New Challenge Rancho Cordova...HALF!

I am excited to say I officially completed my first half distance as a professional triathlete! I had competed in the Muncie half years ago before it was a 70.3. All I can remember is a thunder storm and massive open wounds on my feet. Oh and I could hardly walk the next day from being so sore. I didn't know how to prepare for a race as this point in my career, but Ross and I did this race together--just to try. :) I guess I didn't love it at that time-hence I haven't done one since haha.

Anyway, New Challenge race series put on a stellar race. It was the first time for this venue and it was run well. There were great volunteers out there, which is so awesome. I liked the venue-calm waters, rolling hills on the bike, and flat run that had turns to keep it quick and interesting. The run was 2 loops, which made it nice for spectators.

I enjoyed pre-race warm ups with Jill Peterson, Jen Spieldenner, Lauren Brandon, Erin Spitler, and Baily Hintz, It was great meeting Baily and Erin for the first time. Fun weekend with great competition.

So here is my race breakdown: First of all, I was excited yet nervous. I didn't quite know what to do with myself! So...I just went! I didn't have a great swim start for some reason. I just didn't feel that aggression like I normally do. I was really relaxed before the race, which was good, but maybe I didn't let out the aggression enough to get out on the swim. Hmm. I was pretty much by myself-I caught some guys towards the end. I actually felt really good on the swim-it felt like I was grabbing good water and I could keep surging. BUT, it didn't hurt! I am used to hurting in the swim so I'm wondering if I just settled in a bit too conservatively. Anyway, I came out about 5th-just behind 4th place. I talked to Ross in transition-that never happens! ha! He was like "good swim" and I said, "really? thanks! ok!" I am usually so out of breath that talking is not even hardly possible. Like I said, I was pretty chill.

I set off on the bike and it took some time to really settle in. I wasn't sure just how to handle the start. I had gotten good advice to hold back more than I think in the beginning. It was a little hard to do that as I saw 2 girls in front of me. I used them to help me gauge my effort along with checking my watts. Having a power meter was so helpful for this distance. I ended up settling in pretty well and felt ok overall. I had one point in the middle where I was getting really uncomfortable, but got out of saddle a bit and did what I could to adjust. I took my nutrition like clockwork (had Generation UCAN as my main fuel source aside from electrolytes, which was awesome. So simple-no gut issues and felt mentally focused for the entire thing from lack of blood sugar spikes). I actually missed the first aid station on the bike, but was ok because I had my back up bike bladder that fits inside my Specialized Shiv bike frame. I was so glad to have that. I learned I had to slow WAY down to grab bottles at the next 2 stations...then I was fine and got my bottles. Phew!

I came off the bike with Jill and we set off together on the run. I was so nervous about the run, but my legs were ready to go. I was shocked and I smiled pretty big. I was like, "oh yeah, I can do this!" Jill got around me quick and she took off. I was super impressed. I was tempted to push my pace, but I stuck to my plan and my pace. I just didn't know what I could do yet! The miles clicked off pretty quickly for the first 10K...that was surprising too. I am guessing that doesn't always feel that way. The 2nd loop of the run was starting to hurt. Ross told me to build the 2nd loop and I was like-ooo--do I have anything to build with? I sure tried. I was trying to be careful to not over push too soon. I ended up passing the 3rd woman, but unknowingly-she stuck close behind. Then I found Jill! I was super excited. We ran side by side for a mile or so I think. It was kinda cool, but I didn't know if she would keep pushing the pace and wasn't sure if I was going to be able to hold on. I focused on my own technique and we got split up at the next aid station. We both passed Lauren who was having some breathing issues at the time (we didn't know that). I was running on my own again and continued to push the pace. I think I was having a hard time building though. I was starting to feel the fatigue build. Mile 10 came and ooo-from then on it was just everything I had to fend off the 2 ladies right behind me (Jill and Emily). I kept the gas pedal on, but was fading. My core was so fatigued from keeping my technique together and I had blisters forming that I could feel. I had one right on the bottom of my big toe--that made landing and pushing off a bit painful! I sucked it up all while Emily was gaining on me in the last mile. She got around me in the last half mile and people were yelling to suck it up and get her. haha. I listened and tried, but she got me by about 20". I took 4th with 4:23 (fast course!) and I was stoked. I thanked God for the good result, experience, and focus I had. I was excited to give Ross a big hug-he was all over the course, which helped so much. He is so supportive!

I can say I will venture into some more halves in the future. :) I am excited about the merging of Rev3 with New Challenge for a new set of races next year.

