I made it!!

My day started at 4am when my alarm went off.  Mike rolled over and I got up anxious to get going.  I didn't sleep well but I think there was too much excitment that it didn't even matter.  Even though I wasn't hungry I forced down and penut butter and jam sandwich, along with some chocolate milk and got going.  Normally I'd eat oatmeal for race morning but with no microwave (I like to make it with milk), I opted for what I knew my stomach could handle.
I hoped on my bike and rode down to where the race was taking place.  A few kilometres away.  It was dark but there were a bunch of people riding their bikes down.  I went directly into transition to rack my bike and lay out my gear that I needed.  I was asking all kinds of questions to a fellow athlete like where do we come in for the swim, where do we go out for the bike, etc.  She smiled and asked if I was nervous.  Ummmm ya :)
Then I got on the shuttle which was driving us down to the ferry.  I sat beside a guy who had done the race before and the only advice he gave me was to get off the ferry on shore side so that when you were swimming you didn't have to cross through all the people.  Good advice.
When I got on the ferry everyone was sitting in the middle because there was caution tape everywhere.  I figured that was sectioned off for the pros but there was one guy sitting alone against the wall.  Since it would be over an hour before the boat left I wanted a spot against the wall too so I sat beside him. Turns out he was part of a relay team for challenged athletes.  He was paralyzed from the waist down and would be doing the swim portion for his team.  He had to swim on his back with his legs tied together and he used paddles on his hands.  Very motivating.  If this guy can do it, anyone can.  Then a guy came on with one arm.......needless to say I looked up results and he beat me on the swim, bike and run.  Anyone can do this...........

The Swim (2.5km) - it starts with the pros, then challenged athletes, then everyone else.  I was lucky to be sitting with the challenged athletes so I got pretty close to the front when it was our turn.  They opened the doors and the rush of people, and the pushing, there was no choice but to jump.  No hesitation at all and fear of being jumped on had me swimming as soon as I hit the water.  The cold didn't even phase me.  I barely noticed it.  I was swimming pretty comfortable.  But even though I was aiming for the shore, I knew I was being carried by the current.  They told us it was a very strong current and it was.  I overshot the finish by a bit and had to swim directly against the current to get it.  Amazingly I still came out with a time of 43 min 28 sec.  The fasted I had ever swim it in the pool was 47 min so the current definitely helped!

The Bike (30km) - it was a 750m run up to transition which is farther then most tri's so they gave us the option of leaving shoes in a bag directly out of the water so we didn't tear up our feet.  I'm really glad I did this.  I got on my bike and felt good.  I wasn't too tierd from the swim and immediately felt right.  The hills started right away and although challenging, I guess living in Alberta paid off.  I'm used to training with a bit of altitude and there are plenty of hills here.  I was breathing hard but being at sea level made it feel way easier.  I passed lots of people and got passed by lots as well.  Beautiful views, great volunteers dressed up in costumes at aid stations, it was good.  Coming back in you're on flat and I could feel my legs were tired but I knew I was way ahead of my expected times so I felt pretty damn good. 1hr 7 min 5 sec.

