tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213264222024-03-07T00:35:40.037-06:00amytrigirl<i><b>New Year, New Hip, New Fun</b></i>Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.comBlogger296125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-62484366195403618292020-10-12T16:14:00.004-05:002020-10-12T16:17:00.029-05:00Spondylolithesis<p> I think it is fair to say, and that most will agree, that 2020 has been a rough, rough year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Covid</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Civil unrest</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">The election</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Did I mention Covid?</span></b></p><p>It seems every time I thought we were ready to round a corner, BAM. Another sumthin', sumthin' cropped up as if to say "HA! You ain't seen nothing yet!".</p><p>I know we all have our own setbacks and disappointments from this year. My story is not to take away from any of yours -- rather, it is just an extension of how this whole, strange year has unfolded and a preview of my next set of "fun".</p><p>I fell on the ice on January 20th. Did an <span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">alleooop</span> right outside a Fresh Thyme grocery store and landed square on my shoulder and knee. The second it happened, I knew I was in big trouble, as I could barely move. </p><p>Two MRIs and several xrays later, I learned that the fall caused a massive rotator cuff tear to my right shoulder and two tiny hairline fractures to my right knee. <b>Yea.</b></p><p>The unusual aspect to my rotator cuff tear was that I had much more range of motion than I should have. So much in fact, that I was able to play in a golf tournament in San Diego in February. The same week the first case of Covid was detected in San Diego.</p><p>Fast forward past everyone starting to work from home in March; the initial "fun" of working from home and doing things like Zoom calls with friends and family; participating in quarantine sing alongs via Facebook groups; the utter bullshit controversy around mask wearing (<i><b>just wear one, dammit)</b></i> to the never-ending cycle of "every day feels like the same and when, oh WHEN will this finally be over?"</p><p>I got my rotator cuff fixed on June 4. About a week in to recovery, my back and legs started to hurt like the dickens. I initially thought this was due to sleeping funny since I had to have my arm in a sling 24/7 for the six weeks of recovery. A couple more weeks went by and it got worse and worse and worse.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Finally went in to the doctor and yet ANOTHER MRI confirmed that the stenosis in my back had worsened, cutting off some nerves in my L4/L5 vertebrae AND that I had somehow ended up with </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">SPONDYLOLITHESIS.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is when a vertebrae slips out of alignment and stacks differently than the others. <b>Yea.</b></p><p>So, since mid-June, I've been hobbling around with a stiff back, sciatica, nerve pain and hip pain. But, you ask, "<span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;">Can you hit a golf ball</span>?" You bet! So, at least I had that for a break from 2020 monotony.</p><p>The fix for this is, unfortunately, yet another surgery. And this one will not be a fun one. Tomorrow, I go in to have decompression surgery (to add more space around the channel to let the nerves "breathe" and thus get rid of the sciatica and all of that nonsense. I will also have to have fusion on L4/L5. THAT, is the part that is no bueno.</p><p>Not because I am doomed to never ride a bike again (which I've only done a handful of times this year); or ever be able to swim again (which I've only done four times this year) or speedwalk (which has been a big "NO GO" since hobbling). </p><p>Fusion requires a looooooong recovery and a loooooong period of no "BLT"(Bending, Lifting, Twisting"), so I'm, again, regulated to just walking for exercise for several weeks/months. <b>Yea.</b></p><p>BUT on the bright side, I don't have Covid, and neither does Warren. I still have a job and insurance and have the ability to take the time to have the surgery and to recover. AND, I will have something in common with Tiger Woods and Gloria Estefan. <span style="font-size: large;">So how bad can that be?</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-72333014941341423502018-12-26T17:13:00.001-06:002018-12-26T17:13:05.284-06:00Where did 2018 go?I have not blogged in a long, long, LONG time. (Like over a year - long - long time).<br />
<br />
Not that nothing was going on during 2018. There was... is... a lot happening. <br />
<br />Time just....went. <b><span style="color: red;">Gone, </span></b><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>bye. </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
Now, I find myself here, at the last week of the year, looking back and eager to move on.<br />
<br />
So much to be grateful for this year:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">Health </span>(hip is fine; amputated toe (another <b><span style="color: #38761d;">L O N G</span></b> story) not an issue. Still can bike, swim, golf and speedwalk.</li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Love</span> (still with my hubby, my Warren, my Choppy. Couldn't imagine life without him)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Work </span>(left super stressful job to move on to a much, much, much less stressful job. People are great; should be a nice way to wind down the work part of my life)</li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">New Adventures</span> (joined the Golf Channel AmTour and played competitive golf with "the boys". Got to Nationals (by sheer luck, not by talent); improved my game; had a blast. Did my second IM 70.3 relay with Warren (Team Choppy). We did IM 70.3 Indian Wells/LaQuinta. Swam in 57 degree water. Next year, Team Choppy becomes Team 19 Toes as we return to IM 70.3 North Carolina in October)</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">We finally got an AIRSTREAM!</span> (The Nest -- the smaller, fiberglass version, but we finally got it. Already have a bunch of camping trips on the calendar for 2019)</li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Letting Go (</span>most painful aspect was letting go of friends who, surprisingly, weren't really friends in the first place. Still stinging a bit from that one....)</li>
</ul>
<div>
There is so, so much more.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week, I'm planning out my race schedule; getting my calendar in order and cleaning out/touching up. It is time to update some pictures and to recommit to blogging. 2019 is sure to be a banner year and I want to make sure to capture some great notes.</div>
<div>
<br /><b><u>Merry, Happy, Healthy 2019 everyone!</u></b></div>
Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-14015052395187833922017-03-13T22:49:00.002-05:002017-03-14T10:56:14.735-05:00A Tale of Two (indoor) TriathlonsHard to believe that my new hip is already 5 months old. Even harder to believe, with the new hip, that I ever had a problem in the first place.<br />
<br />
Funny how time can alter what you remember about "what was". Meaning, I just reread my last blog entry, written right before Ironman Wisconsin last September and about three weeks before my surgery. I had "forgotten" how bad my limp was; how I had to calculate my every step and move; how hard I had to think about walking around the lake or down the block or from my car to the office. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Now?</b></span> Try to stop me.<br />
<br />
I was very fortunate to have a pretty easy recovery. I was in and out of the hospital within three days; off pain meds by the 5th day; walking around the block using a walker, then a cane, and finally by my big girl self unaided within a couple of weeks. Riding a stationary bike was a very welcome part of my physical therapy, as was strength training. I got back on the golf course in December, playing the course at Arizona State University with Warren. It was the first time all year that I could walk the whole course again. Joy. Swimming started at the 12 week post-surgery mark. Getting back in the water felt fantastic. <br />
<br />
All these milestones: golfing, strength training, spinning, swimming, <span style="color: blue;"><b>WALKING</b></span> were critical to me in that they each represented a move back to things being "<span style="color: red;"><b>normal</b></span>". Hallelujah for normal.<br />
<br />
Which brings us (me) back to triathlon. For years now, normal has meant that I participate in triathlons. Hip replacement doesn't mean the end to this. Instead, it just means some adjustments. Speed walking instead of running (maybe moving to a run/walk rhythm by the end of this year...); shorter distances rather than Ironman distance (unless its a relay, or maybe by performing some other magic trick...). But I'm still at 'em, starting with two of my favorite indoor venues: <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Tri U Mah</b></span> and the <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>YWCA Indoor Tri</b></span>. </span><br />
<br />
For newbies out there, indoor tris are a very easy and non-threatening way to "tri" our sport. No scary lake to swim in; no potholes on the road; no hills on the run. The only real equipment you need is a swim cap (unless the race provides it); a pair of goggles, your race outfit and shoes. No fancy (or not-so-fancy) bike required; no "one day USAT membership" fee to pay. Basically, you swim in a pool; ride a spin bike and run on a treadmill or a track. That's it. And after you're done, <span style="color: red;"><b>you are a triathlete</b></span> (and can eat pretty much whatever you want for the rest of the day. <b>BONUS)</b>.<br />
<br />
I started my triathlon love affair in 2005 by doing Tri U Mah. I've done it every year since then. If I could do it then, as a middle aged, chubby, triathlete wannabe, and if I can do it now, an ever more middle aged, less chubby "hipster", so can you.<br />
<br />
Tri U Mah is held at the University of Minnesota Rec Center in February and consists of 30 minutes each of swim/bike and run. Everyone gets 10 minutes of transition between the swim and the bike and then 5 minute of transition between bike and run. Winners are determined by the total distance covered during the race. Swag for the event is usually pretty nice, although the tee shirt this year was cotton, not technical. <br />
<br />
I was a bit nervous going in to the race, as it would be the first time stringing the three disciplines together since surgery. I did just fine. The swim went well; the water feeling smooth and velvety around me. I played with my paces a bit on the bike, pushing it just enough but not killing myself. The run for me was really a speed walk, with me trying to just concentrate on doing the best I could, without feeling too jealous of my friends who could actually run the run. <br />
<br />
I ended up with my fourth best distance covered for the race since I started doing it. Not so bad for a girl who is part titanium. <br />
<br />
The Y tri was yesterday. There are actually four indoor tris scheduled during the winter months, just enough to keep you interested and to measure your improvements over the offseason. The last one for 2017 is slated for April.<br />
<br />
The Y tri distance works similarly to outdoor tris. You select the distance you want to race. I picked the sprint: 500 yards in the pool, sharing a lane; 10 miles on a spin bike and then a 2 mile run on a track. They also offer "long" distance (600 s/12 b/ 3 r) or "mini" (400 s/ 8 b/ 1 r).<br />
<br />
The volunteers are always GREAT, the swag is always nice, and if you race more than one event in the series, you get different swag for each event. I only could schedule one event this year, but got a very nice technical shirt. Best of all, among the food they offer racers, volunteers and spectators, there is a nice, warm party-sized thermos filled with coffee. (Always thinking, those Organizers....)<br />
<br />
I shared my swim lane with a man named Ken, who was doing the mini distance. We exchanged the usual pleasantries before the race started. <br />
<br />
Took me a very average time to get through my 500 yards, but was very pleased to see that only two other women were out of the water before me. Struggled (as per usual) to get my socks on and my bike shoes (HATE not wearing socks, even though it <i>S L O W S</i> my T1 time down in a big way). But got on the bike fairly quickly. Happily pedaled along listening to loud, upbeat music and watching the runners from the heat before mine run the track. Eventually, hit the 10 mile mark, made a fast transition out of the bike shoes and in to my running shoes and started my fast-cadence, arm-swingin', hope-I-don't-look-too-much-like-an-idiot speed walk around the track.<br />
<br />
At one point my buddy, Ken, caught around me along the track. We had been cheering each other along on the bike and could now chat a bit. He was slowly jogging as I walked as fast as I could. I told him that I had just had my hip replaced and he said "<b>ME TOO, </b>four years ago". I said "And you're still doing triathlon! That is cool!"<br />
<br />
Here is how I knew we were kindred spirits: he replied, "Yea, I am, <b>because it makes me feel <span style="color: red;">normal</span>"</b>. <b><span style="color: blue;">Rock on, Ken. </span></b><br />
<br />
He finished; I finished. And just like that, my 2017 season began.Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-27543951272378634202016-09-04T00:48:00.001-05:002016-09-04T17:53:11.588-05:00So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, Imoo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0PRA2St4KCLQYfwuuXaaGLEMgIDerjHCXFOzadYp5_62hsoOkWnsPpyvdf4UCwU_ebaYODIkFY5kc9VFo47sUFIIABYtkFFtJeCr5Vs2shx49VF2sxvEbHGdBtLzKOxAF_N_Aw/s1600/the+money+shot+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0PRA2St4KCLQYfwuuXaaGLEMgIDerjHCXFOzadYp5_62hsoOkWnsPpyvdf4UCwU_ebaYODIkFY5kc9VFo47sUFIIABYtkFFtJeCr5Vs2shx49VF2sxvEbHGdBtLzKOxAF_N_Aw/s320/the+money+shot+finish.jpg" width="212" /></a>Funny how things work out. Or, don't. <br />
<br />
Ironman Wisconsin, affectionately known as Imoo, is next week Sunday. One short year ago, I volunteered at Imoo so I could sign up to race it this year. I also volunteered at Ironman Arizona last November and then signed up to do a second Ironman in 2016.<br />
<br />
Even though I had finished Imoo in 2012 and 2014, Ironman became something I loved and found it very hard to give up. It's not just the race or the training. I've met wonderful people, spent some time training in beautiful places and really grew to enjoy challenging myself physically and mentally. <br />
<br />
I also really love the Wisconsin course. The bike course, while difficult because of many, many, and I mean <b>MANY</b> hills, takes you though some breathtaking beautiful areas. I may hate those hills while I'm riding them, they do just prove that Dane County really is God's Country. The run is all through the University of Wisconsin campus....my old stomping ground. The course runs past many of my old (dumpy) college apartments and my old dorm, up State Street and along the lake shore path. I really love it. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeha59k1kLV8apuNHwTkN-uWo8SiKtMG4g8cTE72Jof4qwVWaBMDqP9bWBKgx8WB7dx4CToU5M0avKZcJgwFJB_Y72lNtXx7l6i7bx3sxMab0y8-0UmEJDmsMAwNxTxU21uTECQ/s1600/finisher+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeha59k1kLV8apuNHwTkN-uWo8SiKtMG4g8cTE72Jof4qwVWaBMDqP9bWBKgx8WB7dx4CToU5M0avKZcJgwFJB_Y72lNtXx7l6i7bx3sxMab0y8-0UmEJDmsMAwNxTxU21uTECQ/s200/finisher+photo.jpg" width="133" /></a>Although I had been diagnosed with hip arthritis in my right hip while I was training for Imoo in 2014, I was able to cross the finish line that year. I moved to shorter distance races in 2015 and still able to swim, bike and run without a lot of trouble.<br />
Still, the call of Ironman was beckoning....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeha59k1kLV8apuNHwTkN-uWo8SiKtMG4g8cTE72Jof4qwVWaBMDqP9bWBKgx8WB7dx4CToU5M0avKZcJgwFJB_Y72lNtXx7l6i7bx3sxMab0y8-0UmEJDmsMAwNxTxU21uTECQ/s1600/finisher+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">.</a><br />
I knew my window for Ironman was closing rapidly and figured if I was going to really have to pull back from long course racing, I might as well go big (do two) in 2016 and then go home (and stick to shorter distances). <br />
<br />
At least that was the plan.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">Enter 2016.</span></b> I was fine for my first tri of the year (TriUMah, the indoor tri at the University of Minnesota held every February.) I was training and running in the spring when, boom: everything seemed to come to screaming halt last March, when I went on that last, fateful 5 mile run.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KlCBCiJoxJvMJTDNpqSbsU_xb2QMmJzvfS_Sq2CZJYaxG4044ZMsbnsSCFhc50rosY5FzGp7Ci4Y5Be-bnnp-AZBpg690X_tG6CaCWOB561pOs4lLhxN0xLoEoYtcgmNiK7GCQ/s1600/medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KlCBCiJoxJvMJTDNpqSbsU_xb2QMmJzvfS_Sq2CZJYaxG4044ZMsbnsSCFhc50rosY5FzGp7Ci4Y5Be-bnnp-AZBpg690X_tG6CaCWOB561pOs4lLhxN0xLoEoYtcgmNiK7GCQ/s200/medal.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy finish 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I blogged about earlier, after that run, I developed really bad knee and shin pain. I saw a hip doc at Tria, who, after looking at scans I had done in October of 2015, told me my hip was destroyed and that I should use it till I can't.<br />
<br />
He said that once it started to interfere with my daily life, it would be time to get it replaced. (As a side note, the knee/shin pain was related to my hip in that my gait has been really compromised. This put pressure on my back, which triggered the knee/shin nerve. Fortunately, a shot of cortisone fixed that problem...)<br />
<br />
The doc and I talked then about my training for Ironman. Could I do it? Should I do it? He said that my hip wasn't going to get any better but if this was something I wanted to do, and could do it without much trouble, that I should. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUWW5ZKXqV-2iBcPKeF-eXj60Eo-6wa4Kk7wnnfbBsuVTRV_l3hjUyY_fDIiMAjz00SpVPbdnSbrpND0bh6_KWfE8m_er3P8YHbRBg0zTIc_KjkpDkahKyRyH1vuuXRrv9rPSew/s1600/halfway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUWW5ZKXqV-2iBcPKeF-eXj60Eo-6wa4Kk7wnnfbBsuVTRV_l3hjUyY_fDIiMAjz00SpVPbdnSbrpND0bh6_KWfE8m_er3P8YHbRBg0zTIc_KjkpDkahKyRyH1vuuXRrv9rPSew/s200/halfway.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imoo 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And so training went on. What I didn't count on is how quickly things would go south. While I can swim without pain and bike pretty easily (once the hip warms up), running, and now walking, is a sad, sad struggle. I have days that are okay (where I just limp through my activities) and other days where moving from the couch to the kitchen is a painful slog.<br />
<br />
So my grand plans for the 2016 race season had to be adjusted big time. I went from doing the 1/2 marathon at Fargo to eking out the 10k. I had a good swim and bike at Buffalo only to shuffle through the run. I had to skip Grandma's 1/2 entirely. By July, at Lifetime Mpls, I moved from the Oly to the Sprint distance and then walked the entire 5k. Slowly. Very, very slowly. <br />
<br />
I did have some bright spots over the summer. My swimming has gotten better and it was fun to do two new swim races: Shoreline Swim in Madison and the Chain of Lakes swim at Lake Calhoun.<br />
<br />
I was able to swing a golf club just fine. Walking over the uneven fairways takes a toll, though. Thank heavens for golf carts. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuXyuzqdMWEzYxEac6XxsrjOBDrMLPF5YTulsF3mvlu2bzc4ghiAHcpMGMa9NMrQ1Ib0MmSfpwP7DhHb-N5Pp8iwt4p_RXIbw5jo77KbHTecthsAnMD5JNSkEXQWHMFJnprr4JA/s1600/ltf+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuXyuzqdMWEzYxEac6XxsrjOBDrMLPF5YTulsF3mvlu2bzc4ghiAHcpMGMa9NMrQ1Ib0MmSfpwP7DhHb-N5Pp8iwt4p_RXIbw5jo77KbHTecthsAnMD5JNSkEXQWHMFJnprr4JA/s200/ltf+bike.jpg" width="132" /></a>Greg, my coach for Ironman, was working a plan for me that would have hopefully had me strong enough to get through the swim and bike at Wisconsin so I'd have enough time to walk the marathon course. It became very obvious after Lifetime that even that was really not a possibility. I've lost a lot of strength and power on my right side (muscles not really firing the way they should because everything is trying to protect what is left of the joint.). So, while biking doesn't hurt, I am sure not as fast as I've been. <br />
<br />
I did a training weekend in Madison every month throughout the summer and, although I could still manage to get up all those hills on the bike course, my overall times were not impressive at all, and, trying to walk off the bike was very tough.<br />
<br />
Slowly but surely over the summer, I began to face the fact that things were worse. My ability to participate in activities I love has become harder and harder. Just walking from my car to my office is now a chore. Sleeping is more and more uncomfortable. People -- friends AND strangers -- ask me if I'm okay, or if I need to sit down. People make beelines to get out of my way when I am walking toward them in a hallway or on the street. Air cabbies ask me if I need a lift when I am walking though airports trying to catch a flight. There ain't no hiding from this any more.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccqDLFeEBs9EHzaPYlFNttb3wD0fe8OnRi4xmeZvoGz8IJZMqf7DPlLOtXszatcH2mONlDqPLER6GdrYIK-2vrstfZp3T7WD_gk4L0JL8XJxyqbaa1YoSuIT57SR-OyKfteqGNA/s1600/hip+2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccqDLFeEBs9EHzaPYlFNttb3wD0fe8OnRi4xmeZvoGz8IJZMqf7DPlLOtXszatcH2mONlDqPLER6GdrYIK-2vrstfZp3T7WD_gk4L0JL8XJxyqbaa1YoSuIT57SR-OyKfteqGNA/s200/hip+2016.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hip Spring 2016. Ouch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So, Warren and I met the hip doc again last July. We took new images. The evidence was glaring. No more cartilage in my hip. All gone. <br />
Bone on bone.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">It's time.</span></b></div>
<br />
I'm scheduled for replacement on October 3rd. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kMGcT7bHJH8EurpzrTDqe8xcAfBVMQz4k8vjr6sXGjTrN4eseW5uXCmRfj_8myPW0QKTv7gyfEMtySgwhU4c4Kq-nDy3AExSsjbpAKila5x8RtyGUu3smjiBMQJxnzr34tFktw/s1600/alive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kMGcT7bHJH8EurpzrTDqe8xcAfBVMQz4k8vjr6sXGjTrN4eseW5uXCmRfj_8myPW0QKTv7gyfEMtySgwhU4c4Kq-nDy3AExSsjbpAKila5x8RtyGUu3smjiBMQJxnzr34tFktw/s200/alive.jpg" width="200" /></a>Although I am very sad/mad/disappointed about this, I have also come to realize that it really is what it is. I can't wish this or want this away. Replacement will provide relief and really doesn't mean the game is over. But, the game will definitely change. <br />
<br />
I'll still be able swim and bike and golf and hike. Tennis (double) is okay; some yoga will be okay. There are plenty of adventures yet to come. I'm thinking of doing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike, a day or two on the Ragbrai ride, swim Point to LaPointe again and more. I should be able to continue with sprint tris and maybe longer distances, as long as I don't care if I have to walk the run portion. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFm-cqesuR0gFvDIOyyjhLhS4S3rZNcqte71qzZ3qD-0BZvkvOTKMWFfl12TyJhNXDfI8ThWHnLGUnwsEDlBKDukRlIioiGlmqTfV5W_qPjw7fKJIhCrhFhoYStuSba0e36UA7A/s1600/medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFm-cqesuR0gFvDIOyyjhLhS4S3rZNcqte71qzZ3qD-0BZvkvOTKMWFfl12TyJhNXDfI8ThWHnLGUnwsEDlBKDukRlIioiGlmqTfV5W_qPjw7fKJIhCrhFhoYStuSba0e36UA7A/s200/medals.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of running medals....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a tough conversation when we talked about distance running. Those days are done. The doc says I should be able to do a few miles, but nothing more than 4 or 5, if I do a walk run.) I shed plenty of tears during that part of our talk.<br />
<br />
So where does leave Imoo? Well, I really had hoped I'd be able to squeak out a finish this year. But realistically, that is not in the cards. However, I have my game plan ready for the weekend and race day. I'm going in to this with the attitude of having as much fun as I can and to create as many memories as I can.<br />
<br />
Its been a wonderful, wonderful ride, this Ironman adventure. I'm going to miss it a lot. Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-21024994845651519192016-06-04T18:42:00.003-05:002016-06-04T18:46:37.655-05:00I am not Mary Lou Carlson.....I "ran" my very first 5k when I was 40. It was 1999. Warren, who was just my boyfriend at the time, had done a 5k on Father's Day that year. I went to the race to cheer him on. I was so proud of him when he crossed the finish line. I thought he had done the coolest thing ever by running that race. <br />
<br />
When we were driving home, I casually mentioned to him that I would love to run a 5k one day, but that I really wasn't a "runner". Wasn't built like one; couldn't imagine running to catch a bus, much less run 3.1 miles. "One day", I said.<br />
<br />
Well, Warren took it upon himself to sign me up for 5k later that summer -- The Wayside Run, which was sponsored by The Wayside House. <br />
<br />
I trained for that race by running Lake Calhoun. I could only do sections at a time. I remember feeling so accomplished when I ran the section from 36th Street to William Berry Parkway without stopping. This was a <span style="color: red;"><b>VERY BIG DEAL</b>. </span><br />
<br />
Race day came, and I was so nervous....I still didn't feel like a "real runner". I was heavier than I am today; I knew I was slow, and I thought I was going to get left in the dust once the race started. <br />
<br />
We got to the race site and it was buzzing with other racers. Mostly women racers. I was absolutely gob-smacked by the number of older women runners that were there. <br />
<br />
Remember, I was 40. Some might say that THAT is old (trust me, it isn't). But at the race there were a lot, and I mean A LOT, of women in their 50s, 60s and above.<br />
<br />
One woman really caught my attention. She had a bit of a bird-body (roundish middle supported by thin-ish legs), silver hair and a wide-genuine smile. She seemed to know everyone at that race, and everyone seemed know her. <br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>BOOM. </b></span> The race started and, although I didn't get totally dusted, I sure did end up at the very back of the pack pretty quickly. Still and all, I was doing it. There were lots of spectators cheering us on with the usual cheers ("Looking Good!" (I wasn't.) "Way to go, Runner" (said to me, even when I was walking.) And, my favorite: "You're almost there. (A total lie.))<br />
<br />
At some point, that popular lady with the silver hair passed me. She said "Nice Job." to me as she blazed past me.<br />
<br />
I finished the race and my love affair with running started. Even though I sucked, even though I didn't look like those "real runners", I loved it. I fell hard and fast and never looked back.<br />
<br />
After that race was done, I found out her name: <b>Mary Lou Carlson</b>.<br />
<br />
I (obviously) signed up for (lots) of other races. For many years after that first race, I'd see Mary Lou racing too. I gathered up some courage one day at a race and actually introduced myself to her. I told her that she was an inspiration to me and that I loved seeing her out on race courses. She was gracious and kind and then she just trotted off.<br />
<br />
Then, in 2001, when I was lining up to start at the Twin Cities Marathon, the announcer called out that Mary Lou Carlson, then age 74, would be allowed to start the race a little earlier than the rest of us. It was her 20th -- and last -- Twin Cities Marathon. She was running fine, but the race cut off time loomed large now. So, the officials bent the rules a bit for her, let her start before everyone else and enabled her to have her last marathon swan song.<br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: purple;">So why do I bring this up? </span></b><br />
<br />
Well, my hip continues to be my arthritic hip and, although I am continuing to train for Ironmans Wisconsin and Arizona, I am not entirely certain that I'm going to make it to either of those start lines.<br />
<br />
I find I have some good days, where I think I'll be fine and will be able to finish (at least one of them). I also have some really, really bad days, where I am not sure I can get down the stairs to the basement to put a load of laundry in.<br />
<br />
Swimming and biking are fine -- no pain. It's running that's betraying me. I plod and shuffle. It sometimes produces some shin/knee pain that is no fun. It is clunky and un-glamorous and painfully, painfully slow.<br />
<br />
And, the thing is, with Ironman, the cutoffs loom large. The 2:20 cut off for the swim will not be a problem. I should also be able come in off the bike well before the 5:30 pm cutoff. The run cutoffs are the ones that scare me.<br />
<br />
I have the heart to finish; If I had the luxury of no time limits, I know that I have the endurance to go 140.6.<br />
