Chapter One--Done!

 Last weekend Lucas and I traveled down the coast to lovely and eclectic Venice Beach for my last race of the 2012 season, the Herbalife LA Triathlon.  The race was a point to point triathlon meaning you start in one place for the swim and then the bike [usually] takes you to an entirely different place to do your run and finish.  Point to point triathlons mean two transition areas and usually some kind of bag claim system for you to retrieve your stuff after the race.  This race started near the pier at Venice Beach, the bike took you down Venice Blvd towards downtown LA and the finish line was right next to the Staples Center at LA Live.

^I never knew so many physicians practiced on the boardwalk ;) I was so pleased to see the community around Venice Beach is as unique as I've always heard it to be

Normally I have very little to no anxiety about the swim portion of a race.  Having been a competitive swimmer for twelve years preceding my triathlon career, the swim has never gotten me too shaken up.  However, in all of my years swimming I was sheltered in my local, chlorinated, crystal clear pool!  I've definitely race in lakes many times, but I had never once done an ocean swim before this weekend.  In fact, this weekend was the third time I'd ever been in the ocean in my entire LIFE!  I am a pretty big fan of shark week and I always manage to watch it right around a time where I'm going to be in the ocean...needless to say I was terrified for the swim.  The day before the race Lucas and I started the day out at Venice beach so I could play in the waves and hopefully get at least somewhat comfortable before the race start tomorrow.  The beach was packed with surfers and everyday beach-goers so you would think it'd be a relatively comfortable situation to get acquainted with the water.  The first wall of surf that I tried to swim through was so much stronger than I could have anticipated and threw me around a bit.  Within five minutes and three waves I was back on the shore completely out of breath telling Lucas this was going to be a long swim in the morning!  He said to relax and told me to dive down below the waves when they came instead of trying to fight them.  I went back out and gave it a shot and came back out with a better feeling about the next day's race.

--> ^me trying to stall/looking for reassurance before I braved the ocean !
Race morning had arrived I was waiting up in the holding pen watching the pros start. The men had some pretty rough surf on their start and this made me incredibly nervous to watch!  The women were next for the start and the waves died a little for them.  My wave was set to leave five minutes after the start of the pro women's so I was hoping the waves would stay calm.  I don't think I took my eyes off the ocean from the time the women started until it was my turn.  It seemed like the waves got bigger with every crash.  The announcer gave a ten second warning and it felt like it was ten minutes!  When we finally got the signal to start I let all my fears go and ran down to the water.  The first wave was coming and I was so afraid I was going to hit it wrong and get thrown towards the shore.  I dove underneath and barely felt the power of the wave at all, it was a good start!  As the swim went on I felt like I got more in sync with the flow of the waves and could swim just as in any other open water swim.  Although most of the swim was smooth sailing, fear returned when I was swimming back in towards shore.  It didn't occur to me that the waves might be too high to sight anything over them.  I was picking times to sight when I could actually see anything but waves.  This happened three sightings in a row and I was starting to get scared that I was completely off course because I didn't see anyone else or any sign of buoys.  --> So I swam a few strokes with my head out of the water to figure out when a good time to sight would be.  I finally saw the shore and was relieved that I had not gone much out of the way and I was actually very close to the swim exit.   I did a few dolphin dives before I got up to run out of the water and was on my way to T1...safe, no sharks this time!

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^Beautiful Venice Beach...about 20 hours before race start!

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The bike was a deceiving course.  Most everything appeared flat, but there was actual a very gradual grade going up on the way out and on the second loop into T2.  At my last race I went much harder on the bike than I am used to.  This strategy turned out to be tough on my run and I wanted to fix that this time around.  I established a comfortable pace for the first loop on the course, checking to see that I wasn't slowing down too much about every five miles.  When it came time for the second loop I rode a little harder on the way out (it helped that it was a slight downward grade at this point!) and then started setting my mind up to run.  

