3 races, 64.2 miles, lots of fun times!

That's a lot of running!

The focus this winter was trail running.  To help celebrate turning the big 4-0 this year, Bethany was going to sign up for the 50k, so naturally I said I'd run it with her.  (Do I have "SUCKER" tattooed on my forehead?!)  Turns out we were not alone--Lynn and Molly said they wanted to run it too so we had more company and the training was quite fun!

The Richmond Road Runners sponsors two trail runs leading up to Holiday Lake, a 10 miler in early December (Bear Creek) and a 35k (Willis River) in January.  Lots of our friends ran the two as well, so we made weekends out of both races.  Last year was the first time I had run Bear Creek, so I knew the course and what to expect.  This year I finished 15 minutes faster, but I think alot of that time is due to the fact that we didn't get lost in the last 2 miles like last year.  Here's a small sampling of our group prerace: me, Lynn, Bryan, Molly, Bethany, Emmie, and Jill.

Christmas came and went, and soon we were gearing up for the Willis River 35k.  This race starts in the same place as the 10 miler, but runs in the opposite direction.  That other direction must be much lower in elevation, as it was beyond MUDDY.  We're talking suck-the-shoes-off-your-feet muddy.  The course is an out and back, and I felt good up to about mile 15.  Then I got really sick of skirting around all the damn mud.  Molly and I ended up coming into the finish line together; we made the 5 hour cut off and had we wanted to keep going, we could've done the 50k.  No thanks!  I needed a shower, chili, and time in front of the fire.  We had 2 crock pots of chili cooking while we ran, and I can't tell you how delicious it tasted post race!!!  Of course I brought cupcakes.

 Dirty legs!

 Glad to be done: Cindy, Jill, Bethany, Lynn, me, and Molly

 Doggies playing!

 Joey and Lulu Snuggling

Bethany and Jake (Sophie is the brown lump in front)

At the finish of the 35k I couldn't imagine running for another 2+ hours.  I was a bit nervous heading into Holiday Lake, mainly because I didn't know what the course would be like.  I heard there wasn't as much mud and more fire roads.  The four of us doing the race all stayed at a nice B&B in Appomatox not far from the race site.  The state park where the race is held has bunk houses where most people stay--yuck.  We were much more comfy in our carriage house, which had a full kitchen, plenty of hot water, and breakfast on Sunday morning.  Bethany and I drove down together, and pulled in to the B&B just before Molly and Lynn.  We found our rooms, dumped our stuff, ate a quick bite and headed to the packet pick up/race meeting.

This 50k is really well attended by top trail running legends.  There was one guy sitting at our table that the race director introduced--he had just the previous year run ACROSS THE COUNTRY.  The kid is just 23 years old and has written a book about his experience.  Such an amazing accomplishment.  I felt totally out of my league.

Packets picked up, it was time to head home and hop in bed.  I think we were all asleep by 9:30--we were hoping to be in bed much earlier, but that race director likes to talk!  Race morning dawned, blessedly warmer than the 19 degrees originally forecast.  We had all packed umpteen different layers, so were well covered for any possibility.  We got to the race start, checked in, peed, and it was time to go!  It was dark!  The race started at 6:30am, so we're all standing around with headlamps on.  Love the low-key attitude at Holiday Lake--there was no professional singing of the national anthem, so everyone just sang on their own.  Can't say it sounded that great, but it was special in it's own way.  "Ready! Set! Go!" marked the start, and we were all off heading up the hill.

By the first aid station at mile 4 it was warm (about 40 degrees), so we all peeled off some layers and kept going.  An hour in, poor Bethany tripped and really whacked her thigh on some hidden rock.  We walked a bit, chatted her up, and tried to put it behind us.  She is one tough cookie!  Her leg was swollen for the entire race, and she had quite a contusion.  There were definitely fewer hills and less mud than Willis River, so we tootled along well for the first loop.

The last 2ish miles before the turn around, the trail hugs the lake and gets very winding and full of trip hazards.  It was here that Lynn took a bad spill, landing on her shoulder.  Like the Tough Mudder she is, she got up, brushed off, maybe cursed a bit, but kept going.  She was in some serious pain, and coming into the half way point, we could see her shoulder wasn't right. (Turns out she had dislocated her shoulder!)

Bethany's husband Bart and Lynn's boyfriend Mike had come out and were there at the turn around.  I refilled my camelback (made the mistake of adding 2 Nuun's to it--too much!), we all refueled, and headed back out. The weather was getting colder, and the wind had picked up significantly. 

