Grand Rapids 70.3 Race Report - 2014 USAT Long Course Nationals

Sunday, June 8th - Ross and I competed in the USAT Long Course Nationals in Grand Rapids, MI.  If we placed in the top 20 in our age group, we could earn a spot to represent the US in Motala, Sweden in 2015.

Both Ross and I earned a spot!!!!  I placed 3rd in my age group and Ross placed 16th.  We are super excited about this opportunity to compete in Sweden!

We left for Grand Rapids on Saturday morning, my sis-in-law came over from Chicago to stay with the kids.  It was a crazy week with the kid's end of the year activities at school and I didn't have time to pack until Saturday morning!  And if there's one thing I've learned about doing triathlons - there's a TON of STUFF to pack!  We got to packet pick-up around 12:30 - got our stuff and headed to the hotel.  We went to check out part of the bike course, then swam and did a short tempo run.  Stopped at Meijer for some food and went back to our hotel for dinner.  Decided since we didn't have any kids for the evening that we would go see a movie - Mom's Night Out ..... NOT a good movie!  I fell asleep several times.  Got back to our hotel and checked the weather ---- it was supposed to rain in the morning - UGH!  Not what I had hoped for - I kept hoping that we would not wake up to the rain that the radar was showing in the morning .... no such luck.  When we woke up, it was pouring!  Yay!  I knew it was going to be a mind over matter day for sure!  I was most nervous about biking in the rain.  But according to the radar, it was supposed to stop around 8:30am so I would only have to bike in the rain for a little bit.

We drove to the car parking area and then proceeded to ride our bikes to the race start ..... in the pouring rain!  Got everything set up in transition and then placed everything in a giant garbage bag to try to keep my running and biking shoes somewhat dry.  I didn't want blisters!  Decided I had a few extra minutes before the start, so I stopped and waited in line for the port-a-potty.  Ross went on to the start.  I didn't realize how much time I waited in line and when I walked over to the start - my wave was about to get in the water!  oops!  Talk about making your heart race :)  I ended up being ok and positioned myself near the front but in the center.  Big mistake though!  I had to do lots of grappling for position as the swim started - fortunately I'm not uncomfortable swimming in open water but I got that "what am I doing feeling"  (thanks to growing up on a lake in the summer and taking swimming lessons in the lake on what seemed like the most windy days of the entire summer - open water doesn't bother me!)  I just kept telling myself to keep swimming to the next buoy.  I didn't even notice the rain during the swim.  I did have to stop and clear my goggles several times because they kept fogging up --- the goggles are almost a year old and probably time for a new pair!  Took care of ordering a new pair on Monday - Can't be stopping to clear my goggles in a race!!  But ended up 4th in my AG for the swim.

I had a good transition from swim to bike - thanks to some very helpful wet-suit strippers!!  I was able to maintain a good pace on my bike.  I didn't want my average speed to drop below 20.0mph.  I did pretty good and even managed a few climbs mid-way through the bike without losing a lot of speed.  It was an out and back bike course and I really liked that.  I knew that I just needed to get to mile 28 and I would be half-way done!  I was also happy with my transition from bike to run --- EXCEPT for the fact that I kept dropping my fuel-belt bottles out of their holders within the first mile of the run.  I realized later that the elastic was just worn out and that's why they kept falling out!!!  Trust me - the FIRST thing I did on Monday morning was to order a NEW fuel belt!  I must have dropped 1 or 2 bottles at least 3 different times in the first mile.  I was still able to maintain a less than 7:10 per mile pace off the bike despite having to stop and pick up my bottles.  I was really happy with my pace and my legs felt good.  I wanted to take the run  a little faster this time to see what I could do.  I told myself that I needed to keep the pace UNDER 7:30 per mile.  (using my new mental thinking of keeping UNDER a certain pace and not trying to TARGET a certain pace -  seemed to work for me).  I maintained a 7:29 per mile overall pace for the run. Not ONE person passed me on the run!  Male or Female!  I felt really strong on the run and I was even able to pass the FOUR girls in my age group that had passed me on my bike!  I finished 1st in my AG for the run portion too.


Unfortunately due to the rain at the start, I didn't get any pictures before or really after the race.  We left our phones in the car.  After we got back to the car, we checked the results and thought I had placed 5th in my age group - so we didn't stay for the awards ceremony.  Later that night, we checked the results online and found out that I had placed 3rd in my AG!!!  I made it on the podium!! They are going to mail me my award :)

 USAT Long Course Nationals Medal

The worn-out Fuel Belt!

