Jetton Sprint Triathlon 2014 Edition

It's a little hard to compare triathlons.  Distances vary, transition areas vary, distances to the transition areas vary....  You can estimate, you can guess, you can go by feel how you are improving.  But it's always nice to have the opportunity to compare apples to apples.

I had one summer of triathlon under my belt before I returned to where it all started.  Jetton Sprint Triathlon.  And it's here that I have the opportunity to do just that, compare apples to apples.

I had some concerns going into Jetton this past weekend.  Swim, knee, nutrition, anxiety.  Also, with my current training cycle getting ready for EagleMan, I felt like I had an opportunity to do well.  I didn't just want to finish it.  I wanted to "race" it.  I felt like I had the chance to get on people's radar, to become a name that people might want to watch for in the future.

Anyway....
'nuff of the blah blah blah
time to recap

Race morning.
shower, walk dogs, feed dogs and eat my English muffin with pb
double check bags
run upstairs to grab wetsuit
grab body glide
double check bags
run back upstairs to grab wetsuit
pump Thelma's tires
load car
double check bags
grab forgotten bike shoes
run back upstairs to grab race belt
fingers crossed I had everything because it was time to get on the road

Race site.
park in a field
ride from field to event area on weird pedals without clipping in
remember how to ride without being clipped in
try to remember how to get off without unclipping
check in, body marking and chip getting
set up transition area
10min jog to warm up (Hi Mr. van Voo!!!)
wiggle into the potato sack that is a wetsuit
quick dip in the lake
sing national anthem

Swim:  17:48 - 2:22/100m
(2013-23:36)  -5:12
This swim went much better than Belews in April.  Of course, this one was half the distance, but we won't concentrate on that part.
There were 4 swim waves and they had all the AG ladies start the day in the last wave (and in pink caps. ugh.). I was able to swim the majority of the course, practice my new sighting technique, sometimes successfully and sometimes not.  I was able to keep anxiety attacks under control, taking it nice and easy.  My goal was not time, but to have a swim I could feel good about and I think achieved that. I might have even passed some gents in green caps along the way.

T1:
2:05 (2013-6:02)  -3:57
I was able to jog my way up to transition this time.  I had a little trouble getting the potato sack off, but eventually broke free; threw on my bike shoes, shades and helmet and Thelma and I were out of the gate.

Bike:  46:04 - 16.18 mph
(2013-48:11)  -2:07
All things considered, I can't complain too much about my bike segment...but I'm going to anyway!  I WAS TICKED!!!  not even 3 miles in I felt that twinge in my knee.  I knew I could run on my knee, I simply had to find a way to make it through that bike.  So, to save the knee, I honestly had to pedal most sections of the course with my right leg, especially on the two major climbs.  Which relatively speaking aren't huge climbs, but caused owies nonetheless.  I was disappointed I couldn't give it my best effort and would have liked to see how I would have fared if I attacked the course like I wanted to.  There were times I was brave enough and comfortable enough to get into aero position, so that is the positive that I will take away from the bike segment.

T2:  1:34
(2013-2:05)  -0:31
Looking back, I lost a lot of time here messing with my watch.  I'm putting the face onto quick release band and fitting Thelma with a bar to put the watch face on, so next time I can simply pop it off the bike and onto my wrist without issue.  I also need to find the quick button to change the mode from bike to run.  I could have taken another 30 seconds off I think.

Run:  26:03 - 8:23/mile
(2013-29:37)  -3:34
If I could kill any segment of this triathlon, one would think it would be on the run, and that's what I was banking on.  This is the first time I actually paid attention to who was around me, actively looking at the calf markings to see the AGs of the women ahead of me.  To see who I needed to "pick off" and who I could let go.  I passed a few men and women on the run, and I got a passed though I'm pleased to say maybe only

once or twice.  As I was making a move to pass on the left, I heard a voice behind saying "coming up the middle."  This woman passed us at a good clip, so I tried to hang on her feet hoping she could pace me in.  Alas, I couldn't hold on and I had to let her go.  I'm slightly disappointed in the fact that this is the same pace I've been hitting in my interval training.  Come race day you'd think I'd dial it up 10 seconds or so, but all in all not a bad run for me.  All that fiddling with my watch and it still wasn't working so I basically ran blind the whole way, no idea how fast, how far or how far yet to go.  Finally I came up on a volunteer that said something that I didn't quite catch and I asked "am I here?"  He said "you are, now sprint it home!"

You don't need to tell me twice...

2013 I finished in 1:49:29.
2014 I finished in 1:33:32.
-15:57 PR

Great PR, still pretty low on the AG rankings.  Oh well.  There's always next year!
And next year, heck with the apples.
I'll be a kiwi.

Next up?
70.3
23 days.

Adventures with Thelma: Episode 4

(to be sung to the Happy Birthday tune, pitch accuracy is optional)

Happy anniversary to me.  

Happy anniversary to me.

Happy anniversary to meeeeee.....

Happy

anniversary

toooooooooooooooooooo

meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  (this should be the highest note the human ear can hear....)

