So after the first terrible experience I knew I had to get right back in there and try again. So I signed up for the sprint tir on July 10th at the same place the first one had been. The sprint is half the distance of the full. We swam 1/2 mile, biked 15 miles and ran 3.1 miles.
Jeremy and I were driving up the morning of the race and I was really excited. I had been practicing for the swim in Lake Michigan and training even harder. This race started at 7 and we were supposed to be there by 6:30. We were a couple miles away from the race complex at around 6:30 and we realize all the roads are closed. I start to panic and realize I might miss the race. Finally we talk to a cop who tells us we need to go back to the center of this little town and park at target. There is a shuttle that will take people from target to the Rec Plex center. By the time we get to target and onto the shuttle I knew I was going to be late. I handed Jeremy all of my transition gear and told him to meet me where I would be coming out of the water. I grabbed my wetsuit and ran to the start. I got there in plenty on time and even had a chance to warm up.
As my wave entered the water I got nervous remembering what happened last time. I stayed to the back and as the whistle blew I put my head down and just started to swim. I started passing people and before I knew it I saw the each. I was out of the water in 14 minutes!! I saw Jeremy and grabbed my stuff. As I ran into transition I was psyched. I felt great!
I hopped on my bike and headed to the road. I was flying on my bike...on the same coarse I barely completed 2 weeks prior. I finished the bike in 44 minutes and was off on the run. I was getting tired and had gotten a blister on my big toe from running to the start of the race when I thought I was late. But, I finished my run strong, with a time of 28 minutes.
I finished the race in 1 hour and 33 minutes and placed 8th in my age group out of 97. I was so excited!! I had not only finished but I did pretty well. I'm officially addicted now :) I came up witha list of things to do better. I needed to improve my long transitions times. I wanted to do slightly better on the run. And of coarse I want to keep practing that swim. Next race...sprint tri on the south shore of Chicago July 30th...get ready Chicago Emily is coming!!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Bad Blogger
So I have been a terrible blogger and was recently reminded of this by my brother. Part of the reason I have slacked off so much was because my first Triathlon was sooooooooo awful. It was the most painful thing I think I have ever done.
June 25th came around and Jeremy and I drove up to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. I checked in and racked my bike. I went to a couple different talks about transitions and the race coarse. We went to check out the lake and look at the swim. I was definitely nervous. The swim looked really long but I thought I was ready.
In the morning we were up at about 4:45 so I could get to the race center and set up my transition area. The race started at 6 and my wave was scheduled to leave about 6:30. Jeremy, my mom and dad were all watching as I nervously entered the water. As our wave left I felt OK. I was trying to concentrate on my stroke and breath. I made about half way through the coarse and someone knocked me under. I came up coughing and chocking on lake water and couldn't catch my breath. After that it seemed like everyone who swam by me was pushing me or swimming over me. I seriously didn't think I was going to make it. Then this very kind soul named Glen came to my rescue. He swam beside me and tried calming me down and literally helped hold me up in the water while I coughed all over him. About 50 minutes later I finally emerged from the lake feeling like I had been beaten for hours.
I walked slowly to the transition area and pulled off my wetsuit. I could see my mom, dad and Jeremy all cheering for me by the sidelines but all I wanted to do was cry and go home with them. I put on my biking gear and took my bike towards the road. I thought I would be able to regain my composure on the bike and make up a little time. But, I had inhaled and swallowed so much lake water I felt short of breath and nauseous the whole time. I made it a few miles on my bike and had to stop and throw up a bunch of gross brown water. Finally I finished the ride in an hour and fifty nine minutes.
The run was awaiting me. I had said from the beginning that I would always be able to get through the run. However, I didn't take into account not being able to breath. I started out on the run with a slow jog and made it maybe 1/4 mile before I had to stop and catch my breath. I decided the only way I was going to make it through was to walk. So that is just what I did. I found a girl who was content to walk with me and we finished the run in an hour and forty five minutes. We were the last two to cross the finish line. But we did it. I finished my first tri in an embarrassing 4 hours and 43 minutes.
I fell into my moms arms at the end feeling very defeated. I thought that my triathlon career was done already. However by the time I got home that night I was forgetting the pain. I was ready to try again. I went right to the computer and signed up for a sprint tri on July 10th back in Pleasant Prairie.
June 25th came around and Jeremy and I drove up to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. I checked in and racked my bike. I went to a couple different talks about transitions and the race coarse. We went to check out the lake and look at the swim. I was definitely nervous. The swim looked really long but I thought I was ready.
