Boulder IronGirl

Third year in a row. 4th IronGirl race.

Whew! What a great morning.

H.A.

30 minutes swim

There was lightning at the pond, so they didn't let anyone swim yesterday.

I decided to head to the gym and complete a 30 minute swim. A 30 minute continuous swim, was not as hard as I imagined it would be.

I feel good about my 30 minutes continuous swim, as my race on Sunday is a quarter-mile. I feel I can finish my race swim within 20 minutes as I am not a strong starter.

I have one more day at the pond this week, and I think I'll use it to just play around.

H.A,

short soggy ride

Took a short bike ride on the Platte River trail. I found a great parking space on the trial that I"ll use from now on. What a great location. :) I'll share for those who are interested. So I did 5miles in about 20 minutes. This is a little slower than my goal speed for this route. I just wanted to get some time in on my bike before the race this weekend. The trail was fast and full of gnats.. yuck. So I got some exfoliation of the face arms, legs and shoulders on the ride. I road in my 2011 Aquaphor race kit and it still feels good. It smells like chlorine and I doubt that will ever get better... oh well. Just goes to show I've used it in the preseason of 2012 with the indoor swims. The rain started at about mile 2 and I muscled out another three miles just to get some distance in. When I got bakc to the car it had stopped raining , but I was satisfied with what I had done and knew I would ride again tomorrow. Tomorrow Open water swim 880yd swim/ and 8 mile bike. Let the Tapper begin Honest Athletics H.A.

Soggy Run

It feels good to do what you're supposed to do... Yesterday though there was a storm I set out to finish my 3mile run and 1/2 mile warm up walk and 1/2 mile cool down walk. It was done! Yay. I was out at the lake with a few other soggy souls. We nodded as we wipped the rain from our cheeks and eye lids. Smiles from the kids who were trying to get to a dry spot under a tree with their scooters. Struggle: my knees are suffering with this arthritis and it takes me a good mile to warm them up. My right knee especially. This is unfortunate. So muscled through the work out and I realized it is time to get this last 40lbs off. This will be the hardest part of the journey. As the song says "its about the climb" right? I've been here before, and if i want to continue this athletic life, I must do what it takes. 40lbs lighter here I come! H.A.

Swimming part three

Success! Half a mile & only foggy goggles to contend with.

My fiancé came to the pond with me. I think that shows love. Marrying a triathlete when you're not one... Can only be for love.

This morning was only a 730am pond swim, but generally she deals with 4 am wake ups for 430 runs or overnights in hotels with my bike sharing the room.
5am check ins & 615 start times. So this workout was a walk in the park. She actually literally walked the dog in the state park. Lol

H.A.

Swimming part three

Success! Half a mile & only foggy goggles to contend with.

My fiancé came to the pond with me. I think that shows love. Marrying a triathlete when you're not one... Can only be for love.

This morning was only a 730am pond swim, but generally she deals with 4 am wake ups for 430 runs or overnights in hotels with my bike

Open water success...please

The last few times I've been in open water have been crap-tastic. Tomorrow will be different. I can feel it. I can see the calm, cool water now. The beautiful mountains framed by white clouds in the blue Rocky Mtn Sky. Its all in my head now, but it will be a reality tomorrow am. Heading to the swim beach with my fiance and her dog. Here is too a great swim. A problem free 800yards! :) Yes thats all i'm trying to get in. Then I'll try the bike again. NEed to make up some milage in the Tour de Challenge www.mapmyride.com race. C'mon open water success...please.. H.A.

