Ironman Cozumel

The goal was run well, nail my nutrition and KQ.  Well I KQ'd!  But did not run well and as for the nutrition, the win was I did not puke or have diarrhea (which I have at every other hot humid IM) the lose was I had severe leg cramps for 23 miles, likely an electrolyte or salt issue.  So that is STILL a work in progress,

Let's break it down. 

SWIM- point to point with the current, advertised and reported to be "amazing, like an aquarium,  #1 Ironman swim"    Due to a NE storm we had a lot of chop, the marine life I was was mostly plastic bags and trash and the sea life were jellyfish.   I was tangled up twice in lobster pot ropes so I suppose that was a bit of a challenge.  It was fast for sure but not "amazing"   52:33

BIKE- 3 loops, lots of wind as promised.  I actually loved the bike courses.  9 miles protected with a tailwind, then 9 miles crosswinds, 9 miles headwind - paying for the tailwind.  I felt great on the bike from start to finish.   Sure the wind was tough, sure I got tired but each lap was consistent and I did not drop power towards the end.   

My nutrition plan was nearly spot on, other than forgetting the GF jelly sandwiches and having to sub gu's, the rest was as planned.   Each lap was progressively warmer 78, 86, 89 degrees and with increasing winds.   The big rides in Ocotillo primed for this long hot windy bike ride.    Aid stations every 10 miles and well stocked with bottles of ice water which I poured over my head, down my back.   I got a new helmet  The Giro Vanquish Aero Helmet and I love it. It is not the most aero helmet but its super light and has a lot of vents for cooling.  Knowing I overheat I am willing to sacrifice a bit of aerodynamics to keep my body cool.   I finished the bike feeling strong and happy with the bike split 5:34:46.  I rode at 70% and VI 1.01 so I SHOULD have been set up for a strong run.

RUN  I headed out feeling great!   light on my feet, cooled down with my long sleeve cool shirt, hat and running shorts. Holding back and feeling like this was going to be the run I have been working towards.  At mile 3 it felt like someone grabbed the inside of my thigh just above my knee, as in I nearly buckled. Wow, what was that?  I tried to shake it off and kept running.  By mile 4 the pain had traveled up to my groin and I was trying to figure out what the heck was happening. It occurred  to me this was cramping, something new and it was not fun.  By mile 6 it was both legs and WOWZA this was going to be interesting.  I was miserable and it got real so fucking fast that this was going to be a mother of a run.   I knew I had a solid lead but with the pain, I was in I began to worry.  My focus became run aid station to aid station and just survive.  John was amazing, supportive and all over ( in fact he ran 30 miles that day) but I was in the hurt locker and was trudging along.  I was worried I was going to get passed.  This is the part of Ironman that is so mental, it was staying in the moment, using the mental tools (many of which came from The Brave Athlete- Calm the Fck Down and How Bad Do You Want It ) So much of Ironman is mental.  I have an arsenal and I used many of the techniques, thumb tapping, counting to 100, visualizing Roo running, knowing that my body can go further and on and on.  I have 0 pictures of me running because John said I just looked miserable.  Even the final 2 miles when I knew I had the win, it was so fcking hard.  The magical finish line which was up a giant ramp into lights that were blinding was a struggle. I crossed the line and was heading down the other side and could see the catchers like 50 feet away and then it got dicey, black spots, weaving, I hit a barricade and lights out.  Wheelchair and med tent.  They were quick to tap the IV and I was panting like a dog so out came the O2 and the cramps were seizing up so then came some magical Mexcian spray that was lidocane, anti-inflammatory and who knows what else.   You could see my legs still working it was crazy.   The added something to the IV and finally, the cramping stopped.   My temp was 102 so my core was hot.  

To say I am disappointed with my race would be an asshole thing to do as I punched my ticket to Kona.  So yes I am happy with that but am so disappointed in my run but I am damn proud of persevering.  It was awful but quitting was never an option, it was about survival! 

Would I go back to Cozumel- NO.    Did I have fun ? Yes with John, Monica and Cindy we had a blast- lots of laughs from the 3 ft salmon to the 9th meal of rice, to the swim cap on the water faucet to be sure we did not accidentally use the tap water, the lack of building code in Cozumel, the post-race nachos and beer and the AM spiked smoothie-, Marty the 3ft iguana in our backyard, the compound we lived in with metal gates and bolts....  we had fun! Racing with friends and in this case also my athetes is a double win.   

