Where to start with this one...I was very excited to do this Marathon since I did it in 2009 and I really liked how small it was...I also won it in 2009 but my expectations this year were different but I still had a goal time in mind, that goal was flexible of course.
Jessica Wilson came with me as well as Gabe and Oscar, so it was a full house. Jessica is a really strong runner and also did the Ironman this year. We got to the hotel on Sat.
Hotel was horrible, and the woman at the front told us we can NOT smoke, which was sort of funny. She was really nice though. American Inn and Suites, not a good choice, but oh well it was only one night and it was cheap.
The place we ate was really good, it was the same place as 2009, Prime and Rib, I had Lobster Ravioli, yum! Weird name since there was no Prime Rib there, or maybe there was...
Either way main points about the race, where we stayed was nice due to how close the start was, so we just woke up really late 6:45am, which is the latest I've gotten up for a race and headed to the start at 8am.
Right from the start, well I'd say by mile 2 or 3 I knew my legs weren't feeling good. They simply felt flat, and we started out FAST. Under 7 min miles, and I knew deep down there was no way I was going to do that today with the way my legs felt. So by mile 6 or so I was still trying to push, and then by about mile 9 Jessica passed me after going to the bathroom and I just thought go go go. There was no way I could have kept up today, and I'm glad I didn't try I would have ended up walking. I didn't really feel fatigued otherwise, just my legs had no power or energy. I haven't felt that in a while...I guess Big Woods killed me after the Ironman. Either way I tried to keep a good pace and just keep moving. I ended up with a 3:28, which wasn't really all that bad...Jessican PR'd and won!! I was super happy for her =)
Gabe did the 10K and PR'd by 5 whole minutes, which was awesome too since he hasn't been running at all.
So all in all, it was a good experience, after the race I was super super sore actually the next day.
Another funny thing, we had to leave right away and didn't want to wait around for awards so we sorta stole our trophies...Oh yeah I got second place after Jessica =)
Key Takeaway: This course is very flat, but there is a huge stretch of gravel which is sorta tough. Some trail running on this race also.
Next up: Surf the Murf, should be interesting...
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Big Woods 1/2 Marathon 10/15/2011
The day started off nice a bit chilly in the 40's, but the weather was perfect for a run with clear skies!
This was my first official "race" after Ironman,so I didn't really have many expectations except to just enjoy myself and run on the pretty trails. Of course deep down I had goals of getting close to my 2009 time of 1:35, but tried not to put a whole lot of pressure on myself.
The run started off really well I felt pretty strong, but a bit winded at the start. I think I kept a pretty steady pace the whole time and actually felt strong the WHOLE way. Usually I remember feeling dead or just out of juice those last 3 miles, but this time I didn't once have that feeling which was great. I ran with a younger girl for a while who later ended up pacing me when she caught me the last mile, she was 16 years old! Amazing, first time half marathon, and she seemed so happy to pass me. All I told her was go get there girl up ahead, and she relied, I'll try...She ended up in 3rd place I think. So so cool to watch that. She tried to pace with me, but I could tell she was holding back because she'd never done a half marathon before. All I can say is, this girl is up and coming, just wait until she tries triathlon, watch out!!
I did twist my ankle at about mile 9, which was painful! I had to stop for a bit and shake it out, but I kept running on it and it was pretty sore after. Otherwise the trails were so pretty and I'm glad I was out there and at least felt strong even though my time didn't show it...
Total Time: 1:44 (7:57 pace) 8th woman, 1 min slower than last year, and PR here is 1:35.
Next up: Mason City Marathon in Iowa.
This was my first official "race" after Ironman,so I didn't really have many expectations except to just enjoy myself and run on the pretty trails. Of course deep down I had goals of getting close to my 2009 time of 1:35, but tried not to put a whole lot of pressure on myself.
The run started off really well I felt pretty strong, but a bit winded at the start. I think I kept a pretty steady pace the whole time and actually felt strong the WHOLE way. Usually I remember feeling dead or just out of juice those last 3 miles, but this time I didn't once have that feeling which was great. I ran with a younger girl for a while who later ended up pacing me when she caught me the last mile, she was 16 years old! Amazing, first time half marathon, and she seemed so happy to pass me. All I told her was go get there girl up ahead, and she relied, I'll try...She ended up in 3rd place I think. So so cool to watch that. She tried to pace with me, but I could tell she was holding back because she'd never done a half marathon before. All I can say is, this girl is up and coming, just wait until she tries triathlon, watch out!!
