I forgot to put up pictures from Red Bank the other day so this is a little over a week old. We had a great weekend and Red Bank was the perfect race to complete my first long distance triathlon. There were about 300 people total and everyone was super friendly. I am now hooked on the Olympic distance and have already looked for a few others to do this summer. Somehow, through work this week, I was able to get into the NYC Tri in August and we found one in Freeport, ME (LL Bean shopping!) in September.
https://picasaweb.google.com/Booper12/RedBankTriathlon?authkey=Gv1sRgCPLD_9m897DkFQ&feat=directlink
The race itself was so much fun. I was up at 4:30 to have some coffee and my oatmeal and we were out the door at 6:15am. Transition was open at 6:30, so I got to set my stuff up, check out what others were doing and have time to relax a little. The weather was a little nasty but thankfully the rain held off until after the race.
So, 8:03 the swim began and oh boy! This was the most interesting part of the race. If you have never swam with a bunch of other people in the open water, it is almost a no holds bar event. You are kicked, pulled under and yelled at. The whole time, you have to just keep swimming. I decided to try to avoid as many people as possible, I swam on the outside. The only issue with this was that I constantly off course and had to circle back. After about 15 minutes, I got some space and was able to enjoy the swim. For the first 15 I was thinking, why am I doing this?
The transition did not turn out to be that bad. I took my time, sat down, put my socks on and got ready for the bike. I was a little disoriented gettting out of the water so taking it slow was good. Then the bike - this was the part of the race that I have to say I disliked the most. It is mostly because I suck at the bike and because it seemed like it took forever. The only highlight from the bike was that about mile 5, I had the realization that I was actually doing the Tri and I got a super proud feeling come across me. I went through how much has changed in my life and how only in October last year I could run about 2.5 miles at a 10:00 pace and look what I was doing now. Funny because now the Olympic seems like an easy distance but back then, if you asked me if I would do it, I would say that you were crazy.
Then my favorite part of the day - the run. This was the portion I was the most worried about. I heard about the pain you would get after transitioning from the bike. I knew I was an ok runner but it was not until this race that I realized that I was a fairly strong runner. The first 2 miles were ok, I just did not feel my feet. I used my arms to push me through. Then mile 3, I warmed up, picked up my speed and took off. It was great passing people and with each person I got more and more confidence. I was hoping to average at least 9:00/miles when I started. There were no mile markers so I did not know how fast I was going. When I got to the half way point, it was only 24:30 on my watch which I was average about 8:10/miles. I was excited and could not believe I was running that fast. On the way back I decided to play a game and pick a person that I would pass. This made me run a little faster and kept me going. I think I passed about 15 people on the way back. When I got to the end, it was 50:07 and I freaking ran my faster 10K - 8:03/mile. And this was still being partially injured. Overall, I completed the whole race in under 3 hours...yippee!
So with the Half Marathon and Olympic Tri done, next on the docket is the goal of all goals: Half Ironman. Not sure that I want to even think about this right now or panic will set in!
And if anyone is wondering, yes, I am biking today! Actually going to try a brick if I can. Leg is great and I am a little crazy :-) Plus not working out for 3 days is making me bounce off the walls.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Rollercoaster Week
Its been almost a week since Red Bank and what an emotional rollercoaster week it has been. I woke up Monday morning lighter, relaxed, and more energetic than I had been in weeks. I did not realize until Monday morning how much pressure I was putting on myself and how stressed I was about the race. I think that I had such massive doubts that I would not finish the race or do really crappy. Once done, the weight was off and release was there.
I am not sure why I do this but I question my abilitities all the time and think I am almost always the last person to believe that I can truly do things. Ok...maybe a little overstatement, sometimes I may be a little cocky but mostly in jest. Really there is always a doubt in my head. Its more because even though I say differently, I dont want to do these races, I want to be really good at them. I cannot help it, I am competitive as hell.
So Monday I was on a 'I am Triathlete' high and Tuesday I was quickly dropped back to reality. I was feeling great on Monday and I mentioned in the last blog, very little soreness. In all my stupidity and with the thought that all the resting rules dont apply to me, I ran in the Wall St. AHA 5K. I signed up a while ago and was the captain for the Bloomberg team, so I had to go (well at least I said that to myself). Instead of going slowly, jogging, I told my friend Dan I would run with him. Dan was happy with 8:50-9:00 minute miles which I thought would be good to pace me.
