Introducing

Blogger world I would like to introduce you all to the  newest member of my family. 

Insert Circle of Life song here. Yes I hate that I even thought of that reference. 

 

 

 

I was beginning to think he would never arrive. I had actually spent time looking for other bike options due to the shipping mishap. But I am glad I held out. From the moment I took him out of the box I knew he was where he was meant to be. Thus, it was time to find a name.

Interesting how things work out... Just this week as Matt and I were sitting on the beach in Coco Cay, Bahamas sipping on the island drink of the day and reading our separate books (me Lance Armstrongs newest The Making of the Worlds Greatest Champion. (very good read by the way) and Matt some business magazine full of facts and figures Blah). When I turned to him and simply said "I want to go to Hawaii one day" without even looking up from his reading he said "I know and we probably will but once will at least be for a vacation." "You know what for?" "Yup I know". That was the end of the conversation. I sat there for a while trying to figure out #1 how he knew, and #2 what I had just openly admitted I wanted to do (It may have been the island drink talking). Anyway, it was rather odd and I am still not sure where the goal came from but its out there.

As I pulled the bike from its box and sat it out to make sure everything was there I was struck by how detailed and vivid the color design was. The bike is different blues some of which contain a sparkle with white accents. There design seems to resemble waves of rip tides along the bike and the word Ironman is almost taunting you as it is written along the bike in three separate locations.

 

As I was exchanging excited (I finally got my bike) e-mails with KC I mentioned I wanted to come up with a good name. She sent an e-mail back suggesting I go with a Hawaiian name. After reading her suggestion my mind immediately went back to the previous conversation I had with Matt several days earlier. It was perfect, seemingly meant to be. The bike itself screams Hawaii. 

 

So I searched for the perfect Hawaiian term that would be fitting for the bike... I slept on it and as soon as I got up this morning and looked at the bike again I knew exactly what his name should be...

 

 

Koa [koh (w)ah] meaning Brave, Bold, Fearless.

 

All these things are things I am not when it comes to the bike. So I find it fitting his name is Koa so I can focus on his name and its meaning and gain these attributes and apply them in my ridding.

What, I'm Serious!

So I was sent a question through an anonymous source asking if I wear running gear when I go to court. I am guessing it’s due to this Q &A that is going around blogger land as to why I have gotten randomly emailed questions. I have been MIA for a moment so I did not even know about the whole Q&A thing and deleted some questions my apologies. But since you wanted to know…  

Of course I do! I think it's totally appropriate to wear my Nike Frees with the rest of my court room attire. No Really I do! 

Cancel the BOLO.

I guess I can start by saying it has been not just a minute but a Hot Minute. Sorry, for my absence in writing. I got the message the other morning as I was picking up my OJ in the gas station when I saw the milk carton with my face planted on the side. So cancel the BOLO I’m still here alive and well. No worries.

I am currently in week 8 of my 70.3 training. I decided going with a two-a-day schedule would be my best option when it came to getting my training in and I have stuck with it. I can gladly say I have only had one week, last week, which I feel was almost a complete waste. I don’t know what my problem was but I was just not on my game and each time I tried to run I would literally get sick to my stomach so I did not accomplish much but I am happy to say I have found my game face again. Let’s see my overall miles thus far are: Swim: “about” 7 miles, Bike: 405.05, Run: 119.09 and 21 strength sessions. Still plenty of time left, right…

It’s been interesting trying to juggle family, work, vacation, and training all in. I will say I have learned a ton from this increased training lifestyle. Time management being one big lesson learned. I am currently working the morning shift which is from 6:30am – 3pm so I start my day at 4am on the bike and get almost an hour in before work then as soon as I get off work I head straight to the gym and depending on what is on my schedule swim/run/lift, all three, or a combination. I am usually home right after the hubby gets home have my recovery drink, shower, cook dinner, clean up, get the uniform and gym bag ready for the next day, then go to bed. I feel like an “old old old” (none of you are that old) person since I am now asleep by 9. It’s crazy but I am worn out.