I want to thank Barbara and Joe Gluvers for coming to see me at the race (swim friends from Calvin College). It was awesome seeing them!

Now for some recovery before one last race--Oceanside...the Lifetime Fitness Championship race! I have been taking Vector450 to help me recover and it is working really well. I have minimal soreness after the big race-even after a full day of travel. I was expecting much deeper fatigue and soreness, but since taking Vector450 consistently over the past month-I am recovering really well after intense training and racing. Awesome! Thanks V450! Check my fb page for deals on Vector450 so you can try it too! http://vector450.com/

Until next time, train smart

The experience at Frankenmuth 2014

It was another fun year racing in Frankenmuth. Tri for life along with 3Disciplines put on a great race (http://www.donatelifetriathlon.com/). This year there were more female pros that showed up! Gulp...haha. I traveled to this race solo as Ross was helping with the Millennium Triathlon for the weekend. I was able to meet up with Sam and Todd Kennedy and their friend, Todd Buckingham...who is my friend now too! I stayed at the trusty Frankenmuth Motel...not bad for a motel might I add. I was safe and the place was clean. I was only 1 minute from the race! Sweet.

Anyway, I went into the race unrested as I am committed to a solid training block leading up to a couple later races I am hoping to peak for. I have to admit I was pretty nervous as I haven't raced unrested in awhile. I slept horribly the 3 nights before the race. Not exactly sure why, but this didn't help my energy going into the race. I just tried to let go of what I could not control and trust God had a plan that he would give the energy when it was time. I have to constantly remind myself of this when my mind starts advancing to the future and focuses on things I have no control over. It's a constant battle.

Well, race morning came and I woke up surprisingly not too sleepy or groggy after only sleeping a few hours. I had my EBOOST shot to help give me a little boost an hour before the race. This always helps with mental energy for me. Setting up in transition before the race was really fun. Todd, Sam and the other Todd were throwing out all kinds of funny encouragement to get me going. They even gave me the prime bike rack spot. :) How nice is that! I needed every edge to go up against Jennifer Spieldenner!

I headed for my swim warm up-it was wetsuit legal so I had my full-sleeve XTERRA vendetta wetsuit. It made getting in the water super comfortable. I got a good swim warm up in this time, which allowed me to get nice and loose. I was calm and focused and ready to just lay out there what I had!

While the rest of the olympic and sprint distance races lined up on the cool Ferry boat, the elite wave was called into the water to line up. The horn blasted and I just went! I like to think that I have big gorilla arms that just grab the water and help me get out as fast as I can. I had a good start and was mostly by myself. A big pack of guys lead the way and pulled away-I wasn't near their feet so no drafting for me! I stuck to my line and did my best with taking any sort of efficient tangents I could. I couldn't tell if any other swimmers were real close by, but I knew Jen was either way ahead or right by me somewhere. I was shocked when she came up on the side of me towards the last few hundred meters--but I was encouraged she was by me because she is a strong swimmer and I have never been by her before. We exited the water at almost the same time-she ran up into transition a little ahead of me. As I had my wetsuit down around my waist-I then realized I never zipped up my race suit. Oops. I guess I would be showin a little back for this race. ;) (maybe having my suit unzipped slowed me down! I wasn't as aerodynamic-ha ha). Oh but wait, I had my Rudy Project aero helmet on-so I was good to go.

I got out on the bike just ahead of Jen and she got around me on the bike right away. I was prepared for this so I stayed calm, but knew if I wanted to stay in the game I had to have my big girl pants on and embrace the pain. My goal was to ride aggressively. I had done a 20KTT earlier in the week (it went extremely well, but tired me out) so I wasn't so sure how this bike was going to feel. I just had to ride hard no matter what though. It hurt-it was hard to keep pushing and to keep Jen in sight. I didn't let her get away too badly, but by the end it was about 30". I found it is so easy to loose focus and not keep the gas pedal  on as strong. I am still learning this.

Todd Kennedy passed me on the bike around half way and gave some encouragement. I was excited to have been in front of him for awhile at least. He's been racing strong. I eventually surged past Todd again a little before the end and saw Jen running out as I was getting into T2.

