A forgotten post...

XTerra West Championships was a crazy race. I'm not 100% certain of what was happening out there, but I'll do my utmost best to write a race report!

I chose this early-season race because I need to do four XTerra series races to qualify for Nationals in Ogden, Utah, which is my goal. Even though I have done a lot of Compu-Trainer riding and even had a few outdoor rides, very few have been mountain biking. Weather, snow and mud make mountain biking difficult this time of year.

AND, I just began Mountain Biking last summer. So, I checked the course out ahead of time on Strava. I certainly didn't underestimate the difficulty, but at the same time, I certainly didn't understand the difficulty.There was about 1500 ft of climbing over 18.6 miles. I do THAT every time I ride out my door....

As a family, we spent the week mountain biking and swimming about 2 hours from the race. This helped me acclimate. I went from 50 degree weather to 90 degrees. At the end of the week, my kids went back home and the Computer Guy and I drove to the race.

At the pre-race meeting, Josiah Middaugh and Shonny VanLandingham described sections of the bike course to watch out for. Since I hadn't pre-ridden, it was a little foreign but I tried to keep some things in mind: watch out for the off-camber sections, gear way down for the sandy washes. Ride with really low tire pressure so you don't pinch flat on the sharp rocks. Got it.

Fast forward: I met Luke McKenzie, 6X Ironman Champ. He stopped by my car and asked for sunblock. I am sure this was a pathetic excuse to come over and meet me...

That night I slept better and more than I have in months. With a band playing very, very loudly down on the hotel plaza, I was thankful. I awoke ready to GO!

I love open water swimming so it was hard to wait until my Wave was sent off. And we were the last Wave. This was going to be the first swim where I had to run on the beach, past the flags and do another swim lap. For some reason, this was something I couldn't WAIT to try. It was FANTASTIC!

The Mountain Biking was unexpected. Lots of sand and climbing. The climbing was straight up. No switch backs, trees, and roots like I am used to. It was a ride of all guts and very little glory! Every couple of minutes I was riding in something new and eventually, the frustration of not knowing what to prepare for subsided and I just began wondering what would come up next, enjoying the variety.

Transition 2 was smooth. I grabbed a gel, some water, changed shoes and headed out. For the first 1/2 mile or so, it was along the lake side. Smooth, grass and fun. All too soon, we turned onto the bike course of dirt, sand, and rocks. Again, the same climbs I pushed my bike up found me walking up one more time. For the last time, thankfully. As I rose to the top, I looked behind and noticed a couple of people falling further behind. I kept my eyes on one man in front that I could see.

As I approached, we decided to walk/run the rest of the course together. I was tired in a different way than I was used to. The last mile, I left my new friend and cruised down to the finish line. A welcome site.

Off Season Resolve

It's the off season and this triathlete is close to thumping her head against the wall. So, this morning I resolved to break out of the dull-drums (do people USE that word anymore?) and do something unique, different, out of the ordinary. Something that is a stretch for me. Something I wouldn't normally do.

For some, they might sign up for the new Ironman Silverman in NV. No, that's something I WOULD do. I need something really challenging and completely off the grid. My mind instantly thought of something, but can I do it? Is it even possible?

Drum roll ---I thought the CRAZIEST thought! Go to a movie and eat movie popcorn!!!

For you movie goers out there, I am not dis'ing on you. Not at all. You are my heroes. This is a feat rarely attempted in my life. I've done more Ironmans and half Ironmans than times I've attended the movie theater. I've ran more marathons. When I remarked to the Computer Guy what I'm actually considering,  maybe overcoming huge obstacles and attempting such a thing, his brow furrowed. "I've think you've actually done that once, a few years ago." I was shocked, "I have?! Did I eat the popcorn?!"

"I think so," was his very unsure response.

This is why hoping on a mountain bike and hurling myself downhill for the first time was easier than going to a movie. This is why deciding to swim 2.4 miles when I didn't know my local pool was actually 50m and not 100m. (I was SURE one time down was as long as 100m! HEHEHE. It still makes me laugh when I think of this guy's face when I asked if it was a 100m length pool.....)

Anyway, back on track. First, I don't actually know of any movies that are playing. I only watch skiing races - if I'm training indoors. Go Ted Ligety!

Next, theaters are so uncomfortable. Granted, I haven't been in quite a few years, so maybe they've changed. However, my kids still remember the last time I went with them, I fell asleep, curled up like a cat in the seat. It wasn't comfortable, but that's what happened. They were super, duper impressed that their mom is probably the only mom that can curl up in a movie theater seat. Yes, Multiple Ironman's and a few XTerra's later and THIS is what impresses them!

There is a separate issue from movie theater comfort, but sort of goes along with it: I am always so COLD in the theater. I don't want to carry a quilt in just so stay warm. I'm old, but not that old! When it is 46 outside, I jump up, grab my shorts and a long sleeve shirt and head out for a run. That's the best temperature for running! And yes, I hate swimming in cold lake water, but if it is around 54-56 I'm EXCITED because I KNOW I'll be leading my Age Group out of the swim. However, 70 in a movie theater? Really? Not happening.

