My First OWS..My First Triple Brick

As you are aware, I am currently training for my first triathlon.  Ok, well maybe my second but I consider my first one to be a "baby" one!  It was in the pool and it was reverse and it was HARD!

I am training with a private coach as well as one with Team in Training.  Training with TEAM is important for me.  I fundraise to eliminate cancer.  Unfortunately we have all been effected with cancer in one way or another.

Saturday was my first triple brick.  We arrived at the beach at 7 am and it took us, well me, about an hour for us to get out wetsuits on.  I had to try on more than one and was lucky enough that Andi brought a few extras.  Coach Gene showed us how to set up transition, how to position helmets, socks. I learned about a water basin for your feet.  Who would have known!  Around 8 we went into the water.  We were only to go waist deep and swim back and forth between two poles and use a building and some trees for sighting.  Yup, Definitely did NOT get the sighting down as I was everywhere.

The Swim

AMAZING TEAM

When I first put my feet into the water I was surprised how warm the water was.  I have no idea the temperature but I was expecting COLD, like New Jersey water cold!  It was pleasantly nice.  I started to freak.  One of my biggest fears is the ocean.  When I go to the beach I do not go past my waist because I do not even like to get my hands wet.  I don't like them feeling sticky.  (come to think of it, I don't even remember them being sticky after exiting the water- magic I guess).  I mumbled to myself, "Why did I sign up for this".  I think we were all nervous but knew we had to dive right in.  I looked around, watched everyone else go it and I was off.  I was surprised I couldn't see the bottom of the water.  I was shocked.  I just assumed it was something I would see.  One lap was very scary, I had no idea where I was going, which direction I was swimming in, was I going to hit anyone, was anything going to eat me.  Ok, so maybe the whole is anything going to eat me wasn't going through my head.  While I tried to focus on my stroke I would try and sight.  At some points I would stop and just try and figure out where I was, which direction I was swimming in.  It helped having a wetsuit because I never once felt like I was going to drown.  After the first out and back I got into a grove.  The only scary part was was I going to hit anyone so I kept looking up.  When our 30 minutes was up it was time to practice transition.  I also noticed my Garmin as very off!  It told me I swam 1.3 miles, clearly that is very incorrect!

We ran out.  I attempted to strip my wetsuit.  That didn't work.  I may have almost had a breakdown right there and then.  I had a long sleeve on and it just wouldn't go past my elbows.  I had to sit down and pull this thing off me.  I had to take my watch off so I can get the other arm out.  I was a mess!  I cleaned my feet got all my stuff ready and was off to the bike.

The Bike

I had no idea how long or far we were biking, I assumed a few miles.. I was wrong.  I did 23.5 with one bottle of water.  I wish I brought some fuel with me.  I didn't know the route.  Luckily I just followed people and then got into a grove.  My teammates all caught up to me on the bike.  I am not the fastest biker out there.  There is lots of room for improvement in the future.  Because we were riding in heavy traffic, I was concerned about getting water from underneath so I pulled to the sidewalk to get water.  Any teammate that passed by made sure I was OK.  Coach Gene caught up to me, made sure I was ok.  This was about mile 6 and I asked how much further.  He said about 2 miles or so, no it was more like 6 more.  DAMN!!!  Teresa and him were waiting at the turn around and as soon as I made my way there Michelle was right behind us!  The way back I was a little quicker than the way there.  I also manages to bruise my ankle on the pedal.  At one of the bridge crossing I unclipped to cross the road.  The cars had the green light but the cross walkers did not, I tried to cross and a car came, because I was unclipped and trying to clip in quickly, my ankle went right into the pedal.  It is nice and cut up and bruised today.  Luckily I have only fallen off the bike once, while I was at the store but I have fallen onto or into the bike more times that I can remember and have the battle wounds to show for it.  I managed to ride 23.5 miles at a pace of 14mph.  I was pleased with that because we were on roads!  Once We were down, my butt was so happy to be done.  It was time to run.  I was not looking forward to that.  Quickly back to transition, but my bike away, got some water, ate about 1/4 of a bonk breaker and the run was about to begin.