The run (13km) - dropped my bike and as I was running out of transition I saw the porter potties.  I needed to pee since I got out of the swim and I just couldn't hold it anymore.  So I wasted 2-3 min standing in line to pee.   No big deal to me - I needed to do it.  As I came out of the potty I heard the announcer, here comes your winner, Andy Potts has won it again.  Wow - the first pro was done in something like 2 hours 2 min.  Crazy.  Got out on the run and people were passing me like crazy.  Although I was running, when I looked at the speed they were passing me at, I may as well have been walking (at least that's what it felt like).  But I kept going.  I forget but it seems like for the first 15min of running (off of the bike) my ankles hurt so much that I want to stop.  In the past I would have stopped, but I've tried hard to work on the mental part of the sport and it paid off.  I finally started to feel good just in time for the stairs.  I had read the descriptions of all the parts of the race and I knew that run started flat and then would climb but I didn't know it would climb with stairs.  Stairs are much harder for me because you have to take the step of how big the stair is.  If it was just trail going up I could control how big my steps were.  Either way there were lots of people and most were walking and there was no way to get around because the pros were coming back down the stairs.  Lucky break for me - I got to walk for about 20 seconds.  The rest of the run went well.  It was hard.  After all those stairs we came out on the highway and got to go down to the beach.  There was about 1km running on the sand.  I found this the most difficult by far.  I was so tired wasn't able to pick up my knees properly.  But I refused to walk.  Just keep going.  Then the sand ladder.  It is exactly what it sounds like.  All sand with wooden rungs to put your feet in for traction.  But with all the sand covering, there wasn't much traction there.  Everyone was walking including me.  But back up at the top, a little bit more elevation gain to go and then it was downhill.  This was great, with 2 more miles (3km) of flat, I could hear the finish line.  For me, my goal at this time was not to walk.  I wanted to pick up the pace but all I was doing was concentrating on not walking.  Keep running!  Crossed the finish line with a run time of 1hr 20min 44 sec!

So total time was 3 hr 24min 23 sec.
In my age group I placed 27th out of 77 athletes (pretty happy about that!)
And in total I was 869th out of close to 2000 people!

Loved it!  Highly recommend it!  Anyone can do it.  Its just a decision that you want to and sacrifice for some training!

Thanks to my husband Mike who not only came as my bike mechanic and support crew but gave up countless Friday nights this past winter so I could train at computrain class (a 2 hour bike class I took every Friday night).  My mom flew out from Ontario to watch the kids (they are too young and it was too hectic to have them with us although I look forward to when I can bring them along!)  And my friends for all the support.  On Saturday when I was reading all the comments on my facebook page, it gave me so much motivation to think everyone was cheering for me!  IA special thank you to my neighbour and friend Kayla who would watch my kids so I could randomly go and do training related things like chiropractor, open water swim, etc.  I appreciate everything from everyone!

Next year maybe and half IM??? :)

This is it!!!

Well the end is in sight and I'm super excited for it.  Today is Thursday and tomorrow I'm getting on a plane and heading to San Francisco.  I'm experiencing a mix of emotions from feeling completely ready to thinking I could have done more.  Super super excited but somewhat anxious about everything.  Will all my bags arrive, will we be able to get my bike back together, will I get a flat on the race course?! 
But more then anything I'm excited and if anything this has ignited a spark and I'm addicted - I just want to race more!  Below you'll find my last three weeks of training..............
I'll see you after the race!

Sunday May 20 - off
Mon - off
Tues - 40 min spin followed by 25 min run
Wed - 30 min COLD lake swim!
Thurs - 50 min speed run
Fri - 3000 m swim
Sat - 1hr 30 min outdoor bike

Sunday May 27 - 1 hour 15 min run
Mon - off
Tues - 2000 m swim
Wed - mini brick (30 min spin followed by a fast 15 min run)
Thurs - 9km run outside
Fri - 2100m swm
Sat - off

Sun June 3- off
Mon - 24 km bike
Tues - 30 min TM run followed by some weights
Wed - yoga
Thurs - off
Fri - off
Sat - off
Sunday - RACE DAY

Chiropractor!

Who knew?  So chiropractor seems to be the answer.  Visited Shannon who is my coach for computraining and also a chiropractor.  Was so happy when she told me I was tight and not injured.  So she did some active release and it did wonders.  I'll be visiting her weekly until the race. 
So last week my workouts are below - they went great.  Only thing was I had planned to finish my last computrain class on Friday night and then ride Sat but long weekend plans just didn't co-operate and I'm glad it didn't work out cause Saturday's ride was hard and I needed all the energy I could get.  I can't even describe how cold it was on Sat.  We started out and I'm not sure of the temp but I'm thinking somewhere around 4 degree's.  We told ourselves we would warm up but that didn't happen.  Our toes and fingers were so cold they were numb.  And the wind........oh the wind!  We found ourselves breaking more then needed on the downhill just to stop the cold from going through us.  We had planned this as a brick workout but all we could manage was a 10 min run when we got back.  It felt like we were running with ice blocks at the end of our limbs!
One more week to try to push it and then taper - Its getting close!!! :)

Sunday May 13 - 1 hour 20 min run outside
Monday - TRX class and taught 1 hour spin
Tuesday - 1900 m swim
Wed - off
Thurs - 47 min hill run outside
Fri - 2900m swim
Sat - 58 km bike outside and 10 min run

Why can't I stay injury free?

