New Year, New Goals

2013...what a roller coaster ride!! So many wonderful adventures with old and new friends, joined the incredible Wolfpack, accomplished many goals in both work and triathlon, and learned a lot from each setback and challenge that I faced. No regrets - I couldn't be happier than I am right now, sitting here as a better person with a renewed sense of purpose and life. Everything does indeed happen for a reason! 

2014...I can't wait to meet you! From New Year's resolutions to substantial goals, you will be a year to be remembered. 

Miami 70.3

What a great day to end my triathlon season...18 races for the year from a sprint to an ironman...and I ended on a PR of 5:02 and a podium place at 70.3 Miami!!! So amazing to share it all with incredible teammates and friends, I'm very blessed. Despite swimming through seaweed masses, losing my bike computer, narrowly avoiding a bike crash, getting severely sunburnt and chafed, and feeling super slow on the run...I persevered and proved Impossible really is nothing. Thank you for all the love and support, without it this whole season would have been much more challenging 

REV3 South Carolina

Hmm so about going to China to rep Team USA?? Hecks yes!! So happy to say my run is back!! Finished the half ironman 15th overall female after coming 48th out of the water and podiumed with a 3rd place AG...lost it solely because of my slow swim, but I already recognize that weakness. Never got passed on the bike even with using my old girl and no wheel set, and ran a 1:41 half marathon on hills all the while never looking at my watch. 5:16 for the day...now devouring Texas Roadhouse before a 7 hour drive. Could not be happier and am so proud of Frank and Andrew for destroying their races. Wolf pups dominated today . Best part? Being called crazy by fellow crazy triathletes...it is my new badge of honor. China, here I come!! Thanks for all the love and support as always.

Reflection

It is hard to believe I started fully training for triathlons exactly one year ago and changed my life for the better in every aspect. The past year was full of many amazing and several not-so-great experiences, but every one changed me in a positive manner. We can't control what happens but we can control how we react.  Coming up on the completion of my first year in the triathlon community, I can't be more grateful for finding such a wonderful outlet. It has taken me across the world, introduced me to incredible friends and teammates, enabled me to be in phenomenal shape, and kept me striving to improve upon myself in every aspect. The best part?? I am 24 and this is only the beginning!! 

IM 70.3 World Championships - Las Vegas

Thoughts in a nutshell:
Swam like a snake for 1.2mi and nearly came out last for my age group
Swam in the lovely rainy weather
Ran from the swim exit downhill through mud to my bike and nearly fell
Then ran almost a quarter mile with my bike to the mount
Uphill at the end of that
Couldn't clip in because of mud in my cleats
4 miles uphill from the getgo
At mile 10 my hips, quads and calves burned
Seriously couldn't tell when I was going downhill or uphill
Hardest and longest climbs ever, definitely have not trained for that
Averaged suuuuuuppperrr slow speeds
My nose was running and I was shivering 75% of the ride from the rain
Brakes were rubbing and felt like I had a flat the whole time
Mile 35ish the rain stopped only for extreme humidity and heat to take over
Stopped to help a couple fix their bikes towards the end
Enjoyed the gorgeous views once the rain ended!
FInished the bike at 57 miles with a lovely uphill, again...
Came into the run strong, because i started on a downhill
Spent 75% of the run running uphill, at super low grades but for miles on end
Stopped at several aid stations due to severe dehydration with numbness
Calf muscles cramped from mile 7.5 to the finish
Had to run by chocolate milk AND food twice before getting to enjoy it 
Stopped to motivate a couple walkers
Finished at a much slower time than normal, but felt awesome about it all
Spent well over 30 minutes in the massage tent with 3 people trying to uncramp my calf muscles and stop them from twitching, ouch!

HARDEST 70.3 ever, but hey, I am in Las Vegas, I just competed in the world championship race, I competed with the best in the world, I didn't get last, I helped people along the way, I probably ought to win the miss congeniality award and the most photogenic based off of cheering for everyone while running and smiling at every cameraman. I did it, I pushed myself to keep going when the going got tough, I was inspired by everyone there, I smiled through the hardest parts and I laughed at the pain/crazy weather. 6 hours later, I am severely sunburnt and my body is much worse for wear, but I couldn't be happier with toughing it out or feel more loved by my wonderful family and awesome friends, so glad to be a part of the Wolfpack and so so so grateful to be able to represent the USA at a world wide event. This is the first time, but there will be many more to come. I learned so much from this, and I am totally ready to finish my last two races these season and step it up next year  Now, time to live it up in LAS VEGAS!!!!

Looking Back

Less than one year ago, I qualified for the 70.3 world championships in Las Vegas. It is hard to believe that race is just over a week away. Taking a moment to appreciate how much has happened between now and then...I traveled to Orlando, Tempe, France, Panama, Milwaukee, Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Port St. Lucie, Key West, and West Palm Beach for races, made incredible new friends to include the wolfpack, completed my first ironman, qualified for Team USA, spent tons of time training with friends in the Miami area, and just lived life to the fullest. I've learned so much about myself through this journey and I can't thank the people who inspire and support me enough. Only 2 months left on my first legitimate triathlon season, 3 races to go! Then I have to start training to beat Kevin's 11:40 ironman time...

