After a tough week of training, mostly mental, I needed a weekend to do me. I don't know why, but I have just had such a hard time with my training. It is SO HOT outside, I am EXHAUSTED, and quite frankly, my mind is just ready to race and be done. I know that this happens, especially a few weeks leading up to the taper. This is my last hard week before the taper and I am ready to kick it in the ass, but that's only because I had such an awesome weekend, with awesome friends, and relaxed a bit.
Friday, I had a nice little recovery ride with a friend I hadn't ridden with since last summer! And it was awesome. The best part was that it was so much easier to keep up this time around, I have really gotten SO MUCH BETTER at cycling. Then I went to the pool and laid out for 7 hours. That's right, you heard me, seven whole hours. I did get a little sun-kissed, but it was absolutely perfect. It ended up storming so I was unable to sneak my swim in for the day, so I just decided to move it to Saturday.
I woke up around 8 on Saturday morning, I had a busy day! I did my hour run with 20 minutes of 10k effort running, my legs seized up a little on me, but overall, a good run. I rinsed off in the shower, made a quick bowl of oatmeal, and hopped in the car for my history final! Thank goodness that class is over, I was definitely over it. I went straight to the pool after my test to do my workout from Friday (20x100 1:45-1:30 in groups of 5). It was a great workout. Then it was off to shower, put my pretty girl face on, and go to Arlington!
I visited my friends who had already graduated from JMU. It was so much fun. We grilled over a flower planter filled with charcoal, we went on a walk, a dance party, and of course, a 3 am trip to IHOP! The next morning called for a bike ride, but the bike ride was on the trail in Arlington, I thought it was tough to ride on because there were so many people, so I couldn't go as fast as I would have like to, however, it was great for bike handling. The rest of the day was spent watching movies, eating chips and guacamole, napping, a trip to Trader Joes, and a kitchen cooking/dance party. We made fajitas, potatoes, rice, chicken, steak, and a fruit salad (with whipped cream duh!) We had such a blast, everyone hanging out. Then after dinner, I went on my first motorcycle ride. Totally dangerous, totally worth it. My mom was so mad when I told her, but I took proper safety precautions and had a blast. I really do have that "need for speed".
I drove home yesterday, I left Arlington at 5:30 and was home by 7:45. Great traffic! I came home to a rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes. And if you're wondering, yes I took the day off, yes it felt wonderful. It concluded the perfect ending to a mentally and physically challenging week. Now I just have to make it through this week, and its time to start that taper! And luckily, I have a small beach weekend trip planned for the weekend before Nationals to really relax, enjoy myself, and get ready to kill it!
time to go back to work...
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Funday Friday
I had a really clever title for this post that I thought of while swimming today... but its gone, long gone.
Yesterday I did a super run workout... 10 min WU, 3x8 min at 10k pace, 4 min recovery b/w and 10 minutes steady/cool down, 5 min walk. I tried bringing my bike GPS with me, which is fine to hold in my hand. Since we were running in the woods though, the GPS couldn't really pick up signal... it said we were running 5 mph... I know that was wrong! I also thought I could set my Garmin to min/mile, but apparently I was wrong so I had to figure out a good pace. After doing the math I figured I wanted to be running around 8.6-9.2 mph to get approximately 6:45-7:00 miles. After figuring out the Garmin wasn't going to tell me much, I just ran based on feel; especially since I was with one of my friends who is pretty good at calculating pace. However, on the last interval, we ran the last 2 minutes on the street and were clocking 9.8-11 mph. HECK YEAH! I felt really strong and definitely had kick in me at the end of each interval.
But today my friends, I was BEAT. I tried to wake up at 7 to coach swim team, but my body just could. not. do. it. So then I tried to wake up at 8, again no such luck. Finally, around 8:45, I ripped myself from bed because I was so hungry and ran downstairs to make some oatmeal and drink coffee. I don't know about any other athletes out there, but it is SO much harder for me to get motivated to workout when I let myself sleep in. Thoughts??
