Race Report: IMChattanooga Post of Gratitude #2

This is the race report that is also inclusive of "thanking the sponsors.”  The one blog post that my Momma will claim makes me sound like a television commercial.  I appreciate all these groups do for me and the Big Sexy Racing team.  They deserve to be acknowledged and shown the proverbial love due them.

I plan to progress through the race, keeping everyone in order so that none are excluded.

Pre-race:  Having carefully packed everything into my OGIO 9.0 bag, I have all my gear organized and ready to schlep to transition for set up.  I am up about 4:15 ish having not slept super well, but not super horribly either.  Breakfast is coffee (don’t work out or race without it), a banana, and a Flapjacked Mighty Muffin with a tad of peanut butter.  Sitting in the swim queue line, I have half a Salted Caramel BonkBreaker and I am constantly sipping on a bottle of PhDNutrition Battery.

The Swim (1:09:47)

Finis Swim – Thank you for making all of my swims not like “swimming in water hell,” but actually almost fun and enjoyable.  The Axis Buoy, Agility Paddles, Align Kickboard, and snorkel are super cool to have on the pool deck.  Bright yellow is one of my all time favorite colors – just look at the car I drive.  ;-).  I can honestly say that my girl Christine Cross never led me astray when I asked her for advice on which “pool toys” to buy, and my swim thanks her.

That's me in the Pink Cap on the right.

I wait in line with The Best Training Partner Ever (she was 8^th out of the water in her age group – injured…watch out when she is 100%) for our turn to jump in the very warm (83 degrees) Tennessee River.  I felt strong the entire time.  Because I start a bit further back in line, I feel like I had pretty open water lines the whole way downstream.  

This was my first non-wetsuit 2.4 mile swim.  I can say with full confidence that it was not the horrifying event that I had envisioned.  My Blue Seventy PZ4TX fit like a second skin (duh….), and looked even better on than in the mesh bag.  Something I cannot say about my wet suit.  I felt sleek, and fast, and ready to swim.  And … it came off like a dream.

  

T1:  I gently pull on my CEP Compression short socks and ankle support; get into my shoes; grab my helmet and glasses, then  dig out the Ruby’s Lube.  All of my training rides have included my friend Ruby.  I did not once get on my #PinkPanther without Ruby’s Lube, and this “epic” ride through the rollers of North Georgia was no exception.  Choking down a Kid’s ZBar (by Clif) on my way to the mount line was the perfect kick start to the day’s ride nutrition.

The Ride (7:38:05)

I know ahead of time that the ride is going to a long day in the saddle.  No matter.  I jump on my QuintanaRoo #Dulce (I call her the #PinkPanther) and off we went to see the beautiful countryside.  I am ever grateful for John Cobb founder of CobbCycling for my VFlow saddle.  That combined with my super CEPCompression shorts and #BigSexyGear Tri top make for nearly a pain free ride.  The Reynolds Cycling RZRs from Chris McDonald’s garage feel smooth and fast as I wind my way through the first loop of the course.  There is very little wind, plenty of shade and I seem to be holding a good pace based on the plan.  I don't need my Rudy Project glasses that are perfectly “matchy matchy” with my helmet.  I do keep them on for protection from grit and spraying hydration.   

My bike nutrition is spot on with (over the course of the ride) PhD Nutrition GlycoDurance and Battery in my bottles, supplemented with an Uncrustable, a Bonk Breaker, and some Honey Stinger chews on the first loop.  The second loop is where things got rough.  The shade melts away; my right foot (same leg as the sprained ankle I was still nursing) developed a really, really painful hot spot along the fifth metatarsal; and then it just plain got hot.  I don’t remember being hot, but I know it was and I continued to hydrate and fuel accordingly.  Again, the PhD Nutrition GlycoDurance and Battery combination was perfect, with water, ice, and cold GatorAde more for core temperature management than caloric need.  I kept up the calories with my go to Honey Stinger Waffles and Pomegranate Chews and another ZBar.  Tasty, organic, and easy on the stomach in all conditions.  

