November 6 - Melissa to the rescue!
Talk about cutting it close. Next weekend, I'm dropping my bike off with Tri Sport Express for the long ride to Arizona. That means that all my new tri bike issues had to be resolved this weekend.
I love my new bike, but it's been a pretty high maintenance situation. I've had the fit tweaked and re-tweaked multiple times, the handlebars moved up, a longer stem put on, installed different aerobars to keep my wrists in a neutral position, the left gear shifter adjusted 3 times (3rd time was a charm), a fraying cable replaced, and then there's the new saddle issue. Yeah, I think riding more than 250 miles on a new saddle should be sufficient time to get used to it...but I never did.
No worries, though, because I knew I had the best people on Team Sally to help me figure it out and I was confident it would all be fine by deadline time. I've tapped the wisdom of bike shop managers, bike fit gurus, bike mechanic geniuses, and Team Z coaches and teammates. I've probably driven well over 100 miles going from place to place to get the various issues worked out. But on this final weekend....and with so much of my IM success riding on the bike....I couldn't afford to get it wrong. That's where Coach Melissa comes in.
Off I went to Melissa's house this afternoon to get all my lingering problems resolved. She reinstalled my Terry saddle and took me through some of the "what if" scenarios. What if I get kicked in the face during the swim? What if it's really windy on the bike? What if I get overwhelmed by negative thoughts? How will I react? What will I do?
I always leave her house feeling happy, confident, and grateful. She gets it. She's been there, done that. I'm so fortunate to have Melissa on my side. It makes me think about all the other people who've helped me along on this IMAZing journey.
There are no words to adequately express how much their support has meant to me. They've put up with my endless obsessing over cutoff times. They've countered every doubt I've expressed with words of encouragement. They've listened to me and laughed with me and suffered alongside me. And some of them will be waiting at the finish line! What a happy thought.
Such is my mental state today, with 2 weeks to go until IMAZ.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
20 Days And Counting...
Here I am, 20 days before IMAZ, trying to stay positive and keep it real at the same time. I swing from feeling confident and ready to being nervous and wondering what the hell I was thinking.
It would be nice to have the luxury of time; meaning, my biggest worry would simply be about going the distance and not about being fast enough to get there in time. If I have to stop to adjust my goggles, fix a flat, go to the bathroom, stretch--whatever--it would be nice to have the luxury of time to take care of these things without worrying about the cutoff up ahead.
But then I think about this: Many of the things I've accomplished this year began with doubts about whether I could succeed.
Swim 2 miles? Make the bike cutoff at Musselman? Climb Kili? PR Savageman? Break 8 hours at Waterman's? Ride 120 miles? I was sure I would try my hardest but unsure that I would actually finish, make it to the top, get faster, whatever. I haven't really spent a lot of energy dwelling on failure, but have had my doubts about succeeding. And yet, in every case, I surprised myself.
Will I surprise myself on November 20th? I guess it all depends on a lot of things, some of which are out of my control. The challenge for me is to nail the things I can control....and then perhaps on November 21st I will be writing about how shocked I am to have gone the distance....and been fast enough to get there in time. Now that's a happy thought. :)
It would be nice to have the luxury of time; meaning, my biggest worry would simply be about going the distance and not about being fast enough to get there in time. If I have to stop to adjust my goggles, fix a flat, go to the bathroom, stretch--whatever--it would be nice to have the luxury of time to take care of these things without worrying about the cutoff up ahead.
But then I think about this: Many of the things I've accomplished this year began with doubts about whether I could succeed.
Swim 2 miles? Make the bike cutoff at Musselman? Climb Kili? PR Savageman? Break 8 hours at Waterman's? Ride 120 miles? I was sure I would try my hardest but unsure that I would actually finish, make it to the top, get faster, whatever. I haven't really spent a lot of energy dwelling on failure, but have had my doubts about succeeding. And yet, in every case, I surprised myself.