The question is can I do it, one more time, in less than 17 hours? <br />
<br />
Well, I'm willing to keep moving forward toward the goal and I also have to be realistic along the way. Because, as much as I love the sport, as much as I want to have my swan song this year, Mike Reilly, is not going to announce that I will be allowed to start the race early (or have help from a scooter during the run).<br />
<br />
Why? Because I am not Mary Lou Carlson. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-60930283365355389782016-04-01T13:17:00.000-05:002016-04-01T13:17:03.383-05:00The Verdict: Orchestra may be warming up, but that lady ain't singing....yet.A short update with the verdict from today's visit with the orthopedist.<br />
<br />
First, I liked him. Straight shooter; dry sense of humor; understands athletes. My kind of guy.<br />
<br />
We talked through all my symptoms and issues; he looked at the last couple of scans. He did some manipulation maneuvers on my knee and shin. Then he broke it down for me ever so gently:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>"Your hip is destroyed; use it till you can't". </b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span>
"Meaning....?"<br />
<br />
"Meaning it is what it is. But until it really interferes with your normal daily activities, it is not time to replace it. You'll know."<br />
<br />
(Love that he believes that swimming, biking, running, trying to get in 10,000 steps per day, etc are my "normal" daily activities.)<br />
<br />
"What about Ironman this year?"<br />
<br />
"Go for it".<br />
<br /><span style="color: red;"><b>YEEEESSSSS.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
So what about the knee/shin pain? He doesn't think there is any thing wrong with my knee (based on what he did to check it). He doubts it is a stress fracture, but we are looking in to that. <br />
<br />
He thinks it might be a pinched nerve in my back.<br />
<br />"Really?"<br />
<br />
"You'd be surprised."<br />
<br />
So he set me up for an MRI to rule out or in a stress fracture. (He said if it was a stress fracture, IM was out.), but he really doesn't think that is the problem.<br />
<br />The pinched nerve is a new potential diagnosis. Don't really have back pain; some nagging now and then, but my back is not something I generally complain about.<br />
<br />
The MRI took about 30 minutes; I'll have the results of that soon. Assuming it is not a stress fracture, I'll go to see a back guy and we'll go from there.<br />
<br />
So, while that fat lady might be itchy to sing her song, this fit lady is itching to get to the bottom of this and then back to training.<br />
<br />
Have a nice weekend, everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-83272203683864207102016-03-31T12:16:00.002-05:002016-03-31T12:16:51.605-05:00Will the Fat Lady Sing?Over the last week or so, a whole bunch of our appliances have shown signs of age. <br />
<br />
First, the handle on our microwave ripped off. Sheared the screws that held the handle in place right in half. We did a little investigative work and discovered the microwave was built (and installed above the stove) in 1997. More investigation revealed that they no longer make the model OR the replacement handle. Until we have the time to go shopping for a new one, we are left with plying open the door with a screwdriver in order to nuke our food.<br />
<br />
The "full power" button on hairdryer we've had for more than 15 years no longer holds. We are left with either holding the button on in order to get the big blast of air, or settling for "style" mode, which means spending an extra chunk of time trying to get "the look". <br />
<br />
I dropped my protein shake shaker bottle on the floor and it cracked. I'm a big fan of my protein shakes and liked that bottle a lot. Perfect size; shaker-blender thingie worked perfectly; even liked the color. For now, until I can get a replacement one, I'm stuck using one that is bigger, clunkier and the shaker-blender thingie is a piece of c*#&.<br />
<br />
The final blow came two days ago. I opened the doors to our refrigerator and smelled the distinct smell of burning plastic. <br />
<br />"Whaaaat?"<br />
<br />
The unit at the top of the fridge that houses the light bulbs and controls the temp within the fridge and freezer looked strange. I could actually see part of the light bulbs. I gentle pulled on the unit and it came off in my hand. I could see obvious burn marks near the light sockets. I pulled the plug on the fridge and called the repair guy.<br />
<br />
Seems this happens a lot with the particular model we have, said the repair guy. He ordered parts, which will be here in a couple days. We threw out boatloads of food (which I hate doing), packed up some stuff in coolers and are waiting it out.<br />
<br />
With all these age related-failures, I find it hard to not think that this is an omen of what's to come tomorrow. After all I, too, am just an aging machine.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, I finally, finally, FINALLY get back in to see an orthopedist to get the word on what is happening with my hip and more recently, my knee and shin.<br />
<br />
I know that I have hip arthritis. That was diagnosed in 2014. I also know it is worse (had an xray which confirmed this last October.). What is new is the knee/shin thing, which I think is result of my gait changing.<br />
<br />
I have been mostly ignoring all of this. My rationalization? Better to have my head in the sand than a scar on my hip.<br />
<br />
I really am just looking for one more year of long distance triathlon. I've been bargaining with the Ironman Gods to let me get through IM WI and IM AZ this year and then I'll be okay with stopping. I promise. (I sound like a crack addict. <i>"Just one more ride on the loop, baby..."</i>)<br />
<br />
I've been doing some rehab with a physical therapist, who finally got me to agree to get an official evaluation. Tomorrow is the big day. <br />
<br />
While I don't think the doc will tell me I can't do these races this year, I am pretty sure he will tell me that this is the last song of the Ironman opera. It will be very hard to hear that fat lady sing the final aria. <br />
<br />
I am guessing there may be some more rehab in my future, maybe some cortisone, probably a lot of duct tape. <br />
<br />
One way or another, I'll be at the start line of those races this year. And, Ironman Gods willing, I'll be crossing those finish lines with moments to spare. <br />
<br />
I just need the fat lady to be silent tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-89214333962469242112016-02-29T22:12:00.001-06:002016-02-29T22:41:02.854-06:00The Joy of Indoor Tris<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They say Minnesota has two seasons: winter and road construction. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />I think our two seasons are: outdoor triathlon and indoor triathlon. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While I will say that outdoor tri season is the best, with its warm days, open water and the thrill of riding on the open road, I live in Minnesota, where, even in the best of winters, I'm not swimming in Lake Calhoun, just because it is open. (All props due to Total Immersion Coach, Dave Cameron, who DID get in to Lake Calhoun last December. <span style="color: purple;"><b>Nutball</b></span>. And I say that with the utmost respect.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What, then, is a triathlete to do <b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">a l l w i n t e r l o n g</span></b>.... Just spend hours pedaling on the trainer, while binge watching episodes of Mr. Robot or Girls? Bundle up in layers of reflective running gear, wear a headlamp and yaktrax and pray you don't fall in to a snowbank, because you'll never be able to pull yourself out? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No. You take advantage of indoor triathlons. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br />Why? Well, first and foremost, they are fun. And, they keep you in the game. AND, in the dead of winter, when you don't think you can take one more dreary, freezing cold day, you have a reminder that summer will come and you will be able to put that wetsuit on again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">If you are a tri veteran, indoor tris offer you a way to check your fitness level and spark your competitive nature. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><b><i>But,</i></b> if your are a tri newbie, or a tri wannabe, indoor tris are a wonderful way to put your toe in the pool, so to speak. You swim in a nice, clean pool with a lane line; you don't have to deal with wind or hills on the spin bike, and you run either on a treadmill or a track. You still get nice swag, enjoy post race food and you get to call yourself a triathlete. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">So even though this year's indoor tri season is coming to a close, I thought I'd share a review of the indoor races I have come to love. A couple of them still have upcoming dates available. If you haven't done an indoor tri, you owe it to yourself to check one out.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><a href="http://recwell.umn.edu/fitness/triumah.php" target="_blank">Tri U Mah:</a> University of Minnesota -- Rec Center, race is in February, registration opens in October: The format is 30 minute swim/ 30 minute bike/ 30 minute run. Can race individually or as a team. Transition between swim and bike is a flat 10 minutes; transition between bike and run is a flat 5 minutes. Winners are determined by the overall distance covered. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">This race is my all time favorite of indoor tris. Maybe because it was the first one I ever did, way back in 2005. Maybe because I love the venue. Who knows. What I do know I look forward every October to the second registration opens up. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">The deep water pool at the U is great. You get your own 25 yard swim lane (no sharing), temp is always just right. Volunteers keep track of the number of laps you complete during the 30 minute time frame. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">The bike portion is done on Matrix-S series bikes. Distance is determined by the number of RPMs of the flywheel, so doesn't really match what riding outside is like, but hey, it is February, and you are doing a tri.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Run is on a treadmill. You can set your own incline and pace. Again, volunteers keep track of your distance covered on both the bike and the run.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Changing facilities are collegiate: shared locker and shower space; smallish lockers (bring your own lock), and bring your own towel.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">After race: Tri U Mah usually provides some nice and useful swag. In years past, I've gotten an embroidered down vest; a nice winter hat; some nice technical tee shirts. This year, we got a cotton tee (meh) and a embroidered, weather resistant baseball cap (liked it) and a small carry bag. Post race food this year was bagels and beverages.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><a href="https://www.ywcampls.org/" target="_blank">Y-tris</a>: YWCA - Midtown location. You don't have to be a YWCA member to participate. Various dates from late fall until spring. Next race, April 10th. Registration still open. Can race individually or as a team: Format: </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">M</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: inherit;">ini: 400yd swim/8mi bike/1mi run</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Sprint: 500yd swim/10mi bike/2mi run</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><span class="marker" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Long</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">: 600yd swim/12mi bike/5k (3.1mi run)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Relay: long distance, one person each leg</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Whether the race is an indoor tri, or the really wonderful Women's Triathlon, held in August, Race Directors and Endurance Coaches Nicole Cueno and Kym Zest know how to put on a race. Very friendly, peppy volunteers, nice swag, good post race food (including <b>COFFEE </b>!!) and a masseuse! <!--3--></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br />The Y also has several great tri training and prep programs, offering indoor and outdoor brick classes (bike/run); running and biking clinics, and lots of open water swim opportunities at Cedar Lake during the summer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">I've done several of these races over the years and have loved each one. I've had my hat handed to me by a young boy, with whom I shared my swim lane, and I've been able to cheer on a number of brand, new triathletes as they crossed the finish line for the first time. These events are highly supportive and well organized. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Indoor tri facilities at the Y are terrific. Nice, 25 yard pool. Two participants per lane. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Bike portion is done on a Kaiser spin bike. Again, distance is calculated by RPM and doesn't quite equate to what it is like on a real bike outside. (Details.)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Run is done on a 200-meter indoor track. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">Changing facilities: Typical locker room, bring a lock and a towel. Whirlpool, sauna and steam available after the race. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><a href="http://www.indoortri.com/" target="_blank">LifeTime Fitness Indoor Tris:</a> Lifetime Fitness health clubs across the cities; don't have to be a member to register. Various dates from January through April. Next race date in Twin Cities is April 24th. Registration still open. Format: 10 minute swim; 30 minute bike; 20 minute run. Winner determined by a points system. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: inherit;">So, I'm a Lifetime member. Love the clubs; love a lot of their programs. Like this tri. (Notice I said "like"). It could be the way that the tri is run at the club I race at; it could be that the race is simultaneously run at a number of their facilities across the country the same day, but the process hasn't been "Starbucked" (meaning the same experience regardless of what location you visit.) </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I find the LTF events "flat". The event itself is fun, but a bit disorganized. The volunteers aren't too peppy; the swag is okay (tee shirt and small bag.) You do get some offers, including a free month of masters swim; 30 minutes consultation with a tri coach and a discount at the Ironman store. (LTF has an affiliation with Ironman, primarily to help promote the sport, and LTF sold a couple of their branded races to Ironman, for example the old Soma 1/2 is now Ironman Arizona 70.3). After the January event, the Women for Tri facebook page lit up with hundreds of selfies of co-branded swim caps worn by LTF tri participants. The reviews from participants across the country was pretty mixed. Some sites seem to have their act together, others not so much. Biggest surprise for me was that many clubs had post race food (bananas). My club? Not even a bottle of water....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having dissed the organization of the race, I still sign up for these races. They still allow me to get a good workout in and to have some fun. As a former boss of mine profoundly said, "It is what it is". </span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Swim: in a pool, most of them are 25 yard (the one I swim in is 23 yards); two participants to a lane.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bike: on a standard spin bike. The most "true" to an outdoor bike experience. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Run: on a treadmill, where you can adjust the incline and speed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amenities: nice locker rooms, many provide towels, soap and shampoo. Sauna, whirlpool and steam available after the race. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So there you have it. The lowdown on indoor tris. Just another way I am keepin' it joyful in 2016.</span></span></div>
Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-37072048125146122562016-01-07T17:28:00.000-06:002016-01-07T17:28:37.526-06:00The goal: 60% JOYYeah, right. That last blog post from October, 2015, told you all to "check back soon to learn about my Action Plan!". <br />
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So does over 2 months since I last posted count as "soon"?<br />
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Why so long? Well, it turns out I was still working on that <span style="color: red;"><strong>action plan</strong></span>. <br />
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Not that things haven't been happening and moving along. No indeed! November and December passed in a blaze of action packed minutes. Lots of work, stress and high pressure deadlines. AND lots of relaxation and easy days off. <br />
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Hubby and I went on a cruise in early December with my sister and brother-in-law. You may not think I am a cruise person, but let me correct your thinking. I totally am. I should say, Hubby and I totally are. <br />
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We are very particular about our cruises, though. No fussy formal nights or assigned seating for us. Noooo. We like Norwegian Cruise Line, the "do what you want, when you want" cruise line. No formal nights (unless you want to dress up); no assigned seating for dinner; no nuthin' but fresh air, views of the ocean, endless food and adventurous shore excursions. <br />
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We went from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten and three, count them -- <strong><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #38761d;">THREE --</span> </span></strong>days at sea. (Love the sea days!). I swam in the ocean in the Bahamas and St. Maarten. We snorkeled in St. Thomas and saw sea turtles, sting rays and the most fish ever on a snorkel trip. It was heaven.<br />
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I also had several days off in-between Christmas and New Year's. I started to declutter the house and am proud to say that I'm finally willing to get rid of things that no longer serve me/us. I don't want or need to hold on to "stuff". I do need to let (it) go.<br />
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I also came up with my race schedule for 2016. Lessons learned from 2015 will help shape what this new race season will bring....it may also be the beginning of the real, actual end of some of my racing life.<br />
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You see, the hip issue that has been plaguing me since winter, 2014, is not going away. It is, in fact, arthritis, which is, in fact, getting worse, not better. (I know this because I had a scan in 2014 when they diagnosed it and another one last fall, which revealed more deterioration.) <br />
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Generally, I'm choosing to ignore the problem. While the actual pain is hit or miss, my range of motion is definitely impacted, which impacts both my gait and pace when I run. I have a definite <em>giddyup</em> in my step (meaning I limp), but I am not yet at the point where I am really acknowledging any of this. Sometimes denial is a very powerful thing.<br />
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I have done some (lots) of research though, and most of what I read says that, when the time comes for a little snip, snip, snip, I will still be able to swim and bike and golf. Running will probably be <strong><span style="color: #666666;">D O N E</span></strong>, though. And for as slow and clompy as I am right now running, I'm not ready (willing) to stop yet.<br />
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I have stuff to do this year. Like several of my fave indoor tris; Like running Grandma's 1/2 marathon again. Like doing Ironman Wisconsin this fall. And Ironman Arizona. <br />
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You see, I look at it this way: if I am going to potentially stop doing something I LOVE, I'm going to make sure that this year is a great year. If my hip is the problem, then the plan is to grind it down to dust before I'm finished with triathlon. (Might as well make that surgeon work for his or her money and insurance reimbursement, right?)<br />
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I've thought long and hard about what I want my 2016 to be and I've come up with this: By Sunday, every week,<strong><u><span style="color: blue;"> I want my week to have been joyful at least 60% of the time</span></u></strong>. This means I spend my time doing things I love to do, with people that I love to be with, and have adventures that are meaningful. <br />
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If I find that I'm less than joyful 60% of the time, I need to consciously eliminate the people, places and things that are causing the angst. <br />
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Life is way too short and time passes way too quickly. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Spend time joyfully.</span></strong><br />
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<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-48906676843935228622015-10-19T21:56:00.000-05:002015-10-19T21:56:19.654-05:00Ironman 70.3 Arizona: Part I: Lessons Learned<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll start with the finish. Or, lack thereof. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did not finish this 70.3 mile race. I did cover 64 miles (meaning got the 1.2 mile swim, the 56 mile bike and 6.55 miles of the 1/2 marathon (which, I recently found out was really measured at 13.6 miles. so I covered 6.8 miles), but could not pull it together to finish this one out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the last outdoor tri for 2015, this was disappointing and embarrassing, but I did learn a lot from this race that I can take with me in to 2016 and beyond. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had gone to watch Ironman Arizona last year to watch my 2015 coach, Cathy Yndestad and my friend, Mark Loken, do the race. The venue looked interesting and very different from Ironman Wisconsin's course. I was toying with the idea of doing "one more Ironman" in 2016 and was thinking that a flatter bike course would be more forgiving on my ailing hip. When Ironman announced it had taken over the former</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Soma tri, I </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">signed up for this new 70.3 race the day registration opened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought this would be a perfect way to try some things that I've never done before: shipping my bike to a race location; traveling more than 400 miles for a triathlon; swimming in notoriously cold Tempe Town Lake. I also thought that, since I've finished a number of 1/2 iron distance tris before, that this would be a distance that would be "easy" to cover. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day turned out differently than I had thought it would. Some of the reasons were out of my control. But, if I'm being totally honest here, there was a lot in my control in both what I did and didn't do in the months leading up to the race which impacted yesterday's results. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Lessons Learned</b>: </span> </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can't fake your way through a 1/2 iron distance tri.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Training Plans and Coaches are worth every penny you pay for them. (At least the good ones are.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Practice on the bike you are going to ride. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do some open water swimming with and without a wet suit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The strongest muscle you have is the one in your head.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's start with the obvious: </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>You get the race you train for</b>:</span> After finishing IM WI last year, I wanted this year to be fun and easy. I did a lot of races, but mostly sprints and a couple of Olys. I had a lot of fun doing some new things, like covering 70 miles on the second day of Iowa's Ragbrai; going back to SuperiorMan for its 41.5 mile event, and running the Looney Challenge (comprised of running the Twin Cities Marathon weekend's 5K, 10K on Saturday and then the 10 Miler on Sunday.) I was able to finish all of these events without a doing a lot work to get through them. However, I really did not spend a lot of time "in training" this year. I may have worked out more frequently and regularly than the average person, but there is no way I can say, with a straight face, that I spent my summer "in training". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Self coaching is not the best plan for me:</span></b> I didn't really swim with a Masters group this year; I didn't have a formal relationship with a Coach, I certainly didn't follow any thing remotely like a training plan. I did a little work with a group out of LifetimeFitness, but I did that mostly for the social aspect, not for the actual training. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought, since I had covered the distances for the 70.3, I'd be okay. I didn't string any of them together in any meaningful way in training, and that came back to bite me yesterday in a big way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need to be held accountable. I need someone to tell me what to do, when to do it and then to either bust my chops for not doing it or to congratulate me when I do do it. In other words, I need a Coach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Train on the bike you are going to ride:</b> </span> Outside of races, I spent the bulk of the year riding my road bike. I should have spent a lot more time riding my tri bike. Both my position and my saddle are very different one bike to the other. It is also very different being in aero versus up on the hoods. I did do a few longer rides on my tri bike as IM 70.3 AZ approached, but in retrospect, probably not enough time. My tush was quite accustomed to longer miles on my cushier road bike saddle. Less so on the tri bike's Cobb.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Practice Open Water Swimming both with and without a wet suit:</span></b><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> All the tris I did this year had been wet suit legal. I also wore a wet suit for all the OWS practice swims I did during the summer. I love the extra buoyancy and the sense of security the suit gives me. (If/when I have to tread water before a race, or adjust my goggles or pee, I basically go vertical and can bob like a cork. No energy, no muss, no fuss....). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tempe Town Lake is known for being cold, even though it is in the desert. The thought of the race being wet suit questionable never even entered my mind. A few days before leaving for Arizona, I happened to see a post on the event's Facebook page. Someone was questioning whether the swim would happen at all, given all the rain Tempe has been having. (The lake is part of a reservoir and, apparently, after heavy rains, catches storm water run off, increasing changes of unsafe E coli levels.). Another person responded that E coli wasn't an issue, but the warm lake temps could make the race wet suit illegal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><i>Warm water?</i> </span> I looked up the water temp online and it was in the mid 70's. Glad I checked this out before traveling because I ended up packing both a wet suit and a swim skin. Race morning, the water was 78 degrees. The race officials made the event 'wet suit optional'. If a racer chose to wear a wet suit, they would move to a "new" final wave, regardless of which heat they should be racing in. Racers in that last wave would still have to make the 11:20 am cut off of starting the 3rd bike loop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although I was already one of the final waves for the day, I did not want to sit out any additional time and risk maybe not making the bike cut off, so I opted to not wear the wet suit and wore the skin instead. (In retrospect, the cut off for the last loop was a non issue for me. I was well on my way on that last loop at 11:20 am....)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />On the one hand, the skin was perfect because the water temp was great. Had I wore the wet suit, I would have overheated. On the other hand, I had not done any open water swimming without a wet suit in a long time. The swimming part was easy, but waiting treading water waiting for the race to start was a little tiring; stopping to adjust my goggles and to pee, there was no bobbing. It was more floundering. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The water was pretty choppy and I got swallowed more of the lake that I wanted to. I also had a couple of close encounters with other swimmers that, had I been in a wet suit, would not have rattled me. Without the suit, I went under unexpectedly, which caused me to be a little uncomfortable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got through the swim, but all it all, it was not nearly as enjoyable as other swims. I felt more like I practiced water survival skills....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Head Muscle</span>:</b> </span> Ahhh yes. My brain. All things being equal yesterday, it was my brain that caused me my biggest issues. I knew I had not done the training I should have. But that was also the case with the Looney Challenge and I managed to get through those three races, AND did the 10 miler with a knot in both my glute and posas. The big difference was the conversation I had with myself about those races. For Looney, my focus was on getting the races done, no matter what. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For IM 70.3 AZ, the negative thoughts started early -- in the swim, which felt like it went on forever. I felt mostly good on the bike, although my tush was screaming during that last loop and it got mentally tiring riding in to the wind, which had picked up quite a bit. I may have gotten behind on my nutrition a bit too, which never helps the thinking pattern. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I got back in to T2, I thought I had plenty of time to cover the miles of the run. The course seemed pretty straight forward: two pretty flat loops around sections of Tempe Town Lake. I started the run at 12:30 pm; the sun broke out and it was hot and humid. I struggled from the get-go to get my legs to run. I just did. not. want. to. Period. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can be very stubborn and headstrong. Sometimes this works very well for me. Other times, this does not. This was one of those times. I tried a few tricks in hopes to turn things around. I picked places out on the course and said "I'll start running there". I'd get to that place and then find another place that looked better. Finally, I just gave in and said "Screw it. I'm walking'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That would have been fine until the detour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Race Organizers had to make a modification to the run course, due to a tragic accident (independent of the race) the night before. This modification added another 4/10s to the total course (not a big number), but the actual change to the course made a big difference psychological to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I was walking on the Rural Road bridge and could see other racers on the path on the south side of the lake. It looked like they came off the bridge, took a left, went away from the race site for about a few hundred yards and then turned to loop back to the site and the start of the second loop or the finish line.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I looked at my watch and thought that I had enough time to get through the second loop before the race cut off. I was feeling pretty good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />When I got off the bridge, and took the turn to the left, I realized that the turn around was not a couple hundred yards ahead of me, but rather more than 1/2 a mile ahead of me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That realization took any and all of the wind right out of my sails and my brain said "Game over. Get to the start of the second loop, but you are probably out of time to complete the second loop."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got to the start of the second loop and Warren was there waiting for me. I told him that I was done. He tired to get me to start the second loop, but I knew I wasn't going to run it (or any of it) and with less than 90 minutes to the cut off, it was highly unlikely that I would make the cutoff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had I been able to get my head right, I may have been able to get myself on that second loop and to push to meet the 90 minute deadline. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />But yesterday, for whatever reason, when I was done, I was done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter what I tried to tell myself made a difference. Internal conversation points included including "You spent a boatload of money to ship your bike here and to travel here to DNF", "You will never live down the embarrassment of not finishing." "You've done this a million times. Get your stuff together.". "You want that hat and medal". Nothing made a difference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not sure why I struggle with this so much. Why sometimes I can right the ship and push forward and other times, I just can't / won't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be pondering this for the next few days in order to come up with my next post: Ironman 70.3 Arizona: Part II: Putting Those Lessons to Work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check back in a few days as I come up with my Action Plan.</span>Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-91323146362175551282015-09-01T21:44:00.000-05:002015-09-04T12:49:42.478-05:00Whaddya mean the season is over? <div id="E8" is="qowt-para" qowt-eid="E8" style="display: block; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;">
<span id="E-6671" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-6671" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I arrive at a race site, it's always a pleasure to hear Jerry MacNeil's voice announcing the action. He has done much to support and promote the sport we all love. He is quick to provide color commentary about races and racers and provides a wealth of information to us all via MinnesotaTriNews. He has also always been very nice to me when we bump in to each other. He likes to promote this blog, which I appreciate. I may not have the same exciting stories that those who win races have, but it is nice that he allows me to share my tales of being a middle-aged, grateful to be at the start line, mid to back of the packer. Here's my recap of SuperiorMan 41.5.</span></div>
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<span id="E9" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E9" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My 2015 “local” triathlon outdoor season ended last Sunday after I crossed the finish line of </span><span id="E11" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E11" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SuperiorMan‘s</span><span id="E13" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E13" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “short” course in Duluth. It was a fun day in a fun town.</span></div>
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<span id="E16" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E16" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The race initially intrigued me because of the swim start. Racers are loaded on to a Vista Fleet </span><span id="E18" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E18" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ferry boat</span><span id="E20" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E20" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and taken out on to Lake Superior and get to jump off the boat in to the lake. How fun is that?</span></div>
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<span id="E23" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E23" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did the long course in 2013. It was the hottest day of the year in Duluth – heat index was well in to the </span><span id="E25" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E25" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">100s</span><span id="E27" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E27" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> along with some </span><span id="E29" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E29" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pretty heavy</span><span id="E31" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E31" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hum</span><span id="E32" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E32" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">idity. </span><span id="E34" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E34" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Very unexpected for thi</span><span id="E35" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E35" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">s time of year </span><span id="E37" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E37" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">upnord</span><span id="E39" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E39" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;"> der.</span><span id="E41" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E41" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span id="E43" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E43" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have long thought about doing the Escape from Alcatraz race, which also has a “jump off the boat” swim start. There are just a few other things about that race that keeps me away (sharks, currents, cold temperatures and </span><span id="E44" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E44" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a lot </span><span id="E46" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E46" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of </span><span id="E47" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E47" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hills</span><span id="E49" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E49" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to name a few).</span></div>
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<span id="E53" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E53" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SuperiorMan</span><span id="E55" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E55" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> offers the same cool start without worrying about Jaws</span><span id="E56" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E56" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It does have its fair share </span><span id="E57" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E57" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of currents</span><span id="E58" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E58" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, cold water and hills, though. </span><span id="E59" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E59" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span id="E62" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E62" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had planned </span><span id="E63" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E63" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to race</span><span id="E64" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E64" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the long course again this year, but when Ironman Arizona 70.3 opened up, I made it my “A” race for the season. (</span><span id="E66" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E66" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And</span><span id="E68" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E68" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, truth be told, my pretty lazy training season left me not really ready to pull a ½ out of my legs yet. Fortunately, I have six weeks to get them ready for Tempe).</span></div>
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<span id="E71" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E71" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pulled back to the short course in early August, which consists of a </span><span id="E73" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">0.5 mile</span><span id="E75" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E75" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> swim; 35.4 mile bike and 5.6 mile run. </span></div>
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<span id="E79" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E79" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m</span><span id="E81" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E81" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> not really sure why everyone calls the 41.5 mile race “short”. It is longer than an </span><span id="E83" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E83" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oly</span><span id="E85" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E85" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> but I guess in comparison to the event’s original 70.3 mile event (now known as the long course or ½ iron distance), I guess it is “short”.</span></div>
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<span id="E89" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E89" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The weather was much more cooperative last Sunday </span><span id="E90" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E90" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">than it was in 2013. Morning </span><span id="E92" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E92" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">t</span><span id="E93" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E93" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">emps</span><span id="E95" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E95" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> were in the 60s and the sunny skies predicted didn’t really break</span><span id="E96" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E97" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E97" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out until late morning, so we had some UV protection while out on the bike course. What </span><span id="E99" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E99" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wasn’t predicted</span><span id="E101" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E101" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was the wind off the lake. Forecasts had</span><span id="E102" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E102" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> called </span><span id="E104" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E104" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for </span><span id="E105" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mild</span><span id="E107" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E107" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E108" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E108" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">winds</span><span id="E109" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E109" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but we ended up with solid and steady winds. </span></div>
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<span id="E112" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E112" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first of the long course athletes got on the </span><span id="E114" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E114" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ferry boat</span><span id="E116" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E116" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E117" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E117" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">at </span><span id="E118" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E118" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:45 am</span><span id="E119" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E119" style="color: red; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span id="E120" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E120" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was still in transition at that point with the second wave of long course folks and all the short course people. Transition is inside the </span><span id="E122" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E122" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (</span><span id="E125" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E125" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DECC</span><span id="E127" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E127" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), which is also a nice feature of this race. </span><span id="E129" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E129" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plenty of room; lots of nice bathrooms and showers.</span><span id="E131" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E131" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span id="E135" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E135" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shower feature was helpful prerace too. Because there is no beach near transition, racers </span><span id="E137" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E137" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can’t</span><span id="E139" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E139" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> get in to the water before the big jump. I like to have some water down my wetsuit before I start a race. The water helps to loosen up the wetsuit a bit </span><span id="E140" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E140" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span id="E141" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E141" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> provides a little bit of added insulation. </span></div>
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<span id="E-7643" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-7643" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After putting my wetsuit half way on, I went to the shower room, filled a throwaway water bottle with water and poured it down the inside of my wetsuit. Almost as good as a prerace dip....</span></div>
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<span id="E144" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E144" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I filled up the water</span><span id="E145" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E145" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E146" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E146" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bottle again to take on to the ferry with me and went out to queue up for my ride. I bumped </span><span id="E147" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E147" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in to Nicole </span><span id="E149" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E149" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cue</span><span id="E150" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E150" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">no</span><span id="E152" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E152" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Endu</span><span id="E153" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E153" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rance Coach and Race Director for</span><span id="E154" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E154" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the YWCA Women’s Tri. She was racing the long course. </span><span id="E155" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E155" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Nicole is a phenomenal athlete and on</span><span id="E156" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E156" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">e of the nicest people you can</span><span id="E157" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E157" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> meet. </span><span id="E158" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E158" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> We caught up on our summers for a bit and then I left her to get in to her race head. (I found out later that she got a flat on the bike course and STILL came in </span><span id="E160" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E160" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">third of all</span><span id="E162" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E162" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> long-course women. </span><span id="E164" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E164" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A-maaaay-zing.)</span></div>
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<span id="E168" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E168" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got on to the ferry at 6:45 am and we took the short ride to the swim starting point. We had heard that the water </span><span id="E170" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E170" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">temp</span><span id="E172" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E172" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was 62 degrees. </span><span id="E174" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E174" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plenty</span><span id="E176" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E176" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> cold. </span><span id="E178" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E178" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many of</span><span id="E180" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E180" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> us were prepared with our neoprene </span><span id="E182" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E182" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">booties</span><span id="E184" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E184" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and skull caps in addition to long sleeved wetsuits. I saw a couple of racers who were wearing sleeveless wet suits. All I could think was “</span><span id="E186" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E186" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">brrrr</span><span id="E188" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E188" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”.</span></div>
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<span id="E191" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E191" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Organizers queued us up so that the rest of the long course folks jumped off the boat first; then </span><span id="E193" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E193" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">short course</span><span id="E195" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E195" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> folks. I was in Wave 1 of the short course. As I got closer to the open gate that I’d be jumping through, I squirted the rest of the water from my water bottle underneath the neck of my wetsuit, adjusted my goggles in-between my skull cap and my race cap and tried to stay calm.</span></div>
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<span id="E198" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E198" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The person in front of me jumped in; the nice </span><span id="E200" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E200" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lady</span><span id="E202" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E202" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who was staggering the jumpers </span><span id="E203" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E203" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">held me back for about 4 seconds. I just looked down and the churning water, she tapped me on the shoulder and </span><span id="E205" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E205" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">said</span><span id="E207" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E207" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “go” and I did.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><span id="E212" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E212" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keeersplash</span><span id="E214" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E214" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!</span></i></span><span id="E216" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E216" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span id="E218" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E218" style="display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">YIKES</span><span id="E220" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E220" style="display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that water was </span><span is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E220" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">cold!</span></span><span is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E220" style="display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My body and head were </span><span id="E222" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E222" style="display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">plenty</span><span id="E224" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E224" style="display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> warm, but my face was very cold. I knew I needed to get out of the way so the next jumper </span><span id="E226" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E226" style="display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">wouldn’t</span><span id="E228" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E228" style="display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> land on me, so I paddled off.</span></div>
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<span id="E231" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E231" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My breathing was a little too rapid, though, so I stopped a couple of strokes in to just calm down for a few seconds. Then put my face back in and started to swim toward the first buoys. The water was much choppier now than it had been for the first set of racers. I took in much more water than I normally do and had to stop a couple of times to cough it </span><span id="E233" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E233" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out</span><span id="E235" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E235" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I was never panicky about it, though. </span><span id="E237" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E237" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just inconvenienced.</span><span id="E239" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E239" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span id="E243" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E243" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Short course swimmers swam a three-quarter loop for our </span><span id="E245" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E245" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">0.5 mile</span><span id="E247" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E247" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> swim. I got to the final turn buoy and angled in only to bump in to a couple of swimmers also trying to make it to the exit. (I </span><span id="E249" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E249" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">don’t</span><span id="E251" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E251" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> know why this happens. Big, old lake with lots of room and there is always someone who swims right in the same path as you are trying to get out. …)</span></div>
