Destination Rev3 CedarPoint

Wow...Where do I even start!  First let me just say that I'm sorry it has taken this long to post my race report.  I hope there is someone still out there to read it.   I guess I didn't realize just how much I was putting off so I could get all my training in because I have spent the last two weeks catching up on life. 

The weekend was nothing short of A-MAZ-ING!  Of course I had Jury duty on Friday, because just that's just how my life goes, so I spent the morning in the juror room of the Butler, PA Court house.  Let's just say this was the wrong day for me to be sitting idle! I was just about jumping out of my skin with nerves.   I'm happy to report that I wasn't picked - I am quite certain that if I have had been questioned for the jury that morning I would definitely been lableed  unstable.  After sitting in the room from 8:00 am to 11:30 am they finally  set us free !   We had a couple of errands to run and we could hit the road. 

We arrived at CedarPoint on Friday night at 5:15 - which gave us 45 minutes to pick up my race packet and spend a little time checking out the expo.  Wow, this is quite the event. Packet Pickup was well organized and we were through the process in minutes.  The volunteers were energized and seemed just as excited as all the race participants were to be there.    We met up with Becky and Matt picking up her packet, we realized that were able to view the swim course on the beach so we took a walk out ther...Oh my!! Let's just say 1.4 miles looks like a very long way to swim when you can see the entire course from the shore!  It hit me,  I'm here, I'm actually here.  18 weeks of training is done,  I'm am going to do this...now let's just hope I have done enough to get me through this in one piece!  The things I do to myself, I think  this was completely voluntary...seriously????  OK, I've seen enough, I was starting to feel the paralizing nerves setting in so time to change the topic.   For dinner, we met up with Jerimiah & Chris who were racing their first Full Ironman and Aquabike respectively  as well as Jillian, Nanette and Stacey who would be our cheering squad for the weekend.   It definitely helped to take my mind off everything that was in front of us this weekend.    Oh, and the wine helped too! What?  I trained with it!!

On Saturday morning, Becky & I headed to the swim clinic.  We met up with some of the other racers there with the Get Fit Families Triathlon club to get a swim in before the big event.  I was so happy we would get the chance to get in the water, at least I would know what to expect on Sunday morning.   It was a little windy and overcast skies but the water seemed calm enough.  There had been storms in the area all week that had pushed a lot of black muck to shore.  

No lie,  it was up to our knees, OK, my knees, as we all know I'm vertically challenged... we were covered in mud.  If you remember my post about the open water clinic (I know I keep going back to that day)  earlier and the muck that we had to wade through....at the time I had no idea that it was preparing me for the actual race!  Eventually we were out far enough that the bottom became hard packed sand again and we could start swimming.  Wow, this is going to be tough...it seemed like I was swimming forever and I looked up and I hadn't even gone 400 yards.   Oh boy, my swim leg is going to be slower than I thought.  I had allocated an hour in my goal time for the swim and both transitions, I'm thinking it's going to be tight.  After the swim, we rode our bikes a little to check out the run course and then ran for 10 minutes.  That's it, last chance workout before the race.   I've done all there is!

Thinking back on it, Saturday was really a blur.  I was definitely more nervous than I cared to admit.  There are conversations that people talk about that I have no recollection of.  I posted on Facebook things that were meant for text and vice versa....it was the same "out of body" experience I felt the day before my wedding.  I was there but was I really?   We went to the Mandatory pre race meeting, lunch then 4:30 mass, dinner and it was time to lay out my gear and go to bed.   I was in bed by 9:30 as planned. 

My 4:30 am wake up call came early on Sunday morning....I showered and got dressed.  I brought my breakfast with me- bagel, eggs, yogurt and a banana.  I went down to the cafe to toast my bagel and get coffee.  I tried making eggs in the microwave, which I've done before, but today the smell made me gag thankfully I also brought the  peanut butter.  I tossed the eggs,  spread peanut butter on the bagel and I had the breakfast of champions!  Time for tatoo's - My race number and age markings were tatoos - which really looked so much better than the typical body markings with black marker.   One last time through my gear bag, reviewed my checklist and we were out the door....I'm as ready as I will ever be.   We got to the transition area a little later than I hoped for but it was OK.  Ron wasn't allowed in transition so I had to pump my tires on my own...well, I got the front tire done on my own by I needed Becky to help with back tire.  I'm still a little mechanically challenged.  God help me if I need to change a flat out there....hence the reason for Saturday's mass.  Hey it can't hurt!  OK - transition is all set

It's go time...get the wetsuit on and head down to the swim start - We are as ready as we will ever be so might as well get this thing started!! Between you and me -  I was so freakin nervous I thought I was going to vomit!! Seriously, I thought I had the flu I was so nauseous! 