For the race- my recommendation is to rent a house-  it is crazy inexpensive, near the finish line so you can walk to reg, walk from the finish.  We rode to bike drop off and taxi to swim practice. I like to eat my own food pre-race, especially in a 3rd world country,  and it's a lot of fun to have a group in a house.   We stayed in hacienda sombrero!    No car necessary.   Fly into Cozumel NOT Cancun, even if you save $$.  Taking the ferry over is a pain and with the storm, we had people we sick as dogs.  I used Tri Bike Transport as it was only $100 more than on American Airlines and I did not have to worry about my bike not making it due to weight on the plane.  On Cindy's flight, 15 bikes did not make it.  Also, you run the risk of damage in when you are on an Island there are fewer resources to fix it.   Post race we ate and drank on the town- which is probably fine all the time as tourism is their survival.   I am thrilled to say NONE of us got sick!!  Thank goodness...  

And now.... eating gluten, drinking alcohol, eating cookies.  A much-needed offseason or really some nonstructured time.  Today I rode 2.5 hours on my road bike and did not care about power, nutrition or hydration.  I had leftover pie for breakfast and a PBJ on the bike.  When I am regimented for so long I need a "pass" for a bit to just not care about how many g of protein I am getting, how many electrolytes, micronutrients....blah blah blah!  

December will be great- tons of travel!  First up is a very cool conference next weekend! Outspoken - Women in Triathlon Conference next weekend.  Outspoken is an opportunity for women in triathlon to connect with like-minded women, hear from industry leaders, and develop leadership skills related to their role in triathlon. The summit will provide a rich forum that will develop strong voices, inspire others and advocate for change in the sport you love. Together, summit attendees will work to elevate women's triathlon and women in the business of triathlon through partnership, community, a focus on solutions, and skill development.

From there to Reno for my other job.  Home for a few days then to Tucson for Johns marathon!  Then 2 days in Coronado for work and then to Boulder for the holidays!   Fun times... As for 2019- more on that later  

It's OVER

#TGKIO

Wanna take a guess?  Thank God Kona is Over.  I am not going to lie; I had some major KONA FOMO last week.   I know I did not race this year to try and KQ, but regardless, I wanted to be there.  Race week in Kona is simply fun.  There is a buzz that is indescribable; there are reunions with so many friends and competitors that I only see once a year if I go.  Walking down Alii and seeing familiar faces is what makes the week.  Eating a Lava Java, checking out the bike porn, pro’s running up and down the road, the nervous energy of the big dance.  Add the Insta and FB Kona spam, and I was cranky. So there, I admitted it.  I realize my life is blessed and that I can be “upset” about not being in Kona.  My health is good, my family is healthy and happy, and we have what we need.  I have perspective FWIW.

But come Saturday I was all in for the master spectating.  With a modified workout due to rain and a bit of a recovery week my Saturday was a trainer/run/trainer workout it was the perfect day to watch Kona!  Trainer sesh #1 was too early for Kona.  Run was long and tough – but whenever it was getting tough, and my attitude was slipped I channeled Kona!  Back to the bike and we had Kona Live on the flatscreen.  The coverage was great this year, although I think the men’s race, received much more air time.   I was glued to the screen until the final female pros were running in.  Watching the best in our sports gut it out, some making it look effortless and others showing their sheer agony.   The commentators did a great job talking about bike form, run form, etc.  Always too much to learn.   I wish they had spent more time on the 2-7^th place of the women’s race which was fantastic.  Watching Rinny move her way through the field,  Anne Haug’s running form unchanging from mile 4-24 to name a few.   It was a record-breaking day and fun to watch!   But happy we are past it 😉

My takeaways from IMWC 2018

• -          It was the best, fastest year ever and never ever will it be that calm or fast again, ever, ever ever, ever.
• -          Lange is an aid station hustler.  Watch this – taking the 2L bottle of coke.  Every aid station he was a master at cooling, drinking, sponges-  lesson for IMCOZ
• -          Did I mention it was a calm fast year
• -          Watching IMWC is more enjoyable than racing, but I’d rather be racing
• -          It was a fast calm year
• -          Run form- Fck the solid runners DON’T lose their form  #workinprogress
• -          It was a great year to race in Kona
• -          You NEVER know what is happening to others on the race course- Tracking I watched some super solid runners get off the bike in the top of their AG, and a few DNF’s, a few blew up, and a few crushed it.  You NEVER know, so DON’T give up. 
• -          It was an amazing day
• -          Longer sleeves on the bike and run--  sleeves to elbows and nearly to the knees
•       Swim like Lucy but run like Anne

So what else…I dug a grave, crawled in and was too tired to cover myself up.   Last week started off rough with my Tue bike/run workouts and “we” hoped a few aerobic days would be good for a solid weekend.  Let’s just say they were not.  Saturday was a strugglefest in many ways!  I got it done but it was NOT pretty, paces off, everything hurt.  It was that kind of feeling that I have had over the years of “being on the edge” as in something will pull, tear or break if I don’t let up.