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<span id="E254" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E254" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They had a ramp in place to </span><span id="E256" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E256" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">helps</span><span id="E258" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E258" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> swimmers get out, which made exiting the water pretty easy. My swim time was very average for me for a half-mile. </span><span id="E260" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E260" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plenty</span><span id="E262" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E262" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> happy about that. </span></div>
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<span id="E265" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E265" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A quick little jog back in to </span><span id="E267" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E267" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T1</span><span id="E270" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E270" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; and</span><span id="E272" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E272" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the fun of getting out of my wet suit and neoprene booties began. I </span><span id="E274" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E274" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">got</span><span id="E276" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E276" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “stuck” trying to pull the dang thing off. I eventually had to sit down to get the thing off. My </span><span id="E278" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E278" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T1</span><span id="E280" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E280" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> times have been pitiful this year. If it </span><span id="E282" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E282" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">isn’t</span><span id="E284" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E284" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the wetsuit being stubborn, it is the socks begin tough to get on wet feet. I know there is plenty of room for improvement on my </span><span id="E286" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E286" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T1</span><span id="E288" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E288" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> times. Will give </span><span id="E290" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E290" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">me so</span><span id="E291" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E291" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mething</span><span id="E293" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E293" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to practice over winter (HA!)</span></div>
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<span id="E296" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E296" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bike: the long course takes you out to just past Two Harbors out Old Hwy 61. The route back </span><span id="E298" is="qowt-run" named-flow="FLOW-164" qowt-eid="E298" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">follows </span></div>
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<span is="qowt-run" named-flow="FLOW-164" qowt-eid="E298" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the</span><span id="E300" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E300" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Grandma’s Marathon route. For the short course, the </span><span id="E302" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E302" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">turn around</span><span id="E304" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E304" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> comes at Homestead Road, and joins the marathon route just beyond the halfway point. </span></div>
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<span id="E307" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E307" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The way out was very straightforward. Road conditions were </span><span id="E309" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E309" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pretty good</span><span id="E311" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E311" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, scenery along the way was nice. I kept a very solid pace and passed a bunch of folks (always a great feeling). I got to mile 20 in 1 hour and 4 minutes. </span></div>
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<span id="E315" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E315" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The headwinds hit on the way back. Solid, sustaining winds but a damper on the speed train. </span><span id="E317" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E317" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There isn’t</span><span id="E319" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E319" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> much foliage on the lake side of the road to soften the impact of the wind</span><span id="E320" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E320" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You just have to keep aero and pedal. </span></div>
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<span id="E322" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E322" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right before </span><span id="E324" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E324" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lemondrop</span><span id="E326" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E326" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hill, they route goes off the road and on to a narrow bike path. I saw two crashes along this section. One looked </span><span id="E328" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E328" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pretty painful</span><span id="E330" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E330" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the other was just a rider that misjudged a sharp turn at the bottom of a hill. I just slowed down, made sure that the riders were okay and then kept on. </span></div>
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<span id="E333" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E333" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was hoping for about 2 hours for the ride and came back in to transition at 2:04, averaging 16.9 miles per hour. </span></div>
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<span id="E337" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E337" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T2</span><span id="E339" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E339" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was faster (no wetsuit involved!). Then out to the run. In 2013, my coach at the time, Greg Rhodes, and his girlfriend Devon, both surprised me by coming up to watch the race. </span><span id="E340" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E340" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By the time I got out on to the run course that year, I was very much in “mule” mode. </span></div>
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<span id="E343" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E343" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know that mode: stubborn, headstrong, will only do what you want to do and nothing more</span><span id="E345" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E345" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">…..</span></div>
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<span id="E349" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E349" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span id="E351" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E351" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">temps</span><span id="E353" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E353" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> were super high and the sun was blazing. Devon, who runs like a deer, found me on the run course where I was walking (and cursing the sun.) She tried her very best to coax me in to running with her, but I was having nothing of it. I pretty much walked the entire 13 miles.</span></div>
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<span id="E356" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E356" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This year, I vowed to run the run course. </span><span id="E358" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E358" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was a tough vow to make because of my continuing, stupid hip issue that does not seem to want to go away.</span><span id="E360" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E360" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The problem impacts my gait, which is reduced to </span><span id="E362" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E362" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sort of</span><span id="E364" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E364" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a stride/clomp; stride/clomp. (Because I think I want to do another Ironman next year, I am in complete denial about what this hip issue really means. I do NOT want to go back to </span><span id="E366" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E366" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tria</span><span id="E368" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E368" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and have them tell me that the jig is up. </span><span id="E370" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E370" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But</span><span id="E372" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E372" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, that is a story for another day….)</span></div>
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<span id="E375" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E375" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did “run” most of the </span><span id="E377" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E377" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5.6 mile</span><span id="E379" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E379" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> run, and It wasn’t bad. It was just slow. Pitifully, pitifully slow. (I did take some perverse pleasure in seeing at least two other runners who were 50 plus that seemed to have the same stride/clomp gait that I do….)</span><span id="E380" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E380" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
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<span id="E384" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E384" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Always trying to find a little bit of a </span><span id="E386" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E386" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">silverlining</span><span id="E388" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E388" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in my slow run</span><span id="E389" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E389" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span id="E390" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E390" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E391" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E391" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I enjoyed</span><span id="E392" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E392" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the beautiful views of the lake from the run course; I thanked the volunteers; I sent up some prayers of gratitude for being healthy enough to be able to jump off a perfectly good ferry boat in to the very cold waters of Lake Superior.</span><span id="E394" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E394" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E396" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E396" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then</span><span id="E398" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E398" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I crossed the finish line. </span></div>
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<span id="E401" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E401" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This year’s outdoor season passed in a blur. Thirteen </span><span id="E403" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E403" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">weeks and</span><span id="E405" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E405" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> seven </span><span id="E407" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E407" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tris</span><span id="E409" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E409" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, each of which were super fun. One outdoor tri left on the calendar for this year: Ironman Arizona 70.3 on October </span><span id="E411" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E411" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18</span><span id="E412" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E412" style="display: inline; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap; zoom: 0.75;">th</span><span id="E414" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E414" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The season ain't over quite yet....</i></b></span></span></div>
Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-50617205311901881442015-07-22T23:47:00.002-05:002015-08-04T12:34:59.290-05:00Summer of Fun: Mid Season Recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNDYCSGnmjJG7K3lP2rLzeJGEijRvUpR6F87EML6Y4pp5j7g4Hn_QPkRJkEYyFQkwO8dc0aiNE1xRI3y31BkOL4-c_mzimSlr1smPcNUKfIJyKnvKrPWyiwCNcHlhMzQoSILmeQ/s1600/bibs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNDYCSGnmjJG7K3lP2rLzeJGEijRvUpR6F87EML6Y4pp5j7g4Hn_QPkRJkEYyFQkwO8dc0aiNE1xRI3y31BkOL4-c_mzimSlr1smPcNUKfIJyKnvKrPWyiwCNcHlhMzQoSILmeQ/s1600/bibs.JPG" /></a>I am not really sure how this happened, but it is July 22nd. More than half the summer is over but it has been jam packed full of fun and adventure.<br />
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I really wanted this year's race season to be relatively easy and not full of pressure. <br />
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My plan has been to do some new races and events and to revisit some old favorites that I haven't done for a while.<br />
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So far, so good. It has been nice to pull back a bit on training intensity this year and to work on resting and rehabbing my hip a bit. I've also made some new tri and running friends, which is always a plus. <br />
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There are still lots of races to come this season, with my "A" race being Ironman Arizona 70.3 on October 18th. The big unknown is whether or not I'll do another Ironman in 2016. I'll be volunteering at Madison in September and at Arizona in November. Madison pulls at me like the Sirens. Realistically, Arizona may be a more "friendly" venue for me at this point. Lots of time to decide if either one is reasonable. If not, I may have found some other really wonderful activities to fill my time, my interest and my future summers. <br />
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Here is a recap of my season so far:</div>
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<b>Minnetonka 1/2 marathon: </b>An oldie but a goodie. I had done this race many times, many years ago, when it was known as the Wells Fargo 1/2. It was always a fun race, even though, with the sheer number of speedy runners, I was generally at the back of the pack within the first 1/4 mile of the race. I wanted to do this one this year as it was one of the events that the tri team i've been doing some training with was also doing. I was NOT ready for a 1/2 by the time I wanted to register, so I enlisted the help of my good friend Gary to run the race as a rely team. I had to run the first half and he got to finish it up. All in all, a good day.<br />
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<b>Esprit de She Duathlon:</b> My first new event for the year and my third duathlon ever. It turned out to be very enjoyable, despite cold, windy and rainy weather. The course distances of a 2 mile run/11 mile bike/2 mile run were very do-able for an early season start. The field was all women, and plenty of newbies. Both the pre and post race events were pretty fun too. This event will be on my list for 2016. </div>
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<b>Buffalo Sprint: </b> Summer kicked off with an old favorite. Buffalo was the first outdoor tri I ever did, way back in 2005. I love the venue, the field is friendly and it is always a lot of fun. With the early June race date, the lake temps can be cold, but we lucked out this year. The water temperature was very pleasant. I had forgotten that the bike course had some hills, but still and all, very pretty course. The run course was changed due to construction. Instead of a fairly flat out and back, we had some hills. Of all the disciplines, I'm most disappointed with my running this year. When my hip and psoas flare up, I have a hard time with my gait, so I end up sort of plodding. My left stride is fine, my right stride gets clunky, but clunky is better than sitting on the couch, so... it's all good. <br />
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<b>Hillfest: </b> Ahhh, Hillfest. I have a love/hate relationship with Hillfest. it is a great event; well organized; good course options, really good training opportunity to practice climbs and descents. However, when they say Hillfest, the operative word is HILL. This event reminded me that I was NOT training for Iornman Wisconsin. My rides up to this point had been mostly on the flats, so some of the climbs were a rude awakening for me. The day started with rain, which is not a great combination with hills. Wet pavement makes it hard for me to feel too comfortable to be ride more aggressively on the downhills and is also a little tricky on the uphills. (Right or wrong, I get nervous about my wheel slipping out from underneath me). I guess some of my concern may have been warranted. My brakes were not reacting or gripping normally. I stopped at one of the rest stops to have a mechanic look at them. The very nice man told me that my brake pads were basically nonexistent. I decided that I had had enough and was not going to temp the Brakes Gods, so I took the sag wagon back to transition with a couple of other guys, who also had also decided to call it a day. <br />
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<b>Grandma's 1/2 marathon:</b> I went back to my roots with this one. This was my 6th G'mas event (3 marathons and two prior 1/2 marathons). More recently, I've opted out of this one to run Fargo. Both events are really well organized, and Fargo can be a little more pocketbook friendly, but for whatever reason, I really wanted to go back to Duluth this year. I applied for the lottery and miraculously got in. I'm so very glad I did. I had forgotten how really beautiful the course is and how fun the people of Duluth make the event. Race day was another rainy one, but it wasn't so bad as to make the run uncomfortable. I ran the race with no expectations for a finish time, but rather just to have fun and take it in. I ran a nice and even run/walk rhythm and even my hip held up until right after Lemondrop Hill (about mile 10). After that, I just shuffled along (literally) until I hit the finish line. <br />
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<b>HER Madison 5K:</b> The timing for this event was perfect. I had planned to be in Madison to do a little riding on the Ironman course when this new event popped up on the calendar, so I had the opportunity to run too. The race also hosted a 1/2 marathon, but I was really only interested in doing the 5K. As its name suggested, it was another women-only event, and for an inaugural event, they drew pretty good numbers for both races. The 5K course was surprisingly hilly (and how they managed to have more UP than DOWN, is a mystery to me...) but I managed to pull off my first race in a very long time with a running pace in the 10s. This may not sound like a big deal to the average person, but to me, with my pacing struggles since this hip thing started last year, it was a welcome, welcome gift. Great medal; lots of really good and useful swag too. <br />
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<b>Timberman Oly:</b> Another annual favorite of mine. I really love this race. It has a small field, the lake is really clean and the bike course has enough up and down to be both interesting and challenging. The oly run course is a bit of a bear though. Runners are on pavement until just after the 5K turnaround spot where we then move on to dirt road. It is not very shady and there are always horseflies, who seem to find sweaty, tired runners delicious. This year, though, I was not on their menu. I had a great swim and was humming along on the bike when, at mile 19.41, I ended up with a punctured tire. A nice policeman gave me and my bike a ride back to transition, where I called it a day. I did go out for a run, but didn't do the official course, hence avoiding the horseflies.</div>
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<b>Heart of the Lakes Sprint:</b> First time on this course and it was terrific. The race itself is fun, but the piece de resistance was being able to do this event with my cousin, Cindy. It was her very first triathlon EVER. She trained hard all spring, and all on her own (she lives in California). Open water swimming was a totally new concept for her, along with stringing together the swim, bike and run in to one event. We had a blast doing each leg of the event together and she did wonderfully. I am very, very proud of her.</div>
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<b>Ragbrai One Day Ride: </b> So if I don't do Iornman next year (or after I really DO retire form long course events), I think I could get my head (and legs) around doing bike events like Ragbrai (or Bike Across Minnesota or Ride Across Wisconsin or ANY of the Escape Adventure rides). Another good friend, Cheryl, had done the full week ride in 2011. (She loved it and hated it... sound familiar?) This year, the Monday ride started in her home town of Storm Lake and finished 68 miles later in Fort Dodge. She invited a few friends to join her for the one day ride. I am so glad I did this ride and got a chance to be part of the experience. There are about 18,000 riders that take part in the event. Yes, 18,000. You are never alone out on the bike course. There are all shapes, sizes and kind of riders and bikes. There were five official stops along the way, where the town pretty much opens its arms to riders. Lots of food, entertainment and hospitality. Farms along the route also set up rest stops complete with COFFEE, food, water and friendliness. I imagine that this event is similar to Sturgis, but for healthy people. I could not have had more fun. </div>
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At least I don't THINK I could have had more fun. But that is TBD. </div>
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Coming up for the rest of this year are a couple of new races: Graniteman - Big Lake Oly and Maple Grove sprint. I'm also going back to Duluth to do SuperiorMan again, and Warren and I will line up for the Loony Challenge in October (running the Twin Cities Marathon's 5K and 10K events on Saturday and the 10 miler on Sunday.) <br />
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I'll wrap up 2015 in Tempe, about the time I'll get to register for Tru U Mah, 2016.....</div>
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A girl can't have too much fun!</div>
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Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-78971620077276140922015-06-01T22:22:00.000-05:002015-06-01T22:28:21.394-05:00Going Old School with New Classes and a Cousin<div id="E10" is="qowt-para" qowt-eid="E10" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E12" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E12" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Long time, no blog.</span><span id="E14" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E14" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E16" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E16" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mostly because I can be very lazy.</span><span id="E18" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E18" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I do a lot of writing in my professional life and sometimes the thought of sitting down to type out ONE MORE WORD is the very least thing I want to do during my free time.</span></div>
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<span id="E21" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E21" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also not blogging much because I don’t have a lot of free time. Even with this being a year I’m not training for an Ironman, I find I have very little time to just sit. Training takes time (yes, l</span><span id="E-187" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-187" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">ess time </span><span id="E-210" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-210" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">than training for an Ironman, but </span><span id="E-246" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-246" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">time</span><span id="E-270" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-270" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> nonetheless)</span><span id="E31" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E31" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; then</span><span id="E33" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E33" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> there is golf, travel for work, travel for fun, errands and hanging around with the hubby. Oh, and </span><span id="E35" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E35" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">let’s</span><span id="E37" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E37" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> not forget the time to do-stuff-to-take-care-of-the house-which-includes-yardwork. (I will candidly fess up to that last one being the one that probably sucks up the least amount of time. Warren and I are not the types to do much yard work, much to our neighbor’s dismay, </span><span id="E39" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E39" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m</span><span id="E41" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E41" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> sure.)</span></div>
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<span id="E45" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E45" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I really </span><span id="E47" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E47" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can’t</span><span id="E49" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E49" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> complain, though. Every day I feel lucky and blessed </span><span id="E51" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E51" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that</span><span id="E53" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E53" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I have the luxury and health to be able to spend my time doing things I love (and avoiding things I don’t love as much). </span></div>