I had put on a new chain whose company motto is “Free Speed.”  Whether or not it is true, my drive train was smooth, and shifting dead on.  Ice Friction now has a special place in my equipment arsenal with its waxed PINK chain.  Thanks to the new Power Tap C1 I am able to monitor my watts and cadence and am pleasantly surprised to find that I am maintaining the averages my coach and I had set out as part of the race day plan.

Somewhere on the 116 mile ride course.  B E A U Tiful!

Along about Mile 75-80 I begin to notice an ache in my right foot.  I think at first it might be swelling in my cycling shoes caused by the heat and water/sweat.  I stop on the side of the road to remove the ankle compression support thinking that will fix everything.  Well … It does for about 15 minutes.  Then the ache is back, and more intense, and localized to the fifth metatarsal.  At this point I start to get concerned about how it could affect my run.  So, every 15 minutes or so I stop to rub it gently.  About mile 95ish I take some Advil and just start praying it will take the edge off and allow me to get started on the run.

Try as I may, my training rides and workouts always seem to be spot on both in watts and cadence (courtesy of a fabulous CycleOps Power Beam Pro trainer), but the race day ride of joy eludes me still.  I had originally hoped to be off the bike in seven hours.  I am truly disappointed in the 7:38, but still feel strong overall and looking forward to getting on the run.

T2:  I roll into transition thinking of my cushy running shoes and a lightweight sun visor.  I hand off my bike who I actually did NOT curse nor I say that anyone who wanted her could take her home.  I take that as a positive sign.  Surprise!  It is really painful to walk.  I discover that walking is not going to be as easy as I thought, and my foot is quite "vocal" in its reminder that it is indeed attached to my leg.  I hobble to the tent; put my ankle support back on; slip into my running shoes (felt a tiny bit of relief); grab my race belt, hand held hydration, a flask of Honey Stinger gel, visor; and limp out towards the run course.  I see Shannon (Mark McNees), Big Sexy Steve Watson, IMFL Camper Richard Cables, and a few other Tallahassee peeps near the end of the exit chute and my spirits are lifted a fair bit.

The Run (5:34:12)

This is where I am typically the strongest.  I am totally capable of a 4:15 off the bike if not better.  This is not to be the case this day.  With a 97 degree starting temperature, and a foot that I would have gnawed off at that point, my goal is to run 2:30 minutes and walk 30 seconds for as much of the run as I could, knowing that I would walk through the aid stations and walk some of the hills.

My parents, sister, General Super Sherpa (Neil Snyder), Carla, and The Best Training Partner Ever are less than 1/2 mile from the exit chute, under a bridge in the shade.  I stop (again) for some spirit-lifting hugs.  Jamie has iced arm coolers and a neck cooler waiting for me.  I nearly cry they feel so good.  My Momma tells me she doesn't care, she is going to slow me down and hug me.  My Daddy, who is usually far from demonstrative and emotional, hugs me tight and tells me he is “so proud of me, I'm doing great.”  Then I am off running up the hill to truly begin the marathon.

This is about mile(s) 7 and 19 ish.  On the RiverWalk.

With the exception of the 3-4ish mile section along the Amnicola Highway, this is truly a nice, scenic run.  I would definitely run it as a stand alone marathon, and it is highly likely I'll run it off the bike in the future.  ;-)  Several miles are run on the RiverWalk on the eastern levee/bluff of the Tennessee River.  I can't think of anything better than watching the sun as it went down across the river.  It was beautiful and distracted me for a short time from the pain in my foot.  Just before mile 8, as the route crosses to the west side of the river, Neil, Carla, and Jamie are waiting for me.  Jamie hands me three more Advil knowing that I'm about to head into the "hills" and they are not to be scoffed at.  Trust me.  I knew they were coming, and I/we had intentionally trained on some hills that otherwise would have been avoided.  The crowd support here, even late on a Sunday evening, is wonderful.  Sprinklers, industrial size fans, "free ice", and music are plentiful and welcomed by this girl.  There is a section of out-and-back where you can see friends, teammates, and other competitors as they finish the loop and head back over the river.  I see a few of the Big Sexies here (Jason Tucker, Christy Martin, Jessica Boudreaux) and other friends from Tallahassee finishing their first loop.