It’s hard to raise my hand and waive the white flag.  I saw what Mike had laid out for me and wanted to be able to hit that training but knew in my gut that it was not a good idea.  I sent a text with a lot of expletives and then followed up with an email that was hard to write, but necessary.  Outlining how I was feeling and what was up.  This is WHY I have a coach, he listened, responded and laid out a few options for how to handle the next few days.   I had a bit of travel, so that was convenient.  I opted for 2 days OFF, as in NO swim, bike, run.  And then an aerobic day and a plan of a tough trainer workout today which I started and knew I was not there yet.  One more day!    The “old” me would have rolled through it, “sucked it up” and wound up injured or in a deeper hole.  As hard as it is ONLY the athlete knows how they are feeling and you must raise your hand and tell your coach.    I share this, so my athletes know I break, I don’t hit all my workouts, and I take days off.  More is not always better!.

I am heading into a big 3 days- 5 hours x 3 days and hope that the time off will allow me to crush the workouts I have laid out!   A bit of unconventional training this weekend, challenging differently and will be “fun”   One day at a time.  One week at a time.   IMCOZ is on the horizon.

Racing at 95% vs. 105% is always better. If you are overcooked, you cannot dig deep.  Racing an IM is about how deep you can go, how long you can suffer.  Watching the pro’s in front, they make it look easy, but watching the others, you can see the pain, suffering and the deep desire to hold their place, move up or pass.  (even if it was the BEST year in KONA EVER) 

Ironman training....I asked for it

Mile Repeat Crew

Remember, not too long ago, I was eager to start IM training.  Well, let's go back and take that away.   In all seriousness, I love most of it.  If it was up to me, as in I did not pay Mike, I would be riding 12+ hours a week, running 4-5 days, swimming 3 days and training well over 20 hours at an all-day pace.   I tried self-coaching and let's just say after 8 weeks I had to beg my previous to take me back.   Some self-coached athletes don't do enough, some do too much but mostly we don't do what we don't like to do.  For me, that means longer runs off the bike, the trainer and strength.  Without the accountability and for someone else making the plan, I would not get it done.  I would train myself into the ground, but not in the right way. 

So as we roll 20 hours weeks here I am in the mode of 1 day at a time.  Each workout I need to be open-minded, give it my all and go with it.  Some days I am shocked, as in last Tue my mile repeats went smashingly a bit under target pace with an effort that was sustainable and today well fck me.   We added 1-mile repeat to make it 5, the pace was over the target pace and the effort was ridiculous has in too hard to hit the pace.   

Tuesdays are generally trainer/mile repeat Tuesday and it was rough.  The trainer workout is first and starts at 4:30am and I was struggling on the warm-up and let's just say it did not get better.  The 108% efforts were coming in at 100% and as I was crafting a text to coach about how tired and sore I am, how I want to nail the run .... I stopped and scrolled through Insta only to see what feels like ALL MY friends in Kona!   That was the fuel I needed.  I dialed up some music, Eye of The Tiger, which was THE only I played before every big swim in HS and College, grabbed my IMWC towel given to me at the finish line in Kona and sucked it up.  Its NO fun missing EVERY interval, but 100% beat the heck out of 0%.  I made a deposit in the training bank and was off to the run.  As Des Linden says  "just show up"

GWl + Desanco on a weekday

Tuesdays I run with my athletes- either hill repeats from my house or we need on Neptune (flat road along the ocean) for speed work and this week was a build off last week to 5x1 mile with 1 min rest.  

Today was tough from the beginning.   My GI has been wonky since Sunday and this AM was acting up, my legs were cooked and the pace was tough.  I used the workout today to channel what many of my IM runs are like, tough and painful and they are all mental.  It' often comes down to who can suffer the most, and I practiced that today.  The pace was off 5-7 sec/mile but the bigger lesson was I was not far off and just kept going.  The same mantra for race day, just keep moving!    This is a recovery week, per se, HA, after today, Wed- Fri is super chill and then Saturday is a big one.   I am going to channel Kona for that one.   

6 hours in Ocotillo- hot and windy!  #imcoz + hour run OTB
Deposit in the bank 

When the watts or pace come easily it's all rainbows and butterflies and is easy to think this is what race day will be like.  With 15 Ironman races completed, I can tell you, that most are more about enduring pain and suffering, so preparing of that is key.   When the workouts get tough, miserable, that is when you pay attention, how are you managing it, what is your mental state, what can you do to get it done?   

After all that I had a strength workout but I had to get focused and get some work done.  Around 4pm it was easy to start justifying why NOT to lift, so many great reasons.  Instead I scrolled through Inta to see everyone in Kona and I was out the door with a new Spotify playlist and got to work!  

It's easy to see make training look so easy and fun on social media, but it can be tough and that's the purpose of this post  It's also mental.   I get nervous for workouts and certain training.  I can see a 7-hour bike ride and not flinch, but a 2:30 run and I am nervous.  Whereas my training partner stresses over the bike.  It's fascinating how each of us has our pain point or stress points in training.   We need to pay attention and continue to work on those. For some its the swim, some bike, and others the run!  It's what makes this sport so exciting, complex and always room for learning!    