Anniversary you ask?  Yes folks, my triathlon anniversary!

On May 11, 2013, Thelma and I made our debut at the Jetton Park Triathlon.   

Tomorrow, Thelma and I will return to where it started.  I have a lot of feelings and emotions surrounding this event.  It's a little surreal to see everything come full circle.  To see how much things have changed, how I have changed, and yet remained the same..... (insert thoughtful, pondering, philosophical look here) 

Last year was strictly about survival the experience.  This year I find myself thinking that just surviving isn't good enough this time.

Nope.  Not at all.

I want to kill it.

This tri is a 750m swim, 12.4  mile bike and a 5k run.  Up until about a week ago, I have been putting in some decent training hours.  40+ mile rides, brick sessions, 2000m swim sessions in the pool.  Tempo runs, intervals....I've seen some serious improvement in my run.  Bottom line....I've put some good work in and tomorrow's distance doesn't equal half of what I do in one day's training. There is absolutely no reason for me not to do well.  The only thing that can stop me?  

My head.

Where I'm at:

• I've had some knee issues that we think a slight saddle adjustments we made will resolve.  Unfortunately, we haven't really been able to test this theory.  I chose to stay off the bike to get the inflammation under control.  This makes me nervous.  REALLY hoping it's just an adjustment that was needed and all will be ready for EagleMan.  
• I seemed to have picked up some extra weight since last weekend.  I may have celebrated Lori's AG win and ICE Racing's stellar day at the Carolina Half/International a little too much.  Over celebrating + a light training week + eating like you're training hard = a little more padding than normal 
• Open Water.  'nuff said.

Where I'm trying to get to:

• To put the knee issue out of my mind.  We made the adjustments.  Fingers crossed it works.  If it doesn't, then we make more adjustments.  Keep rpms high, keep a good effort on hills but no need to crush them.  Keep the attack in check and live to ride another day.
• Weight.  It is what it is.  Can't do anything about it now.  I know that it will come back off.  Training ramps back up this Sunday with a 50 mile ride.
• Open Water.  I need to keep calm and slow my strokes down.  Reach, glide, relax, and try to sight without breaking stroke.  Goal:  to swim as much as this course as possible.  To not worry about speed or anything.  Just feel the water, feel the stroke, feel relaxed and have a good swim.  This will put me in good spirits and ultimately set me up to have a fun ride and a killer run.

Tomorrow's goals:

• PR - kinda goes without saying, but I said it anyway
• Keep Calm and Tri On
• meaning - get the hell out of my own head, have faith in my training and my ability
• #STFU, #HTFU, #GTJD

Race face engaged.

Jetton Triathlon 2013 - The longest re-cap EVER

I had some pretty good goals going into race day and I'm happy to report that I met each one!  Except for the mimosas and pancakes which I subbed beer and a turkey sandwich.

I rode to the race site with a most dynamic husband and wife duo, Lori and Ashley.  You may remember them from Marine Corps Marathon in October.  Lori and I had many a-training run getting ready for that beast and Ashley was nice to help Jyl keep me in line!  Well, all three were there for me again, helping this bundle of nerves get to the start line (I am such a lucky girl to have such good, kind and talented friends!).

The adventure began setting up my transition area.  I drew the lucky straw because I had a little corner all to myself right near the exit for the run portion.  This may or may not be ideal, I have no idea, but because I was so worried about getting in people's way, it was wonderful for me! Set up went fine and I was happy to see my good friend, Marc, had his area right across from mine!  Once everything was in order, it was time to face the dragon.  It was time to take that long walk (metaphorically speaking) to Loch Norman; the place where monsters were ready to eat me. 

How NOT to put a
wetsuit on

Getting the wetsuit on proved to be a challenge.  I was so nervous I couldn't get the darn thing up past my waist.  Next thing I knew, Jyl pretended I was a pillow going into a pillow case, grabbed my wetsuit and lifted me up off the ground and VIOLA!  Worked like a charm, except it also scrunched up my tri shorts and  I may or may not have made people wonder what I was doing trying to get them back where they needed to be.  Next it was time to step in the lake.  Remember, I haven't done

Marc and Me

anything like this before and Coach Sarah told me to take a few minutes and get used to the feeling of the lake and the suit, stick my face in the cold water and swim around a little bit.  It actually felt okay and at that time I actually believed I could do it!  Go me!  A quick photo with Marc and then it was time for my wave.