 By mile 21 I was hitting my wall.  We were 5 hours in, and I just was running out of steam.  Bethany and Molly were feeling good, so they kept on, and Lynn hung back and kept me company until mile 28.  We made it to this last aid station with 20 mintues to spare before the cut off.  At this point I was almost hoping not to make it, just so I could be done.  The guys manning the tent, however, pushed food at us, and sent us on our merry way.  Ooof.  Now I was on my own (Lynn ran down Bethany and Molly and they all finished in under 7 hours).  Close to where Bethany fell in the morning, Bart and Mike found me.  Bart was a dear and ran/walked with me for the last 5ish miles.  That last aid station 4 miles out was a turning point for me.  Most of the trail became downhill, and I was able to talk myself into a little 4 mile "recovery run" to get to the end.  I was so glad I finished!  I can't believe I propelled myself, on foot, for over 33 miles!

We celebrated with margaritas and mexican food, and then cupcakes before hitting the sack!  The four of us girls were so hungry the next morning, and while our B&B breakfast was yummy, we could've eaten at least 3 times as much food than what they gave us.  Recovery after that race felt slow--I was super tired all week following that, and even swimming wore me out!  Just 3 weeks later was my next race--the Napa Valley Marathon!  (more on that to come!)

(Sham)rockin' some PRs!

Spring, wherefore art thou?  It's snowing this morning!

I have raced (and PR'd!) the past two weekends (this weekend is a blissfully light one!): a 5k that doubled as a run test, and the Shamrock 1/2 marathon in Virginia beach.  The 5k was a great neighborhood event in Forest Hills that I ran with Sharon, Lynn, Molly and Maddy.  It was "canine friendly," so leashed dogs could run with you, and a nice little one hill course winding through the park.  The hill was a beast though.  My mile splits were roughly a 7:46, 9:15, and 8:30.  Sophie was having a ball, and would've won top dog had I been able to run faster. Pictures show all of us in the background:

I've been biking mostly outside with Bethany, and she's kicking my butt.  She and Bart, along with the Deals, stayed with me at the beach for the half marathon. Shamrock weekend I was totally overbooked-- Friday night I took Maddy and a friend to her then-prospective high school performance of Guys and Dolls; Saturday was the JDRF gala set up and party; and race was Sunday morning at 7am.  Something had to give and it turned out to be the gala.  I'm so glad I didn't go--the kids and I drove to the beach around 4 and met Bart and Bethany at the greek place we like for dinner.  A little schluk of wine back at the beach house and it was bedtime!

Race morning was early, but for whatever reason I didn't hear my alarm go off.  I rolled out of bed at 5:19 and we were due to leave the house at 5:45!  Ack.  Over coffee in the kitchen Bart and I looked at eachother at 5:40 and had a moment's panic--overnight the winds had picked up considerably and we weren't relishing the thought of battling a headwind for the first half of the race.  Down the coffee and jump in the race clothes--weather be damned!  I was putting my shoes on and wondered why my "new" shoes felt so roomy....same socks I normally wear.  I turned on the light to see I had grabbed the wrong shoes.  The ones I brought that had been lying on the floor of my closet weren't the new ones--instead they were over a year old and had absolutely NO liner/insole/orthotic!  Over a quick skype with Joe, I was feeling totally screwed.  Bethany wasn't feeling quite herself either, so we had a mini pity party but we decided quickly that we couldn't not race, so may as well make the best of it.  At that point I was resigned to at least a couple of good sized blisters.

Off we went, speeding toward the Virginia Beach oceanfront.  Parking was going to be a bear, but I showed Bart our secret lot next to a 7-11 that no one knew about.  We gathered up our stuff, kissed Bart goodbye, and headed up to the race start at a nice jog.  WINDY!  We dropped off my post-race bag and lined up for a last pee at the portapotties.  Found Lynn and Sharon and good-luck-hugs all around.  The national anthem was playing while we made our way to the starting corral.  Bethany and I had the same time goal in mind, but given how we were feeling back at the house, we knew it was going to be a mile by mile race to overcome and agreed that if either was "feeling it" to go on ahead.  After standing around for another 5 minutes, it was time to start!

In discussing the race plan with Jen, we agreed that I would start out conservatively.  Build and hold was my mantra.  First three miles I'm always afraid of starting out too fast, or not fast enough... Our mile times were good:  9:25, 9:14, and 9:17.  Right past mile 3, the course turns west as you head to Fort Story and the trees provided some nice wind break.  I felt good.  Bethany told me to go on ahead, so I did.  I knew several runners around me were aiming for about a 2:00 half, so I decided if I could keep my pace steady, hang with them, I'd probably be ok.  The race clock at mile 5 said 47minutes and change, but was from the first gun.  I was doing good!  I vowed not to look at my watch until mile 10--just keep this pace and I should be fine, and don't walk the water stops.  Between mile 7 and 8, the course is right along the beach, and man did it get windy!  I found a tall guy running my pace and I tucked in right behind him and let him break the wind.  I gu'd every 3 miles, and tried to drink a little water in between.  My feet were definitely feeling the rubbing in the shoes but it was nothing horribly unbearable.  My splits for miles 4-10 were 8:47, 9:00, 8:50, 8:46, 8:47, 8:55, and 8:56.