I did twist my ankle at about mile 9, which was painful! I had to stop for a bit and shake it out, but I kept running on it and it was pretty sore after. Otherwise the trails were so pretty and I'm glad I was out there and at least felt strong even though my time didn't show it...
Total Time: 1:44 (7:57 pace) 8th woman, 1 min slower than last year, and PR here is 1:35.
Next up: Mason City Marathon in Iowa.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
IRONMAN WISCONSIN! 9/11/2011
Wow what a weekend! This was the the day I've been training for since January 1st 2011, and there was less than 4 days until I'd get to do my first ever Ironman race, crazy stuff!
The weekend was perfect, we got there with Gabe and John on Thursday (race was Sunday) and did everything stress free. Chilled out Thursday, swam and biked and checked in Friday, swam/bike/run and checked gear run and bike Saturday, and then Sunday race day! The only thing to do Sunday was check in special needs bags, which was very nice and stress free. We even had a sharpie so we body marked ourselves and were done with that in 10 seconds, thanks to Jeremy's advice.
Everything seemed very surreal to me. I felt unusually calm the whole weekend until Saturday night at dinner and the morning of the race. My nervousness came out by being super quite and to myself. I guess everyone get through nervousness and anxiety in different ways...John and I were together the whole time which was nice because he'd done the race 3 times and it helped to have him by my side. We made our way towards the water at about 645am. I didn't feel too panicked at all once we got in which was good, then BAM! Swim started out pretty good, it was about after the first buoy that I started getting hit from all over...I remember thinking wow is this ever going to end or is the whole swim this way...It wasn't until the first turn that it started to slightly thin out, but it wasn't easy to swim still...Once it started to thin out a bit I felt a bit better about the swim and then tried to just focus on my form and not getting my head out of the water every 2 or 3 strokes. Finally the swim was done and I didn't feel too bad coming out. I got peeled and was off running on the helix towards the my bike gear bag to get onto the bike.
The gear bag transition was good, all of the volunteers were very nice and helpful. No problems with the bike at all when it comes to getting my stuff on. Then came the bike, I knew the course but the first part I had never done so that was unfamiliar. I tried to go super easy, small ring on the front and three down on the back. The bike was pretty cool because on any of the huge hills people were lined up right next to us and cheering like we were on the tour de france. That helped a ton. I also really enjoyed Verona where my family was two times on the bike. I felt pretty good on the first loop, then after mile 60 and then to about mile 80 I fell off a bit. Not sure if it was the nutrition or the mental aspect of being tired but in either case my average speed dropped. I kept taking in liquids and food and manged to pee two times on the bike, gross! I wasn't a huge fan of the gels so I ended up taking in only 3, and the rest was liquid, two power bars and a banana or two that was given out. Not sure but I might have been a bit low on the calories on the bike, but close to what I wanted to be. I also remember passing the 100 mile mark and thinking hey this is the first time I've done 100 miles!!! =)
The bike course was of course hilly but the roads were very smooth. Right before going up the helix and back from the bike, my chain fell off. I had to hop off and get it back on which wasn't a huge deal. Otherwise no issue on the bike, thank goodness!
Lastly, I actually felt like my stomach had cramped badly almost the whole ride, not sure if that was nerves but it seemed to let up around the 50 or 60mile mark.
In the T2 went smoothly. I ran out and grabbed a power bar because I was sick of gels and wasn't sure what I'd be taking in on the run. The run started out ok, but then it became brutal. Those frist 2 to 3 miles I wasn't sure how I'd run a marathon. But after about the forth mile things became a bit easier, not much though. Then I'd say around mile 7 or 8 my feet started to cramp up soooo bad. I took in A LOT of water and walked all of the water stops, I also ate chips, pretzels, some bananas, chicken broth, one cup of cola...The cramps in my feet did not go away and by the second loop of the run I was in a lot of pain. I just tried to get through mile by mile and started to walk some of the hills also. Finally the finish line was close and I sprinted in! I was so happy to be caught by Gabe and Kim! I was super excited right away and then about 2min later was in the medical tent sick...After sitting down and drinking some broth and water I seemed to be ok. I was weighed and had dropped only about 3lbs, which was most likely why I got so sick.
