Jillian and I were running errands around town in the car the other day (just the 2 of us) and she says to me "why is the order of the triathlon - Swim, Bike, Run?". She thought the swim should be last because you need to clean off all your sweat :)
Friday, June 27, 2014
All 4 kids - SWIM, BIKE, RUN --- Sturgis Kid's Triathlon Race Report
Last Saturday, all 4 kids participated in the Sturgis Youth Triathlon. While the event wasn't timed - the kids all received a medal and really enjoyed the event!
little sister photo bomb
Brother versus brother at the end ---- Graham had the lead the entire race but Jayden won.
Graham near the tree in the back of the photo --- I am in awe of his running form :)
Jayden out on the run
Graham
I can see the determination on Jayden's face - determined to catch his brother
Jillian's first triathlon!
Love the smile on her face
Daddy and his girl
Run Jilly Run
Helen focusing on the finish
A transition PRO
Jillian out of the swim
Helen wastes no time getting out of the pool!
Ready to go!
Graham's transition spot
Jayden's transition spot
Helen's transition spot
Helen and her friend
Jillian and her swim team friend
Race numbers!
My sweet girl
Jillian's number!
Waiting in line for bike check - the Hammer brothers
My absolute FAVORITE photo from the triathlon - taken by a friend of mine. So proud of my kids. They did great and knew exactly what to do at each point in the race.
Jillian and I were running errands around town in the car the other day (just the 2 of us) and she says to me "why is the order of the triathlon - Swim, Bike, Run?". She thought the swim should be last because you need to clean off all your sweat :)
Jillian and I were running errands around town in the car the other day (just the 2 of us) and she says to me "why is the order of the triathlon - Swim, Bike, Run?". She thought the swim should be last because you need to clean off all your sweat :)
Father's Day and Summer FUN!
Friday, June 13, 2014
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
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 :)
2014 results - 5:09:52!!!!
You Tube video of me finishing in Grand Rapids --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzKDBwonNDU#t=13098
Monday, June 2, 2014
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!
Kids had their first summer swim meet on Friday. Go Stingrays!
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!
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