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.

It's Not the Gear - It's the Machine

I must have said it a "hundred bajillion" times to athletes and friends, "It's not the fancy gear you own or wear.  It's the way you train and the engine inside you."  Yep.  I've said it.  I've believed it - as the owner of a 1998 Quintana Roo Kilo (aluminum and steel frame) - I have pretty much lived the saying.  But, until today I didn't ever feel that I had fallen prey to the saying.

Yes.  I was given/gifted/permanently loaned a tri bike in 2008ish (maybe 2010ish) that I have loved and cherished and ridden in ever triathlon since then.  For Christmas this past year, my ever supportive and #SuperSherpaSpouse gave me a BRAND NEW CARBON FRAME Quintana Roo Dulce.  I LOVE her!  She is my #PinkPanther and I truly enjoy riding her.  Flash forward from Christmas, through three what-I-thought-were-good-productive training months to the season opener:  Red Hills Sprint Triathlon.

Top:  1998 Kilo - Bottom:  2014 Dulce

Unlike last year, I actually swam in the off season (like about 20 times in the month of December), but only 5 times and two open water swims in the last few weeks leading up to race day.  This year I swam in a sleeveless wet suit and I am pleased with my decision.  The water was just a tad warmer than last year, and I really did feel better prepared.  I should, however, maybe have started a bit further up in the pack so as to not swim over/around so many people.  Net time difference:  18 seconds slower over the 1/3 mile swim course.  I'm okay with that.  T1 - 19 seconds FASTER this year.  Yippee!  Now for the bike...

We added a CycleOps PowerBeam Pro to our training pain cave in January and I have used it for every trainer ride since.  I have previously trained based on perceived effort, heart rate, and cadence with solid results.  So, being honest, I have used the PowerBeam with the power meter engaged about 1/3 of the time.  The ride FELT GREAT!  I felt strong, and fast, and ready to throw down when I got to T2.  Hold on there, Skippy!  Reality check:  for all that great feeling and perceived fastness:  I was 2:29 slower this year.  What!  Whaaaaat?  Brand new carbon bike?  Kit that fits like a lambskin glove, and I'm SLOWER?  Dang it... 

Into T2... and out the gate in 12 seconds less than 2014.  Okay.  Things are looking up again.  I might be able to pull off a run time that I can be pleased with.

Run:  UP hill out of T2 (and T1 by the way).  I'm feeling pretty good, not great, but good.  When I am huffing and puffing in that darn asthmatic manner that only I can produce.  Yay!  Stop and walk and use the inhaler.  Suck it all in and move on.  The run is hilly and just over one half is trails - which for those of us with weak and cranky ankles is NO FUN!  But, methodical picking of one's path can lead to an injury free run.  This year's run was 2:35 slower (again with the slow) and I have no explanation except that breathing is a good thing to do when running.  That's it.  My training runs had been super, and even my "shake up" brick the day before with my son was faster but felt relaxed and smooth.

Now for the take-away:  I am in my late forties (not looking for pity), and I came to this sport truly only 7ish years ago, and only approached it seriously in the last 3 years. I am an asthmatic with allergies that are not always predictable.  I work full time, have two part-time jobs, in addition to being married for nearly 25 years and the mother of two high energy, top competitors in their own age groups.  I am BLESSED to be able to get up each morning and CHOOSE to train and have a family to love and an employment situation with all the benefits.  I have friends and colleagues with whom to share experiences and ideas, and athletes to assist and guide through their own journey to success.  It is apparent that there is work to be done, and be done it will.  I am nothing if not determined once I see what is required to meet the chosen goal(s).

For all of my negative "self speak" and down-playing of what I may or may not have accomplished, today was a wonderful day on Easter Weekend to be outside doing one, okay three, of the things I truly love best with friends, family, and people from my home town.  I can't be any happier than to pack my things up out of Transition and put my #PinkPanther in the car and go home to the family who loves me.

Happy Easter!  HE is Risen!