When the race started, I was a little tight but I ignored the pain and just ran thinking that I would loosen up. The race was super crowded and the roads pretty bad. We just followed the folks in front of us. My thought was, lets run a little faster to get some space. Dan did a good job of being right behind me. When we got to the first mile marker is when I said 'Oh Crap' in my head. I looked at my watch and we had just run 7:45/miles with crowds. Not what I was supposed to do. I know what you are thinking....what a dumbass. Yes, I agree, I was a freaking dumbass. I let my competitiveness go past common sense. The best part of this is that earlier in the day, Terence told me to be smart and don't run the race. Two hours later, he came back with that one of the other girls was running the race and I should pace her so I would not hurt myself. My response to him: I will be smart. My thoughts in my head: What the hell, did he think that I was that stupid to really push myself to hurt myself' :) (there were other words in there that I should probably not post). Ok, I admit, maybe he knows me a little too well and maybe he was right.
We slowed down for the rest of the race but still finished in 24:50, so 8:16/mile. Not bad but not what I was supposed to do. Right away I was immediately reminded of why I should have gone slow. My left leg started to cramp up right away and I was in a lot of pain. My hamstring that I worked so hard to heal was screaming to me - what the 'f' were you thinking, I need to rest.
I hoped that the pain would be just for that night but I woke up Wednesday with even more tightness. I wore my lovely compression pants to work and took the night off and just stretched. Nothing was working and I had the feeling that I set myself back three weeks. If you have ever been hurt, its the worst feeling in the world, it is like you never think you are going to get better and though I tried to push it away, panic was starting to set in. I had the rest of the summer that I wanted to do things and I was starting to get serious doubts that it would be possible. Over and over in my head, I was calling myself an ass for doing the stupid 5K race.
Thursday....my leg was 5% better and I wanted to see if I could run a little. I was signed up for the Brooklyn Half for Saturday and this was going to be my test. I assumed that I could run slowly and would ok. I already set expectations in my head that this would be a slow run. Ummm, wrong. I could barely run. I ran the first lower loop with Lisa and Susanne but had a hard time keeping up. The second loop, we were supposed to head up to Cat Hill then back. I cut the run short and went back to the start to stretch.
I made the decision then that I would not be able to do the Brooklyn Half. It is the first time really in my life that I backed out of something because I was hurt. It was a frustrating feeling because I felt like I was giving up but also....a step in the right direction that I was making a smart decision. I knew that I had to think of the rest of the summer and what was my ultimate goal: Half Ironman. I decided that I was going to take off til I had no pain in my leg at all.
So at the lowest. Got out of bed Friday and my hamstring was out of control. I threw on another pair of compression pants and was able to walk gingerly to the train. Without the shorts, I was experiencing shooting pains in my leg. I dont have to tell you the thoughts that were going on in my head. I think I spent more energy trying to be positive then I did trying to complete the triathlon on Sunday.
Here is where things start to look up: When I got to work, I called the PT that Ariane had recommended a while ago that I should see. I was not really comfortable with the person I was seeing. Right away, I knew it was a fit. I got an appt for later that day, and Chris, my PT got on the phone to introduce himself and to tell me that he was doing a triathlon in a few weeks and was excited to talk to me. I really did not know what to expect when I went. Chris uses Active Release Technique (ART) to treat his patients. Not knowing what this was, I did not think it would be different from what I had done. Ha ha!
We spent the first 25 minutes talking about training, my race, and Chris's that is coming up in a few weeks. I knew that I would be taken care of correctly. Then the fun part started. I got on a table and Chris started to do the session. I was in for a rude awakening. I should have realized this when Chris said as we were walking over to the table 'I am going to hurt you a little'. Holy crap, hurt was an understatement. The actual process of ART is really painful but just for the short seconds that each exercise is being done. Then immediately you start to feel the effects of the release. I think I screamed and said ouch more times yesterday then I have in a year. I am not going to try to explain how it is done in detail but basically he puts pressure (or shortens) on a certain muscle and then uses movements to lengthen the muscle.
After an hour, we were done. Right away, the pain that was in my left leg was much less. The best part, Chris said I could keep exercising as long as I kept the pain to a 3 out of 10. This was great to hear for someone that hates rest! I told him that I was going to try to take the whole weekend off just to be safe.
