White Rock Lake Half Marathon 2009

During the 'off-season' I decided I need to work on running a little more. See, I mostly dislike running. I'm glad to get it done, but I don't like it as much as other things! So the challenge was to complete my first Half Marathon. Luckily some of my triathlon friends helped me train for this.





Now I can check that off!



The results - I am pretty slow, but I did run the whole way. We didn't cross the starting line until 15 minutes into the race; luckily with chip timing that is no big deal.

The website has these nifty little tools to show you how you fared. My little guy seems to be lagging behind...ha ha


BUT I will make you pay for going out too fast - check out that bottom right corner in the above photo...I passed 372 people in the last 5k. That's what we call a strong finish! :)

Here is where I was when the winner finished...not even to mile 5! Thems some fast people!

It was a great experience to complete that goal. My friend Robert and I never would have imagined at the beginning of last year that we would make 13 miles in 2009. But thanks to friends and supportive family we did!

Here's to a strong 2010!

Real Sports...

Ihad a conversation during my epic run this past Sunday that I thought was kind of interesting. And it reminded me of a funny clip.

My running partner said he always says 'no' when people ask him if he is an athlete. He related how this past week at work they were in a conversation about sports. (Side note: Isn't there always the guy who is into every game played on ESPN, checks out the box scores, and thinks the water-cooler conversation should always be about last night's game, whatever game was on, regardless of the sport? I should know about this -- I live with one. And there's nothing wrong with it - they are usually very jovial and social; it's just easy for me to stereotype and lump them together. I mean somebody's gotta keep fantasy leagues and espn in business right?)

Anyway, the guy asks John if he is an athlete, i.e. plays anything. John says no, he's not athletic at all (silly John!); because in his mind he has never played a team sport and is uncoordinated at any of those sports. This from a guy who just completed a 6-hour race that covered 70.3 miles! And his friend interjects with

"No, that's not true - he's a triathlete!"

So we were discussing if triathlon is a sport or not. I have decided yes, it requires athletic talent (if you want to be good), refining form, strength and endurance. Jeff only thinks races count. Of course, he is also one of those guys. Which I say with a ton of love! It was all a good-natured conversation. Now, chess....hmmmm.

This clip is a little old, but still funny. From a show called Eastbound and Down... "Relief Pitcher Kenny Powers was poised to rule the Big Leagues, but two things got in the way: his fading fastball and his insufferable personality."

Ouch...and other things

Last weekend I headed out to the lake for the weekly swim. It is getting darker and colder in the mornings and evenings, signaling the end of the summer. But the coloring is still pretty! The lake was nice and calm. Love. that.

Here is what my Toyota training group really looks like in the wetsuits (not super fast like the girl in my previous post). Most of us seem to have the same brand/type of wetsuit because they went on sale and we were all in the market at the same time. Coach Chuck said, "Oh I see you guys got a 'buy one, get ten free' deal." ha ha. Funny. Oh wait, we really do look matchy-matchy! (Deighton seriously where is your suit girl??)

In other news...and on to the post title...apparently I need more iron. I know I bruise easy, but this is getting ridiculous! (No Mom, I do not have leukemia or some other disease, just pale sad skin). I have something like ten bruises right now...let's see (WARNING - yucky bruise and scraped knee pics!!). he he. Each one is an ouch!

And they keep going! But I won't bore you with even more pics. Sydney has her own "ouch". My poor girl is soooo clumsy. If there is anything you can fall off of or run into, we try to keep her away from it! Last week she ran smack into a door frame at full-speed and was awarded a huge goose-egg on her forehead. Luckily I can call up my doc-in-training bro to get the low-down on the "is this something you gotta take them in for" information. We talked it over and did a little 'flashlight in the eyes test' and decided she would be ok so we gave her lots of love and ice. Note the band-aid on her head in the pic below of the two kiddos. (p.s. I find it adorable how Tristen hugs her).

In other fun times news, I went to watch a few of my good friends and teammates compete at the Stonebridge Ranch sprint triathlon over the weekend. The 750-meter swim was in a little, man-made lake. To start, the racers jumped off the dock below and swam over to the start line to tread water until the gun.