 Yes, this is what my husband eats after a half-ironman  - YUCK!!!!!!!

 awe - Helen had a message waiting for us when we got home.

the mess of the triathlon gear - post race

 
 2014 results  - 5:09:52!!!! 

Last year's 70.3 in Steelhead --- an 18 minute PR this year in Grand Rapids!!!

LOVE my SOAS racing kit!

You Tube video of me finishing in Grand Rapids --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzKDBwonNDU#t=13098

Memorial Day Weekend 2014 and other IM Boulder Training Updates

I'm about a week late getting this post out - but last Monday we went to a Memorial Day Parade and walked around the cemetery.  Ross and the boys have been watching Gods and Generals in the evenings before bed, so we've been talking about the Civil War lately.  In the cemetery, the tombstones were marked with the war that the veteran served.  We enjoyed walking around the cemetery and talking about the various wars and veterans.

 finishing off the day with a festive cake and cupcakes :)

Germany and the US will play each other in the first round of the World Cup - so we thought our friends from Germany needed a little "cheering package". 

 Jayden's class took a field trip to the Science Center in Fort Wayne - I got to help chaperone the trip.  He's riding a bike on a track

 Walking on the moon

 coffee shop selfie - enjoying the sunshine outside!

 relaxing after a run last week

 Memorial Day - I rode for 4 hours (16.1 mph average pace) and did a quick 15 minute brick run (7:10/mile average pace).  It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed riding by many cemeteries along the way.  Loved seeing all the flags and flowers in the cemeteries.

 Last week was a tough Ironman training week!   Wednesday morning I ran a half marathon before 7:30am.  It was a hot and humid run - even @ 5 in the morning!

Kids had their first summer swim meet on Friday.  Go Stingrays!

 Last Sunday after my Seahorse Triathlon - Ross did his 4 hour bike ride and I took the kids around town.  We played tennis....

 ... Helen had her own photo because we could not get her in the photo --- after 'several' attempts

..... stopped at the gas station for some gum --- random, I know.

.... and stopped at the ice cream shop --- Jillian loves her Superman Ice Cream! 

Yesterday (6/1/14), I biked for 5 hours (85 miles total, 16.8mph average pace) and did a 30 minute brick run (7:07/ mile average pace) .  The ride was tough, but I felt pretty good.  I really tried to push my pace and focus on keeping a consistent cadence  ---- when I arrived home, Ross told me that it was 85 degrees out!  I knew it was hot - but wow! 

I am really trying to focus on my biking --- I am happy to say that yesterday's 5 hour ride was @ a 16.8mph average pace compared to the week before where my 4 hour ride average pace was 16.1mph.  While I'm not ready to say that I'm improving - I only hope that this is a good sign towards improving my biking.  Biking is such an important part of the triathlon!

This week is somewhat of a step-back week for my Ironman Boulder Training, which is good --- On Sunday, Ross and I will compete in the USAT Long Course Nationals in Grand Rapids -- it's a half-ironman distance and if we place in the top 20 of our age group, we can earn a spot to represent the US in Sweden.  How cool would that be?  I'm nervous and excited at the same time --- I'm hoping to maintain between 18-20 mph on my bike and would really like to push my run at the beginning .... going to see if I can maintain below a 7:30/mile pace at the beginning.  I want to leave NOTHING in the tank when I finish :)  If I can do this, I believe I can place in the top 20 --- we'll see!

The Podium Squeaker - Seahorse Challenge 2014 Race Report

The Podium Squeaker - Seahorse Challenge 2014 Race Report
I made a last minute decision to enter the Seahorse Challenge (Olympic Distance Tri) last Monday --- they sent out a $20 race discount coupon to previous racers and with the nice weather predictions for Sunday .... Ross told me to "go for it!".  So, I did!  The Seahorse Challenge is a nice, smaller tri near Kalamazoo and it's great for spectating. 