USAT National Championships

Where to begin...this last week was by far one of the best weeks ever. It was the first time my dad, brother, and sister were able to see me compete in a triathlon, I got to spend time with my puppy, placed 2nd at Steelhead 70.3 in my age group, challenged myself to compete in 3 races within the span of a week, finally got to see the Wolfpack in action and race with my amazing teammates/see several of them qualify and PR, was able to dedicate an entire week to spending time with my family, and on top of it all...despite truly fearing doing the sprint triathlon the day after the olympic at the USAT AG National Champs, I managed to get over my fears to place 4th in my age group and secured a spot on Team USA for the World Championships next year in Canada. It is incredible when dreams come true, but even more so when you can share those moments with the best family anyone could ever ask for and the most wonderful teammates on the planet. I am so grateful and thankful for having such incredible supporters and sponsors. Thanks to everyone who kept me smiling every minute of this week Love you all!!

IM France

Wow, first of all, I have to say I have the best friends and support network in the world.  Thank you to everyone who took time to think about me yesterday.  It was an incredible experience and the hardest thing I have ever done by far.  Here is my race recap :-)

Arriving in Nice

After dragging my bike box several miles I finally found the friend's place I was staying at.  I assembled my bike completely by itself thanks to EBP Cycling Lab lending me some tools and managed a test ride to the expo as soon as it was put together.  I am enamored with this city and its spectacular transit lanes for cycling.  The expo was amazing and it was so exciting seeing 'friends' as I call all of the other competitors I see in passing.  I bought my official race shirt and picked up everything I would need for the race: bib, bags, athlete guide, etc.  I decided to rent a wetsuit as well despite never swimming in one because of the chilly water. 

Friday

So excited that my mom and brother made it to Nice alright to watch me.  I met up with my mom at the airport in the morning and then we rested for a bit prior to returning to the expo and getting tickets to the pasta party in Parc Phoenix. The park was fabulous and the whole setup was just wonderful.  I was really immersed in the excitement of the race and enjoyed meeting some fellow triathletes.  The food was delicious too...cheese, bread, pasta...and the best part was these grocery store like baskets of fruit that I conveniently absconded with in the masses.  The race directors described the event and introduced the pros, hope to be one of them one day :-)  We left the park and met up with Tommy, first time I had seen him in over a year and a half since he was in Afghanistan and I immediately started crying when we ran to each other for the best hug of all time. 

Saturday

Explored St Laurent du Var in the morning, tested out the wetsuit and played with rocks on the beach, and then checked my gear and bike in in the afternoon before getting food from Old Nice...all in prep for race day :-)

Sunday

Woke up at 4am, made it to the race close to 5am...I hadn't slept a wink from nerves, running through the race in my mind, and just being far too anxious.  I had been nervous about the air in my tires and procured a pump from a fellow competitor as the race didn't have extra available to my disappointment.  But all was set up and I rejoined my family in my wetsuit and sporting my WolfPack Tri suit, sort of ready for the swim.

The Swim...walked down to the 'beach' aka rocks and decided to attempt a warmup, fell down several rocks into the water and managed a quick swim.  Went back to the 1:15 section and spoke to racemates about the course just to feel comfortable with it.  I was super nervous about getting into the water over the rocks, but I managed.  From there I recall a brief thought of nice, this isn't so bad.  Right before a kick to the face and having swimmers swim over me right and left.  For the whole first loop I was constantly battling flailing body parts all the while anxiously looking to sight the markers.  I made it out of the first loop around 50 min and waiting in line to get back in the water for the second loop.  I was grateful for the wetsuit, largely in part for protecting me from vicious toenails and grappling hands.  The second loop was tough as we had to swim into the waves again, but it was much smaller and before we knew it we were running through the showers.  My only thought was cool, 1/3 of the way done and the longest consecutive swim I have ever swam!  High-fived Tommy on my way to transition and took my sweet time getting sunscreened up for the bike portion.

