanted to run in with me. So I felt bad, and made sure I let him know later why I’d said it. He knew I hadn’t meant it in a mean way, but also understood when I said I was going for a PR and didn’t want to just barely miss it. So we are cool Writing this though I realize how much I was reaching for that PR, and I am a bit ashamed. Yes, I didn’t need to stop for Josh (as I confirmed later), and Miguel made it home shortly after me, and I said what I did to Damian in a joking manner. But it is just a time, and no feelings are worth that. Sometimes tired minds don’t make clear comments/jokes, so I will watch that.

End result for me: 5th place overall woman, and 1st in my age group. Mike was 5th overall, but second in his AG — so for the first time my placing was (sorta) better than his. It is good to see all my run work paying off, even on days when I don’t feel completely on.

And the kids? Josh ended up pulling out with his leg cramp, Miguel made it home blistered, Isi puked so opted for the 10k, Marlene finally beat her mentor to the line, and many of the new kids had a successful day. And we did all have fun… at least once it was over

Posted in pics, Race Tales, running | No Comments »

a week with two races

Monday, December 15th, 2008

Holiday race season is here in full swing! I joined the Exceeding Expectations crew for a couple more races, a 15k and then a tri (which Mike also did). This time instead of helping during race time, we helped them get set up and ready and then raced on our own.

The EE kids had a huge showing, with a number of new runners for the Loma Linda Holiday Classic 5k and 15k on December 7th.

Although we need to work on “visor use” and “race belt function”

For more shots of the kids, check out the foundation webpage writeup of the day.

For the 15k the goal was for it to feel fast for the first 5k. And then for the next 5k realize it was going to keep hurting more and more. And the last 5k I should just want it to be over. It was a challenging course — I don’t think it was ever flat. I can sum up the race quickly: yes, it hurt. No, I didn’t puke at the finish. PR’ed, as it was my first time racing that distance. But I also almost went faster than my 10k pace, and just generally felt like I smoked my expectations. It was the first time that at the turn around I started counting women, and actually was in the top 10! Thrilled, I worked to hold onto where I was. I got passed by a couple, but I was doing all I could and at the finish line was proud of what I had given. 1:12:30 with a 7:47 pace. Good enough for 7th out of 169 women! My age group was FAAAST though – but I was still 4th out of 27 W25-29. And 62/339 overall. Works for me!

Although downhill finishes hurt… it was a holiday race so I had to dress the part!

Then this weekend we took a smaller group of kids to the Tinsel Triathlon and 5k. This time Mike came along (he was in class the previous week). Again we helped kids get ready beforehand, and drove a few of them, but then had our own race. And it was another successful one.

It was a reverse sprint so we started with a 5k run. It hurt, and I wasn’t able to find the same zoned feeling I had during the 15k. I think there was some fatigue still there, and some of it was just how cold it got (for here). Later I learned my “sluggy” feeling 5k was actually pretty close to my standalone 5k times, but it didn’t feel it at the time. I just kept going, wanting to be done and on my bike.

On the bike I flew! New bar set up, and it felt goood! I wasn’t putting out the power I expected, but I was passing and passing and passing people for the 12 miles. Just staying aero and pushing. Out and back, complete with some wind fighting, and jumped off the bike. Oh geez my quads were not too pleased with running to the rack. Forgot my goggles, Mike (already done) screamed at me and I grabbed ‘em. Off to the pool, wondering how I’d be able to actually breathe in the water.

Jumped in and just went. It was a crazy, horrid swim. Too many people and with a 50m pool made into 3 lanes that you zigzagged through meant no one swam the same direction as anyone else. Some one used my back to push off with 2 hands, one hand grabbed my ankle. I kicked some guts that were over my feet pushing me down. But I swam hard and passed people and focused on just pulling and kicking and going. And then it was the end, and I passed people who were walking to the edge of the pool when it was still deep. Then out of the water, and done.

No official splits, but my watch had the run at 22:42 (7:39 pace), and my PT had the bike at 32:16 (20.9mph). My final time was 1:01:24! 1st of 57 in my age group, 11th of 403 women, and 134th of 1002 overall.

And Mike kicked butt 1st in M35-39, 1st male, and 1st overall! Yup, I have a pretty speedy husband! And the swim did matter, even though only 150m. He was 3rd into the water, but passed both the other guys. I’m proud of him.

The top 3 guys: Mike (in the Inland Inferno jacket), Ronnie (yes, he raced with the bear head on for the run — and not much else), and Ryan.

Our club, Inland Inferno, had a pretty good day!

