I Survived: A Recap of My First Triathlon

Well, I did it. I survived my first triathlon.

And yes, survived is the right word to describe what I endured last night.

It’s funny, I have talked about this tri and all the training for it openly on my blog and shared details on FB and twitter but outside of social media I really tried to keep it to myself. However, once people found out about the swim lessons the conversation inevitably moved to why and I then started talking about the training and working up to my first triathlon.

Here’s the thing. There are a lot of people that think Ironman when you say triathlon. Which is ridiculous (and strongly ill-advised as your first triathlon on the IM website) because of the sheer intensity and endurance required to think that would be my first. Then there are others that once you say that your first is a super sprint that think it as probably the easiest thing ever since the distances are short. Which is also ridiculous. Because of these reasons I really limited my tri talk to people of similar fitnessy understanding because no one wants to feel like what they are doing is of little or no importance.

Especially when it requires so much hard work and dedication.

And I am pretty sure I have mentioned it before but I will say it again just so you can fully understand how much training went into this….when I started 9 weeks ago I couldn’t swim with my face in the water. I did not know how to hold my breath/breathe underwater – I never learned. So to progress from that point up to swim lessons to swimming in open water as the first leg of a triathlon is a pretty huge evolution for me. This progression alone makes me feel supremely excited to have made so much progress so quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no world class swimmer but I am definitely leaps and bounds better than I was in June.

Yay for progress!

Which is the whole point of this journey, right? Forward progress. Setting new goals and working to achieve them. Celebrating every victory along the way and trying not to beat yourself up over the ‘road bumps’.

Can you believe I only ran my first mile ever January 2012?

Then I started bought my bike the following March- another activity I really never did growing up.

And then this summer I took swimming lessons.

And now I am recapping my first triathlon.

Mind blown.

So, how did it go you ask?

Well, it was a whirlwind. I could probably write a post just on each leg but I won’t and I will try to keep this pretty brief and not inundate you with every single detail.

I was behind this car almost my entire drive there. She not only was going to the tri, I ended up racking my bike next to hers and talking to her for most of the event. How funny?

 

My bike

My gear

I was number 18- I did a pretty crappy job getting my number on. Looks like 10, doesn't it?

 

Our required swim cap

SWIM: This was the hardest part for me. I felt really comfortable swimming at first but a few minutes in I got a really awesome cramp in my calf that stayed with me all the way to the end of the run. I swam freestyle at first, switched to sidestroke, and then kind of swam willy-nilly as I was starting to lose my breath, then back to freestyle at the end. I was one of the last out of the water but I was neither surprised or defeated by this. I did not expect to kick ass in the swim. I was hoping just to make it out of the water on my own.

 

Thanks Jodi for taking some awesome pics of the race! This is the Santa Rosa Sound where we swam.

 I'm in the back on the left, walking up to the beach...

 

I heard Jodi cheering and saw her taking pics so I had to give her the thumbs up!

I saw the clock as I ran into transition at 8 something minutes. My friend AC who was there spectating texted Paul and said I was out of the water in 7.5 minutes. I totally believe that it took me a minute to run from the beach to the transition area.

Also, this is a pretty informal race. No timing chips, no split times, none of that. Just my finish time. And since I could only see the clock in one direction I am not sure of the times leaving the swim-bike transition or the bike-run transition.

Transition 1: this one took some time. Not sure how long but I am guessing probably 3-4 minutes, maybe longer. It was just trying to make sure I had everything I needed while trying to catch my breath still from the swim. It was a blur.

BIKE: The bike was awesome….for the first 2 miles. Coming out I had an awesome wind at my back. I was cruising around 22-23mph. I was able to relax. I felt super excited I would gain some ground on this leg. Then we turned and had a nasty head wind for 4 miles which made me curse life as I struggled to hit speeds above 15 mph. Most of the time I was around 12-14mph. Even though it felt like riding through molasses, I was able to pass a few people on this stretch. Hit the second turnaround and cruised back the last couple miles back in the 20+mph range again. Saw the clock as I pulled into transition at 40 minutes and change. Best guess, that leg took about 28-30 minutes- lot quite what I hoped for but it was hella windy. A complaint I heard amongst many of the finishers after the race.