Crossing back over the river to begin the 2nd Loop

After running through the "hills" and golf course neighborhood, the route runs you BACK over the river on a fantastic "no motor vehicles allowed" bridge.  There are tons of people here cheering, and a sizeable gathering of Tallahassee friends cheering as I head into the Special Needs area.  I spy Sandy Johnson and ask how Charlie finished.  He got the Kona slot!!!  I fist bump her and keep moving.  I head into Special Needs to grab my refill bottle and see my dear friend and fellow Big Sexy Ed.  That made for three Rusk Family sightings so far (Britta was in the the women's area both times when I got to T1 and T2.  Thank the Stars!).  He hugs me, finds my bag, takes my bag, and "pushes" me back onto the course for the second loop.  Jamie, Carla, and Neil are waiting just a short distance outside Special Needs and I get three more desperately needed hugs.   

The second loop of the run is a "wash, rinse, repeat" type situation.  The only thing better about the second time around is that the sun has set, and the weather has turned "cool."  And by "cool" I mean below 90 degrees.  I am staying true to my hydration and fueling plan, and am really not any more fatigued than an Ironman day would predict.  Just before crossing the river for my second "look" at the hills and golf course, I get my last on-the-course hugs from Carla and Jamie.  I apologize (again) for how long they have been outside waiting.  I felt badly all day for my "posse" and the heat that they had endured to be my support.  Neil sneaks the opportunity to run beside me for a short while.  He takes one look at me and says, "I can tell by the look on your face you have this in the bag.  You look strong.  Get after it."  That is all I need.  One more vote of confidence, and I am off for the final 5.5 miles.

One mile from the finish, my long time running partner Shannon is waiting for me along with a group of Gulf Wind Triathletes (TJ Devliger, Tanya Devliger, Mike Burns to name a few).  She steps up beside me and run/walks (mostly walks) with me until the route directs me down to the finish area.  I knew she would be there as promised.  And, I welcome her company as I am just about empty at that point.  As I am crossing back to the Finish Line side of the river, I can see and HEAR the finish area.  I had ignored it on the first loop so as to NOT get psyched out or down about how hot and slow I felt.  I make the last turn down hill to the finish chute knowing that I will run the remaining distance and hope to pick up momentum as I do.  I high-five people along the barricades, and truly think I am smiling when I get there.  "Hands Up!  Smile on my face!  There will be cameras..."  It's what I tell all my athletes about every finish line.  I see Big Sexy Jason Ball on the fence cheering for me, and I run straight into the arms of Ed who has been waiting to be my personal Catcher.  A friendly face was the best part of the finish.  No kidding.

Ed Rusk - Catcher Extraordinaire

The Finish (14:39:05):  

 

Ed puts my medal (another great piece by Ashworth Awards) around my neck, holds me upright while another volunteer removes my chip and brings me my finisher shirt and cap.  Another volunteer hands me a bottle of water - open - and yet another gives me a recovery drink.  Ed fills me in on how all of the other Big Sexies have done or are doing, and we chat about the day for what seems like 15-20 minutes.  I know now that it was really only 5 or so.  I begin looking for Jamie and see Carla just outside the fenced off athlete only area.  I know Jamie must be near by.  I walk out, hardly noticing my foot, but limping obviously enough that Carla orders me and Jamie to immediately head back to the hotel while she and Neil retrieve all my gear.  I call the #SuperSherpaSpouse from Jamie's phone and hear all of the wonderful things he has to say about the day and the unusual conditions I have battled.