Then around 11, I remembered that today was free Starbucks Refreshers drink day from 12-3. That sure got my butt up and out the door so I could get to the "Bucks" before they ran out of drinks (since I had 90 min recovery ride on the schedule I wouldn't get there until at least 12:30!!!!!) So, on my way back from my ride, realizing I had an extra 15 minutes to kill and not wanting to add on in one of the neighborhoods, I scooted on up to Starbucks, parked my bike at the side window so I could keep an eye on it, and ordered myself a drink. And I know what you are thinking here: yes I learned my lesson about dehydration, yes I had an another bottle for my ride today, I just put it in my jersey pocket for the ride home. I am a smart girl now!! :)
I got the cool lime drink, it SUCKED. It tasted good at first, but the after taste was horrific. Now I know why they had free drink day.
Off to bed! I have a 5:45 am wake up call that I am definitely not too thrilled about. Lets just hope this long run in the morning goes better than last week's!
Yesterday I did a super run workout... 10 min WU, 3x8 min at 10k pace, 4 min recovery b/w and 10 minutes steady/cool down, 5 min walk. I tried bringing my bike GPS with me, which is fine to hold in my hand. Since we were running in the woods though, the GPS couldn't really pick up signal... it said we were running 5 mph... I know that was wrong! I also thought I could set my Garmin to min/mile, but apparently I was wrong so I had to figure out a good pace. After doing the math I figured I wanted to be running around 8.6-9.2 mph to get approximately 6:45-7:00 miles. After figuring out the Garmin wasn't going to tell me much, I just ran based on feel; especially since I was with one of my friends who is pretty good at calculating pace. However, on the last interval, we ran the last 2 minutes on the street and were clocking 9.8-11 mph. HECK YEAH! I felt really strong and definitely had kick in me at the end of each interval.
But today my friends, I was BEAT. I tried to wake up at 7 to coach swim team, but my body just could. not. do. it. So then I tried to wake up at 8, again no such luck. Finally, around 8:45, I ripped myself from bed because I was so hungry and ran downstairs to make some oatmeal and drink coffee. I don't know about any other athletes out there, but it is SO much harder for me to get motivated to workout when I let myself sleep in. Thoughts??
Then around 11, I remembered that today was free Starbucks Refreshers drink day from 12-3. That sure got my butt up and out the door so I could get to the "Bucks" before they ran out of drinks (since I had 90 min recovery ride on the schedule I wouldn't get there until at least 12:30!!!!!) So, on my way back from my ride, realizing I had an extra 15 minutes to kill and not wanting to add on in one of the neighborhoods, I scooted on up to Starbucks, parked my bike at the side window so I could keep an eye on it, and ordered myself a drink. And I know what you are thinking here: yes I learned my lesson about dehydration, yes I had an another bottle for my ride today, I just put it in my jersey pocket for the ride home. I am a smart girl now!! :)
I got the cool lime drink, it SUCKED. It tasted good at first, but the after taste was horrific. Now I know why they had free drink day.
Off to bed! I have a 5:45 am wake up call that I am definitely not too thrilled about. Lets just hope this long run in the morning goes better than last week's!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Tracks on Tracks on Tracks
Let me brush my shoulders off and say I had an awesomeawesomeawesome TRACK workout on Tuesday. Yep, you heard me right, runner girl is gettin her legs back and couldn't be happier about it. I am at work right now and no one has anything else for me to do. Sad day. So rather than waste my life watching T.V. in the office (well, I guess TdF doesn't count as wasting my life?), I decided I should post.
I had 6x800 on the schedule. I definitely wasn't looking forward to it after last week. I had a pretty rough track workout with my knee and hip bothering me. I ended up stopping early. Connie was proud of me for being "vigilant" even thought I felt like a total failure. It was a yucky and rainy day all day, so to be honest, all I wanted to do after work was go lay in my bed, cuddle up, and eat ice cream. Unfortunately though, triathlons are not "bed, cuddle, eat" competitions, so I sucked it up and tackled my workout. And tackle it I did. My goal right now is about 3:00-3:10 pace/800m with the goal of CONSISTENCY. I'll be darned if I did't hit 3:01, 3:02, 3:01, 3:04, 3:05, 3:04-- all of which were either negative split'd or exactly the same for each 400. BOOYAH. Recently I've been all over the place with my paces, so I was really excited. Thankfully, I had Michelle with me to keep me motivated and keep pushing. We discovered that we are so good for each other because she kicks my booty on the track while I kick her butt on longer runs. A win-win situation.