Coming up on T2 I had to be prepared for anything.  Since this was a point-to-point race there was no entry into T2 the morning of the race; instead you had to drop a bag off the day before and they would set it up for you.  I was expecting to have to go on a mini hunt for my running shoes but was presently surprised at the dismount line.  There were volunteers directing us to where we were to rack our bikes and pick up our T2 bag; very quick and painless!

I was off on the last leg of the last race this season.  I felt like I nailed my bike pace, instead of feeling totally toasted the first mile of the run I felt like I was revving up to have a great run.  One of my major goals for this race was to break the elusive 40 minute barrier that I've been hovering towards this summer.  With my split in Chicago being so far off I was very nervous I couldn't make it happen coming into this weekend.  The run course was set up perfectly for me to have a good time.  There was a pretty steep hill right after mile one that you found yourself running for a second time near mile four. What goes up must come down so the course also took us down this cruel hill.  The first lap went by so fast; I think the main reason was that I was a little starstruck!  The pros were finishing their final lap and I got to see them fly past me; total eye-opener on exactly how much work I need to do on my run!! When I turned around the cones for the second lap I glanced down to see if I was on pace to break 40, and I was!  It was time to really get my head in the game and gut out the final three miles to achieve my goal!  I felt smooth and strong even in the last mile, and I managed to squeeze in at 39:50!! It was a big breakthrough for me to not only go under the 40-minute mark, but to also feel that fluid on a run course.

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 ^Lucas and I have never been so happy to get back to the bay...Carmageddon 2 was enough traffic to last us a lifetime!

The take away:

This season I've learned SO many things. It was the first of many to come and the most important thing I've realized is that I'm only at the tip of the iceberg; there is so much to learn and so much space for growth in this sport.  Heading into the off-season (pre-season ;) ) I have my head high in the clouds, the earth at my feet and my heart beating roughly 164 bpm (or somewhere most likely in low Zone 3). 

Music, as always, enjoy :)

My favorite long run "groove" song...there is just no way to be sad when you're enjoying a long (preferably trail) run and jamming out to this song:

Bombay by El Guincho 

 

-->**Warning: if you find nudity offensive, you will certainly find this video offensive

I love this music video and Childish Gambino!

Heartbeat by Childish Gambino 

 

The Golden Ticket

I hope you've seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...if not, watch it! When I saw the official results of last weekend I felt like Charlie must have when he opened that fated candy bar to reveal a golden ticket.  While I didn't get to take a magical trip to a chocolate factory, I earned something very special to me. I earned a professional license and a ticket to the next step in achieving my dreams!

A week ago Sunday, August 26th (yes, it has been a week...I started a new job the day I got back, give me a break!) I competed in the Lifetime Tri in Chicago, IL.  Taking a trip to Chicago was SUCH a treat; not only did I get to race but I got to visit with much of my extended family!!  First of all, I say "much" and really only mean like 25% because I have a gigantic extended family! My dad comes from a family of six and my mom from a family of twelve; safe to say there is little time to spare when going back to the Midwest!

I want to start my race report out by thanking my wonderful cheer section!

They braved the rain, the sun, the humidity, the early morning and the city traffic to come cheer me on, thank you all of you so much!!


Overall this was a great race for me...each race this summer has been an improvement in one way or another.  I was aggressive at the beginning of each leg which is the opposite of what I usually do!  I feel almost like I'm getting the hang of this racing thing!
 
The swim was warm, possibly a little too warm for a wetsuit but you never know what you're going to get in Lake Michigan.  I think we were particularly lucky, however, because the swim goes right alongside the pier and if it were much windier of a day the waves would have been very tough to swim through with them crashing off of the walls of the pier!

The bike was very much like a draft legal style course it had a total of three 180 degree turns and you rode two laps of the same course.  This had its advantages and disadvantages.  The good thing about it is that you can see where you are in relation to the rest of your competitors, the unfortunate thing was the 180 degree turns!  This stuck out as something I still absolutely need to work for future races!  Also, the course was a little bit confusing when the last lap came around and it was time to head back to transition.  I feel like I learned an important lesson from this because I was unsure of where to go but I stayed calm and it didn't end up affecting my overall performance.

