Road to First Mini Triathlon

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted!  Well, here it is:

Completed month 3 of training.  Took to Ocean water swimming much better than I thought.  The wetsuit really gives you an edge with staying afloat which to me, helps with peace of mind.  As the month goes by and life gets so busy it was hard to keep up the training, however, it was kept up.

Made it to morning of first Tri -- Santa Barbara 500 M swim, 6 Mile Bike and 2 Mile Run.  Wake up time was 4:30 am, to leave hotel at 5am for 5:30 am arrival at race via bike.  Got adorned with gear -- didn't have to put on make up which is always a treat and trotted bike (new bike by the way - Red, Felt Z4 -- love it!) down the hallway and stairs.  We (my husband and I) jumped on our bikes in the dark and started our ride.  It was a beautiful, serene morning ride which took about 20 minutes.  As we arrived to the bib pick up, the excitement starts to brew.  Not too many people there yet so we really got to savor the experience.
Got in the tiny line, gave my name and got my packet.  Pulled out my timing chip, had it checked and was good to go.  We sat down with our coffees (wow, do they know how to get the tourist dollar on that) and went though our packets -- this is it, it is really the day we have been working up to.  Put my number sticker on my helmet and bike, bib number on my race belt and did a little pre race relax.

About 6:30am, time to go into the Transition area and set up first transition -- very exciting as I had never done this before.  Got into the area early and my sis and I were able to set up next to each other.  We marked our lane with chalk at the end so we knew where to run into as the area can get very full and confusing.  We mounted our bikes on the rack (btw, just watch other people set up and you will figure it out:)) set out our little towel,  shoes, helmet, gloves, wetsuit and  **note to self next time a water bucket for feet.

More people are starting to pour in -- we are in the women's only division so our transition area all women -- all seem very cool.  There were teams of moms, daughter/mother teams, young people, older people, super fit people and peeps that didn't appear super fit.  None the less, very exciting and a little scary all at the same time.  As my husband was in the co-ed division, his race started before ours.  As we were standing and waiting for him to come out of the water there was a guy next to me that was wet and in his wetsuit and I said, "Wow, did you finish already?"  He replied, "No, I had to quit mid swim because I couldn't breathe".  Needless to say, I was glad my sister didn't hear this as she was already very anxious about the swim portions as many are, including myself.  I chose not to chat with this man further as I didn't want it to mess with my head.

7:45 am, time to head to the beach to start this monumental experience.  All wet-suited up (I chose sleeveless option as sleeves make me feel constricted), colored swim cap on and standing in front of the Big Blue Ocean -- wholly cow, we are really gonna do this thing!  My sis and I chose to let other people run down first and we would take our time.  Many people go in the water first to acclimate to it, I like to just run, jump in and go.
There it is, the blow horn, Game Time!!!! Running into the water with all these people at the same time is a wild and weird feeling.  The water is chilly but the excitement overrides the cool temperature. In my head I am thinking how surreal this is, all these feet around me kicking away.  You can feel that waves around you, moving you about-- it is weird.  As you are swimming you have to manage your energy, your thoughts going through your head -- it is sort of frantic yet peaceful at the same time.  I swam by a little school of fish, made sure I kept sighting so I didn't end up in Catalina and stayed on the correct side of the buoy's.  About half way through I remember thinking how cool this experience is and that it is not as hard as I thought it would be.  I cannot put into words what an amazing feeling it is to round the buoy as you are swimming back towards the beach to finish the swim!  The feeling that rivals swimming into the shore is when you are running out, up the beach -- people are cheering and telling you good job and in my head I am joyful, proud and thanking God that I just completed the swim portion of the event.  It brings a little tear to my eye as I sit here and recount the experience.  Btw, another note to self, remember to smile as you exit the water so your pictures don't make you look like you are struggling on the toilet :-).

Running up the sand and into the transition area -- my head is racing with thoughts of completing the swim and thinking onto the bike and what do I have to do next?  Get to the bike, soaking wet as I strip off my wetsuit, shaking with excitement.  Soak my feet in someone else's water bucket (sorry).  Dry my feet, put on my cycling shorts (another learned lesson, next time need a tri suit! Look at me already talking about next time :)), put on running shoes, helmet and grab bike and start running bike out of transition area (you have to walk or run it, No riding bike in T area). Ooooops, bike comes to sudden stop as I forgot I hung race belt on wheel and it got stuck.  Had to spend time to get it unstuck which is not good as the transition time all counts against your overall time.

As I get bike out of T area and hop on for the ride the feeling of exhilaration is so overwhelming I almost start to cry --- I can't believe that I am doing this.  The ride is a little more hilly than I anticipated and it is an open course.  I am cruising along and thinking "I got this" only to be held up by someone running on the course, a lady with her car in the middle of the road and not moving it and people riding in the middle not staying to the right.  All in all though, it was a decent ride and as you approach the Transition area to dismount the bike the feelings of exhilaration return.

Ahhh, now the dreaded run portion.  I like to jog and at my own pace.......running for speed anymore is not my favorite thing to do.  Run bike back to T area, mount the bike, take off helmet, and go! It is such a weird feeling going from bike to running -- your legs feel wobbly and unstable.  I trek out one foot unstably in front of the other. In my mind I am thinking, this is it - 2 miles and then I have completed my First Mini Tri!  I trudge along down the bike path.  It is starting to warm up -- I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I keep thinking I want to run faster but I don't want to run out of energy.  I run past a lady and her husband, people pass me -- in my head I just keep telling myself, keep going, this is it.  There it is........the loop to turn back!  I am on my way.  As I approach the shoot to go across the finish line, I think to myself to savor this experience as it is almost over. As I run into the shoot I start to turn up the heat and run as fast as I can to get myself over the finish line -- here it is, the moment of truth...........I raise my hands into the air, let out a scream and cross the finish line!!!!!! :):);)  They say your name over the loud speaker as you cross and you know you have done it! I get my timing chip removed, my finishers medal is placed proudly upon me and I have completed a new challenge that I set out to achieve.  This is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

On the heels (no pun) of the excitement, elation, and sheer proudness -- we now decide to do Long Beach Tri next, 800 M swim, 11 Mile Bike and 3 Mile run.