I think that what made my track workout so bearable was the phrase "Can't I or Won't I? No I WILL." I saw something like that early Tuesday. I can do it, and I WILL do it. The body is capable of some pretty awesome things. I knew I could hit the paces I wanted to, yeah it hurt like H-E-double hockey sticks, but man the feeling after was incredible.
And to make everything even better, Michelle and I treated ourselves to MAGIC MIKE. I've been waiting so long to see it and finally she came back in town.
Let's just hope that today's run goes just as well as Tuesdays... 10 min ez, 3x8 minute at goal 10k pace (I'm shootin for 7:00/mi pace) with 4 min between and 10 min steady/ez, 5 min walk. PLUS CORE. I WILL DO CORE TONIGHT I WILL DO CORE TONIGHT I WILL DO CORE TONIGHT.
And a Bible verse to get me through the workout today:
"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:29-31
I had 6x800 on the schedule. I definitely wasn't looking forward to it after last week. I had a pretty rough track workout with my knee and hip bothering me. I ended up stopping early. Connie was proud of me for being "vigilant" even thought I felt like a total failure. It was a yucky and rainy day all day, so to be honest, all I wanted to do after work was go lay in my bed, cuddle up, and eat ice cream. Unfortunately though, triathlons are not "bed, cuddle, eat" competitions, so I sucked it up and tackled my workout. And tackle it I did. My goal right now is about 3:00-3:10 pace/800m with the goal of CONSISTENCY. I'll be darned if I did't hit 3:01, 3:02, 3:01, 3:04, 3:05, 3:04-- all of which were either negative split'd or exactly the same for each 400. BOOYAH. Recently I've been all over the place with my paces, so I was really excited. Thankfully, I had Michelle with me to keep me motivated and keep pushing. We discovered that we are so good for each other because she kicks my booty on the track while I kick her butt on longer runs. A win-win situation.
I think that what made my track workout so bearable was the phrase "Can't I or Won't I? No I WILL." I saw something like that early Tuesday. I can do it, and I WILL do it. The body is capable of some pretty awesome things. I knew I could hit the paces I wanted to, yeah it hurt like H-E-double hockey sticks, but man the feeling after was incredible.
And to make everything even better, Michelle and I treated ourselves to MAGIC MIKE. I've been waiting so long to see it and finally she came back in town.
Let's just hope that today's run goes just as well as Tuesdays... 10 min ez, 3x8 minute at goal 10k pace (I'm shootin for 7:00/mi pace) with 4 min between and 10 min steady/ez, 5 min walk. PLUS CORE. I WILL DO CORE TONIGHT I WILL DO CORE TONIGHT I WILL DO CORE TONIGHT.
And a Bible verse to get me through the workout today:
"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:29-31
Monday, July 9, 2012
Goals?
As I sit at work today, with little to do, I am thinking about what being a triathlete really means to me. I know I love this sport, I know I am passionate, but what do I hope to gain from it? I have recently been asked what my goals are in life, related to triathlon or just in general. And that's when I realize, I have no idea how to answer.
I commonly answer, "Oh, I don't know, just win races, not get hurt, and maybe be Pro. But I do want to be a mom and stuff and have a family. I guess see where life takes me." But these recent "goal" questions don't deserve an answer like that. They deserve something with more substance and it really challenged me. I know I am only 19 years old, I am young, I have another 70+ years ahead of me (I hope), but I should have some sort of solid goal, what I want to do. I have narrowed down some things that I hope to accomplish.
1. I want to continue to race triathlon for the remainder of my life. It is what makes me happy. After having to take last week easy because of my knee, I realized that I am happy when I am just focusing on swim, bike, run. Of course there are many more things I love about my life and that do make me happy, but I realized how important training is to me. It gives me time to just think, get in touch with myself, and spend time with nature and with God.