We're ready!!  We  got to the swim start after the Full Ironman started - I wanted to be there before they started to wish my friends good luck but that didn't happen.  This race was top notch, they didn't forget anything - when we got down to the swim start there was a tribute to 9/11 which really helped me to put everything into perspective.   There were 2,977 flags lined up in the sand, one for every life that was lost on that awful day...so when I thought about my nerves, I would remember how lucky I am to be standing on this starting line, I get to swim, bike and run today...for that I am fortunate. 

We were able to watch some of the full swim, the full Ironman participants swam two loops on the same swim course as the half.  As we were watching, we saw our friend Jerimiah come around the turn around in  3rd place!! How exciting, he had passed pro's out there - amazing!! 1.2 mile swim in 33 minutes - unbelievable!!

The DJ came on and announced it was time for all 40+ women and Athena's to line up.  As I went out to the start I noticed that I was the only pink cap in a sea of yellow....Of course I wasn't the only one to notice, I can't tell you how many people told me I must be in the wrong wave.  Nope, I'm 43 I'm in the right wave (I just got lucky with the pink cap) - Yup I am pretty damb proud as I think to myself I am 43 years old - I started running when I was I 40 and here I am 3 years later at the starting line of a half Ironman - I still don't think I have fully wrapped my head around that yet....Oh yeah and don't get to close ladies.... I'm about to vomit!!  Holy cow, I am NERVOUS!!!!!!  As I think you have to calm down....calm down!!!  You can do this, you have done this in training twice, there is nothing in front of you today that you haven't already done.  So why are you worried??? 

The DJ is counting down, Oh god....5 seconds.....the fog horn goes off and I'm running, yup running right through the muck...and into the water - face is in, Oh god, find a spot, look out for flying arms, legs  bodies....ok I think I have a spot...no one has touched me in a few minutes....breath...you're OK....and there it is the sun...As I felt the sun Ray's on my right side, I felt a sense of calm come over me.  I'm not kidding, this is probably only one of a few vivid memories I have of the day.  I knew I would be OK.   I had to work hard to stay on course but eventually I was rounding the farthest buoy heading back into shore...a little while later I could finally see the roller coaster that I made mental note of on Saturday...once you see that you are home free (and quite frankly I would rather be in this water than on that roller coaster).  

The worst part of this race would be behind me - There it is the shore...I stood up and realized that I stood up too soon.  I should have swam further in, it takes less energy than running through water,  but I was so glad to just be close that I stood up, I tried to get back in but had lost the momentum so I started to run out of the water. 

They had water sprayers to wash our feet off and wet suit strippers at the top of the beach (the best part of the entire day).  Anyone who has tried to get out of thier wetsuit on their own knows how key this is in a race.  Brilliant...lay on the ground and in 2 seconds the wetsuit is off and your on your way.   There was probably a quarter mile run from the water to my bike in transition.  I was trying to catch my breath, get my socks shoes, helmet and gloves on.  It took me longer than I wanted but I needed the extra time just to catch my breath. 

Swim - Goal Time 40 minutes; Actual Time - 44:12
T1 = 5:11 (my friend wanted to know if I blew dry my hair and brushed my teeth while I was in there)

On my bike and off I go for the 56 mile trek through the farm land of Sandusky.

Thankfully the bike was pretty uneventful.  The only technical difficulty was when my Garmin started beeping incessantly at me at mile 28 - damb I forgot to empty the history!! Argh, Oh well, I don't need the watch to ride my bike any way so from mile 28 on I had to rely on my inner clock and work off a scale of 1 -10 in terms of pain level.  I stuck to my fuel and hydration plan, drinking every 15 minutes no matter what and I even grabbed another water bottle at an aid station all while staying on the bike - OK so it wasn't graceful.. I dropped the first one but was able to grab the second one...not bad for never doing that before.   At mile 44 I started to feel some side stitches, I have been having trouble with them on my run after the bike so I was a little worried about getting them during the race.  Still I stuck to the plan, drinking every 15 minutes and eating every 30.  As I came back into the transition area I was feeling pretty good - I still had a lot of energy but I was concerned about the stomach cramping.  As I came in everyone was cheering for me....I was so happy to be done with the bike and to start the last leg....13.1 miles to go....I'm getting closer...Woo hoo!!!

Bike Leg - Goal time 3:15; Actual time - 3:03 (Seriously???)
T2 = 2:15 (That's better)

Into transition - off with the helmet, gloves and shoes, on with running shoes, visor, and race belt.  and I'm off again...I should stop at the port a potty on my way out but I decide to head out and see how it goes.

