Lebanon Sprint Triathlon

I got up Saturday morning at 5:45am and drove up to Lebanon. I was by myself since my husband was out of town, and that was a little intimidating. I knew I wanted to do the race, but part of the fun is sharing it with someone else. Besides, who was going to take pictures?

No one. I didn't even bring my camera to take pictures afterward or anything. I totally forgot it.



Swim: Slowest swimmers started first, and we were even numbered according to our 500 yard swim times (slowest was #1, etc). I was #15. There it was, marked on my leg for the world to see that I was the 15th slowest swimmer entered. Oh well. I had entered a time of 14 minutes for 500y, not knowing what my time really was. It was just a guess (which turned out to be fairly accurate at my first race), and now I was thinking my time was really more like 12:30 or so. Then I went into the pool area and looked at the pool it looked shorter than usual. I guess I swim in a 25 meter pool, because this pool was definately smaller.

Out of 4 ladies in my lane I was 3rd to start and after we started it was apparent that I was quite a bit faster than they were. Once I got them all passed things went very well and I ended up being the third person out of the pool out of 24 people in my heat. So out of all the people that suck at swimming, I didn't suck quite as bad as the rest. Heh.

Time: 11:20 (2:16/100 yards)

T1: I ran out of the pool, took off cap and goggles, dried off a bit, found my glasses, put on my socks and bike shoes and took off for the bike start line. Zoom!

Time: 1:38

Bike: Friday night I went out in my driveway and practiced putting one foot on the pedal and swinging my leg over the bike to mount. Definate wreck potential there. But I did it. I clipped in and took off. The course was a very fast and slightly hilly out and back. I passed one person and another went by me going the other direction before I turned around. I wanted to push hard, but not too hard so my legs would be able to run.

Time: 41:37 (18.02mph average)

T2: Hopped off the bike (remembered to unclip, which is always a plus) and trotted to put my bike away. Someone's transition setup had exploded into my area so I had a little trouble getting around it to put my bike away and get the rest of my things. The polite person in me wouldn't let me just step all over it and throw it out of my way. Changed shoes, put on race belt, grabbed hat, took a swig of gatorade, and took off.

Time: 1:48 (which actually surprises me, it didn't seem that long)

Run: This is the hard part. Legs feel like jelly, and they don't want to move. I had been practicing going from bike to run though, and I didn't feel too bad. The course was flat, but sort of confusing. It was kind of out and back with a double loop in the middle. I passed one lady that had beaten me out of transition (part of a relay so no changing to do) and one other lady who was on her first loop when I was on the second. It was getting hot but I kept on pushing. The whole run felt good--like I was doing was I could but I wasn't going to die. Maybe I need to push to the I'm going to die stage if I want to get better times.

Time: 27:04 (8:44/mile pace)

Total time: 1:23:27

Here are the stats. Feel free to skip this part.

4th out of 5 in my age group. There was some tough competition in my age group. Given that, I am actually happy with 4th place. Really.

1st woman across the finish line (that's what the blue ribbon is for). So out of all the people that started in the first heat (24) I finished first. Yay! I have no idea why I got a ribbon for that, but oh well.

14th out of 39 women in the road bike division. Top 36%. (Compare this to Albany--29/42, 69%.) See why I don't feel bad about 4th in my AG?

51st out of 88 in the road bike division. This includes the men. Scums. They skew my results.

58th out of 103 total participants. Better than last time.

31st out of 45 total women swimming. Wow, 14 women slower than me this time instead of 8 (and some of those were men)! Moving up.

19th out of 45 total women biking.

13th out of 45 total women running.

My transition times seem slow to me so I need to work on that. It is hard to remember this is a RACE--not just the swim, bike, run part, but in between as well.

Next race: Siuslaw Sprint Triathlon, June 22,2008.

Race this weekend

So here are this week's workouts.

Monday: Nothing
Tuesday: 45 min. swim, 45/8 brick
Wednesday: 45 min run
Thursday: 70 min bike, 8 min run
Friday: 45 min swim
Saturday: Lebanon Sprint Triathlon
Sunday: Lay in bed and moan

I am not really cutting down much for this race--I don't have a very large volume so it doesn't matter much, I guess. I will not have many pictures because I will be going by myself...sniff, sniff...since my pit crew (a.k.a. Daren) will be out of town. So I could just not go and say I did and no one would be the wiser. Pre-race jitters rearing its ugly head, can you tell?