Last but not least, the run!  When it came time for the run I felt great the first couple of miles, but having pushed the bike a little harder than usual it was a struggle to the finish!  I think running in humidity is by far the hardest condition to run in and props to every athlete that trains in crazy humidity, I don't know how you do it!  The most important thing I took from this portion of the race was to take each mile at a time and not get ahead of yourself.  I knew during the run I was going to be very close to my goal and instead of thinking of the finish line I thought of each mile marker and what I was going to do to get there...this has proven to be a great strategy for me when I find myself in struggle city :)

With the final results in, it was official, I was the second woman overall and qualified for my Elite License. So begins a new chapter in my racing career!

For those of you that haven't seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...this is what I'm referencing, but seriously watch the whole movie, it's cute :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29_uSlEEPSk

And for my Music Recommendations of the Month:

10 'til Midnight by Elephant in the Room
I'm in love with this song right now...it really speaks to anyone who is working for their dreams! AND at this link you can download the song for free**!!
**don't worry it's artist approved, you're not stealing so download away!!

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
This has nothing to do with good work out tunes or really anything inspirational...it just happens to be Lucas and my 6 year anniversary on Friday, September 7th and this was our first ever "song"

I can't believe it's already been six years, I LOVE YOU!

Until next time!!


 

Catching Up :)

So I'm inconsistent, my posts are not weekly, or monthly or daily.. just whenever...it's cool, we all have things to work on, right?  Consistency is my project for the next...well, for the rest of my life I guess :)  Anyway, I feel like it would be wrong not to write about the things that have been going on in my life, helping me along to develop as an athlete and person. 

First, I am now a bona fide California resident :)  Lucas and I made the move up here about a month and a half ago...first to Brentwood, and then just last weekend we moved into our own little apartment in Walnut Creek :)  The northern California summer has been quite a treat in comparison to the oven I'm used to surviving in, in fact I'm writing this outside with a light jacket and I'm still cold! Not to mention living with my best friend, who also happens to be my boyfriend is an absolute blast :)

 Top: Marsh Creek Rd...a pretty back road I used to avoid traffic between Walnut Creek and Brentwood...don't have to worry about that anymore though because now it is a 5 minute bike ride to work!!
Bottom: First day in our new apartment!!

The next major event for the month of July was one of the most unique and career changing experiences of my life.  I was honored to be invited to attend a training camp at the Olympic Training Center with the USAT Collegiate Recruitment program for 10 days.  During this camp we were lucky enough to work with the best of the best in each field; bike clinics with Neal Henderson, everything-triathlon clinics with Barb Lindquist, running and mental training technique with Bobby McGee...the list goes on and on.  Not only did we have technique sessions with these specialists, but we also had a fantastic team of coaches with us for the ENTIRE weekend.  I was lucky enough to have my own coach, Brian Grasky, join me for the entire 10 days!!  As I'm recapping this experience I feel like I can't quite do it justice.  Me and my fellow 11 athletes were treated to ten days of some of the best learning out there.  Not only that, but we all got to meet each other and make a bond that we will share as we move forward in all of our individual racing careers.  Although triathlon is an individual sport, there is a definite difference when you can feel a sense of community.  Knowing there are other people as passionate, and--let's face it--CRAZY as you are is an indescribable feeling.  Thank you so much again to EVERYONE involved in that weekend...the OTC staff members, clinic specialists, coaches, athletes and of course the coordinators--Jocelyn Buras, Joe Umphenour, and Barb Lindquist...none of it would have been the same without any of you, I am so inspired!

 Top: Garden of the Gods group ride--working pack riding skills in a beautiful setting!
Bottom: the amazing Athlete center...equipped with cafeteria full of amaaazing food!