The Run

At this point for the run I was beat.  I was hungry.  I hadn't eaten yet and didn't take fuel on the bike.  I got done just about the time Teresa was ready to run.  We decided we would run the bridge.  I had to use the restroom quickly and shortly followed behind.  I went up that bridge nice and slow and boy were my legs hurting from the ride.  Once up the bridge I ran about a third of a mile flat and up the bridge I went.  I had to play games with my mind to finish this run.  First I said, ok, 1.5 miles or 15 minutes, whichever comes first is when you can turn around.  Once I made it over the bridge the first time I actually felt OK.  Once over the bridge the second time my watch hit 20 minutes and new I could keep going.  Most people were doing a 30-60 mile run.  This was my fist time doing 1. an OWS and 2. a triple brick and didn't want to over do it.  I told myself run 10 minutes out and 10 minutes back and then you are good!  When I hit 30 minutes I started to chafe.  I started to chafe right where the butt cheek meets the leg on the left side.  Is it from the salt, new shorts, and running, is it the salt and biking?   Who knows!  On the way back I realized the faster I run the faster I am done.  I negative split the miles (minus the second bridge).  When I was done I was elated!  I finished my first triple brick, OWS, and felt confident with the miles put it!

I am just thrilled for the next few weeks.  This really gave me the boost I needed.  I was really nervous and doubting my ability to complete this event!

Also, thank you so much to those who have already donated to my fundraising efforts!  I am less than $350.00 from my first goal!!!  If you haven't, please take a minute to donate here.  Even something as little as $5.00 would mean so much to me!

THANK YOU for all the ongoing support!

Questions for you!!

Recommendations for chafing???

How the hell does one get their wetsuit off??

Struggling to get the wetsuit off

still struggling

breakdown about to start

Gate River Run 15k Recap

As many of you know, I am not the best at doing race reaps, but lucky for you, I am on Spring Break which gives me a few minutes of free time.

Friday after work I went up to Jacksonville to visit one of my best college friends.  I registered for this race probably the day it opened.  I was very excited for this.  Not only would I be doing the race, it was the perfect excuse to see my friend.  We were going to make it a fun weekend with the other half of our crew coming up, but unfortunately, they were unable to make it.  

Friday after work I hit up the expo because Jamie home yet.  I picked up my packet, walked around a bit, shopped some and saw Marcia.  It is so nice to always see her.  It was also her birthday weekend and she killed it with a PR!  She was ma wasn't nning the Donna 26.2 booth where I picked up a pin for Jamie and I to wear in her moms honor.  This is actually how she noticed me along the course.  Luckily, I did not need anything from the expo so I just walked to kill some time.

After the expo, I went to Jamie's, but my stuff down and did a nice little two mile shake out run.  Once Jamie got home, we ran to Target for a few things then waited for her boyfriend to come home.  He just was awarded a promotion so we went out to carbo load and celebrate.  We went to an italian place near their house which was very good.  I am a very picky eater whose stomach cannot handle much before races so I thought our server would murder me, or spit in my food.  All I wanted was plain pasta and grilled chicken with marinara sauce on the side.  I didn't think that was too hard.  Just saying.  We went home and went to bed.  

Get in my belly!

Saturday we were up bright and early.  I knew I would not have time to do my scheduled warm up, per Mary's request, so I woke up a little earlier and got out there.  We met at J's friend, Kerry's house at 7 to head downtown.  It makes me laugh that we met at 7 because I love early races, especially if they start in the dark.  Call me crazy, but I don't like seeing my watch and the pace and if it dark, I can't see the watch.  We all carpooled on over, got stuck in traffic, went to the pottys and went to find our corrals.  This was Jamie's first race and I told her I can run with her, walk with her, or do whatever.  She told me to rock it and run my pace, which is exactly what I did.  See, I am training for this Irongirl Half Marathon so.. I sort of wanted to see what I had in me.  They were in wave 3, I was in wave 2 so we hugged goodbye and wished them luck.

Let me start off by saying, this was not an easy run.  There are two bridges.  One is worse than the other.  The Hart bridge is a terror, a bitch to say nicely, luckily it was at mile 8.. Thinking back, I sort of wish it was at the beginning so I still had energy.