It's Open Season

2015 TRIATHLON Season

Day One:  2 hour trainer ride (including warm up and cool down) at 90-100 rpm cadence, 18-23 mph, total of 38.49 miles

Day Two:  55 min recovery ride - 90 rpm, 18 mph averages

In Florida, people often assume that there is no "off" season when it comes to training or triathlon.  However, I'm here to tell you, that for me, there are two "off" seasons:  those 10 days to two weeks immediately following a 140.6 race and the week following the last (yes, sometimes there are more than one) spring marathon.  I take a lot of comfort in those weeks/days off from structured if any training.  I don't mind at all sleeping past 4:15 a.m.  In fact, I really kind of enjoy it.

Unless I am going to Boston in April, I like to "open" my triathlon training season on March 1.  It allows me some "ease back into the racing scene" time with a couple of my favorite 10K events, and it gives me more than ample time to ramp up to a 70.3 that I like on Mother's Day Weekend.  Recently, it has also given me a solid five weeks of "get it together" training for the local season opening race, Red Hills Sprint Tri, the first Saturday of April.  In all honesty, I like the intensity of sprint training, but I really enjoy the regimen of the 70.3 training schedule.  So, like some sort of freak, I look forward to March 1 for more than the all important time change.

This year, I am NOT going to Boston for the 119th running of the Boston Marathon.  Yes, I'll miss being there, but I'm totally okay with the other plans that will take its place on the travel and race calendar this year:  ITU World Age Group Championship in Chicago this September; and a third trip to Wilimington, North Carolina, for Beach2Battleship where I hope to break 12 hours on a 140.6 course. 

Granted, we are only in Day Two, but I have high hopes for the next 8 months.  I am anxiously awaiting what the season holds in store and what it will undoubtedly throw at me.  All I can say is...

Bring it!  I'm waiting.

Let's do this!

Full Time Job - Full Time Mom - Full Time Ironman

I’ve been an “athlete” for going on 12 years now.  I began running in 2002 just having turned 35 and with a 17 month old son.  Many of you know that I started running (again…regularly) with a life-long friend of mine who had been told by her sister “it was time to get back in shape” and that she should do so by running.  But, not just any running, she should target a half marathon.  Yep, that somewhat magical 13.1 number.  She called me early that November and gave me the run down, and said she needed my help:  to be her training partner.  I hemmed and hawed and told her that I was a Mountain Biker (you can stop laughing now) and I HATED running.  Needless to say, the next day I went out and bought running shoes.  It’s pretty much been “full on” since then.

I’ve run, and run, and run some more.  Once upon a time, I said I “never wanted to run a marathon.”  Well, “never” is a very, very, very long time.  And then along came 26.2 with Donna:  The Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer the same year I turned 40.  Kaboom!  Sure, I’ll run a marathon to celebrate my fortieth birthday AND to recognize all those I knew who had been touched by breast cancer.  But, wait, first let me mentor the marathon group of the North Florida Chapter of Team In Training and run the Goofy Challenge a month beforehand.  Can you say, “Not the brightest bulb in the box?”  That was 2008.  So, I kept running, and bought a road bike so I could add some cross training.  In 2009, I followed the same schedule of madness:  Goofy in January followed by “Donna” in February.  That makes FOUR marathons in about 14 months’ time.  Along about October of 2009 I thought I might have it in me to attempt the elusive BQ.  Now, I wasn’t sure that I could actually qualify for Boston, but I had the time to train properly and some awesome people to train with so I went for it.  In February, 2010, at the Tallahassee Marathon I nailed that BQ time on my first attempt.  My husband and sons were at the finish line along with my training partners.  It was a “mountain top” kind of moment.  Since that first BQ I have qualified for the Boston Marathon 3 times, and run it twice.