[thanks to Lee of Exceeding Expectations for the Loma Linda pictures]

Posted in biking, Race Tales, running, swiming | 1 Comment »

holiday habits

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

The holidays. Eating too much, and getting lazy… no thanks.

This year Mike and I had our first family Thanksgiving – just us and donutdogg. And I’m please to say that (well, until the donut I just had) I was coming out of the holiday weekend feeling in better shape than going in.

With just the two of us, even Thanksgiving day turkey meal was somewhat a normal meal. We didn’t gather house ahead and start snacking (well ok I had some clam dip with breakfast, but it wasn’t like some hors d’oeuvre sessions). We didn’t stay at the table chatting for hours, but instead cleaned up once done and went for a chatty walk. We didn’t have a thousand desserts, but kept it simple. So that helped.

What also helped was some family workouts. Still running everyday (on day 60 or so now). The pool was closed for the holiday, but we also got on the bike each day. A big ride up to the cider area in the mountains near us, and some shorter stuff. And a ride on the tri bikes, which hadn’t been out since Muskoka 70.3.

Here are some pics from the climby ride:

Oh and there was a walk. Started as a 2hr walk, but with some crafty path choices we made it out alive in about 3hrs and when it was no longer light enough to easily find the car. Even donut was done after that one! Here are some walk pics:

Yeah, looks like it did get a bit longer than planned… here are Gracie and I at the end of the walk:

Life is good

Posted in biking, donutdogg, mike, pics, running, Training Thoughts | 2 Comments »

yup, it was a good one

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

Today was one of those days when I felt a bit under the weather. I backed out of the awesome Saturday ride (that always drops me — I’ve never done the whole course and always shortcut to get back on!) and relaxed. The puppy slept, and licked, and I browsed online, playing on Facebook, buying another running skirt, and generally just being lazy.

It didn’t last long. Gracie woke up, and was full of beans (if you ask me) or piss and vinegar (if you ask Mike). We played with Ropey in the backyard, but I wasn’t feeling up to sprinting. So we went for a walk. And Gracie learned that sometimes paths are not for the best footing, but for where cars drove over wet grass. And that that means soft gooey mud! And that mud puddles are fun to drink out of, but stepping in them makes them less tasty. We headed the route that Mike would be biking back at the end of the Saturday ride, but we “only” walked for about an hour and forty minutes and we beat him home by about 4 minutes.

Somepuppy was covered in mud, and smelling a bit… well… doggy. So it became bath day, and then a short walk to dry off a bit more. Mike and I headed out, and ate a massive amount of yummy BBQ food, and then more relaxing with the family (oh, and talking about new chiro clinic plans since we might have found the perfect site!).

Then, since it is still October, and we haven’t missed a day yet, it was run time. We tried out a new LED flashing light leash for Grace and it worked really well. I like her to be lit up like a Christmas tree!

So the day started sleepy, and is ending that way. I still don’t feel awesome, but it was a good day. And has left me with a contented smile. Mmm

Posted in donutdogg, mike, running | 3 Comments »

one of my favorite things

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

October rocks this year. Every day is a run. And not just any run. A run with my husband and my puppy. It’s amazing I love it!

Other things are also good — a couple classes just ended at school, and working on putting together a swim clinic for the tri club (with the help of MarkyV). I’ve been enjoying pool time, too. Now to just get pedaling more!

With all that, I’m tiiiiired! So bed time. I promise to try to post more often! Really!

Posted in biking, donutdogg, marky, mike, running, swiming | No Comments »

Muskoka 70.3: Racing as a Donia

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Muskoka 70.3 was the focus race for the year. Mike and I signed up long long ago — in fact, I don’t even remember signing up! It was before we even got engaged. Once we were engaged, we started planning a wedding. And the question of when to have it came up. We knew we didn’t want a bazillion year long engagement, and we like outdoors, so we settled on Fall 2008. We also knew we’d like to have the wedding in California, and then a reception in Canada for the members of Mike’s family that couldn’t make it to California. Well, with the race near his family and in September, it was the perfect timing for a reception — and we didn’t want a reception that far after the wedding, so our race date was set as the weekend before the race. Yes, you do have to sign up for some races farther in advance than you need to plan a wedding…

I was SOOOO GLAD I had Marky helping me get ready for this one. It was definitely a crazy summer. Yes, a wedding to plan. And school to attend, and work to do, and a new city to move to, and a dog to welcome to our family. Plus the training, and I am glad I didn’t have to also think through and plan out each workout! I just had to “get ‘em done”. I knew the training and prep was all in place, and with his help, I got to the race confident and excited. Tapered as well, at least from workouts, thanks to a couple weeks of family and wedding and travel and more family