I accidently went into wave one to start.  I had my phone out about to take a picture of the start line and people started walking, I figured I had time and was just being moved forward, I was wrong.  I was in the wrong wave.  I am not complaining.  This was beneficial because I wasn't stressing out.  I just went.  The first few miles flew by.  By mile 1.5 is when the first bridge, the Main Street bridge was up.  The elevation was not bad, the bad part was the grates in the bottom.  It freaked me out, and being from NY where this is normal on the street, I do not like that and always walk around them.  

 I was scared I was running to fast when at the 3 mile marker I was under 30 minutes.  At least that was a new PR for me.  I just kept running.  I sort of had a goal in mind but did not want to commit to it because I wasn't sure if I was going to run with my friend or if the bridges would get the best of me.  This is about where Marcia ran into me, she said HI, and took off!  Who would think there is a hilly course in Florida, but it seems as I always seem to find them.  I sort of figured that besides the bridges, the course would be flat, I was wrong.  Rolling hills, lots of rolling hills.  I just kept treking on.  The course was beautiful when we went by the water and the houses, WOW!  I was consistently holing about a 10  min mile pace, give or take a few seconds.  I was very excited and was hoping not to crash!  Jamie's boyfriend spotted me, gave me a shout and gave me some extra motivation.  My stomach started to cramp and I got nervous.  I knew I just had about a 5k left.  I had a Powergel with me, I wish I would have taken it at about mile 6.5 because at mile  I started to burn out.  I knew I can maintain my pace till I got to the Hart Bridge.  I did just that.  I stopped twice during mile 7, once to get an orange from a spectator, the second to get some water.  You can see my pace dropped there.  Then it was the bridge!!!  I ran that bridge..or so I thought.  You would never know I was running, it looked like walking, felt like walking but the energy was running.  I promise, I was running.  Once to the top, I sprinted down.  I know I had to get in the last kick!  I saw that before I hit the bridge my pace was about a 10, after the bridge.. a little more!  I wanted it down, I was determined to get it down.

And there the finish line was!  I made it, and a shiny new PR!  The last and only time I ran a 15k my time was about 2:04.  I was out of shape!  I wasn't running.  I just said, OK, this is better than doing the Half.  So that is what I did.  This time I was training, and I used this as a training run for Irongirl.

There were certainly some pro's and cons about this race so I will just give you a few of them:

*I loved our names on our bibs!  It is great to hear people call your name out while your running.

*I did not like that there was no Gatorade or anything of that sort on the course.  After we started, it got hot and I think that would have really helped me the last few miles.  

*The line to get the medal at the end, a cluster mess

*Free post race bags of ice and massages

*A beautiful race shirt (I will have to post that) and it fits perfectly!

*hilly course, you tell me..good or bad?

*Great Crowd support!

And I almost forgot.  My official time was 1:35:11.  Just what my Garmin read! Perfect!

Before!

After

 After the race, Ryan got us flowers!  So sweet!  And we headed for a post celebratory lunch at a bar!  It truly was a great weekend with great friends!  I am so glad I was able to do this!

Post Race celebrations!

have you ever done this run?  What were your thoughts?

Did you go into a race and crushed your expectation?

Also, did you enter the lululemon and race entry giveaway yet?

Go for the Goal: October

WoW!!! Is it really October already?  Where has the time gone?

I have been working at my new school for over a month, and I am loving every second of it, well, almost!

September Goals

Survive and Run 75% of my runs.

These are going to go hand and hand in my explanation.  I am here, I am still alive, I have survived.  Not by much though.  

I did NOT get 75% of my runs in.  Being the cross country coach at the school that I work out was great while it lasted.  It taught me many lessons, most importantly, don't bite off more than you can chew.  Living an hour away from the school, teaching 3 new preps, co sponsoring two clubs, and coaching a sport that practices M-F 3-5 was unfortunately, too much.  I had to say goodbye.  Because I said goodbye, I was able to get home before 7:30 a few nights last week! WOohoo.  I may have a life back and be able to "start" training for that marathon I have next month.

October Goals

Run

Get to the gym

Stay away from the "Nasty" food until after the NYC Marathon

I am off to bed as I have a 4:50 wakeup call to go to work.  I am envious of those who can work out in the morning!