Pre-Race Transition Set-Up:  Red Hills Triathlon 2010

My older son had been dabbling in triathlon for a couple of years at this point.  2010 was his third year racing Tallahassee's very own Red Hills Sprint Triathlon, and his father completed his first triathlon of any distance at the same event.  I had begun participating in the shorter distance triathlons because I needed something to do while I waited for Colin to finish.  I found it fun in the summer, but not something that I wanted to devote myself to on a full time training level.  Then along came another friend…

This friend has a bucket list.  Her bucket list includes finishing an “iron distance” triathlon.  You all know that one:  2.4 mile swim, 112 mile ride, 26.2 run.  INSANE!  CRAZY!  Stooooopid!  So not what I had ever considered, thought about, or planned.  Thank God for a great coach, a relative healthy and injury-free body, and an extremely understanding and supportive husband.  We started training a week after the Breast Cancer Marathon with a target race in October.  Last year when I trained for that first 140.6 event I was blessed with the good fortune of being able to train “long” whenever the schedule said to do so.  I had a job that allowed me to put in 2-3 hours of training on a daily basis if need be.  In retrospect, even with the inclusion of 1 or 2 off days, I feel like I was always tired.  Always hungry.  And always tight or sore to some degree … All. The. Time.  Flash forward to race day:  I finished in almost exactly what I predicted putting in a solid day on the race course.  When I woke up the next morning I was tired and hungry, yes.  But, I was not sore or broken.  It seems that the training, my nutrition, and my recovery had been spot on the entire 32 weeks.  Whew.

Beach2Battleship 2013 - 2nd Loop on the run course

That was 2013.  This is 2014 and it’s a “whole new world.”  In January I took on a new job that mandates the traditional Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. schedule.  2-3 hour workouts during the week are not an option.  Well, I suppose they could be if I got out of bed every morning at 3:00 a.m. in order to be finished by 6:30 to be out the door to work by 7:25 a.m.  Riiiiiiiight.  That’s going to happen.  NOT!  What does happen is a 60-90 minute workout before work with a 45-60 minute swim three evenings a week after work.  The other evolution is that very few “off days” exist.  For example, if today calls for a “mid-long” brick (90 minutes or longer), the bike leg is today and the run is tomorrow.  And the workouts move out by one day accordingly.  Thus, the off days are almost always eliminated.  Is this going to work?  I’m not sure yet.  However, I can tell you that the soreness rating has been lowered by a degree or two (I wonder why…HA!), and I don’t feel as if I am always starving.  I will be interested to see how the change in approach affects performance on race day.  And, I am anxious to see if overall recovery is as speedy as last year.  

2014 has brought with it a lot of changes.  Not just in careers, but in community and team involvement.  I have been a member of the 2014 Big Sexy Amateur Racing team and thoroughly enjoying my time on the team.  The team has afforded me the opportunity to meet and race with great new people; to test out some new products; and work with some fabulous athletes.  I hope that trend will continue into 2015.  ;-)

2013 Ironman World Championship - Finish Area

I can tell you that it is possible to train for the “iron” distance without alienating your family; nodding off at your desk; or falling asleep in your dinner and really making your spouse unhappy.  However, I am reserving judgment on what kind of outcome this approach to training will produce on race day.  All I can say is, “So far, so good.”  See you at the finish line.

Red Hills Tri: Florida's Toughest Sprint

"In the beginning..."  I had thought and planned that if I could "go" 1:40 that would be a great first time finish on that course. If I could get close to the Master's time that would be sweet. Anything in between totally acceptable.  

The day begins waaaaay early because #KonaKid wants the end place on the rack and the gates open at 5:00 am. Sheesh.  We are four cars back when the gates open. Body marking, chips, rack placement no problem. Irony-he gets assigned a middle rack and I get an end spot. LMBSAO. Then it's time to chill, snack, and get off my middle-aged legs for a while. 

Dancing my way to the "fun" side of Tri ...
and out of Transition for the swim start.

This is my first time here as a participant (Colin has been racing it since 2008), but it felt like a reunion of sorts. Once I'm awake, I do love the early morning camaraderie and fun.  Lots and lots of friends here including guys who trained with Colin in 2008 for his first Red Hills.

Here is probably a great place to say, "Thank you" to Champion Systems for a comfortable and well-fitting kit (although I still prefer a kids' size short); Headsweats for my favorite visors of all time; Newton Running - I've been a Newtonite since before they were the cool kids on the block; and Big Sexy (I'm not sure what you were thinking when you added me to the team, but "I'm here....").