I wish that was me in the red...I'm the one in the green in the back.  I had a pouch on my race belt full with gels and honey stingers and it was bouncing all over the place.  Yeah, this isn't good - I emptied the pouch and stuck my gels and such in any pocket I could find and tossed the pouch in the nearest trash can I could find.  I'm on my way... one of the girls I leaped frogged on the bike for the last 12 miles came running up beside me - she said looks like we are going to be spending the day together!  My response...as nice as that sounds and as much as I hate to do it....I have to stop at the port a potty coming up so unless you want to wait for me - I guess I will see you at the finish line.  Actually she was a lot faster of a runner than me because I never saw her again, not even at the finish.  Miles 1 - 4 were great, I felt good and my pace was right where I wanted it - Then came mile 5 and so did the cramps, ugh!!  The sun was out and it was hot....I was trying to focus on the scenery - it was really pretty on the water front and through the neighborhoods.  The locals were lining the streets cheering for us.   My pace slowed down to a 10:14 and I thought OK plan B - run to each aid station and then you can walk through each one making sure you get all the water, gatorade and food you need.  The volunteers were awesome - everytime I called out what I needed someone was right there.  Each aid station had petzels and salt tabs - I was worried about taking the salt tablets because I had never taken them before and didn't want to make a complete mess of the race so I took the pretzels and some soda to try and settle my stomach.  I did this at every aid station and the miles were ticking away.  I talked to some really nice people along the way, applauded the first place  pro on his last lap of the marathon, high fived the "Welcome to the Neighborhood" guy and convinced as many people that were walking to start running again.  I'm happy to report that all except one person started to run again.  It took my mind off my own pain.  All along I kept thinking with the exception of the cramps, I can't believe how good I feel.  I couldn't believe I was out there doing it - I like to refer to it as "executing the plan".  Mile 8, slow but good, Mile 9 still crampy and slow....Mile 10 I think I'm going to finish, I'm going to finish 70.3 miles, I'm going to finish a Half Ironman and wait, where are the cramps??? I'm feeling better and I start to pick up my pace - As I run by someone who started to walk - I say...you've come all this way and NOW you're going to walk - you're almost there don't walk now....and she started to run again.  That's it you've got this - mile 11 up the only hill on the course and my legs felt like I just started out on my run - There's12....I've got this thing... the park came into view - I started into the final stretch and I could see Ron running across the parking lot screaming for me - Roy and Jen and the kids were all there too cheering for me...as I rounded the corner and headed down the finishing shoot they handed me an American flag and I could hear more than one person say look at the smile on her face....I knew they were talking about me, I was smiling ear to ear .  I did it and I felt great.  Ron was waitng for me at the end his first words - man you must have picked it up at the end, we weren't expecting you yet!  All I can say is A-MAZ-ING!!  I hope this feeling last forever. 

1/2 Marathon time = Goal 2:15; Actual 2:10
Overall time = Goal 6:15; Actual 6:05
22 out of 39 in my age group and 93 out of 220 women finishers

Thanks to Ron, who through out this journey made me feel like no less than a Rock Star....Becky for doing some of the hardest training with me and standing with me at the starting line.  You certainly made it a lot easier to stay calm.  Roy, Jenn, Luke, Brooke, Ian and Caleb  thanks, once again, for making the trek out to be there for us.  Words cannot express how much it meant to have you there and for your inspirational and thoughtful gift.  Jillian, Nan and Stacey thanks for helping to take my mind off the task at hand and for all he laughs through out the weekend.  To the countless Get Fit Families Triathletes and Dawn Crackers who trained along side of me, especially Judy, Alice & Cheryl for answering all of my questions no matter how silly without rolling your eyes and Jerimiah & Chris for the long bike rides.  And to Joella, who believed I had a half Ironman in me this year when my plan was to wait another year.  You had me more than ready to be standing on that beach waiting to start.  Thank you for the countless lunch hours you spent with me in the pool trying to get my left side to do what it's supposed to do.  The journey is in the training, the race is just the destination!  

Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow....

Well, it's here, it's time to slow down and start making a game plan for Sunday! As I wind down and start making checklists of things not to forget when I'm nervously packing for Rev3, I am also planning my strategy to successfully complete 70.3 miles.    Physically I think I am ready, scratch that, I know I'm ready.  Mentally, I have some work to do.  I'm starting to put together my plan to keep my legs moving when they start to tire and when I know it would be easier to stop than to keep going. 

This isn't my first endurance event, but it is the longest and most challenging to date.  As most of you know, when it gets tough for me, I start to think about people who inspire me to do this.  I think about people who I know without a doubt would be doing similar things if they could and I think of those people who would much prefer the pain I'm about to endure than the things they are faced with on a daily basis.  I am so fortunate to be able to go out and do this every day and I try to never forget that.     The list is long but to name a few -

First there is my Dad, I am so inspired by him and I know if he could do the things that I am doing, he would be right there next to me...doing just that.  For him, I do this because  I CAN.  

There's my coach who, despite Lupus and Asthma, goes out and does this every day.  Some days pushing past immense pain.  For that, I know I have no reason to complain about the temporary pain I feel. 

