Cranberry Trifest - My first Olympic Distance!

I'm writing this report a little later than I normally do after a race but for a good reason.... it was such a great day that this would probably have been 3 times longer.

A lot of my success in this race happened before the first swim wave even began.  I have been blessed with an extremely supportive team - E3 Training Solutions Tri-Team, this includes not only my coach, Patricia Brownell, but the Head Coach and founder, Jorge Martinez, the swim coach - Karen Vasso, Jana Richtrova, a tremendously talented tri-athlete who always has time to answer my 6 million questions and my training partner Jerome Lang.

Then there's Stephanie Feltman and Brett Richardson who joined me for my long ride the week before the race.  Prior to riding with them on my long rides, Jerome and I always stop for nutrition and water breaks - which made sense to me, since we weren't in a race.  Well, I forgot that similar to when I'm training for a marathon, I need to practice fueling.  The ride with Stephanie and Brett was great - we did a Charles River Wheelman's route - so we just had to follow the 'coat hangers' which was fun - but I forgot to take care of my nutrition and BOOM -I hit a wall when I had to run right after that.  So, that experience gave me the week to come up with ideas and solutions of how to make sure I took in the calories I need so that I'd be successful!

I also met with Coach Karen, Jorge and Jana to help me get ideas on how to get past/around - what has become known as  'my floater'.  This was the person from my Sharon tri that decided the middle of race was a good time to 'float' sideways across the swim course. Karen suggested that I pretend the buoys at Walden Pond were 'my floater' and 'move' them out of my way (Jana - she meant push ;-) ).

And lastly, Jana, Jorge, Beth and Peej for keeping me grounded the night before the race.  I was having a lot of doubts that I could complete the distance.  I was so nervous that I was walking aimlessly through my apartment with my checklist in my hand.  When I got to my race belt - that sent me over the edge.  It sounds silly, and I realize that now, but at the moment whether or not to use my fuel belt and carrying my own water vs. just getting it at the aid stations was overwhelming.  In hindsight I think part of that has to do with past experience in road races.  As a back of the pack runner there has been many races of varying distances that would not have any water or gatorade by the time I would get there, leaving me to run without adequate hydration.  I decided that I would use my fuel belt - it was my 'security blanket'.

And now for my race - Jerome and I had decided that we wanted to get there early so we could hopefully park on-site and avoid long lines to get our race packet.  We got there to find that they had grouped Beth and Stephanie next to us in the transition area.

 As a bonus my friends, Carrie-Ann, Urvi and Kimi from the Somerville Road Runners were racked in the next row.  I got my gear set-up, drank my Beet-It juice and tried to make sure I didn't have more than I needed laid out.  It was time to head to the swim start.

Swim - My wave was next to last, just before the Beginners wave.  This was nice except it gave me a lot of time to get nervous.  They did the swim wave in a time trial format which meant they had the swimmers start 2 at a time about 3-5 seconds apart.  The first wave started at 8:00 am - I didn't get into the water until 8:21 am.... lots of time for nerves.  Because this was going to be my longest race swim I kept reminding myself to stay calm and swim my own race.  The pond was very low so there were a couple of times early on that I touched weeds which I didn't like but - oh well.  I was trying to stay focused and keep my eyes on the buoys but there were a few times that I had to 'move' other swimmers out of my space.  I didn't punch or elbow anyone it was more a part of my stroke except my catch was a gently push because they were going to hit me.  After about 10 minutes it started to thin out a bit and I was able to get into a rhythm.  As I was going along I thought about Coach Jorge who was doing his first Ironman that day and in all likihood doing his swim at the same time.  I thought about the task that lay ahead of him and it made my swim short in comparison and helped keep my mind occupied as I moved from one buoy to the next.  I finally reached the far end of the pond and had to change direction to head back to the shore - I surprised myself and I did a buoy turn - Coach Karen -I managed an actual buoy turn.  We practiced these in swim class and I practiced them at Walden but never thought at this stage I'd be able to execute it in a race and then BAM - I did it.  That gave me a boost of adreneline and I picked up my pace a little - but still being conservative.  The exit from the water at this race consists of a steep set of granite stairs and then a long run back to tranisition.  When I spotted the exit I picked up my kicking to get the blood flowing into my legs to help make me steadier when I stood up to head up the stairs - which I held on to tightly because I had this vision of me doing a face plant - and headed back to transition.