Mile 10 is close to the gate leaving the Fort, and I finally looked at my watch.  I was right at 1:30:00 so I knew then that I was going to make a sub 2 hour half.  I was totally pumped!  At this point I knew I could do it even at a 10 min mile pace, but wanted to be under that 2 hour mark by as much as I had left in me.  The next mile went pretty quick (8:44), but then the fatigue started to settle in and the legs started to hurt.  Mile 12 was a 9:05 and I told myself the faster I ran, the sooner I was done but my legs felt like there was no turnover left.  Halfway through mile 12 you turn back onto the boardwalk and hit the wind again.  One of the race pics taken at this point isn't very flattering of me; I was in pain! That tall guy from mile 7/8 showed up right beside me and told me to push it in.  I asked him to carry me please!  Final mile was a 8:54, and the last .2 miles (I started my watch before crossing the start line) was 1:30.  My official time was 1:57:59--I did it!!! 

Melissa was right behind me, also with a 1:58, and the rest of our peeps came in shortly after that.  We all had great times!!! It was time for a beer!

Nikki was a dear and let the kids sleep in and brought them down post race to the beer tent.  We made it through 2 beers and decided it was time for pancakes!  Oh my legs hurt so bad.  Walking up to Pocahontas Pancake House, the wind was blowing and we cheered for the marathoners running by.  Bart, Bethany, kids and I headed back to the beach house to let the dogs out and take a well deserved nap.  And yes, I did have some pretty gnarly blisters.

This past week I have been in race recovery mode.  Running wasn't feeling too great on the calves, but hopefully the massage I had yesterday will help.  Time to finish off the Lumber Liquidators project and pack for Arizona!!!

Happy New Year!

I know, I know.  I was not good about blogging this past month.  December was busy with school, snow, family, and holidays!  Now here we are, a week into the new year already.  Can I say how glad I am 2010 is over?  Ugh, what a year.  From the video I realize how many good times we had, but the underlying current of uncertainty given Joe's job situation was really really hard.  I will blog soon about looking plans for 2011.  I promise!

Bear Creek 10mi Trail Race Report

Last weekend was my first trail run of the season.  Not one to build up to anything, I signed up with friends for the Bear Creek 10mi race in Cumberland County.  Nothing like going from a max of 7 miles of road running to 10 miles of trails.  And not just any trail run, but the full on "over the river(s) and through the woods" single track hilly as all get out trail runs.  Luckily I had awesome company!  All my friends are race veterans, but this was my first year running it. 

Saturday afternoon Tyler and I loaded up our respective pups and swung around south side to pick up Jilly before heading out of town.   Deere and Sophie were quick friends and behaved well in the car on the way down.  Bear Creek State Park is an easy <1hr drive from Richmond, and has both camping and cabins to stay in.  Lynn and Mike had arrived earlier in the day and had mulled wine warming on the stove.  YUM!  The weather was overcast and chilly--the forecast was for a dusting of snow that evening with clear skies in the morning.  Fellow racers Karen, Shawn, and Sharon were staying in the cabin next door and invited us over to share hors d'oeuvres and their crackling fire as it started snowing. 

The progressive dinner continued back at our cabin, where Lynn made an awesome pasta dish accompanied by salad courtesy of Jill. Fully carbed, we played a few hands of what my family calls "Dinosaur," a card game taught to me by Shawn and Karen while at Torturefest in Placid last year. Horror of horrors, we ran out of wine and seriously contemplated schelpping into town for more. But it was after 8 or 9 at night and many of us were trundling off to bed soon. I can't say many of us slept well, poor Tyler had to put up with someone snoring half the night. Must've been Sophie....

The morning dawned early--I was the first up and tried to sneak out quietly with the dogs. We had over a half inch of snow! It was so gorgeous, and cold!  You can see the lake through the trees, just as the sun is rising over the tree tops.

Back inside as everyone else got up, we all went about getting bundled up and eating our pre-race breakfasts.  Here is our cabin ready to go:

Thank goodness for heated seats!  No need to do that 20 minute warm up Jen wanted me to do.  We made it to the start with about 10 minutes to spare.  With fewer than 150 entries, it's a nice, small field and most everyone knows eachother.  Lots of familiar faces!  After the race director gave his little talk about blazes to look for and water stops, we walked down the start of the path and....we were off!  15 yards down the trail and we turn into the woods.  We let most of the fast folks go ahead which turned out to be everyone except us and 5 other folks!  Tyler was in the lead group as he was out for the race win (he finished in a blazing 1:18!) 