Where is your mental challenge?  What tools do you emply to stay tough and get through what you are worried about? 

As for Kona, not going to lie, I have major FOMO!   Race week is magical and so much fun!  

Santa Cruz 70.3 .... a literal sht show

Not kidding.....so I suggest unless you are into triathlete gore stop reading now.  I started this race report in the usual fashion and will perhaps return to that one to give Santa Cruz a solid write up, because the race rocks!  It quite possibly my favorite and I have done over 20!

Pre race D3 action 

The bottom line is...newsflash  DONT eat 3lbs of sweet potatoes the day before a race.  No kidding. I am trying to follow my nutritionist fueling plan which calls for, what seems like an impossible amount of carbs.  The goal was 510g Friday and  575g on Saturday.  For the record- that is A LOT, seemingly impossible. I have yet to achieve this and now need a call with Jeff this week to figure out how to get that many in!   My plan was white rice, coconut oil, and salt + sweet potatoes, GF animal cookies, a bit of protein and lots of fluids.  I burned the rice (on the HoJo stove)  and was lazy and did not buy more thinking I'll be okay with sweet potatoes.  Dumbest idea ever

Race AM I felt great!  Despite the fact I had a monster training weekend last weekend and only a 5-day taper.    Swim rocked.  26:54, anytime I break 27 I am super happy!  This swim is easy!  0 waves and a giant rectangle, if you botch this one up, you are in trouble.   LONG transition on painful feet to a stunning bike course!  Just over 2k of climbing along the stunning CA coastline.   Fair course but nothing crazy hard and just so pretty.  The weather was perfect, 60 at the start and maybe 75 high with fog in and out on the bike and then sunny and clear on the run.  

Nytro Women

So the run.  I started off feeling good, legs a tad tired but all was good.  Mile 4 my stomach was not quite right and I was worried OK mild panic  by mile 4.5 it was clear I was going to need a porta pottie.  Mind you I am running in a one-piece kit that has sleeves to my elbows.  The kit is not easy to get on and off in a hotel room let alone while running, sweaty and on the verge of pooping. We are on trails so the terrain is uneven fall altert and I am paniciking wtih every step that this is not going to end well.  Now that we are in the preserve there are NO porta-potties, no aid stations and I am dying. I am sweating from racing, I am sweating in panic of what is going to happen and my run form is altered as I am holding my sphincter.  I get my kit down to my waist, side note I have the oldest stained sports bra on, not one matching my kit but one that looks like I found it in the gutter, but that is the least of my worries.    Full panic is setting in as I realize this is some kind of low bush preserve, nothing for 2 miles is over 18 inches tall, where are the f'ing trees.  I run past a guy who says "gosh this is beautiful"  and all I can think of is I am going to be THAT girl with poo running down my legs for 7 miles, what view?  Well waiting to get out of the preserve is not going to happen and we are having a full 911 so I leap into some bush that is maybe a foot tall and well... you know.  I run out and realize I have not left it all behind.  So now I am like pigpen with a swirl around me and I am dying.  I cannot pull my kit back up over my shoulders, I'm sure I have poo on my back and my legs are now cramping.   Some guys says "Woah what is that smell?"  I pick up the pace and just keep running.

All I want is a shower, not likely, so the next 2 aid stations I take every cup of available water and am washing it down my back, my legs, anyplace ...OMG it was awful.  So now we are mile 9, I lost my salt tablets, shocker!  And I have missed 2 aid stations due to sanitary cleanup and I don't feel so well.    Thanks to Ironman rolling start I have NO idea where I am in the race and at this point, I frankly don't care, but I soon care a lot and do what I can to pick up the pace and get to the finish line.  One mile at a time so very thankful my kit is mostly black, all I can think about is finishing on the beach and running into the ocean.  

Finish! Yea... I see Jay he tries to hug me NOOOOOO, I see Riley she tries to hug me NOOOOO and then she says "mom, what's on your back?"  I silently cry and walk into the ocean.  

Despite all that I had a killer race!   Great swim, my bike was strong and spot on and well my run was a sh#t show for real but it was good enough for the AG Win.

I would post my nutrition for the race but well.... we know how that worked out!  

The weekend was awesome- road trip with Liz, hanging with one of my athletes Cindy, who rocked her race, Scott another D3 athlete, lots of SD friends and the best of all Riley!  We had tons of fun and a killer dinner Sunday with likely too much wine. 

11 years inot this sport and still learning!!!  Next time BUY more rice dummmy!  

0:26:54

02:38:52

01:52:06

05:05:21

On Racing AG Nationals

D3 crew eating  pre race lunch 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to race in Cleveland, yes epic Cleveland said no one ever, apologies to those who live in Cleveland.    I’ve historically passed on the opportunity to race this race primarily due to my focus on Ironman and 70.3 racing.  With this year being about “something different” and my coach forcing strongly encouraging me to race, I decided to go for it.