Another thing I have learned, trying to fit training sessions in on a vacation regardless of time length is difficult. My family had their annual Christmas in July vacation over the 4^th of July weekend and while I did get some good hill training in I still did not get as much done training wise as I would have had I been home under my normal routine.

How could I when I was surrounded by these adorable little kids for 3 days????  

This brings me to a question… I will be leaving in two weeks for 7 days of straight chillin with my hubby on the high seas/Bahamas thus missing my week 11 of training. This worries me. I know there is a gym on the ship that has the wonderful dreamill and bikes but I’m afraid my husband would be really upset if I spent hours plugging away in a gym while on our vacation… Sigh, so what do you all think is going on vacation supposed to only be about vacation or is it reasonable to expect to still work in some quality workouts? How do you fit training into your vacations??

I do have some interesting news… I decided to purchase a new ride. After consulting with KC on cycling specifics I settled on a Cannondale Ironman 5000 Dura Ace Triathlon bike that I had located on Ebay.

Meet the new addition.

I watched the bike for several days and decided to go after it since the price was what I thought to be a good deal. I placed my bet and won! Super excited. This was a week and 3 days ago now. I got home from work on Monday and saw a box on my front porch but when I opened it there was a set of Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 Carbon Tri tires (which are VERY nice) but not what I bought. I sent the seller an email and explained to him the mix up at which he responded to me by saying the bike store he took my bike and another persons wheelset to must have switched the orders thus giving me the tires and the other person my bike. He has yet to tell me what he is going to do to fix it. So I am still waiting on my bike. I am however, fairly sure someone who spent this much money on a wheelset already has a nice bike and will not opt to keep mine. I just wish they would send it back already and someone would tell me where to send the wheelset. I for one don’t feel right having someones item esp since they want their wheelset i'm sure as much as I want my bike. I sure hope this gets fixed this week.

 

Happy Training!  

Taking a leap

I spent two full weeks going back and forth on what I felt I "needed" to do vs. what I felt I "wanted" to do. Thus, I finally came to the conclusion that I tend to over-think things and I should just go where I felt lead. So I signed up for the Augusta 1/2 Ironman that will take place on September 25, 2011. I know I am no where near being ready for such a beast of a race but I can't help the pull I feel of such a challenge. I honestly don't have a clue where to even start training for such an event. I know what I need to do running wise since I have trained for the 13.1 miles in solo form but 1. I'M NOT A SWIMMER and 2. While I have enjoyed learning the whole cycling thing I'm not very strong there yet.
The finally push for me came to me in the cartoonist light bulb moment - you know the thoughts you get that just click right into place regardless of the countless hours you have spent searching for the correct answer. You see I have been helping a group, all middle aged gentlemen police officers, with their fitness desires. Some are wanting to be stronger, others just wanting to be healthy and feel better, and a few who just want to be able and run their first 5K (which a couple have done now =)). Anyway, I have written some lifting plans and I run with a group after work for as long as they want to run and at their pace. I have been doing this for about 8 months now. Anyway, I can remember at the beginning all the self doubts and fears they shared with me about starting a fitness plan. I did not always know the right thing to say but I would try and I know they look to me for support and motivation when it comes to their fitness. I don't know why I am not an expert at all in the area I just love anything to do with fitness and I guess that just tends to radiate off me at times. Anyway, it hit me.. Here I am telling these guys that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone in order to achieve something we want to achieve and yet I was struggling with the exact same thing I am preaching to them about. So there I was thinking how can I attempt to help them overcome their fears of training, distance, pace, whatever if I can't first say I have overcome my own. Just seems to be slightly hypocritical of me to do. So there you have it sometimes those light bulb moments are for the best. Ironman 70.3 Augusta I'm coming for you!

Where to go from here.