Will I surprise myself on November 20th? I guess it all depends on a lot of things, some of which are out of my control. The challenge for me is to nail the things I can control....and then perhaps on November 21st I will be writing about how shocked I am to have gone the distance....and been fast enough to get there in time. Now that's a happy thought. :)
Monday, October 24, 2011
20/120: An EPIC Training Weekend
Finally! After almost a year of training, our epic peak training weekend was here! A 20 mile run on Saturday, a 120 mile ride on Sunday. The long journey on the road to IMAZ was culminating in this final big weekend.
20 Miles
I loved everything about this run. Four laps around Burke Lake, followed by a short out and back. The weather was nice and cool, the leaves were beautiful, the fall colors reflected in the calm waters of the lake. Team Z burgers, fries, and Diet Coke were waiting at the end.
I managed an 11 minute pace on my first loop, then slowed down from there. The last 4 miles were pretty slow and I walked a few times. I've said it so many times, but I love to run. I was so happy at one point I started to tear up. It was part living in the moment, part knowing that if I can just make it to the run at IMAZ, I will make it to the finish line.
120 Miles
I woke up feeling stiff and a bit sore from the run. The Nokesville ride was described as pretty flat, but there were hills, oh yes. I started the ride with a few people, but just 20 miles in or so we were all spread out and I was by myself. No worries, I thought. Racing is a solo endeavor. You'll be alone at IMAZ, so why not get used to it in training?
About 60 miles in, as I was going over hill after frickin' hill, I started to get annoyed. All of the shifting back and forth from a sitting upright position to an aero position was getting on my nerves. My bike saddle is more comfy when I can just get in one position and go.The moving around just hurt. Not good a few weeks out from IMAZ.
I was thinking: Admit it, Sally. You just aren't comfortable on this bike. You miss your road bike. But since you're not on your road bike, you're just going to have to suck it up.. So quit wasting your energy and your day being annoyed.
I felt a little better after that and just tried to enjoy the scenery. But after more hills around mile 80, my quads were really feeling it and the saddle was getting more uncomfortable.
One of the sags stopped to see if I needed anything. She said, "Looks like you're last." She wasn't being negative; it was just a casual comment from someone who had given up her entire Sunday to try to keep track of all of us 120 milers and make sure we were okay. But hearing "you're last" was all I needed to let the self doubt sink in. And it really hit me.
You're LAST, Sally. Last with a capital "L"...which might as well stand for LOSER. You're always last. Slow and LAST. All alone and LAST. Lame and LAST, that's you. I'm not sure what you were thinking signing up for Ironman. And I don't want to hear any excuses. Everyone else is managing on these hills at this distance, and they're doing it way faster than you. Maybe you aren't cut out for this triathlon thing. Maybe you should just stick to running. You are never going to be fast -- or even average --on the bike and you need to just accept the reality of the situation and move on.
And then I started to get pissed off. I started to think about all of the miles I've put in, all of the suffering I've endured--just like everyone else, all of the way-too-early mornings at the pool or driving to a run or ride. I thought about how far I've come from four years ago when swimming 100 yards was a big deal....and how far I've come just from last year when I missed the cutoff at Musselman. Where was my inner strength now? Isn't this when my reserves of mental toughness are supposed to kick in?
I had two options: I could quit or I could keep going. I started talking to myself out loud. No, it was more like yelling at myself.
Dammit Sally, get a grip! It's never been about being first or last --that's never been what matters to you and that's not what THIS is about. It's ALWAYS been about finishing-- just going the distance. You've never quit a race or a training ride, so don't start thinking about quitting now. That would really be pathetic. Then you'd not only be LAST, you'd also be a QUITTER. How would that feel on the drive home?
Then my thoughts turned to summit night on Kilimanjaro. I thought about how hard it was, how I just wanted to give up and turn around, but how I somehow found the strength to push through.Where was that strength now?
Sally, you ran 20 miles yesterday. This isn't supposed to be easy. Kili was tougher than this and you didn't quit. Whatever it takes, just get through this. Whatever it takes. You will do the same on race day. I don't care if you finish at 2am. I don't care if you have to crawl across the pavement where the finish line USED TO BE---just go the distance. You won't do it then, if you can't do this now.