In the morning we were up at about 4:45 so I could get to the race center and set up my transition area. The race started at 6 and my wave was scheduled to leave about 6:30. Jeremy, my mom and dad were all watching as I nervously entered the water. As our wave left I felt OK. I was trying to concentrate on my stroke and breath. I made about half way through the coarse and someone knocked me under. I came up coughing and chocking on lake water and couldn't catch my breath. After that it seemed like everyone who swam by me was pushing me or swimming over me. I seriously didn't think I was going to make it. Then this very kind soul named Glen came to my rescue. He swam beside me and tried calming me down and literally helped hold me up in the water while I coughed all over him. About 50 minutes later I finally emerged from the lake feeling like I had been beaten for hours.
I walked slowly to the transition area and pulled off my wetsuit. I could see my mom, dad and Jeremy all cheering for me by the sidelines but all I wanted to do was cry and go home with them. I put on my biking gear and took my bike towards the road. I thought I would be able to regain my composure on the bike and make up a little time. But, I had inhaled and swallowed so much lake water I felt short of breath and nauseous the whole time. I made it a few miles on my bike and had to stop and throw up a bunch of gross brown water. Finally I finished the ride in an hour and fifty nine minutes.
The run was awaiting me. I had said from the beginning that I would always be able to get through the run. However, I didn't take into account not being able to breath. I started out on the run with a slow jog and made it maybe 1/4 mile before I had to stop and catch my breath. I decided the only way I was going to make it through was to walk. So that is just what I did. I found a girl who was content to walk with me and we finished the run in an hour and forty five minutes. We were the last two to cross the finish line. But we did it. I finished my first tri in an embarrassing 4 hours and 43 minutes.
I fell into my moms arms at the end feeling very defeated. I thought that my triathlon career was done already. However by the time I got home that night I was forgetting the pain. I was ready to try again. I went right to the computer and signed up for a sprint tri on July 10th back in Pleasant Prairie.
Friday, June 17, 2011
8 days left
So....there are only 8 days to go until my first big race!! I'm excited and scared at the same time. I did manage to go and swim in Lake Michigan the other day. I was pleasantly surprised with how it went. the water wasn't super cold. My wet suit felt good. The only problem is I can't see the bottom of the lake and that totally freaks me out. Not just freaks me out but I get disoriented. First I swam straight out into the lake and then I turned myself around and crashed into the wall. I'm hoping its easier to swim in a straight line when there are more people present.
My body feels good right now. I feel strong and fast. I'm excited to race, however I think this up coming week will be a long one as I wait in anticipation!!
My body feels good right now. I feel strong and fast. I'm excited to race, however I think this up coming week will be a long one as I wait in anticipation!!
Monday, May 23, 2011
This weeks workouts
Monday - Ran 4.5 miles
Tuesday - Swim for 1 hour, Bike for 1 hour
Squat, Pushups, 1 arm row
Pullups, Side/Back Extension, Hamstring Curl
Incline Bicep Curl, Fly, Crunches
Skullcrusher, Shoulder Press, Leg lifts
Wednesday - Run 1 hour, Bike 1 hour
Thursday - Swim 1 Hour, Run 1 hour
Lunges, DB Chest Press, Reverse Crunch
Lat Pulldown, Cable cross, Deadlifts
Standing curl, Tricep Extension, Lateral raise, crunches
Friday - TBD
Tuesday - Swim for 1 hour, Bike for 1 hour
Squat, Pushups, 1 arm row
Pullups, Side/Back Extension, Hamstring Curl
Incline Bicep Curl, Fly, Crunches
Skullcrusher, Shoulder Press, Leg lifts
Wednesday - Run 1 hour, Bike 1 hour
Thursday - Swim 1 Hour, Run 1 hour
Lunges, DB Chest Press, Reverse Crunch
Lat Pulldown, Cable cross, Deadlifts
Standing curl, Tricep Extension, Lateral raise, crunches
Friday - TBD
Thursday, May 19, 2011
I'm tired
I'm tired and I'm getting worn down this week from work, home and trying to fit in my workouts. I only have about 6 weeks left before my first race so I can't stop now. This week has been incredibly busy at work which is a good thing, but I find myself struggling with myself to finish my workout rather then go home and get my chores done.
Monday I ran 6 miles and lifted weights. Tuesday I swam 1.2 miles and ran 6 miles. Wednesday I lifted weights and today I swam over a mile in 40 minutes. That's my best time so far and I was proud of myself. Tomorrow I will probably get another swim in and hopefully a bike ride. Thank goodness it's almost the weekend!!