I feel lost without a race on my calendar literally just miserably lost. I need that goal to work towards. It’s odd since my workouts don’t suffer any it’s just my overall mental attitude. I don’t get mean or anything like that just somewhat dejected. I think a lot of this has to do with my career choice. I know I use training as my medication or my escape from the day to day ignorance iniquitous people I am surrounded with. I am okay with this fact because if you think of all the other ways one can de-stress I would say this has to be close to the healthiest. It gives me something to look forward to each day (other than my hubby) and keeps me focused.  Therefore, I have been searching for races during my free time in order to find something to work towards. 

Seconds after completing my first Tri I wanted to do it again. Addicting is not even a strong enough word for the pull I felt in the direction of this new creature. So I started looking for another Tri. I want to do another Olympic distance and get my time down but I also feel like taking it to the next level and attempting a 70.3. I may be a bit insane. I’m not sure I am capable of a 70.3 (the 70 miles will be okay but that .3 may kill me). I noticed the Augusta, Ga ½ Ironman is still open for September 25 2011. I just don’t know if I have enough time to get to where I would want to be. I have 17 weeks from this week but really it would be more like 16 weeks because I am taking Mathew to the Bahamas for a week for his MBA graduation gift in August. I know I will not do much while gone other than a little running. So I don’t think I should factor that week in. I turned in the request to have the weekend off of the ½ ironman but am still waiting on it to get approved from work. I don’t know what is taking them so long to approve it but it has given me time to flip/flop in my head my ability to complete such a distance. I just don’t know. Where do I start??? I have started getting up at 4am and riding my bike on the trainer for an hour before getting ready for work and I love the energy that provides me. I hit the gym on my way home and run and lift. I have yet to make it to the pool but it’s on schedule. I just don’t know I would hate to take on something I am not fully prepared for. All I know for sure is I need to find a race soon.          

Lake Oconee Olympic Triathlon Race Report.

After a few days of mentally absorbing this race I have finally found some time to sit down and write out my race report. I had gone over to the race start on Friday May 20th in order to pick up my race packet. While I was there the crew was setting everything up so I stood around for a little while and tried to make mental notes on where everything was so that when I arrived the next morning I would not be walking around looking lost. I went down to the water where they were setting up the big yellow inflatable marker. I stood there for a while being mesmerized by how far out the marker seemed. I remember thinking to myself over and over "I have to swim that far twice there is no way". I have said it before and I will say it again I am not a swimmer by any stretch of the imagination. I have gotten better but I am far from being consistently good. Anyway, when I realized I was mentally panicking I turned around and walked away. I found out the transition area opened up at 5am in order for those participating to set up their gear. So I left and attempted to push the swim portion as far from my mind as possible. I went back to the house and had a grill out with my family and some friends that have driven in. I cooked the meal Jason from Cook, Train, Eat, Race sent me, The Blue Line Runner Risotto, which was a HIT I must say. I hung out and talked with everyone before going to bed around 9:30.

Like most people the pre-race excitement had me tossing and turning all night. I got up before my alarm went off at 4:30 and showered, dressed, and headed downstairs to have my cup of coffee and some chow. I think I was only able to drink 1/2 the cup and eat one piece of toast with peanut butter, agave nectar, and a banana. I was just to nervous to eat anything else. My husband, Mathew, had come downstairs by this time and asked me if I was ready. I don't think I even answered him just shrugged my shoulders and walked to the truck to make sure my transition bag and bike were there.