Wedding day/Race day

Yep... Picking a race to run the morning of my wedding. I got the ok. So I'm not doing this against her wishes. I think it would be a lot of fun to run a short race (fun run or 5k) the morning of the wedding.. before hair makeup, dress blah blah blah. My brother will be in town and has never run at altitude before. *giggle* snort... ha ha ha this should be funny. Getting married doesnt mean the decline of my health. It will be another opportunity to wear a veil...b/c I am not wearing one in the cermony. A good way to shake the wedding day jitters. lol An excuse to take a wedding day nap, and or start drinking a beer before noon. lol anyway... H.A.

got 'er done

I got notice that my sponsored kit came via FedEx from China today. Woot woot. I hit the pool after work for a 750, it was long and painful, but I did it.. Sat in the hot tub for a bout 5 mins and headed home. I opened my FedEx box and immediately put on the entire kit. Tri shorts Tri top new snazzy jacket (eventhough it was 97degrees outside) I thougth I should go for a bike ride. Yea.. a short one. So I did about 5 miles and the kit felt great (no jacket on the ride). The kit this year is very patriatic looking. Outstandingly amazing, I love it! Go Team Aquaphor!!! I may post some pictures. H.A.

some swimmers are cheaters...

Went swimming at the hotel pool. It was shallow but I just swam the perameter since I was the only one there. I did that about 400y worth, then I got dizzy. lol My fiance joined me later and we decided we would race the length of the pool, which was about 15yrds 4 strokes for me or less. On your marks Get set Go. I take off and she grabs my ankle and pulls me back.... REALLY?!!? Yep...she's one of the cheating swimmers. H.A.

Hot run day

4 x 200 sprints

I was a bit dehydrated afterward. I guess I haven't been taking care of myself.

Drank water at practice & all night long. I feel better now.

H.A.

Swimming fail

Bought pro goggles. Why? Because I thought they were cool & I had a gift card so they were free.

Result: blind swimmer... Water crept in & kept fogging.

Sigh

Swimming fail 2

Wednesday Open water swim with natural hair that when pressed is more thank shoulder length ... Hair will not be contained by a swim cap. This produces a blind swimmer on open water whose bump into you because she cannot sight.

Sigh

Healthy big big breakfast

After a race weekend it is hard to get back to healthy eating.

Race weekends:
Eat what I want as long as I know it won't negatively impact my race day tummy.

After race weekends I go back to my high protein diet & necessary added carbs for workouts.

Carbs for workouts.
35g per hour workout.( more than a slice of whole grain 100calorie bread) usually these are processed because they are easier to find & fast to eat.


Here is a snapshot of today's breakfast. There is no way u can eat it all in one seating. So I will come back to it after doing a minor chore... Dishes.

First I eat my high proteins ( to sustain me during the day) which are the 3 egg whites one yolk scramble. 3/4 cup cottage cheese. Then I will come back for the carbs. Protein added oatmeal apple chai sugar free & 1 small apple. I probably will not eat all of the oatmeal.