I saw a couple of people pulling weeds in their yard and they both stopped--in mid pull--and stared at me. What a sight I must've been--pedaling along in my Team Z outfit, yelling at myself about not quitting. I looked at them and blurted out, "Forward motion, people! That's what this is aaaaalllll about!" And then I started laughing at how ridiculous I must've sounded. This is when I think I crossed the line into a semi-delusional state.
To the cows on the side of the road: I'm not quitting, do you hear me Mr. Cow?!
To a random fence post on the other side of the road: That's what I said, Fence Post, so just watch me blow by you.
To the crumbling barn up ahead: Back off, Barn, don't even think about getting in my way because I'm coming through and I'm finishing this thing!
And so it went, me yelling at random animals and objects all the way to the Citgo rest stop where Kathleen was waiting with Diet Coke and french fries. From there I had about 27 miles to go--that's it. Just hang tough for 27 more and you'll be done.
I'm not sure what happened, but suddenly I had all this energy. My quads were no longer hurting. My saddle was no longer bothering me. I was more motivated than ever to finish the ride. I was almost giddy the rest of the way back to the park. I felt awesome because I had pushed through the difficult part and knew that I would make it. I'm sure the Diet Coke and french fries had something to do with it, but I also would like to think that somehow, somewhere on that long hilly stretch in the middle of nowhere, I found my inner strength.
Just a few miles out, the sun was going down fast. I knew I would have to step it up to get back to the park before dark. Then to my surprise, swim coach Mark pulled up to check on me. He had driven the course backwards until he found me. A few words of encouragement and I was off.
I had gone less than a mile when Tracey and Timra drove up to give me a final boost back to the park. For the last couple of miles, Tracey drove ahead of me and waited at each intersection for me to pass, while Timra kept yelling, "you're a rock star" out the window.
When I turned into the park, Timra ran alongside me and told me to ride back toward the pavilion because people were waiting. I pulled up and there was Tracey, waiting with a Diet Coke. She held my bike and asked for the keys to my car so she could pull it around for me. This is when I got choked up. She had waited all that time for me to finally finish and tracked me down to make sure I made it back safe. And now here she was, knowing just what I needed at that particular moment on this very long day. Here we were, on our final epic training weekend, after climbing Kili together and raising thousands for AIDS orphans -- here we were with just a few weeks to go to IMAZ, our final challenge of the year. What a journey we've had together.
I walked back to the Team Z pavilion and hugged the coaches. Ed fixed me a heaping plate of food. By now it was dark and getting chilly. I was the last one in, but I was on the top of the world. I had conquered my inner demons, pushed through the self doubt, and finished the ride.When the going gets tough at IMAZ, I will remember this epic weekend and what it took to go the distance.
Now time for taper!
20 Miles
I loved everything about this run. Four laps around Burke Lake, followed by a short out and back. The weather was nice and cool, the leaves were beautiful, the fall colors reflected in the calm waters of the lake. Team Z burgers, fries, and Diet Coke were waiting at the end.
I managed an 11 minute pace on my first loop, then slowed down from there. The last 4 miles were pretty slow and I walked a few times. I've said it so many times, but I love to run. I was so happy at one point I started to tear up. It was part living in the moment, part knowing that if I can just make it to the run at IMAZ, I will make it to the finish line.
120 Miles
I woke up feeling stiff and a bit sore from the run. The Nokesville ride was described as pretty flat, but there were hills, oh yes. I started the ride with a few people, but just 20 miles in or so we were all spread out and I was by myself. No worries, I thought. Racing is a solo endeavor. You'll be alone at IMAZ, so why not get used to it in training?
About 60 miles in, as I was going over hill after frickin' hill, I started to get annoyed. All of the shifting back and forth from a sitting upright position to an aero position was getting on my nerves. My bike saddle is more comfy when I can just get in one position and go.The moving around just hurt. Not good a few weeks out from IMAZ.
I was thinking: Admit it, Sally. You just aren't comfortable on this bike. You miss your road bike. But since you're not on your road bike, you're just going to have to suck it up.. So quit wasting your energy and your day being annoyed.
I felt a little better after that and just tried to enjoy the scenery. But after more hills around mile 80, my quads were really feeling it and the saddle was getting more uncomfortable.