Flowers

Blue Flowers

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Chives

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Daisy

This Week

Monday: Rest day
Tuesday: Swim 40 min, Bike 30 min
Wednesday: Run 35 min
Thursday: Bike 1 hour
Friday: Swim 40 min, Run 30 min
Saturday: Run 30 min (strides)
Sunday: Bike 1 hour +

After my disasterous swim at the triathlon I decided it was time to get serious about swimming. I have the Total Immersion book but after doing some looking I found that it was somewhat out of date and the TI guy has changed a lot of the drills and techniques so I purchased a dvd--Freestyle Made Easy, and a book--Triathlon Swimming Made Easy.




Yeah, I know, ha ha --"What ya gonna do, take a tv to the pool?" ha ha ha.
Ha.
No, I am going to watch the dvd at home and read the book at home, and then go to the pool and try to remember what to do. Then I am going to go home and rewatch and read to see if I did it and if not, fix it the next time. Wiseacre.

So anyway, I am doubling up on the swim days because the drills are very slow and easy and I would like a little more of a cardio workout--hence the extra bike or run.

Things went pretty well this morning. I was able to get balanced, which was the point of the first lesson. Hopefully, I will be swimming like a fish in no time at all.

Race Day

I woke up at 6:15 Sunday morning to this:



I went back to bed. The End.






Just kidding.

We got to Albany at about 7:30am. Still snowing pretty hard. Got my race bag (tshirt and a few fliers) and then went out and put up my bike. Because of the weather the transition area was inside so I set up my bag with all my bike clothes and shoes, etc.


My heat started at 9am so I had a little while to hang around. I was a little too nervous to do anything but stand and watch the other swimmers. A few minutes before 9 I got into the pool and met the other ladies in my lane. I learned that I would be starting first (they had 3-4 people per lane with each person starting about 5 seconds apart). The buzzer sounded and off I went.


I am a pretty slow swimmer, and I have never been so aware of that fact until faced with so many other faster swimmers. The lady behind me passed me right away, but the other lady in my lane was even slower than me so I ended up passing her a few times. Swim time for 750 meters: 19:38. Pathetically slow--out of 120 or so racers total it was the 8th slowest time.

At the end of the 30 lengths I heaved myself out of the pool (literally, since the middle bulkhead was higher than my head and it made a lovely scene, I am sure, when I tried to get out of the pool--my husband snapped a picture of me that will NEVER see the light of day) and trotted to my transition area to put on my bike clothes. Originally I had planned to slip on my bike shorts, light shirt, and socks and shoes, but even though the snow stopped, it was cold out! So I put on my long pants, shirt, jacket, gloves, hat, socks and shoes before I hurried out to my bike. I threw on my helmet and took off.



I was so excited at this point--I was having so much fun! I never thought it would be so fun. I thought I would be cursing the day I decided to do a triathlon.

The bike route was 12.5 miles of country roads. Only a few minor hills and lots of long, lonely flat roads. I was passed by 2 men and that is all. Bike time: 57:09 (this included transition from swim to bike); not bad, not good.

Once I made it back to the race area on my bike, all I had to do was ditch the bike and helmet and take off running. In theory, anyway. In reality, I couldn't feel my legs (numb from riding) or my feet (numb from cold). So I kind of shuffled/stumbled/trotted my way down the road.



I think I "ran" at pretty much the same pace the entire 3.1 miles. I tried SO HARD to go faster but my legs completely ignored me. I was passed by one man and passed a lady that was running even slower than me. Couldn't get much slower without walking, but she was doing it. The route went out through a residential area and back to finish with a half lap or so on the high school track. Final run time: 33:55 (this includes the transition from bike to run).

Total time: 1:50:42. Out of 6 ladies in the 35-39 age group this was good for 5th place--4th place was only 5 seconds away. Not a stellar performance but this was my first time and I finished the race still glad I had started! Lots of room for improvement in all areas but especially SWIMMING.

I have come to the conclusion that wanting to be a triathlete was not some crazy notion but something that I am really, really glad I chose to do. I can't wait to do it again...

Final Countdown

Well, not final, maybe, but the final countdown to this weekend anyway.
This week:
Monday: Ran
Tuesday: Biked
Wednesday: Ran
Thursday: Bike
Friday: Swim
Saturday: Rest? Short run?
Sunday: Race

I have been sick so, honestly, if I am still not feeling better by Saturday or so I may not go. It just isn't any fun at all getting out when my stomach is feeling so awful. No I am not pregnant. But it kind of feels like that--a constant queasiness and icky feeling. Constant. But 3 of my little boys are feeling the same way. So there.