Bike...hard to mount with so many people around so I walked my bike out a ways.  Then I was cruising at 22-23mph on the flat stretch.  To my dismay, I had set my watch incorrectly originally so I had to reload it to the bike setting and had no idea on final times, I also forgot to reset my bike computer so the whole course I was never really aware how far I was or what my time was.  It took me finishing the run to realize my Garmin was in kilometers the whole time and not actually broken for the GPS.  As we progressed on the bike towards the hills I started getting a little anxious about gears.  That was probably good because as soon as we got the ‘short’ 12% gradient for 500m my gear switching skills became evident, aka my lack of them.  I lost control of my bike and sort of toppled off of it.  Then I tried to remount on the aforementioned hill and ended up clinging to a fence as my bike went backwards.  I gave up on that and walked the bike the rest of the way, boo Miami and flatlands.  The people in the villages were simply wonderful, and my first downhill was the best feeling ever!!  I quickly realized my ideal 5:30 time on the bike would be out of reach as I arrived at the 12 miles of climbing.  HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE HANDS DOWN.  Luckily the views were spectacular as I had ample time to appreciate them crawling at around 6mph on the bike.  I made a trade-off of getting off the bike to eat food and stretch slightly during periods of this climb to try and save my screaming quads for the run.  I am so so grateful that I bought a water bottle for my aerobars, I stopped and refilled it at every aid station and kept replenishing with Nuun hydration.  Sidenote…if you are ever in this position, don’t ever, ever look far in front of you, because seeing bikes still going uphill miles in the distance into fog and nothingness really doesn’t inspire you.  Somehow I made it to the top despite 0 hill, let alone mountain training.  Reaching Gourdon was the best feeling ever, until I got the downhill at 30mph+.  Good thing I am gutsy because I rode my aerobars the whole first downhill (shh don’t tell Heather).  The worst part of the downhill was not knowing where the hairpin turns would be, but more so seeing the bike crashes and ambulances rushing by.  Gave you appreciation for how dangerous it was…I even watched a guy completely burn out his tires as he nearly crashed into the side of a cliff because he ignored the slow down signs.  I luckily never got a flat tire, but there was no shortage of those in this course.  It was a tad bit nervewracking maneuvering with cars coming opposite of you when you wanted to take corners wide.  Time after time, I would look in front of me and think, geez another uphill???  But other than that my mind was blank, for 6+ hours all I did was focus on the course, bike handling as much of it required being out of the aerobars, reminding myself that I CHOSE this course, and avoiding speed bumps at 30mph.   Never once did I think quitting was an option, though I was slightly unexcited for the run…The last 12 miles was flat and I cruised in passing tons of people at 21mph+ towards the finish.  As you near the transition zone, it was definitely tough seeing all the people already so far into the run, but I also knew there were tons of people behind me.

The run…again I took my sweet time in transition, ensuring I was ready as much as possible for the marathon.  I know I probably could have gone much faster, however I utilized the strategy of run fast, walk the aid station, run fast, walk the aid station…you get the idea.  I surprisingly felt great even with sore quads.  I am glad I wore the compression sleeves!  The aid stations were lights at the end of my tunnel; they were such simple motivators.   All I could think about was how amazing everyone was and how incredible it was each and every participant was continuously putting one foot in front of the other despite all of the hardships and exhaustion.  Whenever I walked, I cheered everyone on and found a fellow walker to distract them with questions…or perhaps annoy them and that is why they shortly started running again…it is up for debate.  Maybe they actually couldn’t understand English, but hello seems to be common to all.  I found humor in the crowd and in the fact that everytime someone cheered for me I immediately replied with ‘Merci’ no matter if they were cheering in English or not.  Maybe they all think I am French now, probably not though.  The second and third lap I had gotten sick from so much liquid and gel intake that I walked more than the first, and I also wanted to go hard on the last.  My goals changed throughout the race to running under 13 hours and completing a marathon faster than my first marathon (4:27).  Both goals accomplished J  I had thought a run with 4 loops sounded miserable, but it was the best thing ever, completely flat, tons of crowd to cheer you on, and fun little wrist bands with a bell to ring after each lap for tracking.  I found myself looking at wristbands everywhere and thinking, yippee, only 2 more to go, or only 1 more, and then I got to the last lap and I hugged my brother twice with salty/sweaty hugs as he had to leave and I just found myself all choked up.  I was almost there, so close, so close to running the carpet to the finish line that you see in all the youtube videos, so close to the grandstands, just almost there.  I couldn’t believe it, I had done the hardest thing ever, swam my farthest, biked my farthest, and ran my farthest after both disciplines.  I never considered quitting, I never thought I couldn’t do it.  I did earn a new appreciation for RAAM though on that bike!!  As I finished I almost started crying, I tried to eat but I was just in a daze.  I found my mom and excitedly told her about the cycling adventures. 

Follow-up…I couldn’t be in too much pain because I managed to bike back to the apartment just fine and walked for over an hour this morning.  Didn’t sleep last night but finally got some food in me so I feel ready to go.  I loved this race, loved the amazing views and incredible journey, and I am so grateful to be an IRONMAN J Thank you everyone!!!!  I love you all.

Panama 70.3 x2

Back in the states. Third place finish in Panama Ironman 70.3, 64 minutes faster than last year!! To quote a brilliant man. The woods are lovely, dark, and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep. Definitely a mental battle this race, met some incredible people along the way, swam once again in the Panama canal, and biked the bridge of the Americas before running the Amador causeway. So blessed!!!

Disney Goofy

Well, being me I decided to take it slow on the marathon and pose with all the characters along the way/cartwheel to the finish...but also being me I shattered my PR by 46 minutes, ran a 3:30 marathon after running a 1:40 half...AND QUALIFIED FOR THE BOSTON MARATHON!!!!!! one new year's resolution complete!