Another problem getting me to a movie is they always show it in the dark. I, know, right? For some reason I hate watching things in the dark. The lights have to be on. I can't explain it, it's weird. I had a easier time in the Boise 70.3 rainstorm doing 40 mph downhill from the Lucky Peak Dam, rain streaming down my glasses and not being able to see anything, than watching a movie in the dark.

Another difficulty I can't overcome is how LOUD the sound is. I stood next to the cannon at XTerra World's in Maui. It was a rookie mistake. I was so nervous, I didn't see the cannon. Right there. Until they fired it off. Movies are louder than that.

But it is the off season, and I am going nuts. I need to do something different and out of the ordinary to keep me sane. Will setting a new goal and rising to a new challenge help? Eating the movie popcorn would be the ultimate "Out there" thing to do. If I go, I have to eat the movie popcorn and I'm not sure I can actually do that....

Come live 18 hours in 2 minutes!

Hey!  For this week I thought I'd do something COMPLETELY different and do a video blog of what my 'workout' week is like.  Lucky for you I sped it up so it won't take as long to watch as it did to do the actual workouts! Hope you enjoy it!

I've Got a Gut Feeling

Today I took an online quiz to find out what career I should have. Guess what!? It came up as ATHLETE. Sigh. After all these years I'm on the path that was meant for me.

I am an athlete and I am truly happy being one. Therefore, empirical  evidence shows this quiz is 100% correct.

Please don't get confused with "career athlete" as being the same as "professional athlete". Surveys, under "occupation", have "homemaker" listed as a career. This is usually the box I check. However, now I'm going to select "other" and write in athlete. Obviously, Occupation/Career have nothing to do with getting paid. I've never collected a dime as a mom... oops. That's a lie. Coins I get in the washer and dryer are mine. Always mine; and members of my household know that. But you get what I mean, right? My career and arbitrary success isn't limited by the amount of money I make doing it.

I love my sponsors which help out and support me. (Shameless plug for 2014 Team SOAS) But it has been a long road to reach this point.

Am I the only one with Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder, or more appropriately, in my gut? Gut feelings lead me through this world. They are invaluable.

When I insisted on trying to start a business, there was a gut feeling. No matter what hurdles I jumped or how many friends insisted on helping me, supporting and making me feel good about it, that gut feeling wouldn't subside. The one that makes you insist, over and over again, "I can DO this. I can MAKE it work!" If you find yourself saying this a lot, this article is for YOU.

Years ago a friend told me I should be a real estate agent. Oooooh, that gut feeling started, but hey, "I can make it work! I can do this!" I thought if I had more information the feeling would go away. Nope. Maybe I just need to pay my money and take the classes. Friends and family thought it was a fabulous idea. Refueled, I recommitted, doubled my resolve and took the classes. The feeling got stronger. Well, that's just because I need to take the test and then I'll feel better. Remember, everyone thought it was a fantastic idea.

Totally confident that I had made a commitment and fighting all gut feelings, I kept insisting, "But I can make this work". I continued down the path and refused to listen to Jiminey Cricket squeaking in my gut. I took that test. I paid for the license. I found a broker. I bought business cards. No backing out now!!! The ball was rollin', man! With tons of "likes" on FB, I was gonna be a real estate agent! But after spending one day with my first client from Las Vegas, I realized nothing was calming my gut.

But, you say, what about Michael Jordan? He didn't make his high school basketball team. He must have had a conversation with himself that might have had, "But I can Do this! I can make it work!" And he forged on and look how that turned out! What about the snowboarder I just heard about who lost her legs at 19 and is still snowboarding 15 years later? She sat down and said, "Well, I can do this, I just need to figure out how". Well, I say, we don't know what their gut was saying. Maybe it was calm as they faced the odds.

I've had those conversations with myself, too. Like when I decided to do my first triathlon and couldn't even swim. AT ALL!! I watched Ironman and thought, "I can DO that. And I'll have to figure out how to make it work!" All outward indications were screaming otherwise, but my gut was calm and quiet.

When I barely finished my first sprint triathlon and told myself I wanted to be sponsored, some people supported, some people doubted, but I didn't need their "likes" on FB to make me feel good about my decision. Because Jiminy was quiet as a mouse.

When I crashed three weeks before Ironman and had to find a new bike, and not having the chance to ride it before the race, my gut was also calm. I couldn't walk, run, swim, or bike for those final three weeks because of the stitches, the road rash, the stiffness, and my knee was the size of a cantaloupe, but I went ahead and competed. Why? Because my gut was calm. (Nerves were shot, but my gut was calm).

Now I am an athlete. I am on the path I was meant to be on. Was it always easy? Absolutely not. Was it obvious to everyone else? Probably not. Do I care? Did Michael Jordan care? Probably not. Because when you are on the path, you should feel calm. You feel sure. When you are all by yourself, alone in those quiet moments, you just KNOW. You don't rush to others wanting them to calm Jiminy Cricket, or that feeling in your gut. Others don't know what's right for you. Find your better path.