Jamie and I walk back towards the hotel, chatting non-stop.  She has all the scoop on how the group from Tallahassee is doing and how her swim went.  Once back in the hotel, we both quickly shower and then I jump into the NormaTec boots that have made the trip and that we have both been using every day.  Lots of water, a "splash" of WoopWoop Cabernet, and nearly a bag of sweet potato chips later I feel pretty normal.  Tired, but normal.

So many people and groups were a part of this day.  It was not the day I had planned, but it was closer to the day I could manage with the conditions and challenges thrown at me.  It is a PR in the sense that it was a 144.6 distance versus the 140.6 distance.  Yes.  I will do another (and probably several others) 140.6 event.  Without the HUGE involvement of the Big Sexy Racing Team and their sponsors (including Chili's Bar and Grill and EPOCH Universal) days like this would not be possible for me.  The incredible support of these organizations is paramount to the success of the Team.  We (and I) could not do it without them.  Thank you.  Over, and Over and Over again.

Post 144.6 (IMChattanooga) post of Gratitude #1

Originally published on FaceBook (28 September 2016)

It's long and somewhat sappy. Keep scrolling if you like. I won't be offended.

My Family: both near, far, blood, extended and by association: Without a doubt I would not have made it to any of the four 140.6 starting lines without the ENDLESS, unconditional, support of my family - ALL of them.

My husband (Mike): who "hardly never says, 'N0' " to anything I want to do and yet somehow manages to still let me get in all my workouts while completing his own training and sanity maintenance.

My Boys (Colin): who understand just how important it is to me to continue in this " stupid crazy business" of the full iron distance triathlon and refill my bottles, drive next to me in the car or on their bikes, or even sometimes run with me.

My Parents (Gary and Mary Kay) and Bonus Parents: who, again, hardly "never say, 'No' " to the crazy things I undertake; who fly/travel all over the world (essentially) to be there when I start and finish; and who love me even when I frustrate them to no end and the circumstances are less than ideal.

The BEST TRAINING PARTNER EVER (Jamie and her wife): who is never nauseous by the number of "matchy matchy" things we own; who trains beside me both virtually and literally no matter what the workout or conditions and then goes all the way to the race to support, cheer, and sherpa despite her own injury and rehab.

The Awesomest Friend/Substitute Dad (Neil): Neil, your dad has been a wonderful source of inspiration, encouragement, and reality checks like no other. Thank you for sharing him and trusting him to my family. We love him, value him, and have pretty much completely adopted him. ;-)

My coach and mentor (Marci and Chuck): who put up with what has go to be the highest maintenance athlete on the planet; answering texts and e-mails at all hours, trouble-shooting everything from nutrition to moving and restructuring workouts to fit an ever evolving life to talking me off more than one really high ledge.

My athletes (Neil (Neil), Shelley, Jason, Katie, Cheryl, Jackie, Christy, Shelby, Jennifer, Eric, David, and Marcia): who put up with a coach who occasionally checks out mentally and who support me completely in my endeavors as well as each others' endeavors.
The SEXIEST team on the planet (Big Sexy Racing, Chris, Erika): who all understand my sometimes over enthusiastic love for the team in its totality, the ebbs and flows of my team interactions, and yet accept me for them no questions asked; who travel to train with me, race with me, chat with me, and "catch" me at the finish line.

This "crazy stupid" path we have chosen is not an easy one to follow. Without each other I believe we would be much less successful than we are together. And for your presence and involvement in my life I am beyond grateful.

It's On Like Donkey Kong ... Less than 100 days

When reviewing the calendar, I was astonished to discover that Ironman Chattanooga is less than 100 days away.  I've added a countdown clock to the blog so "we can all freak out" for the same reason.

I'm not sure there is anything else to add.  "It's on like Donkey Kong!"