The training was not 100% Olympic Distance focused as I did race Whistler 70.3 2 weeks ago and I am FINALLY starting Ironman training, but I did my fare share of short and hard on the bike in an attempt to get accustomed to 90-95% efforts on the bikes and well my run, we tried.

I booked a place with Coach and one my athletes in the “not re-gentrified” section of Cleveland.  Literally next to the airport and under the flight path, this turn of century house was just fine.  Affordable indeed, clean and actually worked well for the 3 of us as we were up early so the planes did not bother us. 

Getting to Cleveland is not easy as in no direct flights and well its further than I was thinking, as in nearly all day travel  +3 hour time change.  So, we settled in Thur PM in time for dinner after hitting the Whole Foods!  YES 3 miles from us - so a big win.  Whole Foods can make up for a lot!

I had very little anxiety or nervousness, which has been the case for this year to date,  saving it all for IM COZ.  Friday was a nearly all-day event .  We started with swim practice, in the lake that was just closed for eColi and was 78.5 degrees so no wetsuit, did a quick spin of the run course which was NOT flat – legit for sure, a team D3 lunch, registration, bike check in and well that somehow nearly took all day. 

We settled in early and cooked at home and off to bed. Up and out by 5:15, we ubered to the race due to logistics and our driver entertained us with stories that included his pistol, his dog killing a deer and the SWAT Team.  We are very far from Encinitas!  Onto the race venue for the announcement the water temp was 76.7 so it was wetsuit legal.  I am very sure they put an ice cube in the water with the thermometer, once again dumbing down races to make sure they are not “too hard” The water was HOT.

I was wave 13, so I have 1 hour 34 min to wait which was fine as there were plenty of people to hang out with, warm up, nearly watch the 1^st wave finish the whole race and for the wind and chop to pick up.  The calm lake at 7am was chopping and wavy by 8:44. Water start, and we got out fast!  I was on the feet of another competitor and we were swimming flat out and it was choppy as can be.  Silly me thinking like an ocean that once we got past the “break” it would flatten out, but the wind was picking up and it was one of the tougher swims I have done with wind and chop the entire way.  Course was long 1700M vs 1500 and times were slow.  25:55 and a longish transition but I was quick and on the bike.

40K is all out and I was getting after it.  First U turn the volunteer was blocking the signa and waved me right, Fuck I am on the run course and everyone is Uturning and I am riding down a hill, turned around, rode back through the runners and was back on the course, extra .3 miles, which in a short race can make a difference.   I was hammering to repass the competitor I had already passed early on.   The first 6 miles the road was shitty and the scenery similar and then it was smooth roads and quite nice, just after  the turn I passed her and was doing all I could to hold onto the lead, knowing how fast the runners were behind me.

T2 in and out and onto the run and well just did not have my run legs.   It was a struggle, so I turned my watch around and dug deep and did my best.  Around mile 2 the eventual winner flew by me and just after mile 4, 2^nd place came by and I was hurting.  I could see 3^rd gaining on me and I just did not have it. she passed me just after mile 5 and that was the steepest hill, I did not have the mojo or legs to power up the hill and stay with her.  Looking back I am wondering if  I gave up but well my HR was 181 so no I did not but I was definitely dehydrated and had nothing in my legs, so then it was my goal to NOT get passed again.   Quick finish and a short run course- THANK YOU USAT!  But well it was not a stellar finish and everything went very fuzzy and spotty at the finish line.  I had them take my temperature and it was 101- I was way OVERHEATED!!!  My error, I only had 22 oz on the bike and needed another 22 oz and the run course was so crowded I missed most aid stations.  Dehydrated for sure.

I was honored to stand on the podium in 4^th – Way out of my comfort zone an happy place of long distance racing and I did not take my slot to Worlds in Switzerland- as lovely as that sounds, I have other goals for 2019. 

We found and AMAZING place for dinner and really wanted to drink it up but Mike and I had the sprint the next day so we ate up instead and consoled ourselves with chocolate and Ben and Jerry’s.

Groundhog day on Sunday and in the car 5:15. Arrived hoping for NON Wetsuit but instead we hear NO swim! What?  Ripcurrent? In a lake? Are you kidding me?  I guess it can happen and with the tragic passing of a competitor the day before, nothing to do with currents or water temp but a heart attack, I am sure they were playing it conservative.  Ok so the race was now 2.5 Krun/12 mile bike/2.5  -seriously this is what I dread the most in this sport.  So, 2 choices, don’t race or change the mindset and roll with it.  I went for #2.  And I had 2 hours- yes 2 hours to think on that.  Wave 14 today so I got to watch 1000’s, not kidding, start and finish the race.    Finally, our turn!  TT start on the run, 4 at a time.  Off we went and holy f they took off running, I got after it and ran 7:04 for the first 2.5K and that put me in 4^th! Lol so onto the bike, already in 4^th, I went to work with what I had and that was not much, tired, tired legs and watts were about the same as Saturday.  So, lets just say I was no reeling in people, managed to pass one.  Onto run 2 and I was cooked, up that dang hill again and there were a LOT of F-bombs, how can 2.5k hurt so much!  I did the best I could and ended up 7^th.   The difference between3-7^th was all in minute, but with the TT start we were not racing head to head, no excuses, it was just how it was.