What are your goals this month??

I am triathlete!

First off, I am officially a Triathlete!!!  This has been a goal of mine for over a year now and I finally had the time to complete one.  

The Tampa Bay Women's Triathlon at Westchase was right up my ally!  The swim was in a pool :)  I am scared of the ocean for now, I hate the sticky feeling and seaweed, 

NO THANK YOU!

This event was a great event!  Everything was well organized and everyone was able to answer all of my questions.  This was my first one so remember, I had a lot of questions, such as, "Do I need a swim cap?", the answer was no! Yay, one less thing to worry about.  The volunteers were great and all things ran smoothly, from a participants perspective.

Luckily, I am off on Fridays and was able to head to pick up my race packet and briefing early in the morning.  I picked everything up for my packet and went into the briefing.  I walked in a few minutes later and there were no seats so I happily sat on the floor attempting to pay attention.  My attention span, not so good when I am hungry.  I did get many questions answers but I was still a little uncertain because of nerves and anxiety. (All I really wanted to do was finish).

I met up with Meghan for lunch at the Hungry Greek, it was delicious and I may become a regular just like her.  She definitely calmed my nerves a bit, thank you :)  I went home, packed my "stuff" and was ready for race day after some Rock of Ages! (Yes, I liked it)

Saturday, my alarm was set for 4:30 to become a triathlete, I grabbed a granola bar and was on my way.  It wasn't crowded when I arrived, I checked in, got marked with my number's which apparently my market thought was "E's", I set up my bike and found Val and Michelle for some pre-tri talking.  This was all of our first races and we were excited, nervous and were just waiting to start!  I also saw Tori  ( and you can read her blog post about it also- She rocks and is training for Augusta 70.3.) and Patrick along with their friend Erika.  

Michelle, Me, Val

Erika, myself, Tori
Picture by Patrick 

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The three of us were all in the last wave, wave 3 so it was very nice to have people to talk to.  Once waves 1 and 2 were out, it was just wave three left.  Let me just start off my saying I am not a quick runner, I take my time and that being said, I was the last one to start meaning, oh I will probably be the last one to finish, and I was A-OK with that.  Once we were off, we were rocking and rollin' a chatted with a few people along the course but was always last until the very end (woohoo).  I managed to finish the 5K in 32:45, but the course was just a bit short I heard as well as saw on my Garmin.  Either way, I would have maintained the same pave for another .25 of a mile so yay for kicking butt on the run.  It was a beautiful course and I am not in love with the Westchase area, this is where I may be looking for jobs in the future as it is so beautiful, I want to live there.  The course was through a neighborhood so there were a lot of turns, but there was NEVER any confusion of where to go.  The volunteers were AMAZING!!! Always cheering us on and pointing us in the right direction.  

Oh HI!! Im last and loving it :)

Next up was the dreaded bike, this was what I was most scared of honestly.  Luckily, the directors had to shorten the ride to 7.25 due to a water main break.  It was a loop that we had to go through twice and I had to go from sidewalk to street to sidewalk and under tunnels.  I was a mess the first loop trying to figure everything out.  People were passing me left and right and I was scared I was going to fall over into the street and grass and get stuck.  I had only been on the bike twice before this race, so turning was not in my vocabulary, and I had to learn quickly.  I think maybe 2 people were behind me at this point, that means I passed once person because I was almost last coming in from the run.  Go ME!!!  It took me 38:13 to get off that stupid bike and I couldn't be more excited.  My butt hurt and so did my legs!! After that, I took my sweet time to the swim.

Help, What am I doing?

Hi, I am still alive!