Monday I ran 6 miles and lifted weights. Tuesday I swam 1.2 miles and ran 6 miles. Wednesday I lifted weights and today I swam over a mile in 40 minutes. That's my best time so far and I was proud of myself. Tomorrow I will probably get another swim in and hopefully a bike ride. Thank goodness it's almost the weekend!!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursdays
If Monday's are my best days, Thursdays are probably the worst. My body is tired and sore from pushing it hard the past 3 days. My legs have been sore since Monday when I lifted but I have been stretching and working through it.
Today I wanted to lift, run 8 miles and swim for 45 minutes. I started my workout with weights...today focusing on back, biceps and abs. I then moved on to my run. After the first mile my legs were feeling good and I found my rhythm. I reached mile 4 and was still feeling good...and then it happened. I had to pee. I hate it when I have to pee. It ruins the whole momentum I've built up. So, I ran to the bathroom and then decided to do another set of weights. When I made it back to the treadmill I couldn't get going. I ran another mile and a half. I felt kinda shaky. I hoped off and headed downstairs to the pool. The pool felt good. My breathing was under control and I swam for my 45 minutes. I did about a mile. I got out and showered, managed to have a small snack and then I was back to work. Half way through my session I realized I should of had a bigger snack. I started getting faint and queasy. Luckily I made it through my session and went to get some lunch.
Feeling much better now. Maybe I will finish my run when I get back to work later.
Today I wanted to lift, run 8 miles and swim for 45 minutes. I started my workout with weights...today focusing on back, biceps and abs. I then moved on to my run. After the first mile my legs were feeling good and I found my rhythm. I reached mile 4 and was still feeling good...and then it happened. I had to pee. I hate it when I have to pee. It ruins the whole momentum I've built up. So, I ran to the bathroom and then decided to do another set of weights. When I made it back to the treadmill I couldn't get going. I ran another mile and a half. I felt kinda shaky. I hoped off and headed downstairs to the pool. The pool felt good. My breathing was under control and I swam for my 45 minutes. I did about a mile. I got out and showered, managed to have a small snack and then I was back to work. Half way through my session I realized I should of had a bigger snack. I started getting faint and queasy. Luckily I made it through my session and went to get some lunch.
Feeling much better now. Maybe I will finish my run when I get back to work later.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Morton
I love Mondays! I usually get my best workouts on Mondays. Generally I rest Saturday and Sunday so I'm ready to go on Monday! Today was no exception. I felt great. This morning I did a 10 minute fast run, I went about 1.35 miles (can't remember exactly) then I lifted. I focused on legs and shoulders today. But I know I was pushing myself...I started getting sore while I was lifting...that's always fun :) On my way home from work I stopped by Uptown bikes (I love them, so friendly and helpful) I discovered that you need a special adapter for an air compressor to fill up road bike tires. At least I think that's what I got, I'm learning as I go. Anyway, it worked. I filled my tires up on my awesome bike and then I went for a ride. I did 15 miles in about 55 minutes...I know, I need to improve that time. Then I ran another 2.5 miles.
However, the problem is I have a Morton's neuroma...which in English mean I have an enlarged nerve in my foot and it hurts like hell. I have noticed that it is especially painful when I get off my bike and try to run. I don't exactly know how to describe how painful it is. I guess I would say it kinda feels like a scorching hot needle is going through my 2nd and 3rd toe every time I put my weight on it.
About 8 months ago I went to see a podiatrist about this pesky problem. She made me costume orthopaedics which work wonderfully on a day to day basis but this biking/running thing is gonna kill me. My next option would be to get this nerve surgically removed which is kinda hard to do for a girl who is currently uninsured (thank you America for not providing health care) I managed to run through the pain and it eventually got a git more bearable after the first mile. All in all I was pretty happy with my workout and am excited to see how I feel tomorrow.
Thank you for finally being warm enough to play outside!!
However, the problem is I have a Morton's neuroma...which in English mean I have an enlarged nerve in my foot and it hurts like hell. I have noticed that it is especially painful when I get off my bike and try to run. I don't exactly know how to describe how painful it is. I guess I would say it kinda feels like a scorching hot needle is going through my 2nd and 3rd toe every time I put my weight on it.
About 8 months ago I went to see a podiatrist about this pesky problem. She made me costume orthopaedics which work wonderfully on a day to day basis but this biking/running thing is gonna kill me. My next option would be to get this nerve surgically removed which is kinda hard to do for a girl who is currently uninsured (thank you America for not providing health care) I managed to run through the pain and it eventually got a git more bearable after the first mile. All in all I was pretty happy with my workout and am excited to see how I feel tomorrow.
Thank you for finally being warm enough to play outside!!
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