T1 - I got to my bike and got my wet suit off - again trying to stay focused on one thing at a time but making sure to drink some Coke - at Jana's suggestion regular not diet.  I grabbed my Bonk Bar and put it down my bra put my helmet on (not backwards this time) took another drink and headed out of transition.  I managed to run most of the way to the mounting line, clipped in on the first try and headed off for my ride.

Ride - Peej had given me a pace that she wanted me to keep and I set off with that as my goal.  I also reminded myself that I really needed to make sure that I paid attention to my nutrition.  This was going to be my longest ride in a race and then I had to run, if I didn't take in enough calories I was going to hit a concrete wall on my run.  With that in mind I settled in and was focused.  I didn't see another rider for about 5 miles and would've thought that I had missed a turn somewhere but the race director had done a nice job of making sure there were many volunteers on the course directing traffic.  After mile 5 I started to see other riders.  It was nice to have  'rabbits' but I was having a hard time trying to stay at the pace Peej wanted me at.  I wanted to go faster - I had the legs but was really trying to stay on my plan.  I also was making sure that I stay hydrated and took in my nutrition.  There was one funny moment -  I had just ripped a GU from my crossbar and I hit the section of the road that was under construction - the pavement was milled.  This was quite a sight.... the GU was hanging out of the side of my mouth because I had to hang on with 2 hands.  I kept letting go to try and get the GU in and not have it fall to the ground - this went on for about 3/4 of a mile before I was able to finally finish the packet.  I had to chuckle about it.  As I got closer to the end of my ride I saw Denise and Stephanie finishing their run.  It was nice to see them and cheer them on - I knew I was getting close.  I took the final turn of the ride, shifted into a lower gear and picked up my cadence to get more blood into my legs and help them be ready for my run.

T2 - I headed into transition to get ready for my run.  I got my sneakers on, drank some Coke, grabbed my visor and fuel belt and headed out for my run.  I'm getting better at this part.

Run - As I headed out on the run I heard Urvi call my name as she went past me - its always nice to see someone you know.  I tried to settle into a comfortably hard pace that I would be able to maintain.  I came up on one runner who seemed to be having an issue because she would run and then walk  so I asked her if she was ok - she was ok - she was doing a 30 second walk- 30 second run for her run.  So I went on.  My concerns about there not being water or gatorade for the back of the packers turned out to be a lot of worry for nothing.  The race director did a nice job of ensuring that all of us had sufficient support on the course and it was wonderful.  I passed a few more runners and continued on my way. I ran by feel a lot and pushed a little harder.  I was surprised when I saw my final 10k time - I thought it would be slower than my normal times but it was actually a little faster.

As I made the final turn I saw the finish line chute as I got closer to the finish mat I saw my E3 team mates along the sidelines waiting for me - it was great to see them and do high 5's along the way.  Crossing the finish line is an amazing feeling and one that is hard to put into words.

Taper, Rest and Recovery before my first Olympic distance tri

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the hardest workout days of this cycle in preparation for my first Olympic distance race. I had double workouts each day which wasn't too bad and I managed ok Thanks for challenaging me Coach Peej). The only hiccup was my brick (when you run immediately after getting off the bike). I had done a 28 mile ride - which was a blast - but for the first time we didn't stop along the way. I haven't even come close to managing my nutrition well on the bike - it means I would have to let go of the handlebars - still scary.  So in a 2:15 ride I only managed one GU and a small bite of a honey stinger.  Needless to say I struggled on my run - it was ugly- but I got it done.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking  forward to my rest day on Monday. I learned a lesson about my nutrition - an area of constant learning-  and it's taken me a couple of days to feel like my energy 'tank' is refueled. Now it's time to let my muscles and body repair and rebuild before the big race.

It has been important, for me, to have developed a good relationship with my Sports Med doctor, Dr Karson Mui. Dr Mui and his staff keep me runnng, riding and swimming. An important part of my pre-race preparation is to see Dr. Mui and have him work on any tightness or aches they may have cropped up (and they usually do during taper).