Eggs:
130 calories
Protein
Carbs

Cottage cheese:
150 calories
18g protein
7.5 grams carbs

Oatmeal:
170 calories
8g protein
28g carbs

Apple:
80 calories
22g carbs
0g protein



Honest

Big Sky Duathlon

Saturday June 9th I had a duathlon (run/bike/run) race in Bennett, Co called the Big sky Duathlon. I arrived at the Bennet Community Center at about 615am to pick up my packet (race number) and swag bag. I placed my bike in transition and walked some of the run course. I had a ketogenx bar and a bottle fo water for breakfast, which was not enough. 150 calories... :( The race morning was nice and warm 70degrees at the start. No jacket required for the run start. I wore my Aquaphor tri kit, sunglasses (no hat), racebelt and almost retired Nikes. In transition I spoke with my karma teammate Julie and a lady named Audrey who had set up in transition near me. She and I talked about Aquaphor and active ambassadors. she seemsinterested. Run 1 (2.5miles) I have been learnign to run with arthritis in both knees so the first run was a little uncofortalble. There was a lot of walking. I finished the first run in 32:27. Transition 1 As I ran into transition, I instantly found my helmet grabbed my shoes and ran my bike out to mount. I saw my karma teammate Julie (who was there as part of a relay) and she cheered for me. 0:50 Bike: (15miles) When I got on the bike I felt sluggish, and drank tons of water, ate a Gu and 3/4's of cliff peanutbutter bar and by mile 5 I felt a lot better. At mile 6 I saw a snake in the road, not usual...and I thought to myself I should either stop andlet it pass, or give it tons of room. The snake was one I hadnt seen before It was about 20-24inchdes long and about 3inches in diameter, dark scales brown and black. I decided to ride past and gave it about 4 feet of space. The snake decided this was not enough room and coiled up. I instantly tensed up my left calf in fear and screamed NO at the snake(like it understood!). the snake did not strike, but I was left with a calf cramp. I spent the remaining 9 miles stretching my calf on downhills. Other than my slugish start and crampy calf I felt the bike was ok. I finished 9 minutes slower than I would have liked. I wanted to finish the bike in an hour. Also A bonus for me on the bike was that my friends Carla and Kay were on their 65 mile bike ride and passed me (like i was sstanding still) durring my race, and they took some time to shout at me! That felt great to see them. 1:09:48 Transition 2 As I rode up to T2 i forgot how fast the turn came. I almost overshot the transition area in the parking lot. I ran to my position and racked my bike. took off my helmet, grabbed my water and haeded out ont he course. I saw Arielle (Cassie's friend) at the mat, ticking off runners as they came by.0:50 Run 2 (2.5miles) The second run was so warm. I think it was about 82 at this point and not a cloud in the beautiful blue sky. I found this run more difficult I had a leg cramp in my right leg now. My left was stretched out. I figured the right leg cramp must be dehydration so I'm glad I grabbed my water because the aid stationwas about 1.25 miles away. I walked and stretched and walked and stretchd and drank my water. After about 15 minutes I felt better and decided to run all the paved portions. There is about a 1 mile total section ( int he two loops) that is unpaved and a little tretchurous for me b/c i'm not a trail runner i'm not that good at thinking and running. So I walked that part. 36:27 Finish. I ended my run talking to a father daughter pair who were running and looking for their 3rd member the daughters husband. They felt bad b/c this was his first race ever and they lost him. I assured them he was behind us about 3/4 mile. As I saw him finished I let him know they were looking for him. I cheered in my new friend Audrey who was just a few minutes behind me. we grabbed food and happily sat down to chow on our subway sandwhiches chips, and botlled water. Awards I love to stay and cheer for those who recieve awards. Little did I know... I won third place ATHENA! Athena is women 150lbs or more. As I am 6'2, for health reasons I will never be under 150lbs. I couldnt believe it. YAY! I got my Big Sky Duathlon pint glass as a trophy and texted the family. woot woot Drawing: I love to win things! This time in the drawing I didnt...Thats ok. I was happy with 3rd place! Wrap up: Bennett, Co. who knew!? Very excited to be a participant, have the opportunity to see what my body can do and have my first podium time as an adult. Honest

Karma rehersal triathlon

Usually I am a gung-ho gun! (anime reference) This time I decided to be nice to myself... Instead of doing the sprint rehearsal i did the mini. The mini triathlon consists of: 10 min or 400m swim 7 mile bike 1.5mile run I started the morning explainign to my coaches that I am a bit whimpy and dont know what my knees cando so I thought it best that I bump myself into the mini and out of the sprint. They were cool withthis. Swim: 10 min timed out. I only did 300m. Darn. So they pulled me out of the pool. Transition 1. I was the first to transition and was suprised by this as I know there are much stronger swimmers and thought they would have finished the 400 in 8 mins and been gone on the bike already... NO Bike: I was the first bike to leave. I did the course last year so I remembered most of it. I made a special note to myself at this point. IT DOESNT MATTER IF YOU ARENT GOIGN TO WIN...KNOW THE COURSE! So I focused on where the volunteers were located and I worked the course that way for the first 3 miles until Emily caught and passed me. Emily is a strong simmer and aws doing the 800m swim and is super fast ont he bike so she caught me no problem. Back to the bike course. This course is interesting. Kipling St in Lakewood, Co (carmody Rec)has a big hill. To start the bike you fly downthat hill feelign like a speed deamon, then you make a right on Morrison and head west on morrison road and ride those hills. We peaked into a cute neighborhood and then quickly came back out not before taking on some micro hills in that hood. Back out onto Morrison Road we went down the hills only to face going up Kipling St Hill again (carmody rec). OH.... MY.... GOSH... I did this hill last year with no problem... none.. and I did it twice!!! This year... i stoped abut 50 ft from the summit and walked. I kept popping wheelies and did not feel comfortbale with it. *sigh* I finished the bike woot woot! Transition 2 parked my bike took off helmet. Run: yay run course it was a great breezy morning still and I went out on the run very concious of my knees from the bike climbing. They were stiff and I walked a bit ont he 1.5 mile run. Not reallymuch to mention on the run other than 1.5 miles that day felt the best for my knees. It didnt over work me as i did walk/run. Finish: snacks and namely fritos! Yum!!! lol I had a great massage from Symmetry Massage and enjoyed talking with my teammates. I leaned that Julie was going to run the Big Sky Duathlon and told her I would look for her there next week.