The million dollar question - why can't I stay injury free?  I do what I'm suppose to - slowly increase the km, stretch after workouts, cross train.  So why is it that after every longish run, something new hurts?  Last week it took 3 days for my groin to stop hurting.  Now its my hip.  I really don't understand how people train for ironman or a marathon.  Its not so much the swimming and biking - for me its the running.  Anything over 10km seems to start getting me into trouble.  I'm going to attempt to see someone this week and try active release therapy - I've heard its REALLY painful but helps.  We will see.........
On a positive note - with the exception of the pain I feel after longer runs, I otherwise feel great.  The swims and bikes are going great.  Yesterday was exacty one month till race day!  I may just not run more then 10km at a given time till race day and I think I'll be ok.  Its not ideal but if it keeps me injury free, then thats all that matters!

Sunday May 6 - 1 hour 20 min run outside
Mon - TRX class
Tues - 2000 m swim
Wed - off
Thurs - 45 min speed run outside
Fri - swim 2800m and 1 hour computrain ride at night
Sat - 1 hour mountain bike

Going strong!

Well after feeling frustrated and somewhat unmotivated in the last post, I've come back strong the last 2 weeks. Feeling great and plan on pushing the training for the next couple weeks and then with a 2 week taper, it'll be race day!  Starting to research things to do in San Fran and I'm sooo excited to go.  Going for a family camping trip this weekend if the rain will hold.  Its been a busy spring and I 'm looking foward to some family time.  And hopefully a long run on Sunday!

Sunday Apr 22 - off
Mon - taught 50 min spin followed by weights
Tues - 2000 m swim
Wed - 50 min run outside
Thurs - unplanned off
Fri - 2600 m swim in morning, 2 hour computrain ride followed by 15 min run
Sat - off

Sunday April 29 - 1 hour run outside
Mon - TRX and 1 hour spin
Tues - swim 1900m
Wed - 30 min TM run
Thurs 45 min run outside
Fri - 2550 m swim and 2 hour computrain at night.

Behind the 8 ball!

Well the race is about 6 weeks away and I feel like I'm behind the 8 ball!  I go strong, then something happens again and I fall apart.  Last weekend I had to recert my Wilderness First Aid and it was a 3 day recert in Canmore.  I had good intentions of running outside but long days, lots of homework and cold mountain mornings stopped me.  So I came back determined to make up for it this past week and by Friday I'm out SICK AGAIN! 

Priorities need to come into place.  I know it will be a challenge for the next month with beautiful weather coming and camping trips planned for a couple weekends.  I think my plan of attack must be to write out my workouts from now till the race leaving room for taper at the end and a bit more of a build for the run leading up. 

Sunday April 8 - off (not planned - life got in the way!)
Monday - taught 50 min spin followed by weights
Tues - 2500 m swim
Wed - 30 min TM tempo run followed by weights
Thurs - taught 50 min spin followed by 25 min TM run
Fri - 1.5 hour computraining
Sat - off

Sunday April 15 - unplanned off
Mon - unplanned off
Tues - 2000 m swim
Wed - 40 speed TM run followed by TRX
Thurs - taught 50 min spin followed by 28 min TM run
Fri - off
Sat - off

Easter - AKA chocolate!!

Well its April and just under 2 months away till the race!  Could I do it - ya I'm pretty much there with the distance but I don't think I'm fit enough to do it without absolutely dying at the end.  I know I would have to walk on the run and my goal is to do that very little.  I'm going to allow myself to walk a bit on some of the hills but basically my goal is to run (even if its very slowly) the whole run portion!