2.Qualify for worlds- I would be so honored to qualify for worlds in 2013. However, at this point in my life, I will not have the money to get myself to worlds (sponsorship plug?!). So I will then change my focus to...
3. Nailing nutrition and base miles in the winter- I lost out on the opportunity to really gain some quality base miles this winter due to my stress fracture. Of course I was able to swim, but I really want to focus on getting some good bike and run miles in. During the winter of 2010 when I was a freshman, I ran whenever I wanted and however much I wanted. I saw outstanding run times the following spring, but my bike was not quite where it could have been, although I had only gotten my first bike in late November. And this past winter in 2011, I was only able to bike and swim because of the fracture. So this season I am throwing down great bike splits, but my run fitness is a little low. So this winter, get my bike AND run up there. Not one or the other.
4. Place at Collegiate Nationals- I am confident that I can place at least top 10 at Nationals in the Olympic distance race and possibly even top 3.
5. Race a 5150 race as Elite Amateur. There will be awesome competition at this race and I can see where I stack up to even some of the pros.So, there it is, my current triathlon related goals. Who knows what will change, if anything will change. But for right now, This is what I would like to see within the next year or so. Anything can happen, anything is possible. I just have to remember to be positive, train smart, and give the glory to God.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I commonly answer, "Oh, I don't know, just win races, not get hurt, and maybe be Pro. But I do want to be a mom and stuff and have a family. I guess see where life takes me." But these recent "goal" questions don't deserve an answer like that. They deserve something with more substance and it really challenged me. I know I am only 19 years old, I am young, I have another 70+ years ahead of me (I hope), but I should have some sort of solid goal, what I want to do. I have narrowed down some things that I hope to accomplish.
1. I want to continue to race triathlon for the remainder of my life. It is what makes me happy. After having to take last week easy because of my knee, I realized that I am happy when I am just focusing on swim, bike, run. Of course there are many more things I love about my life and that do make me happy, but I realized how important training is to me. It gives me time to just think, get in touch with myself, and spend time with nature and with God.
2.Qualify for worlds- I would be so honored to qualify for worlds in 2013. However, at this point in my life, I will not have the money to get myself to worlds (sponsorship plug?!). So I will then change my focus to...
3. Nailing nutrition and base miles in the winter- I lost out on the opportunity to really gain some quality base miles this winter due to my stress fracture. Of course I was able to swim, but I really want to focus on getting some good bike and run miles in. During the winter of 2010 when I was a freshman, I ran whenever I wanted and however much I wanted. I saw outstanding run times the following spring, but my bike was not quite where it could have been, although I had only gotten my first bike in late November. And this past winter in 2011, I was only able to bike and swim because of the fracture. So this season I am throwing down great bike splits, but my run fitness is a little low. So this winter, get my bike AND run up there. Not one or the other.
4. Place at Collegiate Nationals- I am confident that I can place at least top 10 at Nationals in the Olympic distance race and possibly even top 3.
5. Race a 5150 race as Elite Amateur. There will be awesome competition at this race and I can see where I stack up to even some of the pros.So, there it is, my current triathlon related goals. Who knows what will change, if anything will change. But for right now, This is what I would like to see within the next year or so. Anything can happen, anything is possible. I just have to remember to be positive, train smart, and give the glory to God.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Jamestown International 2012 and a GREAT week (w/ pics!)
Well, I finally have time to sit down and write this post. It has been one crazy week in this house. I am taking an online history class and had a paper due today that I had been working on all week. I know I have to sometimes put triathlon related things on hold to do school work... which stinks. BUT! I finished my paper and my homework assignment, so now I get to write and read up on my passion.
My parents had been out of town for a few days for my brothers baseball tournament so I was also in charge of my 2 younger sisters this week... 17 and 15... so I guess not really much younger. In addition to hanging out with my 2 best friends all week, I got a really exciting email about the Endurance Films Racing Team!!! I don't want to get into it yet, but I am really excited to see where this goes.
On to the race...
The day/night before...