Up down over stumps and trees through beautiful woods covered in a fresh dusting of snow.  It was spectacular!  We kept up some fun banter and stories as we wound our way through the wilds of central
Virginia.  I think we counted 7 creek crossings on our way out.  This year they added a water stop at the 3/7 mile marker.  The race registration page describes the course as 5% on gravel trails--I think it was more like 200 yards on gravel trails.  The rest was a little biddy path through the woods.  We didn't see many other racers until mile 4--they were all on their way back.  Did I say it was hilly?  Jen had estimated a 2 hr race, including that 20 minute warm up that I didn't do.  Ha!  We finished almost last in a whopping 2:30 ish.  We could've finished a little earlier had we not got lost at the 9.75 mile point, but what's an extra 4/10ths of a mile?  I was pretty much toast at mile 9 and was working hard to just keep with the pack for the last mile.  Getting left for dead in the woods was not my idea of a good time.  Here is the course profile from my Garmin:

Check out the overall elevation gain.  Whew!

We made it back to the start (not from the correct direction, however...) Time for breakfast!  Back at the cabin, while everyone showered and packed up, I made blueberry buttwheat pancakes (pun intended) with bacon.  Sharon made some warm cinnamon apple slices which was the perfect accompaniment!  Sated, we cleaned the remaining dishes and headed home.  I needed a nap before tackling my Revit homework, but Joe made an awesome dinner that night and I slept well.

Lessons learned:

•  trail running is hard and taxes your brain as well as your body.  You have to pay attention to the trail or risk getting tripped up--there is very little time to admire the view. 
• friends, good stories, and singing songs are all required! 
• I would've paid very good money for a hot tub post-race!
• trails are a good way of working more than just road running-specific muscles.  I couldn't walk the day after, my quads would not let me go down stairs--all those hills trashed them. Ouch.
  

Sign me up for next year!

Trotting, Tailgating, and Turkey!

This Thanksgiving marked the fifth year I ran the RRRC Turkey Trot.  I love this race--friends to run and party with, a challenging course, and the start is a mile from our house.  This year I wasn't expecting much in terms of times.  My running is just ramping back up, with 6-7 miles farthest I've run since Vineman in July.  As much as I would love to be able to beat my husband in this race, it just looks like it'll never happen. Joe ran a speedy 48 minute 10k, and I set a 40 second pr on the course with a time of just barely over 57 minutes. My mantra was to work the downhills (thinking all the time of my friend Jill), and to survive the uphills.  Here is a map of the course, along with elevations:

Joe was a dear and zipped home to pick up Joey and the breakfast casseroles.  Sharon brought mimosas, and other friends brought more goodies.  No better way to kick off a day of eating than with a little run and a little tailgate!

After that, it was time to pack the pies in the car and head to Williamsburg.  Cousins Maggie and Jenny were kind enough to get the turkey going, and we had a great time watching football, catching up, and hanging out.  Here I am getting some good snuggle time with Mia and Duncan while reading:

Looking ahead is a 10mi trail run on Dec 5th, perhaps a Christmas light run or 5k, time at the beach with the family and in-laws.  I can't wait for #1 son to come home from his deployment to Iraq!  He is done with his missions and is packing up.  He should be home in time for Christmas--I can't think of a better present.

Hanging out with rock stars

Yesterday I had the honor and priviledge to hang with these chicks.  All ran and PR'd the Richmond Marathon.  I like to think I had some little part in their success--cowbell in hand, I cheered them on at miles 7 and 10.  I then changed and hurried to meet up with Lynn around mile 20 to pace her last 10k to an incredible 4:23.  She and I caught up with a struggling Kelly at mile 21 and talked her into hanging with us for the next few miles.  I am so proud of Kelly for sticking it out, and crossing the line with a very respectable time.  I am insipired:  these ladies have been training and racing all year (one race number per month!) and finished the year in style.

It is time again for me to work on my 2011 goals.  There is still so much I need to figure out: prep races, interim goals, what to do after June.  Life has been in such limbo, but I'm hoping by Thanksgiving I'll have a good sense of how far out I can plan.  In the meantime, I am trying hard to get back into the workout swing.  I have the run test behind me, the bike test coming up, and a rest week next week to look forward to.  The hard part is just balancing that with the work load I have right now--I'm a juggling fool!  I am loving having a close friend on a similar workout plan, and look forward to our once or twice a week sufferfests in the basement.  TRX is kicking my butt, but in a good way, just the way Jen would like it. 

Feelin' hot hot hot

I don't believe I was ever in an "ole ole ole ole!" frame of mind, but at around mile 8 of the Eagleman run course I did break into song for some guy that I kept leapfrogging with.  His bib number was 1999.  He promised that the party started at the turn around, when we were heading for home.  I think it came much later, at the Hyatt pool when the margarita was in hand.