Highlights of the race:
Guy and girl on the bike starting naked with a sign over their private parts saying focus.
The fans running up the hills with us on the bike course.
State street on the run.
Other things:
Didn't use any of my special needs bags at all
Run course is very hilly, observation hill awesome.
Times: 2.4 swim, 112 bike, 26.2 run
1:17 Swim 2min pace
5:57 Bike 18.5 pace
4:21 Run 9:59 pace
TOTAL 11:48.09 15th in Division 25-29.
SO WHAT'S NEXT?!
The weekend was perfect, we got there with Gabe and John on Thursday (race was Sunday) and did everything stress free. Chilled out Thursday, swam and biked and checked in Friday, swam/bike/run and checked gear run and bike Saturday, and then Sunday race day! The only thing to do Sunday was check in special needs bags, which was very nice and stress free. We even had a sharpie so we body marked ourselves and were done with that in 10 seconds, thanks to Jeremy's advice.
Everything seemed very surreal to me. I felt unusually calm the whole weekend until Saturday night at dinner and the morning of the race. My nervousness came out by being super quite and to myself. I guess everyone get through nervousness and anxiety in different ways...John and I were together the whole time which was nice because he'd done the race 3 times and it helped to have him by my side. We made our way towards the water at about 645am. I didn't feel too panicked at all once we got in which was good, then BAM! Swim started out pretty good, it was about after the first buoy that I started getting hit from all over...I remember thinking wow is this ever going to end or is the whole swim this way...It wasn't until the first turn that it started to slightly thin out, but it wasn't easy to swim still...Once it started to thin out a bit I felt a bit better about the swim and then tried to just focus on my form and not getting my head out of the water every 2 or 3 strokes. Finally the swim was done and I didn't feel too bad coming out. I got peeled and was off running on the helix towards the my bike gear bag to get onto the bike.
The gear bag transition was good, all of the volunteers were very nice and helpful. No problems with the bike at all when it comes to getting my stuff on. Then came the bike, I knew the course but the first part I had never done so that was unfamiliar. I tried to go super easy, small ring on the front and three down on the back. The bike was pretty cool because on any of the huge hills people were lined up right next to us and cheering like we were on the tour de france. That helped a ton. I also really enjoyed Verona where my family was two times on the bike. I felt pretty good on the first loop, then after mile 60 and then to about mile 80 I fell off a bit. Not sure if it was the nutrition or the mental aspect of being tired but in either case my average speed dropped. I kept taking in liquids and food and manged to pee two times on the bike, gross! I wasn't a huge fan of the gels so I ended up taking in only 3, and the rest was liquid, two power bars and a banana or two that was given out. Not sure but I might have been a bit low on the calories on the bike, but close to what I wanted to be. I also remember passing the 100 mile mark and thinking hey this is the first time I've done 100 miles!!! =)
The bike course was of course hilly but the roads were very smooth. Right before going up the helix and back from the bike, my chain fell off. I had to hop off and get it back on which wasn't a huge deal. Otherwise no issue on the bike, thank goodness!
Lastly, I actually felt like my stomach had cramped badly almost the whole ride, not sure if that was nerves but it seemed to let up around the 50 or 60mile mark.
In the T2 went smoothly. I ran out and grabbed a power bar because I was sick of gels and wasn't sure what I'd be taking in on the run. The run started out ok, but then it became brutal. Those frist 2 to 3 miles I wasn't sure how I'd run a marathon. But after about the forth mile things became a bit easier, not much though. Then I'd say around mile 7 or 8 my feet started to cramp up soooo bad. I took in A LOT of water and walked all of the water stops, I also ate chips, pretzels, some bananas, chicken broth, one cup of cola...The cramps in my feet did not go away and by the second loop of the run I was in a lot of pain. I just tried to get through mile by mile and started to walk some of the hills also. Finally the finish line was close and I sprinted in! I was so happy to be caught by Gabe and Kim! I was super excited right away and then about 2min later was in the medical tent sick...After sitting down and drinking some broth and water I seemed to be ok. I was weighed and had dropped only about 3lbs, which was most likely why I got so sick.