For my classmate who was on one of the flight's that hit the WTC and for all the victims of September 11.  It's no coincidence that I am doing this event on September 11.  For the past 3 years I do something hard on this day, because I know there are people who would much rather be in my pain than to have had to make the hard decisions of that day.  I would much rather face the fear of an open water swim, than face the fear that the victims of September 11 faced.  Nothing about pushing myself for 6 or 7 hours would ever compare to one minute, to one second of that day.   It reminds me of how thankful we should all be that we were given the gift that each day offers us. 

I think about my brother in-law, Ray who I know sits on  my right shoulder keeping me strong, keeping me safe.  When I feel the warmth of the sun shining down on me, I can't help but to think it's him giving me a high-five.  I remember last fall standing in my kitchen announcing to Ron and Ray that I was going to do a half-Ironman on September 11, 2011 and in his normal, selfless way, he made me feel like what I was telling him was the most exciting news he has ever heard.  He made me feel like I could've gone out that day and got it done!  I miss him everyday and I am so fortunate to have have him in my life.

These are just a few of the people and things I think about to keep my legs moving.  I am so fortunate to know so many strong people, who have overcome emmense obstacles, endured pain and come of it of it stronger, smarter, better.  I am lucky to have a supportive husband, family and close network of friends who I know are thinking about me and are just as excited for me as I am, as I set out to complete this goal.  I will be thinking of all you next Sunday as I do every day.

So as the week starts to shape up - I begin my list of mantra's that I will use to help me finish the last few painful miles:

1. I get to swim, bike or Run today
2. You got this
3. I'm so proud of you
4. You can't say you did it, unless you do it (my favorite)!
5. Just a few more miles and you can do anything you want
6. Look who you've become

So as I think about this journey, and we all know it's not over once the race ends on Sunday.  I think about all the training I've completed, holy cow! I think about all the people who keep encouraging me which helps more than you know to keep getting back on my bike or lacing up my running shoes and I think about how far I have come...I was driving in the car the other day and the song playing on the radio was one I have heard a thousand times, one that's really easy to sing along to, but one I think I only really heard on this particular day-   I leave you with this thought from Fleetwood Mac -

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop it'll soon be here
It'll be better than before
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone

How true...don't let your yesterday ruin your tomorrow.  Keep living for the next goal, the next acheivement, the next celebration,  what ever that will be!  How exciting to think about all the possibilities.  I love you guys!!!

Let the Taper Begin!!

Wow, two weeks to go! The race is right around the corner.  I have essentially completed all of my training and now I'm tapering.  Which is the process of cutting back on excercise two weeks prior to a big event.   In some ways, I'm really excited to take a break and not have to do so much.  However, I'm also nervous about it, I'm hoping I've done enough and I'm ready to go the distance.

My stomach flips every time I think about standing at the starting line waiting for the swim to start.  I've also started to think about what I have learned during the training process.     The first thing I learned that I'm stronger than I thought I was, I had no idea that I had the ability to sustain the hard efforts.  I've learned self discipline, I'm happy to say that there were very few workouts that I skipped.  Even with a busy work schedule, I managed to fit 15 - 20 hours of training in each week.  I really can only think of three work outs in 16 weeks of training that I missed.  Although, my house could be cleaner, I'm behind on answering personal emails and phone calls and I've had to say no to things that I would normally be happy to do (I think there is a lesson in that as well) I know I'll catch up in a few more weeks.  Most of all, I have really enjoyed spending time with so many great people who are also training for the same or similar events and my sister in-law Becky, who has committed to doing Rev3 with me and is sure to Rock it!!  

I think it's going to be hard to cut back on excercise - I will miss the last week of Boot camp and the amazing instructor Tammy.   It's no secret that this is one of my favorite classes at the Cranberry Y and it's only offered in the summer.  With Tammy's instruction and encouragement, you find yourself pushing harder than you knew possible. After every class, I find myself thinking... I can't believe I could do that and that used to be so hard and now I can do 10 or 20.  Tammy, thanks for always raising the bar and for encouraging me to reach higher to grab ahold of it! I dream bigger in part because you inspire me to. I really appreciate all your  cheerleading. 

If you haven't already,  check out Tammy's blog http://thestrengthforlife.blogspot.com/  it's full of great information regarding health and fitness and tips to stay motivated. Every day is something new.

Well, I'm in the home stretch now and even if I didn't get to the starting line, which won't happen, but if I didn't I already feel like I have won, I've gained so much.  Now...Let's Get this Party Started!!

Three Weeks and Counting!

Let the Taper begin!! This past weekend was my last long effort before the race, just three weeks from today. 