Race like there's no tomorrow. Train with confidence in yourself. Listen to your Jiminy Cricket and become the athlete you are supposed to be, not the one you are insisting you WANT to be. What you may think you want might not be what you need. Your gut knows what no one else does. Listen.

Happy Day! It's almost race season!! Race CALM!

Off Season, Part III: Technical Preparation for Triathlon

Part I and Part II of the "Off Season" focused on the mental and physical aspect of training. Now for Part III: preparing TECHNICALLY during the "Off Season".

If you are at a point in life where you feel the need to "simplify", becoming a triathlete is probably not a good idea. Triathletes tend to accumulate things.

Coming from a running background, becoming a triathlete was extremely complicated for me. Runners throw on appropriate clothes for the weather, a pair of shoes, and go out the door. It's easy. Triathlons are overwhelming. This blog is meant help beginners in the sport, or those who need to re-evaluate "needs" for the upcoming race season.

For each workout I pack a bag to grab so I can head quickly out the door. It simplified my life. Prepacked bags save time and help me remember important equipment. Once I was so busy trying to put my bag together for a bike ride that I got to the gym without my bike! That doesn't happen anymore with the new system!

Let's talk about SWIMMING equipment first.

A swimming suit is a must. (At least for most places!)

After that, goggles and a cap are helpful. To do the drills and workouts, a lot of triathletes buy kick boards, paddles, pull buoys, and ankle bands.

To race, triathletes typically invest in wet suits, skin suits, and sometimes booties for extremely cold water conditions. And a neoprene cap. To make matters even more complicated, there are different types of goggles, depending on the race. Clear, tinted, or something in between. Where you race dictates the need.

Next, the BIKE is the biggest investment; both in time and money. During the, "Off Season", I invested in a Guru Bike Fit at Noble Sports. It was the best thing I have done in years for my bike. I've had multiple static fits and a Retul fit and now the Guru system. Bike fits are an important investment. With the changes you make to your fitness, bike saddles and equipment, re-investing in this area is important. It is something you can do in the "Off Season" to prepare for racing. It's difficult to do DURING your season and maybe not so helpful.

Love my Trek Speed Concept!

The bike itself has multiple moving parts (obviously) so you can check out changing and upgrading a slew of things. I couldn't even begin to tell you where to put your money, but your local bike shop is helpful in suggesting things to buy. They love that! It would make their day if you wanted a power meter, new cranks, to change the crank length, get new sprockets,  new pedals, different areo bars, a new hydration system, bento box, race wheels, a new chain, and derailer hanger. Just to name a few.

Tri bikes don't work on single track!

If I lost you on some of those item, that's the point. I didn't even scratch the surface of the possibilities of bike equipment..

Besides the bike itself, a triathlete needs ACCESSORIES in order to ride. Let's start with helmets. (I have two and I am considering a third). Each helmet has a specific purpose. Areo, better cooling, etc.

Another accessory is a bike saddle. After years I found the one and only saddle that works for me is a Koobi Saddle. After many trys (and tris) it is the only saddle I am truly completely comfortable on.

A triathlete needs to consider bike footwear, also. Bike shoes are varied and can be expensive. But that is not enough. Pedals and clips need to be attached and riders have their favorite. Computer Guy uses different pedals and clips than I do because of his knees. I use Speed Play because with one of my legs, I need extra "float" so my knee and hip aren't locked in place. Every athlete is different.

Eye wear. Wow. What a challenge this one is! Lenses with the right color, size, fit and comfort. I found a great pair last year, but the minute I got into the aero position, the top rim was directly in the center of my view! It was crazy!! I buy the cheapest eye wear possible that still meets the need. Why? Because I lose or break my glasses on a regular basis. Literally, spending money on expensive gear that will be lost or broken after one ride is not fun. I know my weaknesses and have to plan accordingly!

Now for a triathlete's RUN GEAR. Shoes. Not necessary, according to the "barefoot" running craze, but most triathlete's still run in shoes (!) I've seen marathoner's try doing it barefoot but so far, I've never met a happy one. To each his own. If you want shoes for your triathlon, you aren't alone.

In addition to shoes, triathletes use some type of hydration system they can carry for races and for training runs. Many include a place to hold keys, a cell phone or gels. Races require a race number to be displayed on the athlete. The best way to accomplish this is to purchase a race belt. And finally, triathletes often buy specific laces so they save time tying shoes in transition and ensuring they won't have to re-tie them during the run. Coming from someone who has had to stop too many times to tie shoes, I recommend these laces...

Race belts, laces, arm warmers, watches, heart rate monitor and compression socks.

The CLOTHING list needed for workouts and races is exhausting! Bike jackets, shirts, shorts; running shorts, shirts, hats; triathlon "kits"; sweats to wear to races or after workouts...

Oh, the list of things a triathlete can buy is endless!