The swim course took up the whole of the lake. Huh, that looks far. It's hard to even see the turn buoys way out there. Below I marked them with orange arrows that are hard to see.

I was thinking about how far it looked since I have an OWS race in a little more than a week where it is 800 meters and I'm thinking to myself...why did I want to do this? No doubt I can finish it, but I really do not like swimming in the lakes. Blech. Here is the support crew...John, me, Gayle and Cory (one of the racers). I always look like a dork in pictures. Lame.

Also, Auntie Lizzie (my little sis!) moved in with us while she goes back to school to get her Master's degree. Liz is a great house-guest and frequent vacationer with us so it will be fun to have her in the house.

Us on the plane to Utah. Wish I was as cool as Liz.

Us in the car on the way to Tyler.

Us at Disney!

I just hope she doesn't freak out when she realizes how crazy our household is!

Whew! Off to find more ways to bruise myself and if they make a nerf material you can cover your doors in.

Enjoying the cooler weather...

I woke up yesterday morning freezing! The cooler weather lately has been very nice but my dear husband has got to stop turning our ceiling fan on full blast! I am definitely enjoying the days where the temps stay in the 70's. But once it gets really cold I will break out my complaining.

I

hate

the

cold.

I enjoy pleasantly cool, but not cold. This past weekend it was cool enough for me to swim in my spiffy new wetsuit at the lake. I was nervous at first since I hear it can feel restrictive on your arms and breathing. But it. is. fantastic. I love that thing. Well, I don't love the 'I look like a super beached whale' full-body suit effect, but swimming is another story. This is what you are supposed to look like in the wetsuit...

Yeah, not gonna happen. We did the usual swim out to the buoy, over one buoy and back in --which is around 800 meters or so. We also practiced mass starts. I hate mass starts. ha!

This is the bay at the lake. Some days it is windier (read...choppier) than others but I always enjoy the view from shore. Can you see the buoys out there?

It always looks farther from shore than it really is once you start swimming. My last race of the season is a little less than two weeks. I'm already a little nervous! But I'm also looking forward to changing up the schedule (yet again) for the off-season.

Tristen's first soccer game of the season is this weekend -- he can hardly contain himself. He is really liking school but I cannot keep up with the amount of papers they send home every day. Does anyone have a good organization method for that?? They do have some very fun ideas as well. This is one of the 'traveling books' they have made. The children in the class all help create a book which then 'visits' each child's home for a day. It helps promote reading as well as assist them in getting to know all the children in the class. I thought it was a very fun idea!

The Class Book

Even the teacher drew a picture...

Tristen's self-portrait...apparently he has a big head.

Hope you are all enjoying the cooler weather as well!

Blackland Sprint Triathlon

This cartoon is just about how it goes when I talk about triathlon stuff with Jeff...he is just not real into it. So I was a little surprised when he decided he was going to try one. We entered the Blackland Sprint in Plano - it's close to home, a pool swim (so jeff won't drown!) and on Labor Day. Jeff borrowed a bike from his friend -- a very nice sleek triathlon number that puts my bike to shame! Me = jealous.

Once again, my fantastic family came through for us and helped with babysitting so Jeff and I could enter. Jeff first bragged how he was going to beat me...then it became tie me...and finally he decided he would be happy coming in within five minutes of me. ha! men.

Overall, this was a fun race. I was really sick going into this race with a bad sinus infection that was messing with me. There was also a kids race beforehand. It was adorable watching some of these little kids ride their bikes with training wheels! Most races start at 7am but this one started late, around 8:45am, due to the kids race. That meant it would be hotter than normal for the run. Arrived a little later than I wanted but set-up transition and then met up with all my teammates who were also racing. Jeff, myself, Robert, Ginger, Keegan, Nicole, RW, Yuri, and Kim all did the individual race while Amanda, Coach Gayle and Brian formed a relay as well as Amanda G, Gaylen and Deighton formed a relay. Amanda and Deighton were just as sick as I was!