For anyone thinking of taking on the challenge, I recommend it highly!!!!!!!

Road to First Mini Triathlon

7/26/13

Wow how the time is flying by!  Finished month two training in North Carolina and Baltimore.  Between the hotel gyms and the Lakes in Carolina I was able to keep up my training regimen. The lake swim was good practice.  Need to do ocean next.

Have now completed week one of month 3.  I did a bike ride today with hills and have learned that after two weeks of no hill training it definitely shows.  I had to actually stop for a second and catch my breath.  Went farther and longer than I thought despite wanting to stop a couple times -- I am glad I did as I got to see a bunny, the top of Friendship Park and raced a squirrel (the squirrel won).

I have found that I am starting to shift into competitive mode instead of the original mission which was just to have fun and complete the task -- not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, I will keep you posted :):);)

Road to First Mini Triathlon

5/29/13

Ran yesterday, check

Biked 30 today 20 of it uphill, arggh. Can def feels abs, quads and inner thigs getting a workout. Our ride is either super difficult or easy - uphill all on the way out, at least you get it over with.
I know why gloves are important - sweaty paws don't make for a good grip. Shorts helped today. Took little 30 seconds breaks on the up hill. Gears and I are becoming fast friends


Swim - check

Running almost as fast as biking, not sure if that is saying much for either :)

6/5/13

Finished first week of training and completed all tasks. Swimming was overall good but def need goggles and to put hair in ponytail for freestyle - did breast stroke instead.

Week 2 of Biking, hills still kicking my butt - feeling the burn in quads front, anterior and lateral also feeling it on the uphill in abs (which I like)

6/7/13
Officially signed up for the Big Event! No backing out now, although I did buy the insurance in case something happens :)
Signed up for just for fun and co ed - two weeks after the competitive bug hit, changed to age and women's only event


6/16/13

Finishing my third week of training, can't believe it!  Wetsuit arrived yesterday -- neosport sleevless - it is great, easy on/off not constricting and got delivered from Amazon of course :) Also purchased some biking shorts to keep legs from chafing and bum from getting sore - it now makes sense to me why all the bikers wear those goofy outfits!

Went on first group ride and 17miles -- it was awesome. What a fantastic time, great people, beautiful ride. I am being told my bike is a piece o Crapoli (at least for this type of riding) and it needs to go back :(Apparently I am working much harder than I need to because of the bikes performance ability. I guess the good news is I am getting a better workout and I when I get on a proper bike it will be like cheating (we will see). I am grateful to my little bike though b/c it got me to the point yesterday where I could go out on the group ride, go 17 miles and have such a terrific time. 

One month down - month two - step up the swimming.
This month starts swimming 2 x per week.  I haven't missed a training yet and today have learned a great lesson in determination, perseverance and persistence oh and don't forget "artful dodging"

Note to self - correctly check the open swim vs lap swim schedule. Today my horoscope said I was going to have a momentous day --

I think if you mean by momentous - swimming with a pool full of sea urchins little one’s) making artificial waves with no lap lanes -  as in good training for the mass of peeps that will be racing against in open water, then --- yes :):):) 

6/28/13

2 months before the big event!

Did first "brick" training. 30 minute ride (took a minute off my uphill - yeah).
29 minute run to follow - not as easy :( between the wobbly legs from the bike, the resistance of the dog and all the up hills - kind of a struggle. I did do it, just much slower than I would have liked to.

I am learning that form and breathing play a big part in a successful outcome so I am trying to improve on those aspects.
Tomorrow is the pool - hopefully we can get there before all of the summertime sea urchins do :)

Road to First Mini Triathlon

5/25/13

When my sister asked if I wanted to do a mini tri in August I originally thought, thanks but no.

Then I gave it some consideration and thought what a great way to work some more muscles, tone, define and broaden my horizon. 
I already ran, I use to swim in high-school and seriously, how hard could riding a bike again be???

I downloaded a training schedule, bought a bike at Costco along with helmet.  I tested it out by riding around in my suit and heels in the store and scored the floor sample so I didn't have to do the necessary "assembly required".
Brought it home and said Yes to the mini tri!

Ummmmm, seriously underestimated the bike riding ease!  Riding a bike is not the childs play that I remember it to be. I curse the hill we live on :):):) PS. Is it normal for your lady parts to fall asleep while riding? 

About five minutes in (all uphill btw) I thought thank God I only spent $250 and Costco would take it back cause this blows!

Alas, I couldn't quit this soon into it and  I decided to trudge on and make it up the hill. 

I read a blog on line about tips for beginning cycling and was getting confused by what all the gears do and when to use them. One learns very quickly what all the gears do and don't do, what makes the bike faster, slower, harder and more efficient, why you don't wear floppy pants especially on the chain side and how to put the chain back on if it slips gears cause there is no way you are walking you and the bike home.

Day 1 conquered the hill! Once I became one with the bike and familiarized myself with how to properly ride it, all was good, not easy, but good. Did 22 Minutes, legs wobbly but overall had great time :)