 

Based off the direction I am heading, this is me coming up to the bike dismount point...

 

Transition 2: this one was pretty easy comparatively- helmet, sunglasses, gloves off, bike racked, visor and spibelt on. Not sure how long this took but AC said I came out of transition around 42 minutes and change.

RUN: The run was pretty challenging at this point. We started off running against the wind so that felt pretty much like torture. I felt like my mouth was super dry (I think from all the saltwater I accidentally ingested) and I was just longing for the water at the turnaround. I knew I didn’t have too far to go but I was struggling. My calf was bothering me, I had a side stitch, my shoulder was sore, and I was ready to be done. I was alternating walking and running just to get through the first half. I was having issues getting my heart rate down and mentally I needed a few breaks just to reset my focus. After I hit the water point I knew I was in the homestretch. I drank a cup of water, poured one on my head and slowly jogged back with a nice breeze at my back.

 

Jodi said the pictures are blurry because I was just so fast... ;)

 AC snagged this shot as I exited transition. I like that it's next to the 'Athletes Only' sign...

 

Waving, super happy to be in the home stretch!

 

And just like that...it was over!

 

The heat and humidity were brutal yesterday but it is the Florida panhandle in August so I wasn’t too surprised. It certainly did not make running easy. This was really the only leg where I felt the effects of my effort during such high temps. I was physically exhausted.

Once I hit that turn coming in the last few tenths of a mile to the finish I just felt happy. And relieved it was over. And proud. And a bit nauseated. It was unbelievably hot. I was 100% ready to stop moving.

I crossed the finish line at 01:01:30. I am happy with that time. I really didn’t have a set time goal in mind. Paul told my Pilates instructor I was thinking 45 minutes but I knew that was unrealistic. I did think the run and bike would both go a bit better, and the swim would have taken longer, but given the circumstances I am so happy to have just been able to muscle through it. It was tough. I am not 100% sure I would want to do another one. My swimming sucks and it showed. But maybe in time, as I get more comfortable in the water, I may change my mind.

I am so happy I did it.

It is a wonderful memory I will be able to keep with me for the rest of my life.

It’s also fun to be able to add another item to my list of accomplishments. Since I couldn’t really swim I never, ever, never thought I would do a triathlon so that makes this a really sweet victory for me.

 Me and Jodi- after, in case you couldn't tell.

 



 Me and AC

 

After I packed up all my gear and decompressed a bit. I love this pic!

Thank you Jodi and AC for coming out to support me- you are awesome. And a big thanks to everyone else who sent me texts and messages before, during, and after. You guys all rock! It was great to receive so many well wishes. You really make a girl feel loved.

So, what’s up next? Well I am just a little over 7 weeks out from my next half marathon. And it’s going to be another big personal challenge for me. The North Face Endurance Challenge in Georgia- a trail half marathon on some pretty intense technical trails and almost 1900 feet of elevation change. Nothing I have seen before. So now my focus is going back to trail running and more strength training- which I will talk about another day.

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Run.  Ride. Swim. Repeat J

It's Almost Tri Time!!!

So it’s almost here.

My first triathlon.

Tomorrow.

Hopefully.

I say hopefully because there are (no big surprise here) thunderstorms in the forecast for tomorrow. Thankfully the chance of storms dropped from 60% to 40% but lightning, especially if it’s the PM storms they are calling for, could put a hold on the race. If it’s bad enough, they may even cancel.

BUT, I am staying positive that it will go off as planned. Last week, while I was away, they got so much rain that they were forced to reroute the bike portion. Even with bad weather the race still went on, just with a shorter bike leg.

I’m not going to lie- I’m a bit nervous. Because of the ridiculous stormy weather we have been having I have yet to do an open water swim. The ONE DAY I made it to the beach this summer we were under a storm/lightning warning and we weren’t actually allowed in the water. So there’s that.

Plus it’s been at least a month since I’ve ridden my bike. I mean I ride my spin bike and other standard bikes at the gym a couple times a week but again- because of weather I have had to move my ride indoors the last few times the schedule called for it. So there’s that too.

I also have yet to test out my tri suit. Well, I tried it on last night to make sure it still fit (which it did- huzzah!) but I have yet to actually swim, bike or run in it. So there’s another reason for the nerves.