When I entered the race on Monday night, I didn't know that I would come down with a 1.5 day fever beginning on Wednesday afternoon - UGH!  I wondered why my tempo run on Wednesday morning seemed a little off -- it was really warm and humid and I couldn't seem to maintain my 7:15 goal pace --- thought it was just the hilly course that I chose and the humidity but as the day went on, I felt progressively worse.  Took my temperature just before dinner and sure enough - I was running a fever!  Got the kids set with dinner, homework, and showers and then I went to bed.  Took the day off completely on Thursday and even dropped the kids off at school and crawled right back into bed!  THAT NEVER HAPPENS!!!  :)  Woke up feeling a little better, but told myself to take the day off from any Ironman training.    The fever turned into a sore throat and runny nose - yay!  Contemplated the race on Sunday, but you know me ---- I'm going to muscle through.  Ross took the kids to the library on Saturday morning and I took off for a nice, slow hour run and then finished planting the garden with the kids.  Got a babysitter for a couple hours and Ross and I went out for a bike ride --- my first ride on my 'new' spring-tuned up bike.  Note the new pink tape on the handlebars ;)
 

 Race Results:
3rd Female / 23 
21st overall
swim: 28:55 (14th overall)
T1 2:49
bike: 1:14:09 (33rd overall) 20.1 mph
T2 1:30
48:10 (7:25 pace) 12th overall
overall time:  2:35:31  (a PR by 6 minutes!!!!)

The water didn't seem as cold as last year - I think the temperature was 67.  Definitely a wet-suit swim for me.  I felt pretty good on the swim - kept telling myself to "keep kicking!".  I can't seem to regulate my breathing in open water swims --- I do really good in the pool with breathing every other stroke but for some reason I feel like I need to breath every stroke in open water.  I got out to a good start for the swim, ahead of most of the pack and that was nice --- no elbows in my face or feet kicking me in the face.  Didn't take too long before I caught up to some of the slower Olympic Distance men swimmers.  The swim course was a 2 loop course for the Olympic distance --- when standing on shore - it seemed like such a long way ... but my Garmin said exactly 1.02 miles.  I felt like I did a pretty good job of sighting and staying on course (I've been known to wander a bit in my swimming) - I think getting out in front helped me stay on course too.

Got out to what I thought was a pretty good transition onto the bike --- there's still that feeling of disorientation when I get out of the water.... I think I read somewhere that it has to do with laying flat (in the swimming position) for an extended period of time and then suddenly trying to stand up.  Tried to maintain at least 20 mph hour on my bike.  Came around the first loop feeling pretty strong - then I was almost done with the 2nd loop when a girl passed me.  She passed me like I was standing still - ugh!  Got into the transition area and tried my best to hurry.  Started carrying my fuel belt and running towards the run out area --- dropped one of my fuel belt bottles - ugh!  picked it up, tried to put on the belt and then I dropped the OTHER fuel belt bottle - GRRRRR!  so much for transition efficiency!  I think I will strap the fuel belt on BEFORE I start running next time.  I did have my race number on my fuel belt, so I didn't need to put that on.  Got my visor stuck in the velcro of my fuel belt - next time, I'm going to tuck a headband in my fuel belt pouch and FORGET the visor!  I have sunglasses on from biking anyway :)

Finally got out on the run and the legs felt pretty good - I was able to maintain a 6:30 pace while I was on the pavement.  Then the pavement turned to trail.... which was actually ok.  I knew a good portion of the run was going to be trail so I was mentally prepared.  I actually found myself enjoying the trail portion of the run - as I ran to the top of one of the hills way back on the course - I thought "this is so peaceful" ---- could this road running girl be getting into these trail-type runs?  ----- maybe the The Huff 50K trail run in December again :)

I kept pushing myself on the run, even though I was pretty tired - I kept trying to catch the person in front of me.  My mantra this time was "Fight for it".  I kept saying that phrase over and over in my head --- not sure where it came from but it seemed to work for me.  I came around the corner to finish the last 0.5 miles and there was Graham waiting for me --- ready to run with me.  He said "come on Mom, you can do this!  Finish strong!"  I was so happy to have him run with me for a little bit!

 Proud to be an Enduropacks Ambassador.  Love their product - keeps me racing and recovering strong!!                                                       

 Passing someone a few feet from the finish :)

 getting a high five from Jillian as she fuels with a banana :)

 out on the bike ---- i WAS in second place overall until the very end of the 2nd loop of the bike.  I really NEED to work on my biking.  I beat the girl out of the water by 4 minutes and beat her on the run by a few minutes too - but she made up SO much time on the bike to bump me into 3rd place!

my cheering section

 my 9 year old son loves to read --- even @ at triathlon :)

  Olympic team hopeful who won the race.

 my kids looking for me to come out of the water

 LOVE

 playing in the field while mom is biking

 run mom run

 high fives waiting

 coming out of transition --- with tired biking legs and a big hill!

 stick warriors

one should never take a photo early in the morning with a wetsuit and swim cap!

race bling - and a cool post-race snack box filled with lots of organic goodies :)  i really like the idea of having it all boxed up ---- then there's no fumbling around with the snacks after crossing the finish line.