We got to the park around 6:15 and there were only a handful of people there which I found surprising. I sort of thought we were running late since it opened at 5. Mathew inspected my bike gears once again for me since I had some issues with the front gears the day before and put the right amount of air in my tires (he is just the BEST). I got my bag and bike and walked into the transition area. As soon as I got in I noticed they had names on each spot in order of your number. I was number 21 so I found my spot which was on the outside right by the bike exit (remember this part). I got my spot all set up and one of the race crew walked over and put my numbers on me. I almost had to show the lady my ID when I told her I was 28 not 18.  I did not have a clue you had your age put on your left leg I am still not really sure why its there...  The only thing I can figure is so that you can look for others in your age group in case you are attempting to place in your AG. (For those of you that know why you are marked with your age can you tell me?) My family, all 13 that came, kept asking me why I had a 28 on my leg and 21's on my arms =). For some reason the race crew had missed # 20s spot so when he got there there was a little issue with spacing. We were ontop of each other and instead of turning his bike opposite of mine he turned his the same way which literally left them touching each other. I thought about switching mine but If I had I would have messed up #22.. so I just left it alone. 

Once I was done setting up my little spot I started walking around and stretching. I glanced at the water once but looked away and tried to just remind myself I was not trying to win anything just finish. As I was walking around a camera man came up and asked if he could have an interview. I thought he was joking at first why in the world would he want to interview me. But he was being serious so I stood there and answered his questions. Once he learned this was my first Triathlon he went insane with questions and kept commenting on how "hard" (his words not mine) this course was. Seriously that is not the best thing to hear when your trying not to be nervous. After all that was done it was time to get into my wetsuit and head down to... the dang water. Here we go!

Swim: 44:21
The part I was the most nervous about. I just wanted to get it over with. So as we are standing there waiting on the instructions there was a lady standing next to me who taped me on the arm and said "do we have to swim to both of those yellow things?". I was looking at her and realized she had just said "both" I was sort of confused because I had only seen one but I looked at where she was pointing and there it was another yellow marker off to the left of the one I had seen. CRAP. I turned around and located Mathew in the crowd I think he saw the fear in my eyes because the next thing I know he was at my side. I pointed at the marker and said I think I have to swim to both of those things... Twice. He said yeah but there is no need to worry you have this gave me a hug a good luck and walked away. To late to worry now I just have to do it however I can find the way to do it. Honestly, I am sort of glad I did not know till seconds from the start I think had I seen it much sooner I would have checked myself in for a mental evaluation. The buzzer went off and we hit the water. I got hit a few times I hit a few people I think that is just par for the course. It seemed like it took me forever to settle down. When I finally felt like I was settling down we had to exit the water, run around a flag, and get back into the water for lap #2. I was still worn out from lap #1 but I got back in for lap #2 which hyped me up again and I found myself trying to settle down once again. I don't know what else to say about the swim other than I have got to get stronger at swimming. Surprisingly I was not last out of the water. I was SOOOO happy to be done with that part! As can be seen by the smile on my face! I did a whole combination of swimming techniques some of which were made up on the spot but all I cared about was moving and not drowning. 

T1: 2:42
I had gotten my wetsuit almost all off before getting to my bike but I had to sit down and pull the rest of it off. I had to almost crawl under my bike to get my bike shoes because they had gotten hit, moved, or something by #22. I doubt he meant to we were just that close. My family was standing there talking with me about the swim as I was putting my shoes on. That helped calm me down a little. I told them I would see them in a few and started to head out. Well me and my brilliance ran all the way to the run exit until I realized my family was yelling at me that I was going the wrong way. Yep, remember when I said I was right by the bike exit well I screwed that one up. I went to the opposite end had to turn around and go back to the other end. Sigh, I could not help but laugh at this mistake! Live and learn.