All in all- the weekend was a blast!  Really happy I did it, over 5000 athletes over the 2 days.  We ate our way through Sunday. Amazing breakfast spot near the race Toast OMG it was like being in Encinitas.  Fried eggs, spinach, sweet potatoes over thick buttery sourdough toast!  Nap, chocolate and a decadent Italian dinner with wine, homemade pasta with scallops, spinach, garlic and a lot of butter and cheese!   You gotta let go sometimes and it was just plain good!    I was out of my comfort zone again, trying new races as planned and had so much fun with Coach, Cindy and the other D3  + San Diego friends in town,  It’s why we race!

Race nutrition for an Oly

4:30 wake up

24 oz fluid + Right Stuff 

Coffee + coconut milk 

Breakfast=  2 cups of rice + EVO + salt which I started eating at 6:30 since my wave did not go off until 8:45

1 Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel pre swim

1x 24 oz bottle with 160 calories Gatorade Endurance Cherry 

Run 1x GE Gel

All was good but needed more fluids on the bike - another 12-20 oz with Nuun would have been ideal !  I was finished with my bottle at mile 12.  Ooof- bad move on my part. 

Vacation - no race, no bike, no wetsuit... What?

all of us

Once every few years or maybe longer we take a vacation that does not include a race. Its good for the marriage, good for me I guess and is fun!  Generally we do this internationally but this summer we went east and it was about family. 

Mom and her kids

It started in San Diego with the arrival of my Bro and family from Hong Kong (nephew 10 and niece 11) and my sis and nieces from Boulder  (13 and 15) add my mom, dad and step mom and we were a solid 11 for a few days of fun in Encinitas.   

Big dinners, mixed days from the beach to Mom's pool, to me napping and sneaking in training.  We are a close family it was just plain fun!  No drama, great dinners which we all took turns cooking, lots of laughing, more than a few bottles of wine and no pressure. and a bonus to be together for my Dad's 86th birthday.

After all being together at Christmas this an easy re- connection, although we missed JD and Riley this re-union.   

My  family jetted out of SD and John and I headed to RI for his family "picnic" and that is a whole different affair. But before that I headed to Coronado for the 4th of July fun!  12K (7.4 miles - get is July 4, 7/4) run and the 1mile Roughwater swim.  This run is a lot of fun and historically, this year no different, slow and painful for me.  I go in without expectations but really have some and don't exceed them because I don't have them but somehow end up disappointed.  

Quickly moving on we head to the start of the 1 mile swim- legit ocean swim, no wetsuit, beach start and just swim!  Water is chilly and refreshing and it was great fun.   

Combination of my D3 crew and Nytro team it super fun!  Well until I lost my car key.... misplaced it post run but it was "close" so I could open my car, when it was time to move the car, I could not find it, but the car started so I wrongly assumed it was in the car.  Turns out you can drive away without the key in the car and just keep driving.  All is okay until you turn the car off...   So when its time to restart the car no bueno!  It must have been on the roof or under the car.  Long day.... never found it, took Les's car, drove home, got my key, took John to airport, returned to Coronado and gave Les her car and drove home.  1- dumb ass move 2- expensive day $250 key loss.

Okay so onto RI :  With John being the youngest of 11 kids that means BIG family!  There were over 60 "related" kids/grand kids etc. for the picnic.   We rented a "quaint" house (we all know what quaint means ) in Narragansett so we had our own space and my run block began!    We spent 3 days with Braman family, friends etc-  I tell you for such a small fricking state we spent alot of time driving over bridges and around bays to see yet another brother and family!  It was great.... and considering how much time John endures  spends with my family, it was minimal and it was a lot of fun.

After another great FLAT run in RI and breakfast with Johns HS phsyics teacher, because we all  still have breakfast with our physics teacher right ?, we were off to Portland ME via Weston MA to have lunch with one of my athletes.

Maine is stunningly beautiful, surely its a lot different  in Feb, but in July it's just lovely!   With 1.1 M in the entire state vs 3.3M in San Diego County there are NOT many people and it's not densely populated.  Even in the "city"...  

We met up with my brother and sis-in-law and nephew for the week.  It was just plain relaxing... we ran every day, enjoyed breakfast around town,  explored on bikes, via water taxi, and on foot. 