This weekend Becky & I headed to Cedar Point to preview the Rev3 race course - at least the bike course anyway.  We had a short swim clinic giving us the opportunity to swim in Lake Erie which was followed by 59 miles most of which was on the actual bike course for Rev 3. This was great, it's nice to know what you will be dealing with come race day and be able to plan accordingly.  The bike course is completely flat, well with some small rollers along the way.  I know, you're saying Oh good....but a flat course brings it's own challenges.  You have to pedal a lot more than if you had hills that you can coast off of and it puts a lot of strain on your lower back and quads.  Mostly because I have done a lot of my training on a hills.  Needless to say we will be looking for flatter rides over the next few weeks.  Then there is the constant wind, which at times, pushing the wind really felt like climbing a hill.   But all in all it was a successful ride, Becky & I completed 56 miles in 3 hours and 15 minutes.   We then followed that up with a two hour run...I wish I could say that went as well.  I have been cramping up really bad during my long runs off the bike.  I'm not sure why but I have 3 weeks to figure that out.   It may be that I am drinking too much too fast on the bike or not getting enough calories or electrolytes....it could be so many things.  All I can say if I have to run with those cramps on Sept. 11 it is going to make for a very long run!! Ouchie!! 

On Sunday, Joella held another open water swim clinic, yup in the same lake I wrote about earlier in my training (see my post on June 21). First, let me just say the vegetation is growing nicely.  There were a lot more lillie pads and sea weeds to contend with than there were in June, which was helpful (not).  However this time I was mentally prepared for it and with a little strategy and help from some good friends I was able to get through the weeds without panicking...Victory!!! After the clinic I swam a mile....yup I did with out panicking and actually kind of enjoying it.    Wow, a mile is a long way to swim, every time I picked up my head to see where the buoy was, it seemed like it was not getting any closer.  But I just kept at it and soon enough I was rounding the farthest buoy and heading back for shore.  Yippee!!! I did it!....there were a few times where the sea weed was thick and freaked me out but I was able to get back into a rhythm pretty quick.  It was big confidence booster to know that I can swim the distance and I was pretty happy with my time too.   On Saturday, we had the chance to swim a little in Lake Erie and I'm happy to report that although the water is not clear, I don't remember seeing on plant or weed and the bottom was nice and sandy...no slime at all. Phew!

What an amazing process this has been and it's not over yet, I'm sure there will be more challenges to face before I find myself standing at the starting line, but I'm ready....I can't wait to get this show on the road.   

Why?

On a few different occassions, over the past couple of weeks, I have been asked the following question by friends...Why do you do it? Why can't you just be happy working out?

The funny thing is, at first, I didn't know how to answer that question. For that reason, I have spent a lot of time thinking about just that, why? Because I can? Well, that's true but that's not the reason. Because I'm stronger than I thought? Closer but still not the reason. Because I didn't think it was possible...I think that's it, well something like that any way.

First, training for an event like a half Ironman is not a work out. It is much different, it's a sport, so like any athlete, you have to train for it. But why did I decide that I should cross over from working out by biking and running to training? I think that's really the question. At least, that's the question I have been contemplating over the past few weeks.

From the time I was a little kid I had no athletic ability, at least I didn't think I did. I remember being afraid to try new things. To put myself out there and actually try to climb rocks or a tree or even monkey bars. I would be in the woods with my friends and I would look on as they walked across logs, jumped over creeks, etc. never having the courage to try it myself. As I got older, I would look on as my friends docked a boat by jumping off the side onto the pier, never would I be able to do that! Why Not??? I remember the first time I climbed a "mountain" of rocks in Marblehead, I was so proud of myself for making it to the top, at the time, of what I thought was a steep climb. The reason? Because the guy I was with was cute, seriously!! But that guy is gone and I still remember the feeling I had when I reached the top! Amazing!!

Turn the clock ahead to age 4o and as I contemplated purchasing a bike I went back in my mind to the time I climbed the rocks in Marblehead. I want this....I can do this!! Ha, until we took the bikes out on a bike trail and I had to ride between the barrier posts, you know the poles where the trail intersects a road to keep larger, motorized vehicles off the bike trail. The first time, I got off my bike and walked - I can't do that...Arrgh, why do I do that? The next time, I went really slow and still got off my bike to get through...a few more tries and I worked out that if you look past the poles to where you want to go, you go right through without any problems...Success!!

That was probably my Eureka moment...as Oprah would say, "My A ha" moment. I apply that same theory to everything I do now, I look past the obstacle to where I want to be and that's where I always end up. Granted, there are still times that I have to talk myself into it, I visualize the situation and derive a plan to get through the fear. Even now, although not as often, I still feel like that awkward kid not capable to doing physical activity. I struggle through, usually by kicking myself in the ass and forcing myself see past the obstacle to where I want to be.

I guess the moral to the story is once you raise the bar high enough, you cross over from just working out, to training the way an athlete trains for their sport. One day you wake up and realize your an athlete, not really understanding how or why, but finding yourself there nonetheless.