Another goal is to do the swim in under 45 min.  I did it on Sat and was just under 48 min so that means cutting 3 min.  And more importantly open water usually takes longer then pool so there's some work to be done there too. 

With Easter over (today is Sunday!) I'm going to make a new goal of not keeping chocolate in the house.  I think I've mentioned this before but I sabotage myself with chocolate almost everyday.  I justify it with the amount of working out I'm doing, I can eat whatever I want.  In reality my body is craving good food to replenish with after my hard workouts and I really need to do a better job here.........But I'm keeping at the hard workouts and going strong.

Sunday Apr 1 - 70min run outside
Monday - taught 50 min spin and 2 hour computrain later in morning
Tues - 1700 m swim
Wed - 30 min TM hill run followed by TRX
Thurs - taught 50 min spin
Fri - off
Sat - 2.5km straight swim (48 min)

Almost April!

So I've taken some time off of posting because I simply didn't know what to write.  Wake up, take kids to daycare, train, eat, play with kids, sometimes train again.....It was all getting a little boring to say the least.  Gain 2 pounds, lose 2 pounds, repeat, repeat, repeat.
I'm happy to say that although there hasn't been any great changes in my routine, I'm motivated again (not that I ever lost that) but I feel back on track again.  Starting to feel strong on my Sunday long runs and getting 2 workouts on Thurs and Fridays. 

Sunday Mar 11 - 10km run outside (58.45min)
Monday - taught 50 min spin followed by TRX
Tues - 1900m swim
Wed - TM speed run followed by weights
Thurs - taught 50 min spin
Fri - 2000m swim and 2 hour computrain at night
Sat - off

Sunday Mar 18 - 1 hour run outside
Monday - taught 50 min spin followed by TRX
Tues- 2000m swim
Wed - TM speed and hill followed by weights
Thurs - taught 55 min spin follwed by 20 min run on TM
Fri - 2000m straight swim 36.5 min and 2 hour computrain at night
Sat - off

Sunday Mar 25 - 1 hour 3 min run outside (not sure of distance)
Monday - 2 hour computrain ride
Tues - 2000 m swim
Wed - 30 min TM run followed by weights
Thurs - taught 50 min spin class followed by 30 min TM run
Fri - off
Sat - 30 min tempo run on TM followed by 1 hour weight class

Week of March 4, 2012

Its been a good week for the most part.  I'm overall happy with my workouts.  I'm even happier with the weather and the prospect of getting outside!  That'll be great.  Today is exactly 3 months till the race!!!!  Not ready yet but I will be.
Sunday Mar 4 - 45 min run outside
Monday - taught 50 min spin followed by weights
Tues - 2000 m swim
Wed - TM hill run 30 min followed by weights
Thurs - 50 min spin followed by 20 min TM run
Fri- 2000 m swim and 2 hour computrain at night
Sat - off

On track again??

What an emotional week!  Finally started feeling better and got in some good workouts but my persoanl life went on an emotional rollercoaster.............applied for a teaching job out here so I wouldn't have to worry about long drives come September - didn't get it :(  Got some new policies and regulations from my "fun" job teaching spin and gave my notice.  There was actually a few things I was upset with that gym about but the result is the same - I just don't want to work there anymore.  So I'll teach 6am spin classes for 3 more weeks and then I'm done there too.  Luckily these "life happens" events in my life didn't hurt my workouts, but they sure hurt my eating habits!   How many calories can one person consume in chocolate?? (LOTS)  But here are my workouts.  Only missed the long run last Sunday

Sunday Feb 26 - off
Mon - taught 50 min spin followed by weights
Tues - taught 50 min spin.........1900m swim later in day
Wed - 30 min TM run followed by weights
Thurs - taught 50 min spin followed by 10 min TM run
Fri - swam 1900 m in morning and did 2 hour computrain ride at night
Sat - off

A little over 3 months till race day.  Lets see what I can do............

Spin Spin Spin

Well although I still wasn't feeling well at the beginning of the week, I had accepted extra spin classes to teach because an instructor was away.  I tried to get rid of them, but couldn't so I suffered through.

