St. George 1/2 Marathon- Better Late then Never

Just like Amber I think this was a great course! I loved the fact that it was not, too hilly. It was the perfect amount of downhill and uphill. Although I always want more downhill!

I am in the middle of Ironman Training, well actually almost done, so I wasn't expecting a very fast race. My PR time was at an all downhill course, so I knew there was no way I was going to beat that. After already having worked out 12+ hours that week of the race, I was just going to take it easy. Every year I take a girls trip to a race with my mom and all of her friends, and this was the pick this year. Me and my mom are pretty competitive, at least lately, now that she is getting old(that is what I like to tell her) and I am getting a bit faster. (I have only beat her one time in my life and that was at the last half that we did together) But for this race we were going to run together.

Unlike Amber I was stoked to hear that it was suppose to rain. I tend to really excel when it is cold and wet, I over heat super easy. That morning all of the ladies that I was with were all depressed about the rain and there I was singing and dancing in it!!!

Right before the start of the race I leaned over to my mom and asked if she wanted to still run together and she said," yep." (remember we were both going to take it easy) The gun went off...... and she took off! I was so mad, that was it, the race was on! All of my thoughts about taking it easy went out the window. I forgot all about my tired legs and all I cared about was beating her.

The first 6 miles were more uphill, and I was still feeling really good. At mile 6.5 there was a bit of a downhill right before the last big hill. I decided to kick it into gear and I race right past my mom. She tried to keep up for a min, and told me to slow down, but I was too mad at her for leaving me. So, what does a good daughter do I went faster! By this point I caught up with the 1:45 pace group. I stayed with then for another couple of miles, every once in a while I would turn around to see where my mom was and she was always right there so I couldn't slow down.

At mile 9 I really started to feel all of my training that I had been doing that week. My legs were tired and I knew I couldn't keep my pace. I slowed up a bit, but still stayed in front of my mom. Miles 9-13 were just a mental battle. I knew I was tired, but I had to keep going. With about .25 left I decided I would wait to my mom and finish with her. Then two big guy came right by and and told me I should just keep going.

I ended up finishing about 20 sec. in front of my mom!! Boy oh boy did I call everyone that I knew and told then that I had beat her! (The first time she beat me it was because she had a port-a-potty break, and I did not. This time there was no excuses!)

The trip was really great, and not just because I beat her! I would definitely suggest this race!

St. George Half Marathon 2011...a recommended race!

St. George Half Marathon Recap, January 21, 2012

I came down to St. George this weekend to run the St. George Half Marathon. My training coaches wanted to see where I was fitness wise. I was really nervous about this race because my last half marathon at the end of last season felt horrible and I had an awful race! Mentally....I knew I really needed to have a good race. I also hadn't ran over 10 miles for the last three months and had already put in 21 miles previously this week. So...I wasn't running on fresh legs. I was so excited to come down to warm weather; unfortunately, the weather didn't want to cooperate! It ended up being rainy with a little bit of wind. I spent the morning of the race trying to plot out my plan for the race...where should I have my heartrate, what paces should I run...I decided I was just going to go on how I felt! The course is awesome...I would say it is a “true half marathon.” The first seven miles has a lot of up hill with the last six being more flat with some false flats. It was a tough half marathon course and a great challenge! I decided I would start with the 1:35 pacers and go from there when I was at the start line. The first couple miles I wasn't feeling great and was a little worried, but at mile three I started to feel great! I passed the 1:35 pacers around mile 5 and decided I wasn't going to let them pass me again. I ended up finding a man who was running a great pace and decided I would stay on his heels and figured at mile 8 if I kept my pace I could come in around 1:32. Unfortunately, the nice man with a nice pace stopped at the aid station at mile 11 and left me to run on my own! Crap! At mile 10 was starting to feel the hurt and I really wanted to walk! But, I pushed through and was not going to walk! The last two miles were painful! My legs hadn't seen these miles for months! I truly pushed to the finish line and finished in 1:32! I was thrilled with my finish time as it was a tough course and I wasn't on fresh legs. I was also able to have a positive race to lead off this coming year. I am so excited for this race season and to push myself to some new limits! And as if the half marathon wasn't enough...thanks to Heath and Mahogani Thurston we rode for 1.5 hours and then swam! Quite the day!

New York Nautica 2011, 5150 Recap

I know that this was last year, but Jen asked me to put a post about it. It was such a cool race!

Last November (2010) I learned that I did not receive an entry into the New York City Triathlon through the lottery process. I emailed the race director and told him I had never been to New York before and would really like to participate in the race....he let me in!

The race was almost a year later. I feel like I have been talking about this race forever...and it was finally here this morning! I knew from the point of check in this would be a very organized race. We had to check in our bikes yesterday and be down to the race within a time frame as it closed 30 minutes before the race even begin! We woke up to rain this morning...it has been beautiful while we have been here...but today brought rain. The roads were very wet and as I walked into transition I was very happy I had draped a plastic bag over my aerobars and handlebars the night before...everything was wet! I quickly set up my transition area and inflated the tire and hoped and prayed it would stop raining!! Dave and I made our way down to the swim start. We learned the race would be delayed by 20 minutes due to a rollover accident on the bike course and weather conditions. LOVELY! I hate when I plan my race day nutrition and then the start time changes! It continued to rain and rain as we waited for the race to start.