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<span id="E57" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E57" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’d</span><span id="E59" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E59" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> much rather spend my time outdoors than inside. I’d much rather spend it with a bike under my </span><span id="E62" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E62" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tush</span><span id="E64" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E64" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> than</span><span id="E66" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E66" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with a rake in my hand. </span><span id="E68" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E68" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’d</span><span id="E70" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E70" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E-548" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-548" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">much rather be racing than sitting, even though the my pace at both is just about the same</span><span id="E-574" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-574" style="color: red; display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span id="E-456" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-456" style="color: red; display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">ha!</span><span id="E-482" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-482" style="color: red; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></div>
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<span id="E73" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Race season is under way. </span><span id="E75" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E75" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m</span><span id="E77" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E77" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> very split between missing the rigor of Ironman training and enjoying having a lighter training and racing schedule this year. I am trying to savor having a bit more time available for other things this summer and being able to go back "old school", and take another stab at racing some events very familiar to me like </span><span id="E-3134" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3134" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grandma’s ½ marathon on June 20</span><span id="E-3135" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3135" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span id="E-3136" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3136" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span id="E-3137" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3137" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Timberman</span><span id="E-3138" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3138" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E-3139" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3139" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Triathlon</span><span id="E-3140" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3140" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on July 11</span><span id="E-3141" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3141" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span id="E-3142" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3142" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E-3143" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3143" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span id="E-3144" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3144" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SuperiorMan</span><span id="E-3145" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3145" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ½ Iron on August 30</span><span id="E-3146" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3146" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span id="E-3147" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-3147" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
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<span id="E107" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E107" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This weekend, </span><span id="E109" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E109" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m</span><span id="E111" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E111" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> going back to where my outdoor tri life began in 2005 by racing Buffalo sprint. I </span><span id="E113" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E113" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can’t</span><span id="E115" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E115" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> believe it has been 10 years since I started triathlon. Shortly after I </span><span id="E116" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E116" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">finished</span><span id="E117" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E117" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> my first indoor tri </span><span id="E118" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E118" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Tri U </span><span id="E120" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E120" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mah</span><span id="E122" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E122" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) </span><span id="E123" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E123" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in 2005, my friend Marcia and I signed up for Buffalo sprint. Buffalo is a </span><span id="E125" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E125" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">really fun</span><span id="E127" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E127" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, well run event. The race generally attracts a </span><span id="E129" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E129" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pretty big</span><span id="E131" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E131" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> field and there are always lots of newbies. The early date for the race is always a bit of a factor. Early June and open water in Minnesota are not always the warmest of friends. </span></div>
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<span id="E134" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E134" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I still vividly remember parts of that first tri: being totally freaked out about the </span><span id="E136" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E136" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">¼ mile</span><span id="E138" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E138" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> swim. </span><span id="E140" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E140" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">All those</span><span id="E141" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E141" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E142" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E142" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">people!</span><span id="E144" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E144" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E146" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E146" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cold water!</span><span id="E148" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E148" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E150" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E150" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">The weird-but-</span><span id="E151" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E151" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">fun duck and swan buoys that marked the course!</span><span id="E153" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E153" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I treated </span><span id="E155" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E155" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T1</span><span id="E157" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E157" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> like it </span><span id="E158" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E158" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was</span><span id="E159" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E159" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a picnic. I took a whopping 8 minutes and 30 seconds to get out of my swim stuff and to get on the bike. I remember Warren standing on the other side of the fence that separated racers from spectators. He was giving me the </span><span id="E160" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E160" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span id="E162" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E162" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatcha</span><span id="E164" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E164" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E166" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E166" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">doin</span><span id="E168" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E168" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">’ there, Pokey?”</span><span id="E169" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E169" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> look and I was all like “</span><span id="E170" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E170" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">huh?</span><span id="E172" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E172" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”.</span></div>
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<span id="E176" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E176" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually I got out on the bike and made it through the ride on my trusty, aluminum Raleigh. I finally got back to in to T2 (a whopping 4 plus minutes) and then it was time for the run. I got out on the course and ran what felt like </span><span id="E178" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E178" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">foreverandaday</span><span id="E180" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E180" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I finally caught up to Marcia as we were coming in for the finish. I was beyond thrilled. Crossing that finish line was quite the high. </span></div>
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<span id="E183" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E183" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten years and 58 triathlons later (according to </span><span id="E185" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E185" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Athlinks</span><span id="E187" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E187" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), including 2 I</span><span id="E188" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E188" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ronman races</span><span id="E190" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E190" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span id="E191" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E191" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 10</span><span id="E193" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E193" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ½ ironman distance</span><span id="E194" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E194" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> races</span><span id="E195" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E195" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 11 </span><span id="E197" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E197" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">olympic</span><span id="E199" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E199" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span id="E200" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E200" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19 sprints and 14 indoor </span><span id="E202" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E202" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tris</span><span id="E204" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E204" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I’m going back to Buffalo for a fourth time. </span><span id="E206" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E206" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I expect shorter transition times and will be riding a much lighter bike!</span></div>
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<span id="E210" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E210" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll</span><span id="E212" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E212" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> also be racing some new events this year, including </span><span id="E214" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E214" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Graniteman</span><span id="E216" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E216" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E218" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E218" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">oly</span><span id="E220" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E220" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on August 8</span><span id="E221" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E221" style="display: inline; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap; zoom: 0.75;">th</span><span id="E222" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E222" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and Ironman Tempe 70.3 in October. </span><span id="E-4972" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-4972" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">(If I can hold it together physically this year, </span><span id="E224" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E224" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m</span><span id="E226" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E226" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hoping for one more Ironman next year. Debating between Wisconsin, </span><span id="E227" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E227" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">a course </span><span id="E228" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E228" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">which I know and love</span><span id="E229" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E229" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (and hate)</span><span id="E230" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E230" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and Arizona, which, with its flatter bike course, may be a bit nicer on my ailing hip. Doing the inaugural 70.3 distance on much of the same race course</span><span id="E-4973" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-4973" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> t</span><span id="E-5015" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-5015" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">his year may help me decide if I am really up for one more go at 140.6</span><span id="E231" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E231" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and if it should be in Arizona</span><span id="E232" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E232" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></div>
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<span id="E235" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E235" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The new race </span><span id="E237" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E237" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m</span><span id="E239" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E239" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> most excited for, though, is Heart of the Lakes sprint on July 19</span><span id="E240" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E240" style="display: inline; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap; zoom: 0.75;">th</span><span id="E241" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E241" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. My cousin Cindy is going to race her very first triathlon that day</span><span id="E242" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E242" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span id="E244" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E244" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m so</span><span id="E246" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E246" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> proud of her for taking on this challenge. </span></div>
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<span id="E249" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E249" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She decided to do the race last summer. We were talking triathlon and I told her that if she wanted to do one, we could do a one as a relay team. She could pick </span><span id="E251" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E251" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">which ever</span><span id="E253" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E253" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> leg(s) of the race she wanted to do and I’d do the parts she didn’t want to. I half expected her to say </span><span id="E255" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E255" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she’d</span><span id="E257" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E257" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> do the bike and the run, thinking that she – like most—would not want to do the open water swim.</span></div>
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<span id="E260" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E260" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She proved me wrong in a big way. A couple months in to her training, she let me know that not only did she want to do the </span><span id="E262" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E262" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">swim,</span><span id="E264" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E264" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> she wanted to do the WHOLE RACE on her own. </span></div>
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<span id="E-6343" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-6343" style="color: blue; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">You go, girl!</span></div>
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<span id="E-5054" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-5054" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She has been taking swim lessons and getting her cardio up and ready for race day. She had a minor setback, twisting an ankle a few weeks ago, but in her recent email to me, she sounded excited, upbeat and nervous. Just as she should sound while training for her first triathlon.</span></div>
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<span id="E-6537" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-6537" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am so thrilled and honored that we'll be racing side by side this coming July. Well, not exactl</span><span id="E-8204" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-8204" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">y </span><span id="E-8188" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-8188" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">side by side s</span><span id="E-8222" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E-8222" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">o as not to incur the wrath of the USAT refs during the event. But close enough that I'll be able to give her a huge after we cross that finish line.</span></div>
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Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-52148218821019441712015-01-25T20:33:00.000-06:002015-01-25T20:33:52.509-06:00Why I Love the Y Tris (inside and out!)I'm a little partial to indoor triathlons. After all, that is how I got in to the sport, way back in February of 2005. I entered a race called <a href="http://recwell.umn.edu/fitness/triumah.php" target="_blank">Tri U Mah</a>, hosted by the University of Minnesota Rec Center. The event consists of a 30 minute pool swim, 30 minute stationary bike ride and 30 minute run on a treadmill. Winners are determined by the distance covered. <br />
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I remember the day of the tri was freezing cold. Warren came with me to cheer me on; my friend, Marcia Lee, volunteered for the swim portion and was my lap counter. <br />
<br />I remember being so nervous about the race. What would happen if I couldn't actually swim a full 30 minutes? (Being a newbie swimmer, this was a very real possibility). What would happen if I had to WALK on the treadmill? Would people laugh? Would people be able to tell that I really wasn't a triathlete, but really only a<b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: red;">triawannabe?</span></b> Would they banish me from the kingdom? Could I ever again hold my head up high while wearing tri shorts and a snazzy tri top?<br />
<br />Well, the short end of that story is that not only did I survive the race, I fell hopelessly, endlessly in love with the sport and have never turned back. <br />
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From that indoor tri, I've moved up the distance ladder going from sprint to Ironman. I've graduated from my first outdoor races, where I actually walked some of the swim courses (when the water was shallow enough) and swimming 2.4 miles freestyle only stopping on occasion to pee. I've moved up from doing races with a hybrid bike to a road bike to writing the biggest sports equipment check of my life, when I plunked down a bunch of cold, hard cash to buy -- and ride -- my Orbea tri bike.<br />
<br />I love triathlon and am happy that it seems to love me right back. It doesn't care where I finish in the race, as long as I do my best. I don't have to be on the podium, I just have to show up, move forward and thank the volunteers. That's it. <br />
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So even though this will be my 10th summer racing, I love to go back to my roots: back to indoor tri.<br />
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Besides Tri U Mah, there are a host of other indoor tris now. I absolutely love the indoor triathlon series hosted by the <a href="https://www.ywcampls.org/fitness/endurance_sports/" target="_blank">YWCA</a> and run by Nicole Cueno, endurance coach and race director for the YWCA Women's triathlon. Nicole has quite an impressive background. Among her many accolades, she is a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier; she WON the women's race at Fargo Marathon in 2009 and last year, she won the Lifetime Minneapolis Sprint race. She is also one of the nicest people I know. <br />
<br />Nicole and co-race director Kym Zest, know what they are doing. They, by far, run the best organized, most welcoming and fun for ALL outdoor tri. Participants experience a great venue at Cedar Lake, a well marked course, volunteers who actually know what they are doing and are helpful. This means a lot to the large portion of the field that are doing their very first triathlon. Every one is a racer, no matter what size tri suit you may be wearing, or if your bike has a woven basket hanging from the handle bars. <br />
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<i>(I will also say that this is my absolute favorite race to volunteer for. They keep us well fed and have actual, hot, delicious all-you-can drink coffee available to us. A godsend at 5-oh-dark in the morning.)</i><br />
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I'm not sure when the Y started hosting indoor tris, but I've been doing them for the last couple of years. Love, love, love them. Here's why:<br />
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<b>Great Venue:</b> Indoor tris are held at the Midtown Y, near Lake and Hiawatha. The pool is great -- six lanes, 25 yards. Participants share a lane for the event. (<i>I also have to note that, when I travel for work, I have a lot of success finding pools available for swimming at the local Ys. Most will only charge a small guest fee (like $5.00) and every location I've been to has a terrific pool. Just a little FYI for any of you traveling triathletes that struggle with where to swim while on the road</i>). <br />
<br />The bike portion is held right next to the indoor track. The bikes used for the bike are Keiser spin bikes. These are different than "normal" spin bikes or your very own bike on a trainer. The trick with these bikes is the cadence, not the gear. The faster you pedal, the more "ground" you cover. <i>(Frankly, I have my own little "issue" with this. I am a "grinder" by nature, so it wasn't till recently that I figured our the trick to a faster bike time with these bikes. Less gear, more cadence.)</i><br />
<br />Then it is a quick little hop off the bike and right on to the track. Eight laps equals one mile. <i>(I like running an actual track rather than running the treadmill for the run portion. Time moves differently for me when I'm actually running through space versus bouncing up and down on a conveyor belt).</i><br />
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The venue is nice for spectators too. It is easy to watch the swim and there are bleachers set up by the track. <i>(Today, there were lots of folks there cheering on their loved ones).</i><br />
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<b>Great Volunteers: </b> Volunteers are friendly! They are helpful! They actually know what is going on! <i>(Today, most of the volunteers came from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin (a suburb very close to where I grew up). They are here for the week as part of a church mission. I chatted a bunch of them up as I was treading water in the pool waiting for my heat to start. None of them had done a tri before, but each was interested in getting involved. Once the heat started ,they whooped and hollered it up, while they diligently counted our laps). </i><br />
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<b>Easy Access to the Massage Guy: </b> Many races make the services of a massage therapist available to participants after a race. However, actually getting to that massage person is another story. Many times the lines and the wait are L O N G. Here, it is pretty simple and easy to get access to the massage person. <i>(I took full advantage of this today. My hip and psoas, which have been pretty good these last couple of months, have been just slightly sore the last week. Warren and I started kettle bell classes (super fun), which puts some stress on that area. So today, when I was done with my race, I hopped right on the massage table and had a nice massage guy from Function in St. Louis Park, work out the kinks in my psoas and pirifomis. He was awesome.) </i><br />
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<b>Wonderful, Inspiring Co-Participants</b>: Newbies through veterans. All shapes, sizes, ages and speeds. <i>(Sometimes it seems that triathletes with some time and experience under our belts, begin to take some things for granted. We've done enough races that things become "routine". We use the same stuff for nutrition; we wear the same kit time and time again, we do the same races year after year after year. </i><br />
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<i> In some cases, "routine" is what helps us get to the finish line. For example, I have done those bike and run courses at Ironman Wisconsin so many times, I could probably do them in my sleep. The hills on the bike course never get easier, but I know what to expect. I think my race there went so well for me last fall because my day was totally "routine". I got in the water; I ran up the helix, I rode the stick and the first loop, I ate my sandwich at special needs, I rode the second loop and got back in to the city; I got out on the run course. I ran past my old dorm, I ran through Camp Randall, I ran State Street, I ran out to Picnic Point, I had my mini-meltdown about half way through, I got to special needs, I drank lemonade and I did it all again until I got to the finish line.)</i><br />
