Little Osc...running 20miles Saturday April 28th, no problem!

This post is dedicated to remember that Little Oscar ran 20mile with me on Saturday. It was rainy and cold, which probably helped him, since he doesn't do well in the heat. We started from home ran to the lakes where I met Kim (CO) visiting for a friends wedding, and Kim from URBAN aka Kurban (inside joke), they ran with me to the River Road where we watched the Get in Gear and ran some more. Then they stopped due to some foot issues both of them were having, and Osc and I ran the rest of the time (close to another 50min) while watching the race. The last mile I saw Gabe and cheered him on to the finish. He ran the half marathon and PR'd by 3min, 2:07!!! The 20miler was not as brutal as I was thinking it would be. And most of all I was soooo proud of Oscar!!!! He didn't even drink any water even though I tried to give him some. He's a BEAST! These last three weeks have beeen tough with training (lost of intensity, volume 50mile running), but I've been feeling pretty good all in all. Happy to focus on the bike a bit more and not do a longer run until most likely July when I don't have as many races.

Trail Mix 25K April 21th

Highlights of the race: I got a PR, not sure how, but I did. 15min PR from last year, and over a min PR from 2009 where I did the best in this race. Time was just under 2hrs 1:59.9. This race was no joke. Most likely beacuse I hadn't run ANY trails or hills since who knows how long. So I was in some major pain pretty much at the start of the run. I've felt pain before, but this was totally brutal. I'd say 8 out of 10 on the pain threshold. I tried to really focus on my stride and not worry too much about my screaming hammys, calves, and butt. I think that's what got my through, but after finishing I was really happy with how I did. I took a nice ice bath later in the day which worked wonders. I even cooled down somehow after the race with some Run N Fun girls who are super fast! Got some good total miles for the day, and some bragging and whinning rights! All in all it was a good day, and the pain was well worth the PR effort (even if it wasn't a HUGE PR). Next up Oakdale Du May 12th! Total Time: 1:59.9 Division Place 4th, Overall Place for women 14th

Unexpected Recognitions...

I found something in the mail Friday morning and it caught be by surprise big time. It was an Honorable Mention Certificate. When I first opened it I had no idea what this was. I had been doing tri's for three years and had never known that anyone was keeping track. After reading over everything I found out based on my races last year I was ranked among the top in my age group and got the Honorable Mention All American Award along with others in my age group. To get All American you had to be in the top 70, I was 105th, so I have a bit to go, but I earned 89 and some points and the person in 70th place had 91 points. I think the coolest part about it all is that I didn't even know that being apart of USAT Triathlon means you get ranked in races, so now that I do, I can try even harded!!! =) I guess I was trying in 2011, my focus was just IM WI. We'll see what 2012 season has to bring with the addition of a new interest of mine, CF.

A lil bit of this and that

Second post of year and probably a short one. Just got back from Thailand which was absoluetely amazing. Good thing I kept a journal and wrote what we did each day. Also particiapated in the CF Open which was really fun and super competitive. I think next year or at least this is what I am thinking now I'd really like to focus some energy on CF and actually get better. Right now I'm still in the tri mode and it's just too hard to balance all the activities. I did learn that there are ALOT of super strong and talented women in the CF world, which is just so awesome and inspiring for me! Got my bike all tuned up and race wheels ready at Urban Tri this past weekend. I had been really out of it since getting back on Tuesday from Thailand. Have never had such bad jet leg. But I'm glad I found the time to get my bike all ready to go for the season. First race of the season is Oakdale Du May 12th, eeeek! Good thing it's not a tri, need to get into the open water soon! Also ran a 5K a weekend leaving for Thailand the Human Race, did a 20:21 not too bad, 2nd place. I ran hard, but wasn't tapered at all. It was a really good strong effort but I'm hoping I can better that time as I get closer to the season or at least by the end of the season as I keep getting into better shape. Did the 8K after which was sort of a joke not really a race, more trying to get my miles in for that day. It was a really good training run though, so I'm still glad I did it. Excited to get back into training and feel normal after the long vacation!