Highlights of the race:
Guy and girl on the bike starting naked with a sign over their private parts saying focus.
The fans running up the hills with us on the bike course.
State street on the run.
Other things:
Didn't use any of my special needs bags at all
Run course is very hilly, observation hill awesome.
Times: 2.4 swim, 112 bike, 26.2 run
1:17 Swim 2min pace
5:57 Bike 18.5 pace
4:21 Run 9:59 pace
TOTAL 11:48.09 15th in Division 25-29.
SO WHAT'S NEXT?!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
YW Sprint Tri 8/14/2011
Highlight of this race are always the people and the volunteers. I always feel pretty special doing this race because there are so many newbies, and it's pretty special to be a part of such history.
Had a woman come up to me and a few others asking how we get our wetsuits off so fast. So cute! =)
Now the race, the swim was not as crazy as last year and this is also the first year this race had an elite wave, which consisted of 8 women total. I was pretty prepared and was feeling decent at the start. I was also pretty humbled by my number one race number which was a pretty cool feeling. The talent this year was very deep, which was pretty exciting.
No real highlight from the swim, went pretty smooth and PR of 1 min from last year.
Bike was super bumpy yet again going down the River Parkway and Minnehaha Parkway. I also was getting out of aero a lot being a bit freaked out with the recent accident which happened to a fellow Tri Friend, Denny Johnson. I was really trying to push hard on the bike and managed to catch two women as well as almost catching Greta Simpson who came in before me on the swim.
The run was tough. I knew the first and second place were pretty set, Claire Bootsma and Kort Haag, super fast and talented runners and athletes. It appeared that the 3rd place spot would be a matter of the run. I gunned out and passed Greta within the first half mile or so but I was huffing and puffing hard. I knew Ann S, was a super strong runner and it was a matter of time a little after mile 2 that she passed me. I remember thinking come on stick with her, but I also thought there was a little extra portion on the run like last year and I knew that I wouldn't have enough to stay with her for that long. So, I slowly watched her pull away. Then all the sudden I figure out there was the finish line, and maybe just maybe I could have held on, but it was too late at that point. Darn! Props to Ann, super strong runner! Ended up with a PR total time, but not a run PR.
Total Time 1:13.40
Swim 8:28 500 yards (PR from last year)
Bike 41:28 21.2 MPH (PR from last year by .2 MPH) bike was .5 longer.
Run 21:09 6:49 pace
4th overall. Ann had me by about 15 seconds...
Key Takeaway: I raced pretty hard and really tried to push on the bike, with the weekend before being a 9 hour training weekend at Madison I was surprised I had the speed so I'm overall happy.
Had to do an hour and half training run after the race, the HARDEST run I've done to date, but I made it.
Next up: IRONMAN WI 2011! Do this thing!
Had a woman come up to me and a few others asking how we get our wetsuits off so fast. So cute! =)
Now the race, the swim was not as crazy as last year and this is also the first year this race had an elite wave, which consisted of 8 women total. I was pretty prepared and was feeling decent at the start. I was also pretty humbled by my number one race number which was a pretty cool feeling. The talent this year was very deep, which was pretty exciting.
No real highlight from the swim, went pretty smooth and PR of 1 min from last year.
Bike was super bumpy yet again going down the River Parkway and Minnehaha Parkway. I also was getting out of aero a lot being a bit freaked out with the recent accident which happened to a fellow Tri Friend, Denny Johnson. I was really trying to push hard on the bike and managed to catch two women as well as almost catching Greta Simpson who came in before me on the swim.
The run was tough. I knew the first and second place were pretty set, Claire Bootsma and Kort Haag, super fast and talented runners and athletes. It appeared that the 3rd place spot would be a matter of the run. I gunned out and passed Greta within the first half mile or so but I was huffing and puffing hard. I knew Ann S, was a super strong runner and it was a matter of time a little after mile 2 that she passed me. I remember thinking come on stick with her, but I also thought there was a little extra portion on the run like last year and I knew that I wouldn't have enough to stay with her for that long. So, I slowly watched her pull away. Then all the sudden I figure out there was the finish line, and maybe just maybe I could have held on, but it was too late at that point. Darn! Props to Ann, super strong runner! Ended up with a PR total time, but not a run PR.