One of the sags stopped to see if I needed anything. She said, "Looks like you're last." She wasn't being negative; it was just a casual comment from someone who had given up her entire Sunday to try to keep track of all of us 120 milers and make sure we were okay. But hearing "you're last" was all I needed to let the self doubt sink in. And it really hit me.
You're LAST, Sally. Last with a capital "L"...which might as well stand for LOSER. You're always last. Slow and LAST. All alone and LAST. Lame and LAST, that's you. I'm not sure what you were thinking signing up for Ironman. And I don't want to hear any excuses. Everyone else is managing on these hills at this distance, and they're doing it way faster than you. Maybe you aren't cut out for this triathlon thing. Maybe you should just stick to running. You are never going to be fast -- or even average --on the bike and you need to just accept the reality of the situation and move on.
And then I started to get pissed off. I started to think about all of the miles I've put in, all of the suffering I've endured--just like everyone else, all of the way-too-early mornings at the pool or driving to a run or ride. I thought about how far I've come from four years ago when swimming 100 yards was a big deal....and how far I've come just from last year when I missed the cutoff at Musselman. Where was my inner strength now? Isn't this when my reserves of mental toughness are supposed to kick in?
I had two options: I could quit or I could keep going. I started talking to myself out loud. No, it was more like yelling at myself.
Dammit Sally, get a grip! It's never been about being first or last --that's never been what matters to you and that's not what THIS is about. It's ALWAYS been about finishing-- just going the distance. You've never quit a race or a training ride, so don't start thinking about quitting now. That would really be pathetic. Then you'd not only be LAST, you'd also be a QUITTER. How would that feel on the drive home?
Then my thoughts turned to summit night on Kilimanjaro. I thought about how hard it was, how I just wanted to give up and turn around, but how I somehow found the strength to push through.Where was that strength now?
Sally, you ran 20 miles yesterday. This isn't supposed to be easy. Kili was tougher than this and you didn't quit. Whatever it takes, just get through this. Whatever it takes. You will do the same on race day. I don't care if you finish at 2am. I don't care if you have to crawl across the pavement where the finish line USED TO BE---just go the distance. You won't do it then, if you can't do this now.
I saw a couple of people pulling weeds in their yard and they both stopped--in mid pull--and stared at me. What a sight I must've been--pedaling along in my Team Z outfit, yelling at myself about not quitting. I looked at them and blurted out, "Forward motion, people! That's what this is aaaaalllll about!" And then I started laughing at how ridiculous I must've sounded. This is when I think I crossed the line into a semi-delusional state.
To the cows on the side of the road: I'm not quitting, do you hear me Mr. Cow?!
To a random fence post on the other side of the road: That's what I said, Fence Post, so just watch me blow by you.
To the crumbling barn up ahead: Back off, Barn, don't even think about getting in my way because I'm coming through and I'm finishing this thing!
And so it went, me yelling at random animals and objects all the way to the Citgo rest stop where Kathleen was waiting with Diet Coke and french fries. From there I had about 27 miles to go--that's it. Just hang tough for 27 more and you'll be done.
I'm not sure what happened, but suddenly I had all this energy. My quads were no longer hurting. My saddle was no longer bothering me. I was more motivated than ever to finish the ride. I was almost giddy the rest of the way back to the park. I felt awesome because I had pushed through the difficult part and knew that I would make it. I'm sure the Diet Coke and french fries had something to do with it, but I also would like to think that somehow, somewhere on that long hilly stretch in the middle of nowhere, I found my inner strength.
Just a few miles out, the sun was going down fast. I knew I would have to step it up to get back to the park before dark. Then to my surprise, swim coach Mark pulled up to check on me. He had driven the course backwards until he found me. A few words of encouragement and I was off.
I had gone less than a mile when Tracey and Timra drove up to give me a final boost back to the park. For the last couple of miles, Tracey drove ahead of me and waited at each intersection for me to pass, while Timra kept yelling, "you're a rock star" out the window.