As promised, here is my new toy:

I wasn't exactly planning on buying a road bike yet but I came across a deal that I could not pass up. So here it is. Now I get to learn how to use the clipless pedals without breaking every bone in my body. If I ride this bike in the race this weekend I will be using my regular shoes since I am so smart and purchased dual sided pedals--one side with the clips (cliplesses?) and the other side regular.

For those of you who missed it...

Here is my daughter's awesome beam routine that won her first place.




The lady in blue all the way to the right of the screen is her coach, Linda. Midway through the routine, she stood up...I assume because my daughter was getting to the part where she sometimes falls off and it was making Linda nervous. Heh heh.

Roads I Have Traveled: Final Edition

Until next year, that is.




Last weekend we traveled to a town 3 hours south to the Oregon Gymnastics Optionals State Meet. My daughter had an ok season; it was hard to tell how she would stack up against other Oregon teams since so many of her meets were out of state this year, so we were just hoping for a good meet with no big mistakes.

Here she is:



That little smile isn't giving anything away, is it. What is that around her neck? Take a closer look:



Looks like a medal to me. Ahh, beam. She does pretty well on beam if she can stay on it.



First place. She is the Oregon State Level 7 Age 12b Beam Champion. Not only is she the beam CHAMPION (had to say it again) BEAM CHAMPION CHAMPION CHAMPION
ahem
Not only is she the age 12b CHAMPION(they divided the 12 year olds into 2 age groups) but since she scored a 9.725 she had the highest score in the entire session (50 some girls) and the entire previous session (another 50 some girls). There was only one other score higher (9.875 OMG) in the last session (50 some girls). There are no special awards for that, but there should be. Hmpf.

Her bars score was 8.95--tied her season best. Floor: 9.35 (5th place), Vault 9.05. All Around: 37.075, an all time personal best. It was good for 4th place out of about 18 girls in her age group. No place on bars or vault since they only went out to 6th place, but she got 7th or so on vault and maybe 8th on bars. All around a very good meet.

This Week

Monday: ran 30 min
Tuesday: swam 1400 yd; 40 or so minutes
Wednesday: Bike 1 hr
Thursday: Run 30 min
Friday: Swim however long it takes me to go 1400 yd
Saturday: Bike 1 hr
Sunday: Rest or run, I can't decide.

I signed up for the Albany Sprint Triathlon on April 20. So it really is going to happen. I am trying not to get nervous. What if I get a flat tire? What if somebody kicks me in the face in the pool? What if I look like a total dummy and make people mad at me because I don't know the unspoken rules? What if I knock over my bike in the transition line and it starts a domino effect? What if...I. Can't. Finish.

I got something new today and I can't wait to show it off...nope, not going to tell. Wait and see.

Week whatever, traveling roads, and other boring stuff

Gymnastics meets:

First of all, we did make it back from Idaho. Then we had another meet here, then we traveled to Sacramento, CA. I just felt stupid taking pictures of the road. I was riding with another mom from the gym and I just felt dumb. This weekend we have the state meet, and then possibly one more in Spokane at the end of the month. The last one is optional and more for fun than anything else. I am thinking of going just because it will give me an excuse to stop on the way and see a friend that I haven't seen in a long time.

Workouts:

Well. Here's the story. We had a huge meet here that is put on by our gym. It is a very long, exhausting weekend, especially for those of us that are in charge of one thing or another. So I didn't work out at all during the days of the meet, and then during the clean up I hurt my toe. I stubbed my poor toe very hard and it hurt so bad I cried. If it had been any toe but my big toe, I am sure it would have been broken. I am really not so sure something isn't injured in there as it is, because I keep re-hurting it.



Disregard the ugly polish and that unsightly bump on the side of my foot. The bump is something that I inherited from my mother, not from injuring my toe. Anyway, I can run, etc. but I keep hurting it again doing other things so working out has been pretty sporadic.

Which brings me to another thing. I am sorry, but 4:30 in the morning is just way too early in the morning to be getting up and going swimming, even for an early riser like me. So I am going to change my swimming time here soon. If I could get to bed at a decent hour it would be one thing, but that doesn't happen very often.

Triathlon:

I am signing up for my first triathlon today. It is 3 weeks or so away, so I am going to be working hard to get ready. I may be running a 5k at the beginning of May, and doing another triathlon at the end of May. Yay!