So, I am back on top this am. I woke up with NO pain in my leg. I cannot believe it and pretty much amazed at what the process can do. I wish I went to him weeks ago. There is minimal tightness so I am sticking with my no exercise for today. ( I woke up thinking, hey, I could have actually run Brooklyn!) I am contemplating a little of doing a long bike ride tomorrow but will see. (yes - whole weekend rest idea has gone out the door)
Lets just hope this feeling levels out and I dont get back on the rollercoaster ride I have been on all week. I have had enough emotional excitement to last me the summer!
I am not sure why I do this but I question my abilitities all the time and think I am almost always the last person to believe that I can truly do things. Ok...maybe a little overstatement, sometimes I may be a little cocky but mostly in jest. Really there is always a doubt in my head. Its more because even though I say differently, I dont want to do these races, I want to be really good at them. I cannot help it, I am competitive as hell.
So Monday I was on a 'I am Triathlete' high and Tuesday I was quickly dropped back to reality. I was feeling great on Monday and I mentioned in the last blog, very little soreness. In all my stupidity and with the thought that all the resting rules dont apply to me, I ran in the Wall St. AHA 5K. I signed up a while ago and was the captain for the Bloomberg team, so I had to go (well at least I said that to myself). Instead of going slowly, jogging, I told my friend Dan I would run with him. Dan was happy with 8:50-9:00 minute miles which I thought would be good to pace me.
When the race started, I was a little tight but I ignored the pain and just ran thinking that I would loosen up. The race was super crowded and the roads pretty bad. We just followed the folks in front of us. My thought was, lets run a little faster to get some space. Dan did a good job of being right behind me. When we got to the first mile marker is when I said 'Oh Crap' in my head. I looked at my watch and we had just run 7:45/miles with crowds. Not what I was supposed to do. I know what you are thinking....what a dumbass. Yes, I agree, I was a freaking dumbass. I let my competitiveness go past common sense. The best part of this is that earlier in the day, Terence told me to be smart and don't run the race. Two hours later, he came back with that one of the other girls was running the race and I should pace her so I would not hurt myself. My response to him: I will be smart. My thoughts in my head: What the hell, did he think that I was that stupid to really push myself to hurt myself' :) (there were other words in there that I should probably not post). Ok, I admit, maybe he knows me a little too well and maybe he was right.
We slowed down for the rest of the race but still finished in 24:50, so 8:16/mile. Not bad but not what I was supposed to do. Right away I was immediately reminded of why I should have gone slow. My left leg started to cramp up right away and I was in a lot of pain. My hamstring that I worked so hard to heal was screaming to me - what the 'f' were you thinking, I need to rest.
I hoped that the pain would be just for that night but I woke up Wednesday with even more tightness. I wore my lovely compression pants to work and took the night off and just stretched. Nothing was working and I had the feeling that I set myself back three weeks. If you have ever been hurt, its the worst feeling in the world, it is like you never think you are going to get better and though I tried to push it away, panic was starting to set in. I had the rest of the summer that I wanted to do things and I was starting to get serious doubts that it would be possible. Over and over in my head, I was calling myself an ass for doing the stupid 5K race.
Thursday....my leg was 5% better and I wanted to see if I could run a little. I was signed up for the Brooklyn Half for Saturday and this was going to be my test. I assumed that I could run slowly and would ok. I already set expectations in my head that this would be a slow run. Ummm, wrong. I could barely run. I ran the first lower loop with Lisa and Susanne but had a hard time keeping up. The second loop, we were supposed to head up to Cat Hill then back. I cut the run short and went back to the start to stretch.
I made the decision then that I would not be able to do the Brooklyn Half. It is the first time really in my life that I backed out of something because I was hurt. It was a frustrating feeling because I felt like I was giving up but also....a step in the right direction that I was making a smart decision. I knew that I had to think of the rest of the summer and what was my ultimate goal: Half Ironman. I decided that I was going to take off til I had no pain in my leg at all.
So at the lowest. Got out of bed Friday and my hamstring was out of control. I threw on another pair of compression pants and was able to walk gingerly to the train. Without the shorts, I was experiencing shooting pains in my leg. I dont have to tell you the thoughts that were going on in my head. I think I spent more energy trying to be positive then I did trying to complete the triathlon on Sunday.
Here is where things start to look up: When I got to work, I called the PT that Ariane had recommended a while ago that I should see. I was not really comfortable with the person I was seeing. Right away, I knew it was a fit. I got an appt for later that day, and Chris, my PT got on the phone to introduce himself and to tell me that he was doing a triathlon in a few weeks and was excited to talk to me. I really did not know what to expect when I went. Chris uses Active Release Technique (ART) to treat his patients. Not knowing what this was, I did not think it would be different from what I had done. Ha ha!