When I turned into the park, Timra ran alongside me and told me to ride back toward the pavilion because people were waiting. I pulled up and there was Tracey, waiting with a Diet Coke. She held my bike and asked for the keys to my car so she could pull it around for me. This is when I got choked up. She had waited all that time for me to finally finish and tracked me down to make sure I made it back safe. And now here she was, knowing just what I needed at that particular moment on this very long day. Here we were, on our final epic training weekend, after climbing Kili together and raising thousands for AIDS orphans -- here we were with just a few weeks to go to IMAZ, our final challenge of the year. What a journey we've had together.
I walked back to the Team Z pavilion and hugged the coaches. Ed fixed me a heaping plate of food. By now it was dark and getting chilly. I was the last one in, but I was on the top of the world. I had conquered my inner demons, pushed through the self doubt, and finished the ride.When the going gets tough at IMAZ, I will remember this epic weekend and what it took to go the distance.
Now time for taper!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
#808
33 days and counting to IMAZ! I'm excited, ready, and terrified all at once! I'm considering the advantages of letting myself be an emotional wreck for a day or so just to get it out of my system.
All of those stepping-to-the-ledge feelings got jacked up a notch today when they posted our bib numbers. I am #808. Getting my number makes it even more real. 808. It puts me on the map, so to speak. I'm officially racing with an official number. It's all official now!
Of course a number can't be just a number, it has to have meaning. 808: Is it significant in some way? What does it say about me and my chances of success? Could it bring me luck? A quick Google search turned up some possible answers.
The Urban Dictionary defines 808 this way:
All of those stepping-to-the-ledge feelings got jacked up a notch today when they posted our bib numbers. I am #808. Getting my number makes it even more real. 808. It puts me on the map, so to speak. I'm officially racing with an official number. It's all official now!
Of course a number can't be just a number, it has to have meaning. 808: Is it significant in some way? What does it say about me and my chances of success? Could it bring me luck? A quick Google search turned up some possible answers.
The Urban Dictionary defines 808 this way:
| 1. The penal code for disturbing the peace. Refers to the sound of bass from stereos. 2. An 808 refers to a drum machine called a Roland TR-808. 3. Sometimes a reference to Hawaii. 808 is Hawaii's area code. In fact, 808 became Hawaii's area code shortly after its statehood in 1959. So it's a number with staying power.Maybe that means I will have the endurance needed to go the distance.... nice thought. Or...I'll be as steady as an 808 drumbeat, cranking up the intensity enough to be cited for disturbing the peace! Oh yes. Or perhaps meaning can be found in the Pace Suburban Bus Route 808, which runs from Crystal Lake to Harvard. Harvard makes me think of being smart, so maybe it means I will race smart. Then again, it's a bus route, so maybe I'll be making a lot of stops. =S On the other hand, the bus could represent the journey and slow and steady progress to one's destination, in this case, the finish line. :) I'll go with that one. Of course, the most obvious 808 in the triathlon world is the Zipp 808 wheel. Zipp describes it this way: "Ridden by Jordan Rapp to a win at Ironman Canada 2009, the 808 clincher excels whenever the situation calls for an all-around wheelset with a heavy dose of aero attitude" Maybe I'll be riding aero with a heavy dose of attitude. Now that's what I'm talkin' about! | ||
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Waterman's Half Ironman
My last race before IMAZ and I PR'd it by 35 minutes--yay!
Goal: 8 hours
Actual: 7:52:50
Don't try anything new on race day. How many times have I heard that?! And yet I had all kinds of new stuff going on at Waterman's: a new bike fit, new aero bars, new saddle, new cycling shoes, different nutrition options, and a new (smaller) bento box. Nothing like living on the edge for 70.3, right? But this was more of a training race for me and, it turns out, everything worked, with the exception of the new saddle.
Pre-Race
I was pretty laid back about this race. Shocking, I know. My only bit of concern was for the bike portion, as I have a history of cutting it close on the cut off times. But after that epic 110 mile ride and the long rides before that, 56 seemed like a walk in the park.
Swim
Goal: Beat my PR of 47:19
Actual: 46:16
I really enjoyed the swim. The water was about 65 degrees but didn't feel that cold to me. Since I was in such a small swim wave I decided to start in the middle of the pack and see how long I could keep up with everyone. For a few moments it seemed like I was being pulled along with the others. But that didn't last too long as all the fasties pulled out ahead and everyone else spread out. It was a two loop course with a lot of grass in some sections, but before I knew it I was at the boat ramp and running for transition.