I love who I am becoming and the best part....I know this is just the beginning!

So sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been on vacation over the past couple of weeks and things have been crazy. My parents and sister were in town visiting the first week, we had a great time and I was sad to see them go. It is really tough being so far away from everyone but I do love it here. Then I was in New Hampshire with my girls last week, we had a blast!! I have really been blessed with an amazing group of friends. It was great to spend time with everyone! The highlight of the week was biking 67 miles around Lake Winnepasaukee with Nancy & Karen. It was such a beautiful ride, challenging at times but a lot of fun. What an accomplishment and we all did amazing.

In between all that I competed in the Cincinnati Triathlon. My first Olympic distance triathlon (1300 meter swim, 24 mile bike and 10K), it was great to put my training to the test and let me just say, I passed!! Wow, I couldn't believe how tough it was and there were a couple of times where I questioned my sanity for sure, especially jumping into the Ohio river to start the swim. I hope that gets easier over time, I really struggle with the mental part of swimming in open water. The course was beautiful and parts were super fast...The swim was down stream with the current, I loved the extra little push. The toughest part was the run, it was in the 90's, hot and humid. I took it slow, kept drinking water and gatorade at every water station and grabbed an extra cup of water to pour over my head. I finished the triathlon in 2 hours and 49 minutes, 3rd in my age group, 11th woman and 78th overall. I couldn't ask for much more from myself.

It was difficult to stay on track while travelling, but for the most part I got my workouts done, in between drinking and eating way too much. I should have taken advantage of being able to swim in the lake, but I really struggle with that. I got home on Wednesday and I'm still trying to straighten things out and get back into my routine. I have one last sprint triathlon this weekend and then the next event is the 1/2 Ironman...just 6 weeks to go!!

I promise to post more often, one good thing about endurance training is you have a lot of time to think while your out there biking & running, so I have a lot of great topics that I will writing about over the next few weeks. So Stay Tuned.....thanks for all your support, your encouragement really does make it easier to get out there and do this stuff.

The Proof is in the Pudding!

Consistency is key to the success of any goal you set. I know this first hand. This past week proved to me that the patience I have given to the process and my determination to acheive each goal is paying off. I know it's difficult to remain true to your objectives when the process is challenging and the results are slow to come. Setting small acheivable goals helps if you remain consistent to the process and determined to succeed.

I started running 3 years ago now, and my goal at that time was to be able to run 5 minutes straight, next to run a mile and then to run a 5k. My next goal was to run a 5k faster than my first and so on. If you told me then that I would eventually run a marathon I would have truely laughed out loud! That wasn't my goal then, I was deliberate in setting short term acheivable goals. Last week we ran a mile time trial at running club. This is where you go to a track and run a mile as fast as possible. I ran a 7:35 mile....are you kidding me? I know there are people who are running miles in the 4 - 5 minute range... but they aren't me. I ran a 7:35 which is 45 seconds faster than the time trial I ran 9 months earlier.

I started biking before I began running. I was sticking to the trails and taking my time all the while Becky & Rhonda, my sister in-laws, were biking on the road to train for their first triathlon. Secretly I wanted to ride on the road more than anyone knew, but I kept riding the trails until I felt strong enough to try the road. I will never forget the first time I went out with the "big kids". Becky stayed with me, even though she was training for her own event, and as we were climbing hills she was coaching me all the way. When it got really tough, and it did, she told me to watch her pedals as she attempted to pull me up the hills. And when I told her I had to walk my bike up the bigger hills, she walked with me. I can't tell you how much that meant to me...it was that day that I told myself that can't was no longer an option and that would be the last time I would push a bike up a hill (well not really) but I made a pact with myself not to give up on myself, that I could get up those hills. Last weekend I participated in the same sprint triathlon that Becky & Rhonda were training for that first summer I attempted to climb those hills. This was my second time doing this race - shaving 8 minutes off last years overall time and I rode that that bike course the fastest I ever have. Unbelievable!!

On Sunday, my workout was to climb 10 hills to be named by my coach Joella. I had no idea what was coming but I had heard rumors about one of the climbs and believe me I was more nervous about this ride than I was about the race the day before! I had no idea what was in store for me that day but I knew I would do my best no matter what. I climbed hills that I know for sure I would have walked even last year. It was such a good feeling as I reached the top of each climb, huffing and puffing but still seated securely on my bike. Oh and I wasn't the last person up the hill either but I was sure to encourage them as I descended past them, knowing that if they keep at it, they won't be next time either.

You need to celebrate your victories, all of them, the small ones and the ones that blow your mind. Create a plan and stick to it....I can't tell you how good it feels when you can measure your success. The proof is in the Pudding!!

All in a Day of Training

Happy 4th of July! This is such a fun weekend for us, Ron's family has a reunion/cook off every year on the fourth. It's always a great time, a weekend with family filled with lots of laughs and a ton of great food!