A warm and busy day indeed. I was up early to help coach at my local swim teams intrasquad meet. I got to be the announcer which was so much fun. I should never be left alone with a microphone, I am such a goofball. It was also fun to make fun of my mom, who is the President of the swim team, over the loud speaker. I would call her out for being slow at getting the times when the kids got out of the water since she was head timer at the meet. I was very careful to drink the entire time I was at the meet, which only lasted about 2.5 hours.
Next on my list that day was to take a history midterm, no fun at all.
Then, it was time for a quick trip to the bike shop. My pump broke and I knew I would need it for the race since I was borrowing my neighbor's Mavic's. Totally sweet. A great wheel set. I felt super fast riding them, and of course they look sexy on my bike.
Finally, I was able to squeeze in a short 30 min ride and 10 minute run to shake out before I had to scurry on over to a babysitting gig. The temperature was so hot, I just didn't want to dehydrate myself too much. I made sure to rotate Gatorade and water all day. I also ate some potato chips and salted nuts per request of my hand dandy bike mechanic. I was up way past midnight babysitting, the parents were fully aware that I had to be up at 4:45 to leave for my race and said they would not be out long... lies. OH well. I made money.
The Morning of...
So I wake up and brew a pot of coffee. I have actually recently given up coffee. It just gives me bad heartburn and I only drink it now on special occasions, like RACE DAY!!! My favorite day of the week. Mom got up and drove me to the race which was super nice of her because she had been out late as well. Although, she did forget the camera :( It stormed (lightning) the entire way down to the race. I was getting a little nervous and decided that if it was still storming at 6:30 (7am race start) I would just go home and do a tri at home. I get to the race and there is a huge line for paket pickup, I am really upset and nervous because I still needed to warmup and prep my T area. Only to find out about 10 minutes into my mini panic attack that the race had been pushed back a half hour and everyone was behind! PHEW! The packet pickup had just opened by the time I got in line. I felt like such a dummy, but it was such a relief. Then, I met up with my friend Megan from the JMU Triathlon Club for a quick chat before it was time to get in the zone.
THE RACE!
Run
At 7:15, the race director announced that the race would now be a duathlon rather than a triathlon. They replaced the mile swim with a mile run. I'm sure you can imagine my disappointment with this news. Take away the leg of the race that can put me at the FOP. I was nervous that I would go out too hard on the first run. I made sure to real keep control and focus on form. I ended up finishing in 7:02. A solid pace.
Bike
Three miles in on the bike there was a huge clap of thunder that shook the ground. It was INSANE. I was so thankful I wasn't in the water. Good call by the race directors. I had an amazing bike. I really tried to make sure to keep myself in control since I left everything on the bike at my last race. There was a woman in front of me on the bike that I was playing leap frog with. She told me this was her first race in 2 years, I decided that I would not play with her anymore and let her go ahead. I knew that I had the endurance to pull through at the end. I didn't want to fly and die... which I sure didn't. I passed her at the end very strong.
Run
I wish I could remember the run. I feel like I always black out a little on the run. Coming in on the bike, I passed the FOP sprint racers as they were starting run. The run started through cornfields. I was nervous that it was going to miserably hot running through the fields. About 4 minutes in the cornfields, the skies opened. It was beautiful. I have never been so happy to have rain. I had a very solid run with splits that were fairly consistent. I met and ran with a man for about 1.5 miles in the middle of the race. It was nice to have someone to keep me company for a little bit. Once he dropped off, he ran back up to me real quick and said "Holy cow, you are only 20? You have quite a future ahead of you." It was an amazing compliment and I felt great the rest of the race. Huge confidence boost.
OVERALL
I FINALLY GOT AN OVERALL PODIUM FINISH THIS SEASON. Such an awesome confidence boost.
Splits:
Run 1- 7:02
Bike- 1:04:57 (23 mph)
Run 2- 45:05 ( 7:15/mi)
After the race though, I experienced a little bit of knee pain after my post race nap. We have determined that it is IT Band pain, but has subsided for the most part. I took last week a little easier than normal. I am ready to hit the hammer though starting tomorrow! NATIONALS IS SO CLOSE!!!! I can't wait to rock it! Finally getting my speed back.