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<i>It is really special to spend time with someone new to our sport. To catch the enthusiasm in their voice when they tell you "This is my first race", or "I'm getting ready for the race in August. I'm SOO nervous about swimming in the lake!". It is a nice reminder that we were there too, once. </i><br />
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<i>It is a joy to watch the newbies cross the finish line. There was a women there today who walked most of the run course (hey: been there, done that. No judgement...). I was doing my cool down and watched her pick up the pace for that last lap. I saw that "<b><span style="color: red;">OMG, I'm gonna FINISH this thing!</span></b>" smile start on her face as she turned the last corner. Her husband and her toddler got to finish the last 1/8th of the lap with her. She -- and her family -- were elated and you could just feel the pride of her accomplishment all around her.)</i><br />
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Other fun things about today: <br />
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<li><b>Devon Palmer</b> was the official race announcer: He did a nice job making participants feel special and at ease. </li>
<li><b>Yummy snacks</b> at the end of the race: Fruit, cheese sticks, bananas, bagels and, my friend, coffee; </li>
<li><b>Nice tee shirt:</b> technical.</li>
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Oh, my actual race results? Well, I'm not entirely sure. I didn't hit the start button correctly at the swim start. I didn't really track on the bike. I was mostly interested in my run, since my hip/psoas slowed me down so much last year. One of my goals for 2015 is to get my pace back. I did track my time for the run and was very happy with the results. </div>
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<br />When I went to pick up my race certificate, I didn't have my glasses on and looked for letters that resembled my name. Ended up picking up a certificate for another racer (whoops and sorry, Jan....) So, I won't know exactly how I did for a few days.</div>
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<br />Does it really matter? No. Indoor tris are for fun and practice and for getting back in to race season.</div>
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If you are interested, the Y will host two more indoor tris this spring: March 8th and April 19th. I'm already registered for both. </div>
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You can find out more about the Y tris, including registration information <a href="http://www.zapevent.com/ListActivities.aspx?eventid=5957" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Hope to see you there!</div>
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<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-74220430558718690572015-01-04T17:43:00.002-06:002015-01-04T17:43:48.447-06:00Back to Reality<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcome to <span style="color: red;">2015</span>!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first full week of January begins tomorrow and so does my return to reality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">November and December were chock full of fun, friends, family, food and frivolity. (There was also a lengthy chunk of time fighting a big, bad cold, but who wants to "celebrate" that?).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In November, I had the chance to watch my friend Mark and my coach, <a href="http://ww.cathyyndestad.com/" target="_blank">Cathy Yndestad</a>, compete in Ironman Arizona. Great fun. It was interesting to see a different Ironman venue and course and to be able to cheer them both on to great finishes. The race is definitely on my list for a possible IM in 2016. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />My birthday celebration was pretty quiet. (Very quiet actually. I was in Cincinnati for work on my actual birthday, so Warren and I celebrated with cake after the fact.). He also surprise me (us) and got me (us) a GoPro. We are still trying to figure out the editing features, but I'm sure that it will supply us with countless hours of fun as we capture all adventures. (We also promise in advance NOT to bore all of our friends with countless hours of captured adventure video.....)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While we usually go to California for Thanksgiving to celebrate with my sisters and my brother and his family, this year, we stayed in Minnesota. My older sister came here and my younger sister cooked. Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday -- mostly because it is the one time every year my family gets a chance to be together. It was really wonderful to spend time with my sisters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq789I16yvVE10d9QC7hCydDNh25BTZjot4UCYQQ-ARUql0m7mmZEIawtHUPKcbuhhBptwBT2Gho7q8T8E5HnOMHlZq3qSgJbCT5Lws-TPnjliyCxPxRrRcYStcAgl7DHAVEp0w/s1600/emelie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq789I16yvVE10d9QC7hCydDNh25BTZjot4UCYQQ-ARUql0m7mmZEIawtHUPKcbuhhBptwBT2Gho7q8T8E5HnOMHlZq3qSgJbCT5Lws-TPnjliyCxPxRrRcYStcAgl7DHAVEp0w/s1600/emelie.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Warren became a grandfather in early December. His daughter, Sabrina, and her husband, Jason, welcomed Emelie in to the world on December 2nd. She is certainly a cutie-patutie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Warren is embracing his role as "Grandpa", and I'm learning how to be a Banana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Banana? Yes, Banana. I thought long and hard about what this child should call me. Although I've been with Warren since his kids were little, I never assumed the role of their Mom. I've always been "Amy" to them. "Grandma" doesn't work for me (technically, I'm not a blood relation, so not really the grandma.) "Nana" conjures up the image of a grey haired, bespectacled, smock wearing old lady for me. (Those days are coming. They are not here <b><i><u>yet</u></i></b>.....) </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Banana</span> </b></span>is perfect. It is fun, fruity and irreverent. Everything I aspire to be <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>:)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Warren and I finally got to take our "get away" trip in early December. We went on a cruise to Cozumel, Belize City and Roatan. We were supposed to have taken this trip in December of 2013, but I had just started my job and there was a vacation restriction during the first 90 days of employment. So, we moved the cruise to this year and we could not WAIT to get on that boat.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvKr4vHC7SU7lcWxpdf1-ixo20WAbBa31RhLfU0x6vtmJfDfSx1_6nei_QXFlfxh3Isd3N2GbO5Ewpw0-gKvzofOR8ghyPkFOAf1DnCe_EIq1Tr0zSer9jpY3NcXvXf9dazi2Iw/s1600/super+happy+place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvKr4vHC7SU7lcWxpdf1-ixo20WAbBa31RhLfU0x6vtmJfDfSx1_6nei_QXFlfxh3Isd3N2GbO5Ewpw0-gKvzofOR8ghyPkFOAf1DnCe_EIq1Tr0zSer9jpY3NcXvXf9dazi2Iw/s1600/super+happy+place.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Warren and I really enjoy being on the ocean. There is nothing like looking out at nothing but the big, blue sea to soothe whatever ails you. We like sailing with Norwegian -- the "do what you want, when you want" cruise line. We don't have to bring formal wear; we don't have to eat with the same people at the same restaurant every evening, we can just be and enjoy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgkcO3-n4YpwtoO9pPwBiT5mjNJFL3DQiAzUwyypHhXU_v8JIaHhko-jcTto9gTO0Ma997J3als2mPqC_u1OX3vxELfzw-3yNVG4XOR8BfvRhOdPfH1xUgDON9eTS1heBP5YDAA/s1600/relax+on+deck+warren.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgkcO3-n4YpwtoO9pPwBiT5mjNJFL3DQiAzUwyypHhXU_v8JIaHhko-jcTto9gTO0Ma997J3als2mPqC_u1OX3vxELfzw-3yNVG4XOR8BfvRhOdPfH1xUgDON9eTS1heBP5YDAA/s1600/relax+on+deck+warren.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is P L E N T Y to do (or not do) on the boat. We hit the fitness center and spa pretty much every day (TRX classes, spin, weights, running); We went to the karaoke bar every night (We did not sing solo, but we did sing along loudly and proudly). At night, we took binoculars up to the top deck and looked at the stars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mostly, though, we hung out on our balcony, sipping coffee and contemplating the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Off the boat, we got a chance to golf in Cozumel and snorkel in Roatan. Perfect fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then, before we knew it, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>POOF</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. It was Christmas. We spent the holiday with Warren's family, and then </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>POOOOOF</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was New Year's. We spent it with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And now, here we are: January 4th, gearing up for the first full work week in about a month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm excited for all that 2015 will bring, both the things I know about and the things yet unseen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've got a nice race schedule shaping up, and have started it already by doing the Commitment Day 5K and Commitment Day Indoor Triathlon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Both were really nice, easy events to help ease back in to training and getting psyched up for all that 2015 has to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope your holiday season was joyous and full of fun and wonder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is to health, happiness and adventures in the year to come!</span></div>
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Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-60343183111423784232014-10-16T19:10:00.002-05:002014-10-16T22:33:41.513-05:00So when I said "I'm retired", what I meant was... (2014 in review)Ah yes, fall leaves swirling around outside on this picture perfect, Indian Summer day.<br />
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For the most part, my 2014 race season is over, save for a couple of potential short running races I may do including Monster Dash 10 miler, Drumstick 10k and Polar Dash....<br />
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Except for a nagging hip and psoas issue, it's been a pretty good year filled with lots of fun races and events.<br />
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The capstone was, of course, Ironman Wisconsin. Finished with a big smile on my face and with time on the clock to spare, while reaching my overarching goal of enjoying the day and taking it all in. More on that day in a bit.<br />
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Before I get there, just a few other thoughts, comments and pics from my 2014 season:<br />
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<b>Switching coaches</b>: After my former coach, Greg Rhodes, moved to Colorado last May, I started to work with Cathy Yndestad. I can not say enough about working with her. She knew just how to push me enough but not too much to cause bigger problems with my hip/posas. I've been lucky to work with a lot of really great coaches over the year and she certainly ranks in the top two. <br />
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<b>Race Recaps:</b><br />
<b><i><u>Fargo "1/2" -- May:</u></i></b> My hip was really bad at this point. Psoas issue hadn't been diagnosed yet.... Limited range of motion, choppy and slow gait. Although I was signed up for the 1/2 marathon, I was lucky to eek out a finish of the 10K. One of my slowest times for that distance, but got through the event. Fargo does a bang up job with this race (marathon, 1/2, 10k and 5k.) Great course, great course support. Loads of fun.<br />
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<b><i><u>Liberty Oly: -- early June:</u></i></b> Our spring was cold and wet. Race day at Liberty was super cold and super wet. Transition was filled with loads of deep puddles. Race was delayed by many minutes. As I stood under a picnic area awning, watching the cold, wet rain fall and listening to the thunder clap, I decided to bag the race. There was no reason to risk freezing and/or having my bike slip out from under me on wet pavement so early in the season. I got my bike, went to my health club and did the race as an indoor event. Didn't freeze; didn't fall on pavement; didn't get a medal.<br />
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<b><i>ITU Oly - Chicago - late June</i></b>: I had high hopes for this race. At Ironman events, athletes are treated like royalty. The courses are well marked, great support, great volunteers. I figured ITU would have to put on an equal caliber event, if not even better! Not so much. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV196ZFOviPR1tw8qu3wmwlwN5Tl-kF2ObmF1A6sWuc44nqDwO7PCo89VpCa4s-o8HDax_w1j30el9YJd35Sem2qQaR5KnLJKimWiOLn71ZksxqEkcQL0gWvNO1R7mFtZzI2SeYg/s1600/itu+finisher+medal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV196ZFOviPR1tw8qu3wmwlwN5Tl-kF2ObmF1A6sWuc44nqDwO7PCo89VpCa4s-o8HDax_w1j30el9YJd35Sem2qQaR5KnLJKimWiOLn71ZksxqEkcQL0gWvNO1R7mFtZzI2SeYg/s1600/itu+finisher+medal.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a>Frankly, this was the least organized event I've ever done. From package pickup to finish line, it was uninformed volunteers and officials; badly marked courses; uninforced rules (can't tell you how many times I got passed <i><u>on the right</u></i> by hyped-up, watts driven guys). It was one of the only races where I actually thought that I might not make it out of the water. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpa0tw9fQ0hONW1bjRKsDkw0P7ioYyEYQLY-gc2xE-3fkwUT-NNe-7OEcunNuQ3QjfyhorRdTcIk8KPSDxsKIPqnU1MZmyp9lgwpzC4x5X-_tDcdh7eDHoGdyHQ6Uzzzxx8Mcwg/s1600/going+in+to+water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpa0tw9fQ0hONW1bjRKsDkw0P7ioYyEYQLY-gc2xE-3fkwUT-NNe-7OEcunNuQ3QjfyhorRdTcIk8KPSDxsKIPqnU1MZmyp9lgwpzC4x5X-_tDcdh7eDHoGdyHQ6Uzzzxx8Mcwg/s1600/going+in+to+water.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a>The swim course was out and back, only two buoys, only about 3 support boats. Lots of swimmers crashing in to each other. Not good. I thought if I got in trouble in the water, no one would know.<br />
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To tell you how bad this was, over 20% of the sprint distance field got disqualified because the run course was marked so poorly. I got through the race but wouldn't recommend it to anyone. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtUlnXI00k_86L-b1GlXdd0cYgwYuLV7wynJGEi3wBF73OrnSZ9VsAWCv_FqbE4dv9bhn40qm7-r4GJpl_d5lO5RDGXIFbOj2cuPhlSuHL3eTnCSDkIvHcP_QmtuV405L3gFsJg/s1600/ITU+super+go+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtUlnXI00k_86L-b1GlXdd0cYgwYuLV7wynJGEi3wBF73OrnSZ9VsAWCv_FqbE4dv9bhn40qm7-r4GJpl_d5lO5RDGXIFbOj2cuPhlSuHL3eTnCSDkIvHcP_QmtuV405L3gFsJg/s1600/ITU+super+go+me.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><br />
However, trying to end on a high note here, I will say that the highlight of the race was riding the closed bike course on Lower Wacker Drive. Completely smooth pavement, course protected from wind. This helped my bike average to over 22 mph for the 24 plus miles. <br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Timberman Oly -- July: </u></i></b> I love this triathlon. My friend, Gary Kubat, turned me on to this race a few years ago. It is smaller in size; the swim is in Sugar Lake (very pretty, very clear); the bike course has just enough hills to keep it interesting; the run can be a little hot and challenging (lots of horseflies). This year, the weather was cooler and overcast. There were still some horseflies, but not too many and I didn't cook on the course. Time was a whopping 25 seconds faster than 2013. <br />
<br />
Nice to be able to do this one with Gary and my Ironman friend, Natalie. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzOGOdTjAVcDdNr2wiukr1tf5u7-zdD64RiV63zT94kpaEKzeNfwuVwDWrn36ZpaMm8SSrPzuTDqfKrsqxUhuYL0cgX_K0KQTYFYHULyTr3s-nMz32MGOdKW492g1fLN5m8tc7A/s1600/0757_001681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzOGOdTjAVcDdNr2wiukr1tf5u7-zdD64RiV63zT94kpaEKzeNfwuVwDWrn36ZpaMm8SSrPzuTDqfKrsqxUhuYL0cgX_K0KQTYFYHULyTr3s-nMz32MGOdKW492g1fLN5m8tc7A/s1600/0757_001681.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a><b><i><u>Ironman Racine 70.3 - July</u></i></b>: This was my second year doing this race. In 2013, race morning, Lake Michigan welcomed us with big waves. This year, the lake was as calm as could be and COLD. Sixty one degrees. Neoprene booties and caps were the order of the day. Swimming in Lake Michigan is really fun, though. Much clearer than you'd expect. I like swimming parallel to shore, so you can see spectators the whole time. Bike course is pretty flat. Some sections are incredibly bumpy. Not very scenic. Just a course where you can hammer out the miles. I had a very good bike split (about 18 mph). <br />
<br />
My run was typical for this year. Slow, ploddy, bad gait. But, I got through it and had some fun. Despite being a bit lame, I beat my 2013 time by 9:00 plus minutes.<br />
<br />
My Ironman buddy, Mark Loken, also did this race. We had some fun hanging out in transition prior to the race and he pointed out all the really spendy bikes. We drooled a lot.<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Madison Open Water Swim - August:</u></i></b> While the weekend itself was sort of a FUBAR mess, the event was fun. This is another race that I really enjoy doing. I love being in Madison; I love swimming in Lake Monona. I have great memories of this race from years past. Had a good, smooth swim and a PR time. How bad can that be?<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Ironman Wisconsin - September</u></i></b>: Ahhhh. Ironman. There is just something about it. Not just the race, but the whole training thing; the lead up, the build up. The DAY. <br />
<br />
I spent at least one weekend in Madison from May through August training on the course. Those famous hills on the bike course never really got much easier, but I knew them inside and out. When to shift, when to push it a little, when to look up and appreciate the scenery. <br />
<br />
I learned from 2012 that the trick (for me) is to have race day feel as "normal" as possible. Doing so many training rides and runs on the course, I knew what to expect at every turn.<br />
<br />
All year, I had told myself that this would more than likely be my last Ironman. I've got the heart and the endurance, but the reality is that I'm getting older and slower. That 17 hour cut off looms large....<br />
<br />
So for this -- my swan song -- I just needed to control the controllables and let go of the rest. <br />
<br />
A major uncontrollable is always the weather. It turned out to be a PERFECT day. Clear, cool, no wind. <br />
<br />
Setting up in transition on race morning, things just all sort of fell in to place. The sunrise was unbelievably beautiful. Dark blue end-of-night sky set off by bright orange band bringing up the sun. <br />
<br />
Once I was set up, Warren and I headed to my "secret spot" -- a place inside Monona Terrace that not many people know about. It is quiet and calm, unlike the chaos of the main floor where the thousands of other athletes are hanging out. (For me, I need a little calm and quiet before this event. Otherwise I get too sucked in to too much and it is very draining to me.) We sat until it was time to get in to my wetsuit and then I headed to the water.<br />
<br />
I tried a new strategy this year for the swim. In years past, I've queued up closer to shore and then angle to the first buoy. This year, I swam out so I was even with the buoy line. This was a much easier strategy to get me to the inside of the buoy line, where there are less people and an "easier" swim.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KCGk0crsswugjQeGJ3BjqtisXbGGA73UFY-TyhhuY48ZZiKgPCcpFnnWkXvfe3mR3aStDBHmrnj4kcvZf5XL7xAsFCzXObOzWjdL_60V0sJrL0lYdkS0iLcuUacj7cwIa5h02g/s1600/0795_022070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KCGk0crsswugjQeGJ3BjqtisXbGGA73UFY-TyhhuY48ZZiKgPCcpFnnWkXvfe3mR3aStDBHmrnj4kcvZf5XL7xAsFCzXObOzWjdL_60V0sJrL0lYdkS0iLcuUacj7cwIa5h02g/s1600/0795_022070.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><br />
The first turn buoy is known as the "moo buoy". You are supposed to pop your head out of the water and moo loudly. Not everyone does this. I do. I LOVE the moo buoy. I mooed, and mooed and mooed. And then I went on.<br />
<br />
Swim was done, wet suit stripped off; in and out of transition and the bike ride began.<br />
<br />
A controlable -- although a tricky one --is nutrition. That went as smoothly as it could for race day. I have a watch that I can program to beep to remind me to eat and to drink. On the bike, it reminded me every 15 minutes to drink and every 20 minutes to have a little bite to eat. <br />
<br />
I was right on schedule for the first 56 miles. I got to Special Needs and knew there was no risk in me not meeting the bike cut off, so I decided to embrace the day and to really just take it all in. I got off my bike, I got my turkey sandwich out of my Special Needs bag and took my sweet time eating it (a full 10 minutes). <br />
<br />
Another rider came in to Special Needs and the volunteers couldn't find his bag. I happily shared the extra food I had in my bag with him and then got on my bike and pedaled away.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgdhcN1rnHs1tuu0b-cWWKy3S9GjehiD6CLd5kDQOKs9KCa_PQINriiobTqI9M6Rq0pzYIVQVA2AscRd0aMm4iZ4YcbkBvoYF4J212iqWkdNLnUug5FpJudggqLF3Cxzn6Jh1Tw/s1600/this+hill+sucks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgdhcN1rnHs1tuu0b-cWWKy3S9GjehiD6CLd5kDQOKs9KCa_PQINriiobTqI9M6Rq0pzYIVQVA2AscRd0aMm4iZ4YcbkBvoYF4J212iqWkdNLnUug5FpJudggqLF3Cxzn6Jh1Tw/s1600/this+hill+sucks.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a>Warren found me at the top of Timber Lane on both loops. (He found a golf course near by so he could spend some time swinging a club and still timed it perfectly to cheer me on....)<br />
<br />
I made it in to transition with plenty of time, got changed and got out on to the run course.<br />
<br />
My plan all along was to do a walk/run. As per usual, I walked more than I probably should have the first several miles, but finally got in to a little bit of a groove. I knew that I'd have no appetite for food, but happily drank Coke and chicken broth. <br />
<br />
Running through the University of Wisconsin campus (and by my old dorm, a couple old apartments, though Camp Randall, by Memorial Union and up/down State Street) is always a nostalgic time for me. Lots and lots of memories from my college days.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JuVlwEXECWQcktsR1MJAAhWIL6gkMU7jacDfgJjThEGxm_8rG05u6OxKA5Cd_V-3YO0lO5tnbgD7fd0X-DJcT-NGFtRQT-N04-WqvfEdz51fSEcNqipqk8_HSXYDOv7rFHc-pg/s1600/me+and+cathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JuVlwEXECWQcktsR1MJAAhWIL6gkMU7jacDfgJjThEGxm_8rG05u6OxKA5Cd_V-3YO0lO5tnbgD7fd0X-DJcT-NGFtRQT-N04-WqvfEdz51fSEcNqipqk8_HSXYDOv7rFHc-pg/s1600/me+and+cathy.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>My darkest spot came as I was coming in for the 1/2 way turn. I was doing math calculations in my head to try to figure out if I was going to finish on time,and I wasn't so sure. At this point in to the race, you are tired and a bit fuzzy mentally. <br />
<br />
Like a beacon of light, there was my coach. She got up, cheered me on, gave me a little pep talk and I mentally turned a corner. I knew I could pull a finish off.<br />
<br />
Got to run Special Needs and got to the lemonade I had put in my bag. Drinking that was like a magic elixir. Sweet and tart. Sugary but not coca-cola. Perfect.<br />
<br />
Trotted out for the second and last loop. Warren found me at mile 14. He, too, gave me a little pep talk and I just trotted off. I actually picked up my pace for a few miles and then, at mile 23 with lots of time to get to the finish, I decided to just walk it in. I wanted to open up my senses and my memory to just take it all in: the sights (full moon), the sounds (cheering crowds); the feeling (pinched baby toe, happy to be getting to the finish).<br />
<br />
When I finished in 2012, it was a total blur. I don't remember Mike Reilly calling my name or telling me that I was an Ironman. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh330GteUVnE_NRF7oQ0R6CBnFfpYv-bZGbp1_sWF2zyd445DYZbtJd6RHBiG8wbJnXUqQtCPH6GMcnLJyvxtFPP6L__MWvfQ_pmIu16Xbyf2g5oaiTlpYdD-fhW-BREKP48Zpncg/s1600/mike+congrats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh330GteUVnE_NRF7oQ0R6CBnFfpYv-bZGbp1_sWF2zyd445DYZbtJd6RHBiG8wbJnXUqQtCPH6GMcnLJyvxtFPP6L__MWvfQ_pmIu16Xbyf2g5oaiTlpYdD-fhW-BREKP48Zpncg/s1600/mike+congrats.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
This year, I made it a priority to really take in the finish line. The crowds, the high fives, seeing the Finish Line banner and listening for Mike. Not only did I hear him loud and clear, I got to shake his hand. It was great.<br />
<br />
After finishing the race, I posted on Facebook, that I was now retired from 140.6.<br />
<br />
Well..... it didn't take long and I rescinded my retirement. I'll toe the Ironman line again. Not at Madison, though. Oh, I'll go ride that course for "fun". But I think I'll need to tackle a flatter bike course. I'm thinking about Ironman Arizona, Florida or Louisville for 2016.<br />
<br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojs4y_waP69VCksYVV9hboOkmHq1FHOMqzp7S012iqKIAeeS61eopfBTahZTgWcNaQAYfd5_notQ8RcTg2o1hMnKkLcUISPoJ7rzLmbe7cAnq4RUPIWy935dAz8ELqd_ckVb5yg/s1600/warren+me+looney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojs4y_waP69VCksYVV9hboOkmHq1FHOMqzp7S012iqKIAeeS61eopfBTahZTgWcNaQAYfd5_notQ8RcTg2o1hMnKkLcUISPoJ7rzLmbe7cAnq4RUPIWy935dAz8ELqd_ckVb5yg/s1600/warren+me+looney.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><b><i><u>Looney Challenge -- October:</u></i></b> The last race for me was the Looney Challenge: This is part of the Twin Cities Marathon weekend. The event consists of running the 10k and 5k on marathon weekend Saturday followed with the TC 10 mile run on Sunday. Signing up for the Looney guarantees a spot in to the 10 mile race. Otherwise, you take your chances trying to get in to that very popular race via the lottery. <br />
<br />
Warren and I signed up for the Looney last spring...Warren ended up having a golf tournament pop up for the same day as the 10 miler, so we both did the 5 and 10K events and then I did the 10 miler on my own.<br />
<br />
My pace was slow for each of the events, but still and all, had a blast. (I'd taken a fall off the bike a week before misjudging a curb in the road. Landed squarely on the "bad" hip, which re triggered some issues).<br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
<b><i><u>On the agenda for the rest of 2014</u></i></b>: The plan is to heal up my hip and psoas and to work on getting my run pace back. Warren and I will be spending some time doing strength training and yoga. Oh, yeah. And catching up on some sleep and bad t.v.Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-13350842549814018592014-06-11T12:21:00.002-05:002014-10-16T19:23:20.668-05:00Call me a weenie if you must....Best laid plans and all....<br />
<br />
Woke up last Saturday morning at 4:00 am to rain. Not drizzle. Rain. And thunder.<br />
<br />
Nothing like a thunderstorm on race day. The only thing better is a cold, windy rainstorm, which we had. Trifecta!<br />
<br />
The ever hopeful optimistic I am, I still packed up and headed out to Lake Rebecca. Storm had to blow over sometime, right?<br />
<br />
It did!<br />
<br />
As I got to the venue, the rain stopped. It was still cold and windy, but at least the rain had stopped. But what a difference a couple weeks of rain makes. <br />
<br />
My friend, Teresa, and I had done a preview ride on the course a couple weeks prior to race day. The river that runs parallel of part of the bike course had been high, but not THIS high. Two weeks prior, the transition area was grassy and dry. Race day, huge, two-inch deep water-filled puddles dotted the transition area. <br />
<br />
Still, I got body marked, set up transition and went down to the lake for a look. I bumped in t my friend, Shaun, who was also racing the Oly. He came with me to inspect the lake..... Despite the lousy weather, the lake was calm and warm. It's the small victories....<br />
<br />
We wandered back to transition when BOOM. Thunder. FLASH. Lightening. Pitter, patter. Rain.<br />
<br />
I grabbed my wetsuit and went back towards the lake to wait out the rain in the bathroom (also has the private stall where I can get in to my wetsuit. No one really needs to watch that.)<br />
<br />
While I was suiting up, another woman came in to the bathroom. She told me they had just announced a 30 minute rain delay.<br />
<br />
"Perfect", I thought. <br />
<br />
Once in the suit, I went back up to transition. It was raining harder now. I sat with other racers and volunteers under protection of the pavilion and just watched it rain. And rain. And rain.<br />
<br />