Illinois Marathon Weekend

What a great weekend! My brother is a MARATHONER! Yay!!! Outstanding!!! It was fantastic! 4:58:32! His first marathon was under 5 hours! Yay I completed my 5k and 10k Mini I-Challenge. (yes I bumped it down to a 10k). 5k 10K

A little behind schedule (programme en retard as the French would say)

So...

Yea.. cutting back my full Marathonto a half. I could barly breath through a 2 mile jog at lunch. I have no idea what is up with my breathing. SO bizzare.

I did 5 miles the other day no problem. & 12miles a month ago which resulted in a cold. Hmmm maybe its just a little hiccup.

Anyway. Half Mary... while my brother and friends are doing the FULL> Hmmm maybe next year (spoken like a true Chicago pro team fan).

On a better note: I am a full time student with a 3.98 GPA. woot woot. WOrking full time, school full time and training full time. its friggin nuts! WOrth it though. I feel great, and blessed to be 'able' to do it all.

Well back to work.

Honest

Satruday-eyayeyay!

Woke up:

Went for a run:
5miles 1:06:02

Went for a swim
1500 yards 3/4 of a mile (ish)

Helped women at school sign up for a Triathlon. Woo woo. So much fun!

Honest

Triathlon season and full marathon training- NO JOKE!

I'm tired.
:)

Race Schedule

Just some thoughts...

YES
I won an entry to Outdoor Divas, so that race is on the schedule automatically.

Outdoor Divas: Sunday August 12th
Illinois Marathon 5k: Friday, APril 27th
Illinois Marathon FULL: Saturday, April 28th
I-Challenge! Scream.. bragging rights baby!!!
Carmody Rehearsal: June 3rd

and I am an IRONGIRL..so that race is always on my schedule

IronGirl: Saturday August 25


MAYBE's
I am very interested in a Series of races.
5430 Sprint: Sunday June 17th
Olympic: Sunday July 8th
1/2 Ironman: Sunday, August 5th

Barkin Dog Duathlon Saturday, May 12th (athena)
Big Sky Duathlon: Saturday June 9th (athena)
West Side Duathlon: Saturday Sept 30th (athena)


Aquaman June: 26th, July 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st TUESDAYS 750meter swim

Rattlesnake Olympic : saturday August 18th
Rattlesnake Sprint: Sunday August 19th
Back to back with bragging rights!!!

intake 01/03/2012

Breakfast:
Casserole ate my own... a coworker brought some too, but I didnt eat it.
(brought turkey sausage too, but i was ful)

lunch:
Mexicali chicken burger
Taco seasoned ground chicken burger patty with melted cheese and salsa.
mixed veggies, corn, peas, carrots, green beans, little parm cheese

snack:
Hummus Sabra snack pack
peppermint candies barchs

water:
16.9
16.9

Dinner:
Scheduled menu( rack of lamb... veggies and salad.)
We'll see what we actually have. :)

Work out:
Marathon training plan day 5
25 min easy run: I'll do this on the Wii tonight.