This race is so big that there are two...yes two transition areas!! 5000 people would swim in the Hudson! As we started lining up in our waves I looked out towards the Hudson and waited to see the tide and current change. I had looked forward to swimming in a river with the current...especially since the swim is my weak point! As the race being we watched 20 races jump into the water every 10 seconds! I couldn't figure out while there were so many people looking up and not swimming....I had no idea what it was like when I would jump in! Our wave quickly approached and I walked down to the barge. They lined us up 4 deep...20 across. My turn came...we sat on the barge and the whistle blew. I love jump start races...they are so fun! I started swimming and quickly felt like I was in the middle of the ocean....I thought that was really weird. I had planned to spot off the Jersey shoreline and buoys to the side as we swam to the other barge...so I really had no need to look up. (I am very grateful for my plan now!) After about 5 minutes of being tossed and turned and realizing I was catching up to other colored caps (which NEVER happens) I decided to look up. HOLY CRAP! I couldn't see the finish lines..just 6-8 inch swells coming towards me one after another. Who would have thought that we would not only have rain...but wind....and waves! This was the choppiest swim I have been in. I decided that there would be no reason to look up as I wouldn't be able to see the finish...just rely on the random buoys to the side and the other swimmers that were around me. As I caught up to other colors there were a lot of people to run into and to get around. The swim was such an adventure and I was so proud of myself that I held it together with waves! It was really funny because I decided to look up to see where I was and saw a crown of people...I was at the barge to get out! YES!

The run to T1 was...lets say...a little long!! It was probably almost 1/2 mile to transition yellow! I took this time to shred my wetsuit down to my hips and just run! I got into transition and rinsed off my feet. I took my time in transition...not really slow...but not my typical in and out...I would regret this later.

I got on my bike...which to be honest I was nervous about. The roads were REALLY wet and I have never rode on wet roads with drizzling rain. Luckily the rain had let up and we didn't have much rain on the course. Just a little drizzle. But, it was windy! And hilly! Who would think that there would be so many hills in New York..sheesh! The bike ride was beautiful...we crossed over a bridge, road through a very green and lush area...and up and down hills. There was no flats...only hills. Yes...the entire way! Around mile 12 I had a girl pass me...I really hate when girls pass me. So...I decided I would keep her in eye view. The last 12 miles me and two girls played musical bikes...it really made the miles go by quick.

T2 was a little quicker then T1. I had been really nervous about the run because I raced so hard last weekend. My legs were sore until Thursday this week...and all I had done was swim before leaving to New York. And...since being in New York...all I had done was walk. So...I wasn't on the freshest legs.

Out of transition was about a mile of uphill...but there were crowds of people cheering...so how can you walk?? The run was in Central Park and I was so excited to have the opportunity to race in this park. But...I didn't realize until yesterday how hilly it was! So..yes...hilly bike and hilly run...either up or down..no flat! THe people in New York are awesome...I think they get a bad wrap...they were out running in Central Park, too. And as they went by they cheered and cheered....I felt like I had cheerleaders my entire run! And...I was running with men...not sure where all the girls were...but it was fun passing so many men! :) I enjoyed my run so much and as I came into the finish line I couldn't believe the amount of people there. It was amazing! It didn't hold a candle to the Oceanside Half Ironman.

So...what did I learn today? I am really glad I didn't have ideal race conditions. Up to this point I have been lucky to only be in races where the weather was great! So...here is what I learned:

1. Swimming through waves can be fun!! It is OK if you don't see the finish..identify other landmarks and don't think about what you are swimming through.

2. New York has hilly races!! Honestly I was thinking "I am at sea level..biking on a highway...running through a park...it is going to be a great, flat course." WRONG!!

3. Races in the rain are fun!! I really loved riding through big puddles...but it makes for very dirty legs when you are done!

4. I love a great race that brings out crowds...and I have never seen crowds of people like today!! Not only did you have family of 5000 athletes...you had people who were just out enjoying New York cheering!! It was so motivating and really gave me a boost throughout the run! Everyone I passed were cheering.

5. People from New York are friendly and helpful! It was really weird...but for some reason, everyone I talked to this morning were locals. I really like people from here!

6. No matter what....you better leave everything on the course!! I had decided before I came out here that I was just going to do this race for fun and have no expectations for myself. I did a big race last week and decided I would just have fun on the course today. This morning I decided that I would swim hard and bike hard.....and then just have a great run to enjoy Central Park. Well.....I had no idea that I would have a chance of placing...this is a HUGE race! There were between 200 and 400 people in my age group from all over the world. Well....as I got my race results printed today...I learned I took 4 in my age group. I am kicking my butt that I didn't push it...so, I will never again do a race for "fun." If you race....race!

New York City Triathlon is my favorite triathlon I have done. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to race here. I am also so grateful for my loving and supportive husband who cheers me on and supports me through these crazy adventures. I couldnt do it without him. I am also grateful for the opportunity I had to have my mom here to cheer for me. It means a lot to have her at the finish line as well. And...it was so fun to have Dave here to share this great race with!

I think people sometimes wonder why I do this crazy sport....it is because I love it! It gives me an opportunity to push myself to my full potential, enjoy the beautiful place we live in, meet wonderful people, and I hope to inspire others to be the best they can be as well. My triathlon coach always tells me "enjoy the journey." And she is right....this great sport is such a journey. A journey of experience, learning, and growth.

A New Chapter

Ladies, we're so happy to have you on the team! Congratulations on being selected to join us on our journey with new sponsors and friends. We look forward to hearing about your races and training and are so excited to have you join the fun at TriEdge. Train on!