Coming back from that camp I immediately got to apply my new knowledge to a local race the next weekend!  Last Sunday I raced the California International Triathlon, a race put on my USA Productions in Pleasanton, CA.  I've said this before, but I will say it again...they put on a fantastic race!! 
My race morning started scoping my transition spot, setting up, pretty normal, but I realized that my watch was dead so I was going to have to race off feel!  It ended up working out well that my watch was dead...for the first time ever I was the first female out of the water, and this pumped me up for the bike.  Working the transition skills I learned from the camp, I hopped on my bike...flying mount :) and was off!  The course had lots of turns and some construction so I was glad to have learned some handling skills, definitely helped me race safer and faster!  The course also had a few hills which are great, but unfortunately my chain dropped on the big one...at least it is an easy fix!  As always, I was excited to get off my bike and into T2...this run was full of hills...just how I like it! For whatever reason, I really enjoy hilly runs...I think maybe I like the change of effort/scenery rather than running a super flat course...or maybe it's just the crazy in me ;) My run ended up being a PR 10k time...yes, I run faster off a bike and swim than I do on a flat run...I guess I was meant to be a triathlete! 
Overall, I ended up placing 1st in the amateur division and had the 12th fastest time of the day (including the men).  I'm excited to continue using my newly acquired knowledge, and working to improve as a triathlete.  Each time I race I'm reminded of how dynamic this sport is and how much fun it is to race three different disciplines in one shot :)

^ after the race they had a contest to see who could hold a side plank the longest...the prize? A $700 Xterra Wetsuit! I was so close, but I get a couple of style points, right? ;)

Last, but certainly not least...I'm going to start a little section of music recommendation that kind of fits the theme of the post, or is just cool music :) Enjoy!!
 
What Goe5 Around by Valeas
^awesome riding music!

Tighten Up by the Black Keys
^cute music video, good for some of those trainer workouts :)

March Madness

What a trip.

That is all that I can think of to describe March!  The first weekend started in Clermont at Lake Louisa with my first draft legal race EVER!

^That is Lake Louisa...beautiful isn't it?! The water was so shallow (and tea colored..=P) it made for a very unique swim ;)

That weekend was a great learning experience.  In addition to learning many things I should NOT do in a future DL race, I also attended a camp headed up by Barb Lindquist.  I met other athletes in the program I am a part of and learned a TON about swimming, biking and running :)

For a full race report check out USAT; they picked me to guest blog on the College Recruitment Program page about my race experience

Race Report Here :)

Moving forward and into longer training I began the next couple of weeks switching from sprint to Half Ironman mode! The next major race on my list is the Wildflower Long Distance triathlon on May 5!

I'm so stoked!! I absolutely love this race.  Both experiences I've had the past two years have been wonderful and I can't wait to go out and feel some hurt on that course for a third time ;)

This past week has been a particular trip in itself.  Training was going so well--then of course Thursday morning I woke up with cold sweats and a fever =/  This would be fine any other weekend but one of my favorite local races took place today right on UA's campus!  Up until the wee hours of the morning today I had no idea whether or not I was going to actually race because my fever still persisted last night.  This morning when I woke up I didn't feel 100% but I certainly didn't feel like I did the rest of the week so I decided to give it a shot because at worst it would just be a good workout :) 
It was a beautiful 70 degrees and sunny when it was my turn to dive into the pool (yes! it was a pool swim!) I couldn't have asked for better conditions :)  My bike and both transitions both went pretty smooth everything was just a tiny bit slow.  I did not let this phase me, however, I had one goal this morning and it was to break 20 minutes on my run.  In previous years I had loomed around the 20 minute mark on this course and I decided sick or not today was the day.

^that's the second lap of the run! I knew I was going to be close to my goal so with the help of my wonderful boyfriend (and photographer =P) Lucas, and my roommate Maddie cheering me on I finished strong with a run split of 19:39! My overall time for the race was about 20 seconds faster than my best as well.  So, although racing sick is certainly not ideal, I proved to myself that my mind can stay strong to allow my body to perform its best :)  Now for some nutrition, hydration and recovery to get back on track for my favorite race coming up in a month and a few short days!!