Total Time 1:13.40
Swim 8:28 500 yards (PR from last year)
Bike 41:28 21.2 MPH (PR from last year by .2 MPH) bike was .5 longer.
Run 21:09 6:49 pace
4th overall. Ann had me by about 15 seconds...
Key Takeaway: I raced pretty hard and really tried to push on the bike, with the weekend before being a 9 hour training weekend at Madison I was surprised I had the speed so I'm overall happy.
Had to do an hour and half training run after the race, the HARDEST run I've done to date, but I made it.
Next up: IRONMAN WI 2011! Do this thing!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Chisago Half Ironman (3rd ever) 7/24/11
I'm taking a new approach with the posts now, instead of just blabbing about everything I'm only including things that stuck out.
The SWIM: Wow I've never been in such a messy swim before. When I say messy I mean crazy fog with people running into each other.
The BIKE: Super windy this day, head wind and side wind. First time using Greta's race wheels, 808 front and 1080 back, lots of movement from the wind, and hard to control the bike. Also big mistake getting aero bars tightened and slightly adjusted the night before.
The RUN: Not much here, just bonking at mile 10.
Results:
1.2 swim 37:39
56 Bike 2:39 21.6 average
13.1 run 1:39 7:35 pace
Total 5:00.13 13th overall, 3rd AG.
Key Takeaway: I really well eating on the bike, two gels, half salter nut roll, bottle of Gatorade, and some PB. PB did not work out, it's too dry and wasn't very good.
The SWIM: Wow I've never been in such a messy swim before. When I say messy I mean crazy fog with people running into each other.
The BIKE: Super windy this day, head wind and side wind. First time using Greta's race wheels, 808 front and 1080 back, lots of movement from the wind, and hard to control the bike. Also big mistake getting aero bars tightened and slightly adjusted the night before.
The RUN: Not much here, just bonking at mile 10.
Results:
1.2 swim 37:39
56 Bike 2:39 21.6 average
13.1 run 1:39 7:35 pace
Total 5:00.13 13th overall, 3rd AG.
Key Takeaway: I really well eating on the bike, two gels, half salter nut roll, bottle of Gatorade, and some PB. PB did not work out, it's too dry and wasn't very good.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Graniteman Race Report 7/9/2011
This race was a bit far away but I was excited to do yet another sprint race in between all the volume work I've been doing. My friend Amanda came with me which was nice because Gabe couldn't come to this one.
The drive there was pretty smooth, but I was feeling pretty tired. I wasn't sure if it was just the long drive or just the tiredness from the week.
When I warmed up with Amanda I told her that my legs didn't feel too fresh. I guess that's expected, but I still was hoping to do well and have some energy like I did at Minneman.
The swim was a bit different because instead of having bouys we swam from one beach to the next. I actually didn't feel too bad in the swim. And coming out of the water Amanda told me that I was about a min behind Sarah Mercer, TCMC Elite Team member.
The bike was a different story, right away when I got on I felt tired. No energy...I even took a gel and that didn't help. I was really trying to push but I just knew I was too tired and weak today. From mile 10 to 15, there was an incredible head and side wind which didn't help. Coming off the bike I was feeling pretty exhausted.
The run was a similar story. I even felt like I wanted to walk a bit. Of course I didn't, I just tried to keep at it. Finished somewhat strong with the little energy I had.
Finished 2nd overall behind Sarah, a whole 4min away.
I guess this was a good training day and I was a bit upset, but I know I've been doing a lot of training and I am trying to keep an eye on the big goal. So with that I guess I wasn't too hard on myself.
RESULTS:
1:17:16
Total
11:55 (.46 distance) 1:29 pace (fastest swim split)
41:19 (15miles) 21.9 pace
21:40 (3.1 miles) 7min pace
Total
11:55 (.46 distance) 1:29 pace (fastest swim split)
41:19 (15miles) 21.9 pace
21:40 (3.1 miles) 7min pace
Key Takaways: None really here, just plain tired. Best part was the swim split, my fastest to date!