Transition closes.  Now sheathed in neoprene, we waddle to the lake shore for a brief acclimation and warm up swim. I'm fairly relaxed because I have "swim strategy." I know my asthma could attack me at any time. My inhaler is in my wet suite sleeve just in case. The swim waves are lining up and I hope to see Colin get out before I start. The day will good for him if he is out of the water first.  I turn around and see My Main Man/Hubby/Honey on the hill behind the swim start. He has worked a 10 hour shift keeping Tallahassee safe, but still came to the race to see Colin and I finish. Now I'm ready...a kiss and a "good luck" send me to the shore. I check the swimmers coming in and immediately recognize Colin's stroke. Yep! First out. Let's start this party!

That's my Honey.  Always there for me.

I start near the back of the wave even though people are telling me to move up. Nope. I want to PASS people as I settle in, not stress over where I am.  It works like a charm.  Slowly I settle into my stroke and begin to work through he crowd. I'm not fast, but I'm steady, and I can negatively split the swim. I pass a lot of people including men from the previous two waves. I hit the boat ramp at 11:29, not bad for me (1/3 mile) and the transition mats at 11:54 - it's up hill and you're stripping your own wet suit. 

Out of T1 and on the bike ahead if three people that ran past me into T1. It's not my first rodeo. I don't expect to win or place, I just want to be smart. I had set the gears for an uphill start and was very glad to have done so. I've seen people crash 10 feet past the mount line for not planning. Passed four people in the first 200m uphill. My husband and bonus parents said it looked like booster rockets on my bike.  Thank the stars for those big quads   Got out of the state park and kept rolling. My goal on the bike was to NOT get passed. I was successful in that the only person who "net" passed me had played cat and mouse with me for about 8 miles of the course.  I tried to reel her in....she was in my age group. 

I had estimated that with the wave start and my times Colin would be FINISHED by the time I came in off the bike.  He wanted to win, and he was working for it.  At the dismount line into T2 I asked my friend GP Palmer if Colin had won. He said, ""No, third." I proclaimed some bad word in my "outside" voice and kept moving.  T2 was not blazing, but I stayed on my feet. My husband, Mike, was at the run exit and confirmed Colin's finish but added that he had gone a PR time! I felt better. UP that damn hill again for the run. 

Gotta Get My "Big Sexy" on straight.

Most of the first mile is paved, so I'm great here right on my goal pace. Then we get to the trails. The first section of the trail is loose road bedding gravel: a weak ankle's enemy. Slowing down, I pick my way through to the actual trail. It's not too bad. Soft and cushy but rooty (turns out Colin tripped twice out here for the first time), so more caution. Just after mile two I'm back on the pavement and picking up a little speed. Funny, the first and third miles are the hilliest but were my best paced miles. I make the turn to the downhill finish and Mike is right there. He was awesome: tired, exhausted, and I'm sure hot (still in full uniform); but right there for both of us. 

About 100 feet from the finish line

My watch read 1:31:41 when I stopped it. Not great. Not bad. Better than I had planned for.  Good enough for third in my age group. I'll take it. 

GP Petty, Melissa Thompson,
Michael Weyant, Yours Truly

Team Big Sexy had a great showing:  Melissa Thompson won her age group; GP "Crash the Party" Petty took second in his age group and finished 13th Overall.  Michael Weyant was on site as volunteer supremo.

Red Hills "Bling"  Made by local potter Brian Bachman,
 it's unique to the region, and nearly always useful.

I don't know if I'll do this one again. It might be hard to say, "No," since it local. However, make no mistake, it's a challenge. Beginning with a cold, dark, murky water swim, you need courage. The early miles of the bike and one good climb about two miles from T2 can waste your legs before the run. Two uphill-out-of-transition starts test you for sure. The run isn't your typical sprint run: it's not flat, and it's not even all paved. Things to remember in January when registration opens.

Colin #KonaKid #HonuBrat Abbey, Third Overall - 1:08:5

1 Corinthians  9:24-27