The more it rained, the less I wanted to do the race. Wet roads are slippery roads. The last thing I needed/wanted was to crash. The wind and cold temps were not getting any better. It was in the mid 50's. I don't mind the rain if it is warm. But I really hate being cold and wet. I also have Raynaud's syndrome, which means if my hands get too cold, I lose circulation in some of my finger tips. This typically is only a problem in the winter. This kind of cold, wet weather would have been an issue last Saturday for sure.<br />
<br />
Thirty minutes went by and no announcement to start the race. Just more rain. <br />
<br />
I pulled the plug at that point and turned in my chip. I got my things out of transition and made the long, humiliating walk back to my car. Walked by another friend, Julia, who was sitting in her car. She rolled down her window and we chatted for a minute. She wasn't sure what she was going to do.... said that radar was looking ugly. (She decided to stick it out and raced. Had a great day out on the course. Go Julia!)<br />
<br />
It wasn't a total loss, however. I drove from the race venue to my health club and did an indoor version of the triathlon, swimming in the pool, riding a stationary bike and running the track.<br />
<br />
No medal, but no road rash, no frozen hands, no season opener. But, did the distance and stayed safe.<br />
<br />
The race finally did happen. Numbers were way down. Lots of folks didn't show up; about 70 of us pulled out once we were there....<br />
<br />
Next up, the ITU Oly in Chicago. Let's hope for better weather.<br />
<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-43424517992353745882014-06-06T17:29:00.004-05:002014-06-06T18:04:49.726-05:00Here goes nuthin'Every year, it's been the same. Triathlon season comes and it goes by in the blink of an eye. Every October, event registrations start opening up for the next year. Who is first in line? Me. By the end of the year, I pretty much have my race schedule nailed down and paid for. Then, the waiting begins until Triathlon season.<br />
<br />
Last year was not different. By December 31st, I had registered for most of what I plan to race in 2014. Money was spent; dates and hotels were secured; all I had to do was wait patiently.<br />
<br />
I just needed to keep my base up and get through the winter so I could race Tri U Mah, Fargo 1/2 Marathon, Liberty half, the ITU Oly, Timberman oly, Racine 70.3, Point to LaPoint swim and, the biggie, Ironman Wisconsin. Then, fall fun, my husband and I signed to run the Twin Cities Marathon's TC Loony Challenge, which is doing the 5K and 10K on October 4th and then the TC 10 Miler on October 5th. <br />
<br />
Why would I think anything would break the pattern?<br />
<br />
Enter: <strong><span style="color: blue;">Winterpalooza.</span></strong> <br />
<br />
It was the coldest winter in decades across the country. Minneapolis had an unprecedented <span style="color: blue;">60 days BELOW</span> zero last winter. Usually, we can brace ourselves for the normal week or two in January. Last year, pretty much mid-December though February the mercury refused to go above zero degrees. (We did have an odd warm day, but mostly, we were frozen solid.)<br />
<br />
I started a new job last October and, as a new employee, was not able to take any vacation time for the first 90 days. This meant that my husband and I were stuck in Minneapolis for the winter with no relief.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>What did I do?</em></strong> <br />
<br />
Instead of making friends with the gym and the trainer, I reintroduced myself to the <strong>couch</strong>. And <strong>snacks</strong>. Lots and lots of snacks. <br />
<br />
It was also the winter that ended my long streak of being mostly injury free. For all the years I've spent swimming, biking and running, I have managed to stay healthy.<br />
<br />
I had the first hints of trouble training for and running New York Marathon last year. My husband and I ran the race together. He was feeling good and running strong. I did okay up about mile 15 and then my right hip started to bug me. Nothing terrible, just that nagging ickiness. I ended up having to stretch it out more than once, which slowed us way down.<br />
<br />
My husband (<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><em>The Trooper</em></span>), stayed with me the whole time, even though he could have had a much faster finish time. <br />
<br />
I think the nagging ickiness conspired with the couch and snacks so that by February, I had a lot of hip pain and a very, very limited range of motion when trying to lift my right leg. Sometimes I had to think long and hard about whether or not I could lift it high enough to get up a stair <br />
<br />
This was a big and unexpected surprise, which I tried to ignore for a long time. ("It will go away... I just know it!").<br />
<br />
My base training was very sparse. (Did I tell you the couch called my name every night? It wooed me.) I kept "active", but mostly walking to and from the fridge.<br />
<br />
It didn't help that my long-time coach had some life events of his own. His medical student girlfriend got through her studies and was placed out of state for her residency. He was busy concentrating on moving so I, and my love affair with the couch and snacks, were able to slip under the radar for a long time.<br />
<br />
Finally, last February, I had to face the reality. My hip was not getting better. If I was going to do Ironman, training would start soon and there was not way I could fake it across the finish line. <br />
<br />
I finally made an appointment with Tria Orthopaedic Center. They have a great reputation and work with a lot of athletes -- pro and amateur. I met with a nice (young) lady doctor, who is also an endurance athlete. I told her that I didn't care if they had to hold me together with duct tape, I just wanted to be able to finish Ironman She promised me I could. I love her.<br />
<br />
X-rays indicated some hip arthritis<span style="color: #073763;"> (<em><u>WHAT?</u></em>).</span> Again, a huge surprise. In my head, I am 35. In my joints and muscles, I'm in my mid-50s. Dagnabbit. <br />
<br />
The hip arthritis wasn't so bad as to stop me from being able to stay active, but it, along with the combo of snacks, winter, the couch and the cold, my glutes, groin, SI joint and all of the "stuff" in that area, just seized up and every thing failed. At once.<br />
<br />
So, I've been working on trying to get better with physical therapy, chiropractic work, stretching, ice, heat and compression. The good news is that, after 3 months, I am much, much, <u>MUCH </u>better. I don't think about climbing stairs any more. I can actually swing my leg over the bike again (as opposed to lifting it, resting it on the stem and then hoisting it over to the other side, which is what I did for most of January and February). I don't wake up in the middle of the night anymore in so much pain I can hardly stand it. <br />
<br />
The bad news is that, I'm still not at 100%. I have a definite limp, which is much more noticeable when I'm tired. I can swim just fine; I can bike just fine. It is the running that is a problem. My gait is very short and choppy. My pace has sunk like a stone. Some days I run fine with no after issues. Other days, I run and the hip nags for a few hours after.<br />
<br />
Ironman training happens over many, many weeks. In theory, for a September race, people start training in earnest in February. The fact that I'm trying to rehab while training for a 140.6 mile race maybe slowing down the recovery. <br />
<br />
But, <strong><em>will I stop</em></strong>? <strong>No.</strong> Why? Because I'm <span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">determined</span> (translate to <strong>stubborn</strong>). And, because I am <span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13;">cheap</span>.</strong></span> I have a lot of green skin in the game, having registered -- and paid for -- all those races last January. Why leave money on the table?<br />
<br />
What HAS happened has been:<br />
<ul>
<li>A <strong>pullback</strong> from some of the races. I wasn't ready for Fargo 1/2, so dropped that down to the 10K. (Slowest 10K I've run in my entire life). I am doing better and don't want to push it yet, so dropped from the half at Liberty to the Oly distance. Lake Superior reported ice on the lake as late as last week. I do not need to swim 2.4 miles in a slushy, so I've dropped Point to LaPoint this year. (Also happens to be an Ironman Wisconsin camp that weekend that my training buddies are going to, so wanted to spend time there with them).</li>
<li>A <strong>new coach</strong>. Sometimes you just gotta switch things up. I moved on to a new coach and things have been going great. She is on top of me if I start to slack. This is what I need -- especially since the couch is always beckoning.</li>
<li>An <strong>agreement </strong>with myself. Although I want to do well at each race, I am really looking at each one as a training day helping me prepare for Ironman. My primary goal is to do everything in my power to get to September 7th as healthy and prepared as I can possibly be so I can cross that finish line before midnight.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Tomorrow is my first summer race -- Liberty Oly. Wish me luck!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em>Here goes nuthin'.....</em></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-84802386744001294812014-02-02T13:12:00.000-06:002014-02-02T13:29:44.632-06:00Ten Years of Tri U Mah<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw8TPYGLF1iumyWc_q6Dq2SyGsNcohnj1_VEfbw-DSGxZzv1Pyzrls536pwShXOyJ9o7XkyfvKGjrGeM-bYHvUhJxw8eDs8gVxuCWvOyRPCvZ5xscuR7pCSWqzesLp8MO9siDVQ/s1600/tri+u+mah+sign.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw8TPYGLF1iumyWc_q6Dq2SyGsNcohnj1_VEfbw-DSGxZzv1Pyzrls536pwShXOyJ9o7XkyfvKGjrGeM-bYHvUhJxw8eDs8gVxuCWvOyRPCvZ5xscuR7pCSWqzesLp8MO9siDVQ/s1600/tri+u+mah+sign.png" height="320" width="240" /></a>I'm going to take you back a bit. To July, 2004 as a matter of fact. One of my good running buddies, Marcia Lee, had entered the LifeTime Fitness triathlon as part of a relay team. Her daughter would swim; her son would bike and she would run.<br />
<br />
This "triathlon" thing was sort of a puzzle to me. I didn't quite get how the whole thing fit together, how you'd have energy enough to finish the dang thing, and, oh yeah: the swim. The <strong>D R E A D E D</strong> swim in a <strong>L A K E</strong>. With other people. And fish. <br />
<br />
I'd done plenty of road races up until this point. Every thing from 5Ks to marathons. Didn't do them fast, but finished them. Through them, I had found a great bunch of friends and had certainly challenged myself in ways I never thought possible. But triathlon? You'd have to be crazy to do one of those, right?<br />
<br />
I wandered down to Lake Nokomis and got sucked right in by the triathlon sirens. I watched the race and by the time my friend crossed the finish line, I was hooked. I wanted to try my hand at this swim, bike and run thing. I wanted it bad.<br />
<br />
One tiny problem though: I couldn't really swim. Oh, I could dog paddle with the best of 'em. I did a lot of "splashy, splashy" in the pool if I was on vacation somewhere, but swim? For several hundred yards? And in a lake where I couldn't easily touch the bottom or get to the side wall if I got in trouble? Hmmmmmm.....no. Not so much.<br />
<br />
But the seed was planted and triathlon became a goal. I started swimming. To make it to 100 yards I'd break up the four lengths by doing freestyle, then backstroke, then breaststroke, then side stroke. Then I'd have to catch my breath for a bit. Then I'd do it again. And again, and again. <br />
<br />
I finally figured out that I could benefit from some swim lessons and found <a href="http://totalimmersion.net/blog/author/coachdave/" target="_blank">David Cameron</a>, Total Immersion guru, who helped me become more efficient in the water. <em><u>Sayonara</u></em>, back, breast and side strokes. Now, it was freestyle all the way.<br />
<br />
By the end of 2004, I felt confident that I could sign up for a triathlon in 2005, but which one? <br />
<br />
Enter: <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tri U Mah</span></strong><br />
<br />
Tri U Mah, an indoor triathlon hosted by the University of Minnesota, debuted in February 2005. Slightly different than other triathlons, which have a stated race distance that participants cover, Tri U Mah breaks its race up in to 30 minute swim, bike and run segments with 10 minute transitions between swim/bike and bike/run. Participants cover as much distance as they can during the time blocks and winners are determined by the total distance covered.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWiiA1iqFqx59orN3XkLLLxtdl1KGn1Fdbr5jt3MPDf7bAjUv5aA-P3km9ozU3h4-fp7_7J1I6fTu04s8CYYDkGM3XCjN2rcCVPQTqGuGt7o0QhVmrr1fxvvBIntDoPRpFJzb0Q/s1600/pool.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWiiA1iqFqx59orN3XkLLLxtdl1KGn1Fdbr5jt3MPDf7bAjUv5aA-P3km9ozU3h4-fp7_7J1I6fTu04s8CYYDkGM3XCjN2rcCVPQTqGuGt7o0QhVmrr1fxvvBIntDoPRpFJzb0Q/s1600/pool.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The venue is terrific -- the University of Minnesota Rec Center. Participants get to swim in a great pool AND have the lane all to themselves. After the swim, participants transition to a stationary (spin) bike, and then finish up by running on the treadmill. Volunteers are pretty peppy and very helpful. The swag is always great. (Good shirt; sometimes a bag; lots of yummy post race snacks). <br />
<br />
It was the PERFECT first time triathlon for me. I signed up for the race, was nervous as hell when I started and beaming, beaming, BEAMING when I was finished. I've done the race each and every year since 2005, making my 2014 race the first of my 10th year of triathlon. My, how times flies....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji88kAV3ebshKHYm6TgkS8uDsvaYiwBB813rppQ8pec73NFdBHNDPAypRnZv0us1Q_u25LIgvuCvCWE3dZkAIsoavbIiHsxa1i810EjaNiqY1BdaLJT5P5ZBXQvDKEmDM1dBDG3Q/s1600/group+after+tri+u+mah.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji88kAV3ebshKHYm6TgkS8uDsvaYiwBB813rppQ8pec73NFdBHNDPAypRnZv0us1Q_u25LIgvuCvCWE3dZkAIsoavbIiHsxa1i810EjaNiqY1BdaLJT5P5ZBXQvDKEmDM1dBDG3Q/s1600/group+after+tri+u+mah.png" height="240" width="320" /></a>The race has become the 'season opener ritual" for me and several of my friends. We find it to be the perfect reminder that outdoor season is coming for sure and it is time to get back to training. <br />
<br />
I fell in love with triathlon that February and haven't looked back since.<br />
<br />
After that, I moved on to outdoor tris and conquered my fear of open water swimming (OWS). (Candidly, the OWS thing took me a long time to embrace. It really wasn't until I did a training swim with my coach, <a href="http://www.enduranceathlete.com/" target="_blank">Greg Rhodes</a>, at Lake Ann Park in 2009, that I let go of my OWS fear. He got me over it by tricking me. At the beginning of a practice swim, he told me that, if I made it from one side of the lake to the other, I could walk back to our starting point. Greg, who is a terrific swimmer, took off in the water. I hemmed, hawed; I adjusted my goggles a million times. I stopped to bob for a bit. I finally got over to the other side and was going to get out to walk back when he said "Oh, no. You are swimming back and you aren't going to stop. You can do this". And I did.)<br />
<br />
Sprints led to Olys, which led to half-irons, which led to Ironman. Took me three times to cross that finish line at Wisconsin, but I did. And I'll do it one more time this year in September.<br />
<br />
So, thank you, Tri U Mah, for giving me something to look forward to each February. See you in 2015.<br />
<br />
<em><u></u></em><br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-41387227748325841642013-08-24T20:36:00.000-05:002013-08-24T20:48:41.015-05:00BlinkIf you are like most Minnesotans, you are probably anxious for summer to start.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Blink.</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></span></span><br />
Waaaaaiiiiit.....earlier this week, Fall said "Top of the morning to ya", when the entrance gates to the "foods-on-a-stick" fest (aka the Minnesota State Fair) opened up. <br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Huh....</b></span></i></span><br />
<br />
After last year's success (finally) at Ironman Wisconsin, I was all revved up for a terrific 2013 triathlon season. My goal was to focus on getting faster at shorter distances, trying out some new events and really getting lean and mean.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Blink.</strong></span><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><i></i></b>
I am now getting ready for my last outdoor tri of the 2013 season, which takes place tomorrow -- (<a href="http://www.superiormantri.com/" target="_blank">SuperiorMan </a>Half-Iron Distance in Duluth) and I'm STILL trying to get rid of my "winter weight".<br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>Huh....
</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
Just where, exactly, does time go?<br />
<br />
This year really has been a giant blur and not my most satisfying on many levels. Not all was bad, but it does feel like I spent a lot of time waiting around for things to get "better" for me to get my head in the game. <br />
<br />
The weather had to get "better" for me to feel motivated to train the way I really should have trained. Other aspects of my life needed to get "better" before I wanted to do more than just crawl back in to my house and eat comfort food and watch bad T.V. <br />
<br />
Now, almost three-quarters of the year is over (<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Blink</strong></span>) and I'm finally feeling like I am getting in to the swing of things. (Actually, this theme is not necessarily a new or different one for me. I was went to college at 17 and was really not prepared at the time. In what feels like a <strong><em><span style="color: blue;">SUPER BLINK, </span></em></strong>it is oh-so-many-years-later, I am ready for college life and would gladly go back to hang at the Terrace at Memorial Union any time. I would also actually show up for the majority of classes this time around....)<br />
<br />
Although my triathlon year hasn't been as stupendous as hoped, there certainly were a lot of high points and I had a lot of great fun. Truth also be told, after three years of training to cross the finish line at Imoo, I was probably emotionally, mentally and physically ready for a back off year. (As was predicted by my very wise coach, <a href="http://www.enduranceathlete.com/" target="_blank">Greg Rhodes</a>.....).<br />
<br />
Here are some of the highlights:<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: red;">Podium Finisher:</span></i></b><br />
One advantage of moving up in an Age Group category is that, at a certain point, the odds go up in your favor for higher finishing placement. I moved up in AGs this year, and, although there are certainly <i><u>PLENTY</u></i> of speedier women in my AG that can kick my arse around the block several times, I did have solid, top five finish times at <strong>Buffalo Tri, Liberty Oly</strong> and <strong>Waconia</strong>. <br />
<br />
I even was on the podium, coming in 3rd in my AG at <strong>Timberman Oly</strong>. Now, before I get too <i>all up in my badself,</i> I also have to admit that there weren't too many women actually IN my AG at Timberman (or any of the other events). Still and all, 3rd is 3rd and a prize is a prize. <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Booyah</b></span>.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Tried some new stuff:</span></em></strong><br />
<strong>Waconia</strong> was a new event for me this year. Loved it. We lucked out with the swim. Although the water was chilly, it wasn't too rough. The course was challenging but beautiful. <br />
<br />
<strong>Ironman Racine 70.3</strong> was also new for 2013. After not signing up for this year's Ironman Wisconsin, I still wanted to have an Ironman experience. Racine was a close enough drive and I thought it might be fun to swim in Lake Michigan. (Added plus: a fairly flat bike course.).<br />
<br />
Lake Michigan was beeeeuteeefull on the Saturday before the race. Calm, cool, but not cold, clear (could see the bottom in 15 feet of water). <br />
<br />
Race day? Not so much. Four-foot waved greeted swimmers the morning of the race. The only way I could convince myself to get in the water was to promise myself that I could pull out any time I wanted to or needed to. Then I just swam from buoy to buoy and before I knew it, I was getting out of the lake. (It was a tough swim for many racers. I heard about 50 people got pulled from the water and many others didn't even get in to start). <br />
<br />
The bike was fine, flat and fast. The run was a bit of a slog, but I made it fun by chatting up with other runners and enjoying the course. Great race; would do it again in a heartbeat.<br />
<br />
<strong>Point to LaPoint (P2LaP)</strong> swim -- another new adventure and certainly a highlight of the year. When putting together my race schedule for the year, Greg added P2LaP, which is a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Superior from Bayfield, Wisconsin to Madeline Island.<br />
<br />
At first, I thought the event might over my head (pun intended). Not because of the distance, but the swim in big, deep, cold Lake Superior. I also had in my head that the course was going to be long and lonely, with me paddling in the lake looking at nothing but water and hoping that I wasn't getting lost. <br />
<br />
Au contraire!<br />
<br />
First, you can see the island from Bayfield (phew). The water temp, while cold, turned out to be perfect with the help of neoprene booties and cap. The race is very well organized and I love the sweatshirt they give to racers.<br />
<br />
Two other pluses were that my sister came with me to watch the race and we both met <a href="http://www.johnandschoep.com/" target="_blank">John</a>, the owner of Schoep the dog. My sister and I are both HUGE animal people and the story of John and his wonderful dog had really touched our hearts. It was sheer coincidence that we met John.... but we did and we were able to convey our condolences and to share a hug. <br />
<br />
Final new event for 2013 will be the tri tomorrow: <strong>SuperiorMan</strong>. It starts with a leap off a ferry boat in to Lake Superior, followed by a bike ride up to Two Harbors and back down to Duluth and then a little 1/2 marathon trot around the city. It is supposed to be unusually hot tomorrow (90s', humid, windy) so, I'm just hoping for the best. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Oldies but goodies:</span></em></strong><br />
The new stuff certainly was fun, but there is also something to be said for tradition. <strong>Tri U Mah</strong> last February; Buffalo in June, <strong>Madison Open Water Swim</strong> last week.... all fun, fun, fun. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Looking forward:</span></em></strong> <br />
Hubby and I are doing <strong>New York Marathon</strong> this fall (baring any hurricanes or other problems). We'll also do the TC 10Miler and Victory 10k for training races as prep for the marathon. <br />
<br />
But before we lace up our shoes in November, my friend (and NEW MOM!) Natalie and I will be volunteering at <strong>Ironman Wisconsin</strong> on September 8th. Then, early in the morning on Monday, September 9th, we'll be lining up with hundreds of others to sign up for Imoo 2014.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>BLINK</strong></span><br />
<br />
It will be here before we know it.<br />
<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-54351259019727906192013-04-11T22:40:00.002-05:002013-04-14T22:39:10.904-05:00Let's Be Careful Out There.... (thank you, Phil Esterhaus)Spring is in the air and it it time to get the bike off the trainer and back on the road!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><u>NOT!</u></em></strong><br />
<br />
I write this on April 11th -- a date far enough along the calendar that we SHOULD be able to be out on the roads, but alas, in case you haven't heard, Minneapolis (and much of the midwest) has been the victim of a very lousy spring. Rain, cold, wind followed by more rain, cold, wind and today -- yes, today, the city received 7 - 10 inches of wet, heavy snow.<br />
<br />
What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, the weather was warm, lakes were open, people were out on bikes, and golfing and living large.<br />
<br />
This year, we are all slowly going a little stir crazy and are anxiously awaiting the first real whiff of spring so we can GET OUT and get moving.<br />
<br />
I have braved the roads and bike paths a couple of times this year....all three times were on days when the weather was somewhat cooperative. I had to get out. I just couldn't take the trainer any more.<br />
<br />
Well, I wasn't the only one out there. The bike paths were jam packed with people and, since at this time of year, bikers and pedestrians share the paths, I thought it might be a good time to send out a gentle (or not so gentle) reminder to cyclists and pedestrians (aka <em>peds</em>) alike focused on good and safe bike etiquette in the hopes of keeping us all safe and sane out there on the roads.<br />
<br />
(<em>Disclaimer:</em> although the suggestions below come from me and represent my personal point of view,. I make them in the spirit of offering them up to help us all avoid injury and aggravation).<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong>Who Are You?</strong></span> I can't stress enough the importance of getting and wearing a Road ID. This handy ID will not only provide you and your loved ones peace-of-mind that you can be identified, your <em>'in case of emergency</em>" people can be contacted and any allergies are listed so they are avoided if you need emergency treatment, wearing it makes you look cool. Whether you wear the wrist or ankle band version, or use the hip, cool and groovy dog tag (like I have), you'll feel safer out there. (And your significant others will breath a little easier when you are out there for those long rides....) <a href="http://www.roadid.com/">www.roadid.com</a><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">See and Be Seen:</span></strong> I've gotten in to the habit of hooking a blinking light on to my back jersey pocket every time I ride. SUPER important at night or dusk, I'm wearing one now during the day to help alert (distracted) drivers that I'm sharing the road. Bright colors also help distinguish me from foliage and increase the liklihood that I'll be seen. <br />
<br />
As for front lights, I always have one if I'm going to ride at dusk or night. Helps me to be seen aslo for me to see problems like pot holes or other obstructions in the road. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">ET, Phone Home:</span></strong> If you are going to bring you cell phone with you, carry it <strong><em><span style="color: blue;">ON</span></em></strong> you in a pocket, not <strong><span style="color: blue;"><em>IN </em></span></strong>your bento box. Why? On the off chance you get thrown from your bike, you can access the phone that is in pocket to call for help. If it is in your bento box, and your bento box is on your bike, and your bike is 100 feet below you on a cliff, you have a very different set of problems. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong>Call it. Period.</strong></span> I'm sure this has happened to you. You are on the bike path, minding your very own business, when ZOOM. Some stoked up, Super Rider zips by you so closely that you can almost feel their body heat. Yet, you had no clue they were behind you, much less next to you until they left you in their dust. <br />
<br />
I ask you, Super Rider: how hard it is to just say "<strong><em><span style="color: red;">ON YOUR LEFT</span></em></strong>" before you pass? (Actually, I ask everyone, just how taxing is it for you to call this safety signal out to alert other riders or runners/peds sharing the path with you?)<br />
<br />
Without calling this out, how do you know that I won't suddenly veer to the left to avoid pot hole, or "just because" I decide to turn left, cutting directly in to your path ? (See <em>SIGNAL YOUR INTENT</em> below). If I don't know you're on my flank, a slight move to the left could cause disaster for both of us. <br />
<br />
Calling out your intent is an easy thing to do, will cost you ZERO in watts, and could potentially save us both in bike repair and bandage costs.<br />
<br />
On a related note, when you <em><strong><span style="color: blue;">hear "</span></strong>On Your Left"</em>, this is not a cue for you to crank your head to look behind you, which will cause you also turn your arms to the left, which will cause you to steer the bike to veer to the left and in to the path of the person passing. No, no, no. When you hear the call, you simply have to steer a little to the RIGHT of the path to help provide a little more space between you the person passing you. It is a simple as that. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong>Signal Your Intent:</strong></span> <span style="color: red;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="color: black;">Ahhh. Another of my favorites. I'm riding behind you on the bike path, just enjoying the day, when BOOM, you decide you are going to make a left-hand turn, RIGHT NOW. </span><br />