Bike
Goal: Make the cut off
Actual: Made it with just a few minutes to spare. =S
It's all about the bike these days. I'm pretty sure my success at IMAZ will depend on the bike portion of the race. So I took time off last week to fix all those nagging new tri bike issues I needed to fix. This was the last race opportunity I would have to tweak everything.
Turns out I loved the new aerobars but hated the new saddle. I kept having to adjust my position and couldn't stay aero as much as I wanted. Throw in some hills and I finished about a minute slower than the bike at Musselman. Ugh. Plus, my quads were trashed by the last 10 miles or so. Melissa says it's a matter of getting used to hills on the tri bike....but I was missing my road bike, for sure.
I cruised into transition under the wire. Whew! That was waaay too close. Good thing IMAZ isn't hilly!
Run
Goal: Whatever it takes to make it to the finish line before the 8 hour cutoff
Actual: 2:52:50, made the cutoff with about 7 minutes to spare :)
OMG I love to run! I was so happy to finally be in my total comfort zone. I walked up the bigger hills and ran the rest of the way. I hadn't even thought it possible that I could finish in under 8 hours. I thought maybe 8:15 or so would be more realistic. I just wanted to beat my 8:28 time from Musselmania.And given that the weather was so much nicer--about 20 degrees cooler--I felt pretty good about it, but not sub-8 hours good.
On the final loop I started doing the math and realized that I could actually make it in 8 hours-- even if I slowed to a 15 minute pace! Debbie The World Traveler Chamberlin wasn't too far behind me and I kept looking back, happy to see another Zr still out there with me. Tracey was also there, keeping up a nice steady pace. We exchanged high fives on the out-and-back and I couldn't help but think about how far we've both come and what a year it's been. And our biggest challenge is still to come!
Finish Line!
Given my questionable math skills, I still couldn't let myself believe I would finish in under 8 hours until I had the finish line in sight. The final mile went through the park campground and then over this little wooden bridge. Coming over the bridge I saw a couple of Zs waiting and clapping. One of them whistled to the rest of the Zs to let them know someone was coming. One last hill and a few high fives later I was across the finish line with about 7 minutes to spare!
Up next: The Big Show!
Goal: 8 hours
Actual: 7:52:50
Don't try anything new on race day. How many times have I heard that?! And yet I had all kinds of new stuff going on at Waterman's: a new bike fit, new aero bars, new saddle, new cycling shoes, different nutrition options, and a new (smaller) bento box. Nothing like living on the edge for 70.3, right? But this was more of a training race for me and, it turns out, everything worked, with the exception of the new saddle.
Pre-Race
I was pretty laid back about this race. Shocking, I know. My only bit of concern was for the bike portion, as I have a history of cutting it close on the cut off times. But after that epic 110 mile ride and the long rides before that, 56 seemed like a walk in the park.
Swim
Goal: Beat my PR of 47:19
Actual: 46:16
I really enjoyed the swim. The water was about 65 degrees but didn't feel that cold to me. Since I was in such a small swim wave I decided to start in the middle of the pack and see how long I could keep up with everyone. For a few moments it seemed like I was being pulled along with the others. But that didn't last too long as all the fasties pulled out ahead and everyone else spread out. It was a two loop course with a lot of grass in some sections, but before I knew it I was at the boat ramp and running for transition.
Bike
Goal: Make the cut off
Actual: Made it with just a few minutes to spare. =S
It's all about the bike these days. I'm pretty sure my success at IMAZ will depend on the bike portion of the race. So I took time off last week to fix all those nagging new tri bike issues I needed to fix. This was the last race opportunity I would have to tweak everything.
Turns out I loved the new aerobars but hated the new saddle. I kept having to adjust my position and couldn't stay aero as much as I wanted. Throw in some hills and I finished about a minute slower than the bike at Musselman. Ugh. Plus, my quads were trashed by the last 10 miles or so. Melissa says it's a matter of getting used to hills on the tri bike....but I was missing my road bike, for sure.