My goal on arrival was to PR, as it almost always is when I race (now that I train smart). I was thinking I would PR for sure, having had such better prep. My goal was about 7s: swim 37, bike 3:07, and run 1:57. But what I was forgetting was that the race was 4km long on the bike, and that they found the most “fun” (ie fun looking rollercoaster profile) they could for the bike, run, and yes, transitions! So after driving the course, I was no longer sure what would happen (esp on the bike, where I was really hoping to see one), and I was again glad to be racing with power. I knew where I should stay to have a successful race, and I just didn’t worry about it.

The race was taking up all the parking at the resort hosting it. So we had to park on the airstrip about 2 miles away. However, there were shuttles regularly, and we just ran it once just to get a quick leg-shaker in. It was something we were curious to see how it would go, but the race directors did a great job with it.

Registration was easy. The expo disappointing. I mean, it was my honeymoon race. You think I would by *something*. But they had decided to only make men’s jerseys, and the smallest size was a medium that was about right for Mike. When we asked if they had any women’s jerseys, we were told no, and that there were plenty of other clothes to buy and to go pick one. Umm sorry, but a cotton fitted baby shirt and a bike jersey are different. So my credit cards got a break there.

We headed to Mike’s brothers, got the bikes all set up (it’s easy when all you need to do is stick on a couple stickers!) and put our race stuff together. I was really excited about our outfits: bride and groom jerseys, bike shorts with “just married” on the butt, and for the run “just married” visors thanks to Tribabe (mine enhanced with a veil thanks to my sis and Holly). The next day we checked in our bikes and got in a practice swim. We were ready to go. Off to our wedding reception, and then bed time!

I woke up part way into the night to some rain. Ok, not some rain, but sheets and sheets of downpour. I love the sound of rain, so apologised to my bike for leaving it out in that and went back to sleep. Still not sure how the whole shuttles from parking would work on the big day, we arrived at the race nice and early. And it was still raining. Not pouring now, but more a constant drizzle. Other than the electrical tape on our wheelcovers the bikes were just fine. And the tape was just to stop the sound of it rattling on some bumps, so it was no big deal. We set up our bike shoes and helmets, deciding to place glasses nearby but forgo them if it was still that wet when climbing on. Our run shoes and socks were placed in a plastic bag beside the bike stuff. A bottle of carbopro/nuun (600 cal in the bottle) were placed on each bike, and the aerobottles filled with water. We were done, and just had to chat while waiting for the start.

We had met another couple while at the practice swim – he was in Mike’s AG, and she was in mine. They got married at Kona last year. So we chatted a bit with them, maybe too long — or we all forgot how long it took to walk to the swim start. So Mike and Scott got down to the water as their wave was ready to go. Leanne and I had a bit more of a wait, but soon we were also off!

I started to the outside on the swim as our wave had a number of the older and sometimes big and rough guy age groups in it. It was a smart choice, as I had a somewhat clear swim. There were always people right around me, but never much of a washing machine. I even caught a draft for a while, thinking about how Marky had told me to try it and given me some tips. Out of the water in 38:40 for a 2:00/100m pace (as I learned later – I don’t keep race time during races). Good enough for 11 in my AG, which I believe is my best AG swim placing ever.

The run to transition was not short, and not easy. It was a crazy-ass climb, and about 300m long!! An a fairly serious climb. So I took advantage of the wetsuit strippers and just cruised on up, already chanting my T1 mantra. Shoes, helmet, inhaler, blocks. Shoes, helmet, inhaler blocks. At my bike I dropped the wetsuit. The inhaler and blocks in my helmet were put into my pocket, helmet on my head, shoes on my feet and I was off. I had a great rack spot with an easy exit route! T1: 4:21.

(photo by Paul Graham)

I was looking forward to the bike. I knew I could do it, the hills weren’t scaring me, and I had my lovely yellow PowerTap friend smiling up at me. Until one of the many rough spots in the first couple miles, when the back of the craddle broke and my poor little PT CPU went flying. Shit shit shit… do I stop? Go? For a race this distance, and not having another watch to know timing and nutrition, not to mention the cost of that computer, I stopped and grabbed it. Back on the bike, with the PT now in my pocket, all I could think was how Marky said I should ride on feel And then wondered if he somehow caused this.