Sunday Feb 19 - off
Mon - off
Tues - taught 50 min spin at 6am and then again at 9am
Wed - taught 50 min spin at 9am and then 45 min spin and weight training class later in day
Thurs - taught 50 min spin at 6am
Fri - off
Sat - off

So physically I still feel pretty bad.  Missed all my run workouts and my swim workout.  Plus I missed computraining on Friday night which I'm paying an arm and leg for!!!  That probably bothers me the most because of the cost involved.

But overall I just want to feel better.  I've been sick for a full 2 weeks and I'm ready for the turn around.  I feel guity about missing workouts but at least I'm realistic in knowing that I have March, April and May to really ramp it up to be ready for June.

Week of sick!

What a horrible week its been.  It started out with a little frustration about my sore knee and turned into a bad flu.  To make matters worse, Mike was away and I could barely take care of the kids and of course they got sick too.  So my workouts aren't very exciting.....

Sunday Feb 12 - off
Mon - off
Tues - off
Wed - off
Thur - taught 45 min spin (not very well!)
Fri - 1 hour computraining then had to leave
Sat - off

But on a postive note - I book my flight to San Fran!!!!

Week of Feb 5

Well it was a crazy busy weekend.  I took the AFLCA resistance training course and I enjoyed it more then expected.  It was weird being out of the house for so long without the kids but it felt nice to learn again.  Come April I'll have been on "leave" from teaching for 2 years so anytime I get out its a big deal.  But taking this course makes me wonder if I should go back to teaching or pursue something in the fitness industry.  Time will tell I guess! 
In the meantime I have a triathlon to prepare for.  This week is going to be tough as Mike is flying back to Ontario so its going to be a challenge to fit workouts in.  But I'll fill it in everyday as I go:

Sunday Feb 5 - at course all day (did a lot of resistance training though)
Monday - taught 50 min spin class
Tues - taught spin 50 min
Wed - run speed drills 30 min on tm
Thurs - swim 1800 m
Fri - took off

My knee is killing me and I feel like I'm getting sick, may have to take a few days off.

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

I'm training for Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in June. I thought this would be a good way to document everything although I really should start a blog (have no idea how to do that - LOL)   Here is some information about the race:

Welcome to the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon!
For one weekend each summer, 2,000 of the world's best triathletes assemble in San Francisco for one of the most infamous and extreme sporting events…the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. In its 29 years as a maximum-security prison, no one ever escaped alive from the menacing shores of Alcatraz. Every year, this popular event draws over 20,000 spectators to see who can accomplish that daunting task.

On Sunday, June 10, the 32nd Annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon will be packed with heart-pounding action featuring a 1.5 mile swim through frigid waters from Alcatraz Island to shore, a grueling 18-mile bike race, and a demanding 8-mile run through the rugged trails of Golden Gate Recreation Area. Set against the natural beauty of San Francisco, this thrilling triathlon is a virtual postcard of the City by the Bay.

http://www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com/

 I've been training for triathlons for a few years. Biggest distance I've done is olympic and last year I ran a half marathon.   But with a year off here and there while I had kids, I haven't been consistent.  I currently have a 19 month old and a 3 and a half year old.  I'm lucky to have been granted an additional year leave from work (following my mat leave last year) so I am able to put some time into training that I wouldn't otherwise have.  I've picked up a job at a local gym teaching some spin so I could get some extra training in a score a free membership.  In addition I am taking a computraining class on Friday nights (the Friday night thing is killing me) but get actual bike time in.

Here's what my week looks like:

Sunday Jan 22 - 45 min run on tm
Monday - swim 2000m
Tues - teach spin 50 min and weights
Wed - speed workout on tm 30min and 1 hour weight training class
Thurs - teach spin 50 min followed by 25 min run on tm
Fri- taught spin 50min and 2 hour computraining in evening
Sat - off day

Sunday Jan 29 - 50 min run outside
Monday - Swim 2000m
Tues - teach spin followed by weights
Wed - hill workout on tm followed by 1 hour weight class
Thurs - teach spin followed by 30 min run on tm
Fri - 55min run on tm
Sat - off