HR and No Socks!

I’ve been absent for a few days, I know. This weekend I got a lot of great bike riding in outside and have really had a boost of confidence in the bike, and maybe a drop in confidence on the swim. Thankfully, the run still feels good. Though, I realized how much more I need to increase my bike fitness as my legs were completely fatigued yesterday evening when I tried to run! Oh well, what I got in was good and this morning my legs aren’t beat. I am starting two new things with my training: Heart Rate (HR) training (at least for the run right now, bike will follow with some increased bike fitness) and sock-less training. The HR has been proven to work for many and should help me not just go hard everytime I run and instead train my body more specifically to be more efficient and increase endurance. It’ll require some discipline from me, but should have good results. The sock-less thing may sound odd, but I can’t tell you how much time it seems to take to put socks on during transition! I don’t need them for the bike really, the shoes I have can go fine by themselves and they don’t rub me at all. Not only that, but coming out of the swim to the bike, having wet feet just makes the socks wet, and they stay wet, which is no good. Then, from bike to run, well, putting socks on takes time…time I’d rather not use. So, if I can harden my feet up enough, then I can just slip on the shoes and GO. So, we’ll see how it goes and how many blisters, if any, I have to endure. I did 2 miles this morning with no issues. My shoes will stink though…though my family would say that’s nothing new!

I am so competitive sometimes! There is a lady my same age, maybe a year younger, that started tri’s last year I think, qualified for Boston on her first marathon in December with a time about a 1 minute slower than me, and who is training for Ironman Kentucky this year. Anyhow, she trains with the coach I use for swimming, and she is very dedicated and is a great athlete. She did the Half-Iron distance in Galveston, and did, in my opinion, really well…times I would love to post for Longhorn. Anyhow, I went out with a local bike club for a 30 mile ride on Sunday, and lo and behold, she is there as well. I really wanted to stay up with here more than I did, but it was good motivation. Not that I want to “beat her” as her fitness level is above mine right now in probably everything but the run, but I want to get to where she is (and yes, probably eventually beat her in some race, haha! I was glad she did the ½ when I did the ¼ or then it would’ve been on, and she might have won), so it’ll be some good motivation for future rides, etc. Motivation is always good—and being competitive means there is ALWAYS motivation! I love it!

Here are some photos from the LoneStar 1/4 Iron Tri:

Sunburned, but happy!

Great race weekend!! I met so many awesome people, raced a really well directed race production, and had a really good race! Here is how I did. For some of you new to the world of tris, I'll decipher it for some of what it means:

Overall Place is out of the whole field of competitors (men/women, all age groups)- 718 finishers total. Gender place, self explanatory, Division is in my age group (women 25-29). The ranks for all the other are like the overall, but for that leg of the race. T1 and T2 are transitions from swim to bike and swim to run.

Swim Goal: So, I did not meet my swim goal of pace (I did about a 2:02), but the bottom line is I need to swim more, longer, and more outdoor water swim. Salt water was interesting, and being nasy Galveston, you didn't see anyone around you unless you were right next to them. I just need to swim more. I came out of the water ready to go though and not dragging, so that was key cause this is the shortest part of the race. But, of all the sports, getting faster here doesn't result in way much more time saved. I still want to get faster, of course cause any time I cut off is great! My swim to bike transition could be faster too, I need more transition practice.
Bike Goal: I smashed my goal! Woohoo!! I averaged 19.77 mph. It was flat, there was crosswind you worked against the whole time, but it wasn't devestating at all. I really really really enjoyed this bike! I passed several people and only got passed by a couple ladies and lots of the elite men on the second part of the 1/2 Ironman that was racing at the same time. The Naval Academy Tri Team was there and when our swim wave started it was my age group and theirs (20-24) and several beat me out of the water, but I passed at least 3 of them on bike. When I did I said "good job Navy, Go Army" I got laughs, a "you gotta be kidding me" (in a joking way), and a "no way" (in a joking way). I thought it was funny, I couldn't resist...it is programed into me! So, WAY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BIKE!! YAY! Juan (my bike) did great!
Run Goal: Appears I predicted right on the money as I ran a 7:45 pace. The Transition from bike to run went great too, very happy with my time there. Now, my legs were not talking to the rest of me during the run, and I know I started out too fast, I was seeing 6:50's and low 7's and that was TOO FAST to start, but it didn't feel that way. I did taper off some, and then in the middle I was in the low 8's and then pushed back down into the 7's. It was a hard run though. First time I've felt like I was gonna maybe puke while running. Finishing chutes do something to me too and I feel like I MUST sprint down them, so I did!