Eagleman weekend started with a party too!  Good friend Karen turned 40 and threw a marvelous backyard barbeque.  I was a good girl, limiting myself to 2 small glasses of wine alternating with LOTS of water.  The next day I rode up to Maryland with Emmie, who was smart and just signed up for the aquavelo (swim and bike...no run!)  We made pretty good time, pulling into Cambridge around 1:30 or 2.  Packet pick up went well, and we were able to say a quick hello to Jen and Jerome.  It was so good to see her and hear her say everything would be fine, that I would be fine.  Jen and I had the pre race talk earlier, and I knew my focus needed to be on racing smart, hydrating, and getting in the electrolytes.  I think at that point we were all still hoping the 90 degree temps forecasted would not happen, but I was planning for the worst.  While I did have ambitious goals, I knew they could be thrown out the window if the weather dictated dialing the effort back.

Emmie and I drove over to the transition/race area to drop off our bikes and get in a quick little swim in the Choptank.  Oh was it hot out.  We decided against wetsuits, thinking the water would feel good, which it did.  There was some chop on the way out to the bouy, but none on the way back.  Mission accomplished, so we headed back to Easton to check into our hotel and shower for dinner with Bart and Bethany.  Here's Bart's harem post dinner:

We all trudged home and were in bed and asleep by 9:15.  Race day would start at 4:45.

Emmie and I slept well, and were up on time.  We were a little late getting out of Easton, however, so I was a little stressed that we might not find any parking.  It all worked out though, and by 6:15 we were headed to transition.  On the walk from the car, there were a few people walking in the other direction who let us know they had made the call that the race would not be wetsuit legal.  That was fine with us--I knew it would slow me down a little bit and Emmie had just finished ProK's swim camp without using hers.  We got to the race area, got body marked, and all set up quickly, only to have them delay the race start by 15 mins.  By this time we found Bethany and tried to talk her down from the ledge.  I like the "bring your own TP" idea.

I found Jen in transition too.  I looked for Beth, but didn't find her until it was almost time for her wave to go off.  She got to start side by side with Jen!  I also met a couple of Kim's friends, sporting their Ballou Skies kits.  Many Richmond friends were also racing, and I got to see them all before the start.

The Swim

My goal on the swim is always to not dick around and keep my head down.  JUST SWIM!  I was surprised that this time I didn't have the "wtf am I doing?" thoughts and I was instead concentrating on staying with the pack, kicking strong, and getting to the next bouy.  It took what seemed like a long time to get to the first turn bouy, but I resisted the urge to look at my watch.  I had already started passing the stragglers in orange caps from the wave in front of me, so I knew if there was a current that I was doing ok.  I swam inside the yellow bouys to the second turn since it seemed like a straighter line.  By this time, the fast guys in the swim wave behind me had caught up.  I tried to catch a good draft and get on some heels, but those guys were too fast and I was getting tired.  Man the finish seemed so far away!

By the last bouy, you could stand up, and I did pop up quick to see who else was around me.  Still quite a few purple caps (my wave).  Dolphin dive, dolphin dive, dolphin dive, and it was time to exit the water.  NOW I could look at my watch.  What?!  49:57???  You have to be kidding me.  Turns out some folks' garmins said the course was long, by almost 500m.  If that is the case, I was swimming right at my ususal 1/2IM speed.

Thoughts of PRs quickly were dashed.  Ok, time to regroup and get ready to bike.  My rack was right at the swim exit and no wetsuit, so T1 went quick: 1:05 faster than last year. 

The Bike

I knew I would get passed on the bike considering the two swim waves behind me were the men 16-29, and women 16-29.  My three goals for this leg, considering how the swim went, were:

• 
  
  to get off the bike before Jen finished the race
• 
  
  to keep 18mph on my odometer
• 
  
  and to stay on top of nutrition/hydration/electrolytes.

At every water stop, I refilled my profile bottle and dumped the rest over my head.  I alternated taking 1 or 2 electrolyte tabs every 10 miles too.  I could feel how hot it was and I hoped that would be enough.  The wind didn't feel too bad--there were just a few areas where a headwind and slight drop in speed were noticeable which was a plus.  On the minus side there was not much tailwind...boo hiss. 

Reading back over this, I can't believe that's all I have to say about a ride that took over 3 hours.  I thought they had changed up the course somewhat, but it turns out I just didn't remember it all.  It seemed to be going pretty well, then at mile 40 I was really ready for more water.  The bottle they gave me at the handoff was hot, and only half full.  They had apparently picked up a discarded bottle from the side of the road and then handed it to me.  Bleh.  So that lasted until mile 50, and then there are no more aid stations until transition.  I was pretty parched coming into T2.  At the timing mat, I wanted to throw my bike to whomever wanted it (I think I told one of the volunteers that I was breaking up with it) but rolled it into transition, sat in the grass to change my shoes, and peed.  Total bike time was 3:14.  (This may be TMI, but I usually pee about 4 times on the bike during a half iron.  This time I didn't pee at all on the bike...)  T2 was 1 second off my previous year.