I settled in as best as I could on the run-knowing I was going to have to have a really amazing run to catch Jen. I kept her in sight, but the gap slowly grew over the 10K. I kept pushing as best as I could because I wanted to be as close as I could. I had some real low points in the run where I could feel my technique starting to fall apart. I would get a hold of it for a bit and it seemed to happen again. The run was 2 laps and as I was coming in towards transition for my second lap, someone yelled "just 20 more yards and you are done!" Usually I can just ignore that because I know it is hard to tell who is doing the sprint race and who has to keep going, but I made a ugly face and mumbled, "ugh no!" Oh man, I felt like I was rude (not that anyone heard me). haha. I was just hurting at that point and wanted to point out I wasn't done I guess! Well, I just lost juice towards the end! I put forth my best effort for the day, but I think I could feel some of the training from the week at the end.

On a side note, on the run course we run through the little shops (fun) and then by Bronners and there are all kinds of Christmas decorations. Kinda fun and unique wouldn't you say? Oh and there were people playing accordions for us. I liked that. Made me smile amongst my discomfort.

I ended up 2nd by about 1:30. I was 3 minutes faster than last year on this course-so that was great to see (although it can be hard to compare exactly year to year). I was still encouraged. Jen raced well and I know she wasn't rested either. Tri4Him teammate, Sam, was 4th. She's been having issues with her hip and had to stop and walk at mile 5, which was about where she slipped from 3rd to 4th. What a fighter though. It's not easy racing when you aren't right physically-it can make the mind feel heavy too!

Overall, a great time. I had a lot of fun visiting with racers are race staff after the race. This race and venue is really pretty special in my books. Congrats to the other elite racers Kyla Chapman and Hannah Kasmierz.

Thank you Trevor and Lon Coleman for your support and cheers before, during, and after the race. You guys are great and sure make the racers feel special.

                                          See? Good times. Todd's face says it all!

                                          Congrats Ladies!

Lifetime Minneapolis-Lessons Learned

Well, Ross and I spent our 6th year!! anniversary heading to Minneapolis for the Lifetime race. We got to eat at the Cheesecake Factory (with no cheesecake since it was the night before the race-haha), but I got my favorite meal, Bang Bang Shrimp! I love curry dishes! I was hoping to go off with a bang at the race, but, my body decided not to participate in that idea.

The week leading up to the race, I developed a really bad skin infection-like I have never experienced before. I thankfully usually don't have skin issues so I didn't know what I was getting into. Anyway, it developed in to MRSA, which is a really really bad infection that includes skin boils/abscesses that often have to be drained and are really sore. I had several of these! At first it started off pretty mild, but grew and became quite painful. My mind was constantly preoccupied with the discomfort so that was not fun leading up through race prep. I wasn't sleeping well either. I was put on 2 antibiotics at one point and had some incisions to clear the abscesses. This finally helped things turn for the better and I was more comfortable and left town with hopes of racing feeling intact.I knew there was a chance that swelling would be too bad yet and it would be too uncomfortable overall to compete. But, I took it one day at a time and decided I was ok to go and hoped my body would be ready to hit it Saturday morning. Boy, was I wrong!
I was pretty tired the day before the race despite getting better sleep and having lighter training. I just didn't feel right, but also felt loose and could "fake" it through my pre-race workouts again thinking that my body would come around race day. I woke up race morning and had thoughts like, "wow, I just need to get this done." "I can't wait until it is over." "I am not sure how this is going to go." I also was hoping it would storm and the race would be shortened or something. I confess! These are not race ready thoughts! Oh my goodness. Why didn't I listen to those and just not race? Ugh....the competitive drive I guess. I always like to try at least because you never know what the body is capable of. Especially as I believe, I can do all things through Christ who gives me inner strength. I chose to focus on this. Anyway, maybe the Holy Spirit was telling me not to race! Can you relate to the battle? :)
So I raced, it was a rough one. I had a really great swim start! Got right out there and had a good first 100 or so, but then it went downhill so fast! I just had no high end despite my trying. I was last out of the water, blah, but just stuck with it and decided to have my best bike. The bike was not any better-it just hurt. I even thought, "oh if only I could just get a flat and have to stop." haha. I was not really able to get much out of high end tempo effort. So, I decided to stick with it and not reach for what wasn't coming. Instead I focused on technique. Gave me something to focus on around the negative feelings and thoughts I had. Then I got off on the run (I passed friend, Matt Gangelhoff in the transition area so we shouted at each other-that was a highlight!) and still wished I could stop, but I just decided to stay steady and at least finish. I focused on technique again and actually didn't run too terribly considering how I felt. The run felt the best out of the 3 disciplines. It was still painful though. Just lack of any high end or speed changes. I still crossed the line with a smile as I was thankful for the opportunity to be there and thankful I was safe and DONE! Then I was greeted by a drug testing chaperone. A bunch of us had to get drug tested...me...really?! haha
Now, I realize I didn't have to put myself through that. I learned after the fact how much an infection can take out of your body. I am not sure why I underestimated that so much. But yeah, lesson learned. Better to pull the plug sometimes and get better to be at my best for the next one. I am continuing to feel better, but I will be sure to learn from this experience. Ross and I still managed to have fun and got to hang out with Frank Mallot who happened to be in town for work. It was fun to connect with a couple of the other pros too.
So I am moving on to the next race with is scheduled for Sunday (5150 Kansas!) and will go as long as I am all better. :)
Thanks for reading! Here are some pictures that were taken from the race! See-I was smiling at the end...haha. :)