My parents had been out of town for a few days for my brothers baseball tournament so I was also in charge of my 2 younger sisters this week... 17 and 15... so I guess not really much younger. In addition to hanging out with my 2 best friends all week, I got a really exciting email about the Endurance Films Racing Team!!! I don't want to get into it yet, but I am really excited to see where this goes.
On to the race...
The day/night before...
A warm and busy day indeed. I was up early to help coach at my local swim teams intrasquad meet. I got to be the announcer which was so much fun. I should never be left alone with a microphone, I am such a goofball. It was also fun to make fun of my mom, who is the President of the swim team, over the loud speaker. I would call her out for being slow at getting the times when the kids got out of the water since she was head timer at the meet. I was very careful to drink the entire time I was at the meet, which only lasted about 2.5 hours.
Next on my list that day was to take a history midterm, no fun at all.
Then, it was time for a quick trip to the bike shop. My pump broke and I knew I would need it for the race since I was borrowing my neighbor's Mavic's. Totally sweet. A great wheel set. I felt super fast riding them, and of course they look sexy on my bike.
Finally, I was able to squeeze in a short 30 min ride and 10 minute run to shake out before I had to scurry on over to a babysitting gig. The temperature was so hot, I just didn't want to dehydrate myself too much. I made sure to rotate Gatorade and water all day. I also ate some potato chips and salted nuts per request of my hand dandy bike mechanic. I was up way past midnight babysitting, the parents were fully aware that I had to be up at 4:45 to leave for my race and said they would not be out long... lies. OH well. I made money.
The Morning of...
So I wake up and brew a pot of coffee. I have actually recently given up coffee. It just gives me bad heartburn and I only drink it now on special occasions, like RACE DAY!!! My favorite day of the week. Mom got up and drove me to the race which was super nice of her because she had been out late as well. Although, she did forget the camera :( It stormed (lightning) the entire way down to the race. I was getting a little nervous and decided that if it was still storming at 6:30 (7am race start) I would just go home and do a tri at home. I get to the race and there is a huge line for paket pickup, I am really upset and nervous because I still needed to warmup and prep my T area. Only to find out about 10 minutes into my mini panic attack that the race had been pushed back a half hour and everyone was behind! PHEW! The packet pickup had just opened by the time I got in line. I felt like such a dummy, but it was such a relief. Then, I met up with my friend Megan from the JMU Triathlon Club for a quick chat before it was time to get in the zone.
THE RACE!
Run
At 7:15, the race director announced that the race would now be a duathlon rather than a triathlon. They replaced the mile swim with a mile run. I'm sure you can imagine my disappointment with this news. Take away the leg of the race that can put me at the FOP. I was nervous that I would go out too hard on the first run. I made sure to real keep control and focus on form. I ended up finishing in 7:02. A solid pace.
Bike
Run
I wish I could remember the run. I feel like I always black out a little on the run. Coming in on the bike, I passed the FOP sprint racers as they were starting run. The run started through cornfields. I was nervous that it was going to miserably hot running through the fields. About 4 minutes in the cornfields, the skies opened. It was beautiful. I have never been so happy to have rain. I had a very solid run with splits that were fairly consistent. I met and ran with a man for about 1.5 miles in the middle of the race. It was nice to have someone to keep me company for a little bit. Once he dropped off, he ran back up to me real quick and said "Holy cow, you are only 20? You have quite a future ahead of you." It was an amazing compliment and I felt great the rest of the race. Huge confidence boost.
I FINALLY GOT AN OVERALL PODIUM FINISH THIS SEASON. Such an awesome confidence boost.
Splits:
Run 1- 7:02
Bike- 1:04:57 (23 mph)
Run 2- 45:05 ( 7:15/mi)
After the race though, I experienced a little bit of knee pain after my post race nap. We have determined that it is IT Band pain, but has subsided for the most part. I took last week a little easier than normal. I am ready to hit the hammer though starting tomorrow! NATIONALS IS SO CLOSE!!!! I can't wait to rock it! Finally getting my speed back.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
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