 There is a great food scene in town- we had a few amazing meals!  Fore Street, which books months in advance, does leave 1/3 of the tables open - so show up at 4:30 and wait for them to open at 5, put your name on the list, have a drink at the bar and we were seated at 5:30. 

 

" Fore Street's interior surrounds a unique brick, and soapstone hearth consisting of a wood-burning oven, grill, and turnspit, visible from most tables. Hardwood and apple wood fires cook and flavor the seafood, meats, game, and vegetables that have made Fore Street a New England destination" HIGHLY recommend!     Central Provisions  was great  as was Bolster, Snow and Co .   We took a water taxi to Chebeague Island which was stunning,  being on the water was great and the Inn was stunning.  The restaurant was the only horrible meal we had- service was abominable, slow and wine was sub par.  Mind you we were starving and had they delivered the hot biscuits and good wine which they were out of  before the 30 min we waited, it may have been better.  But the company was good and being on the water was great. 

So onto daytime eating... thanks to Kurt (Les's coach) we found THE BEST lobster...  Harraskeeket Lobster   I have mixed emotions about eating lobster but on that day I consumed the bug in about 11 seconds and wanted more.  So much so we rode 12 miles the next day to the Lobster Shack in Port Elizabeth ,which is stunning BTW,  and we downed another hot/steamy lobster in seconds.   Along the way we stopped a A Bite of Maine, food truck,  as my bro wanted a lobster roll and I did not, until he bought 2 and I ate some.  YUUM!  

Oh we also hit up LL Bean, 4 buildings and a few city blocks, crazy in Freeport ME.

Lots of eating and drinking- my redemption is I ran 41 miles that week so not all of the lobster/butter and wine landed on my body permanently.   Upon landing Friday in SD I cleaned it up quickly, no more wine and back to super clean eating- so clean in fact I bonked so hard on my long run Sunday #rookiemistake.

10 days to Whistler 70.3. and I am feeling pretty good but frankly am more excited to be up there cheering on my athletes.  With 4 racing the Ironman and 3 the 70.3 the day will be epic!!!  Cannot wait 

Escape From Alcatraz! YES do it

Yes it is this beautiful 

Escape From Alcatraz is definitely a "bucket list" race.  Would I return, yes, but not "have to go back every year"  It was an amazing weekend on so many levels... racing, family, friends and fun.

John and I drove up circa a fun night in Santa Barbara and arrived in the city Friday afternoon for an early dinner with Riley -yeah!   Settled in and we were up early and I did an ez spin checking on transition, getting the lay of the land and then met a teammate and a crew from the Betty Squad for a swim in the oh so chilly bay.  The weather was amazing, sunny and 70, which happens never in San Francisco.

So happy to see this girl!  

My mom flew up on Saturday and Riley picked her up.  Meanwhile I did all the race checking in, meetings and began to slightly freak out about the swim, which happens never.    See there are NO buoys to follow and I was told you cannot count on seeing anyone in the ocean.  The boat tools out to Alcatraz Island, circles it, they give you instructions and then boom off you start jumping like lemmings.  I just could not wrap my head around " swim 10 min toward the white towers, then sight off the red buildings, along the jetty but not too close, and the you see the Palace of Fine Arts and swim to the beach"  What the Fck? Seriously?  And then, if you are a " good swimmer", forget that and swim diagonally  toward the Palace of Fine Arts but don't ever get to the left of it our you will be swept out the the Golden Gate.  Just make sure you don't see any kayaks and you are okay.  "  Supposedly " faster" swimmers can swim at an angle through the river that is sucking out to the GG and slower swimmers need across it and then cut over.   Clear as mud. 

My Mom.... and Riley 

Nice dinner in Fisherman's Wharf, seriously wanted a glass of wine to calm my nerves, but held off.  Early to bed and wide awake freaking out about the swim at 2am, as in not going back to sleep. Sure I get nervous for races but not sure if was ever this freaked.   Up at 4 and out the door 4:45 and riding to transition in the dark, no headlamp "genius" thinking don't hit a pot hole, a speed bump or homeless person.

No issues and onto the buses to the ferry's and the nervousness is mounting.  Found my crew of girls (Nytro + Betty)  who had all done this and assured me "it just works'  Lining up on the Hornblower yacht as people are peeing in their wetsuits on the carpet, for the love of God people get married on this boat,  the gun went off and the pro's dove (yes 6 feet up) dove in and well I peed too.  And that was it in a minute it was my turn, my heart in my throat and I jumped and started swimming.  There were people every where and then no one, how could I not see one person and then I would see 50 people to the right and left as far as I could see- it was crazy.  I was swimming diagonally and swimming through people swimming straight and really hoping I was not going under the bridge.  It was choppy but not too bad and suddenly I saw I big yellow buoy on the bow of a boat, moving in what assuming was the right direction.  I deducted that was the buoy guiding the front pack, WHY did NO ONE mention that.  I followed that until it disappeared and soon I saw the beach- boom swam in and ran down to transition.  Wow, it worked!   Yes the water was cold 52.  I wore 2 caps (regular no neoprene) no booties and was fine.  27 min.  1.5 miles- can you say current?