Last Thursday when I checked training peaks for my weekend work outs I couldn't believe my eyes. Saturday was a 6 hour brick (2000 yd swim, 3 hour bike, 2 hour run). Are you kidding me? Am I ready for that??? In addition to that, our cookoff team was scheduled to serve lunch on Saturday. Now how am I going to get a 6 hour work out in and make lunch for 57 people? LOL! After a few text messages, we were able to swap our lunch for dinner that night. Now back to how the heck am I going to get this work out done? In addition to Saturday's work out there was Sunday's 3 hour brick (2 hour bike, 1 hour run) and Monday's 2 hour and 20 minute brick (2 hour bike, 20 minute run). OMG! Can I do this? Of course I can....

First, I made a pact with myself to attack one work out at a time, I was not allowed to think about the next day until I finished the work at hand. Still, Holy Crap!!! On Saturday, the triathlon club I belong to was planning to meet at the Park at 5:30 am to swim, bike & run. Thankfully Judy was also scheduled to do the same work out as I had, her half Ironman is in 2 weeks, so we decided to stick together. I can't begin to tell you how important that factor was going to be in my success for this workout. She was a true god send! It really helps to have friends who share the same goals as you to do this with.

I felt great during the swim and the bike, nutrition was spot on, I had plenty of energy and when we came in from the bike I couldn't believe how good I felt, I definitely had a run in me. Judy and I changed our shoes, strapped on our water belts filled with water, powerade and honey stinger waffles. The first hour & 20 minutes of the run were great, I was still feeling strong at mile 8. The sun was starting to come out and it was getting hot, I went through all of my water and filled up at the next water bubbla (that's Bostonian for water fountain). At mile 10 we passed my coach Joella and Jeremiah, high fived each other and kept on running. Soon after that is when I hit a monster wall...it was like falling off a cliff how sudden the drop in energy was. At an hour and 45 minutes self doubt started to creep in to my head. I kept trying to shake it off, telling myself I can't say I did this huge work out unless I do it and you already have 5 hours and 45 minutes in, you are not giving up now! Still my pace was dropping off dramatically and I just wasn't sure where I was going to get the energy to finish this. Then Judy started to pull away from me on the trail and I kept trying to catch back up to her. Finally, she circled back to get me and said, we have 6 minutes left...you can do anything for 6 minutes. She was right, we finished right by the lake. We took our shoes off and headed for the water....Aahh!! Thanks to Judy and my determination not to quit I finished a monster work out. Sure I couldn't form a full sentence when I was done and I'm pretty sure I was completely delirious for 30 minutes following the run but I was done! I also have to mention how grateful I am that Ron waited around for hours after he finished his work out to take me home....which turned out to be the best thing as I'm not sure I could have actually driven a car!

Judy & I decided to stick together for the rest of the weekend. We met up with 3 other women from our group on Sunday to ride for 2 hours and then we ran an hour. On Monday it was just the two of us, we met for an "easy" 2 hour ride and 20 minute run. I have to say that Judy is going to do awesome at her event, she is so ready for it! I learned so much from her this weekend.

Well, I made it - we travelled 108 miles on our legs this weekend 88+ miles on the bike and 20 miles of running.

Having friends to work out with really makes hard work outs so much nicer and it's easier to get moving when you know someone is meeting you. Surrounding yourself with positive, encouraging people who share similar goals with you is key. When you start to doubt yourself, they remind you of how strong you are. Having a supportive family who made me feel like a rock star after each workout is priceless! I really am so blessed!
This weekend made me even more confident in my goal - I am really doing this thing!!

Week 4 - Creating a Balance

I've always said, I work hard but I play harder. My career and training are both important but my family & friends are even more important to me. At times I can work 50 - 60 hours a week and now my workouts are running around 12 hours per week and I know that is only going to go up. So how do you fit in the fun? I make time the time by having a plan, setting priorities and making to do lists, which really help me keep it all straight.

This past weekend, Nancy & David came to Pittsburgh for the Red Sox Series. Roy, Roger, Sharon, the kids and Ron's dad Bob were also coming in for a game. I really wanted to spend as much time with them as possible but I also had 5 1/2 hours of training to fit in as well. We were staying in the city with them, so this was going to be hard. I decided the best thing to do was get up at 4 am on Friday so I could be on my by bike by 5:30 and done with my run by 9:00, was it difficult to get up? Yup, you bet it was, but it was a priority and I was happy to get it done. On Saturday, I was able to sleep in, something I haven't been done in a while. We had a great weekend, and it was nice not feeling guilty about neglecting a workout. I was able to relax, recharge and most importantly, enjoy my time with great friends. I also learned more than anyone needs to know about Furries, a story for a different blog! Really?! On Monday morning, I was back at it again up early to get in a 2 hour run in. It's true, you can do it all...you just have to set priorities and understand what's important. We had a blast this weekend with Friends and Family!!