Pool races are a 'time-trial' start. When you register, you enter the time you think your swim will be and you are seeded accordingly. Within 30 minutes of race start I was in the water. Had my fastest swim of the season so far! I was out of the pool and ran past my cheering section (thanks guys!) and got a little past them and totally face-planted on those darn slippery floors. So everyone got to say 'ohhhhh'. I felt like a real nerd, but just jumped up and said 'I'm ok!' lol and kept going. My group didn't see that awesome fall but I banged the knee and got a little bloody before I ever even started! Super awesome. Ok, maybe not. I passed Jeff who was waiting in line and yelled 'Did you see me fall?!'. Jeff had a fantastic time on his first swim - luckily he is tall and can do a 'dive and glide' technique pretty far down the pool!

The bike course was very uneventful. Two loops on a rolling course with two main hills. Just kept it nice and steady. Jeff said the bike seat was killing him - which I understand - those seats are tiny if you are not used to them!

Last it was on to the run - and it was already something like 90 degrees since it was a late start race. And there was no shade on this run. My stomach had enough by now and I struggled not to toss my cookies. I ended up walking a lot here. I was so sick I had to blow my nose the entire time!! (Um, Jen that is really gross. Don't tell us that!) Ok, sorry. It was really nice to see my Dad and sister Liz out on the course, it kept me going when I was really hot and tired. Jeff also had a hard time on the run portion but he stuck it out like a champ.

Afterwards I cheered the rest of my team in and we waited for the awards. I won my first '1st' place award for my division. First thing the kids always ask me was 'Did you win?' so of course I said yes.

When I first saw Jeff after he finished he said "That was not fun at all, I don't know why anyone does that." Then he went and told everyone and their dog about his first race so I think he at least felt some type of accomplishment. Poor guy he had to sleep the remainder of the day! His parents also made the trek to see us race. Once he forgets the pain he might try another one, but I doubt he thinks it will be as easy as he thought before. Hope you all had as much fun on Labor Day as we did!

Cooper Summer Sprint Race Report

Whew - the summer just seems to fly by. This is a little late but here is the recap from the Cooper Summer Sprint Triathlon on July 25th. This was a fun race close to home so how could I pass it up! The race was a 350 meter pool swim (in the gorgeous outdoor pool at the Cooper Fitness Center at Craig Ranch), 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run.

Woke up early as usual and headed the 15 minutes over to the race site with my Dad who was playing 'sherpa' for me. So nice to have such supportive family! My mom and Jeff brought the kids up a little later. I set up transition and said hi to the couple people I knew at the race. Got a little nervous when I saw what looked like some fast bikes on my rack. Not that I'm trying to win the race but I always feel a little out of place! I thought this would be a little more low-key race but turns out this was a points generator for region rankings and the speedsters were out. Sold out race too!

For a pool swim tri everyone lines up in order according to the estimated swim time you put down. They send everyone off every 5 seconds or so. Here we are waiting in line for the start!

I waited around about 25-30 minutes for my start as I was number 282. But my turn came quick enough and I wasn't nervous at all when my time came. A quick swim in the pool and I'd be done with the most nerve-wracking part of a tri for me. Ready, set, go!

In the first 50 meters the girl behind me zooms by, then dies at beginning of second 50 and I had to pass her back. Really? It's a longer race than that, how about a little steadiness? Passed one more then came up on the guy who started in front of me with 100 to go. Started to pass him then when I got close I found out he was swinging really wide and I got a mouth full of water so pulled up short. Waited until the last 50 and just made sure to breathe to the other side and passed him. I don't think he cared for that because I could tell he sped up, but I made the pass easily. My family was watching from right beside the last lane. I could hear my kids yelling for me on that last 50, smiled underwater. :) They were adorable (and probably annoying to others) yelling 'Go mommy go!' over and over. Goal was 7:45 and I was out and across the mat in time; 350m swim = 7:35.

Me passing that last guy! See ya! ;)

So glad to be out! Hey!

Grandma and Tristen hanging out pool-side.

Jeff and Syd hanging out watching the race.

Easy transition and was off on the bike. This bike route had a lot of turns and slight uphills so it wasn't hard but it made it hard to get any real speed. No pics since it was kind of hard to spectate that part. Goal was 40 minutes for the bike, 12 mile bike = 39:22. Threw on the run gear and was off for a 5k. It was getting pretty hot out and the first mile is always key. Your body will tell you if you've got anything for the day or if it's going to be a looooonnnggg run.

Heading out on the run. Smiling!