I enjoyed the bike course. Up, down, around, up, up, down, up, over, around, up again… Never a dull moment, and beautiful scenery. But I was good, and only glanced at it out of the corner of my eyes. I felt good on the bike. It was still raining, and then it started raining more seriously. It was like needles on my arms and legs, but it wasn’t cold, so it was actually kind of comfortable. Every now and then I’d pull the PT CPU from my pocket and check what I was at — was about where I wanted in effort, nutrition was on, it was just a slow day for what I had hoped for. But that’s racing: it’s not a course you know, an a know scenario. It’s an experience.

There were a couple pairs of drafters, and people who would try to draft anyone near them and then get dropped. I just don’t get it — especially when you are at a place in the race where it’s not about podium spots. It just gave me a desire to ride clean: I made sure I dropped back before repassing (dudes who pass and then quit pedaling: it’s ok to ride your own race. Please ignore me and let me do the same to you). And to the guy who (I think) made a snarky comment about using a wheel cover: it worked just fine and I had fun, thanks for asking.

Then a big descent, and a guy passing me goes down, HARD. Starts sliding across the pavement, right in front of me, rollling into a ball. I somehow manage to barely miss him and keep on the edge of the road. Hoping Steve is ok (we’d been near each other for a while) I thanked my lucky stars my day wasn’t over and kept going. A right turn, and I was on a fairly rough stretch of road. It was almost like it wasn’t paved, but it was just bumpy and not really pot-holey. About on the home stretch now, and ready to get running. I like biking, but I was tired of being on a bike in the rain, and I love running. Plus the attention-whore in me was ready to have my visor and to run like a bride Off the bike: 3:26:34 (58.4mi, 16.98mph).

T2 mantra was going: Helmet and shoes off, watch, socks, shoes, visor. Helmet and shoes off, the watchband of my Garmin into my mouth, socks and shoes on, and visor in hand I ran on out. 1:51.

One thing I love is seeing Mike on the course. At IMKY last year, I happened to be right where the loop joins itself as he started his second loop and that was just amazing. We knew it would be close, so for the first mile I focused on not running to hard and watching for him. I never saw him, but we found out later we had just missed. And no matter how easy I made myself go, I was flying! 8:17 for the first mile! And I thought I was going nice and easy. I guess I was more excited than I thought to be off the bike Like the bike, and T1, there wasn’t much flat about the run.

But I was having fun. I ran with a girl from the area for a while, I ran with a girl in my age group for a bit. Through it all I felt I was going just maybe too hard, but I felt maybe just maybe I could hold it. Along the way many people told me they had seen the groom, and lots loved the outfit. Some asked if I was running to the alter, and I asked if they thought I should turn back. I focused on maintaining on uphills, and cadence on the down. I cursed and thanked Marky both ways as his words on turnover and effort and such rolled through my head. It was again pouring at times, and I just enjoyed the drops on me keeping me nice and cool.

(photo by Paul Graham)

I reached the final 5k and thought I had stepped into an Escher poster. It was on golf course paths, and there were runners everywhere, but you couldn’t tell where they were from or going or how much farther it was. I kept going, knowing it was only a 5k — I can hold this pace that far! I kept telling myself. So I did. I saw Mike, and he encouraged me, and I knew it was only about 3k left. Oh. My. God. Longest 3k ever. I thought my Garmin might have started going backwards. It was hilly and hard and I hurt and just had to keep going. Marky said to neg split, just barely. So I couldn’t slow now — that would be the same as admitting I had gone too hard on the bike! So I didn’t. And somehow my legs listened. And we just kept on going. And going. And finally it was the last turn. Nope, I was wrong. Maybe now? Nope… at least one more… But then it was the last uphill, and the finall slight down right into the finish chute! I relaxed, let the person by me go on and through, and had my own moment at the line. My watch read 1:56:00 (and sportstats matched it) but I’m going with 1:55:59 like the tracking had . A half marathon PR. And on <a href=”http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6786816″>that course</a>, and that weather. 4th fastest in my AG.

Total: 06:07:24, and 8/37 in my AG. I think that’s my best placing in a big race so far. Not the sub-6 I was hoping to repeat, but a tougher course and day, and I had a blast and felt I executed really really well. So I’m happy with it. But as Marky said of his last race, it is only going to get better.

A post-race massage, and then a hunt for warm food and to the awards. And then — a warm shower and REAL FOOD. Ahh it was good

I will let Mike post his race report in full later — but I’m so proud of him that I’m going to give some of it away! 4th out of the water in his AG, and then he led the AG race through the end of the bike! He ended up in 3rd in his age group and looked stylish doing it

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