Week #3: The Open Water Swim - My Personal Fear Factor

I am starting this blog a little late - I am 3 weeks into formal training for the half Ironman, but I have been working towards this goal for a while now. Some training sessions are good, I feel strong, like I can could go on forever and others have me weak in the knees, having me digging down deep to find the courage to forge forward. At times I don't have to go to far, I can usually find motivation by telling myself that I get to swim, bike or run today. I have several positive affirmations that I tell myself when the going gets tough and lastly I think of all the people who would if they could and would much rather be doing what I'm doing then struggling with what they have been presented with.

Well, on Sunday I pulled out all the tricks and still it took a lot of coaxing to make it through an open water swim. I participated in a Swim Clinic at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park. I swim in this lake often, mostly because it's the only one close by. It is dark water so it's a little intimidating at first but once I get in I usually relax pretty quickly. We were swimming in a new section so I was nervous, anticipating what it would be like. We had the option of swimming a 1/2 mile loop or 1/4 mile loop. I chose the 1/2 mile and planned to do it twice as the 1/2 Ironman swim distance is 1.2 miles so I thought this would be good practice. I have to say that 1/2 mile buoy looked like it was a long way from the shore!

We started out as a group to simulate the mass start of triathlon - as I stepped into the water I sunk down 3 inches into muck...ewww. Grow up I tell myself - the sooner you start swimming the sooner you will be out of the muck! We're off - well right into a patch of lillie pads, as they are sticking to me I am beginning to panic, it's just plants, Traci stop it!! OK I'm through it, wait, what is that stuck to my arm? Oh god!! Oh....it's just the string on the zipper of my wetsuit. What the heck am I doing? Get a hold of yourself, relax, relax ...face in the water, OK I'm swimming, nope...I'm inhaling with my face in the water, not good!! I'm on my back trying to get a hold of my breathing, no matter how hard I try I can't get a hold of myself. You're fine, I tell myself, where the heck is that first buoy, I feel like I have no energy and it goes on from there.

Well I'm here to talk about it, so obviously I made it. However, I completely bonked, my energy levels were low and I needed food and collect myself. On the shore I got a Honey Stinger Waffle and some Gaterade and my energy levels slowly came back. But now, nothing in me wanted to get back in the water. I knew I had to, if I didn't I would be going home defeated and THAT was not going to happen! It took a lot of coaxing by myself, by my coach and my husband but I got back in, got through the muck and the lilly pads as quickly as possible and I swam, like I knew I could!

Although I wasn't proud of my performance that first time out, I was proud of myself for getting back in and not giving up on myself! I have much work ahead of me, mostly on my mental game, but I know I will be successful...I know I can do it!

I have wanted to start a blog for quite some time but I have struggled with getting it started. I could start by saying I was a heavy kid, yes I was the kid that practically threw up at the end of running the 600 yard dash in gym class (man I dreaded that day each school year). I could tell you about all my yo-yo dieting in my 20's & 30's. How I sporadically belonged to various gyms, diet programs, etc. Then there's all the bad decisions I made in my early adult life because I was missing self-confidence during the years whe you struggle to define yourself. But really? blah, blah, blah! We all struggle, we struggle with our appearance, with finding self-confidence, we struggle to define who we are, who we hope to be. It's all part of our journey and it's up to each of us to define it. You can choose to fall victim to all the negative experiences, blame others for not having the things you wish could have, or you can learn from your experiences, find the positives in each challenge that comes your way, rise above them, choose to learn from the experience and to persevere. What I have ultimately come to realize is I own my own journey. I am responsible for the person I choose to be, no one else, just me. I think Oprah said it best in her final show when she said, "Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room". Wow, how true is that?

I am thankful for all the blessings I have been given in my life, for I have many. I have an amazing husband, who encourages me to go for it, whatever "it" may be. A supportive family, many, many good friends, a great career and the strength and health to lead a Fit and healthy life.

3 years ago, I made a conscious decision to remove the word "Can't" from my vocabulary and I haven't looked back since. That's not to say I haven't stumbled, but I haven't stopped. I started biking & running and then came swimming - In the past three years, I have taught myself how to run, competed in seveal 5k's, a few half marathons and a marathon. And, in the process I have lost 25 lbs. and 5 dress sizes. But that's not the best part. The best part is I also learned that I am strong, confident and happy.

I am about to embarque on my biggest challenge yet. On September 11, 2011 I will compete in my first Half Ironman, that's 70.3 miles of self propelled insanity. I hope you will follow along with me, as I journal about my training, the challenges I face and how I over come the fear that continually rears it's ugly head just about every day in one way or another. And, in the process, maybe I'll inspire you to stretch yourself past your comfort zone, in whatever your "IT" is.