BUT- here’s the thing. Nerves are normal. I’m not freaking out. Just a bit anxious. Honestly- I am not really scared about the swim since Paul’s first ever open water swim was at his triathlon and he did great. I am not really scared about the bike because well, it’s riding a bike. And it’s my strong suit. Even with time away from the bike I know I am still ready and it will probably be the easiest part for me. As for being scared about the damage an untested tri suit can cause- well I am prepared for that. I have a brand new stick of body glide already packed in my bag- ready to be applied generously over every area where chaffing can happen.

I know I am ready. I have trained for this. I am prepared.  I am not concerned about failing.

I am just a bit nervous because it is something new. It’s like a mix of excitement and a bit of anxiety.

 I think that’s pretty normal though. Well, at least it is for me.

 I know I was nervous the first time I ran a 5K. And nervous for every increasing length I’ve ran since.

I was nervous during swim lessons- learning the butterfly stroke, diving into the deep end.

And I was nervous the first time I took my bike out for a long, hilly hard as hell ride.

But I don’t mind the nerves. I think they come with the territory. Or like I said, at least they do for me.

New stuff is exciting. Nervousness is just an indication of that excitement.

Maybe that’s just me.

But I'd like to believe I am not the only one who gets this way before they try out something new.

Triathlon Training Week 6 Recap

Before I get into the recap of week 6 I should probably tell you my plans have changed, just slightly, for my first triathlon. My original plan was to participate in the women’s only tri here in Pensacola on Thursday, August 1^st at 6:15p. That’s what I registered for and what I’ve been training for. However, I won’t be here in Pensacola on August 1^st. I will be back home in NJ with my family since my mother is undergoing a double mastectomy on Monday, July 29^th.

 And really, I don’t care about missing the triathlon.

That is the least of my concerns.

My mom is way, way, way more important than any race. I cannot stress that enough.

I am very thankful to be able to go home and be with my mom and dad through all of this. I am lucky to have a very understanding and accommodating boss and a husband who would never keep me from being with my family, especially during these trying times. And of course I am very lucky to have some of the most amazing friends that have been here for me since the day I found out. Thanks guys!

I think I mentioned in last week’s post that since I didn’t know when my mom’s surgery would be scheduled for and when I would be going home and for how long I was planning on continuing to train for the triathlon. And now that I know all the details about the surgery/trip home I am going to keep on training, at least while I’m herein FL, because there is another triathlon on August 8^th as part of the same series. If all goes well with mom’s surgery, which is of course what we are hoping for, and I am back in Florida I will sign up for that one.

So this week will be week seven of training. Next week, when I’m in NJ, I will just do what I can. I don’t plan on trying to keep to any type of training schedule. My family, and taking care of them, comes first. If I can get in a run or a swim while there- awesome. If not, no big deal. When I get back I will jump back into week 8’s training plan and go from there.

Week 6 Plan:

Monday- strength training

Tuesday- swim 15 mins, run 40 mins

Wednesday- bike 40 min, run 15

Thursday – run 40 mins, strength

Friday- rest

Saturday - run 5 miles

Sunday - swim 30, bike 60

Total planned for week 6: two strength sessions, 95 minutes plus 5 miles (not for time) running, 100 minutes biking, 45 minutes swimming

Week 6 Actual:

Monday- unplanned rest day

Tuesday- barre class, swim 40 mins

Wednesday- barre class

Thursday - run 47 mins (intervals and hills), barre class, swim 40 mins

Friday- bike 45 mins

Saturday - run 5 miles (49:08), barre class, reformer session

Sunday - unplanned rest day

Actuals for week6: 4 strength sessions, 80 mins swimming, 45 mins biking, 47 mins plus 5 miles running

+2 strength sessions, +35 mins swimming, -55 mins biking, -48 mins running

Week 7 Plan:

Monday- strength training

Tuesday- strength training,  bike 40 mins

Wednesday- run 45 mins

Thursday – swim 30, run 30

Friday- rest

Saturday - run 6 miles

Sunday - swim 30, run 60

My half marathon training plan calls for, in addition to cross training, a 2 mile easy-paced run, an interval workout, a tempo run, and a 6 mile run at an easy pace.