**Non-triathlon side note**
I have my Senior Recital to complete my Music (French Horn) Minor next Sunday.  This has also contributed to the craziness of March!  I can't wait; it will be a both sad and exciting :)

And last but certainly not least....speaking of March Madness...check this song out :)  new release from Crimson prod. Valeas!
March Madness

Roots

Roots.  We all have them.  Whether they are in our food, growing out and showing our true hair color, or reminding us where we came from.  They are truly important to remember, no matter the interpretation you choose (what a crisis if everyone knew what your real hair color was ;) ).


As I enter this weekend, I want to keep one thing in my mind above anything else, my roots (where I came from of course, although remembering to eat them might help as well).  Remembering that I started triathlon only three years ago for the sole reason of keeping in shape and seeking to challenge my body in new ways is what I want dominating my thoughts this weekend.  I am competing in my first draft legal race tomorrow, so this follows the root goal: to give myself new challenges.  Although there are so many other things to think about this weekend besides the fact that this is a new challenge for me, I just want to focus on one thing. I couldn't be more excited to try this new format out this weekend and see where my body can take me!  The most important thing is not to clutter the roots because a crowded tree never grows to its full potential :)

Race ready?? I think so!

After a beautiful weekend interlude in the Bay Area (^Grizzly Peaks...so beautiful...you can see the entire East side of the Bay from here) with my sweetheart, I've returned to Tucson only to realize 9 DAYS until I leave for Clermont!! I couldn't be more excited!  Not only do I have a great opportunity to get out of Tucson, but also it's my FIRST EVER draft legal race.  I'm starting to shake a little just typing about it...the excitement, a little bit of anxiety (riding in a pack...ah!), I CAN'T WAIT! 

I also realized just how much I have to do this week! Ship my bike, get all of my racing gear ready, pack, get my shifts covered...and of course this is right when midterms are beginning!  Such is the life of a student-triathlete.  So my spotty blogging is likely to become even spottier in the next week or so, but I can't wait to tell you about my race when I return from Florida! Enjoy your week :)

Deep breaths

    This evening I'm finally able to catch my breath.  After a whirlwind weekend full of little surprises here we are, back to the routine, and I can take a second to reorganize my thoughts.
    Over the weekend my boyfriend of five years (Lucas Welling) visited me.  We are in a transition between our college town and our future home and are having to live in different cities for the first time ever!  The stress of this change along with the normal work, tests for school, etc was a little overwhelming.  My workouts for the beginning of this week have been nothing but below expectations and of course I didn't take the time to consider why this might be before getting very frustrated. 
    The final straw broke when I was on my easy run this afternoon.  I had just gotten out of a test, mildly harassed by a hobo on my way home, and come to the realization I wasn't probably going to have enough time for my entire swim workout before an extra rehearsal I had to get to.  I began my run with my heart already pumping a little, the stress of the afternoon fresh on my chest.  Of course it is never good to start an easy run with a high cadence and enough anxious energy to go for three hours, but that's what I decided to do anyway.  About twenty minutes into my run I started to get a little uncomfortable; my stomach was hurting and my chest was tight.  This was such an unusual feeling especially for an easy casual run, so I started to think about what I was doing.  I was allowing myself to plow through this run just like another check off of my daily list of tasks.  I came to the realization that I was not allowing myself to enjoy this run at all, so I stopped for a second, took a deep breath, flipped my watch over, stopped tracking my pace and began running again with the single focus of "how does this feel".  Sure enough after a short while everything felt great; my stride was locked in, I could breathe easily, there was no more stomachache and I actually felt happy!  It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind that even the most enjoyable part of your day can be ruined.  I thought about the weekend and wished I had taken this deep breath sooner.  Not only would my workouts have been more productive, but I would have spent more enjoyable time with Lucas rather than talking about how stressful everything was.  The entire reason I began running and doing triathlons was to relieve stress and enjoy challenging my body, and when I allowed myself to focus on just that purpose everything fell right back into place.  I am a true yogi at heart and it is always important to remember to take cognizant deep breaths and enjoy every second of each exhalation.