I cruised into transition under the wire. Whew! That was waaay too close. Good thing IMAZ isn't hilly!
Run
Goal: Whatever it takes to make it to the finish line before the 8 hour cutoff
Actual: 2:52:50, made the cutoff with about 7 minutes to spare :)
OMG I love to run! I was so happy to finally be in my total comfort zone. I walked up the bigger hills and ran the rest of the way. I hadn't even thought it possible that I could finish in under 8 hours. I thought maybe 8:15 or so would be more realistic. I just wanted to beat my 8:28 time from Musselmania.And given that the weather was so much nicer--about 20 degrees cooler--I felt pretty good about it, but not sub-8 hours good.
On the final loop I started doing the math and realized that I could actually make it in 8 hours-- even if I slowed to a 15 minute pace! Debbie The World Traveler Chamberlin wasn't too far behind me and I kept looking back, happy to see another Zr still out there with me. Tracey was also there, keeping up a nice steady pace. We exchanged high fives on the out-and-back and I couldn't help but think about how far we've both come and what a year it's been. And our biggest challenge is still to come!
Finish Line!
Given my questionable math skills, I still couldn't let myself believe I would finish in under 8 hours until I had the finish line in sight. The final mile went through the park campground and then over this little wooden bridge. Coming over the bridge I saw a couple of Zs waiting and clapping. One of them whistled to the rest of the Zs to let them know someone was coming. One last hill and a few high fives later I was across the finish line with about 7 minutes to spare!
Up next: The Big Show!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
110 In The Bank
Goal: 8 hours
Actual: 7:40ish
This was a windy, chilly ride all the way out to St. Michaels and Tilghman Island....just one long out and back, not much to look at. My new tri bike did pretty well....but it does have issues. Take, for instance, the lack of room for a bento box. It means I have to put all of my GUs, salt tabs, Cliff Bars, cell phone, keys, etc., etc. in my back jersey pocket. It's much easier to have it all right there in front of me on the top tube, but my top tube is too short and the cable thingees are in the way so there's no room =S Oh the hassles of being a short triathlete! I'm determined to figure something out this week!
Anyway, back to the ride...It started and ended well, but there was one long stretch that threw me into WTF mode:
I'm only going 12 mph in this wind right now. WTF?
The top keeps popping off my aero bar water bottle. WTF?
I can't open this pack of GU chomps. WTF?
And so on...
But the ride ended on a high note. I spent the last 40 miles or so with Debbie, a world traveler and adventurer who told me stories about hiking alone in Nepal, getting charged by a Rhino on Safari, and getting held up at gunpoint right outside her condo in DC! (Here we are striking a pose with Tracey after the 100 miler.) We chatted and laughed and tried to divert our attention away from the task at hand. It made the wind and distance all the more bearable. :) Before we knew it we were turning into the Target parking lot and heading back to our cars.
Our post-ride treat was Chick Fil-A --my fav fast food place! It was on the other side of the parking lot so I jogged over to see how well my legs would work after 110 miles. Not bad at all... but then again, that wasn't 26.2.
Actual: 7:40ish
Anyway, back to the ride...It started and ended well, but there was one long stretch that threw me into WTF mode:
I'm only going 12 mph in this wind right now. WTF?
The top keeps popping off my aero bar water bottle. WTF?
I can't open this pack of GU chomps. WTF?
And so on...
Our post-ride treat was Chick Fil-A --my fav fast food place! It was on the other side of the parking lot so I jogged over to see how well my legs would work after 110 miles. Not bad at all... but then again, that wasn't 26.2.
Dear Wise Inner Critic...
You're right and you can say I told you so, but please don't gloat. Welcome to Mitigation Week, where all of those things you're nagging me about get taken care of. Yes indeedy, I've made two different to-do lists, a chart, and a spreadsheet and I'm even taking a day off work to get my act together. We know that I'm not a spreadsheet person but whatever it takes to get organized, right? And of course, I'll do whatever it takes to shut you up....hahaha
Check back with me at the end of the week and I'm sure you will be disappointed that you can't find something to nag me about.
Check back with me at the end of the week and I'm sure you will be disappointed that you can't find something to nag me about.
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