Total planned for week 6: two strength sessions, 135 minutes plus 6 miles (not for time) running, 40 minutes biking, 60 minutes swimming

And of course, like I always do, I will be rearranging this training guideline to fit my schedule.

Since I will be flying home on Saturday I am already planning on moving the 6 mile long run to Friday morning before work. And since I have swim lessons Tuesday and Thursday that is when I complete my two weekly swim sessions. I know I sound like a broken record but I firmly believe that you should make the training plan work for you, not the other way around.

What are you currently training for? Do you strictly/loosely follow your training plan?  

Triathlon Training Recap: Week 3 & Week 4

Here is my recap of weeks three and four of my eight week triathlon training plan. Travel/Fitbloggin’ , plus the readjustment time after, made it a bit difficult to get in all of the planned training sessions these past two weeks but I am not disappointed. That’s the way life works- it’s not always easy to fit everything in. I chose to sacrifice a few swims and runs for the sake of enjoying my vacation, trying new workouts, and getting lots of sleep after. And it’s not like I was being lazy; in two weeks I only took one rest day. My body felt really good with the workouts and activities I was doing so I was able to get in a lot of activity- even if it wasn’t always running, biking and swimming.

Week 3 Plan:

Monday- strength training

Tuesday- bike 50, strength training

Wednesday- run 35

Thursday – swim 30, run 20

Friday- rest

Saturday – run 40

Sunday – swim 30, run 45

Total planned for week 3: two strength sessions, 140 minutes running, 50 minutes biking, 60 minutes swimming

Week 3 Actual:

Monday- AM: bike 50 PM: barre class

Tuesday- AM: run 35 min PM: barre and reformer session

Wednesday- AM: run 30 min PM: barre class

Thursday- rest/travel day

Friday- boot camp and cardio dance

Saturday- yoga and jump fitness

Sunday – run/walk 5K

Actuals for week 3: three strength sessions plus four additional group fitness classes, 95 minutes running, 50 minutes biking, 0 minutes swimming

+1 strength session, -45 minutes running, -60 minutes swimming

Week 4 Plan:

Monday- swim 30, run 15

Tuesday- strength training

Wednesday- bike 40, run 10

Thursday – run 30, strength training

Friday- rest

Saturday – run 45

Sunday – swim, bike, run 30

Total planned for week 3: two strength sessions, 130 minutes running, 70 minutes biking, 60 minutes swimming

Week 4 Actual:

Monday- AM: barre class and reformer session

Tuesday- barre class

Wednesday- barre class

Thursday- barre class

Friday- 60 min bike

Saturday- run 30 (5K), barre class, reformer session

Sunday – 60 min bike

Actuals for week 4: five strength sessions, 30 minutes running, 120 minutes biking, 0 minutes swimming

+3 strength sessions, +10 min biking,  -100 minutes running, -60 minutes swimming

The last two weeks I was unable to swim because I did not have access to, or the weather didn’t allow me to swim in, a pool or open water so that sucked. But, on the bright side, my swim lessons start tomorrow and because of that I will be able to get in at least two swim sessions a week here on out.  Yay!

My running wasn’t too great the past two weeks either; week 3 I was just too busy at FB to go for a run (but I still worked out and walked a ton) and last week I took the mornings off from the gym trying to get back into a normal sleep pattern, especially with the holiday midweek. This week I am hopeful though, I think I will be able to get in all of my training sessions as planned.

Week 5 Plan:

Monday- strength training

Tuesday- bike 30, strength training

Wednesday- run 40

Thursday – swim 30, run 25  

Friday- rest

Saturday – run 50

Sunday – swim 30, run 45

Total planned for week 5: two strength sessions, 160 minutes running, 30 minutes biking, 60 minutes swimming

Wish me luck this week. The running is really starting to increase which is a good thing because next week starts week one of my 12 week half marathon training plan. I will be trying to balance both training plans for the three weeks left until the triathlon. That should be interesting ;)

Action shot on the new spin bike. I was watching Wimbledon, trying to distract myself from the 16 minute climbing (standing) session I was in the midst of...

Triathlon Training: Week 2 Recap

Time to recap week two of my triathlon training…two weeks down, six to go.  Did I tell you my triathlon is on a Thursday night? Kind of random, I know. But I am actually really excited for it even if I have to work all day first.