If you remember all the way from the beginning, I sad the swim was in pool, did I also mention this was a reverse so the swim was last?  I thought that would be a good thing.. Not so sure...After dismounting the bike and practically falling off of it because I do not know how to get off yet, I took my sweet time getting to the pool.  I had to practically disrobe my watch, belt, phone; did I even have it?  my helmet, and everything else I did not want in the pool.  On the way I did some stretching, talked to Michelle, hydrated and finally made myself to the pool "area".  It took me a while to get in the pool as I think it is necessary to talk to everyone, ask them questions, talk to the lady who is telling me to get in the pool so I can maybe..."finish".  Ok, so I am finally in the pool and I was off.  It was 8 back and forths in the pool, I had to go under the ropes which was a little annoying, but hey, I got to push of the wall a little, no complaints from me!  About half way through I was dying, I didn't know if I was going to make it!! Luckily, my friends were there cheering me on and didn't need to embarrass myself by having people come in and get me from drowning.  I finally made it out of the pool to the finish line and collected my new shiny medal; but boy was that rough.  I finished the swim in 5:52 (does that include from the bike to the pool which I thought I should talk to everyone or when i stepped in the pool and took my sweet time?)) I was very happy with that time though!!

Dancing to the finish I was just so happy to be done.

Are you sick of me talking yet?  I think that TRI was torture!  I unfortunately did not train and I learned my lesson, but I did it and that was all I wanted to do.  It was great to have Tori, Patrick, Val, Michelle, and Erin there cheering each other on!!

After a few picture, we made our way back to the car, I swore I wasn't going to do another one, but I sort of want to, especially with a swim first and see the difference.  

On the way to the cars, Tori mentioned I won a prize, I did!  I won a gift certificate to Outspkin in clearwater.  I guess I am going to have to make a trip there and get lots of supplies for the next one!

So Recap: 

This was a great event

Everyone was amazing

I would do this next year

I want to do another

I need to train

May Goals Recap

Here you can find the goals I made for May.  May certainly flew by as I was consumed with work this month and going through way too many emotions with it.  I finally have a free minute or two to go through my May goals and recap on them!

Thanks for sticking with me guys:)

Goal 1: Get a haircut

Success!!!! It was so nice to get a haircut.  Goodbye dead ends and soft hair!  This makes it so much easier to want to do my hair when it is so soft!

Goal 2: RUn 6 miles

Check!! It was not a full run, but a run walk of 7.5 which I will take.  Marathon training began and I am all over that (after this crazy week).

Goal 3: Loose Weight

Epic Fail!! This afternoon I received the results of my blood test and my thyroid is overactive.  Most people would loose weight because their metabolism is faster but I am known to gain weight because you are also hungrier.  Now that we are trying to work out meds, this should and WILL change!

Goal 4: Tone it up

Not at all :( But I have drank the drinks they recommend

Goal 5: Veganesque

This is simply not for me.  I am so picky that it simply was not possible.  I do plan to incorporate a more vegetarian diet though and try to cut out dairy which I do not normally eat anyway.  

Goal 6: Resume

Check!!!

I am happy with the goals I completed this month.  Now to come up with my goals for next month!!

How did you do on your May goals?  What do you have planned for June?

Going for the Goal: May

It's May.

School is almost over.

Summer is almost here.

It's time for another month of goals.

This time, let's work harder at achieving them.

Goal 1: Get a haircut

Get a haircut.  Pretty simple, I have not gotten my hair cut in about a year.  Last May, I chopped my hair off and donated it to locks of love.  It was my second time doing this.  I am growing my hair out again to donate it.  My hair is gross and needs a trim.  

Goal 2:Run 6 miles.  

I have not ran more than 4 miles since December.  Marathon training begins this month.  Hopefully I will work my way up to 6 miles. :) 

Goal 3: Loose Weight

Wait, are you surprised this is on the list because I am not.  Weight is a battle I have been fighting since High School.  After packing on the pounds since being injured, I need to get them off.  My goal this month is 135.  On this note, my next goal is:

Goal 4: Tome it Up

I purchased the Tone it up diet plan because I have hit rock bottom.  My goal is to start utilizing it

Goal 5: Veganesque

I have been reading up on a Vegan diet, and I want to incorporate it into my diet.  I will not be totally vegan, but modified.  I will still eat fish.  I was to slowly ween myself into this lifestyle.  I think this will be my hardest goal.

Goal 6: Resume

I need to finish my resume.  I will probably be looking for a job because of how the Hillsborough School system works.  I am a temporary employee and will not be guaranteed a job after June 11.  

This is also were you come in.  If you know of anyone that is hiring, let me know!  I am amazing and people love :)