A Selfish Reason to Race?

I have often said that "Forty is where things started to get really good."  I got a bit more comfortable being me.  My running took off.  I have run Boston - twice; achieved "Streaker" status at the Breast Cancer Marathon - #RunDonna.  And ... I found Triathlon.  As I near fifty, I can only imagine how much better things can be.

 

I haven't "raced" triathlon at a level worth calling competitive since I kind of fell into the sport as "support and sherpa" for my older son, the one I refer to as #KonaKid.  He started in youth tris and then jumped headlong at the age of 12 into "adult sprints."  I followed along because I was a "momma hen" and didn't want my baby chick on the road with all those scary grown up athletes.  It wasn't long before he had proven that he could hold his own and make those "scary" grown ups chase him down in order to beat him at the finish line.  Yes, I have some great finish line stories.

In the early years:  2008 - 2010, I would wait on the beach (forfeiting a finish time) for my Boy to get out of the water, and then off we would run to T1 for the rest of the race.  At that time, I could beat him on the bike and get a decent lead on the run.  He always caught me on the run.  #LittleSnot  He always placed high enough in his age group to qualify for USAT Age Group National Championships, but was not able to participate due to age rules at the time.  

Not too long after, once I knew he was good on the course, I actually began participating in the entire event.  Eventually, I swam a little; finagled a somewhat decent bike; and worked a bit on running off the bike.  I did one sprint.  Then I jumped to 70.3.

2013, a year after my first 70.3 ("half ironman"), the bar was raised significantly by my #KonaKid when he raced his first and second 70.3 within 2.5 months of each other and both under five hours.  The announcer at the finish line of his second 70.3 (Ironman Honu 70.3) called him a "Brat" and the grandparents immediately dubbed him #HonuBrat.  A few hours later at "slot rolldown" he was on his way to Kona for the Ironman World Championship.  Four months later, October 2013, he was the youngest competitor on the Ironman World Championship stage.  In 2014 he raced in the USAT Age Group National Championship securing a place on Team USA for the 2015 ITU World Championships.  It was a busy three years for him.

A couple of months ago my #ChooCrew training partner and I decided to add a challenge to our season with a late season 70.3 at the USAT Long Course National Championships. My thought process was I have a slim chance of maybe, just maybe, qualifying for Team USA and the ITU Long Course World Championships than I do at qualifying for the ITU International/Olympic Distance World Championships.  

The notification that I qualified for USAT Age Group National Championships was a welcome pat on the back, despite knowing beforehand that I would not go to Omaha, Nebraska.  And, it brought out the "honest realization" that my desire to race the LCNats was more than somewhat selfish.  I wanted to be able to say that my Boy was not the only Abbey to qualify to race on the world stage.  Is it wrong?  Probably so.  Does it lessen my desire to go and possibly garner a spot on Team USA?  No.  Will I lay off the intensity of my training?  Nope.  My coach would NEVER allow that.  Am I looking forward to a new type of race atmosphere?  Definitely.  Racing in a different country?  You bet.  But, that is later.  For now, one thing at a time.  Ironman Chattanooga.  Then, USAT LC Nats.

Simple 70.3 Nutrition Strategies (by Lance Watson)

While this is written (and published) by LifeSport coach Lance Watson, it is pretty dog gone spot on to what I reinforce with all my athletes.  And, quite frankly, sometimes an outside, neutral third party validates what "your" coach has been saying all along.  Some things that are always to be considered and/or personalized are fluid ounces intake, sodium and potassium intake, protein to carbohydrate ratios.

Thank you to LifeSport Coaching for publishing this, and allowing me to share it with those who might not otherwise see it.

The aim for a bike leg of any (Ironman) 70.3 is to propel you strongly to the start of the run. The aim of the run is have enough fuel left in your body to show off your fitness. If you have practiced sound nutrition over the 56 miles of riding, you will be able to begin the run in great condition and complete the 13.1 miles with minimal slowing down.