T1A  wetstuit off and shoes on and I ran the .5 miles to T1 - good move!! passed nearly everyone in bare feet and they still had wetsuits on.   T1 was fast and out onto the roads.   The roads in SF are shit, potholes all over and not marked.  As I am climbing out I hit a big bump and the lid pops off my flat kit along with C02 and the infiltrator, hope I don't flat.  The bike course was treacherous, yes the hills are steep but the road conditions and the people and the sharp turns with little notice.  You could do just fine on a road bike, especially  on the descents.  Beautiful though as you ride through the Presido, along Ocean Beach and it was sunny and not too warm.  18 miles was enough and an 1:01 later I am back to transition (gotta love these short races)

Onto the run and got to see Riley and my Mom again- they were there for swim in/bike out/bike in/run out.  And mt 84 yo mom yells "Julie go get her" pointing to the 23 yo from Stanford in front of me. 

Bike Course - NOT flat 

The run... 8 miles.  1.5 awesome and flat and then climbing 1.5, I was ready for that, yes legs tired but again beautiful views and I was feeling ok, despite redlining for an hour on the bike.  I hit the downhill on trail and I was freaked (PTSD from the wipe out in Dec that resulted in a fracture)  - 1000 people passed me, okay may 100 or at least 20, I was moving into a negative head space. I worked on staying positive as we ran onto the beautiful beach for a mile in soft sand, yes loving this WTF did I do this expensive crappy race look how beautiful it is, oh good the turn around and more soft sand did Satan design this run course and up to the "Sand Ladder"   I thought  I was ready for this.  #1 what ladder, it was windblown and straight uphill of sand #2: the advice of pull yourself up the handrails- what handrails - they were broken or had bushes in front #3- I was not ready for this.  On I went and decided to not let anyone pass me, okay just that one guy,  and a girl who had to be 25, ok NOT letting anyone old(er) pass me.    Ben Kanute did the ladder in 1:53 ( seriously?)   Sarah Haskins 2:19 and there I was pulling my sorry arse up in 3:17.  Wow I have work to do there and then it was more running up hill which was hard but then it was more downhill on steep trails and everyone but me was really happy as they flew by me.  I focused on not falling down on my knee or my face and tried to pretend like I was loving the downhill like everyone who was flying by me was and then the last mile flat and notso fast.  I was ready to turn over  weeee and then crank it up and I had nothing, zero.  I jumped on the heels of the last person who passed me and well I did and even passed HIM in the finishers chute!  (small victories)

Run Course

All in all it was  great day!  Challenging as fck course and always a good day when I am blessed to stand on top of the podium. 

I loved it mostly and would go back!   If you are considering it, throw you name in the lottery.  Its epic and its $$ but its worth it.  The race is very international over 40 countries represented, nearly every podium had someone from out of the US.  There is no detail left unattended and it really is just plain fun most of the time. 

Having my mom and Riley + my #1 fan John there is of course winning for me!  I love my family and I love triathlon so when they come together I am whole.   And I have to say it is good to be scared out our mind and way out of your comfort zone, once in a while.  It is easy to get complacent and if you do Escape From Alcatraz you will NOT be complacent that morning.  

Post race fun!  wine and cards

Nutrition - easy on this course.... 1 bottle of 180 calories of Gatorade on the bike,  2x sleeves of Gatroade Carb Chews on the Run - 380 calories for the race.  Breakfast was applesauce + sweet potato/banana organic baby puree + protein powder + coffee/ almond milk.

Huub wetsuit rocked!  TT Cervelo was fine with Enve 6/7 race wheels.      I ran in the new Altra Duo  5.3 oz- love them!  And the best Onesie (skinsuit) by Betty Designs- I am LOVING the one piece- so comfortable.


My advice
- Sign up for one of the practice swims - $60.  You don't do the entire swim - that one is $240, but you will swim the finish, get all your questions answered and be calmer come race day.
- bring a water/gu for the boat- you get on the boat at 6 but don't start until 7:30
- 2 regular caps are fine unless you get really cold - I dont like my ears covered to dont do neoprene, but I realize I am out of the water a bit faster
- 2nd pair of shoes for the run from swim to T1- fast slip on shoes no socks and take off your wet suit and leave it there, the bag it up and return to you
- Bike- if you are not a good bike handler ride a road bike.  The course it technical.  Tighten down everything on your bike and check your bottles or you will lose them
- Run-  run hills, trails and stairs - not sure how prepared you can be but 3-4 sets of swamis stairs mid run can only help.
- Practice running in soft sand

Have fun! Get out of your comfort zone