The Chicago trip was sooo much fun! I drove up late on Friday with Aimee and met the others for a drink in the hotel lobby. We got up early to get primped and prepped for out big shoot (who am I kidding... we got up early to eat!).
Call was a t 11:00, and we were scheduled to be on our bikes at 12:30. Around 1:00 they finally called us in to record our intros. Leave it to me to be uber creative... it went a little something like this, "Hi I'm Monica from Louisville, KY. I'm a personal trainer and triathlete." I know, it's genius.
1:45 I'm on my bike and starving!! We'd been sitting around for so long waiting and none of us thought we'd have time to grab a bite.
We are told that the video is a 90 minute aero-base and we're not stopping for a break since they were running behind. I thought for sure that I'd be the jackass who had to pee and hold up the whole production, little did I know I'd sweat so much in the first 10 minutes that I wouldn't have to go for the next three days!! They turned off the AC because the sound was picking up in the mics. Thanks, I love the smell of 25 sweaty men in a small, stagnant room.
OK, so we hit 90 minutes. I'm totally dying, I'm drenched, I can't wait to stand and stretch. This was not aero-base at all. I was in a daze thinking about burritos and chips and salsa, when I hear Troy call the next set. For real? We're at 90 minutes and half the class is slumped over on their bikes? We're going longer? I look up, obviously shocked and see the crew smiling at me to keep my head up and smile back. I didn't sign up for this.
2 hours of riding and I was done. I have never ever worked so hard on the trainer! They sent out pictures from the day, I wasn't in any and I'm pretty sure it's because I looked remarkably similar to death.
All in all, fun times were had. We celebrated at On The Border with margaritas and burritos, well worth it!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Chi-town
Since I got back in town from Florida I haven't made it two weeks without packin' up and heading somewhere else for a weekend. Two weeks ago I was in New Orleans, in two more weeks I'll be in St. Croix, and today I'm headed to Chicago. I love to travel but I feel like I'm living out of a suitcase!!
Myself and a few training partners are headed to Chi-town to shoot two Spinervals videos. I'm not quite sure what they were thinking (or what I was thinking for that matter) when I was invited; typically when I ride the trainer I dress like a damn fool and look like I'm going to vomit then die, and now it's going to be recorded. Lovely.
I finally made it outside for a ride yesterday! The forecasted sunny 60+ degree day was rainy and cold, but I was in good company. We rode the IM loop plus some. My goal was to pull like a banshee for the first half and then chase the other smarter riders for the second. It was fun and felt so good to climb again. The t-run, however, was not as joyful. The only company I had for it were the squirrels who scared the piss out of me when they scurried through the woods as I ran by. I felt the monster blister on my foot pop and my groin was so tight I couldn't run straight. Fun times were had.
All jokes aside, I've been feeling pretty good and am looking forward to the season ahead. There are so many awesome athletes training for IMKY here that it makes it hard not to want to workout. Train on homies.
Myself and a few training partners are headed to Chi-town to shoot two Spinervals videos. I'm not quite sure what they were thinking (or what I was thinking for that matter) when I was invited; typically when I ride the trainer I dress like a damn fool and look like I'm going to vomit then die, and now it's going to be recorded. Lovely.
I finally made it outside for a ride yesterday! The forecasted sunny 60+ degree day was rainy and cold, but I was in good company. We rode the IM loop plus some. My goal was to pull like a banshee for the first half and then chase the other smarter riders for the second. It was fun and felt so good to climb again. The t-run, however, was not as joyful. The only company I had for it were the squirrels who scared the piss out of me when they scurried through the woods as I ran by. I felt the monster blister on my foot pop and my groin was so tight I couldn't run straight. Fun times were had.
All jokes aside, I've been feeling pretty good and am looking forward to the season ahead. There are so many awesome athletes training for IMKY here that it makes it hard not to want to workout. Train on homies.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Happy Easter!
Easter has come and gone leaving me about 20 pounds heavier after inhaling Mom's french toast casserole. Life doesn't get much better than french toast casserole. After brunch we went out for an Easter egg hunt. You can pretty easily spot me and my brothers, when it comes to the Easter egg hunt we mean business.
This week has been weird. Not good weird or bad weird, just weird. A few days ago when I thought my head would float away I decided against the trek to Brazil for Ironman; the timing just isn't right. I booked my plans for St. Croix but with totally different expectations than originally anticipated, and I also registered for a few different races and revamped the whole 09 race season. I needed a change.
Now I'm feeling much more myself and quite relieved to have removed the weight of a big race so soon. AND in even cooler news, I'll be around for Sophia's 0st Birthday!
My soon to be niece is breached, which is fine right now but she better start flipping soon. So Sean and I googled some brilliant ideas and made poor Katie try them out.
My mom was also there to show her support
They didn't work.
I haven't gotten outside once this week to ride, I think that's why I'm so antsy. I'm trying to find the motivation to hop on the trainer then onto the treadmill, but this rain and grey and yuck makes nap time so inviting. Tomorrow is 2.5 hours of Goshen Hill repeats followed by more of Goshen Hill on foot. I'm actually really excited for it and will be there rain or shine. Off to have a party on the trainer!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Nawlins 70.3 Race Report
New Orleans was a great experience: I met up with old friends from Team USA, got to see my favorite brothers and sisters from anotha motha (the Gollnicks!), and enjoyed New Orleans for the first time ever. The race, however, was a different story...
I'm not quite sure why I'm writing this report as it's going to consist of a bunch of whining about how bad I felt and blah blah blah. It was a bad race, it just wasn't there. The venue was beautiful, the spectators were great, it was well organized... but my race just wasn't there. You've been warned, here it is.