The sport nutrition products supplied on the course do not necessarily guide your choice of calories. You can train with those products in the months before the race to test them. Most athletes work with the product that suits their stomach and do not cause GI distress.

Note that calorie absorption and heart rate are inversely related. As you start to exercise blood is diverted from your stomach to your working muscles and skin to sweat and help cool you. As your heart rate rises, you are less able to digest the calories you ingest. Therefore your race day nutrition plan is intimately bound to your racing heart rate. Make sure you show up to the race knowing your race intensity zones and having practiced eating at those heart rates! The most common mistake is to consume too much at a high heart rate. If your heart rate is up, adjust your calorie intake downward. Also, do what you've been doing in training - don't try anything new on race day!

When preparing your race day plan you should take the following guidelines into account:

Pre Race

1. Breakfast on race day should be similar to training days. Stick primarily with carbohydrates, a little protein, and minimal fats. Toast and jam, a banana, oatmeal, PowerBar (insert energy bar of choice), and Carbohydrate electrolyte drinks are popular choices. Some will have egg or peanut butter for protein. Some athletes prefer a shake. If you have a coffee on training days, have a coffee on race day.
2. Finish breakfast 2-3hrs before race start to give yourself time to digest.
3. In the 2hrs before the race, sip water and/or a Carbohydrate electrolyte drink.
4. Some athletes will take a PowerGel (insert energy gel of choice) prior to race start.

Bike

1. Starting the bike - For the first 5-10 minutes of the bike, drink water and take in minimal calories, mainly in the form of a sports drink. Let your body adjust to cycling, and let your heart rate drop down. Then start eating when you have settled into a good cycling rhythm. Follow the plan you've trained with all season, do nothing new on race day.
2. From 10 minutes after the bike start to 10 minutes prior to the bike finish eat 200-350 carbohydrate calories per hour, regardless of source. Larger or muscular athletes tend to need more calories. For instance, PowerGel = 110 cal; PowerBar = 200 cal; Carbohydrate electrolyte drink = 100 cal. Bigger athletes need more calories. Some athletes can digest more than others. Test it in training.
3. Drink 1 to 1.5 litres (33-50oz) of fluid per hour (water and Carbohydrate electrolyte drink combined). This is approximately 2 small bottles to 2 large bottles per hour, depending on climate and your personal perspiration rate. A training tip is to weigh yourself pre- and post ride.  Every 1 pound lost is 1 small water bottle of fluid deficit, and will negatively impact your half marathon performance.
4. Set your watch alarm(s) to remind you to eat and drink regularly.
5. A simple plan would be to eat a gel every 30 min (~200 cal per hour) and a bottle of sports drink per hour (100 cal per hour). Sip water throughout with the gel. You will need to take up to 10oz of water per gel.
6. The products you use should also provide the following minerals/electrolytes, which will help you absorb your drink into your blood stream, and avoid cramping. Recommended sodium intake is 500-750mg/litre (33oz) - for example, one PowerGel has 200mg Sodium, 20mg Potassium, and 90mg Chloride. 1 litre (33oz) of Carbohydrate electrolyte drink has approximately 200-400mg of sodium.
7. If the products you choose or those provided on the course do not supply the recommended amount of electrolyte you should consider using additional supplementation. As with all other products, you should practice their use in training prior to the race.
8. 10 minutes prior to bike finish you should reduce your calorie intake and only take in sports drink or water. This allows your stomach to empty while still allowing your gut to absorb the food and fluid ingested earlier on the bike. You will be able to start the run in a relatively comfortable state. Once you start the run you can start consuming calories again according you your run nutrition plan.

