Kinetic Half Ironman - Race Report

Kinetic Half Ironman - Lake Anna State Park, VA
1.2m swim - 56m bike - 13.1m run
Swim: 31:16 - 8th Female
T1: 6:02- 79th Female
Bike: 3:34:18- 70th Female
T2: 3:48- 72th Female
Run: 2:23:17- 50th Female
Age group: 12/18
Overall Female: 46 /92

Arriving in VA on Friday night we were able to pick up our race packets. We got to the site 15 minutes late for the pick-up because of traffic, but the race director waited around and we had success. We were able to scope out the start location and the transition area, heard the water temp. was in the 60's which was great news. On our drive out we ended up on a portion of the bike route, which gave us an idea of what the hills would be like.

Saturday morning we got to the race site and were glad we had done the packet pick-up the night before. There was a line all the way down the road. We got our bikes ready, and felt a bit intimidated by the pricey bikes with aero bars all around us - we just kept reminding each other that this was just for training...the set up went fine and the swim soon started.

Shawn took off in the third wave of swimmers while I waited around for the 5th and last wave. There was probably 350+ participants, as a faster swimmer it kind of sucks to go off last. I have gotten it down now though, just stay way outside. People usually try to swim in the most direct line possible to the buoys and I know it will save me time to just stay away from them. The swim went fine, just had to remind myself to stay slow and I did. I came around the first loop and exited the water, gave a big wave to Rick who was taking photos and actually found both Shawn and I in the mass of wetsuits. When I came around for the second loop and turned the last corner, my thoughts were why does this swim have to end, wish it were a bit longer, not ready for that long ass bike yet...

Coming into transition, many bikes were still racked and Shawn was waiting with his wetsuit off already. Our plan was to ride together - so we took our time and made sure we had everything we needed for the ride and off we went. The ride was uneventful for the most part. The road was not closed to traffic so we got our first experience riding with a lot of traffic with no shoulders. It was actually not bad. The route was hilly, up and down, up and down, but beautiful. The sun was shining, and the trees were blossoming. The only bad part was the smell of some cows half way through, and since it was two laps we got to experience it twice! Shawn and I separated about 40 miles into the ride; he had planned to not do the run so I went ahead to finish to get to the run. Unfortunately, Shawn had a flat shortly after I left. His cO2 pump did not work and he rode 10 miles with the flat until a race van came by to help. The last 6 miles for me were hard on the bike, my back and butt and neck hurt. I passed a guy and he asked me if I was ready for the run, I said I was unsure ... he said I guess we will find out...

The run went surprisingly well. I came out of transition and we went straight up a hill, ugh! But there were many water stops along the way and I just stuck with my plan of eating lots and drinking lots. The heat came full on at that point, into the 80's. The oranges at each of the water stops saved me. Three loops of the run, three water stops on each loop. The last two miles were kind of painful, but I think that was just knowing I was almost there - the last mile was all downhill.

At the finish, the man announced my name and the woman giving out the finisher medals said "I thought I recognized you ... I am so and so from Xterra" I told her this was my training and my last road race before xterra season and that it sucked in comparison. I am xterra all the way, much more interesting and challenging fun. Shawn was waiting at the finish, we packed up and got on the road. Overall we had a great day, and learned a lot about eating and how much it matters in longer races. Photos to come soon...

After the race, that night we watched Into the Wild and one line in the movie summed up the reason I would try an event like this:
The core of man's spirit comes from new experiences....

Beer and the Mayor

Friday night we decided to do the Newark 250th anniversary 5k run. I didn't much feel up to it, but had wanted to do a 5k for some time since I have been running the track practices regularly. After a long day at work and my morning workout I was spent. On my ride home from work I made the decision, if Shawn was in his running clothes when we got home we would do it, if he was not we would go out drinking instead. I mentioned this to Shawn when I arrived home and saw him in his running clothes - he said we could do both, and of course we could. By the time we got back into downtown Newark we were not sure we would make the sign-up in time since the race started at 6:15, but we did (guess there was no way of getting out of this one.)

No time for warm-up, we just got on the line and began to run. I felt bad, tight and tired. Fortunately, the entire first mile was flat or downhill. It was a nice evening, and even humid. As I ran on the fairly flat course I crossed the finish line on the way out, this was an out and back course, but the back was much shorter. So I knew the finish line was on a hill, but knew also we would not have to do the larger part of the hill because the finish line was short of the top. I held back as much as I could, and finally felt warmed up 20 minutes in. The race shortly ended in 24:20, which was my best for a 5k. This was the first time I was under an 8 minute mile pace. I am glad I did that, and know with some warm-up and rest it would be much faster. This is a great sign for the upcoming tri season. Shawn finished shortly after me, and missed my near-puking session - but what is a 5k without some mouth sweats!