I felt really prepared and fit going into the weekend. Saturday I rode, ran, and swam with Heather and it felt good to have my legs under me. I practiced my start several times, made sure my bike was ready to ride, and practiced pacing on the run.
Sunday morning came after a good nights sleep. I arrived in plenty of time, got setup, ran through transitions, walked a mile to the start, and warmed up with Jill (in our wetsuits, my parents have some great pics!).
SWIM - I don't really know what to say about this besides it was just plain long! It was a point to point swim and just went on forever. I found it sooo hard to stay focused and it was obvious when I checked my watch at the exit... a whole 5 minutes slower than usual. Not a great start.
BIKE - Now in my comfort zone I made my move. I wanted to have an aggressive ride and since my swim was a joke I figured I had nothing to lose. I went out hard and tried to hold it, only to find out my groin had other plans. I've been having it out with my groin since December and it decided to speak up during the race... perfect.
It was a cool ride though! We went out the Bayou (I have no idea what that means but that's what I was told) and saw snakes, turtles, and gators throughout. We went through some of the devastation, had an aid station manned by men in red dresses, the locals offered up their beer, and Regis and Kelly were taping on the course!
RUN - The run started out much better than expected considering how my legs felt on the ride. The first 6 miles ticked away pretty steadily and I ran through the 10K mark right on pace. My feet started to hurt pretty bad but I wriggled my toes and ran on. Finally it got so painful that I stopped and pulled my shoes off. I tried to adjust my socks and rub my feet in hopes that I would feel my toes again. I loosened my laces and ran on. I ended up having to pull my shoes three times and by the time I made it to the finish I couldn't walk. It was no good.
Now I'm sitting on my couch sick as a dog! After every race I manage to get a nasty cold/sinus infection that completely knocks me out. On a brighter note it was a great weekend spent with great friends and the worlds best parents. I learned a lot from this race and know exactly what I need to do for next month.
Congrats to everyone who finished the race! There were Louisvillians, Florida Campers, Team USAers, and so many others I knew out there! It was great to have so much support on the course, congrats to all and train on!!
I'm not quite sure why I'm writing this report as it's going to consist of a bunch of whining about how bad I felt and blah blah blah. It was a bad race, it just wasn't there. The venue was beautiful, the spectators were great, it was well organized... but my race just wasn't there. You've been warned, here it is.
I felt really prepared and fit going into the weekend. Saturday I rode, ran, and swam with Heather and it felt good to have my legs under me. I practiced my start several times, made sure my bike was ready to ride, and practiced pacing on the run.
Sunday morning came after a good nights sleep. I arrived in plenty of time, got setup, ran through transitions, walked a mile to the start, and warmed up with Jill (in our wetsuits, my parents have some great pics!).
SWIM - I don't really know what to say about this besides it was just plain long! It was a point to point swim and just went on forever. I found it sooo hard to stay focused and it was obvious when I checked my watch at the exit... a whole 5 minutes slower than usual. Not a great start.
BIKE - Now in my comfort zone I made my move. I wanted to have an aggressive ride and since my swim was a joke I figured I had nothing to lose. I went out hard and tried to hold it, only to find out my groin had other plans. I've been having it out with my groin since December and it decided to speak up during the race... perfect.
It was a cool ride though! We went out the Bayou (I have no idea what that means but that's what I was told) and saw snakes, turtles, and gators throughout. We went through some of the devastation, had an aid station manned by men in red dresses, the locals offered up their beer, and Regis and Kelly were taping on the course!
RUN - The run started out much better than expected considering how my legs felt on the ride. The first 6 miles ticked away pretty steadily and I ran through the 10K mark right on pace. My feet started to hurt pretty bad but I wriggled my toes and ran on. Finally it got so painful that I stopped and pulled my shoes off. I tried to adjust my socks and rub my feet in hopes that I would feel my toes again. I loosened my laces and ran on. I ended up having to pull my shoes three times and by the time I made it to the finish I couldn't walk. It was no good.
Now I'm sitting on my couch sick as a dog! After every race I manage to get a nasty cold/sinus infection that completely knocks me out. On a brighter note it was a great weekend spent with great friends and the worlds best parents. I learned a lot from this race and know exactly what I need to do for next month.
Congrats to everyone who finished the race! There were Louisvillians, Florida Campers, Team USAers, and so many others I knew out there! It was great to have so much support on the course, congrats to all and train on!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Packin' Up
I just got back in town last week and already I'm heading out!! Tomorrow I'm off to New Orleans for the inaugural 70.3! My parents and I are making the 10+ hour drive (and by that I mean I'll be sleeping in the back while they tote me south :-)).
This race will be a great benchmark for my current fitness level. While I have been able to ride outside for the past two months, I still don't feel like I'm back to the level I was at the end of the season last year. New Orleans is the first race of the year; a no pressure, dust off the cobwebs, have some fun with great friends type of race.
Several Louisville tri-stars will be racing Sunday including Larry, Aimee, Scott and Mark. Be on the lookout for 'em! My Team USA buddies will be out there with me too (sans Justin who's too cool for NO and is racing Oceanside instead).
Jill, Karen, and myself (the three in the middle) will battle it out in NO :-)
I'm supposed to be wearing a Trakker so you'll be able to watch online in real time to see exactly how I'm doing, my pace, where on the course I am, etc. I just hope my little blinking dot keeps moving forward!! More details on that to come.
Have a great weekend, train on homies!
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