Oh, and did I tell you it is a females-only triathlon? That was actually a big selling point for me. I will have enough on my mind that day; I don’t need to have to worry about getting kicked in the face (while swimming) by some big dude.

But enough about that…let’s get to the recap….

Week 2 Plan:

Monday- bike 30 min, run 15 min
Tuesday- strength
Wednesday- swim 15 min, run 30 min
Thursday – run 30 min, strength
Friday- rest
Saturday – run 35 min
Sunday – swim 30 min, bike 30 min

Total planned for week 2: two strength sessions, 110 minutes running, 60 minutes biking, 45 minutes swimming

Week 2 Actual:

Monday- self-imposed rest day after 6 workouts in the five days prior

Tuesday- AM: bike 30 min, run 15 min PM: barre and reformer session
Wednesday- AM:  run 30 min PM: swim 25 minutes
Thursday- AM: run 30 min PM: barre class
Friday- rest day
Saturday- barre class and reformer session
Sunday – swim 30 min, bike 30 min, run 35 min

Total for week 2:  three strength sessions, 110 minutes running, 60 minutes biking, 55 minutes swimming

+10 minutes swimming, +1 strength sessions

After Sunday's workout; swim, bike, run. White shirt makes it hard to see the sweat. I was drenched!

 

I’m pretty happy with last week’s results. Although out of order, which will happen every week, I managed to fit in every training session as well as an extra session of strength training. I also realized how important it is for me to get in the pool as much as possible. Swimming is by far my biggest weakness, as I am still attempting to learn how to swim properly. Lessons start up on July 9^th and that day can’t come quickly enough.

I have read countless times how important it is in triathlon training to spend the most time on the area you are weakest in so I am planning on trying to get in some extra pool time this week (before Fitbloggin) and next week to help get me as acclimated to swimming as possible before the lessons start.

I am also pretty damn happy (and proud) about a couple improvements I saw this week. I hit my fastest 1.5 mile time to date (in the training) of a 14:34 which I ran after 30 minutes on the bike. Happy to be able to run a 9:42 min/mile pace on tired legs. Then yesterday I ran 3.6 miles in 35 minutes which is a 9:43 min/mile pace after swimming for 30 minutes and biking for 30 minutes. Again, on tired legs. It makes me happy knowing I can still push myself hard at the end of a workout since that’s pretty much what will need to happen during the triathlon. There is no better time than now to prepare myself to run tired.

This week is going to be a bit chaotic being in Portland for 4 days during which I won’t have access to a pool. I will definitely need to rearrange the training schedule to make it work and maybe I may end up missing some training sessions but I am not going to kill myself over it. I know week 4 will be better so I am not concerned. It happens, that’s life. BUT even though I know I will be living it up in Portland I am still going to do my best to get in training runs when I can.  The training schedule is as follows:

Week 3 Plan:

Monday- strength

Tuesday- run 35
Wednesday- bike 50, strength
Thursday- swim 30, run 20
Friday- rest
Saturday- run 40 min
Sunday- swim 30, run 45

I plan on going to barre class Monday-Wednesday plus a reformer session on Tuesday, I will hopefully get both swim sessions and the one bike session in before I leave and then I will only have running sessions to worry about in Portland. I also know that I have a bunch of fitness sessions (boot camp, yoga, cardio dance and trampolining) on the schedule at Fitbloggin so I will definitely be keeping active this week. Which is a good thing since I will need to be in order to balance out the all the beer and Voodoo doughnuts that will be consumed.

What are your goals this week? Do you have any big fitness (or even non-fitness goals) you are working towards?

Triathlon Training Week 1 Recap

Last week was the first week of my 8 week triathlon training plan. As you know, it got off to a rough start but thankfully by Wednesday things turned around and I was able to get in most of my training sessions for the week. Actually the only real changes I had to make to the schedule were subbing in a bike ride in place of a swim and moved the order around a bit. As with any training plan, it’s pretty much a great starting point but I always have to shift things around based off my schedule.