We spent the first 25 minutes talking about training, my race, and Chris's that is coming up in a few weeks. I knew that I would be taken care of correctly. Then the fun part started. I got on a table and Chris started to do the session. I was in for a rude awakening. I should have realized this when Chris said as we were walking over to the table 'I am going to hurt you a little'. Holy crap, hurt was an understatement. The actual process of ART is really painful but just for the short seconds that each exercise is being done. Then immediately you start to feel the effects of the release. I think I screamed and said ouch more times yesterday then I have in a year. I am not going to try to explain how it is done in detail but basically he puts pressure (or shortens) on a certain muscle and then uses movements to lengthen the muscle.
After an hour, we were done. Right away, the pain that was in my left leg was much less. The best part, Chris said I could keep exercising as long as I kept the pain to a 3 out of 10. This was great to hear for someone that hates rest! I told him that I was going to try to take the whole weekend off just to be safe.
So, I am back on top this am. I woke up with NO pain in my leg. I cannot believe it and pretty much amazed at what the process can do. I wish I went to him weeks ago. There is minimal tightness so I am sticking with my no exercise for today. ( I woke up thinking, hey, I could have actually run Brooklyn!) I am contemplating a little of doing a long bike ride tomorrow but will see. (yes - whole weekend rest idea has gone out the door)
Lets just hope this feeling levels out and I dont get back on the rollercoaster ride I have been on all week. I have had enough emotional excitement to last me the summer!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Red Bank Done: Officially a Triathlete!
Its over and done.....I finished my first Olympic triathlon and loved it. I felt great the whole race and did pretty well, especially not knowing what to expect part. Best part this am.....I am not sore or even tired. I feel the best I have felt in weeks.
I will write more later with pics and all. Here are initial results, I am anxiously waiting my splits
Time: 2:50:57
Overall: 103 out of 259 - small race
Women: 20 out of 79
Age Group: 6 out of 9 - though three of us finished with 5 minutes of each other
Not too bad for my first tri.
Lastly....super huge thanks to my sign holding, picture taking, cheerleading friend, Lauren. She was supposed to do the race with me but is out with a stress fracture. Despite being disappointed on not being able to compete, she still came down to root me on. Freaking awesome. And if you saw me on Saturday......I needed her.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Ready or not, Redbank here I come!
Wow, I woke up this morning so excited for the weekend. This weekend I will finally become a Triathlete. I have done a few Sprint Tris but moving up to the next level is pretty cool and where I consider you can label yourself a 'triathlete'. Any name with the word 'Olympic' in it allows you to brand yourself. If you are wondering the distance for this one: .75 swm, 25 mile bike, and 6.2 run.
Am I ready? Well....prepared, yes. I have all the course maps printed out, map quested my drive down, and planned what I want to eat the night before. My packing list is drafted on the back of the race info sheet with outstanding items highlighted in pink. Yup, another label that you can put on me, is big dork. At least I will be a less stressed dork.
Ready, no clue. I think I will be able to finish but I am not sure any of the times will be close to what I originally wanted. Lately when asked what I want my time to be, my answer has been just to finish. I have refused to set any expectations or pressure for myself. I am sure the night before with how competitive I am, I will start to do some calculations. For now, the goal is to finish.
These last few weeks have been a struggle for me. I experienced my first injury two and a half weeks back that has pretty much sidelined me or limited the amount of activity that I have been doing. Frustrated has been a common word that I have muttered and I probably have not been the best person to be around. There may have been a few fuck offs to people that were trying to make sure I remembered I needed to get better before I pushed myself.
One nice thing from the rest is that my legs feel stronger. My runs have been easier and times lower. The rest did me well in more than a few days. I am so bad that when I realized this, I wanted to push myself harder to get even faster. I stupidly tried to get a super quick run in on Monday, then Bootcamp right after. I ended up with an extremely sore left hammy yesterday morning, not good. I wore compression shorts under my pants at work yesterday.....a true sign that I am crazy.
So, training is not 100% but this is only one step in the entire plan. I still have the Half in July that I am getting ready for and I have to be smart on how much I can push myself now. My plan is to do nothing other than one light run tomorrow , then the race. Next week we will see, I have the Brooklyn Half Marathon but will only run if my leg is 95% there. Focus will be getting back to 100% for the rest of the summer.
So for now, its off to Red Bank.........
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