So now it's a couple of easy workouts, try not to overthink and set unrealistic expectations and remember this has been a blast, and of course, my favorite pre-race breakfast - pancakes!

#E3triteam # E3training #MuiChiropractic

Sharon Triathlon - Signing up for this one was a no brainer!

It just seemed right when I signed up for the Sharon Tri.  Last year, before I bought Oz and was only entertaining the idea that I 'might' do a triathlon I decided that I should probably see exactly what it is and how it works. So I met my coach, Peej at the lake and watched the race take place.  I found it to be a bit overwhelming but Peej assured me that I'd be just fine.  I was happy to see that the last person out of the water was not the last person to finish the race.... made me feel better.

And so, a year later, new bike loaded on to the car, after double-checking my backpack I'm on my way to Sharon to participate in my 3rd race. This morning is a bit different than the other 2 race because I'm going by myself.  Beth and Jerome have been my nerve calmers up to this point but now it was time to pull my big girl socks up and get to my race.  I knew I would see a few people that I know - including some of my E3 teammates so that made me feel a bit more confident.

I came away from my last race with a couple of lessons learned, the first being not to have too much 'stuff' in transition. So I drank my Beet-It, made sure my bike was positioned right because these racks were new to me... your bike 'sat' in slots rather that hang from a bar.  I organized my bike stuff and nutrition. When I volunteered at the Mass State Tri I noticed that a lot of the athletes had GU taped to the cross bar of their bikes.  I talked to Peej about the best way.... where... etc because I wanted to try it.  So after I had everything set up I decided to give it a whirl.... I taped a GU to the crossbar like Peej had told me.  I know it sounds silly but when I stepped back and looked at my bike I felt like a 'real' triathlete.  Now I had to hope I'd be able to manage it while I was riding.

I got my wetsuit on and headed to the start line to wait for my wave to take off.  Earlier in the week Max Performance had sent out an email with the swim waves and I was very happy that my wave went -after - the Clydesdales.  We had practiced dolphin-dives with our coach, Karen, and I was anxious to give it a try however, the lake's water level was really low and we had to gingerly walk to the start. I was concerned that if I tried to dolphin I'd lose my footing coming back up out of the water costing me time. I had talked to Jana about my concerns because of the water level and her suggestion was to make a decision once I got there and then stick with it.  So I just dove in and was off.

The first 1/4 mile was pretty uneventful - considering it was a race - a few feet here and couple of elbows there.... oops there's a leg over there but I felt comfortable.  I tried to find my 'glide' but I think it stayed home.  This course was rectangle shape and as I moved along the long side getting ready to make my turn at the buoy I got a bit hung up between 2 swimmers.  I had a breast stroker on my right - who was swimming as my pace more or less and a 'floater'.  This guy would do a couple of freestyle strokes - then flip and do a couple of backstrokes... awkward but not impossible ...but then he'd float.... arms stretched out like a cross sideways on the course.  I spent the next 300 yards trying to figure out how to get past one or both of them without expending to much energy.  It kept my mind busy.... once I sighted the final buoy I shifted into my second swim gear and made for the transition line.  Big Success - I did not have to flip over to catch my breath during the swim.... a nice improvement.

T1 - I struggled with my transitions at my last race partly because I wasn't focused on one thing, ie. trying to get my wetsuit off and grab my nutrition, so this time I was determined to attack one thing at a time. My wetsuit still slows me down a little but I managed it better this time, I grabbed my nutrition a couple of swigs of diet Coke and put my helmet on and I was ready to head out for my ride. When I put my helmet on it felt a little weird but I figured that I had the elastics in my hair too high - oh well. On my way out of T1 my friend Megan Gurley stopped me (she volunteers and pretty much runs the transition area) "you have your helmet on backwards let me fix it" my response - thanks -no wonder it felt funny.

I headed out on my bike and felt great!  I tried to keep a comfortably hard pace and kept reminding myself that the run for this race was a mile longer so I needed to keep a little more gas in the tank.  It was hard to reel in the adrenaline especially since my swim went much better than the last time. I stayed focused and remembered to take my nutrition and fluids so I'd be good to go on my run.  There were a couple of hills, nothing like Jorge's hills of leg death in Harvard, so I managed them just fine.  I even passed a couple of people who were a couple of waves ahead of me on the hills - that made me feel like all my hard work was paying off.  Before I knew it the ride was over and it was time to dismount and head to transition.