Run

1. Wait 5-10 minutes into the run until your heart rate levels off before starting your nutrition/hydration regime.
2. Often athletes’ heart rates are higher on the run than the bike. If this if the case, calorie consumption should be 15-30% lower per hour than on the bike.
3. Many athletes find liquid calories easier to digest on the run, in the form of Carbohydrate electrolyte drink or cola. It is also common to eat PowerGels on the run.
4. Follow a similar hydration protocol to the bike. Make sure that you get as much from the cup to your mouth as possible. Fold the paper cups to help control spilling.
5. If you are running 7:30/mile, you will hit approximately 4 aid stations per hour, if they are spaced at 1 per mile. A goal is to drink 2 paper cups of liquid per aid station.
6. If you are still running well, calories and drink taken with 1 mile to go will not impact your race, so you may skip the last aid station, with the exception of pouring some water on your head, or rinsing your mouth.

Nutrition for 70.3 deserves as much thought and planning as the rest of your ‘physical’ training.  You should develop a plan and practice it repeatedly in training to ensure that you finish the bike leg with energy left and set yourself up for a great run. Your nutrition plan is unique to you. It assumes that you have determined your own calorie requirements, and you know your digestive capabilities.

LifeSport head coach Lance Watson has coached a number of Ironman, Olympic and age-group Champions over the past 28 years. He enjoys coaching athletes of all levels.

For A Life Time of Service - Thank You

I don't get to "brag on" my husband much, because quite frankly he gets put off by it. However, I know that I have a pretty good number of law enforcement officers, fire fighters, first responders, and military personnel as friends team mates this year, and it's a "brag on" each and every one of them as well.  Fifteen years ago my #SuperSherpaSpouse was nominated for the "Officer of the Year" award by the Committee of 99 - Tallahassee.  He was runner up that year to one of his best friends in law enforcement.  Over the years he has been recognized here and there for projects he has initiated, "bravery in the line of duty," training, mentoring, and the like.

photo credit:  https://colinsphotos.wordpress.com/

Last night he was awarded the Lifetime Career Service Achievement Award (for nearly 27 years of "in your face" law enforcement) by the Committee of 99.  He was in room filled with friends, family, and previous winners who have mentored, trained, taught, and dragged him along through the years.  To say that he was shocked is an understatement.  I could not be more proud of the career he has lived day in and day out since 1989.  It is truly a testimony to his character and attitude of being a servant leader.

My point is this:  to all of you who put your lives on the lines every single day for a thankless, down in the gutter profession - which I truly believe is a CALLING and not a job - thank you.  I know that the awards are nice, and that they boost you up when you have had a lousy day; but in the end they do not affect the job you do or how you do it and how you will continue to serve your communities.  Thank you.  Truly.

"At the end of every shift - every single one - come home BEHIND your shield and not on top of it."

Left to Right:  Captain Lawrence Revell, TPD; City Manager Ricardo Fernandez, City of Tallahassee; Lieutenant Michael Abbey, TPD; Officer Jason Ravenel, TPD; Chief of Police Michael DeLeo, TPD; Deputy Chief Darryl Furuseth, TPD

Training Partners or "Accountabili-buddies"?

There's this girl, woman really, who's been on the periphery of my training circle for many years.  In more recent times we have become better friends with quite a lot in common as it so happens.  Our families have grown closer, and during the course of the last several months we have become fairly dedicated training partners.  (Another friend of mine would call us "Accountabili-buddies")  Having been an early morning - read before dawn - runner for many, many years prior to the silliness of triathlon, I find it easiest to kick start my day by getting my work out "in the books."  She has NOT been an early morning person, and frequently reminds me of that at 5:20 a.m. as we stand on the pool deck me having already had my first LARGE cup of coffee and Facebook fix and her ... well, not so much.  However, by the end of the workout she is, in her coach's words, "down right chipper."