<br />
I don't care if you are turning left, right or stopping. Signal your intent so those behind you have a clue as to what we need to do to help keep us all safe. If you are stopping, we'll slow down so we don't ram in to you. If you are turning left, we won't try to pass you at the exact same second you decide to turn your wheel. If you are turning right, we'll just keep moving along. We just need to know.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Bike Paths = Moving Lanes of Traffic</span></strong>: Imagine this: you are driving down 35W, when you see your best friend's car in the lane next to you. You haven't seen your friend in a couple of days, so you both decide to stop, in the middle of the freeway, so the two of you can chat and catch up for a few minutes. <br />
<br />
Common scenario? NO. Why? Because we know better than to stop and block traffic in a live, moving lane.<br />
<br />
Why, then, do some riders think this is perfectly okay to do on a bike path? Aren't bikes moving along the path when you decide to stop and chat with friends? Bike paths are moving lanes of traffic.<br />
<br />
If you stop on the path to chat, or to adjust your helmet, or to look at the lake, or to grab a drink of water, eat a power bar, take a picture to upload to Facebook or just to rest, <strong><em>PULL OFF THE PATH</em></strong>. <br />
<br />
Get yourself and your bike on to that little patch of grass that separates the bike path from the walking path and feel free to stay there as long -- and as safely -- as you want.<br />
<br />
Oh, and, when you decide to get back on the path, <em>look both ways before pulling back in to the moving lane of bike traffic</em>. I know this sounds like a no brainer, but you'd be surprised....<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Rock, Paper, Scissor = Ped, Bike, Car:</span></strong> I look at it this way: When I'm walking, I need very little time or distance to be able to stop my forward momentum to get out of harms way. I need a lot less time or distance than if I am on a bike, where my speed is greater, and if something happens suddenly in front of me that I have to avoid, I need a lot more distance to slow myself down to a stop (without catapulting myself over my handle bars), or turning to avoid a collision. If I'm driving a car and going even faster than on my bike, I need a whole lot more room to avoid sudden disaster. <br />
<br />
Therefore, if I'm walking and want to cross the bike path, it is up to <strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">ME, the WALKER</span></em></strong> to wait a couple of seconds for the bike to pass before I meander across the pathway. <br />
<br />
Same logic applies if I'm on a bike and come to stop sign at an intersection and meet up with a car that wants to cross my path. It is up to <span style="color: blue;"><strong><em>ME, the BIKER</em></strong></span> to give that car lots and lots of leeway to go before me. I will let the car go first even if I have the right of way. WHY? Because the car outweighs me in a big way and getting hit would really put a dent in my day (and the car's fender).<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Family Fun:</span></strong> I'm guessing that my opinion on the following will be controversial: it is not my job to watch out for your kid. (Yes, I said it.). I will also say, that I do my very, very, VERY best to not do any training rides on bike paths during peak times of the day when families want to be out for a nice spin around the lake(s). However I will also reiterate that, it is your job as a parent to make sure that your kid is riding in a manner that keeps us all safe.<br />
<br />
Things that help: <br />
<ul>
<li>If you have little riders with you, keep them in front of you, so you can see what they are doing and how they are riding. (Are they swerving, are they staying on the right side of the path?). If you ride in front of them, you have no idea where they are on the path, how far they are behind you or if they stopped because they got tired. </li>
<li>Make sure your kid knows "right" from "left", so they know to move to the right when being passed (and hearing the call), and that they know how to signal their intent. Good biking habits start early!</li>
<li>Speaking of kids, the other thing that scares me is when I see a family walking back to their car and needing to cross the bike path. I see a lot of grown-ups that let the kids run in front of them as they are moving toward the street and the kids just don't realize that they need to <strong><span style="color: blue;"><em>LOOK</em></span></strong> before they cross on to the bike path. I might be moving like a snail on my bike, but if your kid runs in to the path and I can't stop, it is will be a very unhappy end to a day at the lake. </li>
</ul>
Little things -- like the suggestions above -- can go a long way in helping keep all of us safe on the roads. Once the weather cooperates enought so that we can get back on the roads, that is.<br />
<br />
Happy riding, everyone!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-32085435906575019252013-02-02T12:01:00.001-06:002013-02-02T12:11:25.606-06:00Real butter, real cream, real cheese....I'm a Wisconsin girl. <br />
<br />
Yes, I know I live in Minnesota, but that doesn't dispute the fact that I was born and bred in good, old Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Land of the free, home of the bratwurst.<br />
<br />
I love all things Wisconsin -- from its cities to its cows and all things in between. I always tell people about our favorite state motto: <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><em>Come smell our Dairy Air</em></span> (.....to get the joke on this, say the motto out loud, but slowly...... <em>now</em> get it?)<br />
<br />
I grew up the child of a father with German and Polish heritage and a mother, with roots from Sweden and Ireland, so my love of potatos (and all foods considered to be hearty) is more than likely in embedded in my DNA. <br />
<br />
Well, maybe not potatoes, but certainly frozen custard -- a Milwaukee staple. <br />
<br />
The story goes that, on a warm summer evening before I could walk, my parents drove the Oldsmobile convertible to the local drivein to enjoy a refreshing cone of frozen custard deliciousness. My dad thought it has high time that I had my first taste of the wondrous treat and pushed his cone towards my lips.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Apparently, I licked the cone, swallowed and then my eyes widened. I grabbed on to the cone and held on for dear life, as I buried my face in to the custard, and literally COOED, and went to town on the custard.<br />
<br />
This explains so, so much.<br />
<br />
My love of food has never waned, but it has, at times, been a very complicated love affair (think Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger). <br />
<br />
I also have the unfortunate luck to not understand the concept of "rich" when it comes to food. You know, the type of food that is typically high in calories (and goodness) that people taste, then push away the dish and say some to the effect of "<em>Ooooohh...that is toooo rich for me'</em>.<br />
<br />
I say "<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><strong>I'll have it</strong></span>!" and could not only finish their portion (including the licking of the plate) and then ask for more. <br />
<br />
Left to my own devices, I could very well become one of those people you read about, where they have to cut a hole out of the side of the house to extract them to get them to the hospital.<br />
<br />
Except for two very important things: Vanity and Triathlon.<br />
<br />
The biggest influence for me and my eating choices was running. I started to run when I was in my late 30s and when I was training for my first 10k, the light bulb went on. I finally made a connection between what goes in my mouth and the results that come out of my feet. <br />
<br />
I gave up all fast food that year, with the exception of Subway. That was probably 12 years ago. I've pretty much converted off of white bread and white rice, opting instead for whole wheat, pumpernickel (see, those German roots are never too far away), brown rice and quinoa.<br />
<br />
I gave up all soda about the same time as I gave up McDonalds. The only time I've had soda over the last couple of years was on the runs while doing Ironman Wisconsin. Nothing like a few sips of real Coke to get you to the next water stop.<br />
<br />
After spending a few summers riding my bike through the hills around Dane County training for the big race and mooing at the cows I'd pass, I finally decided that it was bad form to eat my friends, so I quit eating beef and pork about 15 months ago.<br />
<br />
I did fall victim to the "fake" food fad for a little while and ate no fat, crappy substitutes for things like cheese, butter and cream. No taste, no flavor, too many chemicals. I now am a firm believer in the benefits (and flavor) of the real stuff, but don't go too crazy when I choose to eat them.<br />
<br />
I'm a significantly healthier eater today than I was when I was a kid or young adult. My pants size(es) fall in the "normal" range and haven't had to shop Lane Bryant for decades......<br />
<br />
So you'd think I'd finally overcome this whole weight/food thing, right?<br />
<br />
Well, not so much. <br />
<br />
Every summer, by the time I get to my "A" race for the season, I finally get to a "great" weight for me. (Other athletes will know this as their "racing weight'). This comes perfectly timed after months of training hard and burning lots of calories. I get to race day, get on the scale and am IN LOVE with that number. I race and then forget about the scale for months. But I don't forget about changing my "hey, I'm in training" eating patterns. And, oh by the way, the season changes from summer to fall, then winter; days get shorter, meals get heartier, I get lazier. <br />
<br />
Why, then, am I always so surprised that, when I finally get brave enough to get back on the scale, the number reflected back to me isn't even close to that race weight number?<br />
<br />
I'm a smart girl. I understand the concept of portion control (notice I said <em>CONCEPT</em>, not daily practice). I also understand that it is easier to right the ship when it is slightly off course (aka 5 pounds) than when it is when it is more off course (like double digits). <br />
<br />
But, every year, I seem to be here -- again -- looking at the beginning of training season with some extra lbs and an internally screaming fat-self that says "<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>HEY</em></span></strong> -- don't you be <u><strong>thinking</strong></u> of taking my second helping away!!"<br />
<br />
But away it must go, along with my "friend" sugar. I've given up a lot of stuff, but the white stuff has always been my nemesis. It is puzzling to me why....<br />
<br />
I had a long conversation with my coach about this weight thing....he reminded me that race weight is one thing (and not a sustainable thing) and what I should really be striving for is my "every day" weight (which is not my "2nd day of February" weight. <br />
<br />
He understands that weight fluctuations are a part of every athletes life (right, Kent Hurbek?) but doing our best to not let the high number too high. (He says a good number to track for is about 8% above your "best" weight).<br />
<br />
When I look at it that way, I'm not too far out of the (weight) ball park.<br />
<br />
But it is time to get back on the pony (or in my case, tri bke and trainer) because spring IS coming. <br />
<br />
And so is my first race!<br />
<br />Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-63179889555277587242012-12-29T20:10:00.001-06:002013-01-22T20:18:58.916-06:00The Yin and Yang that was 2012December 29th, 2012<br />
<br />
Another year draws quickly to a close. <br />
<br />
Thank heavens.<br />
<br />
I, like many, many of my friends, am plenty happy to see 2012 end. It was an "interesting" year for many of us.<br />
<br />
While I have to say that the good stuff outweighed the not-so-good stuff, I am glad to be closing the books on the year, and I'm nothing that hopeful and excited about 2013.<br />
<br />
The great things that happened this year:<br />
<ul>
<li>I finally, finally, FINALLY became an Ironman. The third time was definitely the charm and I got to finally cross that finish line in Madison at 11:06 pm last September 9th. I had a great year of training and participated in a number of new and fun events to help me prep for the big race. These included the five-hour Y rides, Hillfest, the Nature Valley Grand Prix spectator crit, Tour De Tonka, Timberman Oly tri, the Madison mini marathon and many, many, many visits to Madison to ride that bike course. </li>
<li>I had the support of some great people, including my Hubby, who ran a lot of late night long runs with me. My friends Marcia and Gary, who also joined me for a lot of runs. My best bud, Natalie, cheered me on from afar (aka Lisbon, North Dakota), and I had a lot of other friends from my old running club and from work that encouraged me along the way. That made the journey (and the long hours of training) a lot of fun.</li>
<li>I went back to work with my first 1/2 iron coach, Greg Rhodes, which was a very, very smart decision. He knows and understands me and my abilities; he sets up workouts that challenge me and encourages me. I can't recommend him enough and I'm looking forward to working with him in 2013 as he helps me become faster and stronger with Olys and 1/2 iron distance tris.</li>
<li>I was very lucky to have been able to take some great trips with my Hubby. We were lucky to take not one, but two cruises (January and December). We both just R E L A X when we are at sea. We were able to do some fun stuff on those journeys: golfing in Cozumel; biking in St. Maarten; snorkeling in St. Thomas. We hit New York for the Marathon that wasn't; we celebrated our anniversary in Las Vegas; we spent Thanksgiving with my family in California. We are very, very, very fortunate to be able to travel and we've stored up lots of memories from these trips.</li>
<li>Hubby and I have both been blessed with health. The biggest gift of all. Without it, all the rest is bupkis.</li>
<li>Hubby had a great golf season this year. He won a number of his tournaments and moved up in his rankings. He played in the Golf Channel Amateur Channel's national tournament again and had a blast.</li>
<li>Our kitten Oscar, who was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and given two months to live back in November 2011, is still here and purring loud and proud every day. He has to take medicine twice each day, but we are so thrilled that he is doing so well. We are thankful every day that he, and the other three furry friends we live with, are all doing well and are happy cats.</li>
<li>We got to attend some happy events in the lives of our friends: weddings, graduations, birthdays and more. We are lucky to be able to take part in celebrations and to give lots and lots of hugs.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I did make some dumb decisions, though. One in particular was very short-sighted. I made a move that, in retrospect, I'd make differently if I had the chance to do it again. It may not have made the best decision, but it is one I've learned from. <br />
<br />
Dumb decisions aside, here is the thing about time and life: unlike golf, we don't get mulligans. <br />
<br />
We do, though, get to make other decisions. Make next moves. Turn another corner. Change direction. And that remains the beauty of January 1st. The proverbial "new leaf". <br />
<br />
I enter 2013 with a lot of resolutions and goals, including work with an nutritionist specializing with endurance athletes. I already have lots of fun triathlons and other events on the calendar and paid for, including some new ones for me: SuperiorMan (what fun it will be to jump off a boat in to Lake Superior!) -- Ironman Racine 70.3 -- the Point to LaPoint swim -- just to name a few. <br />
<br />
While I'm really looking forward to my 2013 race calendar, I'm more importantly looking forward to my LIFE calendar and to finding ways to REALLY take the road(s) less traveled.<br />
<br />
I also have high hopes and wishes for all of you: That 2013 will be better than 2012 (even if 2012 was your best year ever). That we won't fall off the fiscal cliff; that the economy will continue to rebound; that you and yours will find health and happiness and love and PRs (if that is your thing). <br />
<br />
In short, happy new year everyone. Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-46898638029788280792012-11-18T10:19:00.001-06:002012-11-18T16:43:23.147-06:00Why I am Delusional...<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One word:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Triathlon.</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
coming up on (yet another) birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
odometer, as they say, is turning over – again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this birthday isn’t a milestone per
se, it does represent an increasing digit that seems to happen faster and
faster every year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A funny quirk about the governing body that oversees all
things triathlon is that participants must race as the age they will be on
December 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My birthday
falls in November, so for most of any giving racing season , I race under the
age category <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll only actually be for 42
days of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the one hand, this makes it very easy for me to adapt to
the increasing number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example,
I’ll be 54 soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been used to
saying I’m that age and having the world see it (in the form of the age group identifier
number that gets temporarily inked on my calf when body marked at
triathlons).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, 54 doesn’t bug me so
much. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What bothers me a little bit more than I have cared to admit
until now is that on January 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>, 2013, I’ll have to race as a 55
year old (the age I’ll be on December 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>, 2013).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fifty-five is one thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other – and more frightening thing – is
that I also move up Age Group categories next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Sayonara</strong></span>, Age Group 50 –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>54. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Welcome<em><span style="font-size: large;">(?)</span></em></strong> to Age Group 55 to
59.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why is this such a frightening proposition?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes back to my being delusional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, triathlon tricks me in to thinking that I am much,
much younger than I really am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that
swimming, biking and running, along with some yoga and strength training thrown
in, provides for me a little “cover” of agelessness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I’m in the pool or on my bike or trotting down some
path, I believe that I’m just as capable – make that more than capable – than
my 15, 20 or even 30 year old self. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My best and most treasured friend and triathlon partner –
Natalie -- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is 20 years younger than
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never, ever feel a difference in
our age when we are training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I do
usually feel a pang of envy when she kicks my butt by running , pedaling or swimming
faster).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can it possibly be that I’m going to be 54?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can it possibly be that I’ll be racing
against other women between 55 and 59?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(And, <u><em>how,</em> <span style="font-size: large;"><em>how</em></span></u><em> <span style="font-size: x-large;">,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>HOW</u></b></span></em> can it be that I’ll still
be finishing mid-to-back-of-the pack thanks to some incredibly strong and
fierce athletic machines with names like Jan and Helen, among others?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to triathlon (and eating well, not drinking (anymore)
and trying to get enough rest), I feel totally ageless, fully strong and
luckily healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike many of my
non-athletic friends, I’m not on medication (except for occasional use of an
inhaler used to address some very minor asthma issues); I’m not winded when I
have to walk up a flight of stairs and I’m not wearing mom jeans or appliqué
shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Not that there is anything wrong with that….).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What triathlon can’t help though, is some of the wonders of
nature wrapped in the aging process like sagging skin; more jiggle than not;
and the need to see my hairdresser every six weeks to wisk away the grey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The external changes – and the rapid pace of
them -- are the things that shock me the most.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sometimes ponder the fact that, when Natalie is my age, I’ll
be 74 – going on 75.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that these
next 20 years will undoubtedly wiz by faster than the last twenty. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nat will undoubtedly still be racing in 2032.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m lucky, I might be able to squeak out
some sprints or may be an Oly or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sure hope so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Triathlon has given me so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides physical strength, it has given me a
huge sense of accomplishment and self confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve made great friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had the luck to train and work with a
couple of wonderful Coaches; I’ve raced some great venues;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve experienced the beauty and wonder of
seeing the world from the middle of a lake, out in the middle of farmland, and in
the heart of a big city – sometimes all in the same day!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know myself better though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In twenty years, the likelihood of me
looking okay in a wetsuit (or not getting slowed down by my non-aero batwings
flapping in the breeze), is pretty slim. I may just have to watch my friend race, while I just stand
on the sidelines ringing a cowbell.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is when I hope my delusion keeps up its pace with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I can “trick” myself in to
believing that what I look like out on the course matters less than how I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">FEEL</span></u></i></b>
out on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m just not a “sidelines-bell-ringing” kinda girl.</span></div>
Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21326422.post-4563540114875423542012-11-08T13:42:00.002-06:002012-11-08T13:42:16.292-06:00The New York Marathon that wasn't....<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i>In
case you were wondering how the weekend went….</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
As many
of you know, Warren (my husband) and I were on deck to run the New York
Marathon last weekend. I got in via the lottery and Warren was
running via the charity runner program running for UNICEF.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
It would
have been Warren's second marathon and my 11th. We spent the summer and
fall training together (Warren ran with me as I was getting ready for Ironman
Wisconsin and then continued to train after Imoo was over….) Our
goal was to run the race together, not worry about our time and to just have
fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
Enter
Hurricane Sandy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
After the
storm hit the east coast, we debated for a long time about going to run the
race. Race and city officials assured us that the race would go on,
but we weren't sure that this was the right time to run the race…. That if the
race did in fact happen, there would be a cloud over it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
We
finally decided to go (everything was already paid for; we'd either run or not,
but either way, we'd have a very interesting experience).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br />
We arrived in New York on Friday afternoon. We stayed near Times Square
and, from our location, you would not have known there had been a storm.
Everything above ground from 39th Street up was running smoothly.
There was power, food, water, cell coverage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The local
news was very much 24/7 Sandy coverage. The areas hardest hit
were lower Manhattan, Staten Island, and parts of Queens/Long
Island. It was hard to imagine the water, the sand and the damage
unless you saw the footage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were
just leaving for a UNICEF-hosted dinner when officials announced the
cancellation of the race. Warren and I just looked at each other
and shrugged. What was there to do? On the one hand, we
were disappointed but on the other, much bigger hand, we both understood this
was the right decision.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now on to
Plan B.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We went to the UNICEF dinner and met some really incredible people from all
across the world that had trained and raised money. About half of the
runners were doing New York as their very first marathon. Again, people
were disappointed, but everyone understood the reasoning for cancelling the
race. The organizers let the runners know that the money raised was
already being put to good use, funding projects aimed towards immunizations and
providing clean water. During dinner, NY locals filled others in on
volunteer opportunities available throughout the city where we could help those
that had been impacted by Sandy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So on
Saturday, Warren and I walked down to lower Manhattan and volunteered for
several hours. We helped provide food and water to people (mostly
elderly) that lived in high rise apartments. Their electricity had just
been turned on that morning, so they could finally get out of their
apartments. Again, we met some really terrific people -- other volunteers
and those in need -- who were kind and generous and only wanted to help. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday,
the UNICEF team met in Central Park, where we joined thousands (literally) of
other runners that created an impromptu run. We ran loops of
the park (which was the original marathon course, back in the day).
Runners from all across the world, along with wheelers and Achilles
Runners (those who are disabled) and their guides were there. We
also had many, many spectators along the course that cheered us on and provided
water (on their own dime). It was a very special event.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While not
the race we expected, Warren and I were able to accomplish what we set out to
do: we ran together, we didn't worry about time; we had fun. It was
a very interesting experience indeed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We also
had one additional benefit we didn't plan for, but which made our
weekend: we had the chance to give back a little, providing a
little time, some kind words and a little cash (in the form of donations to
relief organizations).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanksgiving
is coming up. Personally, this is my favorite holiday.
I get to spend time with family, have a meal I love, and still usually find
some time to reflect back and to be grateful for the gifts that have come my
way: health, friends and family, a warm house. I'm
thankful that I have the means to help others in need and I encourage you to
give back in ways that you can to the people/places/organizations that are
meaningful to you. I'm willing to bet that you'll receive much more
in karmic returns than you ever could have expected. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You will
all be on my gratitude list this year…. Just so you know. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08235971347701097496noreply@blogger.com1