The Run (here's where it gets ugly...)

Heading out of transition, I hit the aid station.  Cold, wonderful water!  1 cup went over the head, another on my face.  1 cup of ice went down my bra.  I drank the gatorade, and that was blessedly cold too.  Shuffle to next aid station (roughly 1 mi down the road).  Repeat 13 times.

Oh. My. God. It was so damn hot out there.  But my sucky pace really doesn't explain how I think I did pretty well.  Let me explain.  Yes it was a struggle to just get from aid station to aid station.  But I ran in between, at a decent enough pace.  That pace just went out the window when I stopped to walk at every aid station to load up on ice, water, and salt tabs, gatorade, and/or gu.  I must also add that I did take full advantage of anyone spraying a hose.  There was one lady, I think it was the house next door to that party house betwen miles 2 and 3, and the water from her hose was so blessedly cool.  I didn't want to leave.  Because after soaking yourself at every opportunity, you'd be bone dry just 3 minutes later.  Everyone was shuffling along at their own pace, and telling eachother "Good job."  I think we all needed to acknowledge to one another that just being out there, still alive, still moving forward, was worthy of praise.  And it was. 

I overheard someone around mile 11 tell his running partner, "Aren't you glad you're not one of THOSE people?!" pointing to someone just heading out on their run.  And while inside I was shouting "Halleluja!" I had to give those folks kudos and prop them up if I could with encouraging words.  Here it was, late in the afternoon and it was questionable if they'd be able to get the whole race done in the time allowed if they had to walk the whole run portion.  But they still started what they set out to do.  I had promised Joe that I would try to first and foremost run a safe race (given my propensity to end up dehydrated in the med tent...) but I still knew I wouldn't DNF even if it was 102 degrees in the shade. 

So, overall, nowhere near a PR--with a finish time of 6:45 (13 mins slower than last year).  But I learned how to handle extreme heat and come out ok in the end.  Onward and upward.  Vineman!

I did find Jen, Jerome, and Beth at the awards ceremony just after I finished.  It was nice to check in with Jen and know she placed in the top 5 of her AG.  Beth killed it!  I saw her with just under a mile to go and she was looking so good and strong.  I had no idea she spent much of the run puking.  I didn't stay long though.  They were all sitting in the sun and I was fried.  Done.  Kaput.  It was time for margaritas (with salt!) by the pool (which was rudely cut short by a storm, but offered a rainbow when it was done).  And food.  And maybe wine too.

 

Random Musings

1.  We had the MOST gorgeous weather at the beach on Tuesday.  Joe and I headed out around 9 for a short run.  Although we complained to each other the whole way down how hot it was, something happened after we turned for home.  The until-then calm was gone, the wind picked up (hello, headwind), and thus cooled we happily trotted back and jumped in the ocean.  The water temperature was in the low 70s and perfect.  With the wind there were quite a few waves, but the tide was out and you could stand out there in the water forever diving through 2-3 foot waves.  Sophie got to ride a few waves too.

2.  We got alot done while at the beach house.  The outdoor shower now has new plywood, we have new (NICE!) chaises and hammock for the pool deck, my parent's old Mexican sideboard was delivered and stocked with lots of games and puzzles, and Maddy's room was reorganized with new lamps and TV stand.  I also was able to get the drapes hemmed and rehang some window treatments and mirrors. Whew.  I will leave the cleaning to others before the renters come in this weekend.  Unfortunately we don't have the house to ourselves again until late August.  Boo.

3.  I am hydrating and trying to keep on top of my nutrition this week because....

4.  I have a race this weekend!  Ack.  Eagleman.  Maybe if I go into it like I did Rev3 I'll pr...

5.  On Saturday, Melissa and I headed out for a ride.  Cheeks were on seats at 7:10 and by 7:12 we were sweaty and hot.  Heat acclimation for E-man--Check!  I was glad to be done and off the bike by 9am.  

6.  On Sunday morning, Joe and I ran the Stratford Hills 10k.  It would've been an awesome run in say April or November, but that day at the 8am race start it was already hot and HUMID.  Here are Sunday's actual temps (Saturday were almost exactly the same.)

Heat acclimation for E-man--Check Check!  No pr, but just a run that was a slog fest and one I was happy to be done with.  I must say, I love the race pic of me at mile 5.  Check out my quad!

7.  We are pretty excited to have new neighbors!  Welcome Melissa and Greg.

8.  News like this is a grim reminder of how others sacrifice for us.  Thank you to all our service members and their families! 