The first minute was great!  And then it all went right to hell.  One friend equated that swim to being in a washing machine and I have to say that was a spot-on description.  Every time I came up to breathe...SMACK.  Wave in the face.  SMACK.  Wave in the face.  I can't swim, I forgot how!  Freestyle without your head in the water.  No.  That is exhausting.  I can't do this.  There is a boat, maybe they will pick me up.  SMACK.  Breast stroke.  Wait.  I don't really know how to do that.  Doggie paddle. SMACK.  This is insane.  Why is that boat so far away?  Try to swim.  Stroke, stroke, breathe.  Stroke, stroke....why am I sinking?  What the.....HEY!  that guy just swam right over my back!  HEY!  Chivalry is DEAD.  I'm going to die.  I can't do this.  Where the hell is that buoy to make the turn???  Wait...is that the next wave behind me?  Crap.  PEOPLE ARE COMING!!!!!!  Act like you know what you're doing....stroke, stroke, breathe.  Stroke, stroke, breathe.  Stroke, stroke, SMACK.  For heaven's sake.  YAY!!!! THE FINAL TURN BUOY!!!  I can DO this.  I WILL finish this foresaken swim.  Stroke, stroke, breathe, stroke stroke sight....where the hell is everyone?  Spotters just gave me the thumbs up.  They think I'm okay.  HAHAHAHAHAHA what do they know.  Stroke, stroke, breathe, stroke stroke...I need a break.  stroke stroke breathe.  I'm almost there!!!!  Spotters: "keep moving keep moving, you're almost there!!!"  Me:  "You mean I'm not going anywhere?"  Spotters: "NO!"......well...crap.  Stroke, stroke, breathe.  Stroke, stroke.....................BEACH.  Thank. God.  

Since I was completely exhausted, I decided I was going to walk.  All the way to the first transition (T1).  I was going to take my time darn it!  Or else I would have puked.  Kinda like the guy behind my area in T1 leaning over the fence.  I don't blame him.  I'm just SO happy I didn't hear him, or he would have had company.  The wetsuit came off without a black eye or any incident.  Know how I just said I was going to take my time?  Boy did I!  I'm embarrassed proud to say that I had the longest T1 time out of EVERYONE.  Not a feat easily accomplished.  But I did.  It takes skill.  Jyl did her best to yell at me to get me going, but let's face it, we were both laughing too hard!

I finally got my shoes on, watch on, helmet on, grabbed Thelma and....wait.  What is clanging on my helmet.  I reach up.  Oh no.  You have GOT to be kidding.  Seriously?

It takes skill to run into parked vehicles...

"JYL!"

"What???"

"I left the price tag on my helmet!!!"

"Oh GEEZ"

"Quick!  Get it off!!!!"

(lots of laughing)

"NOW GO!"

And then Thelma and I were off!

....and almost into the back of a truck.

The bike portion went pretty much without incident after I stopped to turn on my Garmin.  Yes, I had to stop.  I can't quite multitask in motion yet.  The ride was actually enjoyable.  I think I may have even passed someone!  I can't WAIT until I can remember which way to click the little thingys on my handle bars to get the right gears.  It takes me a couple tries!  :)

I made it all the way to the dismount line without hurting myself.  Hopped...well, there was no hopping.  I gingerly got off my bike and Thelma and I walked to T2, yes walked, all the way to my area .  Grabbed my hat and my number, goofed up my watch, and then it was time to run.  

I think I was running?  My legs were moving, but more in a Gumby sort of way.  The run portion did not go as well as I thought it would.  I had to walk a few times, which I should be fine with but if I am to be honest, it was infuriating!  The one piece I knew I could do, and I couldn't.  And the sun started beating down.  Which was poopy.  And I thought the course would never end.  As I was making my way to the finish line, it was so deflating to see people LEAVING.  They were done.  All done, and I'm still running.  Spectators were leaving too.  But everyone would yell..."GO 36! (that would be me)  Almost done!  Looking good, looking strong!"  I'm sure they were lying, but that's okay!   I was saved that day by a little girl with little blond curls in the cutest dress.  She looked me straight in the eye and said

"Keep go-wing!  Yoo awr awemost dayore"

(In little girl speak: Keep going!  You are almost there!)

And I did.  I kept going and then I heard it.  I heard the music and the commotion that is the Finish Line.  And then I somehow found another gear.  I sped up.  Faster, faster.....and then I crossed.  

I don't know how I did it.  But I finished.  I don't know how I even made it out of the water.  But I did.  And I don't know what I was thinking, but we get to do it all again in a few weeks at Tri Latta.

Dammit.

I have to get back in that lake.

Definitely a fun day!!!

A Strategy for a Successful Triathlon

So, you may or may not remember my introduction to triathlon last year with a mini sprint-distanced event.  And you may or may not remember the day I welcomed Thelma into my family.

Well, tomorrow is the big day where Thelma and I will make our debut.  Tomorrow we will do our first full sprint distance triathlon....where I will attempt my first open water swim.  In a lake.  That is cold.  And has fish and other nasties of the deep.

Like any seasoned, respectable athlete, I have come up with a solid race strategy.

Swim
- put wetsuit on in less than 20 minutes
- don't panic when my feet squish off the beach
- swim, using every stroke known to (and not currently known to) man to get the hell away from nasties
- don't drown

T1
- breathe
- get wetsuit off in less than 20 minutes
- do not give self black eye when taking off wetsuit

Bike
- don't crash

T2
- breathe

Run

- survive

Post race

- drink mimosas and eat pancakes

A solid plan...

Tomorrow, I swim with the fishes.