Week 15

Monday: Off
Tuesday: Swim 35 min
Wednesday: Bike 1 hr
Thursday: Run 30 min
Friday: Swim 40 min
Saturday and Sunday: Gone to Idaho for a gymnastics meet.

Doors

The last picture isn't really a door--it is more of a wall. But we intend to make it look like a door. The other doors actually have doorknobs with locks on them!

Week 14

Monday: Off
Tuesday: Swim 35 min
Wednesday: Bike 55 min
Thursday: Run 30 min
Friday: Swim 40 min
Saturday: Bike 55 min
Sunday: Run 35 min

Woe

What is it about this beautiful snow and ice that inspires woe in my children?

Not all of them, of course, as you can see here:



But just look at this face:




Woe is me....


Oh woe, WOE, WOE!!!


But my hands are cold. Sob...


What? Walter is bringing me some gloves?


Where IS he? What is taking so long? WOE!


But I can't smile. Can't you see I am trying?

Week 13, again

I am repeating week 13. I am so bad, I know. I was complaining about the weather and how TIRED I was and my husband said, "You don't have to work out tomorrow, you know." So I didn't. Not tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, etc. I was SO tired and the weather was SO bad (can't go jogging in the snow, can't go bike riding in the snow, can't drive to the pool at 4:30 in the morning in the snow) so I just didn't do anything.

BUT!! I am now feeling refreshed and ready to go, and although I already completed half of week 13 I am going to start it over at the beginning anyway. Because I can. Not because I am obsessive and overthink everything. Nope, not me.

Week 13:

Monday: Off
Tuesday: Swim 30 min
Wednesday: Bike 55 min
Thursday: Run 25 min
Friday: Swim 35 min
Saturday: Bike 55 min (not happening unless Cathy has room for my bike in her van)
Sunday: Run 30 min

We will see how this goes since it is supposed to rain all week. Also I am going to the coast this weekend! No bike riding on Saturday, but possibly an extra jog.

Roads I Have Traveled: Seattle

Last weekend:


This was a pretty uneventful drive since we got on I-5 in Eugene and didn't get off until our exit in Seattle. I-5 is about the most boring road in the UNIVERSE.

It started to snow as we came through the Tacoma area, but it turned to rain as we reached Seattle. We saw the Space Needle from a distance. My daughter and I rode with a gym friend and her mother so at least I didn't have to drive.

Week 13

This week:

Monday: Off
Tuesday: Swim 30 min
Wednesday: Bike 55 min
Thursday: Run 25 min (assuming it isn't 18 degrees that morning)
Friday: Swim 35 min
Saturday: Bike 55 min
Sunday: Run 35 min

Yesterday I ran on the treadmill in the hotel exercise room so I did get my Sunday run in. I hate treadmills.

It seems like my exercise times are staying fairly short, but bear in mind that I am only training for a sprint triathlon so the short times are okay. If I want to do a longer triathlon I will have to up the amount of exercise. I just want to make it through the first one before I think about any others.

Roads I Have Traveled

I don't get out much, so small things amuse me. This year, I am going to be traveling more than usual since middle daughter has quite a few out of state gymnastics meets. So I thought: what fun it would be to show some of the more interesting (or uninteresting) roads we travel. I don't know, maybe I am just a silly.

Here is what the top of the Willamette Pass looked like at about 7am Saturday morning:



And further on toward Chiloquin at around 8am:



I wish I could have taken a picture of the foggy road where I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting 5 deer that were crossing. Or the turkeys that were running down the road earlier that day. But my husband was sleeping and it really wasn't possible to drive and take pictures.

As for the meet, my daughter did very well and placed in every event. She did her giants on the bars for the first time in a meet and she didn't fall off the beam, getting first place in that event.



This picture was taken during bar warmups. The guy standing below is my daughter's wonderful coach, Yuri. She really likes him and works very hard for him.

Week 12

Monday: Off
Tuesday: Swim 35 min.
Wednesday: Bike 1 hour
Thursday: Run 30 min.
Friday: Swim 40 min.
Saturday: Bike 1 hour
Sunday: Gone to Seattle so I am going to either be sitting at a gymnastics meet or sitting in a car.

Week 11

When will this stormy, rainy weather end?????

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 30 min swim (actually ended up more like 40 min)
Wednesday: Bike 1 hr (HA!)
Thursday: Run 30 min
Friday: Swim 40 min
Saturday: Reno
Sunday: Reno

There is pretty much no chance of any working out this weekend because we are headed to Reno for a gymnastics meet. Hopefully it won't snow too much so we can get the van over the mountains.