9.  The next two weekends are busy busy busy with races and weddings.  Lots to celebrate.  Then it's on to California!  3 weeks in wine country, with a little Yosemite and Vineman thrown in.  Can't wait to see friends and drink wine.  Yippee!

Rev3 Race Report

....or how to place in your age group without even trying!

Last weekend didn't go quite like I thought it would.  Going into that weekend, I was feeling undertrained, ill-prepared, and a bit down on myself.  Life is like that right now (Joe and I are in a place neither one of us could have ever imagined, so we're feeling ill-prepared and down on ourselves), but sometimes you need things to start out wrong to end up right.  It's amazing how everything has a way of working out--and this past weekend was a good lesson in how our life will turn around too.

Getting to Knoxville

I had planned on driving down to Tennessee on Friday afternoon, but as I was cleaning my house (can't leave house filthy--don't want to come home to dirt and mess) Joe and I were called by Joey's school for a medical emergency.  Four hours in the ER and a CAT scan later, we were back home with Joey who spent the rest of the day sleeping and resting.  I scrubbed the bejeezus out of the kitchen floor late that afternoon while debating with myself if I should even race.  By early evening, it was clear that Joey was feeling much better.  Since the guys were still planning on attending their camp out the following night, we decided that it would be fine for me to go.  Maddy care was lined up--she had a crazy busy weekend of volunteer activities--and that evening we had a nice family dinner and watched The Blind Side. 

Saturday morning I was up and out of the house by 5:30.  I was anxious to get to Knoxville early enough to have time to check in, drive the bike course, hang with Molly, Lynn, and possibly Kari.  I had never driven farther south than Lexington on I-81.  I don't know quite what I was expecting (other than lots of tractor trailers), but it was a beautiful and scenic drive.  Winding through Blacksburg, I thought about my friends signed up for Mountains of Misery in a couple weeks.  Such a shame that I can't join them for it (NOT!), since the ride is 2 weeks before Eagleman.  Just as I pulled into Knoxville, I got a call from #1 son, home from Iraq.  Poor guy was greeted at the door by just the dog--everyone else was gone.  He was able to have a nice lunch with Maddy in between her outings and sleepover. 

Molly met me in the lobby of the hotel and we schlepped bike and bags upstairs before hitting the expo/athlete check-in.  We walked down to find transition and the swim exit.  The river looked quite nice, and there were still people in the water.  After a quick lunch of barbeque and chatting with Lynn, we headed out for a preview of the bike course.  Can you say technical?!  Narrow, narrow roads.  No shoulders.  Winding, blind descents.  Some steep climbs.  We doubted how they could close the course, given all the homes along the way, and hoped it wouldn't be much of a problem (more on that later).  On the way back to the hotel, we laid in some food and post race libations and made plans to join Lynn and her mom for dinner.

Our dinner was ok--the food was decent, but the service was far from it.  I think we had the newest, youngest waitress who asked us 3 times what kind of wine we had ordered.  Salads came after the dinner, as did the soup.  After several pleading looks at passing managers, they got it right--with 2 comped deserts for our troubles.  We were back in the hotel and lights out by 9:30.  I was surprised how easily I fell asleep, and stayed zonked until the alarm went off at 6.

Race Day

After some iffy attempts at brewing my own water for oatmeal, we found coffee and hot water at the restaurant on our way to transition.  I think I need a new transition bag--Molly had hands free with her neat back pack.  I ended up spilling some of my oatmeal while trying to juggle the food and my stuff.  We got body marked, said hello to this guy who is stalking me (I swear he's at every race I do!).  

(What the hell is up with those bags under my eyes?!)

While I was saying good morning to Michael Lovato, dear dear Lynn showed up with a Starbucks latte for me!  That is how I like to start Mother's Day.  Bless you Lynn.

It was so cold out, I think the air temps were in the 40s.  I was a little worried about the water temps given I decided to wear my own john style wetsuit.  After setting everything up in transition, we walked barefoot down to the swim start and met up with Lynn's mom and Brian.  I was in the last swim wave, so I got to see everyone off, including Tara Costa who was participating in her first tri (and she kicked butt!)  Soon it was time for my wave to get in the water.  The water felt great!  So warm in comparison to the air temps.  Time to go!

Swims are always funny things for me.  I knew I had a good start, since I lined up at the very front and there were just 2 or 3 people swimming at my speed from my wave.  Sighting was ok, even given the sun coming up straight ahead of us.  There was a riverboat close to the turn, so I just aimed for that.  Not much current either.  I still dick around too much on the swim, popping up to look around, wave at kayakers, and check out my surroundings.  I made the turn easily (there was no one else there...) and headed back down stream.  Sighting got a little harder, since there weren't enough bouys marking the course.  But I knew the swim exit was just past the railroad bridge so if I swam straight for one of the piers I'd be ok.  I got to the dock in about 24 mins (someone said the course was short) and held on for a second extra.  A couple volunteers asked if I needed help getting out, but I told them I needed to pee before exiting.  They were a little surprised at that.  Peeing done, I hopped out and started the jog up the ramp to T1.  Total swim time:  25:42 an oly-distance swim PR of about 2:45 (so I don't think the course was short). 