Bike: 1:41:41
That was a tough 25 mile ride. Lots of hills but wonderful views. I was hoping for a time in the area of 1:15 but once I saw the amount of hills I knew that was not going to happen. There was an officer at each intersection during the whole ride to stop traffic for us. I made sure I said thanks to each one of my Brothers and Sisters in Blue not that they knew I was one of them I was just very thankful I did not have to stop. There were lots of turns that were at the very bottom of hills which meant I had to slow down before the turn only to be faced with an instant uphill clime. Due to this I was forced to use my front gears which I have never needed before. Well I must say I found my bikes flaw. When I tried to switch the front gears it was a mess I had to spend time trying to get the gears back in the right place which meant my legs were working on double time. I had discovered this flaw while on a ride the day before with Mathew in the hills. He worked on them as much as he could but said ultimately it was due to the low end of the bike. I see a new bike in the very near future. I was trying to save as much of my legs as possible because of the six mile run I still had facing me but my legs were already beginning to burn esp in my thighs. I passed a few people on the bike leg and was passed by one guy who came out of nowhere (Kevin you will meet him later on). I was impressed at how fast he seemed to be going. I had only taken one water bottle with me and I had finished it just before I turned into the camp grounds. I used one Gu as soon as I got on the bike which gave me the rush I was hoping for and lasted the entire ride. 


T2: 1:13
I ran into the transition area and attempted to lift my bike into place. My bike is very light but for some reason at this point it felt like it weighed 50 pounds. I started laughing because I had to use both arms to pick it up and place it on the bar. Maybe I was delusional I don't know. I had noticed that the sun was out in full it had to be near 90 at this point because it was HOT out. I grabbed my race belt, garmin, running hat,  and switched into my running shoes. Mathew and my mom where there cheering me on. I took off once again.


Run: 1:08:30

My dad is on the Right with my Mother-in-law in the middle.

I am very thankful for the bricks I had done during my training because that feeling of running right after a ride is insane. It took me a moment to get into my stride as soon as I found it I instantly knew the run was not going to go as I had planed. I had not gotten a mile into the run before my left thigh went into fits of cramps. I had to stop mid stride and try to stretch it out. A guy, Kevin (The fast bike guy), came up and stopped to check on me. I told him I was okay just had a cramp and for him to keep going. He told me that if it was okay by me he would walk with me for a little while because he was not feeling so well after drinking so much lake water =). I started walking and after about 200 feet I felt like I could start running again so we started running. I was doing fine for a little while, Kevin dropped out wishing me luck, till my thigh began cramping again. So for the rest of the run part I had to do a run walk ratio depending on when I had a cramp. I was passing people and I almost cried each time I had to stop and walk out another fit of cramps. I can't recall a race in which I have ever waked. Running is my thing and I was counting on that to finish the race strong. Of all the races I have done this was by far the most difficult hill race ever. I would find it extremely challenging just as a 10K alone. I got to the 5 mile marker and told myself I was not going to stop anymore for any reason until I crossed the finish line. I saw another runner a little bit in front of me and I set my sights on their back and took off. As I rounded the corner and the finish line came into view my dad, also a runner and wonderful supporter, was there telling me I was almost done he ran right beside me making sure not to touch me. I was in intense pain my left thigh was in knots and I had acquired a new cramp on the back of my right thigh. I know my stride had to look funny.. My dad, family, people I don't know went wild yelling at me to keep going. So that is what I did I kept going till I crossed the line. 

Overall Time: 3:38:25


I had such a mix of emotions after crossing the line. My family was all there giving me hugs, water, and congratulating me. Mathew greeted me with the biggest smile, a dozen yellow roses, and a necklaces that is a triangle that says TRI in the middle. Seriously, I love that guy to death!  My mind was just numb I don't think I could comprehend that I had just finished something I had once only dreamed about. A finishers medal was placed around my neck and I remember thinking of all the medals I have acquired over the years this one felt truly earned. I felt like everyone was probably ready to go back to the house and get some lunch since they had been there watching me all day but my cousin Amy kept saying "no we can't leave till after the awards ceremony". I kept saying there was no need to stay since I just wanted to finish and was not going to be getting any awards. She insisted so we hung out for a while. We made our way to the tent for the awards ceremony and cheered for those that were getting awards. Then they got to the female age group 25-29 and I was talking with Mathew about something when I heard 2nd place goes to Summer Bailey. My first thought was wow that's odd there are two Summer Baileys... Then it hit me they were calling me. My family went wild and began pushing me forward. I was in shock. The lady who I had met at the swim (the one who pointed out the second marker) came over and hugged my neck telling me how impressed she was with me. She was also doing her first Tri and I had informed her it was my first time as well back at the water. As I was walking away I could hear others saying can you believe that was her first Triathlon.