Week 1Plan:

Monday- strength
Tuesday- run 30 min
Wednesday- bike 45, strength  
Thursday- swim 20, run 25
Friday- rest
Saturday- run 30 min
Sunday- swim 30, run 30

Total planned  for week 1: 2 strength training sessions, 115 minutes running, 45 minutes biking, 50 minutes swimming

Week 1 Actual:

Monday- rest (aka hiding under a rock)
Tuesday- rest
Wednesday – run 30 min
Thursday – bike 45 minutes, barre class (which I consider strength training)
Friday- bike 20 minutes, run 25 minutes
Saturday – barre class and reformer session for strength training
Sunday- swim 30 minutes, run 60 minutes (I combined Saturday’s run with Sunday’s)

Sweaty mess after Sunday's swim/run session- hit the 5 mile mark at 52 minutes which was very exciting to see :)

Total for week 1: 2 strength training sessions, 115 minutes running, 65 minutes biking, 30 minutes swimming

+20 minutes on the bike, -20 minutes of swimming

Not too bad for week 1, especially since it started off so rough.

And of course, for this week (week 2) I know I will be making some adjustments to the schedule again. I already moved yesterday’s scheduled workout to today because I needed a rest day and I know Saturday morning’s will be barre/reformer sessions for the foreseeable future so I am not sure what that means for my runs that day. I may actually try to squeeze it in beforehand and see how that goes.

Week 2 Plan:

Monday- bike 30 min, run 15 min
Tuesday- strength
Wednesday- swim 15 min, run 30 min
Thursday – run 30 min, strength
Friday- rest
Saturday – run 35 min
Sunday – swim 30 min, bike 30 min

I was pretty excited this morning because after I did my 30 minute bike ride I ran 1.5 miles in 14:34 which is a 1:04 minute improvement from last week. My goal is to be able to run 1.5 miles in 13:30 during the triathlon. That’s what I am working towards at least. Not sure it’s really a great idea to set time goals for the actual triathlon itself but I do like having a goal in mind to work towards.

Hey, if nothing else it should hopefully help me with my running while fatigued.

Have you ever trained for a triathlon? How strictly do you adhere to your training plan?

Why a 29er?

When I decided to buy a mountain bike I did a ton of research first. 

I started out by hitting up the bike shops in town to see which brands they carried so I could check reviews and compare features/components. 

Unlike shopping for road bikes where the brands I was interested in and my body shape/height made it so I needed to go with a women's bike with the mountain bike this wasn't so. 

Being able to fit on a men's or a women's mountain bike opened up a world of possibilities when it came to options. I was like a kid in a candy store. So many choices. Maybe even too many. 

I needed to figure out what was important to me, what features mattered and which were irrelevant, just fluff. 

Where would I be riding? Did I want a mountain bike? Maybe a cross country or a trail bike instead?

Disc brakes? Hydraulic or mechanical?

Full suspension or hard tail?

Lockout on the fly? 

Rapid fire shifter?

So many questions. And each of them needed to be answered. But there was one question I knew the answer to as soon as I took my first ride at the shop- 26 or 29?

These numbers, 26 and 29, refer to the wheel size. Each one has pros and cons and I am not saying that 29ers are superior or even the best option for every rider. But one of the main benefits of 29ers, and the key selling point for me, is that that the larger wheels roll over roots and rocks easily. 

So easily that when I ride (unless I am jumping over a curb) I never need to pull up on my handlebars. 

Why is this important? Well, mountain bikes are heavy. Pulling up on your handlebars to get over obstacles takes strength and energy. Doing so every few seconds on the trails is tough. Especially if you  aren't super strong. 

Like me. 

I am pretty weak. I don't have much when it comes to upper body strength. When I do pull-ups I have to stand on Paul's legs to push off. My arms just don't got no muscle. 

So if I was out on the trails on a 26 and had to pull up on my handlebars to get over every root and rock in my path I would last about 5 minutes. 

For me, the 29er was the obvious choice. When I ride I never have to worry about my arms getting too tired to keep going. 

I only have to worry about those stinking trees that get in my way ;)

For women, or at least for women like me, the 29er is an equalizer. It levels the playing field. It makes it so we can get out there and hang with our male counterparts. 

And that my friends, makes all the difference in the world. 

So if you are in the market for a mountain bike make sure to do your research. Also know your limitations. Maybe a 29er is right for you!

"Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live."- Mark Twain