What a gorgeous morning it was turning into.  It was a little breezier than I would've liked, given I had just put my race wheels back on my bike.  (See here why I'm not a fan of race wheels, wind, and hills.)   T1 wasn't my fastest ever.  I struggled to get the arm warmers on, but knew I'd need them. 

As I was crossing the mount line, I heard some one say "Have a great ride, Kate."  I looked up and it was Brian, waiting for Lynn.  I can't believe I didn't find Lynn on the swim.  I can usually recognize her swim stroke from a mile away.  Time to hop on the bike and get it done.  My goal for this leg was to get up the hills fast, get down the hills however I could, and try to enjoy the back part of the course.  Getting out of town sucked--two big climbs right off the bat, then down a street that was under construction.  We had less than a normal lane width under a train bridge and with bikes heading out and in it was a bit disconcerting. 

All in all, I thought the ride went well, except for the two times I dropped my chain at the top of a climb.  I noted to be careful with my gears when gearing up for the downhills, and it didn't happen again.  Through the shady parts it was downright COLD, but the sunshine felt oh so good.  I was suprised the course was completely open to traffic, and I'm not sure how much warning drivers had that there would be a race happening that morning.  I like this series of pictures of me passing these two guys.  The ambulance in the last frame was for some poor guy who crashed and had possibly broken his collarbone.  Doesn't the guy on the left look a little like the Geico caveman? 

On the way back into town, I had to face those two hills we climbed up.  I should've pulled up the big girl pants and bombed down, but the wind had picked up quite a bit and I chickened out.  I'm sure the cops directing traffic were wondering this one chick barely inched down the hill when everyone else was flying down.  Oh well.  My next race is blessedly FLAT!  Total bike time:  1:39:53, 4 minutes slower than my Columbia bike time.

T2 is always so nice.  Throw everything on the rack, sit down, and pee while putting on the shoes.  Some lady in the rack next to mine was bemoaning having to pee heading out and I told her to just sit and do it while she put on her shoes.  She was surprised, but it saved her from stopping in a nasty portapotty. 

I got out on the run, picked what felt like a quick pace/cadence and thought to myself, "Let's see how long you can hold this."  Turns out I held it pretty well!  I felt good and was passing people (which NEVER happens to me on the run).  Just before the first mile, I saw Kari on her way back in.  Water and gu at mile 2, and some over the head.  The breeze was nice and kept the temperature just perfect.  About a 1/2 mile before the turn around, I saw Molly and gave her a high five.  I wished I could have caught up to her.  I ran the first segment at an 8:51 pace and the second half at an 8:56 pace.  Turns out I ran a 55:09 10k!!!  Which is an oly-run PR.  I was so happy with that.

So overall I came in at 3:07:22.  Not the quite time I was thinking I could do, and probably should have done with out the mental crap I was putting myself through before the race, but still a PR.  Molly met me at the finish line and we grabbed food, then decided to get our stuff out of transition before we didn't have the energy to do it later.  We found Lynn in transition getting ready to head out on her 1/2 marathon, looking strong.  Sadly, the volunteers still in transition were a little too busy texting/talking on their cell phones, and Lynn didn't see where the run out was.  We got her pointed in the right direction and let her know we'd see her at the finish with her mom and Toby.

While waiting for Lynn and Brian, Molly wandered off and found an ice bath AND mimosa.  Then they started the awards ceremony.  Molly wasn't around to see that the young chick who was paced by her volunteer boyfriend took third in her AG.  So annoying.  When they got to my AG I was curious to see how fast these women looked--but then they called my name as having placed THIRD!!!  Holy sh*t!  Had I known I was going to get called onstage, I would've worn something nicer.  I got a nice plaque and a new fuel belt.

Soon afterwards, Lynn and Brian came running home.  Lynn's mom had never seen her race before and was beaming with pride.  I was bummed that they couldn't stick around for a while--would've been nice to share those Mike's, margaritas, and cupcakes with them.  All in all, a good day!

Monday morning I was bummed to find the hotel hot tub closed for cleaning.  I got all packed up, said goodbye to Molly, and headed to visit my old TriMoms friends, Matt and Kim.  Matt had been the swim coach at UofR, but now coaches the LadyVols.  Their new facilities are AMAZING!  Also so nice to catch up with them and tell them about how far some of their TriMoms have come--quite a few of us are now Ironmen, something we never imagined while training for our first sprint in 2004!