We often seek our respective coach's approval to modify or reschedule a workout so that we can do them together either literally or virtually.  Just ask her about the "Crazy Brick" day.  Wow!  That is one virtual workout neither of us is likely to soon forget.  ;-)  We have planned races and training camps together so as to maximize our efforts towards a common goal:  Ironman Chattanooga 2016.  Both of us being experienced IronWomen know that solo 140.6 training can be lonely, isolating, and sometimes downright depressing.  We have put some spark in our training by adding in fun when we can.  Sometimes it is a race that falls in the middle of a long training run.  Other times it's a not so exciting Friday Night Pizza gathering.  We have begun calling ourselves the #ChooCrew and have given ourselves matching swimsuits complete with #ChooCrew2016 monogramming.

There is a regular stream of text messages that are more often than not training related.  However, there are the conversations that discuss the ups and downs of our careers, what's for dinner, the new movie that was just released, and what our Boys are doing. While we do not train side-by-side every workout, or even every day, we do keep each other up-to-date in that text stream with what we did and what we maybe were SUPPOSED to have done.  The give and take is very even, and I believe that both of us will have a one of a kind race season that can only lead to even greater and fabulous things beyond 2016.  Accountability breeds transparency which, in our unique partnership, means that we can push each other knowing fully that in our two different age groups (and 10 year gap in age) we are setting the stage for success.

Building Athletes and Finding Finish Lines

Last year ended extremely well, athletically speaking:  a PR in the 140.6 distance, a third invitation to the best amateur team out there - Big Sexy Racing, a second "c'mon over" by Honey Stinger to bee in the 2016 Hive, and a couple of new opportunities to be a bit more involved with a couple of product lines that I have liked and utilized for several years now.

As 2015 drew to a close and 2016 dawned anew, I submitted an application to CycleOps (owned by the Saris Cycling Group) to become one of their Brand Ambassadors.  I knew the number chosen was going to be small, and I really did not think much more about it.  The first week in February, true to the application information, the Ambassadors were announced, and I was among them.  We are only about a month into the "life" of this group, and the training and communication thus far are exceptional.  I am pleased to say that the three brands (PowerTap, CycleOps, Saris Racks) are all products that I can fully get behind and am proud to say that I currently own and use, or will very shortly.  With that successful addition to the training and coaching arsenal, I thought I would take a chance on applying with my all time favorite compression gear company:  CEP Compression (MEDI USA).  Again, with athletes such as Meb Keflezighi, Michelle Vesterby, and Andy Potts on their roster why oh why would they add a "stay-at-home-mom-turned-legal-assistant-turned-age-group-ironman" to their list?  But, they did.  And, my excitement for 2016 then hit a new all time high.

It was as I was chatting with one of my friends and athletes the other night, a little bit of reality sank back in.  She told me that when she trains her driving force is me.  She said, "I want you to see me at the finish line and think, 'I built that.  I created this athlete.' "  But, that's not the point.  I tried to explain to her that it's not MY finish line she is looking for, it's hers.  It is her life she is reclaiming.  Her inner turmoil she is over-coming.  Her demons she is slaying.  I'm just there as a guide; a voice of reason; a reminder (sometimes not so gentle) of what needs to be done to get to the finish line.

I have no desire to be the reason OR excuse for any one's success or failure.  As a coach, I repeatedly tell athletes that I am merely a guide, resource, tool in their tool belt on THEIR JOURNEY to the finish line.  I remind them that I can offer them all of the necessary tools, but I cannot do the work for them.  If they choose to not do the work, it is on them.  However, in that process I will be their strongest advocate, loudest cheerleader, and most single-minded person for their success they know.  Thus, I am constantly amazed, surprised, and in awe of what hurdles can be leaped on the way to success.

I am excited to reap the benefits of working with some of the absolutely most fabulous products available to endurance athletes world wide.  I am anxious to see what my friends, athletes, and BSR team mates "throw down" this year in training and on the race course.  I greet each sunrise with a renewed sense of hope and anticipation for what the day holds.  

You are only promised today:  grab it with both hands and make it yours.