Walkin' the Walk

I've often told friends and family that I love training for races so much that I could do it full time as a Professional Triathlete. So when 5x Ironman Champion, Heather Gollnick, strolled into town I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity.

Long story short:

• Wednesday: I got ridden into the ground. Thankfully, my bike decided to die before I did so I took advantage of the 15 minute reprieve while Bluegrass Bikes in Crestwood got me up and running again (Thanks Bob, you guys are great!).
• Thursday: Showed up for a track workout half delirious, followed by an open water swim in which Heather candidly swam laps around me.
• Friday: Easy 2 hour recovery ride (hallelujah!!)
• Saturday: Hard 56 mile ride followed by a 7 mile run (which turned into a 10 mile run after Heather decided she was feeling spunky.... which was, by the way, a 20 mile run for Heather).
• Sunday: Topped off the week with a nice, long open water swim.

Even though I got in some of the best/hardest workouts of my LIFE, I learned so much more than I ever expected. Heather is 100lbs. of animal (not to mention her roles as mother of three, wife, and CEO)! She's a die hard competitor, but she's also one of the most encouraging and inspiring women I've come across in the sport. She lives and trains by very high standards and encourages others to do the same.

Heather put triathlon and training into perspective for me and encouraged me to chase my dreams. I love this sport, the people in it, and I now have a new found respect for those who call it a career. Just a small taste of what it's like to walk the walk!

Thanks for putting up with me! Off for a long run ;-)

Back in the Game!

So as you can tell from my last post, I've had a tough start to the racing season. I decided to open the season early with a big race - Ironman Arizona. It didn't go quite so well (11:36 - 2nd place AG) so I did what I always do after a bad race... I register for the "redemption race". That last minute decision was the St. Croix 70.3 and was three weeks after IM Arizona (so much for recovery!). St. Croix didn't go quite as planned either (5:57 - 2nd place AG), which helped me to realize that my little redemption race strategy was doing more harm than good. So I had a heart to heart with Coach and we decided to not race for two months and instead crank up the intensity with training.

That brings me to today; the day after the Muncie Endurathon. I've logged countless hours in the pool, on the bike, and around the track. I've ran so fast my heart almost jumped out of my mouth and tried to climb so hard that my legs actually fell off. I even got in the Ohio and swam until I had no shoulders left (but that was mainly because I was too grossed out to stay in longer than I had to)... and it all paid off. I finished the Muncie Endurathon in 5:08, a new PR (and yes, I'm still cursed by 2nd place... I'll explain later).

Race Morning: My alarm was set for 4:50, but at 4:40 I received a phone call. A friend who was also racing (and who likes to get to races incredibly early) was having car problems and needed a lift. I totally understand the importance of having a clear head race morning, so I did what I could to help a friend in need (car problems DON'T equal clear, calm mind) I hurried through my morning routine and headed over to the nearby hotel to scoop up my pal.

When we arrived there was a buzz about the oncoming storms. Apparently three hours away a large storm was rolling in with hail and lots of lightning. I took that as my cue to remove my disc wheel and replaced it with my trusty 808.

I was super clam leading up to the race: I had my transition setup perfectly and rehearsed it a few times in my head and I had backup plans for bad weather. Someone even asked me if I was racing because I seemed too laid back. But I knew there was no reason to be wound up: I was ultra prepared, there was no pressure to do well, no Kona slots on the line, just an opportunity to push myself as hard as I could. So at that, I put my iPod on Kanye West's "Diamonds are Forever" (a pre-race must) and headed for the start.

Swim: By the time my wave was launched the sky had turned grey. We swam a loop: going out and back the water was super choppy, but going across we were carried by the current. So I took advantage of the assistance and pushed it until my lats were screaming. I thought for sure the race would be called, so I figured I'd swim all out until then.

Bike: I didn't take T1 too seriously because the sky was crashing with thunder; I sped through knowing we'd be shut down on the bike course. As soon as I got on my bike lightning began to strike nearby and the skies opened up on us. This type of weather normally has me pulled over in my car waiting for it to pass. But this was different, this was a race and stopping would get me nowhere. I had waited two long, loooong months for this day and no storm could stop me. So I pushed on through, and I pushed pretty hard.

2 hours and 40 minutes later I was in T2, and baffled by how we weren't pulled from the course. The race was going to go on, and now the true test begins.

Run: The weather had began to calm and turned to a light sprinkle (which was a blessing for the run). I started out a little shaky, but after mile 1 I had found my legs and settled into my pace. I had 1 hour and 44 minutes to finish the 13.1 mile run and break a 5 hour finish time, so I decided to go for it. The course was out and back, it was pretty flat, and it was overcast - perfect running conditions. I hit the turnaround in 52 minutes, right on pace! I knew I had more left in me, so I kicked it up for the negative split.

The next three miles were tough but on the money. The sun began to rear its ugly head and the air was thick from the rain... but it was three more miles, I can do anything for three more miles. I continued to push through knowing it was going there was going to be a battle. I felt like I was starting to slow down so I checked my Garmin - 9:05 pace. Ahhh! Way off!! I willed my legs to move faster and was able to hold 8:10 until the next aid station. I didn't want to stop at all during the run, but I knew this one was necessary. I grabbed all the calories and sodium I could and managed shove it all down my throat and plow forward. I latched on to a guy who was keeping great pace and decided not to let him go, but about 5 minutes later my legs had a different plan.

The last three miles were killer and totally threw me off pace, but I was able to pull through and finish in 5:08 - good enough for a new PR, however, still placed me.. you guessed it... 2nd! I'm done with 2nd place. ;-)

I felt great, physically, throughout the entire day. Mentally I was challenged to stay focused throughout the elements. It was a tough day but man it felt good to race again!! I now know what's working and where I need to spend more time, so back to the drawing board to prep for the Big Dance... my A Race.

I'll keep you posted, until then train on!