If I was not in shock already I received an email Monday form the race directors stating there had been an issue with my time chip and after a recalculation I had not come in 2nd place in my AG but 1st WHAT... So they are sending me a gold medal in the mail. 











 

Its been a couple of days since the race and my mind has yet to comprehend what I just did. All I know is that I want to do it again. I want to be faster, better, stronger for the next time. For all of you that wished me luck before the race Thank you. I could not have done it without you! Now to figure out what to do next.

I'm Ready!

It’s been a week. Or shall I say its been an interesting two weeks. Last week was supposed to be my final “big numbers” training week but I was sidelined for the most of the week due to a sudden, out of nowhere, uninvited infection. Doctor told me I had caught it just in time before it turned to strep so I dodged a bullet there. Anyway I did not get much training done because I was so afraid I was going to make myself sicker and I did not want to chance not being able to participate in the Triathlon.  

This week was set to be my taper week. I am not the best at tapering and I have found it’s even harder for me when the taper week falls after such a low almost no performance week. I was able to make it to Greensboro, Ga on Tuesday afternoon and have spent the past 4 days training in the hills and checking out the bike and run race routes. I have learned a few things since having arrived.

First, expect the unexpected. I did not even remotely think I would need a wetsuit by this time of year esp. in Georgia. However, when I got in the water I realized it was freezing.  The temps have been in the upper 90s but there has been a cold front that moved in around the end of last week and has stayed. Anyway I got in the water and I rather quickly removed myself. This was on Wednesday. So I did what anyone would do in my situation, panic, I sought out some advice from an expert in the field, KC of 140 Point 6 Miles of Awesome.  I don’t know what I would have done without her help. Within an hour she had sent me to the Xterra website and told me her recommendation, the Vortex 3 full sleeve, along with finding a coupon allowing me to get the wetsuit at ½ the price. It does not get better than that! Today has been the first day it has been warm and by warm its back in the 80’s and the weather people are saying lower 90s for race day. Depending on what the temp of the water is tonight I may not even get to wear the suit. But I dang sure have one now if the water temps don’t reach 78.

Second, Valdosta, Ga is FLAT. I had done some training on hills around there but let me say the hills there are the flat part here. I drove the bike and run course and I could not believe I was about to attempt anything other than driving a car on such hills. But it is what it is and I am not going to let it hinder my attempt.

Third, there are some amazingly supportive and inspiring people that will go out of their way to help a “stranger”. Sure I help people but it’s my job, I get paid to do it. What I truly find inspiring are those that do it just out of the kindness of their heart. Since having joined blogger I have been very fortunate to have “met” some of these people. I feel as if I have been accepted into a community of others that share a common interest and are not out to say “Hey, look at me I’m better than you” but more like “Hey, how can I help you get to where you want to be”. I find so much inspiration from these people and if you’re reading this you more than likely are one of the people I am referring too. Kc, as I have mentioned before, has been one of the most inspiring, motivating, helpful people I think I have ever met. Another blogger, Jason, who writes the blog Cook, Train, Eat, Race, go check out his site he was kind enough to produce this menu for me yesterday. Amazing!!! There are so many more to mention. For each of you that have sent me motivation Thank you it has kept me focused and consistent in my effort at reaching my goals.  

I have so much more to share but I need to head over to the park and pick up my race packet. My family has driven in and we are having a grill out tonight burgers for them and spaghetti for me with Jason’s The Blue Line Runner Risotto!

Hopefully, tomorrow I will have finished something I have dreamed about doing for some time now. If I’m last I don’t think I will ever care because I will have finished. With that said next time I sign on I hope to have EARNED a new title.