Next up: Chisago Half, hopefully more rested for that one.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Minneman Race Report 7/2/11
Fast, short, no 6 hour workout, I was excited to get some speed work in! I've also noticed the sprint in between all the volume I am doing are a nice break mentally and physically for me.
Gabe was also doing the race so we packed up pretty early and were in the car at 5:30 am to get to the race an hour before to set up and warm up.
This race was a bit different because we got our race tattoos as body markings so it was nice not to have to worry about anything besides a quick chip pick up at the race. I love it when everything is given the day before and all you have to do the day of the race is set up, figure out the bike in, out and such and then just warm up. I was feeling pretty relaxed at this race which was nice. I set out for my regular 30min warm up before the race, with a bit of knee pain. The knee pain has been nagging me for a while now about a month. Seems like the issue is that for some reason the lateral part of my quad is super tight pulling up on the patelar tendon. Essentially creating a lot of unwanted stress and discomfort in my knee.
The race was also a bit different because usually I was able to set up my bike anywhere but this race had a "special" rack for the elites. Here I was around all these disc wheels, hehe! Good times, it was very tight with both men and women elites on the same bike rack.
The swim started out pretty well except that I thought I had almost missed it and then half way into the swim my watch came off my wrist. Instead of letting the watch go, I decided to hang on to it, and fist the swim with one arm. BIG MISTAKE!!!
Transition was super long, felt like I was running forever to get to my bike. Bike went pretty well, no major stories, I felt strong.
Then came the run, I wanted to start out very fast and strong. I did just that except I think i was a bit too excited so I had to pace myself a bit. Pam Neilson I saw was in front of me and I kept her in sight the whole run. I really really wanted to catch her but she ahead enough where I just couldn't. I had one of my best runs because of the push to try to catch her! Run maped to be 3.1 miles but results said 3 miles. I'm going with 3.1 per map guide!
Finished in 4th place...happy with the run effort!
Swim (.3miles) 8:42 (1:39) (13 miles) 35:08 (22.2mph) 5K (race said 3 mile) 20:09 (6:43) pace = 1:06:48 Total
Key takeaway: Do not first and swim!
Next up Graniteman Sprint.
Gabe was also doing the race so we packed up pretty early and were in the car at 5:30 am to get to the race an hour before to set up and warm up.
This race was a bit different because we got our race tattoos as body markings so it was nice not to have to worry about anything besides a quick chip pick up at the race. I love it when everything is given the day before and all you have to do the day of the race is set up, figure out the bike in, out and such and then just warm up. I was feeling pretty relaxed at this race which was nice. I set out for my regular 30min warm up before the race, with a bit of knee pain. The knee pain has been nagging me for a while now about a month. Seems like the issue is that for some reason the lateral part of my quad is super tight pulling up on the patelar tendon. Essentially creating a lot of unwanted stress and discomfort in my knee.
The race was also a bit different because usually I was able to set up my bike anywhere but this race had a "special" rack for the elites. Here I was around all these disc wheels, hehe! Good times, it was very tight with both men and women elites on the same bike rack.
The swim started out pretty well except that I thought I had almost missed it and then half way into the swim my watch came off my wrist. Instead of letting the watch go, I decided to hang on to it, and fist the swim with one arm. BIG MISTAKE!!!
Transition was super long, felt like I was running forever to get to my bike. Bike went pretty well, no major stories, I felt strong.
Then came the run, I wanted to start out very fast and strong. I did just that except I think i was a bit too excited so I had to pace myself a bit. Pam Neilson I saw was in front of me and I kept her in sight the whole run. I really really wanted to catch her but she ahead enough where I just couldn't. I had one of my best runs because of the push to try to catch her! Run maped to be 3.1 miles but results said 3 miles. I'm going with 3.1 per map guide!
Finished in 4th place...happy with the run effort!
Swim (.3miles) 8:42 (1:39) (13 miles) 35:08 (22.2mph) 5K (race said 3 mile) 20:09 (6:43) pace = 1:06:48 Total
Key takeaway: Do not first and swim!
Next up Graniteman Sprint.
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