 I am riding with my new bike position. Dale from Village Bike Shop has been helping achieve a more aggressive/aerodynamic position! I am really liking the changes.

I am the one with the XTERRA speed suit. :)

Looking foward!

It has been awhile since I have updated my blog! Now that it is summer, I can more closely focus on my triathlon career, which I am really looking forward to! I have found it to be a challenging year with work requiring a lot of my attention and mental energy (not that is doesn't usually, but this year just seemed more intense for some reason!). In addition, the long and cold Michigan winter seemed to have added an extra challenging variable that required even more mental energy to get up for training when the conditions were unpleasant for so long. Can you relate?! Coming out of the winter and my school year, I found myself more mentally drained than years past. Even through the challenges, I am so thankful for the support God has blessed me with that keeps me pushing through and remembering why I participate in triathlon in the first place.

With that said, I really enjoyed my last race at the Grand Rapids Triathlon where I participated in the sprint race. I had a 3-peat! Woo hoo! and actually won the entire race, including the men by 11 seconds. I tried out my new bike fit from Dale at Village Bike Shop at this race too. Dale was helping me get in a more aggressive position to be more aerodynamic. I love the new fit and feel more aggressive-grr. :) Anyway,  the GR tri was a fun day visiting with family and other tri friends and hearing about their races. (I also had another Tri4Him team mate at GR, Sam Kennedy, who took 2nd in the Olympic distance race). I love to be able to connect and race locally throughout the year.

Looking ahead, I am prepping for 5150 TriRock Philadelphia this coming Sunday. I have never been to Philly or to Pennsylvania so it will be fun to check out a new area. I do need to get a Rocky pose running up the stairs-I am told. I am all about that!

Following Philly, I will be heading to Lifetime Minneapolis in early July. One of my favorite races!

I will be updating my blog throughout the season and it will be connected with my new website: abbygeurink.com. 

Thanks for reading!

Automated External Defibrillators (AED)-life saving devices!

I just wanted to give a shout out to Northstar AED for their support! More than 300,000 people in the US experience sudden cardiac arrest-mostly from the electrical system of the heart becoming chaotic. Have you ever considered the importance of having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device readily available? They can save lives! CPR is important, but it cannot restore normal rhythm. Northstar AED can answer questions and help supply any AED needs you or your facility may have. Having an AED on site at triathlons is something I will definitely ask about-especially at newly established events.

Visit northstarmed.com

Life Time TRI Series 2014

Hello! It's been awhile since I have updated my blog.

Well, it has been one crazy winter in Michigan! I have had several snow days (for work) that I got out of the deal though...haha. But, training sure has been interesting. It has been non-stop indoors with the nasty cold temperatures and snow covered roads. I guess the new shirt I got for Christmas that says, "Michigan isn't for sissies" is very fitting! It's been good for the mental toughness development at least.

Anyway, I am excited to be kicking off my race season with New Orleans 5150 on March 30, then gearing up for South Beach Tri as part of the Lifetime Tri Series the weekend after in Miami. I am excited to race in Miami for year #3! You can join me at South Beach Tri...get your spot here!  http://bit.ly/1g0zAJg It is really a fun race (you run right along the ocean!) and it supports St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at the same time.
Check out the Life Time TRI Series here: www.lifetimetri.com. The races are run very well and you won't be disappointed!

Now back to talking about cold Michigan. Below is a picture of Ross and I's set up in our garage for our multiple brick workout last Saturday morning. Keep in mind it was 15 degrees out, but we were just excited that our neighborhood had some dry pavement AND the sun was shining so we took advantage of this! It was cold, but we made it work and enjoyed ourselves. Good bonding for us. :) Praising God for the chance to have some normal running and sun!

More updates later!

A few photos from 2013!