Awesome Race! Well run! I got 4th in my Age Group and actually beat last year's winning time for my AG, but that same lady came back and dropped her time by 14 minutes! WOW! And the two others beat me by 9/10 minutes, so it wasn't close! This made me totally realize how much training and work I have to do before my Half-Ironman in October (not to mention the Ironman thoughts for 2009). I see many many many Bricks (bike then run) in my future! My neck is sore and my quads/inner thighs are sore, but I'll survive! Another race down! I love this sport!

Race Weekend

So, if you can't tell yet, I'm pretty fond of this running/triathlon racing thing. This weekend I'll take on my second triathlon- the LoneStar 1/4 Iron Triathlon in Galveston, TX. I will be swimming .6 miles (965 meters), biking 28 miles, and running 6.5 miles. We will be swimming in the bay at Moody Gardens, so surf won't be an issue. It is a deep water start, meaning we get in and swim out to the start area and start from there. The water temps should be around 67-68 degrees, and I have a triathlon wetsuit (sleeveless--I'll get sleeves someday) so I'm not worried about chilly water. My competitive personality will take over and keep me warm! We'll encounter some wind on the bike for sure (it is Galveston), but it's FLAT, and this is important to me. The wind won't bother me too much on the run. The run, incredibly in comparison to my past, is by far my strength. So, what are my goals--sometimes I'm hesitant to throw these out, but I have so I might as well put it out there and if I don't reach it, oh well, must just strive further. So, here goes:
Swim: Avg. 1:50-1:55 per 100m
Bike: Avg. 17.5-19 mph on the bike (big span here, I know--but I haven't done this distance much outside, and definitely no flat courses...wind may be a factor)
Run: Ideal- 7:45 or less per mile pace, Reality: 7:45-8 min/mile pace.
With those, I'd like to finish in the top 5 of my age group, we will see! I will post some race notes later.

Also, on the triathlon front, I am starting to look at planning to do an Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) in 2009. You have to sign up a year in advance, and I want to make sure I can still train for and strongly run the Boston Marathon in April '09. I also don't want a very hilly course--I don't mind hills for the running that much (except for i might after the swim and bike! haha), but would rather not for the bike. Ironman Arizona in the fall wouldn't be bad, but for various reasons, it'll be impossible to sign up for this year. So, I think Ironman Florida (IMFL) in Nov '09 would be my best shot. I need to be there in person for this years race to sign up for next year, so if my new job allows, etc., I plan to volunteer for IMFL this year and sign up for next year! I called a friend of mine nuts when she said she was going to do one of these...now I'm biting at the bit to train hard and race hard one of these. Any and all fans are welcome (this is true for any of my races--so Longhorn Half-Ironman in Oct, Boston '09, IMFL '09...come on out! You might get addicted though and find yourself trying this out!).

I've become an addict

Yes, it's true. I've become an addict to running and triathlon training- Swim, Bike, Run. I enjoy swimming quite a bit, biking is okay, and I love running. I'm excited to learn to love my bike more, it just takes time riding on it to get there. I will get there. What a challenge, between running marathons and starting triathlons. I did my first triathlon on March 8th and despite mid-20 degree weather and a not-so-fun ride, it was overall an incredible rush. I ran my first marathon at the Austin Marathon on 17 February, and every time I drive to Austin now I yearn to run. If I go a day without one workout, I feel like a complete "slug." If I go without two workouts I feel somewhat lazy! It's ridiculous sometimes, but if I'm going to have a hobby, I might as well have one that keeps me fit and healthy. I never imagined I'd be doing these things. In fact, I thought those people were crazy. Now the hard thing is trying to figure out my race schedule and training schedule balanced with the rest of life! I have decided the easy solution is just to marry rich and then I don't have to work! (just kidding of course, but it wouldn't hurt!) Speaking of events, I'm heading off to Ft. Hood for the "Bunny Hop 5K." Time to run!