T2 - I did much better on this transition and even managed to run with my bike a little - its a 'learned' skill - I don't look nearly as comfortable doing it as Jana and Anna.  I had practiced putting my sneakers on with them laced and ready to go - so this cut down on my time, grabbed my visor, race belt and my watch this time.  I drank a little more diet coke and I was headed out of transition (the right way) and on my way.

The run for this sprint was 4.4 miles so I headed out a little on the conservative side because I wanted to make sure I had enough at the end.  The first 2 miles were pretty much in the sun and it had gotten pretty warm by the time I headed out.  I was on a roll and just past mile 2 you make a right turn and you're in the shade for the remainder of the run.  I remember thinking sweet - I can pick up the pace a little.  Unfortunately my stomach said not so fast.... I was really nauseous for the remainder of my run - but I refused to give up.  Around mile 3 there was a water stop that was manned by one of the local youth teams and they were having a blast soaking each other and any runner that would let them - so, of course, I obliged, and it felt great!!! Now if my stomach would just decide what it wanted to do - but it didn't.

One of the highlights of my run was seeing Jesse Morrow on the course.  He was volunteering as a course marshall.  It was kind of appropriate too - since it was Jesse who helped convince me that I could ride a bike and even went with me to buy it.  Thanks Jesse!!!

One final turn and I was headed to the finish line - woohoo!!!! Max Performance does a really nice job of making every participant feel like they've achieved something special - thank you.

It was really nice to have some of my E3 team mates there as well and to share their race and victories of the day!

I really like this triathlon thing.... and I'm going to be very sad when I can't take Oz for a ride or swim at Walden.

#E3training; #E3triteam; #SRR; #BeetIt; #MaxPerformance; #triathlon #triathlete

I feel like I just beat Michael Phelps!!!!

Tonight I reached another milestone in my training and while this happens fairly frequently because I'm so new as a multi-sport athlete, this one has me really excited and feeling like a little kid.

Walden Pond at sunset

An open water swim was on my plan so Jerome and I headed over to Walden Pond.  This is one of my favorite workouts - basically because it doesn't feel like a workout.

A couple of weeks ago I swam 1.12 miles in an hour, I stopped at the far end of the pond to take in the view and the sun for about 5 mins. and then stopped and chatted with Beth for a few minutes in the middle of the pond on the way back.  I was super excited at the end of swim - and very exhuberant about my accomplishment.

Tonight my goal was to try and swim at least 0.9 miles without stopping because that's the distance of the swim for my next race, Cranberry Trifest - Olympic distance.  It was very cloudy when we got to the pond and there weren't as many swimmers as usual so it had a very different feel to it.  We had  run into Stephanie and Lindsey, E3 team mates and friends, on our way to the beach, chatted for a few minutes and headed into the water to do our respective workouts.

I did a dolphin-dive start and I was off.  It didn't take long and I was into a nice steady rhythm... if you asked me what I was thinking about I couldn't tell you....I was just swimming.  Spotting tonight was a challenge because the pond looked different - less swimmers in the water, fewer fisherman and recreational swimmers along the waters edge - so I tried to keep my focus on that.

Several times I felt myself 'glide' - this is an amazing feeling and one that Coach Karen, talks about and devises drills for because it's the ultimate goal.  The remainder of my swim I spent chasing that 'glide' and hold it - it really is an amazing feeling and very hard to explain.

Now for the Michael Phelps part.... when I finished I had swum 1.15 miles in 1 hour and 4 seconds.  While that won't win any prize it's the first time that I have gone that distance without any rests.

For more prospective, during this past winter E3 Training Solutions held an on-going swimming clinic for it's athletes. At the end of the sessions I was beyond estactic because I had managed to swim continuously for 15 mins. without needing to rest on the wall.

Michael Phelps hard work earned him many gold medals and tonight - I feel like the little kid in class who got a gold star on their forehead for the first time ever!!!