So no, we are not pro-runners, but yes we tend to be pro-drinkers. Ran into someone I work with on my walk back up to Main street and he gave us his free beer drink tickets. Now we had two in hand. We went to the DeerPark for the after party. An older man at the bar told me if I was looking for a good beer to try the Newark 250th Ale. So I say Ok is it good? As I ask this he hands over his glass and wants me to take a swig of his...I decline and tell him I will take his word for it. The beer was tasty and just right after the run. The next day we look at the images online and find out the man was the mayor of Newark, still don't think I want to share beers with him, even if he is the mayor. Got home, showered up, and went out to continue our drinking. Great evening!

Xterra UNwharrie

Xterra UNwharre | Open Class - 1000 Meter Swim, 24k MTB Bike, 10k Trail Run

I am all signed up for the first xterra of the season on May 4th. It is down in North Carolina...it will be a long drive, but worth it for a fun early season race. I don't know much about this venue since we have not been to this race in the past. The site says it is an awesome adventure in a beautiful National Forest. Any race that takes me somewhere interesting, beautiful and simply outside is fun in my book. Camping will be great and the post party will be extraordinary!


















Here is a video about an Xterra Hero...watching him is a true inspiration...

No crashing!

Wednesday nights are harder for me to get out on time, well only for four more weeks...the countdown has begun. That is when my class I teach will be over, and I am ready for it to be this year. Yesterday I got out at a fairly decent time and went straight home, had a very fast transition from work to bike clothes, filled up the camelback and rode straight from the house. I am so happy the Richardson path to Judge Morris is back open this year, thanks to Lauri and her friends who rerouted it. Last year the trail went through some private property and the owner was unhappy with it; the trail was closed and we could not as easily ride from home. I had Otmani and Fortmann ride towards me and we met up easily and then continued to ride. Nothing too special about the ride, my legs were burning from earlier in the week and still very sore this morning. Fortmann went back to his car and Otmani and I went up to the parking lot to check for Shawn, then we parted, going in separate directions. When I returned home, I received a text from Otmani saying he had crashed - this after the warning for me to not crash as I left for home alone. He said he was ok but bloody...will have to find the details out about that one tonight.

Shawn could not make it home from Drexel in time for the ride so he ran into Judge Morris from home. I rode back home through there and did not see him, if I had known he was in there I would have rode the loop to find him. He made it home and did a wonderful 6 mile run. Both starving, with no sauces for our chicken, we decided to head out to our favorite Pantera (for my one fan who reads this blog.) On the way home from Pantera, we went to the grocery and stocked up on sauces and lots of other goodies. Time for some grillin'

Florida Sun!

Florida was absolutely amazing, just what I needed as this non-spring continues up north. The weather was in the 80's and the sun was shining all three days. I got to swim in the ocean every day and sleep on the beach for some relaxation. We did not rent a car so we walked everywhere. The three days was a great active recovery. We counted at least 14 miles of walking on Thursday.

Back at home it continues to be cold and wet. It rained on Sunday, so our planned bike got changed to a run. Monday I did not have time to get my road bike put in my car, and by the time I got out of work I was happy to just ride inside. It was too cold out! Last night it got pretty nice by the end of the day for track. I felt like crap during the day and thought I was going to have a bad workout and even considered skipping. When I got outside, I felt much better and finished warm-up. My set included a 1600, 1200, 800 and 400. I started the mile and John joined me for the last two laps, he talked I listened and gasped for air, trying to keep pace. When i looked at my watch it showed 7:23...my fastest mile in a while. The practice continued to be a challenge, but I was much more successful then I thought I would be. This morning I paid for it in the pool, but the practice was just a long warm-up. Nothing too hard.

Hoping to get out tonight. Not sure when I will get out of teaching and if the weather will clear. I hear it will be 70 tomorrow afternoon!

Beautiful Spring Days...

Yesterday it rained, and then rained some more, but at about 4 p.m. it cleared. And when the skies cleared it was a beauty. Just in time for an outdoor track session at UD. This was the first time all year we had been out there in shorts and t-shirts with the sun. The run went well, and we all found ourselves stretching much longer than normal...we did not want the evening to end. Sitting on the warm, rubber track I learned about how car usage could be reduced in DC, how one man met his wife, and what the casinos are like in Las Vegas...and how smoking ruins your experience their after living in a smoke-free environment. When I finally left, it was still warm and the sun had not gone down. All signs of spring, finally.

Off to Florida tonight until Saturday. Shawn will be recruiting at YMCA nationals for Drexel and I will just be along for the warm weather. Last night it cooled off with a large rain storm in the night, the trails are probably pretty soggy by now. Hopefully Sunday, I will get in a long ride. For now some sun, rest and relaxation!