After the first mile I came up on a guy who seemed to be doing a decent pace. After a minute or two I just decided to sit in right behind him and follow. At a mile and a half I figured out this would be a good run for me. The run course had two main uphill sections and I was up and over easier than I thought. Cashing in my banked training hours. On the last downhill (picture above) I let things out a little, passed and dropped the last two guys who I think were struggling a little bit (yes, it was hot!) and finished in decent shape. Run goal was under 33 minutes, 3.1 mile run=31:53.

Last 200 meters yay!

After the race I met up with John (from my tri club) and his friend Nancy (nice to meet ya!). Everyone had a great race! My total race time was 1:21:02. The kids headed home while we hung out and waited for awards. I was pretty sure I would be close in my group. Ma & pa were kind enough to wait it out with me in the heat and sun.

Lucky for my kids, I was 2nd place Athena! Here is my little shiny trophy. I also won a free month at Cooper and some free chick-fil-a stuff - how fun is that?

It was a great race - super thanks to everyone who came out to help and cheer! Next up is the blackland tri in plano on Labor Day. They have a great little cookout afterwards plus it's so fun to watch the youth race before. If you are feeling the racing bug, hope to see you there!

First 50+ mile ride and some singing and dancing

This weekend I set a milestone. I didn't even know ahead of time I would! I met the group I ride with on Saturdays at RBM South for my 'long ride' of the week. Our group included Coach Gayle, who is training for Redman and who is coaching Davis, Graham, and John for their coming Ironman races in 2010. Yeah, they start that training early when you need to 'race' for possibly 14-15 hours at once. So to say I'm the newbie on the ride is an understatement.

The guys had 55 miles on their schedule this week. They asked how far we were going and Gayle said around 30 miles (she always makes sure I get back ok and then finishes her remaining miles). So we started out and the guys start saying 'Come on, you can make 50 miles, you've been keeping up the last couple weeks. We'll go slow.' In my head I'm thinking no way. No way I add 20 miles and not blow up. But then I start to think, 'well, I can always call someone to come get me since we'll be out close to family...and sure, I'd like to try it - sounds exciting!'. So eventually I say 'sure, why not...I'm in.' Gayle told me not to look at the miles (which was great advice by the way, just keep eating every 45 minutes, stay hydrated and just keep pedaling.

The first 25 miles was a breeze, lots of good sections with not too much uphill or wind. Even with slowing for stop signs, railroad tracks, etc we were keeping a good average. We made a quick water stop at the gas station and I thought, man I look red! So I told everyone not to worry - that's my 'exercise face'. he he

What? You brought that camera again? ;)

Then we hit the hilly sections and I had to dig a little deeper. When I'm riding up a hill I think 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do, we swim swim swim.' Funny but it works. Maybe I'm weird but I never use that mantra when swimming. Just biking. It was actually a ton of fun riding new places!!

Me with 'exercise face of eternal redness.' Yes I love that bike jersey and it's in many pics. Please buy me a new one so it doesn't look like I wear the same thing all the time. :)

The last rest stop is somewhere around 10 miles from the finish. And those last 10 miles are hard, windy, and lots of long gradual inclines so you always feel like you're going uphill. So I refilled and got my mental game ready and made the last push. It was a struggle but I wanted to be done and get off the bike because it was well over a hundred degrees by now! The guys all congratulated me as we rode over the 50 mile mark and declared me Queen of the 50. :) Seriously a big thanks to the group for getting me to try it and helping make sure I made it. The workout took just under 4 hours - 3:47:13. 4 hours. Of pedaling. Seriously what was I thinking. We left at 7:15am and with rest stops, made it back to the car around 11:40am.

The proof! 56.87 miles!

After the ride I rushed home to shower and change because my sis and I had tix to see A Chorus Line! I showered, with a loooootttt of soap (seriously I had super-stink and was covered in dirt!), barely dried my hair and we made the trip downtown just in time to watch some serious singing and dancing. Good stuff.

Laaammmeee picture.

Here is Liz thinking...um, how can you take such a lame picture?

Why am I not blessed with cooloer siblings?

After the show I was super hungry and cranky (I burned around 3k calories on that bike!) so we stopped for some Uncle Julio's before making the way back home. A successful day!